Dorian Gray, or how life mirrors itself and how the spectators can go fuck themselves.

[tomoe_daeva]

Sorry for the monotony of my recent posts, but yesterday I finally managed to watch Dorian Gray (2009) movie and I felt the need to write my disappointment here

Comments

[m3n747]

I can't say I'm familiar with the book or its adaptations (I've only seen this review of the 2009 film), but it seems that with the modern adaptations they always do things wrong: "update for the modern audiences", I guess you could call it. I tried watching the 2009 Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey Jr. and I hated it, I turned it off mid-way; the 2011 Conan the Barbarian wasn't much better, although I did sit through it until the end. Okay, those may not be the best of examples, as supposedly those films are much closer to the original books than the previous adaptations, but they are the first that come to my mind. XD The fact remains, however, that the modern versions of classic stories do seem to be dumbed down. That's why I'm on the fence about the idea of adapting my most favourite book series into any other format - on the one hand I would love to see them come to life on the big screen, but on the other hand I'd be afraid of what they'd do to them. But maybe if Peter Jackson signed up for the job...?

[tomoe_daeva]

I wouldn't say that every movie transposition of a classic story is doomed to failure, the problem with the "update for modern audience" is that it gives for granted that people are idiots

[m3n747]

The thing with changing stuff for the adaptation is that there's often a fine balance between too cryptic and too on the nose. Judging from what you said, I guess there wasn't really much need for explaining the portrait - just give it an ominous look, turn down the lights, play some disturbing music and everyone should understand that it's not an ordinary painting. :D

As for Sauron, I don't mind the way he was portrayed in the films - okay, the eye searchlight might've been a little silly at times, but it did get the point of Sauron seeing all that was happening in the Middle-earth across quite well. Plus, if he had no physical manifestation of any kind, it would be rather difficult to make him feel like the source of all evil. (That knight on the dragon you're talking about was the Witch-king, not Sauron. And speaking of LotR in general, here's a silly picture of Gimli I took while watching The Two Towers. XD)

You mean the 2010 BBC series? No, I haven't seen it. I might've seen some episodes of an older series when I was a kid,

[tomoe_daeva]

No, there wasn't D: It was perfectly fine as it was.
LOL, they also added some special effects stuff to it, like making it groan, move and cover it with vermin, LOL.
It was really stupid XD

LOL, I thought it was Sauron XD It was fine then-- I was ok with the eye too.

You should give it a try :D ! as much as it won't add anything to the original character, at least it doesn't add crappy stuff XD

[m3n747]

I've heard about the CGI on the painting in that video review and I too thought it was stupid, even if I haven't seen the film. :D

Perhaps some day I will, who knows. :)

[tomoe_daeva]

I didn't understand that review (LOL, talked English) but I read some comments and they pissed me off XD
PEOPLE IS REALLY STUPID!

[m3n747]

Oh come on, he speaks pretty clearly and intelligibly. :D I have no problem understanding him, why should you? :D

[tomoe_daeva]

Because I don't understand English when it's talked (at least, I don't understand the 60% of it) XD I can only read it ._.;
School just taught it the wrong way, and when they introduced video and audio suopports it was too late for me XD

[m3n747]

Well 40% isn't that bad - that's about the volume of alcohol in a Polish vodka. XD But seriously, it's never too late - with a bit of patience and effort you should get better at it. ^^

[tomoe_daeva]

Not that I care *scratches her butt lazily* whenever I go I can still communicate in my poor English, I just can't indulge myself in sophisticated, skilled discussions XD !

[m3n747]

That might prove to be a bit of a problem if you ever go abroad and decide to go to a classy restaurant.

Waiter: Could I interest you, mademoiselle, in our fine selection of French wines and perhaps suggest a delicate lobster with garlic butter and a side of potatoes and peas purée?
Dae: ME WANT PIZZA! HAM! OLIVES! BIG!

XD

[tomoe_daeva]

Silly, I'd just point at the thing on the menu ;D !

[m3n747]

And you'd likely end up the way Bruce Lee did in The Way of the Dragon (or was it Fist of Fury...?):

Bruce: Eggs.
Waitress: Huh?
Bruce: EGGS!
Waitress: [spreads hands, shakes head]
Bruce: [taps the item on the menu a few times]

The waitress brought him some five bowls of soup. :D

[tomoe_daeva]

No, because I can read English ;D

[m3n747]

Well, okay. XD