Solomon Kane (the movie)
- Thread starter The King
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Nyarlathotep5150
Mongoose
Unfortunately, I can't give an opinion yet. For some reason they haven't released it in America yet. I wish they'd hurry up.
Nyarlathotep5150
Mongoose
Spectator said:
Its not out on DVD yet. It hasn't even been released to theatres in America yet. (aside from a few film festival showings)
Its only been released for wide theatre distribution in France, the spain and the UK. And even that only over the past few months.
LucaCherstich
Mongoose
Here in Italy will be released only on 14th July 2010!
Even with all that delay, I'm eager to see it since I thought it was not to be seen here in cinemas.
Even with all that delay, I'm eager to see it since I thought it was not to be seen here in cinemas.
The King
Cosmic Mongoose
and Russia too.Nyarlathotep5150 said:
Indeed, I didn't notice it was an European movie. It would be silly if it weren't to be released in the US though. It's a relatively small budget ($ 40,000,000), but it's really worth seeing.
If the next Conan movie takes a bit from it, it could be awesome.
But again the fight with the demon in the end is really ridiculous, a pale and laughable copy of the balrog and the fighr is almost a copy-paste of the scene with the troll and Frodo in the Moria (but the realization is not as great).
I thought it was horribly bad and only had the name of the character in common with Robert E. Howard. I don't know if Solomon Kane of the comics is more akind ot that movie, but blah.
I mean, even the common enemies in the movie were not humans but possessed orcs. Cheap CGI replaces plot and turning Kane into grieving ex-baddie instead of die-hard, borderline crazy fanatic of the original stories... ugh!
What a waste. Some visual aspects in the movie were great - clothing and things like that, all the CGI was just shit. It would have been so much better to make a movie based on some Solomon Kane story, with less monsters at every turn and just gritty adventuring. Now... just another failure.
I mean, even the common enemies in the movie were not humans but possessed orcs. Cheap CGI replaces plot and turning Kane into grieving ex-baddie instead of die-hard, borderline crazy fanatic of the original stories... ugh!
What a waste. Some visual aspects in the movie were great - clothing and things like that, all the CGI was just shit. It would have been so much better to make a movie based on some Solomon Kane story, with less monsters at every turn and just gritty adventuring. Now... just another failure.
The King
Cosmic Mongoose
I read it was scheduled as a trilogy (again?). It must be told that this movie is in fact the very first adventure of Solomon Kane where he obtains redemption for his deeds at the end. He survives the fight with the demon and while he should have been drawn into the black pit of hell, he understands that he was forgiven for his previous deeds as a faithless and merciless killer.
In the beginning, he is sacking a city in North Africa as a pirate (or shall we say as a privateer for the queen) and when his men fear the black magic within the walls. He answers them: "Don't fear anyone but me. I am the devil. I'll shoot anyone who withdraws" (and he does).
In the beginning, he is sacking a city in North Africa as a pirate (or shall we say as a privateer for the queen) and when his men fear the black magic within the walls. He answers them: "Don't fear anyone but me. I am the devil. I'll shoot anyone who withdraws" (and he does).
Saw it at the movies here in england.
Not great cinema, certainly not LotR or Seven Samurai but not as bad as many say. Maybe I'm not a perfectionist but it was a good adventure movie with as many S&S tropes as they could fit in. The acting was generally good, well filmed, effects were ok (oh how we've been spoiled - I saw Jason and... at the movies as a kid and it was state of the art at the time. Even Star Wars used models. Now we scorn effects that once would have made LucasArts green). I'm not sure about the whole prequel thing but if they want to do that I don't mind as long as I'm entertained. If I want to read the originals I will do that.
Overall a good S&S romp, way better than most fare over the last fifty years of fantasy cinema. It's out here on DVD today - I'm in.
Cheers
Dave
Not great cinema, certainly not LotR or Seven Samurai but not as bad as many say. Maybe I'm not a perfectionist but it was a good adventure movie with as many S&S tropes as they could fit in. The acting was generally good, well filmed, effects were ok (oh how we've been spoiled - I saw Jason and... at the movies as a kid and it was state of the art at the time. Even Star Wars used models. Now we scorn effects that once would have made LucasArts green). I'm not sure about the whole prequel thing but if they want to do that I don't mind as long as I'm entertained. If I want to read the originals I will do that.
Overall a good S&S romp, way better than most fare over the last fifty years of fantasy cinema. It's out here on DVD today - I'm in.
Cheers
Dave
Sir Hackalot
Mongoose
The problem IMO with CGI is that it creates laziness and movies that are more style than substance. Sure the stop motion stuff looks quaint but you can appreciate the work that went into it.
tarkhan bey
Mongoose
I really enjoyed the movie. I watched it at the cinema and I have just bought the DVD today. 8)
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, though I think that people may have expected too much from this movie. Taken for what it is, it is a very enjoyable piece of S&S cinema without the usual 'hokum' that finds its way into these offerings.
Some of the CGI was a bit naff, admittedly, but the fight sequences were choreographed excellently and some of the cinematography was beautiful(IMO).
People are saying that this is not REH's Solomon Kane but as REH was not available to help in production, this film was never going to meet everyones expectations.
There are very few concrete facts as to the characters background, only a selection of clues scattered throuhout the works. Kane was from Devon. James Purefoy is a west country boy and was using his natural accent(apparently-without affecting the usual BBC English accent). While this may have grated on various viewers and reviewers nerves, those of us in the know should recognize the risks that the movie makers took in giving their hero his local accent.
The films 'origin tale' for SK is no worse than any I might have imagined for him myself, although its hardly original.
Solomon's apparent conversion from Highborn Anglo-Catholic to Puritan avenger is not that far fetched. Its a fairly common observation(misconception) where I live, that a person who changes to a different set of religious beliefs is often more 'bitter' (sectarian) than one who is born to that same set. :roll:
I can even accept monasteries in Elizabethan England, if I can accept the existence of Demons, Ghouls and Necromancers there too.
All in all, this film has to rank as the best effort yet to bring an REH character to the big screen. Not perfect but pretty good.
PS
Does Solomon Kane ever actually refer to himself as a puritan, or is that simply other peoples perception of him based on his dress sense and demeanour?
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, though I think that people may have expected too much from this movie. Taken for what it is, it is a very enjoyable piece of S&S cinema without the usual 'hokum' that finds its way into these offerings.
Some of the CGI was a bit naff, admittedly, but the fight sequences were choreographed excellently and some of the cinematography was beautiful(IMO).
People are saying that this is not REH's Solomon Kane but as REH was not available to help in production, this film was never going to meet everyones expectations.
There are very few concrete facts as to the characters background, only a selection of clues scattered throuhout the works. Kane was from Devon. James Purefoy is a west country boy and was using his natural accent(apparently-without affecting the usual BBC English accent). While this may have grated on various viewers and reviewers nerves, those of us in the know should recognize the risks that the movie makers took in giving their hero his local accent.
The films 'origin tale' for SK is no worse than any I might have imagined for him myself, although its hardly original.
Solomon's apparent conversion from Highborn Anglo-Catholic to Puritan avenger is not that far fetched. Its a fairly common observation(misconception) where I live, that a person who changes to a different set of religious beliefs is often more 'bitter' (sectarian) than one who is born to that same set. :roll:
I can even accept monasteries in Elizabethan England, if I can accept the existence of Demons, Ghouls and Necromancers there too.
All in all, this film has to rank as the best effort yet to bring an REH character to the big screen. Not perfect but pretty good.
PS
Does Solomon Kane ever actually refer to himself as a puritan, or is that simply other peoples perception of him based on his dress sense and demeanour?
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