Disqus - Latest Comments for Safariben

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 11:03:36 -0000

Oh I am 100% on board with your thinking!

I remember right after the Disney sale went through, and I think it was someone on here who said something to the effect of, wouldn't it be amazing to have a Brian DePalma murder style movie set in the depths of Coruscant! I, myself would love to see an entire "comedy" of that stormtrooper in the "Those were the droids I was looking for," meme!

But I feel that for the next few films they really need to set a tone. I think they did that with TFA and looks like they are continuing that with Rouge Squadron. Then, AFTER they set up that tone...Only then start to relax a bit and start playing with it!

I mean the extended universe pretty much showed that you can tell a million different stories in this universe! I just think they need to give it some time!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:19:08 -0000

Yep! And say what you will about JJ and TFA, but one of the things I love about TFA is that it just feels right! The way it looks, the way they shot it, the overall tone. It just feels like something that should take place in the SW universe.

And with this new trailer it really feels like those who are in charge are trying to keep that aesthetic going forward!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:11:10 -0000

I agree with you on the Solo film! Guess we'll just have to wait and see!

I think there is plenty of room for lighter, more fun fare in the Star War universe, I just hope that Kathleen Kennedy, who I LOVE, can keep that balance!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:03:30 -0000

Personally, and lets face it, I have not stake in the matter, but I don't really care what "money" it makes...But I really do want them to take all these "Anthology" films and the main series as seriously as possible. I just want that "myth" and that grandeur to continue on!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:59:58 -0000

I don't think it seems R-rated...but more adult, or should I say, more serious in tone...Very similar to EBS!! And I believe that's exactly they sort of tone they should take some of these "anthology" films!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:49:28 -0000

Oh I will agree with you on that! I LOVED TFA, yes I think it was derivative in many ways, and I won't begrudge anyone for hating it for that. I agree with what many have said, for the original generation as well as the newest generation, that there needed to be a reset (not reboot, which I personally don't think that it was) but a reset after the prequel trilogy.

But I also feel that it would diminish anything the TFA tried to accomplish in that respect if Ep. VIII ends up being too derivative of ESB.

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:39:10 -0000

That alarm sound reminded me of the sound effect used in the original Alien trailer!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:36:53 -0000

I know! That's insane!

Re: Here it is: the first trailer for the first Star Wars Spin-Off Movie ROGUE ONE!!!!

Safariben — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 08:36:17 -0000

Oh it looks fun! This may very well be the one that makes or breaks whether or not the the Star Wars legacy can live on it's own, aside from the main story. And as a teaser...IT LOOKS AMAZING!!

Re: Twenty years ago, Trainspotting was a blast of pure punk energy

Safariben — Wed, 24 Feb 2016 06:09:25 -0000

Man I love this film. It was one of those films that I just went into and really had no idea what to expect...and it just rocked me in the perfect way! The thing I love about truly great films, is the way a director just sort of reaches out at some point in the film, like they are grabbing you by the soul and telling you, "It's time for you to submit and for me to take over you life for the next two hours," It's like they just take control of you and guide you and this film certainly did that to me. That is my own high.

I also remember that this came out at a really amazing point in the 90's. In a lot of ways it felt more like the early to mid 70's for me. You had Pi and Seven and The Usual Suspects and Boogie Nights and Fargo and so many other great Independent movies all coming out around the same time! It was truly glorious to be a film lover!

Re: Happy Birthday, John Williams!

Safariben — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 23:33:24 -0000

Anyone who lives near Los Angels should know that every year, in August, John Williams conducts the Hollywood bowl orchestra. Usually the first half of the concert is Williams conducting classic scores of other composers...Then the second half of the concert is Williams conducting classic Williams scores! Every year is different and every year is amazing.

Sadly, he was not able to do this last year, but he is back this year. But only for half the concert. Maybe due to his age, he is having David Newman preform the first half of the show while Williams will do the second half and this year he is doing selections from The Force Awakes and I'm sure many other Star Wars themes.

It seems like he is winding down with these concerts and will slowly be handing them off to David Newman. So I implore anyone who is able to make it, to go the the Hollywood Bowl this fall for what may be one of your last chances to see a true genius live. I will be there and I will also be going to the free Friday morning rehearsals, as I have for the last 10 years.

I know I will not be able to see many more of his concerts, so I'm going to soak this all in as much as I can!!!

Re: Did 'Star Wars' just send James Cameron and Steven Spielberg running?

Safariben — Thu, 21 Jan 2016 04:35:04 -0000

"having a STAR WARS movie and a Spielberg movie coming out so close
together would probably put a lot of strain on John Williams.."

Oh god why did you have to go there?! If it came down to that I think, because of the legacy he'd leave, Williams would go with Star Wars and I would love that....But I really, really don't want to miss out on another Spielberg/Williams Collaboration!

Re: We terrify Film Nerd 2.0 with Alien, Aliens, and the Star Wars Holiday Special

Safariben — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:59:08 -0000

I was 8 years old in 1978 and just coming off of everything Star Wars and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Each week, my mother would take me to a movie and often would ask me what I wanted to see, well, in 1978 I wanted to see Alien! Probably just because it's title was "Alien" I really don't think that I knew it was a horror film. Although, if I had seen the trailer, I should have known! (and if you haven't see the original trailer for Alien, go to youtube and watch it now! One of the best, scariest trailers EVER!!!!)

Anyway, I remember my mom asking me if I was sure I really wanted to go see it! And I thought, "Well, yeah, it's about aliens and space, of course I want to!" To this day I have no idea why she agreed to that. That fucking film TERRIFIED me! To my core!! For months after I remember calling out to my mom late at night while I tried to sleep, for her to come comfort me. But you know what...Now, when I look back on all that, I love that I have that memory! I love that movie dearly. I love the relationship I have with it. I love that I have a mom who was brave enough, or even naive enough to take me to see it.

It's such a joy reading these articles because in a way, it's like looking back on my childhood, and how all that shaped me for my artistic adulthood. I love that you are letting your children explore all this for themselves. I believe it's going to effect them in some pretty amazing ways.

Re: We terrify Film Nerd 2.0 with Alien, Aliens, and the Star Wars Holiday Special

Safariben — Thu, 14 Jan 2016 05:44:19 -0000

I tend to agree with you! I have a special place in my heart for Alien 3...and I think that's mostly cause I'm such a fan of Fincher. I was 21 when it was originally released and I didn't know who Fincher was then. I enjoyed the film, despite it's flaws, but I don't think it was until much later why I realized WHY! I think enough of what Fincher was capable of, poked through. God I wish the studio and the crew supported him more on that film. But I agree, being so young, it might be better for them to wait until they got to know Finchers work a bit. I think it would be far too jarring for them if they saw it at this age. I just think that it's SUCH a different beast of a film that it would be better if they saw it much later in life.

When Toshi was talking about how he "recognized" what a Cameron film looked like...Well, it makes me wonder if he needs to recognize what a Fincher film is before he, or Allen jump into that! Just my two cents as an outsider!

Re: As we lose two titans of cinematography, we wonder how cinema's future looks

Safariben — Tue, 05 Jan 2016 09:07:37 -0000

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is my favorite film. I saw it when I was 6 in 1977 and that film, both aurally and visually, is a part of my DNA! I'm an amateur photographer and when I think visually, that film is what's in my head. The light, the color, the way shadows fall, it's just the way I want to see things. I also adore both The Sugarland Express and McCabe and Mrs. Miller.

In October of 1998 I moved to Los Angeles for the second time, and a few days after that I went to the independent movie theater on Sunset and Crescent Heights. I was standing at the top of the escalator talking to my best friend and watching a commercial being filmed before the movie started. I looked down, and coming up the escalator was a short man with a beard that I recognized! When he got to the top I rushed over and asked, "Excuse me, what is your name?" He looked at me and with a kind, sly smile and in a Hungarian accent said, "Vhat do you vant it to be?" "Vilmos Zsigmond!" I excitedly replied. And he nodded! I couldn't believe that it was him. I told him that Close Encounters was my favorite film and he smiled graciously and said thank you. I think he got a big kick out of being "spotted" by some young guy. It was a short, but sweet encounter and I'm just glad I got to shake the mans hand!

Re: SPOILERS!!! Harry's Read After Watching STAR WARS THE FORCE AWAKENS Mindgasm! SPOILERS!!!

Safariben — Sat, 19 Dec 2015 07:01:50 -0000

Wow! This this is what it's like to write a review when you are on meth huh? It was also one of the creepiest movie reviews I've ever read. Leave it to Harry!

Re: Review: 'Anomalisa' is the most shattering experiment yet from Charlie Kaufman

Safariben — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 08:58:33 -0000

And this is way I love your work...Reviews such as this!

The thing I love about Kaufman's work is how someone can detail it for me, even give me a break down scene by scene and I know...I just know that no matter who well they tell it...It's something that I'm going to have to experience for myself, that I'm just gonna have to FEEL it! And I love that about him!

I have been a very big fan of Kaufman's for a while now and consider Adaptation to be one of the best films ever made! I would put that up against 2001, Lawrence of Arabia, The Seven Samurai...Hell, any great work of art ever made.

One day, many years ago, I got a call from a friend of mine who was the assistant of a man considering buying the script to Synechdoche, NY. She said her boss was conflicted about the script...that he didn't know if he should buy it or not...He was actually even asking his assistant advice about it cause it was just so "out there!" She said we could read it over the weekend. My friend and I spent the whole weekend talking that script out...trying to figure out what it was...what it meant...what it said. I don't know if I've ever truly figured it all out. But god damn it was a pleasure to read! In a world of Transformers sequels and re-boots and re-makes...it was just such a pleasure to read a script where someone said, "I'm gonna shoot for the moon...And if you get it, great. And if you don't, that's ok too!" I think we need more films like that!

That was one of the first un-produced screenplays I have ever read. We both read it that weekend and it blew me away! I was somewhat smart enough to know that this was a script that no matter how well made it was, it would never make a dime! And about 50 people would ever see it and maybe even less would like it. I told her that she needed to go back to her boss and say that he needed to make this movie...and he had to know that he would never, in a millions years, ever make any money on it! But that said, that wasn't the point of spending money on a movie like this! That you make this kind of movie because YOU CAN!!!

They ended up buying it, and made the movie. I seriously doubt that any of my advice influenced that decision! But it was the one time where I "felt" like I was in the mix of it all! It was a neat feeling!

Kaufman, like many others...Paul Thomas Anderson and even Altman and Scosese before them, are those types of filmmakers that NEED to be produced...No matter what!

You described this film in such beautiful detail...and still...I feel like I have no idea what the film is about...or what it may have in store for me. Or even if I will feel the same about it as you have. But, damn if i don't want to experience it!!!

I was gonna see it anyway...But thank you none-the-less Drew!

Re: Why 1988 was the best year in movie history

Safariben — Tue, 05 May 2015 06:30:52 -0000

I feel a little late to this party, but I'm gonna comment anyway.

First off I loved 1988. It may very well be my second all around year of movies. But I do have to put my 2 cents in for the previous year, which in my mind is the single best year of film I think I've ever experienced, 1987!

There may only be a handful of films that are considered classics, but what I remember most about this year is just how good, decent and solid so many films were. Even if they weren't blockbusters or films that changed the world, so much about the films that year just seem, well, good!

Empire of the Sun (my personal favorite of that year)
Princess Bride
Full Metal Jacket
Dirty Dancing
RoboCop
Moonstruck
Good Morning, Vietnam
Broadcast News
Fatal Attraction
Lethal Weapon
Planes, Trains & Automobiles
The Last Emperor
Raising Arizona
Stakeout
Angel Heart
Innerspace
Summer School
The Witches of Eastwick
No Way Out
The Lost Boys
The Untouchables
The Running Man
Wall Street
Adventures in Babysitting
Can't Buy Me Love
Predator
Less Than Zero
Hellraiser
Withnail & I
Somekind of Wonderful
The Living Daylights
Evil Dead II
La Bamba
Beverly Hills Cop II
3 Men and a Baby
Wings of Desire
Prince of Darkness
Roxanne
Near Dark
Throw Momma from the Train
The Secret of My Succe$s
Babette's Feast
Cry Freedom
Dragnet (yeah, I know...But I was 16 and it made me laugh)
Hope and Glory
House of Games
Spaceballs
Matewan
Nuts
Made in Heaven
Street Smart
Tin Men
Swimming to Cambodia

I have to admit, a few of them I haven't seen, and still a few more that I don't care for, but I know that those are films that are well loved or liked by many others.

Re: The New STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Teaser Trailer Here And It's Chilling!!

Safariben — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 14:56:37 -0000

Well, you know us fans. We pick apart the details!

And knowing JJ and other filmmakers like him, I'm sure as they are running around trying to escape and see the Falcon, deciding to steal it, there will be some lines like, "Let's take that ship!" "Are you crazy, it's a piece of junk!" Just so they can reference the OT.

Re: The New STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Teaser Trailer Here And It's Chilling!!

Safariben — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 04:01:37 -0000

I was sitting in the audience for the opening of Celebration today and I
noticed that they posted a photo during the interview that I think
might be a pretty big spoiler...and no one seems to be talking about it,
or just didn't catch it, or I just haven't been paying much attention
to rumors of the film.

In the audience the photo was up for about
10 seconds and I just re-watched the live stream and the photo is only
there for a split second, but you can pause the photo to get a good
glimpse of it. If you go to the start of the Daisy Ridley interview at
about the 1:08:50 mark they show a photo of her and John Boyega running
in front of a big explosion on what looks like Jakoo, and in the
foreground you can see two vertical struts! Correct me if I'm wrong,
but those look like the landing ramp struts to the Falcon. Now we know
that every time we've seen the Falcon in the two trailers it is on
Jakoo! And we know at the end of the new trailer that Chewie and Han
haven't been on, or haven't seen the Falcon in a while..."We're home!"

I have a feeling they accidentally released a photo showing Finn and Rey
about to steal the Falcon...and THEY are the ones flying it around in
the two trailers! My gut tells me they are using it as a getaway ship,
the TIE Fighters going after them because Finn is a rogue Stormtrooper
and they are either stealing it from Han, or somehow he is no longer the
owner, and through the course of the film they get it back to him!

Re: Live reactions from the Star Wars: The Force Awakens panel at Celebration

Safariben — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 04:01:03 -0000

Hey Drew. I was sitting in the audience for the opening of Celebration today and I noticed that they posted a photo during the interview that I think might be a pretty big spoiler...and no one seems to be talking about it, or just didn't catch it, or I just haven't been paying much attention to rumors of the film.

In the audience the photo was up for about 10 seconds and I just re-watched the live stream and the photo is only there for a split second, but you can pause the photo to get a good glimpse of it. If you go to the start of the Daisy Ridley interview at about the 1:08:50 mark they show a photo of her and John Boyega running in front of a big explosion on what looks like Jakoo, and in the foreground you can see two vertical struts! Correct me if I'm wrong, but those look like the landing ramp struts to the Falcon. Now we know that every time we've seen the Falcon in the two trailers it is on Jakoo! And we know at the end of the new trailer that Chewie and Han haven't been on, or haven't seen the Falcon in a while..."We're home!"

I have a feeling they accidentally released a photo showing Finn and Rey about to steal the Falcon...and THEY are the ones flying it around in the two trailers! My gut tells me they are using it as a getaway ship, the TIE Fighters going after them because Finn is a rogue Stormtrooper and they are either stealing it from Han, or somehow he is no longer the owner, and through the course of the film they get it back to him!

Re: The New STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Teaser Trailer Here And It's Chilling!!

Safariben — Fri, 17 Apr 2015 02:53:20 -0000

Look again...That's Luke's long lost lightsaber! ;)

Re: 'Blood Simple' to Albert Brooks: Why Spring of 1985 was something special

Safariben — Tue, 24 Feb 2015 05:03:02 -0000

I really love it when you do articles like this one. And I love the fact that it's not all big, well known films. I always look back on past years and it's always a nice mixed bag of of blockbusters and smaller, even weird films and I feel like I'm the only one who likes it.

Now, I implore you to take a look at 1987! The year as a whole and maybe not just a certain season. For my money that is the best year of cinema I've lived through. I could name 20 movies from that year that are some of the best films made in the last 50 years, and another 10 to 20 that are just fun, decent movies...and I feel that with most years, you are lucky if you get 5 films like that.

Re: Yipee Ki Yay! Film Nerd 2.0 shares a Die Hard and Scrooged holiday double-feature

Safariben — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:20:52 -0000

It's a pretty neat story and very much reminds me of those times when I got to see something that I maybe shouldn't have. I remember seeing Blade Runner at the cinema when I was about 12 and my mother covering my eyes when Joanna Cassidy came out nude....having her cover my eyes! I think that was my first glimpse of NAKED WOMAN!!! It was glorious even though I couldn't really appreciate it until I was older. I look back on that particular moment as a titillating thing...but what really stuck with me in the long run was the movie itself! Yeah, I got my first boob, which is awesome...but damn...what a story! That seems to mean more to me looking back!

Re: Yipee Ki Yay! Film Nerd 2.0 shares a Die Hard and Scrooged holiday double-feature

Safariben — Tue, 30 Dec 2014 09:13:05 -0000

I love those weird moments when you are young where you are like, "What the heck am I watching?" But later in life you look back and realize they had some sorta of effect on you without really realizing it!

Doesn't matter if you are 6 or 16...sometimes it just hits you like a ton of bricks...and later you have to piece it together! To me, that's when art and movies and storytelling are at it's best!