Lovecraft, As Directed By Ron Howard? [Archive]

nekkerbee

03-26-2009, 02:01 PM

I'm tempted to say that any Lovecraft on the screen (big or small) is a good thing, but the concept is a tired one and I can't see Howard as having the requisite darkness to pull it off. However, Howard is a skilled and interesting director, so even if it's a mess it'll likely be an interesting mess.

But dammit, I want At The Mountains of Madness now!

Judas Booth

03-26-2009, 02:03 PM

I'll give him credit for trying to spread his wings, but he hasn't done anything to indicate that he could pull off a horror movie.

stelios

03-26-2009, 02:04 PM

Howard may be skilled but I don't think he has the capability to deliver visually. And for big screen Lovecraft you have to. It will be laughable otherwise. CGI squids sell the material way short.

Martin Savage

03-26-2009, 02:08 PM

The only way Ron Howard can make a Lovecraft movie somewhat terrifying is by casting Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump as Yog-Sothoth.

Troy Nixey

03-26-2009, 02:18 PM

This comic was obviously created for one reason...to be made into a movie. When that happens you can only have "suck" as a starting point.

Sebastian OB

03-26-2009, 02:34 PM

OK, I'm going to stir up some shit here and say that Lovecraft film adaptations don't really work. Sure, RE-ANIMATOR is great but it's not the Lovecraftian elements that make it great. Every single other adaptation is a mixed bag to terrible and there's a real simple reason -- Lovecraftian horror is the horror of the unimaginable. As soon as you put tentacles on screen you are physically realizing something that was never meant to be physically realized.

I know some of you are going to insist that Del Toro is the man to finally do Lovecraft justice, but even then I have my doubts. Lovecraft's horror is meant to be the personal horror of your imagination. Even an imagination as vast as Del Toro's has it's limitations, at least as far as what he can put on screen. He's sure to do better than most though.

Sonic Boom

03-26-2009, 02:37 PM

That seems like a terrible choice to direct. Who will do the inevitable re-writes? Goldsman? Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel?

dudalb

03-26-2009, 02:41 PM

What next?
How Cthuluhu Stole Christmas?

Phil

03-26-2009, 02:44 PM

Ron Howard? Horrors. Unimaginable.

Every single other adaptation is a mixed bag to terrible and there's a real simple reason -- Lovecraftian horror is the horror of the unimaginable.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j91/terminallunch/tap.jpg

Jackson

03-26-2009, 02:51 PM

What next?
How Cthuluhu Stole Christmas?

I'd pay to see that, actually

Judas Booth

03-26-2009, 02:53 PM

So would I. That could be a pretty funny movie in the right hands. One of you photoshop guys needs to get to work on that.

Alex Riviello

03-26-2009, 02:56 PM

Could do a whole series-

The Shub-Niggurath Code
A Beautiful Mordiggian
Happy Dagon

Rob

03-26-2009, 03:07 PM

I want Dagon to go "Ayyyeee"

Martin Savage

03-26-2009, 03:09 PM

I'd pay for Cinderella Ubbo-Sathla.

Though it could make for a nice Willow.

Judas Booth

03-26-2009, 03:10 PM

Seriously, I'm expecting some Litmus Configuration worthy posters.

Eyeball Kid

03-26-2009, 03:11 PM

Didn't Splash already prove that he can make terrifying films about half-humanoid horrors from the deep?

Maybe Ron has some things to work out of his system after presiding over two Dan Brown adaptations.

Trav McGee

03-26-2009, 03:30 PM

I'm already picturing the behind-the-scenes DVD extras with Howard looking over some concept art and laughing, "Whoa! Ha ha, that's great, but we should probably dial it back a little bit."

AMH

03-26-2009, 05:29 PM

I'm holding back on commenting until I learn the depth of Clint's inevitable involvement.

DARKMITE8

03-26-2009, 05:40 PM

Maybe Howard can channel some of his Roger Corman roots, but...

This article DOES NOT COMPUTE.

IggytheBorg

03-26-2009, 06:30 PM

My mind is blown by this news, almost as badly as it would have been had I beheld one of HPL's indescribable creations.

James

03-26-2009, 09:04 PM

Eh I don't mind it. I think Howard gets a lot of bad press (Though to be fair some of his choices leave a bit to be desired). But I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt.

Litmus Configuration

03-26-2009, 09:17 PM

I hadn't seen a Ron Howard film in several years when I finally broke down and saw FROST/NIXON based on the reviews, the cast and the subject matter. I was appalled by the lack of vision and control on display in that film. I have no doubt Ron Howard is a very kind, sweet person and works with nothing but the best of intentions. And in this world, those are certainly admirable traits. But aside from lightweight comedies, I'm not sure he has the chops for fare more challenging than PARENTHOOD, NIGHT SHIFT or SPLASH. And have you watched those films recently? The years have not been kind.

I guess I should give him props for trying, though.

nekkerbee

03-26-2009, 09:22 PM

I'm holding back on commenting until I learn the depth of Clint's inevitable involvement.

Clint Howard IS Pickman's Model.
http://ravivora.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/clint_howard.jpg
"But by God, Eliot, it was a photograph from life."

Evi

03-27-2009, 07:00 AM

Noone's done Lovecraft right, yet. Noone. And I have a feeling Howard won't be the first person to succeed.

Concept sounds more Men In Black than Call Of Cthulhu.

IggytheBorg

03-27-2009, 02:39 PM

I think "Dagon" got it right. . .

And the Silent "Call of Cthulhu" is pretty cool.

DARKMITE8

03-27-2009, 02:55 PM

I think "Dagon" got it right. . .

And the Silent "Call of Cthulhu" is pretty cool.
I'll agree, and I'm a fan of FROM BEYOND as well.

Werewolf Girl

03-27-2009, 07:45 PM

As much as I disapprove, I know I'm going to end up watching this.

BubWilliams

03-27-2009, 10:48 PM

And the Silent "Call of Cthulhu" is pretty cool.

Didn't those guys also do another a little while ago, I recall it being in sound though but I don't recall what it was called.

I'll agree, and I'm a fan of FROM BEYOND as well.

Well, who doesn't like Jeffery Combs biting someones eye out and sucking their brains through the eye socket?

nekkerbee

03-27-2009, 11:30 PM

Didn't those guys also do another a little while ago, I recall it being in sound though but I don't recall what it was called.

They're working on The Whisperer in Darkness but it hasn't been released yet.

Phil

03-28-2009, 01:06 AM

That one has a cool little trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQkos7WTHjg)

dudalb

04-03-2009, 07:49 PM

Frankly, the only serious film of Howard's I really liked was Apollo 13.

DARKMITE8

04-06-2009, 10:49 AM

Quick, someone PS Who-sucking tentacles onto Carrey's face!

http://a.abc.com/media/specials/moviesandspecials08/images/videoplaceholders/grinch2.jpg

Timothy225

04-06-2009, 01:07 PM

That one has a cool little trailer. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQkos7WTHjg)

Now that's what I'd expect from a Lovecraft film - make it a period piece in B&W. The compositions, shadows, etc. would be memorably haunting and keep the viewer up at night. If Howard goes this route I'd be pleasantly amazed.

I'm not denying Howard has the skill set to make good films, but to veer off into horror that's more esoteric and macabre than most audiences are used to... I don't see it happening. Although, if Howard really nails it, it would be kind of cool watching the audience go mad as Azathoth blurbles along onscreen (I have my Elder Sign, so I'll be OK, happily munching on popcorn).

BrundleFlyboy

04-10-2009, 10:38 AM

First picture surfaces from the Ron Howard Lovecraft movie...

http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/2016/cthulhukid.jpg

IggytheBorg

04-10-2009, 10:41 AM

That reminds me: at my wife's baby shower, my friend Nick & his wife gave my wife a stuffed Cthulhu as a gag gift. The gag was lost on EVERYONE in the room except me.

stelios

04-10-2009, 10:54 AM

That reminds me: at my wife's baby shower, my friend Nick & his wife gave my wife a stuffed Cthulhu as a gag gift. The gag was lost on EVERYONE in the room except me.

How inappropriate! Everyone knows that you're supposed to give idols of Shub-Niggurath to pregnant women, not of Cthulhu. I can't believe you have to deal with such peasants on a daily basis.

Alex Riviello

09-25-2009, 02:26 PM

Howard speaks- http://chud.com/articles/articles/20917/1/RON-HOWARD-TALKS-LOVECRAFT/Page1.html

I'm bumping this thread instead of starting a new one because we never got our Howard/Lovecraft mashup posters, damn it.

Showvillain

09-25-2009, 10:42 PM

Quick, someone PS Who-sucking tentacles onto Carrey's face!

http://a.abc.com/media/specials/moviesandspecials08/images/videoplaceholders/grinch2.jpg
Okay, so maybe it wasn't exactly "quick," but I had somehow missed this thread the first time around.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/showvillain/Chud%20Pics/grinchtentacle.jpg

IggytheBorg

09-25-2009, 11:09 PM

Bravo. You really captured the octopoid essence, SV.

soylentgreen

09-25-2009, 11:15 PM

Graham

09-29-2009, 12:31 PM

The Adventures of Young Howard Phillips Lovecraft! Isn't this the kind of shit Devin hates? (With good reason.)

Was IN THE MOUTH OF MADNESS a large enough release to be considered a litmus test for the general audiences ability to handle a Lovecraft film?

Not to smash the Tablets of Ibn Gazi; but would ANY of us WANT 'the general audience's ability to handle a Lovecraft film?'

...aside from it making MORE films possible, that is.

...ahh, the 'double-edged' sword.

stelios

09-29-2009, 01:08 PM

ryoken

09-29-2009, 01:53 PM

I think this project needs to be a crossover:
http://i44.tinypic.com/oshgfp.jpg

Graham

09-29-2009, 02:39 PM

The ONLY way 'the general audience would have the ability to handle a Lovecraft film' would be if the title had 'Indiana Jones and the...' in the opening credits.

...and after 'Crystal Skull', well...

Jan

09-29-2009, 02:42 PM

I´d watch the shit out of this:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/SuckerPod/indycall.jpg

ryoken

09-29-2009, 02:46 PM

I´d watch the shit out of this:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/SuckerPod/indycall.jpg

make it "directed and written by Frank Darabont", and i'd buy a ticket for every showing until its taken from the theater.

Werewolf Girl

09-29-2009, 03:00 PM

Speaking of Lovecraft films, I recently re-watched Spider and I'd love it if Cronenberg gave old Howard Philips a try. He would certainly have the oppressive psychological pressure of the Old Ones' presence down.

Of course I'd love it if Cronenberg made every movie, including romcoms.

Now that you've said that I realize that Cronenberg is the only director alive today who could do Lovecraft properly.

....Damn it.

DARKMITE8

09-29-2009, 04:09 PM

Okay, so maybe it wasn't exactly "quick," but I had somehow missed this thread the first time around.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v468/showvillain/Chud%20Pics/grinchtentacle.jpg

LOL Nice! (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hf6xT6xenbE/RiEK8lgBFpI/AAAAAAAAAH4/3osls0jxYgs/s400/familycircus_cthulhu.jpg)

Better late than never. ;)

soylentgreen

09-30-2009, 01:18 PM

LOL Nice! (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_hf6xT6xenbE/RiEK8lgBFpI/AAAAAAAAAH4/3osls0jxYgs/s400/familycircus_cthulhu.jpg)

Better late than never. ;)

In it's stark yet compelling simplicity, I think the Family Circus one is easily the more horrifying. Somehow it hits really close to home.

Showvillain

10-01-2009, 07:18 PM

I´d watch the shit out of this:
http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg39/SuckerPod/indycall.jpg

So would I. In fact, I'm going to start pretending that that was what I saw instead of Crystal Skull.

It's working. I'm a happier person already.