Chapter 27 or this? - The Killing of John Lennon (2007) Discussion

[–] im52x_max 16 years ago

stay away from Chapter 27.

I mean, Jared Leto's not so bad (he should do more acting instead of "his music"), but other than that the movie sucks. It just does. Don't watch it.

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[–] strike_back 15 years ago

being that I just missed the sundance channel premiere of this, I can't give much input.

I did like chapter 27. I thought it was well put together and it actually made me feel as much sympathy for mdc as lennon

I do think that had a lot to do with leto's amazing job protraying him.

but give chapter 27 a chance.

personallyi am going to buy this and watch both to see which is more devoted to the truth.

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[–] sheldon916 15 years ago

This film is leaps and bounds a better film, Chapter 27 is pretty good, but it feels like a cheesy version of this film, it's so gritty and uncompromising, i prefer this film, definetly.

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[–] rmc_neil 15 years ago

'Killing of John Lennon' is a great made-for-TV movie

'Chapter 27' is a great film.

"You have no right to call your home theater a home theater until you get Blu-Ray"

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[–] RevertingToType 15 years ago

I have to say I don't understand this artificial categorization of 'TV movie' and 'cinema movie' here, other than to pre-judge before watching.

In any case, this is NOT a 'TV movie', it just didn't have the budget, or get the wider cinema release of, 'Chapter 27'. There are many such films, that no-one would sensibly call 'TV movies', and many of them are excellent and original.

This is a great, in-depth character study, acted brilliantly. Watch it for that alone, please!

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[–] rmc_neil 15 years ago

I have watched both; 'The Killing of John Lennon' just came off so cheesy to me. Eg. when Lennon is shot and killed I cringed because it was so hokey and looked like something out of a low-budget TV Movie. Whereas the same scene in 'Chapter 27' came off very eerie and horrifying to me.

"You have no right to call your home theater a home theater until you get Blu-Ray"

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[–] chrisc-16 15 years ago

I haven't seen chapter 27, but i just wanted to post a response to the last post, the actual scene of the shooting was very different to the rest of the movie, it had a different tone, as you say the same scene in chapter 27 'came off very eerie and horrifying' i belive that 'the killing...' felt like this through it's entirity, it wasn't a film about John Lennon, it was a film about Mark Chapman, taken from his journals highlighting his thoughts and feelings. By the end of the movie you are in Chapman's head, much like 'The Catcher in the Rye' you wouldn't be surprised if Caulfield had killed someone and his actions would be justified, well not justified, but you would belive it to be in his character....am i making sense?

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[–] adrian-hawes 15 years ago

You are so right. What the hell is wrong with people. Why Chapter 27 is better:
- First of all, Jerad Leto gained weight and commited to the role, accent, appearance etc. The guy in 'TKOJL' carried his "awesome, dude" generic accent etc.

- The death scene in Chapter 27 showed nothing, yet had bounds of edge-of-your-seat tension. 'TKOJLs' death scene was cheesy, like you said, there is no need for blood and guts - unnecessary.

- So underrated. Why does everyone hate this? I try not to be arrogant but I have pretty good taste in films. I never watch trash, and if I do I firmly regret it. This is not trash. And trust me, I feel so strongly that I am writing (I'm a lazy b4stard) to convert people.

- As a film it is disturbing. As a historical document it is more accurate than 'TKOJL'. 5 shots were shown in Chapter 27. Accurate, unlike the 8 shot in 'TKOJL'.

- The whole film is classier and BETTER in camera shots, tension, music, dialogue etc.

- Back to the death scene - in Chapeter 27 it is very realistic. I actually felt I was there - unlike in 'TKOJL' where I was chuckling at the ameatuer camera angles and shots...

CHAPTER 27 FTW

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[–] mxtotten 12 years ago

I watch Chapter 27 when it was released on DVD and watch it with a friend who also admired John Lennon but both of us felt that the plot line became phony in a way that characters were made up out of by-standers where in just watching TKOJL, the focus was on the deadly deed done by MDC., more was told and even though sometimes the dramatic scenes felt over the top the the by-standers did not get in the way of telling the story of MDC., this film was researched rather well because they included the amateur photographer that took the photo of MDC and Lennon that night and that alone lended more to the authenticity that the bad "beatle" tribute at the end of Chapter 27.

... as far as how many bullets were used, Lennon was shot four times with hollow-point bullets (which expand upon entering the target and severely disrupt more tissue as they travel through the target), Lennon's affected organs were virtually destroyed upon impact.

... two or three hit the class portion of a door at the Dakota .... I guess for dramatic effect more were used in the film.

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[–] adrian-hawes 15 years ago

You are so right. What the hell is wrong with people. Why Chapter 27 is better:
- First of all, Jerad Leto gained weight and commited to the role, accent, appearance etc. The guy in 'TKOJL' carried his "awesome, dude" generic accent etc.

- The death scene in Chapter 27 showed nothing, yet had bounds of edge-of-your-seat tension. 'TKOJLs' death scene was cheesy, like you said, there is no need for blood and guts - unnecessary.

- So underrated. Why does everyone hate this? I try not to be arrogant but I have pretty good taste in films. I never watch trash, and if I do I firmly regret it. This is not trash. And trust me, I feel so strongly that I am writing (I'm a lazy b4stard) to convert people.

- As a film it is disturbing. As a historical document it is more accurate than 'TKOJL'. 5 shots were shown in Chapter 27. Accurate, unlike the 8 shot in 'TKOJL'.

- The whole film is classier and BETTER in camera shots, tension, music, dialogue etc.

- Back to the death scene - in Chapeter 27 it is very realistic. I actually felt I was there - unlike in 'TKOJL' where I was chuckling at the ameatuer camera angles and shots...

CHAPTER 27 FTW

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[–] user-1100 15 years ago

take none. Go see "The U.S. vs. John Lennon" =)

*´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´

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[–] jimmythegrip 15 years ago

Both films are excellent and very different. It's the final 3 days vs. the final 3 months that lead up to the murder. 27 isnot as in depth but still great film. I certainly recommend both.

Jmac

I've seen More Than I can Recall

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[–] gentcallr 15 years ago

I have a slight preference for Chapter 27, but they are both interesting, disturbing films. If the subject interests you, see both. The same thing goes for Capote and Infamous.

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[–] the_big_dogma 15 years ago

Yeah, both have their plus' and minus'.

"Chapter 27" seems more intent on trying to justify Chapmans actions as that of a schizophrenic in the throws of a psychotic episode he had no control over.

It attempted to explain his "motivation" more thoroughly through the connection with "Catcher in the rye", and in that regard, tells a very interesting story.

"The killing....." seems less interested in motive and is more a straight retelling of the effect this incomprehensible act had on others.

It tries to be more all encompassing and as such, probably doesn't concentrate on some aspects as much as it should.

I think they both cover different aspects and as such, together they compliment each other in giving a better overall understanding.

"What's truth got to do with it?"
"What's truth got to do with anything?"

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[–] nobodies666 15 years ago

Chapter 27 is great and a real tear-jerker. Jared Leto is the best!

In order 2 be a good lover, a guy has 2 ask a girl what she wants & be willing 2 give it 2 her. ~JJ

Chris Marquette and Amber Tamblyn are the only Edward Cullen and Bella Swan to me!
-Your an imbecile if you blame Marilyn Manson for the Columbine shooting.

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[–] sdfe89 15 years ago

This by a landslide. I don't know if it was cuz I was drunk when I watched it, but it practically seemed like I was watching a documentary about Chapman. Plus it doesn't have douchey Leto and Lohan.

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[–] alexlarge 15 years ago

Adrian...

- First of all, Jerad Leto gained weight and commited to the role, accent, appearance etc. The guy in 'TKOJL' carried his "awesome, dude" generic accent etc.

- The death scene in Chapter 27 showed nothing, yet had bounds of edge-of-your-seat tension. 'TKOJLs' death scene was cheesy, like you said, there is no need for blood and guts - unnecessary.

You've picked what are, in my opinion, the only two areas in which Chapter 27 is the better film. The lead actor was more accurate and the death scene was well done. HOWEVER...

In all other areas, KOJL is the superior film. It's far more accurate to what actually happened, in terms of both dialogue, events, and chronology. The locations are spot on (although this does have the unfortunate side effect of dating the film cos of the modern shops and landmarks) and its script - unlike C27, which appears to be part fantasy, part fiction by the writers - is 100 per cent accurate to Chapman's own account of his life leading up to the killing, the event, and the aftermath.

I'm pretty sure the murder scene in KOJL contains 8 shots because the director tried to show the incident from both Chapman's and Lennon's perspectives. Again, I agree it was a clumsy scene, but i don't think it's historically inaccurate - it's four shots shown from two different perspectives.

Ideally, if you could take Leto and a couple of scenes from C27 (primarily the killing and the meal with Jude, which was ignored in KOJL) and stick them in KOJL you'd have a pretty much perfect film of the true story.

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[–] Sadycal 14 years ago

Jude was a made up character. It was *beep* Much like the rest of that Chapter 27 movie. Chapman played you guys well if you believe he didn't know exactly what he was doing. He's not insane, he's a sociopath. He has no conscience and takes no responsibility for his actions. Disgusting that people feel the need to romanticize him in any way at all.

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[–] intheskywith 14 years ago

even though this movie is a low budget movie, IMO this one is better than the more expensive chapter 27

When you oppress people, they rise up in a fiery anger

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