Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Master and Commander was very weak. There's no bloody villain! No conflict!
It's overproduced, underwritten with no real focus. The French ship never has
ANY character. Aubrey may as well be battling a big wave....but even that would
be more interesting. Beyond the poor script, other aspects of the film were
okay. Crowe failed to impress me as a boat captain, mumbling half of his lines
and over-acting with others. Peter Wier's direction is not suited for a film of
this type. The battle scenes are big but not cohesive in the least. He has no
control over 3 dimensional film space during action sequences, unless they are
very linear and contained as in Witness or Fearless. The final engagement makes
little or no sense at all.
In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders on deck, clearly set for
raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous. And finally, no sharks are used
in the film!
Clearly...I'm quite dissapointed.

To avoid dissapointment...among other greats...

Moby Dick (Huston version)
Dead Calm
The Sea Wolf (Curtiz version)
Mutiny on the Bounty (With Charles Laughton-probably still the best)

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

So, you're now claiming that you consulted on this loser of a film???

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders on deck, clearly set for
raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous. And finally, no sharks are
used
in the film!

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

SSDD


"Bobsprit" wrote in message ...
Master and Commander was very weak. There's no bloody villain! No conflict!
It's overproduced, underwritten with no real focus. The French ship never has
ANY character. Aubrey may as well be battling a big wave....but even that would
be more interesting. Beyond the poor script, other aspects of the film were
okay. Crowe failed to impress me as a boat captain, mumbling half of his lines
and over-acting with others. Peter Wier's direction is not suited for a film of
this type. The battle scenes are big but not cohesive in the least. He has no
control over 3 dimensional film space during action sequences, unless they are
very linear and contained as in Witness or Fearless. The final engagement makes
little or no sense at all.
In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders on deck, clearly set for
raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous. And finally, no sharks are used
in the film!
Clearly...I'm quite dissapointed.

To avoid dissapointment...among other greats...

Moby Dick (Huston version)
Dead Calm
The Sea Wolf (Curtiz version)
Mutiny on the Bounty (With Charles Laughton-probably still the best)

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

I am sure it will be worth every penny I pay for it when I download a
DVD quality copy from usenet in about one month.

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

So, you're now claiming that you consulted on this loser of a film???

Bwahaha! Funny, Jonathan!

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

I am sure it will be worth every penny I pay for it when I download a
DVD quality copy from usenet in about one month.

We saw it digitally and for free.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Thanks!

"Bobsprit" wrote in message
...
So, you're now claiming that you consulted on this loser of a film???

Bwahaha! Funny, Jonathan!

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Hey Nutsy,

How about, "Captainn Courageuos" With Spencer Tracy, The "Hornblower""
series with Greg Peck, "Treasure Island" with Jackie Cooper

OT

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

I like Captain Blood.

Hornblower series? I thought there was only one movie, though it covered three
books.



"Thom Stewart" wrote in message
...
Hey Nutsy,

How about, "Captainn Courageuos" With Spencer Tracy, The "Hornblower""
series with Greg Peck, "Treasure Island" with Jackie Cooper

OT

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

How about, "Captainn Courageuos" With Spencer Tracy, The "Hornblower""
series with Greg Peck, "Treasure Island" with Jackie Cooper

I'm prefer Peck's turn as Ahab, but enjoy the films you list. Tracy is also
remarkable in the Old Man in the Sea, even if the big fish looks like plastic.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

I saw it Friday afternoon in a big movie theater with real big screen.
Only on the big screen will this movie come alive.

While I think that the dramatic storry was not tight and intense like a good
drama should be, I thought that the movie was a bit like a fantastic
non-fictional reportage, where the dramatic story becomes somewhat
invissible and not so coherent as usual in Hollywood.

I thought that it was the most realistic description of naval history that I
have seen. Seen in this context the (almost) lack of traditional dramatic
storry becomes a strength and not a weaknes.

Also I think it was the best "sailship-picture" I have seen.

So for anyone with an interest in historic sailing ships or naval history, I
think this is a real great movie - but I will also warn against draging a
not-so-interested partner to the show.

Peter S/Y Anicula

A few comments below:

"Bobsprit" skrev i en meddelelse
...
Master and Commander was very weak. There's no bloody villain! No
conflict!
It's overproduced, underwritten with no real focus. The French ship never
has
ANY character.

I think that one does not always know the enimy well in real life?

Aubrey may as well be battling a big wave....but even that would
be more interesting. Beyond the poor script, other aspects of the film
were
okay. Crowe failed to impress me as a boat captain, mumbling half of his
lines
and over-acting with others. Peter Wier's direction is not suited for a
film of
this type.

The battle scenes are big but not cohesive in the least. He has no
control over 3 dimensional film space during action sequences, unless they
are
very linear and contained as in Witness or Fearless. The final engagement
makes
little or no sense at all.

Probably a bit like real life, dont you think ?

In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders on deck, clearly set for
raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous. And finally, no sharks are
used
in the film!
Clearly...I'm quite dissapointed.

To avoid dissapointment...among other greats...

Moby Dick (Huston version)
Dead Calm
The Sea Wolf (Curtiz version)
Mutiny on the Bounty (With Charles Laughton-probably still the best)

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Jeff,

"Capt Blood" with Errol Flyn rates up there.

"Down to the Sea in Ships" with Widmark also

OT

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

"Old Man of the Sea" with Tracy gets a nod but with Hemingway's good
stories the mind images or always better than the Movies, in my opinion.
It takes a Tracy or a Peck to even come close.

Ot

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

"Old Man of the Sea" with Tracy gets a nod but with Hemingway's good
stories the mind images or always better than the Movies, in my opinion.
It takes a Tracy or a Peck to even come close.

I agree. I always liked Peck as Ahab, though reviewers of the day were not kind
to him. Director John Houston always defended the choice. Tracy was 57 when the
filmed the Sturges adaptation and I think he had the right look for it and the
acting chomps to make it work.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster. Better spoof on the genre than
"Pirates of the Carribean"

On Sat, 29 Nov 2003 21:02:19 -0800 (PST), (Thom
Stewart) wrote:

Hey Nutsy,

How about, "Captainn Courageuos" With Spencer Tracy, The "Hornblower""
series with Greg Peck, "Treasure Island" with Jackie Cooper

OT

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

The Crimson Pirate with Burt Lancaster. Better spoof on the genre than
"Pirates of the Carribean"

Good one.


RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

I thought that it was the most realistic description of naval history that I
have seen. Seen in this context the (almost) lack of traditional dramatic
storry becomes a strength and not a weaknes.


That context is not served well for movie fans. A better screenplay, better
dialogue and better staging would have left the historical elements intact or
even heightened, while making the movie less of a snore-fest.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

There's no bloody villain! No
conflict!

Are you really that stupid? The villain was the French ship captain and =
the conflict was between Napoleonic France and Georgian England.

The French ship never
has
ANY character.

The story wasn't about the French ship...it was about the pursuit of the =
French ship...

I'm quite disappointed.

The go see "Cat In the Hat" I'm sure it's much more on your level and =
Michael Myers should be an inspiration to you.

--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Are you really that stupid? The villain was the French ship captain and =
the conflict was between Napoleonic France and Georgian England.

Katy, clearly your knowledge of screenwriting isn't very sophisticated. Basing
a conflict on historical villainy without defining within the picture it is a
common mistake. A good screenplay defines it's villains by action rather than
reputation or historical context. I've yet to meet anyone who saw the movie who
didn't make note of this. The same mistake was made in Gladiator, but NOT in
Saving Private Ryan. Can you see the difference?
I doubt it.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

The go see "Cat In the Hat" I'm sure it's much more on your level and =
Michael Myers should be an inspiration to you.



Sorry, Katy. Last night we screened the uncut remastered Once Apon a Time in
the West, a film of grand detail and scale as well as properly defined
conflicts.
As Orson Wells said, "Grand films are only as grand as their villains."
Sadly, Master and Commander fails on every level and finally even in it's
cinematography.
BTW, the DVD of Once Apon a Time in the West is simply beautiful, well worth it
for true film fans.


Capt RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

The story wasn't about the French ship...it was about the pursuit of the =
French ship...

Actually, in the first two drafts of the script, it's the other way around. The
French ship is ALWAYS in pursuit of them and he only means to use that pursuit
against them. The method of the conflict is so poorly written that they made
changes WHILE shooting to change it and then again so it would be somewhat
clear. These were not minor changes. Bad screenwriting defined.
Peter Wier directed two very fine films in Witness and Fearless, showing that
he could rise above the predictable pandering pomposity of a movie like Dead
Poets Society.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Do you really need to ask?


"katysails" wrote


Are you really that stupid?

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Apparently boob**** knows as much about making movies as he does about
sailing. Witness his great career.

BwaaaHahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aa

Scotty


"katysails" wrote in message
...
There's no bloody villain! No
conflict!

Are you really that stupid? The villain was the French ship captain and the
conflict was between Napoleonic France and Georgian England.

The French ship never
has
ANY character.

The story wasn't about the French ship...it was about the pursuit of the
French ship...

I'm quite disappointed.

The go see "Cat In the Hat" I'm sure it's much more on your level and
Michael Myers should be an inspiration to you.

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

We saw it just over a week ago when we had a Sony
buyer call us in at the local Sony theater.
My wife enjoyed most of with the exception of the
blood. My friend, who is a huge Peter Wier fan,
was not real impressed. She says it's not her
type of movie. Her date, however really enjoyed
it.
And so, a question - Is the damage portrayed
realistic of a naval battle of that era?
--
----
Steve
S/V Pony Express

"Peter S/Y Anicula"
wrote in message
k...
: I saw it Friday afternoon in a big movie theater
with real big screen.
: Only on the big screen will this movie come
alive.
:
: While I think that the dramatic storry was not
tight and intense like a good
: drama should be, I thought that the movie was a
bit like a fantastic
: non-fictional reportage, where the dramatic
story becomes somewhat
: invissible and not so coherent as usual in
Hollywood.
:
: I thought that it was the most realistic
description of naval history that I
: have seen. Seen in this context the (almost)
lack of traditional dramatic
: storry becomes a strength and not a weaknes.
:
: Also I think it was the best "sailship-picture"
I have seen.
:
: So for anyone with an interest in historic
sailing ships or naval history, I
: think this is a real great movie - but I will
also warn against draging a
: not-so-interested partner to the show.
:
: Peter S/Y Anicula
:
: A few comments below:
:
: "Bobsprit" skrev i en
meddelelse
:
...
: Master and Commander was very weak. There's no
bloody villain! No
: conflict!
: It's overproduced, underwritten with no real
focus. The French ship never
: has
: ANY character.
:
: I think that one does not always know the enimy
well in real life?
:
: Aubrey may as well be battling a big
wave....but even that would
: be more interesting. Beyond the poor script,
other aspects of the film
: were
: okay. Crowe failed to impress me as a boat
captain, mumbling half of his
: lines
: and over-acting with others. Peter Wier's
direction is not suited for a
: film of
: this type.
:
: The battle scenes are big but not cohesive in
the least. He has no
: control over 3 dimensional film space during
action sequences, unless they
: are
: very linear and contained as in Witness or
Fearless. The final engagement
: makes
: little or no sense at all.
:
: Probably a bit like real life, dont you think ?
:
: In two scenes you could see HUGE black fenders
on deck, clearly set for
: raft-ups for the camera barge. Very dangerous.
And finally, no sharks are
: used
: in the film!
: Clearly...I'm quite dissapointed.
:
: To avoid dissapointment...among other
greats...
:
: Moby Dick (Huston version)
: Dead Calm
: The Sea Wolf (Curtiz version)
: Mutiny on the Bounty (With Charles
Laughton-probably still the best)
:
: RB
:
:
:
:
:
:

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

And so, a question - Is the damage portrayed
realistic of a naval battle of that era?

Not in the least. Explosive charges were used to simulate the cannon hits
during some scenes.. The flying wood and splinters was not a proper sumulation.
When CGI effects were employed it was more accurate, even if fake looking.

RB

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Do you really need to ask?

It was a rhetorical question, Scotty.

--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Is the damage portrayed
realistic of a naval battle of that era?

Only one old enough here to have experienced that would be Old Thom....

--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Then why did you ask it?


"katysails" wrote ...

It was a rhetorical question, Scotty.


--
katysails

"Women and cats will do as they please, so men should kick the
crap out of both until they behave." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Then why did you ask it?

To make the rhetorical point....

--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Go away. You are more of a hindrance here than anything else.

S.Simon


"katysails" wrote in message ...
Then why did you ask it?

To make the rhetorical point....

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Cripes, Katy, he was just a cabin boy in them days!

Seahag

katysails wrote in message
...
Is the damage portrayed
realistic of a naval battle of that era?

Only one old enough here to have experienced that would be Old Thom....

--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Master and Commander-No Spoilers
 

Cripes, Katy, he was just a cabin boy in them days!

Seahag

Yeah, but those cabin boys see and hear everything, ya know....
--=20
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein