Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 23, 2011 10:29:26 GMT -5
The I Just Finished Watching had a surging of nerdish activity yesterday, as the topic switched to the latest Underworld film. Perhaps if we're going to get that in-depth with the topic, we should give this very-much January released film franchise (that has a strong cult following) a topic of its own. Here is where we left off... I didn't really give a damn about Newt and Hicks being killed, mostly because I never really cared for any of the characters in the Alien franchise as a whole. Including Ripley. Although I do like Michael Biehn. The one thing I'm hoping for in the new Underworld film is that Michael is gone but not forgotten. Hopefully his disappearance is worked into the plot of the film or maybe they're saving him for the climax and his cameo is a closely guarded secret. The romance between Selene and Michael is mostly the core of the Underworld franchise (and Sonja and Lucian for the prequel), and while the mother/daughter dynamic sounds fascinating, I feel they need to use it to further expand upon the relationship instead of replace it. Maybe we should start an Underworld topic instead of hogging this one to ourselves? I'd also like to note that Underworld has been featured at ComiCon this weekend. Producer and director of the first two films Len Wiseman revealed that an animated film taking place in the Underworld universe is being made. It's hinted that it will be available exclusively through an Underworld DVD/BluRay box set in the future, and no confirmation of a release by itself. So if you haven't upgraded your Underworld discs to BluRay yet, you should probably hold off to see what this is. It's a good thing this news broke, because I was thinking of getting the BluRay box set this weekend, but I'll stick with my DVDs until this hits the shelves.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 24, 2011 0:46:40 GMT -5
Blog breakdown of the Underworld panel at CC.There was a trailer shown but its not online. The mos interesting bit of news is when the blogger said that Michael was mentioned but everyone on th panel declined to speak on the character's involvement in the movie. Sounds like they got something surprising for us.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 26, 2011 22:34:15 GMT -5
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Post by Mighty Jack on Jul 26, 2011 23:59:07 GMT -5
If they do another blu-ray offering, I hope they include the theaterical cut on the first film. The extended cut adds a lot of needless exposition that makes the film drag and adds nothing we couldn't figure out on our own anyway. I hate when they leave out the theaterical cut (Hellboy blu does this as well) because there's enough room to include both versions (ala the Dark City blu-ray release)
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Jul 27, 2011 0:49:26 GMT -5
I agree. I was hesetant about the Blu release because it was extended only. I find the idea of offering only one on a format that can easily support both slightly obnoxious. Hopefully the potental double dip will rectefy this.
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Post by Justin T on Aug 11, 2011 17:53:44 GMT -5
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 11, 2011 23:23:45 GMT -5
I enjoy some 3D as long as it's real D and not done post production. I think its can be fun (Megamind) or astonishingly immersive (Avatar) - and some critics take it waaaay to serious (why do they grouse non stop about it - just go see the 2D, it's not like they took that option away from you - I saw both Cap A and Thor in 2D, my choice).
I'm going to have to see Selene in 3D, I hope it offers a lot of depth.
Nice article BTW, thanks for posting.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 12, 2011 1:30:00 GMT -5
I enjoy some 3D as long as it's real D and not done post production. I think its can be fun (Megamind) or astonishingly immersive (Avatar) - and some critics take it waaaay to serious (why do they grouse non stop about it - just go see the 2D, it's not like they took that option away from you - I saw both Cap A and Thor in 2D, my choice). I'm going to have to see Selene in 3D, I hope it offers a lot of depth. Nice article BTW, thanks for posting. On the note of critics complaining about 3D, I've read a few of Ebert's reviews of films in 3D and he's stated several times that the choice between 3D and 2D is not an option for advance critical screenings. He hates 3D and has stated many times he would have gone to a 2D screening if given the option. I agree that 3D is a great experience if it was filmed that way. I saw both Thor and Harry Potter in Imax 3D and both were a complete waste of money. I intend on checking out Underworld in 3D because it wasn't a post conversion.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Aug 12, 2011 2:08:32 GMT -5
I didn't know Ebert was forced to see them that way. That would suck.
Still, he can shut up about it now. He's stated this over and over again and I think we get it. He hates 3D. Time to drop it Rog.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 12, 2011 11:47:46 GMT -5
I think he's gotten to the point of acceptence of his situation right now. I believe for the last few months he has just stuck a tag at the end of his reviews that states "see it in 2D. 3D adds nothing to the movie."
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Aug 18, 2011 22:31:27 GMT -5
Trailer's out.Looks OK. Kinda generic, but I felt the same way about Rise of the Lycans, and I ended up loving that one.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Nov 2, 2011 15:29:33 GMT -5
New trailer.I like the tagline. "Kate Beckinsale...in 3D." That's all I need to hear.
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Post by Mighty Jack on Nov 2, 2011 23:06:29 GMT -5
And in IMAX 3D so you get a 60 foot Kate in 3 dimensions. Yay Like this new trailer.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Dec 20, 2011 21:01:58 GMT -5
So, that new set of Underworld Blu-Rays came out today, and disappointingly it's just the same old discs, different package. Any hope of the theatrical cut of the first film on it is flushed straight down the toity.
The only difference between this set and the last set is a bonus disc containing Underworld: Endless War, the anime shorts that bridge the gap between Evolution and Awakening. Haven't watched them yet, but I hear they total 17 minutes. There are also Ultraviolet digital copies for people who care.
Still, 25 bucks for 4 discs. Not a bad deal.
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Torgo
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Post by Torgo on Dec 21, 2011 2:35:19 GMT -5
Checked out the Endless War bonus disc. It starts up with a small docu-ad from Faces of the Fans, which held a contest for Underworld. A fan named Liz appearantly won for repeating Selene's openin monologue from the original. Anywho, she won the role of a bar maid in Awakening as a result. Kind of neat.
As for Endless War, it chronicles Selene's battles with three Lycan brothers that spans an entire century. The first two parts take place in between Rise of the Lycans and the original, the final segment takes place in between Evolution and Awakening. The story is basic brooding, hunting, and killing, with a lot of nudity thrown in because they felt like it.
The animation is crap, but I dug the character models (especially Selene's). I wish they put more time and effort here, because it showed promise but ultimately let down.
Can you skip it? I'm going to say yes. I'm not even sure if I want to bother watching it again. It felt unimportant, lacked an interesting narrative, and definitely wasn't pretty to look at. Hell, Kate doesn't even voice Selene so pffft.
The movies alone justify the money I spent on this, though. But if you already have any of them on Blu, then don't bother.
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