Posts Tagged ‘Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest’
3 items.
After drawing today’s comic, I realized that I had originally planned on doing a comic about my IMAX experience at Superman Returns. But then, in hindsight, it really would have been more of a rehash of this strip. Basically, the image takes up so much of your field of vision, you can’t hope to see everything at once. During that plane crash where Lois is being tossed around like a rag-doll (seatbelts, people!) you can’t see anything that’s going on. It’s all a blur. So instead of being wowed by the effects, you’re looking for a pause button so your eyes can settle a little bit.
I used to be really annoyed by IMAX films because they are often so short. Like, 40 minutes tops. I think I understand why now. Because anything much longer than that and you risk a neck sprain. At two and a half hours, watching Superman Returns in IMAX was like watching the world’s longest tennis match. I mean, I had an inkling that we might be in for it when the opening title card came up with all that exposition explaining how Superman had been away for five years and you could see everyone in the audience turning their heads from left to right as fast as they could to absorb all the information – laughing nervously all the while. If this movie had subtitles, we would have been screwed.
So, I still have it in my head to check out SR for a second time on a more properly proportioned screen. Only problem is, I don’t know when that will be considering Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest comes out on Friday!
I don’t know if it’s me or if the film’s marketing team is doing a deft job, but Pirates is probably the one movie of the year that I’m most excited for and yet seen little or nothing about it. I’m serious. I just sat down to watch the full trailer maybe a day or two ago. I mean, I get the gist of the plot. Johnny Depp’s Captain Jack Sparrow owes his soul to a octopus-like sea ghoul Davy Jones played by Bill Nighy. Adventure ensues. I’m there.
But usually this close to a movie’s premire, I’ve soaked myself in the salty brine of advance promotion. I know what all the costumes look like, I’ve read set reports, I’ve seen enough “teaser” clips combined that only 20% of the actual film will be new to me when I see it in the theater… Basically, I ruin things for myself.
But not Pirates. I haven’t seen hide nor hair of it and I think that’s a good thing. I’m really looking forward to Friday. I loved the first film so much. Stands to reason this one should be just as good. Fingers crossed!
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As to why Tom might have a soul debt to Twinkie the Kid, I have no idea. It’s just one of those absurd ideas that come to me at the end of the week and there you have it. I suppose I could have done something a little more in tune with a pirate theme to celebrate the release of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest… but that would have been too easy!
Reviews from critics are coming back mostly negative, which is surprising considering how many of them rallied around the first film. Their complaints seem to echo their thoughts about Superman Returns. Primarily, it’s too long. Personally, I think that’s the weakest cop-out excuse in the critical handbag. I mean, when you’re in a movie you don’t like, extra length can feel like torture. But if you can put yourself in the shoes of the average audience member who’s really into this kind of stuff, how could MORE ever be a bad thing?
Roger Ebert once said something about the length of movies never being a detriment. I can’t find the exact quote, though. By the way, Rog – get well soon.
At any rate, early audience reaction seems to be very favorable. I’ve talked to a few people who have been to midnight screenings or are friends with theater managers and they love the flick up and down. So it sounds like the perfect summer popcorn flick. Personally, I can’t wait to see it.
A little site news. Don’t forget about the $9.99 t-shirt sale we’ve got going on right now. It lasts until the end of the month. I’m trying to clear out a little inventory before I go to Wizard World Chicago on August 4 – 6.so I won’t feel guilty about not bringing the full bredth of my schwag.
By the way, if you still want to order a copy of "Theater Hopper: Year One," I’m still accepting them. Place your order now. That way, it’s one less book I have to lug to Chicago. Who knows? I might not have very many when I come back! I’ve already pre-sold about half of the first printing. If you get your order in now, I’ll be sure to set a copy aside for you before I hit The Windy City!
Not much else for the moment. Talk to you soon!
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I kind of felt like I was shirking my duty not talking about Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest incredible first weekend at the box office. When you stop to think about it, the accomplishment is pretty crazy.
I mean, sure, there’s always going to be debate about box office records. What with inflation and the increased number of theaters across the American strip-mall landscape. But when you frame Pirates three day take of $132 million against Superman Returns take of $52 million (ignore the bloated numbers from the extended 4th of July "holiday weekend)… well, to paraphrase Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction – we’re not in the same ballpark, the same league or even the same sport. I mean, Superman Returns had one of the largest domestic releases ever – 4,065 screens. Now Pirates sweeps through and everyone is like "Superman, who?" Just goes to show how fickle we can be, I suppose.
I know Pirates 2 has its detractors, but I’m just glad that the numbers were better than X-Men 3’s Memorial Day weekend take of $102 million. Superman Returns was supposed to knock it off it’s throne as *the* summer blockbuster. When it didn’t, it gave validity to the Brett Ratner’s of the world at the expense of what I felt was a sincere and thoughtful adaptation of The Man of Steel. Superman Returns at least had something on it’s mind and it was being punished for it. Meanwhile, I disorganized noise-fest like X-Men 3 takes home all the cash? Not fair.
If a balls-out action/adventure movie is going to take the brass ring this summer, I would rather it be Pirates 2 than X-Men 3. That’s all I’m saying.
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