Panatrog Website Infiltrated

Lexi came through again, this time supplying the pass phrase to access the Panatrog website. Using her riddle, we realize that the pass phrase is "Grey Elephants Denmark". Type that in at http://www.panatrog.org. You will have access to all kinds of cool "classified" documents and videos.

I found a great blog out there that is keeping track of all of these HBII Viral secrets. For continued viral updates, check it out: http://www.hellboybigredblog.blogspot.com/.

Cloverfield - Monsters on Tape

Well I finally saw Cloverfield. It is one of those movies that demands viewing on a large screen - anything less than a 50 inch television won't do it justice. Fortunately, I have a projection TV in my basement, so I'm covered.

I really liked it. It was a fun monster movie that was not clouded by unnecessary gore or "where did it come from" subplots. These days, it is becoming a bit cliche to have a movie presented as a "hand held home video" - like The Blair Witch Project (the first film to succeed, at least financially, on this level).

J.J. Abrams and his team kicks it up a notch, and deliver some great effects and thrills as a group of young, white professionals get chased through the city by a giant monster (anybody else feel like they were watching a Friends episode gone horribly wrong? I would have paid money to see Ross get chewed up like monster beef jerky).

Anyway, what I most wanted to write about was the presentation - the movie "home video." Some people may think it is becoming cliche to present a feature film as something filmed on a home video camera. I disagree, only in that in can be a very effective story telling technique for engaging "realism." A monster movie is a monster movie, but I think trying to disguise a film as something that actually happened adds to the fun. I think it makes it easier to immerse yourself in the fantasy - it might be the closest thing to making a movie into a roller coaster ride (outside of jostling the theater around with a crane arm). In fact, many people experienced motion sickness while watching the film in theaters.

The main drawback is that it is hard to keep a believable narrative going. The dialogue and such didn't ring true, and I found myself completely uninterested in their various relationships and emotional detachments - I just wanted to see the damn monster. Its like trying to watch a video on YouTube of some insane "caught on video" moment, and you just want to fast forward it through the crap so you can get to the nitty gritty. But I understand the need to build up some kind of narrative and plot (in this case, guy wants to rescue girl), but let's try to be more creative here - maybe next time (Cloverfield 2: Monsters in the 'Hood?) the guy just wants to scrape some scales off the monster so he can sell them on eBay for mucho dinero.

Risking life and limb for cold hard cash? Now that's realism!

Smaug and His Environment

GDT has already commented over at the TORN message boards on some of the things we might expect for Smaug's design.

First, he said that the two best dragon designs, in his opinion is, the Eyvind Earle / Disney dragon from SLEEPING BEAUTY, and Vermitrax Pejorative from DRAGONSLAYER.

I have not seen DRAGONSLAYER (should I?) but I have vivid memories of the Malificent dragon from SLEEPING BEAUTY. I saw it on a huge screen at a drive-in movie theater in rural Indiana. My parents and I were parked in a brown Buick station wagon. The wagon was turned around, with the back opened up and I was lying on blankets and pillows watching the movie. The radio was tuned to the movie audio. On that drive-in screen, the dragon was enormous, scary (to a youn'un such as I) and beautiful. Just as striking was the fire and color that surrounded the dragon, making each frame a feast for the eyes. When GDT said over at TORN that, "Smaug is the perfect example of a great creature defined by its look and design, yes, but also, very importantly, by his movement and -One little hint- its environment", I can only hope he is channeling those images of Earle's dragon, with his black, elegant body traipsing through the fire and brimstone, with each flame, each rock, each cloud of smoke evoking the power of the dragon.

Here are some pictures of the great Eyvind Earle creation, and how the environment exudes just as much power and fear as the dragon itself.

For more on GDT's comments on Smaug, go here.

HBII Viral Marketing, Part 5

In Lexi's latest vlog, Lexi shows a picture of her father. There seems to be a PANATROG logo in the picture and the code SE-514. If you turn the letters into numbers you get 19-55-14. There were reports that entering these numbers into the secret device you could get digital specifications on a tooth fairy, but it doesn't seem to be working anymore. For pictures, visit http://hellboyfilm.over-blog.com/

On Smaug and Vader

Smaug.

Those who have read THE HOBBIT understand the weight he bares on its story. He is not just a dragon. Not just a villain. His presence looms over the entire narrative, both through his monolithic physical form, and also for what he IS.

Says GDT on the TORN message boards, "Smaug should be 'The DRAGON' for all movies past and present. The shadow he [casts] and the greed he comes to embody- the 'need to own' casts its long shadow and creates a thematic / dramatic continuity of sorts that articulates the story throughout."

Some LOTR folks may cringe at what I'm about to say, but I think it is a valid comparison: Smaug is Darth Vader with scales.

That's not to say that Smaug is Bilbo's father (although weirder things have happened - did you see BEOWULF?). When I make this comparison, I'm talking really about two things:

1. When most people think of the ultimate science fiction villian - they think of Darth Vader. Some even think of him as the greatest villain in movie history (I do!). His status as a symbol of evil, a symbol of dark power, is unquestioned. When you see the old Star Wars movie posters, it is the Darth Vader helmet that is looming menacingly over the heroes. Smaug needs to have that kind of presence, that kind of stature, in the minds of movie-goers. Given GDT's quote above, I think he has the right idea. Its not just a matter of making a "cool-looking" dragon. This is about building an iconic character that stands out from all other dragons in movie history.

2. The Star Wars saga is not about Luke Skywalker. It is about Darth Vader and the ultimate redemption of Anakin Skywalker. Each character in the film is linked in some way by Vader's destiny. Smaug's impact on THE HOBBIT is similar, although not so profound. It is not Smaug's destiny that fuels Bilbo and his cohorts, it is his "essence". His greed. His pride. These traits are at the heart of Bilbo and Thorin's actions and drives the story. One rejects them, the other is enslaved by them.

(Relatively, Luke rejects power when tempted by Vader in their final confrontation. Vader's "essence", I would say, is power.)

Just a few random thoughts - feel free to comment below. I'd love to hear your take, or if you think this is a worthwhile comparison.

HBII Viral Marketing, Part 4

GDT has posted some interesting videos over at the Hellboy 2 message boards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03fvxlvC1XY

Where did the portal come from, you ask? Maybe this explains it...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOqVFJA0bBk

HBII Viral Marketing, Part 3

So, if you happen to watch Lexi Lloyd's (http://www.lexilloyd.com) vlog about dreams and doors, you will see a code in the top left: 07-01-89. Mix up the numbers and put 1-89-7 in the Secret Device (http://www.thesecretdevice.com)

Now you will see what looks like a bio-spec film on a "Cave Berserker" monster. Not sure of the significance yet...