scifi

Scarlett Johansson Naked [Under The Skin Undressed]

by
scarlet johansson naked in under the skin

It doesn’t happen often that you can write a title with pure Scarlett Johansson link bait, yet keep a clear conscience. Unless you’ve read the original novel, you won’t know until late in the film that Under The Skin is the story of an alien in human form. Still, the filmmakers reveal in interviews: “part road … Read more

Movie Moment: Blade Runner – Meeting The Maker

by

Rarely does a memorable movie scene lack the main character; this one does. And Blade Runner lacks a lot more… like a plot that works. Despite all the hype before and after the release, the movie was a commercial disaster, grossing only $14m in 1982. by Karel Segers Rarely does a memorable movie scene lack … Read more

Best o/t Web 19 Sep

by

:: Finally: The great Bill Martell on video. (& Hitch, too)
 :: Carson Reeves: How To Write For An A-List Actor
:: A Declaration Of Love To The Expendables
:: I’m Still Here Reviewed – And Exposed
:: The Social Network: Early Review
:: Bill Martell On Luck In Screenwriting
:: A Story Should Have Multiple Themes
:: SubPlots Add Emotional Depth
:: Best Of SciFi On io9 This Week
:: Script Worth The Read: Now You See Me
:: From Porn Set Dresser To Don Draper: John Hamm
:: Roger Ebert’s Seance With Errol Morris

Read more

Exposition in Cameron’s The Abyss

by

Yesterday I had the enormous privilege and honor of watching James Cameron’s The Abyss on the big screen, sitting next to the movie’s concept designer Ron Cobb. The last time I saw the film in a cinema was at a preview before its release in 1986.

The scene in this clip is a trademark Cameron setup.

Remember the unobtainium – ‘floating rock’ scene in Avatar? That is a case of exposition that some love and others loathe.

This scene from The Abyss sits around about the same time into this movie and sets up an equally important concept, which will be crucial in the movie’s climax.

The scene is in my view one of the most supreme examples of exposition. It combines character and tension with essential story information.

It shows how James Cameron has always been a tremendously gifted screenwriter.

Enjoy!

In fact – and contrary to the unobtainium scene – Ron Cobb confirmed to me that the fluid breathing system is not sci-fi but fact.  Hippy’s rat is submerged in actual fluid breathing system liquid and in this scene it is really breathing underwater. Apparently, Beany the rat survived for quite a while afterwards and died of natural causes.

(On the contrary – as you might have guessed – in the movie’s climax Ed Harris did not breathe liquid. The glass of his suit was tinted amber to suggest it was filled with the liquid.)

Read more