FROM DAMON’S DESK: SO… SUCKER PUNCH

I must have said "Huh?" about twenty times reading this.  Sounds like a fucking mess that I'll gladly skip. 

First review I've read that addresses Jon Hamm. I'm assuming it's a super tiny role?

Also, yeah, great review, as always, Damon. I like the fairly generous way you put your belief out there that Zack Snyder does not know what he's doing, because I never felt that he does.

I know I'm seeing the movie, so I skipped anything that described the actual film.  But still... fascinating takes on the work of Snyder and Bay at the beginning and end.  I kinda can't wait to discuss this. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcnooj82 

I know I'm seeing the movie, so I skipped anything that described the actual film.  But still... fascinating takes on the work of Snyder and Bay at the beginning and end.  I kinda can't wait to discuss this. 

I read the whole thing and there wasn't anything in there that I wasn't able to assume from the trailers. I don't think you're in bad shape if you want to read it, but going in fresh IS always best.

Sometimes though I can enjoy these fiascos more if I know slightly what I'm in for.

This is from the box-office article but I figure it's slightly more relevant here:

Whoa. Is that based off any word? Or is that just spitballing? Surely the reaction to Sucker Punch, however bad, wouldn't get them to throw him off the project this far into pre-production right?

Interesting piece.  It almost sounds like this is Zack Snyder's Southland Tales.

I don't think Snyder's coming off Superman, because they saw this before they gave it to him. Southland is a good comparison.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Houx 

I don't think Snyder's coming off Superman, because they saw this before they gave it to him. Southland is a good comparison.

I figured as much. Plus he's been given a story and I presume he's not really writing Superman in any official capacity.

Also I still need to check out Southland Tales. Maybe make it a double feature this weekend.

I don't exactly anticipate him losing Superman either, mainly because they need to get the ball rolling to maintain the rights and losing their director would probably throw the whole production into chaos, enmeshing it in bad press. However, if this is going to bomb, the reviews thusfar suggest that it is not bombing quietly. I think Snyder has prepared himself for that to the best of his ability, that's why he's been talking up Superman as being a stylistic departure for him. You can, however, probably forget "From the director of Watchmen and 300" appearing anywhere in the advertising*.

*As Houx stated in the B.O. article.

It's a mutually beneficial arrangement with WB and Snyder on Superman. He needs a hit after Watchmen, Legend of the Guardians and Sucker Punch and they need him to get it in theaters by the end of 2012 because of the Siegel/Shuster lawsuits. Plus, he's apparently being held on a tight leash on it.

I'd say it's a very good sign for him that, at least in the geek world of film reviewing, almost everyone across the board is still rooting for him. Almost all of the negative reviews I've read from that arena have been coated in optimism for the future and "maybe he just needed to get this out of his system." Honestly it sounds like it's just confirming what I and others have thought about him all along. But regardless, he's definitely bought himself a lot of goodwill with the right audience throughout his career.

Something tells me the Sucker Punch stigma won't stick to him too badly provided he does something worthwhile with Superman. If that doesn't get a really good reaction though, I don't know. It wouldn't be good, that's for sure.

All things considered though, Singer's film has really set him up as good as he could hope for with Superman, especially with Snyder's skill set. It's safe to say most people are clamoring for a healthy dose of action in Superman and he can obviously deliver that well enough for most people (even if there's a small subset, like me, who really prefers other approaches to action). Hopefully for him, he has a good enough story from Goyer/Nolan and Co. to lean on. 

I knew this was a steaming pile the first time I laid eyes on it. My buddy, who sees more movies than probably some professional critics, actually walked out of it earlier today, which he rarely does.

Also... Damon: Dude, re: Snyder, Bay, Barbed Wire, etc... Get outta my head! I ended up having so many shared thoughts when reading that it was a bit creepy.

I enjoyed Damon's thoughts, whereas, I gotta say - this is one of the stupidest fucking things I've read in a while. 

The good old you hate Zack Snyder cos he's handsome rationalization. The fact that people but that straw man argument is pretty impressive.

The way the writer of that piece of shit thinks that just because Synder used pop culture idioms makes him somehow automically cool and hip is astonishing.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua Miller 

I enjoyed Damon's thoughts, whereas, I gotta say - this is one of the stupidest fucking things I've read in a while. 

 

Good read and one of the reasons I still love Chud. Great stuff Damon as always.