MovieChat Forums > Phantom (2013) Discussion > Why I refuse to see this POC

Why I refuse to see this POC

posted 11 years ago by nagmashdriver
17 replies | jump to latest

"But Steve, you haven't even seen it yet; all you saw was the trailer"!!
Yup, that's right, military movie fans.

When you've been around as long as I have, and seen as movies as I have, and read enough books as I have and listened to "The Dark Secret Place" since the first airing, you know what is what.

Supposedly this movie is "inspired by true events". Maybe. If this WAS based on a true story, I would much rather see it produced as a documentary, even if made for TV or cable over a dramatic thriller which you just KNOW has tons of artistic license taken.

Gripe number TWO: Why make a movie based on supposedly true events, which let us just say really DID take place for the sake of argument. It took place during the Cold War, on the Russky side. Just how much do you think their record-keeping sticks to the truth??? CYA is the name of the game in any military/corporate/political hierarchy and it is rife with playing free and loose with facts and figures. And in the fear and paranoia of the Communist terror, you only reported good things or you'd find yourself shivering in Siberia real quick.

Why not just make a movie based on a REAL story about a REAL American hero about whom we know all the details?? If I had a dime for every story of an American hero from WWII alone, that hasn't been written about, much less lensed, I'd be richer than God.

And if you want to make a Cold-War submarine thriller, why not adapt one of the many non-fiction books such as "Spy Sub"????

Another great example is Quentin ("not enough blood") Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds". Pure drivel. The stories of bravery and revenge in the Holocaust could fill volumes. But what does he do?? Make up pure BS based on something that never happened, except in QT's mind.

Too many true stories out there that beat the pants off of the crap that Hollywood pukes every year. Skip this movie and go rent "Run Silent Run Deep".

[–] solarfilmworks 11 years ago

You've read a lot about submarines and have an interest in military history. This story is based on that of the K-129.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_submarine_K-129_(1960)

There was a documentary made about it (parts of the story) called Project Azorian.

I'm not sure why you wouldn't want to see it with your interest in these subjects.

There are many great stories about American heroes and we're in the process of making a film about an American hero from the Vietnam war.

Phantom was made because it tells the story of the greatest Soviet threat against the US during the Cold War - greater than the Cuban Missile Crisis.

[–] ThreeZs 11 years ago

1. Ed Harris knows sub movies.
2. Ed's at the helm.
3. 2 words: sub thriller.
4. Appeals to both men and women.
a. Men in uniform are hot, and sailors at sea are even hotter.
b. Dudes, say yes to naval drama and no to chick flick banter.
5. Unlike reality TV, this bears some resemblance to what happened.
6. Not a bad Russian accent to be heard.
7. The 18 mil budget requires actors and a script.
8. Lance Henriksen and David Duchovny reunite on screen.
9. More to talk about than Kim & Kanye.
10. Admit it, manufactured claustrophobia's kind of fun.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nagmashdriver 11 years ago

Thanks for your nice reply, Solar. It is unusual to read a politely-worded reply on the web as many cretins take advantage of the anonymity of the web to spew hatred.

I haven't seen this film yet, as you know, but based on what I know about the K-129, this aint it. Again, how much do you believe of unclassified CIA history?? Me, not much and of the KGB, even less.

I happen to own the documentary "Project Azorian" and find it fascinating; it's a shame they didn't get to raise more of the sub. Why not make a dramatic film about the Glomar Explorer?? Leave out the Hollywood BS and you've got a great, real story.

Did I enjoy "Hunt for Red October"?? You bet I did! That's because I knew it was based on a novel, and therefore it was all make-believe. Of course, the background is correct, Cold-War tension, spying with subs, etc.

From a little bit of internet sleuthing I see that you are the producer of this film. Mazal tov. Your interest is $$ and not historical accuracy. Another recent movie based on historical events crashed and burned at the box office recently: Redtails earned a paltry six million. Why?? Because they took an interesting subject and injected Leftist politics and CGI special effects. What a shame.

This and other reasons are why I barely go to the movies anymore, and when I do, I'm much, much more selective about what I see. More accurately, I'm much more selective about who receives my hard-earned money. Speaking of which, bet you a hundred bucks to your favorite charity that this film does no better than Redtails.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nagmashdriver 11 years ago

Indeed. I saw a documentary on the Glomar Explorer and it was fascinating. Add to the mix the fact that Howard Hughes was involved as the financier, it would make a fantastic cinematic movie. Without the Hollywood BS, of course.

No need for a sexy woman on the screen, no gunplay, no CGI; just a bunch of Americans doing what they do best: overcoming huge obstacles to obtain a goal.

[–] magentamarzipan 11 years ago

IDK, I guess the question can be asked of any film “Why not make a completely different film?” but it’s not a particularly useful one. People tell the stories they feel invested in telling and it’s pointless to ponder why they didn’t a story that we are invested in that no doubt never even crossed their mind.

[–] nagmashdriver 11 years ago

Thanks for your input, and man, do I crave a piece of marzipan, magenta or otherwise! My grandmother used to bring marzipan as a treat when she would come to visit.

Moviemakers have a responsibility to either spin a tale that we all know is fiction, or to tell a story of a real event in such a way that you know it's real and not the mix of fiction with fact.

Unfortunately, as us Americans become dumber and dumber (thanks to The Left)we can't tell the difference. Thus, The background story of the sunken Russian sub is true and gripping, but there is no need to infuse Hollywood BS about a rogue captain trying to start WW III.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] nagmashdriver 11 years ago

Spoken like a true Leftist. Thank you for your input.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] Pippy-4 11 years ago

You're welcome. Now get out there and sell more unregistered firearms to rapists and serial killers, like a good Capitalist of the morally upstanding right.

[–] ThreeZs 11 years ago

Or Superman here, the original Mr. Truth, Justice & the American Way: http://openchannel.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/02/21/17046951-feds-say-neo- nazi-with-guns-was-tracking-community-leaders?lite

Evry1 has the right to believe anything they want&evry1 else has the right to find it * ridiculous

[–] MrBelette 11 years ago

"just a bunch of Americans doing what they do best: overcoming huge obstacles to obtain a goal. "

Thanks for giving me my laugh of the day !

[–] DoctorStrangelove 11 years ago

Another recent movie based on historical events crashed and burned at the box office recently: Redtails earned a paltry six million. Why?? Because they took an interesting subject and injected Leftist politics and CGI special effects.

The poor BO probably also had something to do with the fact that REDTAILS was freakin' awful. The dialogue was severely cringe-worthy and the whole picture was cheesy beyond belief. Only some of the CGI dogfights looked good, and even those were ruined whenever a character opened his mouth. I wanted to like it, and looked forward to it (despite Cuba Gooding's presence), but felt ripped off after spending my $1 at Redbox to rent it.

The Doctor is out. Far out.

[–] millionwatts77 11 years ago

Supposedly this movie is "inspired by true events". Maybe. If this WAS based on a true story, I would much rather see it produced as a documentary, even if made for TV or cable over a dramatic thriller which you just KNOW has tons of artistic license taken.

Fair enough. It does make me wonder though why you spend the rest of your post complaining about not enough movies being based on real events. Unless they are about Russia, of course, since all their historic documentation cannot be trusted. Sure, their history is exponentially longer and so much richer on stories, but apparently they are all lies. Much unlike REAL (yes, capital letters to emphasize authority and superiority) stories about REAL (don't you even dare to doubt it) American heroes. Death to all fiction, we need more indoctrination in entertainment. McCarthy would love it!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]