MovieChat Forums > Van Helsing (2004) Discussion > LOVED THE MOVIE BUT NOT THE COMMENT........

LOVED THE MOVIE BUT NOT THE COMMENT.................

posted 10 years ago by rivarachel-1
24 replies | jump to latest

I am 55 years old and I am a big Horror film fan. I've seen the most unwatchful (due to it's fear factor, gore, etc.) to the most innocent in the old days.

I just loved the movie "Van Helsing" as well as the great performances by Kate and Hugh Jackman. I am not joking here but I strongly feel to this day, that Richard Roxburgh deserved an Oscar for his portrayal of Dracula. Vampires and werewolves have always been the creatures that I have followed the most and Richard's version of Dracula, was the best I have ever seen in all of my years. I have too many accolades to lay down on the screen.

Well, Stephen Sommers directed the film and in it, he put Boldly "For my Dad."

I happen to see an interview with Kate Beckinsale about the movie and she answered something to the effect of "Yech, don't remind me.

If your not happy about starring in a movie it's one thing. But don't blast it publicly, especially when he dedicated the movie to his father.

I was a very big Kate Beckinsale fan until that movie. I have never written this about any movie star but to hurt someone, or actually two people if his father is still alive, is unforgivable in my book. I will not watch another movie she is in.

As Napoleon Hill said " Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt and remain silent."

[–] Ithilfaen 10 years ago

Napoleon Hill was right. You have to wonder then why you posted such a stupid post.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] rivarachel-1 10 years ago

So you don't understand Napoleon Hill? Again, think before you write!

If we followed your premise, there would be no speech!

That's not what he was addressing.

And please, is there a point going back and forth? You'll call me on it as being part of this whole process.

Someone makes a comment. Then someone posts something about that comment, first, childishly trying to bring the person down to their level by calling them name(s) or referring to them as stupid, etc.

Back and forth it goes, because the insecure person wants to feel he is superior by winning the "Battle of words." This isn't a war!

Well you can have the victory. If it's that important to you?

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] spookyrat1 10 years ago

... she answered something to the effect of "Yech, don't remind me.

Don't blame Kate. She was just being honest about this mess and expensive waste of a film.

... Richard Roxburgh deserved an Oscar for his portrayal of Dracula.

Far more likely to get nominated for the Bill Shatner/Nic Cage overacting award.🐭

[–] mcornett 9 years ago

Lots of actors....LOTS...have talked down films they were in. I've seen quotes from GOOD actors like Elizabeth Taylor, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Plummer, Michael Caine, Jeremy Irons and Julianne Moore, all dismissing one or more movies they did as something they did for the money, or for the chance to work with someone, even if the script was horrible, or just a simple botch job. Plummer discussed his appearance in the craptacular Italian sci-fi film "Starcrash" by admitting it was a terrible film but he did it because it meant a chance to visit Rome. Lucille Ball and Bea Arthur starred in the 70s musical "Mame," and Arthur publicly said it was a disaster, and Ball retired from movies and said that making that movie "was about as much fun as watching your house burn down." Famke Janssen admits she did "Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters" so she could pay off her mortgage. Nicole Kidman and pretty much half the cast of the remake of "The Stepford Wives" all blasted the film before it even came out; even the director now admits it was a mess and admits fault. Channing Tatum has drawn attention lately because he's gone public with how he hates "G.I. Joe."

In other words, actors have always had something bad to say about something on their resume. It's always happened and probably always will.

If you think of acting as a job, then it makes sense. If you move from job to job and boss to boss and always change co-workers, there's always going to be some jobs you don't like and felt were miserable experiences. And some actors just have lousy experiences with some movies, and it doesn't matter if you liked it or not. They're not obligated to say only good things just because it's a movie you like. It hurts the director? Really? Did he say he was hurt? Or are you just assuming he was hurt? How do you know he even cares? Maybe Sommers thinks this movie is crap himself. Maybe he was an SOB to Beckinsale and treated her like garbage. Maybe he hurt her feelings while on set.

But Beckinsale is not obligated to play by your rules.

I wouldn't judge Beckinsale too harshly; there's too much you don't know about the situation, and besides, the movie does indeed have a reputation for being terrible, with CGI that has aged poorly, and having almost no plot and lots of bad acting. (Really, pay attention to how the actors' accents all come and go and roam all over the map!) Maybe she's trying to save face after being in a flick that some now consider to be one of the worst of all time.

"Value your education. It's something nobody can ever take away from you." My mom.

[–] rivarachel-1 9 years ago

You're right. Maybe this and maybe that. And of the thousands and thousands of actors and actresses, you named a few but I'm sure there are thousands and thousands more that have something negative to say about something........Maybe.

So what you are saying to me is that actors should just let their bad experiences in a particular role, a movie, with a director, be quoted and recorded because any actor or actress has their pick of any movie they desire.

As Emily Blunt said once in an interview these woman kill for a part. Yet they are willing to jeopardize an opportunity by airing their ill feelings. Doesn't seem logical to me.

As I said NEVER EVER burn your bridges. It's hard enough as is. Why potentially make it harder on yourself?

You're saying to me:

there's too much you don't know about the situation

That being the case, you must know the inside story.

So next time you see Kate, you may give her my permission not to play by my rules.

I would appreciate that very much.

Not speaking about Kate B. in particular but you are aware that there are actors as well as actresses that are black balled in Hollywood.

Always was, always will be.

[–] Darthfrodo58 8 years ago

You can't really blame the actors for not liking the finished product. They get paid to act. It's the director that puts it all together.

The general consensus (between critics and viewers) is that it's not that great of a movie. That falls on the director and the writers. Sometimes even directors say they made a lousy movie. Of course, you don't want the actors saying they don't like it BEFORE the movie comes out, that would hurt the box office, but after it's out, there's nothing wrong with them giving their honest opinion. Try not to take it personal, they aren't saying YOU have bad taste, they just didn't like it.

Whispered the sound...............of silence

[–] Tommy711 (134) 2 months ago

Very true about the competition part; I can guarantee maybe tens of thousands of women auditioned for that role and Kate got it. Like you say, not sure why you'd potentially jeopardise getting leading roles if you're going to look down on your previous work and people you worked with.

[–] rivarachel-1 9 years ago

Okay. To finally put this to rest. I am 99% sure none of you realize the far reaching effects words can have.

There is an expression "live and learn."

There is a reason for that expression and I know I'm coming off as condescending but all I am trying to do is make those who have not yet lived life long enough to experience what others have, though as hard as it may be, listen to hard earned experience.

Keanu Reeves is among my favorite actors. He is highly sought after. Currently he has six (6) movies either in progress, post production, etc. He has brought in billions of dollars to the movie studios.

This guy is ALWAYS busy and as I mention below, has a net worth of ~ 350 million dollars.

Kate Beckinsale on the other hand is currently filming the 5th installment of "underworld." You don't really hear much about her these days.

Sometimes, talent may not be enough to land an actor a roll in a movie. In other words, sometimes there are reasons beyond talent why some actors get rolls, while others don't. This is a concept that has been around since the days of silent movies.

I would like for as many people to watch this interview with Jimmy Kimmel and just listen very carefully to Keanu's response to one particular question as well as his body language..

This is from an article by Film, Hollywoodland:

With a Net Worth of 350 M, Keanu Reeves is still known in the Industry as "THE Greatest Guy on Earth."

Here. Watch and learn and try to understand and if you are not sure what the ramifications can be by "burning your bridges" how about "not biting the hand that feeds you."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETf4UhOWAG0

[–] Scape (526) 6 years ago

It sounds like you’re the victim of being a big fan of a terrible movie... So much so, that you don’t like an actress simply because she voiced her opinion about being in that terrible movie.

And come on, the Dracula in this movie is awful. It’s so overly dramatic, with every other line of his being yelled... I’ll take Christoper Lee any day of the week over this crap.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 3 years ago

Dracula: “I feel NOTHING” and later, “I LOVE my children.” Sommers is a fucking hack. I watched this for Kate Beckinsale’s ass.

[–] chriskunselman 9 years ago

I know I'm way late on this but I'm watching Van Helsing on cable and I have a question about a statement you made. First, let me say I am no expert when it comes to specialFX and certainly not when it comes to CGI (I barely know I how to use this computer), but you state that the CGI in this movie has aged poorly. What do you mean? Doesn't CGI get better as the technology gets better, wouldn't this be like saying the stop-motion animation in King Kong has aged poorly? Wouldn't you automatically place a film in context as far as age? Or is the CGI bad in Van Helsing even for 2004? I'm honestly asking this, since I run into remarks about movies that I think looked amazing and someone (an FX junkie I guess) invariably claims it was poor. What am I looking for? Or maybe, what am I not seeing properly? Thanks.

[–] PreachCaleb 8 years ago

Or is the CGI bad in Van Helsing even for 2004?

Yes.

You are sin.

[–] Tommy711 (134) 2 months ago

"Worst of all time"?! Jeez, it really wasn't that bad!!! Okay yes the bad parts were bad (sometimes the CGI being one of them, especially in the Masquerade ball when they're swinging on the ropes - that's some hilariously bad CGI 😂😂😂) but the good parts were really good. 8/10!

[–] resmat-1 9 years ago

Stephen Sommers directed the film and in it, he put Boldly "For my Dad." I happen to see an interview with Kate Beckinsale about the movie and she answered something to the effect of "Yech, don't remind me". If your not happy about starring in a movie it's one thing. But don't blast it publicly, especially when he dedicated the movie to his father.

By that logic, every artist who dedicates their work to a deceased person should be exempt from criticism.

I will not watch another movie she is in.

What if she stars in another film where the director dedicates it to a deceased person?

[–] rivarachel-1 9 years ago

My health is such that I am bedridden most days. When and if I get the strength I will get back to once again, a post that contradicts itself.

In all honestly, I would love to know the average age of posters on all of these boards.

And before you attack what I have just written, all I'm asking is for an average age. Don't make any assumptions as to why I want to know.

[–] 9 years ago

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[–] rivarachel-1 9 years ago

EXACTLY The posts' NOT the thread.

[–] Bavarian 9 years ago

by rivarachel-1
As Napoleon Hill said " Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt and remain silent."

It goes "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." and comes from the Roman philosopher Boëthius (480-525). Not everything is from USA.

[–] mobrecht 8 years ago

Riva, I've heard more from the actress in various interviews. She loved the movie, but hated the corset she was forced to wear. It was extremely uncomfortable, and colored her experience. That may well be what was on her mind during the interview you saw.

[–] www1125 8 years ago

Kate was in the movie, so she has a right to regret it if she wants, and to be vocal about.