Showing posts tagged with “film study”

Thoughts on Michael Bay’s Reboot of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

So if you haven’t heard by now, Michael Bay is rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise with a brand new movie. While normally this would be good news, there’s just one small detail that ruins everything. Michael Bay has been quoted saying:

Kids are going to believe, one day, that these turtles actually do exist, when we are done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race, and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable. (via stuffwelike)

While this could simply be a misquote and we might all just be getting our knickers in a twist over nothing, I’m going to assume (since we are dealing with Michael Bay) that this is in fact 100% true. I’m not upset that they are rebooting the franchise with a new movie. In fact, I think it’s great that they do this because it would introduce the Ninja Turtles to an entire new generation of children. I’m upset because you can’t change the mythos of the story like that.

Heroes in a half shell!

It might seem like I’m just another person complaining about this, but the Ninja Turtles hold a very special place in my heart. Being a child of the 80’s, I was obsessed with TMNT. My biggest exposure to them was definitely the 1987 cartoon series. I watched this show so much that my parents bought a few episodes for me on VHS so that I could watch it when it wasn’t scheduled to air. I ended up watching those tapes so much that I wore a few of them out.

In addition to the cartoon series, I was obsessed with the video games as well. I played little league soccer when I was young and we’d always go to Pizza Hut after games. I still have fond memories of asking my mom for just one more quarter so that I could keep playing the original arcade game. Eventually, my dad bought me the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles video game. Let me restate that, he did not buy TMNT 2: The Arcade Game, but the original game that was hard as shit. And I fucking loved it.

Real talk: Fuck this level.

I imagine my family must have some fond memories of this time too. It was incredibly easy to shop for me during this period of time. As long as anything had Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, or Raphael on it, I would absolutely love it.

In 2003, Mirage Studios worked with 4Kids and rebooted the franchise with a brand new cartoon. The cartoon took more elements from the comic (especially the heavy sci-fi theme with Utrons) and left behind staples from the 1987 cartoon (which were never part of the original comics to begin with). I’d watch the show from time to time and I thought it was interesting, but I didn’t get too invested in it. Still, it was nice to see the Turtles back in pop culture and being introduced to a new generation of children

When I graduated from college, I started working at Ubisoft where I had a lifetime dream come true. Not only did I get to work at a video game company, I got to work on two TMNT games. And while these games weren’t the best in the series (I still say give Reshelled a chance), it was incredibly fun to work professionally on something I was so passionate about as a child.

Cowabunga, dude.

While working on these games, I was introduced to the original comic series by a coworker. Reading the original story for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was incredibly fascinating and reignited my passion for Turtle Power. It was interesting to see how dark the actual comics were compared to both the 1987 and 2003 cartoons. It was also fun to see how closely the 1990 feature film followed the original storyline of the comics. I would go as far to say that it might be one of my favorite comic book adaptations.

In 2009, Mirage Studios put an end to an era by selling the entire franchise to Nickelodeon. While I was sad to hear this news, I was also excited to see what would happen next. If Nickelodeon could put an Avatar spin on the TMNT franchise, I would be incredibly stoked to see it.

But all this was shattered the other day when I read about Michael Bay’s change. The story of the Ninja Turtles is amazingly simple. Four turtles fall into the sewers and come in contact with a green ooze called mutagen, which causes them to mutate into anthropomorphic turtles. This origins story is the core to the entire franchise and to change it would be blasphemy. Similar to Peter Parker always being bitten by a radioactive spider and Bruce Wayne’s parents always dying, this is the one thing that needs to be true in order for the story to work.

So Michael Bay, I don’t give a shit if there are a million explosions in this movie or if you cast Josh Duhamel as Casey Jones. But don’t make a film that causes children to believe that the Ninja Turtles are some alien species from some distant planet. Don’t ignore twenty-eight years of this franchise’s legacy. Don’t take a big fat Michael Bay shit on my childhood. Please.

OR ELSE THERE WILL BE SHELL TO PAY.

COWABUNGA - I MADE A FUNNY.

Thoughts on Martin Scorsese’s Hugo

I found myself guilty this year of not seeing all the Academy best picture nominees. I only had a few left and after a discussion with some friends, we reached a consensus: if I were to see any of these films while they were still in theaters, I should watch Martin Scorsese’s Hugo. Having been his first foray into 3D film, it would be the only film whose cinematic experience I wouldn’t be able to replicate at home. I can safely say I made a wise decision.

Martin Scorsese’s Hugo is now my new favorite movie. Watching the film, I couldn’t help but smile the entire time as I found myself completely entranced by the life within this lovely train station that Scorsese created. The story centers around an orphan and his attempt to unravel the mystery behind a broken automaton that he inherited from his late father. Needless to say, it was incredibly heartwarming and made more enjoyable by the fact that each character was perfectly cast.

(Source: edwinzee)

Tango Argentini (aka the best short film you’ll ever see)

I’m going to let you guys in on a little secret and show you what I think is one of the best short films ever, Tango Argentini.

Directed by Belgian filmmaker Guy Thys, the film is about a lonely office worker, Andre, who meets his perfect woman over the internet. The two bond over the tango and when she proposes that they meet up in two weeks to dance, Andre must enlist the help of his coworker Frans to teach him how to tango.

There’s something magical yet earnest about this beautifully shot film. I believe that Thys was not only able to capture the essence of tango and love, but his own passion for film. As an aspiring filmmaker, I feel inspired to continue writing and filming because it makes me happy. I’ve come to realize that it’s not important to me that my films become successful, but rather that I enjoy what I do.

I’m going to let you in on another secret too: this would be a great date movie. Invite your date over for dinner and watch this film. Take her (and preferably a bottle of wine) somewhere secluded like your rooftop and try to tango. You both are probably going to suck at it, but at least you’ll have fun. Afterwards, drink some more wine, look at the stars, and enjoy each other’s company.

(Source: edwinzee)

Screenwriting Analysis #6: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Screenplay by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach; Based on the novel by Roald Dahl

Key Take Away: Just Write dammit.

Well, it’s been a while, but I’ve finally reached the last of Wes Anderson’s films. Growing up, Fantastic Mr. Fox was one of my favorite books. I remember ordering it from my elementary school book orders (who remembers those?) and bringing it home where my mother and I read it together. Needless to say, when I found out eighteen years later that my favorite director was taking my favorite childhood book and turning it into a stop-motion animated film, I was thrilled.

I really enjoyed Wes’s unique take on Roald Dahl’s story. Through fantastic writing and a charming performance by George Clooney, Wes was really able to craft Fox’s personality. No matter how wily and conniving Fox gets, there is always something alluring and enchanting him about it that can be described nothing short of “fantastic.”

There’s also something incredible to the amount of detail that is put into this film. By doing stop-motion, one literally has the ability to create anything he or she wishes and manipulate it down to the most minute detail. The attention to detail that Wes puts into Fantastic Mr. Fox really illustrates the passion of an auteur, something I wish to have someday.

And at last, it is time for my key takeaway from the film: “Just write, dammit.”

Screenwriting Analysis #5: The Darjeeling Limited

Written by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, and Jason Schwartzman

Key Take Away: Less is More

After a long hiatus, I’m finally back with another screenwriting analysis. Between moving to San Francisco, performing in the Del Close Marathon, and work, it was hard to find time to sit down and write. But now that my schedule is a little bit more relaxed, I’m really hoping that this will become a weekly feature.

This week’s film was The Darjeeling Limited. After watching this film for a second time (the first was when it first came out in theaters), I realized it is now one of my favorite of Wes Anderson’s films. It also holds a special place in my heart because it is the film where I actually got to meet Wes Anderson.

The film itself is a fantastic story of three completely different brothers coming together on a trip through India to visit their estranged mother. Personally, I feel that the film was beautifully written and might be Wes Anderson’s best film after Rushmore.

While I was reading the script, the one scene that particularly stood out was the scene where the Whitman brothers come across some children who fall into a river. The Whitman brothers, who have been fighting the whole trip, come together in an instant to save these children. What stood out about this scene in the script was that it was significantly longer than what appears in the movie.

[Note: I don’t have the actual script. The script I used was from the Rushmore Academy. Therefore, I can only assume that the script they have on the site was authentic. Even if it’s not the actual script, my analysis makes sense… I hope]

Below you’ll find the screenplay along with stills from the movie. Everything within the red boxes was removed from the final film. [Please note: I also made some small edits to the screenplay, such as rearranging the order of a few lines, but did not highlight these edits.]

(Source: )

Summer Movie Recommendation: Attack The Block

I just got back home from the movie theaters where I saw a free advanced screening of Attack The Block, a film produced by the people who brought you Shaun of the Dead. The film is slated for a limited release in the States in July and I would highly recommend watching it.

Not wanting to give much away, the film follows a teen gang in South London who find themselves amidst an alien invasion and struggle to defend their block from it. The film casts many teen actors but has a notable appearance by Nick Frost.

I absolutely loved the film and found that not only was it filled with action and comedy, but tons of heart. Moreover, I would simply state that I found this movie way more impressive than Super 8, which I thought was just okay.

My problem with Super 8 was that it felt like two films: an alien attack (action) and a kid dealing with the loss of his mother (emotional) (and also not a spoiler). As a result, I never really felt attached to any of the characters in the film and I found myself always wanting to just watch the action parts. It wasn’t until the very end of the film where the two began to intermingle and by then, it was way too late since the film was over.

Attack The Block really succeeds where Super 8 failed. It has characters that you invest in and root for during the film. The action and the emotional response are intertwined throughout the film and I never found myself wishing a scene would end. Not only does the film give you an entertaining and comedic story of aliens, but it touches on the hardships of living in an impoverished neighborhood in South London without preaching.

In any case, I know there are a ton of huge movies that are coming out this summer and there’s a good chance that many people might overlook this film. But if you find yourself with an opportunity to see it, I would highly recommend it.

Screenwriting Analysis #4: The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou

Written by Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach

Key Take Away: Read Scripts

As I previously mentioned, one of the most important things an aspiring screenwriter can do is read scripts. My friend Brian once stated, “I believe the task at hand is to work hard (i.e. Read Scripts, Watch Movies, Write Pages) to hammer those important structural elements into my subconscious, into my instinctual thinking, so that I can consciously be focused on my story while automatically calibrating the structure to fit properly as a film.”

I believe that reading scripts is incredibly beneficial, especially combined with watching the same film. It’s important for screenwriters to be both concise yet detailed in their writing. By reading scripts and then watching films, an aspiring screenwriter can see how something simple such as a character detail or location description evolves into an incredibly visual and emotional scene.

Let’s take a look at the scene where Steve Zissou meets the Jaguar shark:

(Source: )

Screenwriting Analysis #3: The Royal Tenenbaums

Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Key Take Away: Make Sympathetic Characters

[Warning: There are some spoilers to 3:10 to Yuma in this week’s analysis] Things have been slightly busy the past couple of weeks, but I’m finally back with another screenwriting analysis. We continue our trip through Wes Anderson’s filmography this week with his third and most popular film: The Royal Tenenbaums. I really think Wes and Owen lucked out with this film. Not only did they write a script that’s filled with dynamic characters, they were also able to cast the film with an amazing ensemble cast lead by Gene Hackman, who gives a magnificent performance as Royal Tenenbaum.

But it’s not just Royal the viewer falls in love with; every character in the film is relatable because we sympathize with them, which is precisely this week’s takeaway: make sympathetic characters. Every character in the film has some sort of fundamental flaw that defines them and makes them who they are. Moreover, the film reveals the nature of all these flaws to us. By not just giving us flawed characters but also showing us why these characters are flawed, Wes and Owen ensure that anyone who watches the film will sympathize with them.

(Source: edwinzee)

Screenwriting Analysis #2: Rushmore

Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Key Take Away: Show not tell

This week’s screenwriting analysis comes from Wes Anderson’s second feature film: Rushmore. Arguably his best, Rushmore is definitely one of my favorite films of all time. It has an amazing script, a remarkable cast, and a fantastic soundtrack. Moreover, the film contains so many visual and thematic elements in it that I personally feel like I see something new every time I watch it.

I could spend hours talking about the character development in Rushmore. Quite frankly, I feel like Wes and Owen do an amazing job in making sure that every single character in the film grows over the course of the film. Moreover, it’s incredibly interesting to see that that every character in the film has a “Rushmore.” That is, every character has something that they desire in the film and by the end, every single one of them gets it. I honestly would like to continue talking about character development; however, I’d like to emphasize a new fact about screenwriting with each analysis. Maybe I’ll come back one day to do a character analysis on Rushmore (make a comment if you want to see it); but for now, I’d like to focus on the biggest takeaway I got from this film.

(Source: edwinzee)

Screenwriting Analysis #1: Bottle Rocket

Written by Wes Anderson and Owen Wilson

Key Take Away: Focus On Your Characters

So it’s time kick off my weekly screenwriting analysis with none other than Wes Anderson’s first film, Bottle Rocket. I personally feel like this is a fantastic film that every aspiring filmmaker should watch because it was Wes’s first film. Moreover, if you pick up the Criterion Collection edition (as you should), you also get to see the original thirteen minute short that Bottle Rocket is based off of. It’s definitely interesting to see how Wes and Owen’s short film evolved into a feature. However, my analysis isn’t on the differences between the two versions; but rather, I’ll be discussing the writing and development on the feature itself.

(Source: edwinzee)

Advice from Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson: “Never be afraid to rewrite?”

One of my New Year’s Resolutions is to write a screenplay this year. I’m still in the process of trying to figure out what I want to write about, but I decided one of the best ways to probably start would be to study films that I really admire and inspire me.

Therefore, every week I’m going to watch a film and pull from it the most inspiring points to me as an aspiring screenwriter and post them here. My goal is by studying these films and finding out what it is I like about them, I’ll be able to find my own style of writing. It also provides a nice break from all the cat pictures and geeky photos I reblog.

I don’t have a concrete way on how I’m going to determine what films I watch, but I decided to start this project with the films of my favorite director of all time: Wes Anderson. But before I start posting my studies, I wanted to share some advice Wes Anderson gave me.