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Post by Wendy on Aug 22, 2005 18:47:27 GMT -5
So who all is planning on seeing the movie on Friday?
Tomorrow I am going to the premier, and managed to get 8 other passes for my grotto.
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Post by madratdan on Aug 22, 2005 19:52:30 GMT -5
It's Mikie's birthday on Friday. A whole bunch of us are going to see it. Meet at Mikie's at 6:00pm .
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Post by Sharon Faulkner on Aug 28, 2005 6:45:33 GMT -5
Wendy and Dan, Have you all been to see "The Cave" yet? Was it good, bad, funny? Any movie reviews for us who have yet to go see it?  |
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L Roebuck
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^V^ Just a caver
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Post by L Roebuck on Aug 28, 2005 12:17:46 GMT -5
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Aug 28, 2005 12:51:10 GMT -5
I saw the movie Friday night with a group of cavers. There were several reviews that flew around the VAR list. Here's what I wrote. It referenced something Roger Brucker wrote (I hadn't visited this list soon enough to hear that the official NSS DB was coming back): It seems I was not the only caver who felt the need to go see the movie on it's opening weekend. I'd watched the preview ahead of time and decided it was incredibly stupid. But as my friends Wes Skiles, Jill Heinerth, and a few others (Paul Heinerth, Brian Kakuk, Matt Matthes, etc) did a lot of the cinematography, I was very anxious to see it. I'd been given a few descriptions as to how the film was made, so I was anxious to see some of the stuff. For those who are trying not too give too much away--don't bother. It's pretty obvious from the trailer that cavers will be picked off, one by one, and that there's a monster(s). The only question is 'How many cavers survive?' I found it curious at the beginning there was a fairly accurate description of the workings of the rebreather (they used Megaldons) because they could use a well worn technique (also applied in Beyond the Deep) where one character explains something to another character as a way to actually explain it to the audience. But once the action begins, there are SO many compromises to make the story flow. The magic helmets were among the hokiest. Each person had a helmet that was unique in design and looked like hi tech bicycle helmets. But remember! These are movie stars--you can't go covering up their pretty faces too much. From the trailer, I wasn't sure they'd ever wear helmets. Actually, Roger comments on the scantily clad woman. I read a professional review that bemoaned that MORE skin weren't shown. Actually, I was impressed that several characters were sleeveless (Cuba was the only place I felt comfortable caving sleeveless--but Romania?  ). More than one woman in my group admired the muscles of the men in the shots. (And Roger, I think only the Hazel Barton stand in was a doctor woman--the other was a professional explorer). So here's a question for you... How many of you have had fist fights amongst the participants of an expedition??? I can think of one where it was inches from coming down to that. In conclusion, I thought it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. In fact, it was quite funny. I had a blast watching the movie. Unlike the Washington Post which said, "The Cave" isn't just a bad movie, it's a very, very, very bad movie, so bad that it can't even redeem itself by turning into high camp," I disagree! It's fantastic camp! This weekend I watched Batman Returns on DVD for Michelle Pfieffer's whip scenes (Halle Berry's were better). Batman (through his long TV and movie history) would use a grappling line and when he got to the end would just keep moving without ever having to detach! If we could all accept that as movie stuff, why not The Cave? I suppose if you're a non-caver, you might agree with the professional reviews that say it was too dark in the cave. But that was no problem for us. In fact, because I already expected superb footage from the crew, I can only say I wasn't surprised by how good that was. It was predictably terrific. Actually, this review, in which I am soliciting commentary, properly belongs on the NSS Discussion Board, but it's gone, perhaps for forever, so I'm sending this out as email. I smell water, Barbara am Ende |
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Post by Wendy on Aug 29, 2005 0:29:01 GMT -5
Wendy and Dan, Have you all been to see "The Cave" yet? Was it good, bad, funny? Any movie reviews for us who have yet to go see it? Sharon, I was honored with an invite from Jill Heinerth along with a few extra passes for my grotto for the premier. N onudity, not too scarey, no bad language, too many male hormones running amuck, great underwater cave shots, but most of the time I sat there with my mouth open with the "what the hell" look on my face, and cracking jokes to my friends bout things going on. Not the best movie out there, but fun to drink beer and watch on DVD with a bunch of cavers and cave divers. |
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Post by Rick Rhinehart on Aug 29, 2005 22:29:02 GMT -5
Sadly, "The Cave" earned $6 million gross its opening weekend, good enough for sixth position in the top grossing films in America for the week. Though it probably will drop in its second week of release as word gets out that it is not the "best" of films, it will most likely still be in the top ten.
Since Hollywood loves to copy and imitate, I wonder if this will trigger more motion pictures about caves and caving. There is a British film out this summer with the same general idea about cavers and creatures underground ("The Descent" -- though it has better reviews and takes place in the United States), so perhaps we'll see additional films in the coming years.
Are additional commercial movies about caves, caving and cavers good? Will such movies characterizing caving as an "extreme" sport be helpful to caving in this country and elsewhere, perhaps encouraging enthusiastic new participants? How will insurance companies react to films showing caves to be dangerous? (Already in Colorado, the commercial Cave of the Winds is requiring trip leaders to hold current First Aid and CPR cards before being allowed to lead trips to caves on the property.)
Richard Rhinehart
NSS 15822F
Colorado
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Aug 30, 2005 9:03:51 GMT -5
Hiya Rick,
I personally don't think it'll make all that much difference to caving. The IMAX movie didn't. The theoretically commercial book, Beyond the Deep, didn't (other than to convince people they didn't any part of that activity). Perhaps The Cave will scare people out of caves. The hope is that it won't make people hate caves. But in the big picture, I doubt it'll make that big of a difference.
There was someone in my local mountain biking club bemoaning that all the magazines show 'extreme' mtbing, and regular cross country riding is out of fashion in the mags. It's a universal trend, and I doubt it's gonna have that big of a difference in general.
Barbara
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Post by Rick Rhinehart on Aug 30, 2005 9:17:23 GMT -5
I found a website that suggests "The Cave" may not be considered a financial success by Screen Gems, the film's distribution company. Apparently, though the movie brought in $6.2 million in gross revenue its first weekend, it cost a reported $30 million. Unless DVD sales are huge, it is likely the film will lose money.
Cole Hauser, the star of "The Cave," was interviewed on another website and reported the DVD version will be the "Director's Cut," presumably adding deleted scenes, etc. We can all look forward to it for the holiday season.
Richard Rhinehart
NSS 15822F
Colorado
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Aug 30, 2005 10:01:18 GMT -5
I think the movie came in #6 in gross receipts for the weekend. Could that be considered good given that the critics universally panned it?
Well, it made 1/5th of it's costs in the first weekend. Granted, the first weekend is the big money making weekend, but could it eventually recover the other 4/5ths? I wonder how other movies do? Especially sleeper cult type films. I'm sure I'll buy a copy of the video. I'm thinking of rounding up some folks to go again at OTR. They're showing it in Elkins. I want to memorize a few more lines.
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Post by madratdan on Aug 30, 2005 23:44:36 GMT -5
This is what I posted on another DB about our trip to see the movie. I hate to sound negative, but I'd save my money and wait for the DVD to come out. "The Cave" is not going to last long in the theaters. Too cheesy and not very scary. At times it was hard to follow the plot. From the Jaws type music during the water scenes, to the classic scene of flames coming from various pools and tops of formations, in the last chamber. I think I saw a worker breaking out a hotsy to wash the cheese off the screen for the next showing!!! About 30 or so caver's from Denver and Colorado Springs, showed up to help Mike Frazier celebrate his birthday. Mike bought us all tickets and about half the people brought their caving helmets to wear. The highlight was seeing so many friends and having a good laugh about the movie afterward. No matter how bad the movie was, the friendly get together made it more than worth it, especially since Mikie bought the tickets!! Thanks Mike!!!! You da man!!!!! We all had a good laugh when one of the actors mentioned he wished Mexico had great caves like the one they were in. I believe it was during the first dive scene. Naturally, all the footage was from Mexico caves.  I can see this becoming a classic cult caver film someday. ;D |
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L Roebuck
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Post by L Roebuck on Aug 31, 2005 8:51:09 GMT -5
Does "The Cave" rate right up there with the 1974 movie "The Bat People" ? " Part human, part bat...unspeakable horror becomes inescapable terror!" |
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Aug 31, 2005 14:53:40 GMT -5
Does "The Cave" rate right up there with the 1974 movie "The Bat People" ? " Part human, part bat...unspeakable horror becomes inescapable terror!" You tell us! I've seen The Cave, but not The Bat People. |
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L Roebuck
Technical Support
Caving
^V^ Just a caver
Posts: 2,023
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Post by L Roebuck on Aug 31, 2005 17:17:33 GMT -5
I can compare them yet since I've seen The Bat People but not The Cave.
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Sept 1, 2005 8:21:32 GMT -5
I can't compare them yet since I've seen The Bat People but not The Cave. Yeah, but The Cave is currently in theaters, so it would be easier to catch it, than a 1974 movie!  |
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L Roebuck
Technical Support
Caving
^V^ Just a caver
Posts: 2,023
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Post by L Roebuck on Sept 1, 2005 10:07:09 GMT -5
I have The Bat People in my collection of "bad but humerous" cave related flicks that are a blast to watch with other cavers. And so I just wonder if The Cave would be worthy of adding to the collection? Sounds like I might just have to go to the movies afterall and scope it out.  |
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Post by Squirrelgirl on Sept 1, 2005 12:45:34 GMT -5
Sounds like I might just have to go to the movies afterall and scope it out. Why not? The "real" cave scenes are well done. You get that, and a good laugh, out of it! ;D  |
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Post by Jennifer on Sept 20, 2005 22:09:20 GMT -5
I don't think I ever posted about going to see the Cave. I liked it! The underwater photography was spectacular, I'd go see it again just for that!!  Yes, the plot was sort of cheesy. The monsters had about the right amount of "scare" for me (I'm a pretty weenie horror movie watcher). I did think some of the creatures they found in the cave were pretty ridiculous, but it gave me and my caver friends a good laugh! I don't see any way in the world this movie will cause an uptick in people going caving. If I was some Joe-blo off the streets, the scenes in the water with weird creatures with razor-sharp teeth picking people off would make me "not" want to visit a cave!  I will say the caving parts weren't as hokey as I'd expected. I fully expected all of the women to be wearing bikinis and the guys to Australian rappel without wearing a helmet. Nothing like that. I'd say it was a decent action movie. If you're not a caver, you wouldn't even notice all the silly caving stuff. Madratdan, I also loved the blazing brimstone room at the end of the movie. I wonder if I could find a chamber like that in a TAG cave?? Hmmm... Also, I want one of those instant-survey gizmos! |
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). More than one woman in my group admired the muscles of the men in the shots. (And Roger, I think only the Hazel Barton stand in was a doctor woman--the other was a professional explorer).
