tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post6421195382995881681..comments2024-03-05T21:05:36.848-05:00Comments on CommentaramaFilms: Film Friday: Stargate (1994)AndrewPricehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-81212977306758448752013-01-20T15:21:49.325-05:002013-01-20T15:21:49.325-05:00Scott, I agree about the Devlin connection, but ye...Scott, I agree about the Devlin connection, but yeah, <i>Godzilla</i> is horrible by any measure. It's not even a good "bad movie."AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-83447090565843873282013-01-20T15:20:44.777-05:002013-01-20T15:20:44.777-05:00El Gordo, I can't imagine Emmerich directing T...El Gordo, I can't imagine Emmerich directing <i>The Foundation</i>. That's going to be awful.<br /><br />I agree that Emmerich's imagery is good. It is what you hope to see in science fiction. But his films really are dumb... very dumb. And now we need add "politically offensive," as he's gone that route big time.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-40292305444900360652013-01-20T15:16:20.135-05:002013-01-20T15:16:20.135-05:00Max, I'm not familiar with that router?
I agr...Max, I'm not familiar with that router?<br /><br />I agree about the marketing, that's what's driving films today -- selling and making. And you're absolutely right that they are leftists selling a leftist view to their stereotypes of conservatives.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-27313566198751207702013-01-20T10:35:11.877-05:002013-01-20T10:35:11.877-05:00El Gordo -
I think he was a better filmmaker whe...El Gordo - <br /><br />I think he was a better filmmaker when he was paired up with co-writer/producer Dean Devlin. Of course, they made <i>Godzilla</i> but it's <i>Citizen Kane</i> compared to Emmerich's subsequent films like <i>2012</i>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-60528954329546643902013-01-20T04:51:55.270-05:002013-01-20T04:51:55.270-05:00At his best Emmerich made movies that were dumb bu...At his best Emmerich made movies that were dumb but fun (ID4) but ever since Godzilla they became just annoyingly dumb. And they´re dumb in a condescending "the rubes don´t care" sort of way. I WANT to like his sci fi stuff. In terms of imagery, it´s what I read and dreamed about as a teenager. As it is, I honestly prefer the work of Michael Bay. <br /><br />Emmerich is apparently slated to direct "Foundation" based on the Asimov novels. Not a good match.El Gordonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-71374302259239687862013-01-20T00:11:56.381-05:002013-01-20T00:11:56.381-05:00I forgot to mention the soundtrack, I think Starga...I forgot to mention the soundtrack, I think Stargate's theme gets a little overused in previews for other films. <br /><br />In one of Stargate's making of's(on tv, at the time it came out). I saw something that really intrigued me. They said they didn't have enough time to get the sarcophagus finished. So they brought in a piece of equipment to complete it. <br />It was a computer controlled(CNC)router, my life wasn't the same since. <br /><br />Marketing rules the roost, which shackles the filmmakers. But there is something else in the mix. That is for the most part conservatives are left out of the marketing model, or worse they think thy are catering to us. But really don't have a clue, so they play to their bias. Commander Maxhttp://www.the-grey-ghost.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-78909462965944533662013-01-19T12:49:23.795-05:002013-01-19T12:49:23.795-05:00Scott, Fear and the corporate decision making mode...Scott, Fear and the corporate decision making model are the problem today. They would rather produce a generic film that could sell to a wide audience and be forgotten than make a film that has a chance to catch on with a loyal audience.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-46992487324606225342013-01-19T12:45:21.638-05:002013-01-19T12:45:21.638-05:00Max, I think there's a lot to that and I don&#...Max, I think there's a lot to that and I don't know understand why. I see that over and over where a director focuses on one aspect -- production values, effects, action choreography, story -- and ignores all the others.<br /><br />You would think that each department would want to do their best, but apparently that's not true.<br /><br />I agree that <i>Stargate</i> had beautiful visuals and beautiful filmography. The effects are well done, the sets are excellent and the whole film is beautiful to look at. But after that, it's really rather shallow in every other aspect. It makes me wonder if Emmerich didn't come up from the whole design aspect of filmmaking and that's his passion.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-55104165603840915582013-01-19T10:08:54.712-05:002013-01-19T10:08:54.712-05:00Max -
The reason why movies turn out the way the...Max - <br /><br />The reason why movies turn out the way they do are many and varied. At least when <i>Stargate</i> was made, Hollywood wasn't selling out to the foreign market just yet, which is why so many movies today seem dumbed-down and super-simplified. (Action is easier to translate than clever dialogue.)<br /><br />And for every film that's made, there are dozens that aren't, along with a group of executives who are deathly afraid of losing their jobs.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-20998326350686113432013-01-19T02:19:32.161-05:002013-01-19T02:19:32.161-05:00Andrew, I sure can't argue with any of your po...Andrew, I sure can't argue with any of your points. Even the cut scenes couldn't help. <br /><br />I remember it being enjoyable on the surface, but that's as far as it got. <br />But the movie did have some value, the production design was beautiful, so was the cinematography. But then how many movies suffer from poor writing and poor editing. <br /><br />But then these are the same guys that made Godzilla(even the Japanese hated it), and Independence Day. I think the best comparison of the day would be Jurassic Park. It was truly awful but it had a quality in common with Stargate. Great imagery with a poor story, but that is common in movies. It's like the guys making the movie are so impressed with the production design. They forget all about the story. Maybe they can't chew gum and walk at the same time.<br /><br />I think it's something else. I don't think they care. Or worse they think they know what we want. <br /><br />That's one of the sad things about movies. It isn't like Hollywood has any real competition. Most modern sci-fi films leave a lot to be desired. Hollywood is a very small place, with very little real world experience. <br />I could go on and on about this, that subject could be a blog in itself. Commander Maxhttp://www.the-grey-ghost.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-31680016834242692302013-01-18T22:14:05.935-05:002013-01-18T22:14:05.935-05:00Scott, The show takes a little to get into, but on...Scott, The show takes a little to get into, but once you get into it, it's really quite strong -- very likeable characters, great sense of humor, good action, interesting stories. It's production values aren't super high, but it makes up for it with good writing.<br /><br />I recommend jumping in during the second or third season to get used to the characters and then going back to the first season. The first season really struggled with a lot of garbage.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-36263162411359086132013-01-18T22:09:11.515-05:002013-01-18T22:09:11.515-05:00I liked the movie even though it was flawed and it...I liked the movie even though it was flawed and it could have been a lot better. <br /><br />I never really even gave the show a try as I thought it would be worse than the movie.<br /><br />Scott.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-7660825060717981752013-01-18T17:10:00.334-05:002013-01-18T17:10:00.334-05:00Koshcat, I think so. And I find that frustrating ...Koshcat, I think so. And I find that frustrating because I see so much potential here and it would have been so simple to achieve... but they didn't for whatever reason.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-42895270318424082922013-01-18T17:05:16.586-05:002013-01-18T17:05:16.586-05:00I never watched the series but I found the film en...I never watched the series but I found the film entertaining. I agree with you that with a few relatively minor changes, it could have been spectacular.Koshcathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00552108950848576633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-77994822313201337002013-01-18T16:26:39.408-05:002013-01-18T16:26:39.408-05:00rlaWTX, Same here. I didn't see the first sea...rlaWTX, Same here. I didn't see the first season until I'd seen a couple of the later seasons. And boy is it awful! I'm glad I started in the middle because I think that made it a lot easier to like the characters.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-86140902855013713732013-01-18T16:23:05.834-05:002013-01-18T16:23:05.834-05:00I didn't start watching the TV show until a co...I didn't start watching the TV show until a couple of seasons in, maybe that helped me get into it...rlaWTXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09319344164726195144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-45484610288632251692013-01-18T15:26:59.785-05:002013-01-18T15:26:59.785-05:00Anon, The TV show takes some time to get into and ...Anon, The TV show takes some time to get into and it took about a season before they really found their wings -- the first season is atrocious. I recommend giving it another try. It really is good television.<br /><br />Jackson is easily the best thing in the film in my opinion. He's very likeable and his moments are the best.<br /><br />As I say above, I don't hate the film at all, I just think it could have been a lot better.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-75911061588274326182013-01-18T15:19:34.920-05:002013-01-18T15:19:34.920-05:00I still love this film, and find it just fun to wa...I still love this film, and find it just fun to watch; mostly because of James Spader's lovable dork Dr. Daniel Jackson. Unlike some of the other folks here I could never get into the TV series because for me the movie came first, and the TV series just didn't compare. I gave up about three episodes In and never revisited it. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-33616190548838276222013-01-18T13:18:25.720-05:002013-01-18T13:18:25.720-05:00T-Rav, I think the concept is great. It's act...T-Rav, I think the concept is great. It's actually not that original -- lots of people were doing wormholes and gates, but the thing is that those are just vehicles for the story, they don't justify the entire story itself. This film seemed to think that it was enough to show people the concept and then they would be wow'd enough that they wouldn't need more.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-76994905308257855672013-01-18T13:16:39.935-05:002013-01-18T13:16:39.935-05:00Scott, I remember the web was still new then and f...Scott, I remember the web was still new then and few companies had websites. Could you imagine not having a website today?AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-38560360832074221932013-01-18T13:15:05.907-05:002013-01-18T13:15:05.907-05:00Thanks Mo! What amazes me here is that the flaw i...Thanks Mo! What amazes me here is that the flaw is the result of them violating the most fundamental rule of writing. Why no one noticed is beyond me? It's clear they were stretching to find things for the characters to do in the sand. Didn't somebody say, "gee, why don't we unpack some of that exposition?"<br /><br />It's really amazing that they didn't.<br /><br />And you're right, the only reason this film still draws an audience is because of the series.AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-74021011848517694982013-01-18T13:11:16.711-05:002013-01-18T13:11:16.711-05:00I watched Stargate a couple months ago--okay, actu...I watched <i>Stargate</i> a couple months ago--okay, actually I watched like the first 40 minutes of it. Yeah. I couldn't get into it. I was vaguely aware of the series, not that I'd ever watched it; but honestly, the whole concept struck me as wacky. Whaaaa????<br /><br />Also, I can't stand James Spader, so that turned me off too.T-Ravhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10861218035729479354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-72339482262844925702013-01-18T12:42:12.022-05:002013-01-18T12:42:12.022-05:00BIG MO -
Interestingly enough, both Stargate and ...BIG MO -<br /><br />Interestingly enough, both <i>Stargate</i> and <i>Star Trek Generations</i> claim to have had the first movie promotional website, but I can't prove which one was really first.<br /><br />And in the newspaper ads, both studios used critics' quotes against the other one: "Don't see <i>Stargate</i>, see <i>Star Trek</i>!" and vice versa. :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-17595052399596277982013-01-18T12:38:07.668-05:002013-01-18T12:38:07.668-05:00Andrew, your review is spot-on.
I wanted to lik...Andrew, your review is spot-on. <br /><br />I wanted to like this movie more than I did, both because of the fun TV spin-offs and that it was supposed to be superior to 1994's other big-budget sci-fi flick, <i>Star Trek Generations</i>. That film has aged well, regardless of its many flaws. But were it not for the TV series & related TV movies, <i>Stargate</i> would remain a curious lost opportunity from the '90s. <br /> BIG MOhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10556263286375426353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7059293386881623259.post-59452347958082965732013-01-18T12:06:25.424-05:002013-01-18T12:06:25.424-05:00rlaWTX, Buffy is a good comparison, the TV show re...rlaWTX, Buffy is a good comparison, the TV show really outshined the film by a mile.<br /><br />I agree about the casting. The film now feels like it's been miscast because these actors aren't these characters! LOL!AndrewPricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11312364467936820986noreply@blogger.com