If Miller Is Off The Project...Who Is YOUR Director?

[Superhobo]

Probably. t:

The thing I like about Miller is his, obvious, versatility. Who'd have ever thought that the creator of Mad Max would make Happy Feet?

Yep - he's got a thing about wastelands, apparently.

I'm still waiting for the Happy Feet double-dip, myself. I mean, with a film like that, you'd think it'd be inevitable they'd release a two disc.

Perhaps when he starts on the sequel.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

^ Most of Australia is desert, so that makes sense. t:

 

[Superhobo]

^ Most of Australia is desert, so that makes sense. t:

Yeah. The one misstep I can find in the Mad Max trilogy is Tina Turner - she was the weak-link in "Beyond Thunderdome," really.


And those lips -

Nom nom nom!

 

[The Major]

If you'd listen to how he talks about the characters, he really gets them with that "Greek god" aspect.

Can you give me a link to where he said this?

 

[Superhobo]

Can you give me a link to where he said this?

George Miller, director of the upcoming Justice League of America, considers Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the other members of the league to be directly tied to the ancient Greek gods, according to a report in Neos Kosmos.

"The Justice League superheroes are in fact related to ancient Greek gods and that will be my reference point," Miller says.

Miller wouldn't be the first person to make this connection. When comic-book legend Grant Morrison took over writing duties on the Justice League of America comic, he explicitly drew parallels between the Justice League and the Olympian gods. Superman, Batman and Aquaman were connected to the three brothers who ruled the Greek gods, Zeus, Hades and Poseidon, with other members of the league being linked to the remaining gods in the pantheon.

Before the WGA strike began, Justice League of America was scheduled for a 2009 release date, though the strike has delayed production. A cast list for the film, while rumored, has yet to be confirmed by Warner Bros.

http://www.superheroflix.com/news/43/25343.php

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Clearly, you're insane. Miller's been called one of Australia's greatest directors, among other things - I mean, my god. How could you not like "Babe: Pig In the City?" Or "Lorenzo's Oil?" Or - well, any of his films? They're masterful.

His films are not masterful. His last great movie is over 20 years old.

What? Every one of his films - besides the Babe films and Witches of Eastwick - are the definition of epic.

"The Road Warrior?"

"Beyond Thunderdome?"

"Happy Feet?" (arguably the most epic CG-animated film to date)

The Road Warrior is great. Beyond Thunderdome is weak in comparison. And Happy Feet, arguably the most epic CG-animated film to date?! Both Toy Story's, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille are infinitely better than HF.

Remember, it's not like Miller has complete control over the casting decisions, so it's not like he can just say, "alright, I want this guy."

Unless it's revealed somewhere that WB took creative control away from Miller with certain aspects of the film, then Miller will get full blame and full credit for anything horrible or great with this film.

Yes!

I'd imagine "Happy Feet" has had something of the same kind of effect on CG films - storytelling-wise and visually.

And what CG films has HF effected. Pixar has set the standard, not Miller's Happy Feet.

 

[Superhobo]

His films are not masterful. His last great movie is over 20 years old.

You know he was nominated for a Oscar for both Babe and Lorenzo's Oil, right? Both of these are pretty critically acclaimed from all sides, and both of these are considerably less than twenty years old.

Babe: Pig In the City, his most recent film before HF, was actually Ebert's favorite film from that year - his pick for Best Picture.

I mean, he's really a director that a lot of people - me included - feel hasn't gotten his dues - much like Scorsese.

The Road Warrior is great. Beyond Thunderdome is weak in comparison. And Happy Feet, arguably the most epic CG-animated film to date?! Both Toy Story's, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille are infinitely better than HF.

Ratatouille is probably my favorite film from Pixar - never got the appeal for The Incredibles, sans a couple of good moments. Finding Nemo was alright, but Albert Brooks annoyed me. Toy Story (s?) ? Well, the first one's great. Haven't seen the second one.

But, better than HF? Nah.

What didn't you like about it?

Unless it's revealed somewhere that WB took creative control away from Miller with certain aspects of the film, then Miller will get full blame and full credit for anything horrible or great with this film.

You honestly think he has full control over the casting? Really?

And what CG films has HF effected. Pixar has set the standard, not Miller's Happy Feet.

Ha, Wall-E.

I never said it 'set the standard.' I said that it might well have something of the same effect on CG films that "The Road Warrior" did on it's respective genres. The film was actually pretty innovative in it's approach.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

You know he was nominated for a Oscar for both Babe and Lorenzo's Oil, right? Both of these are pretty critically acclaimed from all sides, and both of these are less than twenty years old.

Yes, I do. On Babe, he was the producer. Funny that when he actually directed a Babe movie (the sequel) it was a much inferior movie, to put it nicely. And yes, best screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil, which is impressive. I think he is a decent to good director but you throw words around like masterful which I reserve for other directors.

Not to mention, well, HF - which won an Oscar, plus about a thousand other awards.

Not impressed by the Oscar considering the lack of competition it faced. But if that's your barometer for the greatness of the film, then go right ahead with it.

Ratatouille is probably my favorite film from Pixar - never got the appeal for The Incredibles, sans a couple of good moments. Finding Nemo annoyed me. Toy Story (s?) ? Well, the first one's great. Haven't seen the second one.

But, better than HF? Nah.

What didn't you like about it?

Didn't get the appeal for it. Just wasn't impressed.

You honestly think he has full control over the casting? Really?

Why should I think otherwise? If there were big names we were hearing of than i would think perhaps the studio is stepping in to ensure a name that is a box office draw. Just who do you think is picking Arm & Hammer and DJ Cotrona and Megan Gale?! The studio? Are you out of your mind?

Ha, Wall-E.

Is this a joke? Do you know how long it takes to put together a film of that nature? The story and concept for Wall-E was devised in 1994!

 

[Superhobo]

Yes, I do. On Babe, he was the producer. Funny that when he actually directed a Babe movie (the sequel) it was a much inferior movie, to put it nicely.

What're you talking about? The deal with Babe was essentially the same thing as when Joel Silver 'directed' "V for Vendetta." Come on, man!

And yes, best screenplay for Lorenzo's Oil, which is impressive. I think he is a decent to good director but you throw words around like masterful which I reserve for other directors.

You're acting like I'm the only one who's called him this - which is far from true, really.

Out of interest, who would you consider 'masterful?'

*waits for mention of Christopher Nolan*

Not impressed by the Oscar considering the lack of competition it faced. But if that's your barometer for the greatness of the film, then go right ahead with it.

It's not, really. But, well - wait. You didn't enjoy "Monster House?"

Didn't get the appeal for it. Just wasn't impressed.

Okay.

Likewise, I wasn't impressed with "The Incredibles," or "Finding Nemo." Though, I will say in the former's defense that it made amazing use of the color red.

Both of these films, though - while the former had some great action set pieces and the latter was animated beautifully - just didn't appeal to me.

Why should I think otherwise? If there were big names we were hearing of than i would think perhaps the studio is stepping in to ensure a name that is a box office draw. Just who do you think is picking Arm & Hammer and DJ Cotrona and Megan Gale?! The studio? Are you out of your mind?

Well, not completely. But several of these actors are 'studio favorites,' like Megan Gale.

Is this a joke? Do you know how long it takes to put together a film of that nature? The story and concept for Wall-E was devised in 1994!

You seem very hostile. Chill, dude.

The basic story, the rough, was devised in '94 - as were most of Pixar's films - but there are several aspects of the film that utilize the tools that Miller created for HF.
During the latter part of the film, we get to meet "real" humans - from what I've heard, this takes a very similar approach to the one taken in HF, in regards to how it's being done. Story-wise, it's its own beast, but it's the technical aspect that concerns us here.

 

[The Major]

Well, not completely. But several of these actors are 'studio favorites,' like Megan Gale.

Isn't she Miller's favorite?

He's the one who's been courting her for the role publically not the WB suits.

 

[Superhobo]

Isn't she Miller's favorite?

He's the one that's been courting her for the role publically not the WB suits.

Ah, my bad. Herm.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Out of interest, who would you consider 'masterful?

Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese and Alfred Hitchcock to name a few. Would you put Miller in that class?

Well, not completely. But several of these actors are 'studio favorites,' like Megan Gale.

Source?

You seem very hostile. Chill, dude.

Not at all.

The basic story, the rough, was devised in '94 - as were most of Pixar's films - but there are several aspects of the film that utilize the tools that Miller created for HF.
During the latter part of the film, we get to meet real humans - from what I've heard, this takes a very similar approach to the one taken in HF, in regards to how it's being done. Story-wise, it's its own beast, but it's the technical aspect that concerns us here.

So what you are saying is, if I have this correct, is that the makers of Wall-E saw Happy Feet and said to themselves, "We need to take that approach". I don't understand what this based off of considering the movie hasn't even been seen yet. And considering how long it takes to implement certain ideas and techniques into a film of this nature. Did Stanton or Lasseter state this somewhere?

 

[The Major]

Ah, my bad. Herm.

Of all the actors the ones I'd definitely think the studio wanted on board would be Brody and Common.

I don't know enough about Hammer or D.J.'s situation to know if they were picked by the studio or not.

Byrnes would most likely be Miller's since they know each other. Palmer could go either way since her claim to fame is Transformers and she is Australian. IIRC she used to model there so it isn't much of a stretch to consider Miller knew of her.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Palmer wasn't in Transformers.


Actress:

* In Production
* 2000s

1. Justice League Mortal (2009) (pre-production) (rumored) .... Talia Al Ghul
2. Bedtime Stories (2008) (filming) .... Violet
3. Kids in America (2008) (completed) .... Tori Frederking

4. December Boys (2007) .... Lucy
5. The Grudge 2 (2006) .... Vanessa
6. 2:37 (2006) .... Melody
... aka Two Thirty 7 (Australia: promotional title)
7. Ravenswood (2006) .... Dale
8. Wolf Creek (2005) .... Pool Party People

 

[The Major]

Flawless:

All this time I thought she was the blonde in TF. lol

 

[FlawlessVictory]

LOL. Yea she really hasn't been in much. Nothing really noteworthy I guess.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

Flawless:

All this time I thought she was the blonde in TF. lol

Rachael Taylor was in TF. They do look kinda similar though.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

edit

 

[Superhobo]

Stanley Kubrick, Martin Scorsese and Alfred Hitchcock to name a few. Would you put Miller in that class?

Oh, sure. Him and Terry Gilliam - though, both of them are, or were, part of an entirely different wave of directors that, while their films could hold up with the best of them, took vastly different approaches to that of their predecessors.

While their films are comparable on a critical level, they take entirely different approaches to characterization, and so on. Scorsese and Kubrick skew this line a bit, because they're a lot more similar to the two than someone like Hitchcock, though.

Source?

I got 'co-rrected.'

Not at all.

It seems so.

So what you are saying is, if I have this correct, is that the makers of Wall-E saw Happy Feet and said to themselves, "We need to take that approach". I don't understand what this based off of considering the movie hasn't even been seen yet. Did Stanton or Lasseter state this somewhere?

Not at all. Much like, well, Babe - the technology to do the type of seamless interaction that they're going for didn't exist until Animal Logic built it up back sometime in '04.

There've been several test screenings - you can read Moriarty's review at AICN - and, while the moments are brief, they take the same technical approach, though used in a different way.

You've also got to remember that HF is a relatively recent film, and though innovative in it's approach to a lot of things, it's 'new -' as far as my speculation goes, it's very likely that some of it's elements will be ripped in the same way that the Road Warrior's were.

 

[Jake Cassidy]

^ Yeah, the Mad Max films were very influential.

To me, Miller is one of the most important directors in Australian film history. He's part of the 'big three'. The other two are Peter Weir and Bruce Beresford. They changed our entire film industry, imo.

 

[Superhobo]

^ Yeah, the Mad Max films were very influential.

To me, Miller is one of the most important directors in Australian film history. He's part of the 'big three'. The other two are Peter Weir and Bruce Beresford. They changed our entire film industry, imo.

Yep. Weir's another of my favorites, simply because of "Fearless." Gets me every time.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Oh, sure. Him and Terry Gilliam - though, both of them are, or were, part of an entirely different wave of directors that, while their films could hold up with the best of them, took vastly different approaches to that of their predecessors.

While their films are comparable on a critical level, they take entirely different approaches to characterization, and so on. Scorsese and Kubrick skew this line a bit, because they're a lot more similar to the two than someone like Hitchcock, though.

But Miller's films aren't comparable on a critical level to Hitchcock, Scorsese or Kubrick's films. Hitchcock, Scorsese and Kubrick make the best director lists of all times, Miller doesn't.

You've also got to remember that HF is a relatively recent film, and though innovative in it's approach to a lot of things, it's 'new -' as far as my speculation goes, it's very likely that some of it's elements will be ripped in the same way that the Road Warrior's were.

I have seen or read nothing about Wall-E that to me indicates it has taken any approaches put forth by HF.

 

[Superhobo]

But Miller's films aren't comparable on a critical or any other level for that matter to Hitchcock, Scorsese or Kubrick's films.

You would be very surprised. "Beyond Thunderdome," despite it's weak reputation, is an admittedly deep film filled with some pretty powerful subtext.

The whole Mad Max trilogy is surprisingly introspective. Several books have been written, dissecting and analyzing them - the best of which is "The Mad Max Movies," by Adrian Martin - and, suffice it to say, they stand up to that kind of critical analysis pretty well.

Hitchcock, Scorsese and Kubrick make the best director lists of all times, Miller doesn't.

Neither does Gilliam. They're both relatively recent directors - though, I have seen him lumped with Scorsese more than a couple of times.

To say he isn't at the very least a remarkably influential director is just plain dumb.

I have seen or read nothing about Wall-E that to me indicates it has taken any approaches put forth by HF.

Then you need to read more.

 

[FlawlessVictory]

Neither does Gilliam. They're both relatively recent directors - though, I have seen him lumped with Scorsese more than a couple of times.

I didn't bring up Gilliam, you did. Not sure how you have seen him linked with Scorsese. Was it in a list of the greatest directors of all time?

Then you need to read more.

Link me to the articles and I'd be glad to.

 

[Superhobo]

I didn't bring up Gilliam, you did. Not sure how you have seen him linked with Scorsese. Was it in a list of the greatest directors of all time?

I know I did.

I've seen him linked with Scorsese on lists of 'most influential directors of all time' - on filmsite.org, and various other places.

I mean, Miller's long been one of those directors - like I said - that people feel hasn't gotten his due recognition, and this has been true of Scorsese also.

Both Scorsese and Miller have been nominated by the Academy several times, and both have been jilted. Both really only received their awards in '06 for films that, while both greatly deserving of said award, many feel weren't their best.

Many people - amazingly as it may sound - felt that "Happy Feet" should have been nominated for Best Picture in '06, and just as many felt it should have won.

Now, as far as 'best directors of all time' goes, I'd say you probably won't find him on any lists - he isn't exactly a household name, understandably - but he's well among the most influential, as I've said. You'd only have to look at the musical sequences from a Baz Luhrmann film or, even more recently, films like the aptly named "Doomsday."

But, you will find his films on 'best films' lists, even if you don't find his name. There are a couple of his films on here, as well as here.

A lot of his films, "Happy Feet" included, are ranked among most of the 'Top' lists on the site - it's a great site, really. Cool stuff.

Link me to the articles and I'd be glad to.

Here's Moriarty's review.