Ryan Colucci's Blog, page 27
September 12, 2011
Movie Review: The Mist
I will start by saying, I am not a Frank Darabont fan. Do I like Shawshank Redemption? Yes. It's pretty good. It doesn't make my heart flutter. Something about Tim Robbins maybe. Everything he has done since just does nothing for me. I loved the pilot episode for The Walking Dead. It was great. But it was like a cheesy B-movie without an ending. On tv, a great promise for what is to come. And what was to come was shit. Lots of it. (Why didn't they stay closer to the books on that one?)
I listen to the slashFilm podcast every week and those guys are big fans of The Mist . Especially David Chen. I don't necessarily put much weight into that, but I did want to at least give it a chance because of this.
The movie hits pretty much every trope of a 'we're all stuck together' story. The tough guy who really isn't that tough when shit hits the fan, the level headed female empowerment chick, the nerdy guy who really is useful after all, the old person with an attitude, the guy who is just too smart to believe any of this is real, the religious freak... and the hero. Who is usually mild-mannered, but rises to action when needed. This movie has it all. And these tropes seem to be magnified here, particularly the religious freak. It also has some really good moments. But it also has some really awful dialogue. And mediocre acting. I do like Thomas Jane and Toby Jones, but they are the lone bright spots in the cast. What I did like about it was how it kept surprising me. I knew when shit started happening what the cause was, but it definitely kept you in the dark exactly what was in the mist, and why. The reason is sort of lame, but they more or less just needed a reason and explained it away quickly. What really got me was the ending. I was impressed that they were willing to pull no punches and go balls out. I'm not going to ruin it, but everyone that has seen the film will know what I'm talking about. It's not a big action scene. In fact, you don't even see the moment - you just hear it. But it is pretty powerful stuff. And I guess it made up for all the bad dialogue and acting up to that point.
I listen to the slashFilm podcast every week and those guys are big fans of The Mist . Especially David Chen. I don't necessarily put much weight into that, but I did want to at least give it a chance because of this.
The movie hits pretty much every trope of a 'we're all stuck together' story. The tough guy who really isn't that tough when shit hits the fan, the level headed female empowerment chick, the nerdy guy who really is useful after all, the old person with an attitude, the guy who is just too smart to believe any of this is real, the religious freak... and the hero. Who is usually mild-mannered, but rises to action when needed. This movie has it all. And these tropes seem to be magnified here, particularly the religious freak. It also has some really good moments. But it also has some really awful dialogue. And mediocre acting. I do like Thomas Jane and Toby Jones, but they are the lone bright spots in the cast. What I did like about it was how it kept surprising me. I knew when shit started happening what the cause was, but it definitely kept you in the dark exactly what was in the mist, and why. The reason is sort of lame, but they more or less just needed a reason and explained it away quickly. What really got me was the ending. I was impressed that they were willing to pull no punches and go balls out. I'm not going to ruin it, but everyone that has seen the film will know what I'm talking about. It's not a big action scene. In fact, you don't even see the moment - you just hear it. But it is pretty powerful stuff. And I guess it made up for all the bad dialogue and acting up to that point.
Top 5 Inner City Movies
Since this is a long list there are some qualifying factors. The neighborhood has to be a character (ie memorable). The city has to be urban (so, Billy Elliot, El Mariachi and Fish Tank are out). There are films that I'm on the fence about,such as The Last Dragon, Seven, LA Confidential and TheDeparted, which definitely have aspects that should get them on this list,but for LA Confidential the innerworkings aren't unique to LA and besides some accents, it's hard to argue that The Departed is a unique depiction ofBoston sub-culture. The city in Seven wassuch a character, but more to set a mood than the actual city itself. It could be Chicago (with the elevatedtrain), or New York (screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker credits this city as hisbiggest influence), or even Boston (there is a radio broadcast on at one point –with a DJ from Boston – John McClellan). However, the city itself was neveractually mentioned. Further to thatpoint, I'm ruling out any cities that don't actually exist, such as Dark City and Gotham in Batman (1988) and Batman Begins (2007).
Godfather Part II City of God Mean Streets 8 Mile Battle of Algiers
Honorable Mentions:25th HourA Guide to Recognizing Your SaintsAbove the LawAmores PerrosBad Lt.Big Trouble Little ChinaBloody SundayBoyz N' the HoodChop ShopClockersDark Days (documentary)Dirty Pretty ThingsElite SquadFar and AwayGangs of New YorkGhost Dog – Way of the SamuraiGone Baby GoneHard to KillIn AmericaJuiceKidsLaws of GravityLean on MeLock Stock and Two Smoking BarrelsMenace II SocietyMetropolisNew Jack CityOut for JusticeOutside the LawPope of Greenwich VillagePusher (entire trilogy)Raging BullRaising Victor VargasSaturday Night FeverScarface (Original)SerpicoSleepersSlumdog MillionaireTaxi DriverThe Basketball DiariesThe CorruptorThe FighterThe Informer (1935)TrainspottingWanderersWarriorsWhite Men Can't Jump
Godfather Part II City of God Mean Streets 8 Mile Battle of Algiers
Honorable Mentions:25th HourA Guide to Recognizing Your SaintsAbove the LawAmores PerrosBad Lt.Big Trouble Little ChinaBloody SundayBoyz N' the HoodChop ShopClockersDark Days (documentary)Dirty Pretty ThingsElite SquadFar and AwayGangs of New YorkGhost Dog – Way of the SamuraiGone Baby GoneHard to KillIn AmericaJuiceKidsLaws of GravityLean on MeLock Stock and Two Smoking BarrelsMenace II SocietyMetropolisNew Jack CityOut for JusticeOutside the LawPope of Greenwich VillagePusher (entire trilogy)Raging BullRaising Victor VargasSaturday Night FeverScarface (Original)SerpicoSleepersSlumdog MillionaireTaxi DriverThe Basketball DiariesThe CorruptorThe FighterThe Informer (1935)TrainspottingWanderersWarriorsWhite Men Can't Jump
35 Movie Minute Podcast
The inaugural 35 Movie Minute podcast is in the books. Rob and I finally sat down to record this thing, after a year long startup battle. We ran pretty long (over two hours), but it was a lot of fun. Now it'll be about a day while Rob cuts it down to 35 minutes.
It's going to take some time to refine the format and get in a groove. Also, I realized there was a massive amount of film new because of Toronto. From now on we'll have special additional segments dedicated to festivals, award shows, etc... and focus the podcast on Hollywood-centric news.
Look for the audio file sometime tonight or tomorrow. You can follow us and stay up-to-date at:
www.twitter.com/35movieminutes
Karol Wisniewski is working on coding the website now and that should be ready to go by the end of the week or so (www.35movieminutes.com).
It's going to take some time to refine the format and get in a groove. Also, I realized there was a massive amount of film new because of Toronto. From now on we'll have special additional segments dedicated to festivals, award shows, etc... and focus the podcast on Hollywood-centric news.
Look for the audio file sometime tonight or tomorrow. You can follow us and stay up-to-date at:
www.twitter.com/35movieminutes
Karol Wisniewski is working on coding the website now and that should be ready to go by the end of the week or so (www.35movieminutes.com).
September 9, 2011
Bulderlyns Step-by-Step Promo
Sometimes I'll post the progression of a page on here (I probably don't do it enough). And sometimes I will just post a page as it is in progress (as I did with the coloring of Page 1 of Bulderlyns). Well, earlier this week Pawel did one better - he put together a promo sheet with the penciling, inking and coloring stages of Bulderlyns. It looks pretty bad ass.
I'm hyped on this book - I hope the writing/story is half as good as the artwork and artists. The past few days have been sort of eating at me as I contemplate that, and my own abilities.
I'm hyped on this book - I hope the writing/story is half as good as the artwork and artists. The past few days have been sort of eating at me as I contemplate that, and my own abilities.
Unit Distribution Manager
I'm sick of hearing the term PMD - this hip term indie distribution 'experts' are cramming down our throats. As a producer who oversees the entire production of a film, and if often with it years before it even goes into production, I take producer credits seriously (also because I went to a 'Producer' MFA program).
I also dislike the title 'Producer of Marketing and Distribution'.
What I'm proposing is a different term, something more fitting - Unit Distribution Manager, or UDM. Your film probably has a UPM, who is the manager of the production - so it would be more fitting if this individual was the manager of the marketing. Because in the end, they don't call the shots on distribution, they only facilitate it through possible Direct Distribution channels. It doesn't confuse any of the above the line relationships.
I also dislike the title 'Producer of Marketing and Distribution'.
What I'm proposing is a different term, something more fitting - Unit Distribution Manager, or UDM. Your film probably has a UPM, who is the manager of the production - so it would be more fitting if this individual was the manager of the marketing. Because in the end, they don't call the shots on distribution, they only facilitate it through possible Direct Distribution channels. It doesn't confuse any of the above the line relationships.
September 7, 2011
Movie Review: Unstoppable
I know Tony Scott catches a lot of grief for his films (among film snobs)... dating all the way back to Top Gun. That film is easily in my top 10, and Tony Scott has made some great movies. Days of Thunder Enemy of the State, Beverly Hills Cop II. Really good movies. The Last Boy Scout, Spy Games, True Romance. I even like the remake of Taking of Pelham 123.
But to do another train movie with the same actor, in what appeared to be the same role? Eh. And throw in that mix, a late dose of this wild editing and shooting style. Man on Fire was watchable, but started this trend for Mr. Scott. Then came Domino. It actually caused sea-sickness. And the painful to watch Deja Vu.
So, it is safe to say I wasn't pumped about checking out Unstoppable . That's probably why this is coming way after its release, only after I DVR'd it on HBO. While this doesn't exactly land on Tony's top 10 (I just ran the list, it's at 11)... it is a fairly enjoyable movie. Once the train actually goes rogue, things move quickly and don't stop moving. You'd think this would be somewhat lame, but he does a really good job of holding it together and keeping us interested in the fate of this train. He also does a slick job of including some personal elements of our hero's lives, the affable Chris Pine and Denzel Washington. Kudos to the writer (or whoever it was) that decided to make both of Denzel's daughters Hooters waitresses. Nice touch. But all of that is just periphery, because our focus is on stopping that train. Definitely worth a viewing at home.
But to do another train movie with the same actor, in what appeared to be the same role? Eh. And throw in that mix, a late dose of this wild editing and shooting style. Man on Fire was watchable, but started this trend for Mr. Scott. Then came Domino. It actually caused sea-sickness. And the painful to watch Deja Vu.
So, it is safe to say I wasn't pumped about checking out Unstoppable . That's probably why this is coming way after its release, only after I DVR'd it on HBO. While this doesn't exactly land on Tony's top 10 (I just ran the list, it's at 11)... it is a fairly enjoyable movie. Once the train actually goes rogue, things move quickly and don't stop moving. You'd think this would be somewhat lame, but he does a really good job of holding it together and keeping us interested in the fate of this train. He also does a slick job of including some personal elements of our hero's lives, the affable Chris Pine and Denzel Washington. Kudos to the writer (or whoever it was) that decided to make both of Denzel's daughters Hooters waitresses. Nice touch. But all of that is just periphery, because our focus is on stopping that train. Definitely worth a viewing at home.
September 6, 2011
Bulderlyns - Page 1
Here is the first page of the graphic novel (without lettering).
Pencils - Igor Wolski
Inks - Pawel Sambor
Coloring - Dmitry Dubrovin
Co-Editors - Ryan Colucci/Karol Wisniewski
Writer - Ryan Colucci
Pencils - Igor Wolski
Inks - Pawel Sambor
Coloring - Dmitry Dubrovin
Co-Editors - Ryan Colucci/Karol Wisniewski
Writer - Ryan Colucci
September 1, 2011
Digital Comic Editions - Can They Increase Sales?
As a comic book creator (odd thing for me to say, being a fan for so long), I'm grappling with this whole digital publishing issue. It's not that I haven't embraced it. I have. Fully.
Harbor Moon
is available on Graphic.ly, Comixology and Wowio. And probably for illegal download elsewhere.
My issue isn't - should I or shouldn't I - it is price points.
I started off at $2.50 an issue (the first issue is free). My reasoning was - it should cost more for the entire book digitally than buying it in hard copy. In fact, sticker price is $19.95 on the book, but you can get it direct from the site for $15 (no shipping and handling), and it's on Amazon for about $15. So, it is still less than cover price. However, I found that compared to other titles, we were really high. And we weren't moving any units digitally. The first issue was (and continues to) move a lot of units. It's free, so at least it looks and sounds enticing.
About two months into this experiment I shifted the price down to $1.99 an issue. So, to own all of the issues (and thus the full book), plus a ton of extra content we created just for the digital edition - it is $9.95. That seemed like a really good deal to me.
Now, about 6 months after that, we are continuing to move 1st issues, but the rest aren't moving. I have a theory that people will download everything they can for free. And then they will get to it whenever, if ever, they can. For an indie book, we are at the bottom of most reader's piles. It was my thought that after a few months we would see a real uptick in digital downloads, at least for Issue #2.
As you can guess, this has not been the case. First, a sort of explanation (reasoning to myself) - Harbor Moon was never meant to be broken up into issues. It was always meant to be one book, read as a whole. But Graphic.ly (my first deal digitally) doesn't offer full books yet. So we had to break it up. In doing so we created some extra content, made the issues flow from one to the next, etc... I thought we did a good job with that. But the book is a mystery. It's a mystery with a few layers. I don't want to call it highbrow, but we definitely don't spell things out for anyone initially. And this could turn some people off. They may finish reading Issue 1 and be like - what the fuck did I just read?
So, it is now that I contemplate the value of a digital edition. Is it better to charge less and actually move units or not make any money on them at all?
The bigger question is: If your digital edition is priced well below your physical copy, will it hurt sales of the physical edition?
This is really hard to quantify. Especially right now, when we are on the crux of the ereader movement. It is trendy and lots of people do it - but it is still not the standard. Maybe we're a year off, maybe we're three or five years off. But right now, moving hard copies is where most of the revenues come from.
But I'm starting to think, and I had to step back and be a fan again, that if you price the digital editions at a very cheap price point ($.99), then you can move more copies, get more eyeballs on your book, and create fans.
Fans support you. Fans buy your work.
If I was Robert Kirkman, I wouldn't even be debating this. I would put my books out in hard cover with a $25/30 price tag, my issues out digitally for $1.99 - and just sit back. He has legions of fans. But that was built over time.
I have to take my lumps (financially) in order to build that fan base. And that means, getting people to read the book. I may even experiment with giving Issue #2 away for free. Or $.25. Which is basically free. More important than money to me is that people read the book. I think they will enjoy it. If you look at the artwork and hate it, okay - I understand. It is subjective. I can't change your opinion. But I think if you enjoy the art, even slightly, you'll enjoy the book. I would guarantee it, but I have nothing to back that up with.
So, I'm going to shift my digital pricing strategy. And if you downloaded Harbor Moon and are waiting for Issue 2, you're in luck.
My issue isn't - should I or shouldn't I - it is price points.
I started off at $2.50 an issue (the first issue is free). My reasoning was - it should cost more for the entire book digitally than buying it in hard copy. In fact, sticker price is $19.95 on the book, but you can get it direct from the site for $15 (no shipping and handling), and it's on Amazon for about $15. So, it is still less than cover price. However, I found that compared to other titles, we were really high. And we weren't moving any units digitally. The first issue was (and continues to) move a lot of units. It's free, so at least it looks and sounds enticing.
About two months into this experiment I shifted the price down to $1.99 an issue. So, to own all of the issues (and thus the full book), plus a ton of extra content we created just for the digital edition - it is $9.95. That seemed like a really good deal to me.
Now, about 6 months after that, we are continuing to move 1st issues, but the rest aren't moving. I have a theory that people will download everything they can for free. And then they will get to it whenever, if ever, they can. For an indie book, we are at the bottom of most reader's piles. It was my thought that after a few months we would see a real uptick in digital downloads, at least for Issue #2.
As you can guess, this has not been the case. First, a sort of explanation (reasoning to myself) - Harbor Moon was never meant to be broken up into issues. It was always meant to be one book, read as a whole. But Graphic.ly (my first deal digitally) doesn't offer full books yet. So we had to break it up. In doing so we created some extra content, made the issues flow from one to the next, etc... I thought we did a good job with that. But the book is a mystery. It's a mystery with a few layers. I don't want to call it highbrow, but we definitely don't spell things out for anyone initially. And this could turn some people off. They may finish reading Issue 1 and be like - what the fuck did I just read?
So, it is now that I contemplate the value of a digital edition. Is it better to charge less and actually move units or not make any money on them at all?
The bigger question is: If your digital edition is priced well below your physical copy, will it hurt sales of the physical edition?
This is really hard to quantify. Especially right now, when we are on the crux of the ereader movement. It is trendy and lots of people do it - but it is still not the standard. Maybe we're a year off, maybe we're three or five years off. But right now, moving hard copies is where most of the revenues come from.
But I'm starting to think, and I had to step back and be a fan again, that if you price the digital editions at a very cheap price point ($.99), then you can move more copies, get more eyeballs on your book, and create fans.
Fans support you. Fans buy your work.
If I was Robert Kirkman, I wouldn't even be debating this. I would put my books out in hard cover with a $25/30 price tag, my issues out digitally for $1.99 - and just sit back. He has legions of fans. But that was built over time.
I have to take my lumps (financially) in order to build that fan base. And that means, getting people to read the book. I may even experiment with giving Issue #2 away for free. Or $.25. Which is basically free. More important than money to me is that people read the book. I think they will enjoy it. If you look at the artwork and hate it, okay - I understand. It is subjective. I can't change your opinion. But I think if you enjoy the art, even slightly, you'll enjoy the book. I would guarantee it, but I have nothing to back that up with.
So, I'm going to shift my digital pricing strategy. And if you downloaded Harbor Moon and are waiting for Issue 2, you're in luck.
Top 5 Race Against the Clock Movies
To qualify for this list, there must be a tickingclock. So, movies where someone iscaptive and they are 'eventually' going to die don't count (Silence of the Lambs or Never Let Me Go).
Top 5 Back to the Future Terminator 2: Judgment Day Midnight Madness How I Got Into College Run Lola Run Next 10Happy GilmoreWinter's BoneThe Running ManSafemenThe RockOne Crazy SummerInceptionThe Dark Knight25th HourRoad TripHonorable MentionsWar Games48 HoursArmageddonCannonball RunEscape from NYHigh NoonMidnight RunSpeed30 Days of NightPCUArlington RoadRiffifiBill & Ted's Excellent AdventureEmpire RecordsGet Him to the GreekNothing to LosePrincess MononokeProof of LifeRoad TripS.W.A.T.The Taking of Pelham 123 (both)TransporterUHF
Top 5 Back to the Future Terminator 2: Judgment Day Midnight Madness How I Got Into College Run Lola Run Next 10Happy GilmoreWinter's BoneThe Running ManSafemenThe RockOne Crazy SummerInceptionThe Dark Knight25th HourRoad TripHonorable MentionsWar Games48 HoursArmageddonCannonball RunEscape from NYHigh NoonMidnight RunSpeed30 Days of NightPCUArlington RoadRiffifiBill & Ted's Excellent AdventureEmpire RecordsGet Him to the GreekNothing to LosePrincess MononokeProof of LifeRoad TripS.W.A.T.The Taking of Pelham 123 (both)TransporterUHF
August 31, 2011
Movie Review: Rise of the Plant of the Apes
Just plain fun. That's the best way to describe this perfect summer movie.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
has action, really good characterization and the best performance of the year.
That's right, I'll say it - Caesar the Ape (Andy Serkis and a lot of CGI) gives the best performance of the year. It is heartbreaking, empowering and flat out exciting. The rest of the apes as well. It's amazing that most of the human characters blend together - but the apes are all so unique. James Franco does a good job as well, but it is Caesar's movie. Brian Cox is good, the kid who plays Draco Malfoy in the Potter movies plays a weirdly over the top villain (but it works for the movie). Freida Pinto looks amazing, but her presence is rather pointless.
You wind up wildly rooting for the apes - and this turns into an all out brawl on the streets of San Francisco. And it is a lot of fun. Just watching the apes storm the city is breathtaking. It's saying something when your heart breaks when apes die, but you don't even blink when the humans die.
Definitely worthy of the ticket price. In fact, it may be my favorite movie of 2011 thus far.
That's right, I'll say it - Caesar the Ape (Andy Serkis and a lot of CGI) gives the best performance of the year. It is heartbreaking, empowering and flat out exciting. The rest of the apes as well. It's amazing that most of the human characters blend together - but the apes are all so unique. James Franco does a good job as well, but it is Caesar's movie. Brian Cox is good, the kid who plays Draco Malfoy in the Potter movies plays a weirdly over the top villain (but it works for the movie). Freida Pinto looks amazing, but her presence is rather pointless.
You wind up wildly rooting for the apes - and this turns into an all out brawl on the streets of San Francisco. And it is a lot of fun. Just watching the apes storm the city is breathtaking. It's saying something when your heart breaks when apes die, but you don't even blink when the humans die.
Definitely worthy of the ticket price. In fact, it may be my favorite movie of 2011 thus far.
