Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was #8 on my list of Must See 2011 movies… That I missed. Now that I’ve seen it, I think it would have been right at home in my top 5. It’s a fantastic movie.
The first hour or so I found myself wondering where it was going. The only thing you really know for sure is a mole exists and he/she must be found. The story unfolds in a series of flashbacks and quick scenes and jumps around quite a bit. Sometimes, it can be distracting and hard to follow but Tinker manages to stay interesting. Perhaps fascinating is a better word for it. It reminded me of The Insider with Russell Crowe and Al Pacino. That movie unfolded very slowly but I absolutely loved it.
So yes, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy requires patience but it all pays off in the end. The further into the story you get, the more engrossing it becomes. I was glued to the screen when the answers to my questions arrived.
Ironically, I was slow getting out to see the film in theaters. Having said that, if you haven’t seen it yet, you may as well wait to rent it. It the type of movie meant for quiet Sunday afternoons spent on a comfortable couch with a blanket. (I would include a really well made sandwich too.)
After months of recommendations and glowing reviews from my friends, I finally decided to give Game of Thrones a shot. Whoa. I now regret waiting as long as I did. The show is absolutely phenomenal and I’m very proud to consider myself a part of it’s rapidly growing fan base. Especially with the newest (and amazing) trailer for Season 2 working it’s way around the web this week.
Over the last week or so, I powered my way through the exceptional first season while avoiding spoilers from virtually every fan I know. At the same time, I read a lot about the books on which the series is based. It’s a pretty fantastic world that author George R. R. Martin created.
What’s impressive about the television series is how well they established the world and the multiple story lines. It’s not easy creating a brand new world full of new characters, locations and cultures on the small screen. That’s part of the charm of Game of Thrones. By the end of the second episode, I was hooked and completely addicted to Winterfell, The Wall, The Starks, The Lannisters and the Iron Throne.
Something funny happened as I watched the first season. I found myself looking forward to the opening credits sequence at the beginning of each episode. Beyond that, I found myself humming the song constantly while I thought about my latest screenplay. The song fit very well into an action script I’ve been developing. I don’t mean to suggest that the opening theme could find a place in the movie someday. I simply felt inspired to write whenever I heard that song. I helped me get into my world and think creatively.
It’s funny how fate can sometimes step in when you are writing a new screenplay. Perhaps I was meant to delay watching the series until I was ready to write my new script? I like to think I was destined to fall in love with that theme and use it as a spark in my own writing.
Inspiration comes in many forms. Whenever something that triggers my creativity comes along, I try to seize every moment and write as much as I can. My new script has absolutely nothing to do with swords, knights, Lords or Kings. Yet here I am, playing the opening to Game of Thrones over and over again and writing…
It’s a good thing the show is amazing too. Win Win!
Do you connect songs to your screenplays? What other influences do you hold close while you write? Music? Art? Other screenplays? Movies? Television shows?
It’s pretty difficult to look passed the end of a legendary trilogy when The Dark Knight Rises is released next summer. Likewise, 4 larger than life heroes will assemble after years of hype. And how can you ignore a hero like Spider-Man returning to the screen? Today, I attempt to put aside the Bats, Spiders and Avengers to see what else the 2012 summer movie season has to offer. There are a couple picks that could go either way but I’ve got high hopes nonetheless.
People go to the movies for a cinematic experience. Video games can provide a similar experience with an added level of immersion and interactivity. Over the last few years, I’ve become obsessed with video games that play out like movies.
We’ve been given countless movie like experiences in video games but today I’d like to focus on the studios behind them. The top 10 cinematic game studios.
HONORABLE MENTION | NINTENDO: THE LEGEND OF ZELDA, BETHESDA SOFTWORKS:Fallout 3, Skyrim
I’m currently wrapped up in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. It’s been dominating most of my free time for a while. Giant RPGs are tricky because they don’t really present a single narrative but that’s also an advantage. The ‘movie’ is different for every single player depending on the choices they make.
The big draw in games like Skyrim is the world itself. Bethesda Softworks creates incredibly detailed and wonderful worlds to explore.
10. BLIZZARD – World of Warcraft
You hear stories about divorces being blamed on Azeroth. While I never got into World of Warcraft, I was completely obsessed with the Warcraft real time strategy games. It was worth it for the cut scenes alone. Blizzard has always created amazing animated cut scenes that weave their plots together between the action. These scenes have always been beautiful and compelling.
Is there a movie?
Sam Raimi has long been attached to a World of Warcraft adaptation but nothing concrete has come along in a while. If you want to follow the film (or the rumors) check out this site.
9. ROCKSTEADY – Batman: Arkham Asylum
In my humble opinion, the geniuses at Rocksteady created the best superhero video game of all time when they unleashed Batman: Arkham Asylum. At least until they topped it with an equally brilliant and fun sequel, Arkham City. These games are love letters to superhero fans with tons of hidden references and cameos. People want to be Batman and these games are the closest thing to it.
The real stand out here are the voice actor’s amazing performances. Especially Mark Hamill as The Joker.
Is there a movie?
You really can’t plan a Batman movie until Christopher Nolan wraps up his legendary trilogy when The Dark Knight Rises is released. Still, I’m sure Warner Brothers is already planning some kind of sequel/reboot/remake/re imagining… Thing. It’s not a stretch to think they have considered these games at some point. Though I’m thinking Nolan will return as a producer and the series will continue the amazing style and tone he developed and mastered.
8. SQUARE ENIX – Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy is one of the most recognizable video game franchises on the planet. It’s a world that has already inspired numerous film adaptations.
Hideo Kojima is a legend. Of all the franchises listed here without a movie, Metal Gear is by far the most surprising. No movie yet? Come on Hollywood!
Is there a movie?
It’s listed on IMDB but right now it’s safe to say no movie will be coming any time soon.
6. BIOWARE – Mass Effect
I’m obsessed with the Mass Effect series. This is literally an infinite universe that Bioware has created full of amazing characters and massive battles. Not only is the series a blast to play but it allows you to carry your character over to the sequels. Nice! I can’t wait for my character’s third adventure aboard The Normandy.
Grand Theft Auto 3 changed the way we looked at games forever. It paved the way for so many incredibly deep sandbox games. Grand Theft Auto 4 raised the bar and with the anticipated 5th installment on the way, you would think Hollywood would capitalize on the franchise’s popularity right? Everyone loves a good heist movie and these games are packed with cinematic heist sequences. Not too mention cars, crime, violence and more. Somebody make a Grand Theft Auto summer action movie please?
Is there a movie?
A little digging revealed some rights issues behind the scenes but there hasn’t been a ton of talk out there about getting a production started.
4. IRRATIONAL GAMES – Bioshock
I would love to see the world of Rapture on the big screen. The original Bioshock had one of the best stories I’ve ever played through. I was totally captivated by the world, the art style, the Big Daddy/Little Sister relationships, the twists and so much more. (Jean Dujardin as Andrew Ryan? I don’t mean to type cast the guy but it could definitely work.)
Is there a movie?
A while back, Director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean, The Ring) was on board and Bioshock was in the early stages of pre-production.
However, budget issues forced the project to the sidelines. This movie has to happen and it HAS to be R rated. I’m happy waiting as long as they don’t sacrifice the elements that made the game so memorable.
Halo redefined the first person shooter when it was released in 2001. It introduced us to an action hero made for the big screen. Master Chief. The game is full of imaginative and exciting set pieces that MUST be filmed eventually… Right?
Is there a movie?
Peter Jackson led a team that included director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) in a phenomenal pairing that every geek loved…
Unfortunately budget issues at Microsoft put a stop to it and they moved on. To date, no official word has surfaced on the Halo movie.
2. INFINITY WARD – CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE
The Modern Warfare franchise pretty much functions as a movie already. Each level is full of amazing heart stopping moments. I still go back and play the sniper level from the first Modern Warfare. Crawling on that grass hoping to avoid capture gets me every time. Great franchise.
Is there a movie?
Nope. Still no word in any official capacity. You have to assume that somewhere there is a studio agonizing over who would play Soap if they ever made a movie… All I found was a couple old articles on MTV and /Film. However, you can’t ignore the original games or the recent Black Ops either…
1. NAUGHTY DOG – UNCHARTED
THE cinematic video game experience. The Uncharted series has successfully blurred the line between video games and movies. When you play Uncharted, you ARE Nathan Drake and you are most definitely IN a movie.
Is there a movie?
David O. Russell was gearing up to direct Uncharted with Mark Walberg attached to star. The casting alone caused some controversy as many fans out there wanted Nathan Fillion to win the role. Just when people got used to the idea of David O. Russell’s approach to the material the project fell apart. What intrigued me were the rumors that Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci would potentially be involved.
This movie WILL happen especially after the huge success of Uncharted 3. It’s just a matter of when and who the artists behind the project will be.
When I first decided to make The Climb, it was always meant to be an editing experiment. I just realized that’s a lot of pressure to put on myself as I took over a year and a half to get it done. It should be flawless right? I’m not the person to judge such a thing.
We produced The Climb with about 300 bucks and a lot of help from our talented cast and crew. We made it because it’s fun to be on a film set. It’s fun to make movies.
I’m a professional editor but my experience is almost entirely in a live television environment. Having footage to work with at home has been amazing… But as I exported the final film a few weeks ago, I found myself a little saddened. What footage am I going to work with now?
The obvious answer is to shoot another film but I’m getting married this year! 2012 is also a year I’ve dedicated to screenwriting in between planning the massive event this fall. And so I realized I probably won’t cut another short film for at least a year and half and potentially longer… It’s a little sad.
Having said that, I do plan on shooting some footage when I can in creative ways. I always like to have a couple active projects in After Effects to pick at. It’s addicting.
In the end, I think I cut The Climb using a variety of styles just to experiment and I had a blast. But a film is meant to be completed so I’m happy to have it done. I’m going to miss cutting footage for the next little while but, thankfully, developing new projects is just as fun.
