The Criterion Cast » Nimrod Antal

CriterionCast – Episode 42.5 – Disc 2 – Predators Review – Special Guest: Moises Chiullan

Rudie Obias — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:06:40 +0000

Disc 2 episodes are bonus/supplement episodes of The CriterionCast. Rudie Obias, Ryan Gallagher & James McCormick ramble on and on about movies and movie experiences. “On The Screen” is where they discuss anything and everything that has been on their screens in the week. So anything from TV & movies to music & web junk, everything “On The Screen” is up for grabs. This is what they recommend to you, their listeners.

SPECIAL GUEST: Moises Chiullan – A writer for Hollywood Elsewhere.com

What do you think of their show? Please send them your feed back: CriterionCast@gmail.com or call their voicemail line @ 347.878.3430 or follow them on twitter @CriterionCast or Comment on their blog, http://CriterionCast.com.

Thank You! for listening. Don’t forget to subscribe to their podcast and please leave your reviews in their itunes feed.

Our next episode they will highlight and discuss CC #147 Wong Kar-Wai’s 2000 film, In The Mood For Love.

Add It To Your Netflix Queue & Watch It Via Netflix Watch Instantly.

Show Notes:

(00:00 – 00:10; “Rush Apart” by The Rural Alberta Advantage)

(00:11 – 00:39; The CriterionCast – Episode 042.5 – Disc 2)

[ON THE SCREEN]

(00:40 – 12:37; Despicable Me – Ryan Gallagher)

(12:38 – 22:34; Batman: Under The Red Hood – Ryan Gallagher)

(22:35 – 31:29; Dragonball Z – Moises Chiullan)

(31:30 – 36:22; Rambo – Moises Chiullan)

(36:23 – 46:25; Predator – Moises Chiullan)

(46:26 – 1:14:56; Nimrod Antal’s Predators)

[CREDITS]

(1:14:57 – 1:15:50; Wrap Up, Contact Info & Goodbyes)

(1:15:51 – 1:16:03; Next – Wong Kar-Wai’s 2000 film, In The Mood For Love – (CC #147)

(1:16:04 – 1:16:16; Goodbyes)

(1:16:17 – 1:17:21; “Tidal Wave” by Apples In Stereo)

(1:17:22 – 1:18:03; Outtakes)

Music Credits:

Opening Music:

“Rush Apart” by The Rural Alberta Advantage. Learn more @ TheRAA.com

Closing Music:

“Tidal Wave” by Apples In Stereo. Learn more @ ApplesInStereo.com

Ryan Is Scared By What He Saw At The SXSW 2010 Predators First Look [SXSW 2010 Film Festival]

Ryan Gallagher — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:59:31 +0000

This review will only be discussing that which was shown to us at the SXSW 2010 Film Festival. At the “First Look” we were shown two trailers, several pieces of pre-production artwork, and had access to Nimrod Antal and Robert Rodriguez, to answer questions, none of which reveal any major spoilers to the film.

I have a distinct childhood memory of Predator. As I may or may not have spoken to on the podcast, I was not allowed to watch “scary” or excessively violent movies as a child. In elementary school, I’d hear about movies like Robocop, The Terminator, and eventually Predator, from the kids in my classes who had parents a bit more liberal, or perhaps a bit more reckless, with their children and their media consumption. It wasn’t until a friend had a sleepover birthday party that I was presented with an Arnold Schwarzenegger double feature: The Terminator and Predator. While I did spend much of the screenings hiding behind the couch, more afraid of the idea of these villains, than the actual on screen performances. I grew to love Predator, and even enjoyed Predator 2 for what it’s worth. I love the mythology that is presented in both movies, in stories told, rumors, legends, and in some of the most incredible and memorable make-up and special effects to come out of the 1980′s. While I, like many, wasn’t crazy about the Predator vs. Aliens movies, I enjoyed them for what they were trying to do: deepen the mythology, capture that which had been expanded on in novels, comic books, and video games, on the big screen. They’re obviously not great film-making, but I’ve watched them more than once, and if they were playing at a friends house, I wouldn’t ask them to be turned off.

When it was announced that we would be getting a brand new Predator movie, with Robert Rodriguez at the helm, essentially rebooting the failing series, I like many, was excited. It honestly doesn’t take much to get me excited about sci-fi, after many a failed prequel/sequel, I’m cautious about how much hope I place in their eventual greatness. Making a Predator movie is not rocket science, but can begin to sag under the weight of too much exposition, and not enough character, or meaningful, believable dialogue. Finally, that which has made the Predator such an indelible character in modern popular culture, is the idea of the hunt. The hunter versus it’s prey, and how the tables can be turned. During the Q&A after we were shown the trailers, Robert Rodriguez specifically mentioned The Most Dangerous Game (Criterion #46), as one of the films that inspired the making of this latest alien hunt: Predators.

There was a distinct buzz surrounding the Predators event. SXSW had a number of express passes (similar to a FastPass at amusement parks), that they were releasing in bursts throughout the day, and when I first made it to the line, they had all been claimed. I managed to swindle my own express pass, from the incredibly generous and helpful volunteers, and was planning on high-tailing it from the Kick Ass screening, down the street to the Alamo Ritz theater. The line ended up wrapping around the block, and there was even a woman screaming at the top of her lungs, at one of the volunteers, about how ridiculous it was that she couldn’t get into the screening.

Robert Rodriguez took the stage to set up what we were about to see: A first look at two versions of the trailer for Predators, along with dozens of production art stills that would flash on the screen. We were also treated to the original designer of the Predator creature, who has come back to work on this, most distinctive alien hunter.

The first trailer, as most first trailers do, flew by, leaving us wanting to rewatch it. It sets up the basic plot points of the story. Several people find themselves mysteriously in a jungle, none knowing the others, but all revealing how deadly they are. There are several audio cues to the original movie: pieces of the score, sounds of the predator breathing, sounds of the tri-laser pointer, and on and on. This film is clearly meant to be darker than the other sequels, harkening back to the horror elements of the original.

That was a point that was hammered home, again and again, throughout the course of the evening: The original is amazing, we need to make this movie more like that. That is an endearing intention for a filmmaker to have, and one that we geeks have heard promised to us time and time again. I feel like over the past few years, every time a sequel or reboot is spoken of by the new filmmaker, they say: “the original worked because of X, we’re going to bring back X for this movie.” Well folks, I hope that this movie will be the first to succeed in that department, but again, I’m very cautious about trusting these folks.

One big reason why I’m cautious about trusting these guys to recreate the awesome that is the first Predator movie, is the preproduction art that was shown during the panel, as well as some of the finished predator designs that show up in the trailer. The bi-polar manner in which Rodriguez would say “the first one worked because we never saw the Predator” while then preceeding to show us a trailer in which we saw MANY Predators, again and again. Another thing that troubled me was when he described the original Predator as an 8-track, and these new Predators as the iPods, was a huge red flag. If what made the original Predator was it’s gritty realistic approach to an alien tracker, giving us sleak, streamlined, bigger, more weaponized, Predators just doesn’t sound like a good idea. Another thing that stuck with me was the fact that all of the art seemed to be dreamed up without any thought given to the science, or biology of what goes into creating life. If felt like they approached the designing of these creatures as: let’s make them bigger, and more bad-ass. If I remember correctly, that was exactly the same problem the Aliens vs Predators films suffered from.

The second trailer they showed us was essentially the same as the first, but filled with more dialogue, revealing more of the characters, and their back stories. I found that I enjoyed the second trailer more, because I found the team in the original film so compelling. They were what sold how incredibly strong, and dangerous, the Predator was. In this movie, the humans don’t know each other to begin with, and aren’t necessarily the trusting types, but they’ll need to work together, in order to survive.

The final piece of footage they screened for us, was a scene introducing Lawrence Fishburne’s character. I tend to pretty much always love him in all of his films, and I’m sure he’s going be as intimidating as always in this.

Again, I’m still a little cautious about this team of people, mostly in that I think despite their intentions, they’re going to fill this movie with unnecessary bloat. We don’t need multiple predators, we don’t need predator-dogs, or predator-falcons, or “super-predators”. We just need a group of people being hunted by someone with an advantage. It’s a pretty simple formula, that is dependent on the mood created by the camera-work, the dialogue, the score, and editing.

There isn’t too much else to say about this event, other than that everyone pretty much went nuts seeing the footage, so I’m sure there will be a devoted group of fans out there defending the hell out of the trailer when it is shown to mass audiences.

I’m sure I’ll be in line when this movie comes out too, but to quote many a Star Wars movie, where we were given bloated prequels: I have a bad feeling about this.

*on a side, personal note: I did actually get to ask a question during the Q&A, about whether there was any pressure from the studio to remaster the film in 3D, and Rodriguez said there wasn’t. I find that a little hard to believe, but we’ll go with it.

SXSW Getting Exclusive First Look At Robert Rodriguez / Nimrod Antal’s Predators! Also Premiering 13 Tzameti Remake [SXSW 2010]

Ryan Gallagher — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:01:58 +0000

Exciting news everyone! SXSW just announced that we’re getting some remake action at this year’s SXSW Film Festival.

First off, we’re going to get a “First Look” at Nimrod Antal’s reboot of the Predator series, produced by Robert Rodriguez. This is a project close to Rodriguez’s heart, as he wrote the script back in the 90s! We’ve gotten various plot and casting details over the past year, and recently caught a glimpse of some on-set imagery courtesy of Facebook.

I’m really excited about this preview of the new Predators film, having had the first film burn such a deep brand in my brain at an early age. Personally, I like the second film, and the two Aliens vs Predators sequels don’t destroy the series for me. They’re obviously nowhere near as stylish or quotable or rewatchable as the first film, but I like how they expand on the mythology.

I was a little wary of the idea of Adrien Brody and Topher Grace as mercenaries capable of taking on the Predators, but I think having the likes of Danny Trejo alongside them will balance out the equation. Hopefully this preview will give us a glimpse of Brody and Grace in action.

The Predators First Look happens on Friday, March 12, at 10:15 at the Alamo Ritz Theater.

Back in 2005, a little film from Georgian director Géla Babluani hit the festivals, causing many a cautious spoiler avoiding conversation to be had. I’ve actually never seen 13 Tzameti, but had it’s twists spoiled for me on several film podcasts. As with most foreign films that generate any kind of buzz here in the States, a remake was quickly announced, with the likes of Mickey Rourke, Jason Statham, and Ray Winstone to star.

13 will screen at Midnight on Saturday the 13th, at the Alamo South Lamar, courtesy of Tim League. I’m embedded the trailer to 13 Tzameti below, to give you an idea of the pacing and style of the original.

Below you’ll find the original press release from SXSW.

ROBERT RODRIGUEZ PRESENTS SPECIAL FIRST LOOK AT PREDATORS AT SXSW

RODRIGUEZ, DIRECTOR NIMRÓD ANTAL, TO APPEAR AT MARCH 12 EVENT

ALSO ANNOUNCED, WORLD PREMIERE OF 13

Austin, Texas – March 3, 2010 – The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival has announced Austin-based filmmaker Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród Antal will present a “First Look” at their upcoming motion picture Predators, at SXSW on March 12, 2010. SXSW also announced the world premiere of Géla Babluani’s 13, the previously announced Super Secret TBA as part of the SX Fantastic midnight section. The 2010 event will take place March 12 – March 20, 2010.

The special presentation of Predators will take place at the Alamo Ritz Theater in downtown Austin, at 10:15pm. Doors open at 9:45pm, and the special event is only open to SXSW Badge-holders on a first-come, first-served basis. An audience Q&A follows the unveiling. SXSW Badges are still available for purchase at www.sxsw.com/attend.

A bold new chapter in the Predator universe, Predators was shot on location under Rodriguez’s creative auspices at the filmmaker’s Austin-based Troublemaker Studios, and is directed by Nimród Antal. The film stars Adrien Brody as Royce, a mercenary who reluctantly leads a group of elite warriors who come to realize they’ve been brought together on an alien planet… as prey. With the exception of a disgraced physician, they are all cold-blooded killers – mercenaries, Yakuza, convicts, death squad members – human “predators” that are now being systemically hunted and eliminated by a new breed of alien Predators. In addition to Adrien Brody, the film stars Topher Grace, Alice Braga, and Laurence Fishburne. Co-starring are Walton Goggins, Danny Trejo, Oleg Taktarov and Mahershalalhashbaz Ali.

Predators was written by Alex Litvak & Mike Finch based upon characters created by Jim Thomas & John Thomas. The producers are Robert Rodriguez and Elizabeth Avellàn. Twentieth Century Fox releases Predators in theaters everywhere July 9, 2010.

Commented Robert Rodriguez: “My director Nimród Antal and I are excited to bring this first look at Predators to Austin’s SXSW Film Festival, an event that’s become vital to the filmmaking scene. Austin is my home and I’m proud that Predators was conceived and filmed here.”

Said Film Conference & Festival Producer Janet Pierson: “Robert Rodriguez and Troublemaker Studios are a continued fountain of filmmaking creativity and innovation here in Austin, TX. We couldn’t be more proud to present the unveiling of Predators at our 2010 event.”

Additionally, SXSW has revealed the identity of the Super Secret TBA in its SX Fantastic section – the anticipated world premiere of Géla Babluani’s 13 will take place at Midnight on Saturday, March 13 at the Alamo South Lamar Theater.

13, a remake of the 2005 French film 13 Tzameti, also directed by Babluani, stars Jason Statham, Mickey Rourke, Ben Gazzara, and Alexander Skarsgard. The thriller follows the story of Vince, who unwittingly becomes involved in a degenerate, clandestine world of mental chaos behind closed doors.

2010 marks the second year of the SX Fantastic section, a series of mind-bending international midnight films at SXSW programmed by Tim League, founder of the Austin-based Fantastic Fest. This year features a diverse slate of five action, thriller, sci-fi and just plain fantastic films from all corners of the world. For more information on the SX Fantastic section, as well as the rest of the Festival program, visit www.sxsw.com/film.

Over the course of nine days, the 2010 Festival will host a total of 134 features, including 64 world premieres, and will open with the world premiere of Kick-Ass, directed by Matthew Vaughn and starring Aaron Johnson, Cholë Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Nicolas Cage. SXSW will also host more than 80 Film Conference panels, which will take place Friday, March 12 – Tuesday, March 16. For the complete program of films and panels, as well as schedule information, visit http://my.sxsw.com.