“Ultimate Cut” Review, Coming Soon…

Maybe I should’ve posted this a month ago (since thats when I got it, at the beginning of last month), but since I don’t know when I’m suppose to get it back from my friend (I let her borrowed it, since last month), I’ll just let you all know that I will be reviewing it soon. I wanted to review it last month but that never happened because I wasn’t finish watching all of the features. Well, the only thing left was to watch the movie with the director’s commentary. I want to do a review on the whole DVD box set, with my opinions on the special features and the new cut version of the movie. Although it’s basically like watching the director’s cut, but with only few new added scenes and “The Tales of the Black Freighter” sliced into it. I hope to review it by next week, so don’t worry it’s coming soon. Be patient and I’ll let you know if I’ll delay it again. Thanks!

“Ultimate Cut” Breaks “Director’s Cut” Record

Here are some interesting news from Blu-Ray.com on Nov. 23rd for the ‘Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut’ Blu-Ray sales. Apparently what it says below, that the ‘Ultimate Cut’ beats the ‘Director’s Cut’ sales with 18.31% more. Check out what they had to say:

According to data from Nielsen VideoScan First Alert for the week ended November 15, 54.31% of all sales of ‘Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut’ ‘Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut’ came from the Blu-ray edition. This is a new first-week record for a title simultaneously released on Blu-ray and DVD. ‘Watchmen’ had already set a record 36% BD market share when the Director’s Cut was released (see blu-ray.com post of July 30).

Source: Blu-Ray.com

Halloween Justice!

Well this is not much news but I went trick ‘n treatin’ last Saturday as Rorschach! Well as it may seems, there’s not much pics from that night to share with you all. But, these will do. Hopefully by next year I can dress up as Rorschach again and have more pics too. But for now, these are what I have from that night.

View the slideshow by clicking here.

If you want to know how my night went, it was really dang awesome. And being Rorschach for that whole night was such an amazing experience too (*phew* I was sweating like a pig in that costume! No kidding!). And doing the voice while saying “Trick or Treat!” was pretty sweet too. But I felt kind of bad for scaring the little kids, without trying to! But over all, it was fun hanging out with my friends and I hope I can do the same next year when I move. So that’s about it from me, later!

Sincerely,
Dylan C. Bargas

Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut Details

Warner Home Video has revealed the artwork and specs for the “Watchmen: Ultimate Cut” coming to Blu-ray and DVD on November 3. The “Ultimate Cut” weaves “Tales of the Black Freighter” into the “Watchmen: Director’s Cut.” The following are included on both the Blu-ray and DVD (the “Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comics” is on two discs instead of one for the DVD set):

• Disc 1
• Watchmen: The Ultimate Cut Film
• Audio Commentary with Zack Snyder and Dave Gibbons

• Disc 2
• The Phenomenon: The Comic that Changed Comics
• Real Super Heroes, Real Vigilantes
• Mechanics: Technologies of a Fantastic World
• Watchmen: Video Journals
• My Chemical Romance Desolation Row
• Under The Hood
• Story Within A Story: The Books of Watchmen

• Disc 3
• Digital Copy of the Theatrical Version

• Disc 4
• Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comics
• BD-Live / Facebook connectivity (BD exclusive)

Click on the image or here to enlarge.

Source: Superhero Hype! and WatchmenComicMovie.com

Zack Snyder Speaks

Special thanks to WatchmenComicMovie.com for the source.

In the interview, Snyder talks about the “over the top” violence in the film, and why he felt it was necessary. He also discusses details of the Ultimate Edition DVD which is being released in December, why he picked certain songs for the soundtrack, and more.

Check the video for the interview below.

Source: WatchmenComicMovie.com and YouTube

The End is Nigh on Other Social Networks

I just got finished making social network pages on MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. If you want to find them, click on the image tabs below (they lead to the pages). Make sure to add them with your account on those 3 different sites. Try to spread the site’s awareness now! Thanks.

My “Watchmen: The End is Nigh” Video Game Review

I got this game yesterday and I just beat it today (well part 2, I already beat part 1 yesterday). Basically both parts are two seperately different games but with the same combos and controls, except in part 2 you don’t have to work your way through every hide out to get new abilities (but you still have to collect those collectible Rorschach cards, but you don’t have to). But the levels are similar as well, and the graphics is really well done for a game that was originally up for download on the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PS3 Network Store. And I feel really lucky to only getting this for $20, which is how much the games cost seperately for download (in Walmart the whole game cost $30). But let’s get into the plot real quick so I can go into more of my review.

So it starts with Rorschach and Nite Owl working together in 1972 to stop the Underboss. They go through many opponents along the way, and it’s basically just a beat ‘em up game. And the only bosses were Underboss and the Twilight Lady. This takes place way before the movie takes place in 1985. So yeah, this pretty much covers it up for the Rorschach and Nite Owl team up from ’72 to ’77. The plot isn’t really that good and the sound is not so great either. Especially if you’re so far away from the person during gameplay who is talking then you wouldn’t hear what they are saying. It’s ridiculous sometimes, and the dialogue can be interrupted as well in unnecessary moments. So yeah, if Rorschach said something important and then something happens, then you probably won’t know what to do.

But yeah, it’s a game where you go through a lot of beat ups towards your opponents and it kind of loses the interest of having a plot. But it’s still there, but you kind of have to try hard to pay attention to it. Basically the action is more important to this game then the story to go along with it.

In part one, it’s 1972, and you have to take down Underboss and his henchmen. Yeah, I know it’s simple and the worst thing that it goes on to 6 chapters. Jeez…

In part two, it’s 1977, the Keene Act is about to be passed on, and Rorschach and Nite Owl has to solve the kidnapping case of a 18-year-old girl and to take down the Twilight Lady.

I think part two has more of a good plot, but it wasn’t long enough. Part one has 6 chapters, and while part two only has 3 chapters while the 3rd one might as well be splitted into a fourth chapter because it was too long. It seems rushed with the plot, and not so much character development.

But this game kept me glued to it through out everything. It was fun kicking some butt, but it becomes very repetitive (I feel like I’ve seen the same fight over and over again, lol).

So yeah, I don’t see this game as fun as some other downloadable games out there (like Alien Hominid, Small Arms, and the TMNT ’89 Arcade game). Nor do I think it’s the best game ever. But it has it moments of actually being fun and very entertaining. And who knows, the fans might like it, but I doubt it. As much as a Watchmen fan I am, this is not the definite Watchmen game we all been waiting for. And maybe, and hopefully they will give us a good RPG Watchmen game so we can actually play ALL the superheroes in a cool new plot (or maybe the book’s plot) in a fun exciting adventure that we all (gamers and WM Fans) can enjoy.

But as all Watchmen fans know, the book Watchmen isn’t about action and adventures. It’s the characters, the science fiction, the literature, the mystery that unravels at the end, and most important a very good plot. This game doesn’t carry all of that, but it will leave you wanting more (that depends on your interest in the game though).

So overall, I like this game. It does has it’s flaws, but they’re ok. I don’t think it’s even worth to buy for some of you, but it is for me (my friends and I like playing co-op games, and this one is a good add to the list for me). It leads up to the book and the movie very well, but the plot(s) could’ve been more stronger, and that’s all it needed. But instead, it was overpowered by the action and the cool looking moves and graphics. But as a fan, it’s a good edition to my collection of Watchmen, and I am still building on that collection as much as I can for years to come.

Ratings -

Plot: 6 – fair

Graphics: 9 – awesome!

Fun: 8 – great

Overall: 7 – good

Watchmen 13 Nominations at the ’09 Scream Awards. VOTE NOW!

Watchmen has gotten 13 nominations at the 2009 Scream Awards this year. But while we’re waiting, make sure to vote for those 13 nominations on the site today! Click here to vote for your choices this year and tune in on Saturday, October 17th on Spike TV for the results! Don’t miss it! For more news on it, check WatchmenComicMovie.com for more info. And make sure to spread the word with other Watchmen fans too! Thanks!

Source: WatchmenComicMovie.com

“Watchmen” Dominates Video Charts

This is what The Hollywood Reporter had to say:

Blu-ray Discs are showing some real clout. The action hit “Watchmen,” from Warner Home Video, shot to the top of the national home video sales and rental charts its first week in stores, with 36% of its total unit sales coming from the high-definition edition.

Universal Studios’ “Coraline” snagged the No. 2 spot on all three charts — the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert and Blu-ray Disc sales charts, and Home Media Magazine’s rental chart — and even though the edgy animated hit didn’t play straight to the young-male demo that swarmed all over “Watchmen,” a solid 18% of its unit sales came from Blu-ray Discs, a surprisingly strong showing that indicates the format is fast moving out of the early adopter phase and into the mainstream.

Summit Home Entertainment’s “Knowing” placed third, again on all three charts, with 17% of its sales in its third week of release coming from Blu-ray.

“Coraline” sold 70.7% as many copies and generated 63.7% as much rental action as “Watchmen,” a good showing given the film’s lower box office gross of $75.3 million. “Watchmen” earned $107.5 million.

Elsewhere on the charts, Warner’s “Robot Chicken: Star Wars — Episode II” debuted at No. 6 on the First Alert chart for the week ending July 26. Three TV DVD season sets also finished in the top 10: 20th Century Fox’s “Prison Break: The Final Break” at No. 8, Universal Studios’ “Psych: The Complete Third Season” at No. 9, and Warner’s “Pushing Daisies: The Complete Second Season” at No. 10.

Meanwhile, Universal Studios’ “Fast and Furious” came out of the gate with a vengeance July 28, selling nearly 25% of its initial retail shipment on its very first day of release.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

My “Watchmen Director’s Cut” Review

First of all, before I start with this review I have to say I’m sorry about posting this up late, since in my last entry I mentioned I was going to post it up in the next day. I just didn’t have the time to, and I am really sorry for keeping some of you waiting for my review. Second, this director’s cut doesn’t have the Black Freighter short film woven into this. That will be a different director’s cut release this December called the “Ultimate Edition”. Third, this review might contain spoilers to those who hasn’t seen the movie or read the book yet. If you haven’t done any of those, then what are you waiting for?! Do that first and then come back here, but make sure you read the book first before watching the movie. Anyways, let’s begin.

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Now what can I say about this new version of the movie? Well, it’s better then the theatrical cut is one good point, and the pacing seemed much more faster then the original cut. I wish this was the original theatrical cut for the movie, but that’s what happens in Hollywood. Anyways, there’s 24 minutes added into this film, and some of the new shots you really don’t notice are new. But I noticed enough that keeps my interest and faithful for this movie. Zack Snyder really outdone himself again with this cut. Although it’s 3 hours and 6 minutes, it doesn’t really seem that long. Actually, it’s good enough for the story of this film. I have to admit, I didn’t have a problem with the original cut, but this director’s cut improves it 10 times more. You get to understand and feel for the characters…well, except for one, which still disappoints me when I saw the movie in theater for the first time.

Yes, I think some of you know who I’m talking about…Ozymandias. He was still undeveloped in this film, and that really…well, I don’t care for it. I was going to say it makes me angry, but right now I don’t feel like I should be angry at that. But by all means, I don’t think it was necessary or a good idea to keep in Bubastis, Ozymandias’ pet lynx. Really, that creature has nothing to do with the plot, or shows how much Ozymandias cared for it when he later kills her while attempting to kill Dr. Manhattan at the same time with that entrinsic field machine thing. If it was me directing this film, I would’ve left Bubastis out. But oh well.

Now another problem I had with this, and don’t think “Oh, why do you hate this movie, it rocks!” And I know it does, but as a “guy who read the graphic novel and sort of is a fan of the book” I feel neglected to say what I didn’t like about this film. After all, my friends do call me a “film critic”. So the scene when Rorschach is in Edward Blake’s apartment, and when he attacks the cop and the other cop sees him on the edge of the broken window and shoots at him point-blank range and didn’t hit him at all. Also, when he mysteriously disappear after that. What is up with that? I know it was setting up Rorschach as an outlaw vigilante, but so what? Honesty, I don’t really like that scene, but…it works…somehow it works (Let’s just say, as a fan, I don’t feel the need to complain about any scenes that involve Rorschach).

Also, let me point out that I felt the ending was rushed. Although I didn’t have this feeling when I went to see the movie the first time, and nothing is different in this one. But now I’m beginning to notice that the scene on Mars of Dr. Manhattan and Laurie, and Nite Owl and Rorschach in Veidt’s lair in the Antarctic, and the “big explosion” in New York, were a bit rushed. I think the scene on Mars with Manhattan and Laurie could’ve been done a lot better. I wanted to see more of Laurie’s flashbacks, and nothing was changed. And when she finds out that her actual dad is the Comedian, it should’ve been more slow and…well I can’t find the word for it. Let’s just say it should’ve have the same dramatic feeling like the book did when I was reading it. Everything else I mentioned, they’re OK. Nothing there to complain about, but like I said I wanted to point those things out.

Here are scenes I do like in the director’s cut. Hollis Mason’s death, which I really missed in the theatrical cut, made it to this cut and this isn’t a disappointment. And how Nite Owl reacted to his death when he found out is a good part too. All the new Rorschach scenes are freakin’ awesome in this cut. Rorschach is more of a bad-ass the way we remembered him being. Jackie Earle Haley is truly RORSCHACH! And Laurie is much more developed then she was in the theatrical cut. Now you see what she has to put up through, and you sort of feel for what she’s feeling. New Dan Dreiberg scenes in his basement where he talks about how he became the second Nite Owl was a good scene added in too, even though it was 1 minute short, but it’s a great improvement on the film. There are other scenes I like in this new cut, but you just have to see it for yourself. Mainly, this is a great improvement of the film for fans.

Although there wasn’t much dialogue about how seriously the characters were taken the whole “End of the World” thing. And I hope the “Ultimate Edition” will show some of that when they bring in the two ‘Bernies’. As the audience, they should be aware that the end of the world is coming for these characters and in this world, because that’s part of the story, it should be noticed. It creates more drama and suspense for the final act. I like that Old Bernie was talking to Walter Kovacs next to the newsstand. That’s good enough until the “Ultimate Edition” comes out.

Over all, I don’t have a really, really, really big problem with this film (unlike the “Transformers” movies, a.k.a. “Bayformers”). But as a fan, you will never get tired of watching this film over and over again. It’s truly good and keeps the spirit of the graphic novel very well, like I said in my other review.

The music was top-notch, the visiuals & special effects is eye-candy, and the action was sweet. This film doesn’t disappoint, and it will truly satisfy you no matter what. Zack Snyder really did great job bringing “Watchmen” to life. This probably has to be one of the best comic book adaptation film next to “The Dark Knight”. This film is surely a treat for us all. And basically Zack made this edition for us fans and to complete the way he intended the movie to be like. And really, he didn’t failed. He succeeded.

Before I end this review, I would like to say thank you Zack Snyder and every one from the cast & crew. You did a great job on this film and I couldn’t be any more happier with it. Thanks to Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Without them, there wouldn’t be a “Watchmen”.

Rating: 10 out of 10 blood-stained smiley-face badges

(Special thanks to DwightShrute from WatchmenComicMovie.com and Superhero Hype for the screenshots. View the rest of the Director’s Cut screenshots here.)