BTW, at this openig B/W scene, church pianist was Samuel L. Jackson. Somebody noticed him?


Kenji Asakura

Yeah, I particularly liked that cameo. btw, I know that Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez are good friends and often have exchanged creative ideas and homages in their films, but FDTD is technically a Rodriguez flick, even with the Tanantino input...
I also liked the Superman analogy. I've read comic books all my life and in a conversation almost 2 years ago, with horror comic writer Mitch Hymen (yes, that really is his last name), we discussed the exact same thing. That made the use of the same topic in KB2 that much more poingant for me. Oh, keep an eye out for his latest creation "Bubba the Redneck Werewolf" to hit the shelves. I have a copy of his 1st issue from Brass Ball Comics, but he was being courted by Image Comics when I enlisted in the Corps...

...the scene [from Kill Bill Vol. 2]... reminded me of one of my favorite movies, THE VANISHING (the Dutch version, not the lame U.S. remake).

I've not yet seen a reference on this board to THE VANISHING, the original version from the Netherlands, not to be confused with the tame and tepid US remake.

THE VANISHING (Spoorloos) is a horrific movie, and there is not an ounce of blood or gore. It plays on your nerves and the final scene is the most awful I've ever seen. It is on my list of top 10 films of all time, though I am not sure I could sit through it again. It shook me to my core.

I recommended it to a friend, back when it was released in the US. He saw it and wouldn't speak to me for a week because, as he said, he hated being that horrified.

I've written frequently about how easily I forget the plot or scenes in movies and books. Not so with THE VANISHING. This is a movie I've never forgotten.

It plays on your nerves and the final scene is the most awful I've ever seen. It is on my list of top 10 films of all time, though I am not sure I could sit through it again. It shook me to my core.

I couldn't agree more. I saw the original in a mostly empty movie theatre and I found the denouement to be relentless unrepentent. After hearing a few rumors and reviews about the american remake, I refused to go see it.

Mike

I couldn't agree more. I saw the original in a mostly empty movie theatre and I found the denouement to be relentless unrepentent. After hearing a few rumors and reviews about the american remake, I refused to go see it.

Mike

The American Remake was a joke compared to the original. Everything that made the original suspenseful and unrelenting was thrown out the window in the remake. Jeff Bridges character made no sense whatsoever when compared to Lemorne in the original. It just boggles the mind how they could take a brilliantly made film and completely f#$k it up for American audiences.

The problem lies mostly with joe-blo moviegoer. Studios know that most people would rather be dipped in a vat of boiliing fat than have to actually "read" while watching a movie. If they go the dubbing route nobody would take the movie seriously. Therefore: Remake.

I know a lot of people who:
a) Don't want those stupid black bars taking up their TV screen
and
b) Don't want to have to "read" their movies

At least DVD opened the way to making widescreen and subtitles more mainstream, but I fear there is a long way to go.

...I know a lot of people who:
a) Don't want those stupid black bars taking up their TV screen
and
b) Don't want to have to "read" their movies

At least DVD opened the way to making widescreen and subtitles more mainstream, but I fear there is a long way to go.

I also think the general American movie going audience doesn't like and doesn't want to see movies that are not tied up neatly with a bow, movies that leave you hanging or, heaven help us, movies that might make you THINK about what was just seen. And most importantly, the general American movie going audience wants a happy ending.

Phooey on all of that! Give me dark, uncertain, unhappy endings. Bring on the thoughtfully provocative movie.

The original of THE VANISHING was amazing, one of my favorite thrillers. It's right up there with WAIT UNTIL DARK.

When I was a kid, Michael Park's TV series THEN CAME BRONSON was one of my favorites.

Looks like I'm alone on this one. I didn't think Kill Bill Vol 2 was a good title. I thought it should have been called Bill Won't Shut the Flip Up. So annoying. Couldn't get into it. A completely different movie from the first. When I was going into it expecting another kick-butt movie, and saw this...a little disappointed.

Looks like I'm alone on this one. I didn't think Kill Bill Vol 2 was a good title. I thought it should have been called Bill Won't Shut the Flip Up. So annoying. Couldn't get into it. A completely different movie from the first. When I was going into it expecting another kick-butt movie, and saw this...a little disappointed.

I can see your point of view. It's not even arguable! If I had to wait between the two after seeing the first, I would be expecting a major fight movie. Fortunatly I waited and bought both DVD's and watched them back to back. With no expectations or building up the movie between the two, I felt they complamented each other and it was just one storyline. Almost perfect I thought. I wish everyone had watched it like I did! Truly amazing!


KRW

I got the DVD for Christmas, and I'd heard all the "no action", "too talky" comments (while deftly avoiding spoilers!). However, I thought the movie was fantastic. As a drama about "supermen", it was wonderful. So many people found it unbelievable, or too dramatic--I thought it wonderful. I mean, yes, they weren't wearing the latex, or shooting beams from their eyes, but they were operating at different levels than your average Joe. They had their own rules, codes of conduct, everything. They were villains, all of them, and they knew it.

It was as much a story about "Immortals" as any vampire movie, Highlander movie, superhero story or what have you. In that context, the ending, taken as is, wasn't a letdown.

I also think the general American movie going audience doesn't like and doesn't want to see movies that are not tied up neatly with a bow, movies that leave you hanging or, heaven help us, movies that might make you THINK about what was just seen. And most importantly, the general American movie going audience wants a happy ending.

Phooey on all of that! Give me dark, uncertain, unhappy endings. Bring on the thoughtfully provocative movie.

Maggers if you haven't seen Audition yet, you should. It is unlike anything I have ever seen; it is very unsettling.