MovieChat Forums > Soultaker (1993) Discussion > My take on the Director's thoughts

My take on the Director's thoughts

posted 14 years ago by longbutter
8 replies | jump to latest

If indeed the message written on the reviews for this film was by the director (and it seems pretty plausible, since it states various details that would either confirm or expose it as authentic or fake, depending on who read it), then his attempts at trying to justify his movie as being misunderstood and misrepresented on MST3K seems kind of childish and pout-ish. As the director of several other movies, and in the movie business himself, I'm certain he knows that the people that own the rights are the ones that define what the movie ultimately is, and not the director, as they could edit it, use portions, or otherwise modify it at will. It goes without saying that an MST'ed movie will be edited, slightly or more than slightly, and the viewers of that show know that. The editing isn't done to make the movie seem worse to the viewer for riff potential or to make a 'good' movie bad so it wouldn't seem out of place on the show, but to fit time constraints, just like any TV script has to. There is also the factor of the network interceding and forcing some edits, but that's out of the hands of the show's producers. Of course they might have chosen to use one scene over another due to comedic potential, but the writers of MST can't be blamed for wanting to put out as entertaining of an episode as possible.

He should be happy that it's found new life on a cult show that still makes the rounds via the internet, and still has a lively group of followers that watch and discuss every episode, Soultaker included. In fact, that episode features the cameo return of Joel (the creator of the show and original host) and TV's Frank (Henchman #2) which had never happened at any other time in the show's 11 year run, so it makes it something of a milestone and unique, furthering its potential to remain watched for possibly decades to come. I know I never would have rented Soultaker, or taken the time to watch it on TV if MST3k had never 'used' it, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

He then goes on to say that it's the duty of the movie's crew (including himself) to make a movie that pays back the investors, which they accomplished. Well, if that's truly the ultimate motive (which it is for a LOT of moviemakers, I'm sure, but not all), then he should be on board with the idea of MST3k riffing on movies, as it provided another avenue for the movie's owners to recoup their investment, and increase their profit - because money is, after all, everything. Right?!

With that said, I would suggest to the director to stop playing a victim (complaining about the difficulty involved in making the movie, the fact it was 'hacked up' and used on MST3k, et cetera) and let the movie stand on its own merits (whatever they are to whomever). Anyone that's studied art, which movie making is an example of, knows that there will always be constructive criticism, negative criticism and straight out vitriol conducted toward any art produced for public consumption, and it is something the creator has to take in stride along with his Saturn Award and Gushy Fan Poster Signings.

.-'-.-'-.-Once it was death for prophet - now it's death for profit-.-'-.-'-.

[–] jeffthropp 14 years ago

His review made about as much sense as his film. He blames all of the film's shortcomings on the budget yet there are plenty of films with lower budgets can at least come off well made. His mention of The Shining was interesting. Im pretty sure that is the only time this film and The Shining will ever be mentioned together.

[–] kmgjb 14 years ago

What's childish about defending something you made and are reasonably proud of if you feel it's being misrepresented and wrongly mocked? Sorry if he crapped in your cornflakes but it is HIS movie.

What if you made a nice little clay vase back in high school art class? It wasn't going to turn the art world upside down, but it was well-made and creative and you were proud of it. Then a decade later you find it at your uncle's house being used as an ashtray/booger collector. Should you just be happy that it's "found new life?"

And before you get bent out of shape that I used ashes and boogers as a metaphor for the MST3K treatment, I am a HUGE fan of MST3K, as well as Cinematic Titanic. I wish I could say I was a fan of Rifftrax, because I love Mike Kevin and Bill. The point is, YOU or I being a fan of the show and this episode in particular doesn't obligate anyone else to appreciate hearing it flamed, especially if the film is being misrepresented as crap. Time Chasers really WAS crap, but the people who made it are still entitled to feel and express regret at the MST treatment. Compared to Time Chasers, Soultaker is pretty watchable.

IS Soultaker being misrepresented? I have no idea, I haven't seen it uncut. All the director is asking is that you bother to see it uncut before judging it. There's nothing unreasonable about that. In the meantime, enjoy the MST. I am, right now.

[–] aa56 8 years ago

All the director is asking is that you bother to see it uncut before judging it.

Oh, no, please! I agree with the riff in MST3K: "I would rather follow the story of the nuns on the bus than this movie."

[–] j_kro 14 years ago

His comments sound like sour grapes to me.

I agree with the earlier comment that MST3K has likely made the filmmaker some additional money.

It has been released on one of MST3Ks DVD box sets now, I imagine a portion of those profits go back to the filmmakers as well. I guarantee that the MST3K DVD has sold many, many more units then any original DVD that was released.

Hollywood people need to have a thick skin, and this guy is no exception.

[–] Adler-99 12 years ago

I just watched the MST3K version again last night and saw the included interview with Joe Estevez. He was very pleasant and acknowledged that the MST treatment and the cult status of this movie have actually been beneficial. Unlike some snotty actors, he complimented his co-star Z'Dar (who is by all accounts a very nice guy, despite his fearsome appearance) and didn't trash anyone associated with the film. The interview on the DVD is worth a look.

[–] megArnold 12 years ago

I think the description of the movie itself on Mighty Jack's MST3K review page fits it quite well: "Movie Pain: Medium - Watchable but too self important".

I get the same feeling (I don't know about the "watchable", though) about the director, judging from his comment.

--
Grammar:
The difference between knowing your sh**
and knowing you're sh**.

[–] alucardvenom 9 years ago

yet another hack with no talent who has no idea how to make a proper movie, then blames it all on others (weather, SERIOUSLY???)

If it wasn't for MST3K this movie would be completely forgotten, this was it's mostly forgotten.

and complaining how his movies was terrible (sorry, "great") because of the budget is complete joke. There are dozens of other movies who roughly had similar budget and they were good, some even important for the genre. Khmm, The Evil Dead and Bad Taste. Bad Taste had even lower budget yet he never complained about bad weather ruining his film. Now, where is Peter Jackson?

[–] Callahan09 8 years ago

You sound like someone who has never tried making a movie before. When you have production constraints, particularly budgetary ones, but also timing ones, etc., something like fluky weather can SERIOUSLY impact your ability to make the movie you planned. Some of this stuff is dependent on luck. If you have to get a particular shot outdoors, and you've got today and tomorrow that you have access to an area, but it's thunderstorming fiercely and you can't shoot, then you need to scrap you plans and try to do it at another time, likely in another location. You have to get everybody back together. You have to find a place. Etc. It can be very difficult to recover when your budget and time constraints are very tight. When you're working on a low-budget project, luck can have a serious impact on your chances of success, and force you to make unplanned changes and wing it through shooting sessions you couldn't have planned for, which effect the outcome of your project.