For A Better Tomorrow

May 5th, 2008 is the first shooting date for Terminator 4: Salvation. The movie is going to star Christian Bale as John Connor and it will obviously be set in the future. The story is kept under wraps pretty well but some sources says that it’ll be set in 2019. There “may” be a cameo appearance with Arnold, but I don’t know how they will even pull that off especially when the man is currently governing California. Anyway, I think I have already expressed my real feelings on T3 when they made it without James Cameron. Long story short for those who haven’t read my previous posts, I was completely heart broken and wanted to kill somebody.

I’m a student of action movies, therefore, I can be pretty obsessive when Hollywood goes on to revive/ruin certain movies just because of a huge fan base ($$ made itself). I really believe that if they truly want to revive something incredible, they have to come up with something beyond belief. It has to be as close to, or equal to, or even better than T2. If the script doesn’t look like it’s going to be anywhere near that, I’d say they should drop the idea or freaking fire someone.

As a huge fan of T2 (before the release of T3), I have always tried hard to think of a way for them to make a sequel beyond T2 that may be somewhat respectable to the fans. Since they have already made a T3 and are currently in production with T4, I will tell you my version of how I would’ve liked T3 to be made. Keep in mind, that this is probably just what “I” want, but I personally feel that this “concept” that I have in mind is somewhat twisted yet it stays true to the formula of the original first two Terminator films. But, before we go into that, I first would like to lay out the requirements for sequels. Maybe Hollywood might learn a thing or two from this.

Some of these are obvious but if any of them are not in consideration, I’d say you ditch the sequel.

1) Bring the “favorite characters” back,if you can, revive the villain - that always always turns the fans on. Final Fantasy 7 sequels succeeded with this when they brought the best villain of all time, Sephiroth, in both FF7: Advent Children and FF7: Crisis Core. This is so key in my opinion. If T3 can’t bring Linda Hamilton back, I don’t think having Arnold back is enough and having a different actor for the role of John Connor does not help either. Arnold is NOT enough! I guess this is why prequels have had a great deal of success the past because the fans gets to see all their favorite characters in a very convincing storyline.

2) Stay true to the formula of the original sequels but make it original. I know that sounds difficult but I will tell you how it can be done for the Terminator series.3) Storyline and a ton of references to the originals

4) The sequel has to fulfill the entire series. Perhaps make the film almost as if it was made the same time as the other films. Perhaps that is why Lord of the Rings was successful. All three films flowed so well with together.The Concept

All I have is the concept, but I think that’s pretty much the entire pie as you can write the screenplay around it. My version of T3 will obviously be set in the future where machines have already taken over (post judgement day).

Here are my list of actors that can be in my version of T3:

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Robert Patrick

Edward Furlong (or maybe someone else to play John Connor, Christian Bale is def not bad along side with Arnold and Robert)

An older Arnold:

Okay. So I’m sure you all have a ton of questions on how this can be done since my casting list is quite strange seeing both Arnold and Robert (T1000) in the future. Also, we have a problem with age as both Schwarzenegger and Patrick are both pretty old now. Make up will probably not work too much longer, but I will not underestimate Hollywood. Anyway, my point is, we don’t need to make them look young.

The Marketing Strategy:

In the first Terminator, the audience was first introduced to Schwarzenegger as the villain and Michael Biehn as the good guy. The surprise in T2 happens when the audience finds out that the T101 (Schwarzenegger) is actually a good guy. This is where that famous mall gun fight scene in T2 takes place when the T101 aims his shotgun at John Connor. Instead of shooting, the T101 says “Get Down!”, and from that moment, we all now know that Schwarzenegger is now the good guy in T2. I really love this concept and I believe that is one of the reasons why T2 was so successful. I think this is something that needs to be repeated in part 3.

In my version of T3, I envisioned a teaser trailer featuring an older gray haired Arnold Schwarzenegger staring out in the desert overlooking a land full of human flesh and machine body parts mixed together. The metal parts look like they’re sprayed with red blood all over and the human body parts can be mistaken with the machine body parts. We see some blood and sweat on Schwarzenegger’s face as his eyes can barely comprehend what just happened. Schwarzenegger looks over to his right and sees and older gray haired Robert Patrick standing next to him. He’s beaten up and dirty but alive. They are both breathing heavily as they stare at each other. End Scene fade to black.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Robert Patrick

Edward Furlong

Terminator 3

Fade to Black - End of Teaser

And that is it That’s my trailer. Now, with this kind of marketing scheme, it is very similar to the T2 marketing scheme when the audience sees Arnold Schwarzenegger in the trailer unaware that he is actually the good guy. So the question remains, why is the older Robert Patrick and the older Arnold Schwarzenegger in the trailer? This here is what will bring the audience into the theaters in my opinion. The fans of the first two Terminator films will want to know what the hell is going on.

T3 the concept:

Here’s where the surprise ends. In my version of T3, Schwarzenegger and Patrick are both humans fighting against the machines. Arnold can be a survivor from another country (hence the accent), and Robert Patrick can also be a survivor of Judgement day. They later mentor/join forces with John Connor. John Connor may run the human resistance from the U.S. while Patrick and Schwarzenegger are leading another group of humans in another area.

With this idea in mind, we can play with many different references. Imagine what John Connor’s expression will be like when he first meets human version of Arnold T101 and T1000 .

My whole idea about this concept is that the machines used basic psychological military tactics to affect the emotions of the human soldiers as they are forced to fight against machines that “resembles” the image of Schwarzenegger and Patrick. Imagine being truly honorable to your general and later find out that you have to fight a lookalike of your general. It can be somewhat devastating to the soldier and of course John Connor. This idea is pretty much giving birth to how the image of the T101 and T1000 came into existence. Obviously, the figure of a man probably had to have come from somewhere right? Why not let it be an actual human version of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Patrick, one of the top generals

Foreshadowing:It is obvious that this is somewhat like a prequel to the Terminator series. It’s pretty much a story of how the image of T101 and T1000 came to existence. Just like Darth Vader in episode 3, we will see a tragic story as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Patrick will die at the end of the movie or end of the “trilogy” (if this concept does in fact stretch out into 3 movies). I’m just imagining the ending where John Connor loses a good friend (Arnold Schwarzenegger) and then seeing a machine in the image of the Schwarzenegger’s character come forth shooting at him. It’s as if he knew this day will come but could not stop it because it was “inevitable”, just like judgement day. I think this is just a sick idea that can surprise the world and the fans of the Terminator series. Hollywood did not realize that there is an idea out there that brings back the favorite characters on screen.

Another thing I want to add is the friendship that can be developed between both Schwarzenegger and Patrick’s character. If they are very “good friends” in this film, it will be pretty interesting to go back to T2 and watch old best friends fight it out. One is a protector, and the other is the assassin.
I really wish these kinds of concepts are used more in sequels. It is much better than “There is a new terminator, more advanced than the advanced one in part 2, The T-X!) A total laugh out loud comedy marketing in my opinion. WTF were they thinking? I have no clue.

http://filmwad.com/first-trailer-for-i-the-forbidden-kingdom-i–5288-p.html

I have been waiting for a damn trailer for this movie for a long time. I have spent many hours talking and thinking about how they can ever make a Li/Chan movie THAT WILL WORK. At one point, I thought “War” could’ve been a good script for a Li/Chan film but they obviously made some stupid decisions with the film’s storyline and therefore, I’m glad that never happened. The concept is very important and I thought War had a decent concept, but the way they made the film was just terrible. The studios should already know that they’re gonna make a lot of money with these two big stars. What’s really important here in my opinion, is to make the movie great. I think that all depends on the films concept and then of course storyline.

I’ll get more into this later

Transformers is just around the corner. I honestly cannot wait any longer for this damn movie to come out. I’m not a transformers fan but I am a Michael Bay fan. After viewing all the trailers, I now know what this movie is going to be a cinematic experience. I’m hoping that the story will be great but to be honest, I’m only looking forward to the action, the quick cutting, the camera angles, and of course the beautiful cinematography. All of which, I have been a fan of for a very long time. If the transformers movie’s story is great, that’ll definitely be a plus. Obviously the story has to be “ok” for the movie to be good overall but lets face it, we’re all going to watch this for the action sequences.

As of late, the action genre has been declining. It seems that the general audience has been too spoiled in the 90s and are now expecting way too much from action movies. I don’t blame them as I am very critical about action movies myself. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I’m excited for this movie. Michael Bay is able to make his dry action look “beautiful”. The camera angles and shots are just so amazing. Don’t get me wrong when I say “dry action”. Dry action to me is just boring explosives and gun shots that were well received in the early 90’s. Nowadays, people are expecting something more. Perhaps something cooler and in my opinion, that would have be “flow”. Nowadays, action has got to have flow for it to be exciting. I’ve talked a lot about fluidity in action sequences in the past so I will not dive into it any further. It’s sorta hard to understand the idea of fluidity and flow in an action movie. Basically, it’s how the camera moves and how the shots that areg taken. Of course, the action sequence needs to be stylized with the right editing and cinematography as well. Some directors have it, and some don’t. There are a few action directors ( Michael Mann, Tony Scott, James Cameron, and Michael Bay) who are aware of this change in the general audience’s tastes. I feel that Michael Bay would be more of a newer director in comparison to the ones I just listed. Directors like David Fincher and the Wachowski brothers are perhaps more of the newer generation of action directors, but I can’t say that anymore as time has passed by quite some time since the early 90s.

I often wonder what the next generation of action directors will bring next. It’s hard to say, but I definitely think that they need to learn to stylized their movies. Zack Snyder (director of 300) seems to have a lot of potential it seems. I think if he’s given a good script, he might be able to come up with something fantastic. But until then, I think Michael Bay will continue to lead in the action genre. That is until James Cameron comes out of the closet for another shot. I hope to see more from Tony Scott and Michael Mann as well. Their action movies are definitely ones for us student directors to dissect if we ever want to become an action director. I also hope John Woo gets back into the mix as well. I’m sadden to see the absence of John Woo lately as he is one of the most influential action directors on this planet.

“When you see Optimus Transform in this movie for the first time and don’t get a chill up your spine — then fuck off - because nothing in cinema will excite you!!! ” - Michael Bay

72 days left until what you ask? Transformers the movie!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted about a movie. Since Michael Bay is one of my favorite directors in terms of visual and cinematography, I figure I’d write up about this film. A friend of mine asked me recently what my thoughts are on this movie, I told him “I’m not sure, all of Michael Bay’s movie trailers are AWESOME”. But obviously, not all of his movies are awesome lol. I like Michael Bay because of his ability to grab the general audience’s attention with his trailers. The worst trailer was The Island - and that ended up being his first flop ever. Well, Pearl Harbor is a flop too but it did break box because of it’s excellent marketing and astonishing movie trailer.

I’ve always been a hardcore fan of some storyline, whether it’s a game or a movie. I was very disappointed in Terminator 3 and I will be very picky about how Hollywood would do a Solid Snake movie, if that were to ever happen. Many fans of Solid Snake would only want Hideo Kojima to direct a Solid Snake film, and many would want it to be in it’s original CGI. A live version of Solid Snake would look like a complete copy of a Bond film. But the CGI delivers something in the Solid Snake character that separates him from Bond. Anyway, the reason I brought this up is because I do feel for the fans of Transformers and their complaints about Michael Bay directing it. They’re worried that Michael Bay will ruin their childhood cartoon show. Again, Transformer fans, I do understand where you’re all coming from.

But let me say something about the Transformers movie and the fans. These fans have got to understand, Transformers is DEAD. It was a successful show in the 80s and nobody has really paid attention to it ever since. Michael Bay is simply trying to revive it and deliver it to the newer generation. One of the toughest things to accomplish as a director is to please the general audience and the fans/community on a particular story. This is the challenge for the directors of all the comic book movies. Final Fantasy: Spirits From Within only targeted the general western audience and failed to please the fans of Final Fantasy. If Hideo Kojima does indeed retire from the Solid Snake Series, and it dies out for the next 20 years, I wouldn’t complain as much if a new director decides to step up and try to revive the storyline. But that is not the case right now for Solid Snake. I swear, Hideo Kojima can make 5 more Solid Snake titles and it’ll still be damn good. James Cameron could’ve made two more Terminator movies and it’ll still be damn good. But the interruption of newer minds destroyed the chance that any new potential for the Terminator series. I guess this is what the fans of Transformers are worried about. But face it guys, it’s over. If Michael Bay does not direct it, Transformers would be left dead for another few years until another director grabs hold of it.And seriously guys, I know Pearl Harbor was bad but come on, Michael Bay is the current action popcorn director. He knows how to give your eyes an orgasm when you’re in the theater. He’s like a rockstar director. He’ll say things like “This is going to be fucking cool.”

But again, I’m not sure if Transformers will be good. I know it’ll destroy the box office that’s for damn sure.  Those trailers are just way too sexy. But will the movie itself be amazing? I doubt it, but I want to be wrong here. I can say this though, with Michael Bay’s directing, I’m sure it’ll have cool visuals, cinematography, direction, and action sequences. But as for storyline?   I’m a bit skeptical there.  And truthfully this is what the fans should really be worried about.  The factor should not be the director, rather it should be that their show is going to be condensed into a two hour movie.  There are many characters in transformers and like X-Men, it’ll be hard to develop everybody.  This here should be the real problem, and not the director.  So please, shut up already.   The movie has potential, and that potential all comes down to the storyline.

“This is by far the most action I have ever put into a movie” - Michael Bay

One Thing I realized being a poker play is that I spend a shit load of money.  Food, water, alcohol, complimentary, you name it.  I spend way too much money and I’m starting to realize how bad that is.  My spending habits are way more than I have ever spent in my life.  I guess, when you feel comfortable around cash, you just wanna go all out to make yourself feel relax.  Playing poker can be quite difficult and stressful; the healing process is to go all out.  At least that’s how I feel at times.  How many of you have been so stressed, that you feel you just need to pay your way out of reality.  I’ve experienced this many times.  I guess that’s why many gamblers eventually become alcoholics.  For me, I feel as if I am still young and that I am still in party mode. 

Sometimes it’s great to see your buddies have fun, their happiness is my happiness.   Especially family, I wish to do the same for my family.  As great as things are going, I feel as if I’m too old for this.  I met up a friend tonight that reminded me so much of my ultimate goal in life.  The first thing I said to him “Don’t worry, give me some time, and I will be right there with you, just give me some friggen time.”  He told me that he understands, and that we’ll make history together some day.  I later told him to give me a few years before I am prepared for the film world.  Everytime I watch a great movie, or a favorite film of mine, my heart literally feels depresssed as what I am doing now is not helping myself get to where I originally want to be - at least that’s how my heart feels.  One thing is for certain; if I can build a certain type of bankroll, I can spend all the time I want making movies.  This is something I must keep in mind.

When people have a lot of money, they literally do not care where it goes.  At clubs, they’re willing to pay the bouncer hundreds of dollars just to not have to wait in line.  People pay off security guards just so they don’t get bothered if they were to sneak into a concert.  This is the reality that I live in….Los Angeles.  Sadly, I find myself in those types of situations at time and it’s something that I must come to understand/learn.  If I want to go watch a movie premiere, I’m going to have to pay someone off.  If there’s a place in this world that I want to be, I’m going to have to pay someone. 

My reality is all about money.

As sadly as that sounds, that’s life.  I’ve seen it in movies, I’ve seen it in real life.  I have to admit to myself that this is reality.  Survival to the fetus is in our nature. It sorta saddens me because I know that deep down inside, there is definitely something more.  The sad thing is, if I want to escape from the reality, I may have to pay for it.  Irony is what you can call it.

So what do you do if you find something soo special that does not cost a thing?  You grab on to it with you all your might.  Good luck finding something like that because it comes once in a lifetime. 

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Do not read the following if you have not watched The Departed/Infernal Affairs.

The Departed:

This is the only film this year that I was looking forward to.  To be honest, my expectations were definitely met.  I highly doubt that many of the western “general” audience will know prior to watching this movie that it is a remake of a Hong Kong film. So, I’m sure that it did not do that well in terms of box office sellls.  However, it did have the greatest cast versus any movie this year.  Even then, I truly admire this story alone and not as a remake. 

The Infernal Affairs

I consider this Hong Kong film up to par with Heat.  It is perhaps one of the greatest cop thrillers ever made.  It is so good that Miramax wanted to release it in American theaters with unknown chinese actors (even though the actors are very famous everywhere else in the world).  The release went to halt as Miramax made a deal to do a “remake” of the film.  Eventually, they changed the title to “The Departed”.  At first, the cast was Jack Nicolson, Leo Dicaprio, and Brad Pitt.  Months later, Bradd Pit was replaced by Matt Damon.

Infernal Affair’s greatest aspect is having the concept of parallel characters in the plotline.  The good and the evil.  This concept was definitely born out from the works of John Woo.  I’m sure many new filmmakers -whom are fans of John Woo used his concept in their own films.  In the film Infernal Affairs, there is a relationship between the mafia and the internal affairs (as they represent the good and the evil.  There is also the relaionship between the two moles of the film ( one being the cop and one being the head henchmen of the mafia).  And last but not least, there is also a relationship between the mafia leader and the Superintendent of Internal Affairs.  This concept is what makes Infernal Affairs so much better than The Departed.

I’m going to give you one example of a great film that shows the relationship between good and evil.  That movie is face/off by John Woo.  John Woo tends to make his villain and heroes have some kind of relationship with one another. Whether is hate or love, Woo shows some kind of commonality amongst two enemies. 

I recommend you all to watch the Infernal Affairs trilogy to see what I mean.  Then after that, watch as Scorsese, “Scorseses up the Infernal Affairs” to make it become The Departed.  This remake is the only exciting thing that happened this year in the film world.  Sadly.