I would embed the video, but I know that some readers have trouble with the formats, so here is a link to the video instead.
I still have more than a few of the features on the Director's Cut of Zodiac to see or listen to, including David Fincher's commentary. This DVD is a marvel because it devours the hours and thrills the mind. The film (my imagination? I think not) looks even more stunning on this release than it did in the theatrical DVD and there is so much to take in. This is the kind of release I would have wished for Brokeback Mountain although I wonder if that was the intention - that we don't get to see what lies beyond the boundaries of a perfect story perfectly told. When I got hooked by Zodiac, I had no idea how much this film would inform me (or fascinate me) about the process of making movies and presenting ideas and this is due in no little part to David Fincher.
In this video below, David Fincher discusses the ways in which the new digital methods of filming and editing opened up a new world for him. Zodiac was a first in many ways, not least because here was a film that could be edited on a laptop in someone's home. The processes of post-production had suddenly become in-house, meaning that the director and editor had more control than ever and could recreate their vision the closest way possible.
The filming of Zodiac and its post-production - the challenge David felt to marry the new digital technology with the humanity of the stories told - comprises a hint of the future of film making, currently experiencing a revolution. As a director, David Fincher says of this new way of making movies: 'It makes me sleep easier... OK, I'm telling a story I want to tell and that's a great world for making movies.'
Pictures from WDW.
28 comments:
Hey WDW! Sounds like you had a nightmare Monday today, glad you're home safe and sound now and relaxing with Jake and a glass of something:)
You're so right, nothing like Cannes Jake to chase the blues away;) I've still got loads of the Zodiac DVD to discover. I think I'll watch the behind the scenes documentary next, although I still haven't seen the DC properly yet and I'm really looking forward to seeing that too, particularly for that scene with Avery in the car - I always wondered what it was all about, having seen the pic but then it wasn't in the film!
And oh God, yes, how I wish we'd had something like this for BBM. Can you imagine Jake and Heath doing a commentary together...*sigh* Who knows, maybe for the 25th Anniversary edition or something;)
Hey TL - it's been a terrible day! But yes, now it's just me, my Jake friends, Jake and a glass of Californian red. Cannes was the obvious solution! I keep getting distracted by the Making of documentary and the commentary and so I don't see the rest but now I'm ready to have a closer look - what a DVD!
Jake and Heath doing a commentary together?! OMG - maybe we wouldn't have been able to stand it...
doncha think that a film with Heath and Jake is inevitable? Ang thot they were a great couple. Im not implying same-sex "couple" - simply a nice magnetism between these guys. Just as we cast stories in our heads, I am learning producers and directors do the same.
I dont have time to watch the actors/producers etc. commentary again, would somebody check out whether or not somebody said Mark R was "hung like a horse". SURELY Im not imagining this. But who kmows. . . .
Yes, WDW - Cannes can! Jake stroking David Fincher's back! -
this cast seemed to be taking care of one another on the red carpet and in press conferences. nice to see.
stupid day: wet snow and a plumber invading my space and Im eating too much chocolate - holiday leftovers will be gone soon, tbtg.
Hi Pia - Jake and Heath just couldn't be more perfect together on the screen - a DVD exploring that would have been fabulous :)
Cannes has certanly done the trick. I love seeing this lot together onred carpets, looking after one another. Off to bed now, completely shattered - tomorrow has got to be better... :\
Poor WDW!!! I've never had to commute in my whole life!!! I did have to drive up to the state capitol frequently in another job, and could never understand how people went there to work on a two or three hour drive, every day! Horrible. Consider yourself hugged!
Fincher generated a lot of controversy when he decided to go digital as I recall. Very gutsy, ground-breaking move. And one that will save millions of dollars...and eliminate another profit center for some suppliers and processors in the film industry. Genuine economic impact from that decision. Very revolutionary for him as a director. Some people wailed that he would lose quality by not using "real film stock." But when I watched Zodiac there was no discernable difference to me. I was especially impressed with the texture of the night shots, and the atmospheric shots. The rainstorm and basement scenes being the very best example that comes to mind. Fincher's use of lighting is the most effective I 've ever seen.
Here is more praise for the Zodiac 2-disc DVD; excerpt from The Daily Texan:
Quote
1/14/08
Writers' Strike Remedy #2
Video stores offer steady alternatives; reviews a mixed bag
By Alex Regnery
With the Writers Guild still butting heads with the powers that be, there's very little left for viewers to do besides hit up the local video parlor. For your viewing pleasure, here's the best DVD to come out in a while, one of the funniest comedy series on DVD and then a true abomination splattering its way onto your screen. Enjoy!
'Zodiac: Director's Cut'
Not only one of the most amazing and engrossing films of 2007, "Zodiac" is also a DVD filled to the brim with insightful and exciting bonus features. David Fincher makes his most mature film to date, taking Robert Graysmith's book of the same name and faithfully committing it to celluloid.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr. and Mark Ruffalo all give great performances as do a dynamic supporting cast including Anthony Edwards and Brian Cox. You may remember the DVD already coming out last August in a disappointing bare bones edition, but Fincher and Co. have made sure that this latest release is the last one ever needed. It's no surprise that a film as intricate as "Zodiac" should have the same type of special features to boot.
On the disc there are two great commentary tracks, one by Fincher and the other by Gyllenhaal, Downey Jr. and the film's crew. Also included are two fascinating and epic documentaries about the film's production and the actual Zodiac crimes. With some of the coolest cover art this side of the Criterion Collection, it would be hard to find a film and DVD that satisfies as much as this one.
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http://media.www.dailytexanonline.com/media/storage/paper410/news/2008/01/14/LifeArts/Writers.Strike.Remedy.2-3151122.shtml
Morning everyone :) Guess what, another bad trip in - gales and rain - where is the summer!!
Hi Bobbyanna - thanks :D The lighting in Zodiac is incredible - visually (as in every other way) this is such a stunning film.
hey Herman - thanks for the link - that's a great article. I think it's included in my feature on some of the best reviews of Zodiac. It's definitely one of my favourites. I saw a couple more features on the DVD last night - I can't think of a DVD in my collection to compare it too, it's just so incredible.
Have a good day everyone :D
That reminds me, I still haven't gotten the special video of "Zodiac." I was snowed in yesterday anyway.....
Maybe "Zodiac" should be nominated for best cinematography, and/or best sound mixing, or best soundtrack, or best editing? There are a lot of technical areas in which it excels.
sorry to hear about your nightmare journey home, WDW, and then your nightmare journey in today. Poor you, hope you get home okay. A lovely post about Cannes, and made extra special for you because you were there and Jake connected with you. Still love seeing those smiley pics of him waving and smiling at you.
Still haven't got my special Zodiac dvd yet. Ordered it ages ago. Hope it comes soon, like hearing what you all think of it but want to see it myself!
Hi Paulh - definitely better to be snowed in with the Zodiac DVD than without it... I can't think of a category it shouldn't get an award for (except perhaps Best Musical....) ;)
Thanks Christie - a lovely lunch with Anouska has done wonders to improve the mood :D Thinking about Cannes is always such a good way to end the day though. I hope you get your DVD soon - not good that it's taken so long to arrive :(
(((WDW))) Sorry I've been AWOL for a few days and I can't stay to catch up now because I've been using what time I've had this afternoon rattling off my long-promised e-mails to TL and your trusty lunch date,Anouska!
It sounds like you've been having a testing time of it these last few days,so I just thought I'd stop off with a hug and I'll be back here later today/tomorrow.
Just skimmed some of the comments on this latest post and reading about hypothetical commentaries/conversations between Jake and Heath on a potential future bumper edition of "Brokeback" on DVD has made me come over all unnecessary! Off for a rub down with the Radio Times and a lie down in a darkened room (well actually,I'm off to do some ironing :-( Ay,caramba!) See you soon,Nxxx
all the goodies from Zodiac Director's cut DVD makes me want to kidnap Ang Lee and make him promise to release all the deleted scenes (I don't mind how "unnecessarily" you think the hippies-rescue scene is), with Jake and Heath commentary *together*, with all the bloopers, behind the scenes... from Brokeback.
Hope you'll have a better journey home tonight, WDW. I'm going now... awful weather! arrghhh.
WDW, do you think that that "fifth" member of the G family could be his godfather?
We would have Naomie, Stephen, Maggie, Peter (as Maggie's hubby) and Jake's godfather.
ETA: His godfather being a cinematographer. :)
Thanks for the hug Nadine just made it home and I'm as soaked as a TDAT extra :( If I find a Russian ship wedged in the streets of London town tomorrow I won't be surprised :\
There is so much room for a BBM director's cut - I doubt 2 discs would suffice.
Hi Winterbird - good luck getting home. I don't like all this talk of floods again :(
I admit the hippy scene sounded terrible but I'll put up with it, Ang!! A commentary, bloopers and bleepers, I wish we had more.
Hi there Family helper :D We did consider the godfather, but I reckon (after a flash of lightning lit by Ruby) that Jake was counting himself as the Fifth Gyllenhaal in the business :)
Warm hugs, and bunny slippers for all come home in the rain! hot ginger wine and whiskey for you know who? there's a good drink called Dark and Stormy, favorite of sea-going friends, for when we see those foreign ships comin' down our city streets.
Maybe David F and Robert Greystone could get together to solve the mystery of the fifth family member. I vote for Uncle Anders.
Good to see you Pia! Love the sound of the drink. I've got a bottle open but I could do with a hot toddy that's for sure. I love all this speculation about the Fifth Gyllenhaal, it's like the Fifth Beatle all over again :D
You sent me an e-, Nadine? Thanks, I'll go and have a look *
Today was a good 'un with WDW, I made her go to the place my pet barman works :)*
"just made it home and I'm as soaked as a TDAT extra"
[Wet Dark and Wild]
What a coincidence! The design on my desktop is the one where
the tsunami coming down Fifth Avenue is approaching the yellow
taxicabs....
"Maybe David F and Robert Greystone could get together to solve
the mystery of the fifth family member. I vote for Uncle Anders"
[Positively Pia]
Robert Greystone is a writer who lives in Utica, New York. Did you
mean Robert Graysmith? Or perhaps Lord Greystoke, a.k.a. Tarzan?
Yes, maybe Tarzan could have helped track down the fifth Gyllenhaal.
Austin and Reese Witherspoon would probably help, too. :-)
I wanna meet Anouska's pet barman!
I have a bottle of fizzy stuff open (the good stuff), so I am not responsible for anything I post anywhere, 'k?
Cool, Ruby * I will e- you too. I'd love a glass of fizzy.
Yep, you'd like him. Very tall, curly hair, shy smile, beautiful stance ...
Hi my trusty lunch date Anouska - Now I'm sure that barman gave me a wink when you weren't looking ;)
Hey Paulh - with our weather I won't be surprised at anything right now...Just so many talented Gyllenhaals (and they all have good hair too :D)
I'm not surprised you're attacking the Good Stuff Ruby - Try and save us some. :D I think the barman may have looked a little scared at one point... I'm doing another post now (a sunny one) so come back and let me know how tipsy you are :D
Anouska - it's no good, I know you were just looking at his bum :D
A gorgeous barman with a cute bum? Oh, well, okay, I have my Jonathan. I'll chut up and be grateful.
A gorgeous barman with a cute bum? Oh, well, okay, I have my Jonathan. I'll chut up and be grateful.
Hey Pia - I've seen better... ;)
"Yep, you'd like him. Very tall, curly hair, shy smile, beautiful stance ..."
Sounds yummy. Have him bathed and oiled and sent to my tent. With another bottle of the fizzy stuff. :D
Pauh's comment makes me think of Jake in a loincloth....
Ruby - wouldn't mind having your night :D Jake and loincloths, what are you trying to do to me?!
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