A blog by Jorge Garcia.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Why is it so hard to Watchmen?

I went to see the Watchmen today. And it was a chore.
I went early and it wasn't a crowded theatre. But they couldn't get the projector to work. So they told us to move from theatre 3 to theatre 4. And then after we had all settled in theatre 4,  we were told he was mistaken and it was theatre 1 he wanted us all to move to. Mind you these are comic book nerds. So going up and down stairs like that may have been more activity than they were used to. 

But I saw it. And I liked it very much. It's been so long, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy the period piece aspects of it. But they recreated a lot of memorable scenes from the book. And the casting was excellent. Even the ones you knew were unrecognizable enough not to take you out of the movie. The only thing that did take me out was Nixon's nose.

By the way, if you ever wondered what a smurf looks like with no pants on. It's probably not too different from Dr. Manhattan.

71 comments:

Jo said...

LOL. Can't wait to see it this weekend. Will never look at a smurf the same way again...

VIVEROS said...

I watched the trailer a few weeks ago and it was brutal so i can´t wait to check it out too,but i´m still watching Lost(LaFleur),yeahhhh lot´s of work,but is there any scene you have enjoyed most?

ElfLoverLovesElves said...

LOL! Sounds cool, I really want to see it, it looks like it's got good special effects.

I've never read the book/comic...whatever it is... I'm not a geek of that particular fandom. ^_^ Sheesh, that's a lot of work just to see a movie! I'm a computer geek, and I don't think I could make it up the stairs! :O

IslandPearl said...

I'm going to wait until teh buzz dies down and see it at the Dole IMAX.

ThespianSheldon said...

I thought the exact same thing the second I saw Dr. Manhattan's Manhattan.
Also, our theater had problems too. For some reason they were trying to run two reels of film in three theaters. Naturally, this didn't work. So we had a bunch of angry comic book nerds. It was pretty funny.

A Fan said...

Wouldn't it have been Dr. Manhattan's Long Island?

I saw Watchmen tonight and loved it.

Then I chased it with Zack and Miri make a Porno.

It might have been the best movie night EVER.

Anonymous said...

Yes, i loved this movie too :). Now i'm waiting for the next X-MEN and Terminator 4 :)

Heidi Cocca said...

I had the same experience with Twilight... and those are some other fans that you don't want to mess with ;)

knitster said...

Dude. today i finished the book and then saw the movie in an IMAX theatre. Whoa! it was so well done...and so loud too!

Movie Star Wife said...

So you must have seen the trailer for Public Enemies, right? Doesn't it look like it is going to be awesome?

CaraBee said...

I can't wait to see this movie, although with kids, we have to wait for the stars to align so my husband and I can get out of the house together. I'm happy to hear a good review!

Michelle said...

I wanna take my little nerdy boy to see this. He is a big Marvel and DC guy but we still wanna see this.

Uh, did you get some free passes for all the moving. You should have. We got free passes for the lights coming on half way through a movie once.

Tuk said...

Yo también vi la peli ayer... Ayer aquí había un salón del comic(expo) (un amigo fue disfrazado de oso polar, yo con una bata de dharma y con una silla plegable) y luego nos fuimos todos al cine, despues de todo el dia andando por el salon, de despertarme temprano y dormir poco ese dia y el anterior, y además la pelicula era a las 00:30....
QUE SUEÑO!!!....
Pero por suerte estuvo genial;)

Jenn said...

The trailers look good, but I've never read the comic.

Tammy said...

Ive had no want to see this movie-way too much hype. However, I finally saw a good trailer last night, it actually looks like it might has substance. Maybe Ill give it a try.

Please Type Legibly said...

I never read the comic, so I'm probably gonna wait for DVD for this one. I'm glad to hear it was worth the work, though...

Barracuda said...

In italy leaving every other day, I am very curious to see

in Italia esce a giorni, sono curiosa di vederlo

aims said...

Going to see this at noon today in an Imax in Calgary. Looking forward to it. Thanks for no spoilers.

Rev. Charles Lehmann said...

I've not read the graphic novel(s), but I'm a fan of the genre in general. Do you think I'd enjoy the movie without reading the graphic novels first, or do you think prereading is necessary?

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. I think the film is getting fairly mixed reviews.

Jay said...

Nice one. I'm going to see it in Amsterdam tonight. The Imax one is sold out so I'll have to safe the full experience for next week.

Nevertheless I have to see it tonight! can't wait.

Tasha Who? said...

I absolutely refuse to see any movie on the night it premiers. My zen-like patience is removed with the long lines and the crowded theaters. As much as I want to see it, it will probably be a Sunday matinee.

Sherene said...

So glad to hear a favorable review. I've read a few(probably from crusty old critics) that weren't impressive. Thanks for letting us know that it was well worth the hassel for you.

kaci said...

I'm glad I wasn't the only one who could not concentrate on anything but Nixon's nose when he was on screen. I know it was supposed to be a bit of a characature, but wow. Glad you enjoyed the film, once you finally got to see it.

jeffk said...

I'd probably recommend reading the comic before (or even instead of) seeing the movie. Alan Moore is a very "literary" comics writer, and the film adaptations tend to lose a lot of their depth. Then again, if you just want 2:45 of explosions and slow-motion ass-kickery, the movie's probably the way to go.

Nick said...

Frankly I don't see what the big deal is. I thought the book was mediocre (with some really backward, reactionary political/social messages courtesy of the narrator) and the movie was pretty much the same. I suppose for a comic book it may be sophisticated and ground-breaking... but I have higher standards.

queeniefox said...

Nick, I assume you're joking with that comment. No one could *really* think that the reader is supposed to agree with Rorschach's political and social views, surely.

I saw the film while most people were still at work and therefore didn't have to queue. Finally, a good point to being unemployed?

Nick said...

queeniefox: dead serious. I suppose there was some subtle commentary on how bad the US government is (ie: brutal war in Vietnam, willingness to start WW3), but that was completely overshadowed by the overbearing and reactionary politics of Rorschach. The message of Watchmen? Humanity is a pit of slime, overrun by selfish scum and it needs a band of enlightened individuals to save it from itself (no matter the cost to innocent lives). Classic shallow comic book philosophy/morality. I seriously don't get why anyone thinks this is such a great book (or film). I want 3 hours of my life back.

Kaileigh Blue said...

Nick: I haven't read the book but I hang with the Nerd scene .. the only thing I can figure is they're all scared to death Alan Moore will sacrifice them to a snake if they don't like it.


I think I can be considered a card carrying comic nerd. I just spent 40 bucks on single issues of stuff at my local comic book store. But I'm toootally not seeing this. I'll be all over he Wolverine movie though. I hate the character is so over exposed but he is fun to watch. Plus I have to see how the handle Deadpool first hand.

Goblin said...

heh Yeah, the naked blue guy was...kind of disturbing really. O.o

Nesta said...

I'll go this Thursday, now I'm reading it again to remember.

Miss Scarlett said...

Mind you these are comic book nerds. So going up and down stairs like that may have been more activity than they were used to.


Hilarious!

Gwen said...

Our local comic shop bought out 2 theaters for the midnight showing on Thursday - well, technically Friday. I thought the movie was very well done. And because I make it a point to ignore all political & social messages in movies, I enjoyed it. Was also fun to know that our own Dr Kakalios - whom I've had wonderful conversations with, was a science adviser on the film (he wrote The Physics of Superhero).
But my 14 year old son has to wait until he's older to see it. I'm a mean mom!

C.M.S. Academy said...

You are sooo funny! I know you are "famous and all", but I read your blog and it is like reading the hilariously funny thoughts of someone next door! I started reading the blog about two months ago and I am hooked. I look forward to each post!!

Unknown said...

I am soooo glad I ran across your blog - your character on Lost is one of my favorites!!
I NEVER miss an episode, and will be saddened with the series end next year.

GO HURLEY!!! thanks for such an awesome show!

jeffk said...

@Nick

Not to be Semantics Boy, but I think you're probably talking about classic shallow superhero morality. Comics, as a medium, is as wide-ranging and complex as prose lit or film.

Smithakins Photos said...

Agreed man, Watchmen was great. I'm glad they stuck to the actual comic for 95% of it.

What did you think of the lack of Pirate story? I liked the whole deserted on an island theme...reminded me of another great piece of entertainment.

redelf said...

Man...I dont know if I can see it now knowing that Dr. Manhattan is actually some sort of smurf....
lol

I read the book this last summer so I am looking forward to seeing it though I am waiting for DVD....pinching the pennies.

Goblin said...

It's the combination of blueness and nudity that's so disconcerting. heh

lostinphilly said...

Oh man, you probably got to see the trailer for Public Enemies, you lucky dog! That's a movie I just cannot wait to see! Johnny Depp rules!!

MissClaraItzel said...

I've seen it 3 times already, yep kinda geek, but i really liked it much more the second and third time around. also, I looooved the opening credits, they were perfect.

Allie Beth said...

haha so true!

Jen said...

I TOTALLY agree about Nixon's nose--WHAT WAS THAT??!!??

Beverly said...

I am so glad to find out that you blog. I've enjoyed what I have read so far. Thanks for sharing so much of yourself!

Ally B said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Beverly said...

I am not going till this coming weekend, unfortunately. I can't wait, though. :)

Ally B said...

*Dude, blogger is being weird so I had to delete and re-post this a second time... sorry...*

First of all, so glad to find your blog!

I saw it today and thought that they did a pretty amazing job with capturing scenes from the book for the screen. The only thing I didn't like was that they tried so hard not to leave ANYTHING out that I think it was just too long... but I guess the blue wang sort of made up for it... sorta.

OH! And is it just me, or when Rorschach took his mask off did he look EXACTLY like Danny Bonaduce, or what? And it TOTALLY worked.

Little Fish said...

I saw it yesterday, and we had viewing issues too! About halfway through the sound cut out for five minutes or so. Sheesh. It was great, though!

Anonymous said...

I love your blogs! :) I've been selected as a finalist for a local Biggest Loser type contest -- will you please vote for me? Perhaps my grand vacation winning will take me to Hawaii so I can watch movies with projectors that don't work too lol

Believe it still said...

I agree. It was right on with the comic with only a few exceptions..

Zach did a great job..

Miztification said...

Nixon's nose was distracting. I kept wondering if that was intentional? Because if it was, that was a bad choice. If it wasn't, it was still a really bad choice.

I loved the movie though. Normally, I try to read the book/graphic novel first, but so many constraints have been made on my time lately... After seeing the film, I rushed over to the bookstore and got the book though. I wanted to see how the two differed and I guess my curiosity got the best of me.

Silk Spectre II-- Is it just me or does anyone else think she's been lucky with that hair and crimefighting?

Dr. Manhattan's Long Island--lol. One of the ladies at the beauty salon I go to talked about that first thing when someone asked her how the movie was. I thought that was wild. Silk Spectre II got mad at Dr. Manhattan for being in triplicate why?

Stair climbing and comic book nerds...Well, depending on the venue, it's no worse than running around at a con is it? I do agree that you all should have been compensated somehow for the inconvenience though. They should have had there stuff together a little better than that.

Miztification said...

Oops! I meant "their" stuff together. I blame sleep deprivation.

Kelly Deneen Raymond said...

I am so intrigued! I want to see it. Crazy that you had to change theaters twice!!

aims said...

Of course as soon as Nixon appeared I couldn't see anything but his nose!

As for Dr. Manhattan - well - erm - why didn't they just focus once upon his nether region? I mean - everyone in the theater was waiting for it! Everyone with me (all guys) admitted it!

Pretentious Bastard said...

Those would be some well hung smurfs.

La Pixie said...

ha ha

I saw the end of Watchmen last night. I think since I waited until Sunday, all of the comic book nerds had already seen it. I thought it was silly, but Im not really into that kind of thing. I just went to be with the Fiance.

I totally agree with your smurf assessment!

Littlefoot said...

Speaking of comics, are you going to Comicon this year? We're going, and I'm pretty excited cuz it's my first Comicon, and it's their 40th anniversary. If you're going, hope to see you there!

Capcom said...

Thanks for the reviews in post and comments, I haven't seen it yet, I guess that I will.

Soooo, they don't just smooth over the Dr.'s junk like they do with a Ken doll, or hide it with strategically placed goblets of mead like in Beowulf? :o)

James Hernandez said...

Jorge,

As much as I try to think that I am current with movies and such, I didn't even know the Watchmen were coming to the big screen. Behind the times I guess.

Erica said...

I felt like the uncovered private parts were like a big target that I was supposed to look at every time he came on the scene.

BrianB130 said...

Kinda gives new meaning to the term "blue balls" LOL

Sonia DeHume said...

hey jorge, crees que le gane cuba a australia en el clasico mundial de beisbol?

round eyed dog said...

I was a little disturbed by the giant glowing blue wang..and I heartily agree with you on Nixon's nose..it was horrid..awesome movie though.

Tink said...

I couldn't stop giggling over Dr. Manhattan. I expected him to look more like Ken (of Barbie and Ken), totally formless. But nooooo, he was all out there. Thank God they stuck a thong on him when he was giant-sized. ;)

Bender R said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Bender R said...

I never have seen all of Gangs of New York.

When I saw it at the theater, the film broke about half-way through. They fixed it in about ten minutes and started up again. Then the film broke a second time about five minutes later. They started again a couple of minutes later, but then soon stopped again when the film broke a third time and we just sat there in the theater for about 15 minutes.

Then someone finally came in and said that they had to cancel the rest because of all the problems. Walking out of the theater, we saw them tossing in the trash a big pile of film that was all twisted up in knots.

I wasn't all that impressed with the first half of the film to sit through it again later just so I could see the end.

******

On another note, can't we get Widmore or Ben or somebody to "take care" of American Idol so that we don't have a repeat this soon into an already shortened season?

Unknown said...

Yeah, someone in our theater blotted out Papa Smurf when Dr. Manhattan was first shown in all his wherewithal.

FidosFlea said...

theaters should never move people once, let alone twice. granted, watchmen is 9 reels and a hefty 35mm print, but it could be moved to the right house if need be.

ValMo said...

That was just a wee (wee-wee?) bit too much blue junk for me. I guess I should be grateful that he put on a pair of tighty-whities when he was fighting in Vietnam.

El Gato Bandido said...

jaja nixons nose! jaja was nixons nose actually that big? it looked to exaggerated i think it was distracting jajaaj.

Marti said...

Yea, I thought Nixon's nose was a total fourth wall remover. It was just so big and so round... It was just like, out there.

PinkPug,INK. said...

pretty sure i heard somewhere that smurfs are asexual...also when i went to see the movie they had trouble with the projector too...but they didn't move us. it just kept skipping & stopping & then they turned it off & back on & we missed the beginning. ugh.