Author: David O'Flaherty
Sunday, 23 June 2002 - 06:06 pm |        |
So, I just saw the movie last night. I'd heard terrible things about it, so I went in with low expectations, low enough that I was hoping to get maybe a couple of hours of entertainment out of it. Those are two hours I'll never get back again.
Good God, what a terrible film. I understand artistic license, but if you're going to fabricate to make the story better, make the story better. Poor plot and sets looked like they were shot on a sound stage. Some of the worst dialogue since the Dick and Jane books. Hoaky and overly-sentimental ca-rap that made me want to write my congressman.
"Good night, sweet prince." How the hell did Depp and Coltrane keep straight faces during that scene? Great acting talents in that film, Depp, Coltrane, Ian Holm, the woman who was Dark Annie (remember her from Breaking the Waves), all horribly wasted like soldiers at Gallipoli.
Pardon the rant  I really hated this movie.
Dave |
Author: Stan Russo
Sunday, 23 June 2002 - 07:17 pm | |
Dave,
And you forgot to mention the delivery of Eddowes kidney before she gets killed. Maybe 'JTR' was a black magician after all?
STAN |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Thursday, 11 July 2002 - 03:30 am | |
Greetings all:
Something that has been bothering me about this movie is the quote that is credited to JtR: "One day men will look back and say I gave birth to the twentieth century". Where did this quote come from??? I do not recall reading this in any of the alleged Ripper letters. Admittedly, I have not read the diary (I saw no point; I thought it a hoax).
It drives me batty when a book/movie/tv show makes up a "quote", especially when the identity of the source is unknown. It drives me batty because I will inevitably try to track down where it came from.
Does anyone know where the heck this came from (And don't say *From Hell*, please)?
Just a note: If you dismiss the idea that this movie was loosely based on actual events, it wasn't so bad. I watched it when I was in one of my insomnia bouts and it put me right to sleep.
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Graham Jay
Thursday, 11 July 2002 - 04:31 am | |
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie! My advice would be that if you want to see a documentary, stick to the Discovery Channel. The makers are setting out to entertain, and the movie-going public, particularly here in Britain, are clued up enough to sift fact from entertainment.
I personally don't subscribe to the Royal conspiracy, although you must admit that it is the theory most likely to make an enjoyable film.
I will admit that Johnny Depp's accent nearly rivals Dick Van Dyke, and that Heather Graham displays plank-like qualities. (That said, I can forgive her anything after she played Felicity Shagwell, yum!). Many other actors turned in great performances, particularly the other "unfortunates".
In my opinion the makers did a great job in creating a very atmospheric piece, with great sets, and I think they succeeded in reacreating something of the menace that must have been inthe air that autumn.
I realise that there were inaccuracies such as the kidney which has been remarked upon many times. But surely it is worth it if the film inspires an interest in the case among a wider following. They can then read up on the subject themselves and, who knows, maybe it will be someone inspired by the movie who finally cracks the case! |
Author: Timsta
Thursday, 11 July 2002 - 10:47 am | |
Divia:
Sadly, "From Hell" *is* the answer. (Or maybe "From Hollywood".)
The quote you refer to is a paraphrase of dialogue from Alan Moore's graphic novel, Chapter 10, Page 33. The original dialogue (as spoken by Gull) reads:
"It is beginning, Netley. Only just beginning. For better or worse, the twentieth century. I have delivered it. Help me up."
Regards
Timsta |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Thursday, 11 July 2002 - 11:52 pm | |
Dear Timsta:
Thanks for answering my question. I will admit that I was fairly sure that "From Hell" was the only source. I was just hoping against hope that there was another answer.
Bleah.
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: NR Tomasheski
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 07:12 pm | |
I vaguely remember the concept being used somewhere else, other than Moore/Campbell's
From Hell, but can't think of where. I also remember the wording as being, "I have given birth to the Twentieth Century", not the wording spoken by Gull in Moore/Campbell.
I was hoping someone else would remember seeing it somewhere and enlighten us all, but I guess that's not to be.
If anyone has a copy of Moore/Campbell to hand (I borrowed it from the Library), one could check the annotations in the back and see if Moore says something about it. I don't remember one way or the other about that.
Divia: do you think it's an interesting idea, or hokey? I go back and forth myself. Certainly, there's much of the 20th Century in JtRs work, but was he a trailblazer? I'm not so sure.
NRT |
Author: David O'Flaherty
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 09:21 pm | |
NR,
I'm sure this isn't what you were thinking of, but I had the same familiar feeling about this quote (haven't read the graphic novel). Not worded the same way, and non-JTR related, but it still has the same sentiments:
"There was peace, and the world had an even tenor to its ways. True enough, from time to time there were events, catastrophes - like the Johnstown Flood, the San Francisco Earthquake, or floods in China - which stirred the sleeping world, but not enough to keep it from resuming its slumber. It seems to me that the disaster about to occur was the event, which not only made the world rub its eyes and awake, but woke it with a start, keeping it moving at a rapidly accelerating pace ever since, with less and less peace, satisfaction and happiness... To my mind, the world of today awoke April 15, 1912."
- John B. Thayer Jr., Titanic passenger
From 1940, I think.
Best,
Dave |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 09:53 pm | |
Hi, NRT:
I don't know; it's a great quote. I really feel that I have read/heard it somewhere else before. A friend of mine argued with me about it. He thought that JtR really did say it, I told him that it was impossible to know because we still don't know who JtR really was. This led me to think that perhaps it showed up in the diary.
As to whether or not JtR "gave birth" to the 20th century...
I think that statement gives him too much power.
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Walter Timothy Mosley
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 10:07 pm | |
Isn't the line in question from the 1979 JTR film "Time After Time"?
WTM |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 11:16 pm | |
AHA!
Thank you, WTM... I love you!
I think you are probably right. I knew I had heard it somewhere else, and I was very fond of that movie. I haven't watched it in awhile, I'll have to go back and view it again.
*smooch*
Divia |
Author: Walter Timothy Mosley
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 11:44 pm | |
Well, then, maybe next time you are in the chat room, I will show you my JTR etchings. 
WTM |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Friday, 12 July 2002 - 11:54 pm | |
WTM:
As long as you don't show me your Sickert paintings! *wink*
Divia |
Author: Brenda L. Conklin
Monday, 09 September 2002 - 06:35 pm | |
Somehow I never imagined Abberline to be such a sex god! ;-)
At last the truth is told: He was too busy looking good to solve the murders. |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Tuesday, 10 September 2002 - 12:57 am | |
Hello, Brenda-Lita!
Actually, I don't think that the real Abberline was altogether *unattractive*, though it's hard to say with drawings of course. Anyone know where we can find a photograph of him?
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Eric Cannon
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 12:39 am | |
*** SERIOUS SPOILER WARNINGS***
I was deeply saddened to find out that the movie was yet another that had one of the most laughable theories of all as its basis. Although, as has been mentioned several times before, the royal conspiracy is one of the most entertaining for a cinematic format. And I do admit, the scene where he carves up Mary Kelly gave me the shivers... not because of the gore (which is mostly obscured) but because of the glimpse of madness. Dr. Gull imagining lecturing about the human heart--- then imagining performing the mutilations in front of a throng of applauding freemasons, as though he has created a work of art. Pretty eerie to me.
I do also think that the overall atmosphere was great(as Graham posted). It was better than this thing I watched the other night with Patric Bergen as a detective and Prince Eddie being the killer.
As a sidenote, there is something at our Blockbuster Video stores here called "Ripper" i think, partially filmed in my own home town of Tulsa, OK! Don't run and get it... it is horrible. As i recall it concerns a college professor who has somehow been possessed by the spirit of Jack the Ripper. Filmed on video tape, it shows the Ripper disemboweling a girl right under the neon lights of the Metro Diner on 15th street here in town. LOL, I'll take "From Hell" any day.
Cheers,
Eric |
Author: Brenda L. Conklin
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 06:52 am | |
| I think watching a home grown Ripper movie would be a lot of fun! Also Eric, I just wanted to say that I understood exactly what you meant when you stated "the glimpse of madness"...I felt the same when I watched, also. Its one thing to spout our theories and coldly dissect the case as we do, and another to imagine Jack actually doing his deeds. Of course it would help our imagination if we knew what he looked like....! :-) |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 10:11 am | |
Greetings all:
Was it just my imagination, or did they actually "blacken" the Ripper's eyes in "From Hell"? I thought there was a noticable difference when he would be "working" versus when he was "normal". Or was it my imagination?
This certainly helped him look more evil, if that is what they did. Otherwise, kudos to the actor!
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Timsta
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 10:57 am | |
Divia:
Black contact lenses. Ian Holm's good, but not *that* good!
Has anybody seen Sam Lowry?
Regards
Timsta |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 04:10 pm | |
| Divia.....Ian Holm played 'Ash",the android in ALIEN (1978,Ridley Scott,dir.)...The dude's been around. also in Greystone,that Tarzan movie made in 1984.....what wigged my butt out was all the prep work Johnny D. hadda do to get a buzz !! Loading up with what looked like grade A opium,laudanum,and some "base"....That was quite a hit off the old pipe Johnny took........Yow !!! |
Author: Neal Shelden
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 06:26 pm | |
A few years ago I was an extra on a film, and Ian Holm was there acting one of the main parts. If I had known he'd turn out to be Jack the Ripper I would have called a policeman!  |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 07:52 pm | |
Dear Howard:
Did you mean "Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan"? I didn't notice Ian Holm in that one. I was too busy checking out Christopher Lambert... *grrrrrrrr*!
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 08:02 pm | |
| Wait until your boy-toy Monty sees that last post !! Its your funeral !........yeah,Divia,Greystoke,not Greystone...Yoy yoy yoy....Depp left his pipe here and well...you know....HB |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 08:10 pm | |
| Calling Mr. Evans !!!! Calling Mr. Stewart Evans !!!!!!!!! I swear to god,there is movie on tv called, DR.T AND THE WOMEN (2000,Robt.Altman,dir.) starring South Philly's( pronounced "Sowfilly" ) Richard Gere,Farrah Fawcett,and Helen Hunt..Its got nudity and its a comedy( kinda like me,a comedy when nude......) Guess you would have to be here to judge...Man,Depp left a lot in this pipe..........Yow ! HB |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 08:13 pm | |
| Mr.Shelden: What movie was it,if you don't mind my asking? |
Author: Divia deBrevier
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 08:31 pm | |
Dear Howard:
Monty should know that he has no reason to get upset... hey, just because you're on a diet doesn't mean you can't look at the menu!
Monty can sleep well at night, assured that the only competition he has right now is Simon leBon.
Warm regards,
Divia |
Author: Warwick Parminter
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:00 pm | |
| So, you needn't get any ideas Howard |
Author: Timsta
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:05 pm | |
Neal:
How bizarre. I too was an extra on a movie with Ian Holm ('Dreamchild' - he played Lewis Carroll, which given the current context is doubly coincidental).
Your Light-Hearted Friend,
Timsta |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:06 pm | |
| Warwick....at my age,ideas are about all I CAN get !!! HB |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:07 pm | |
| So....Timsta and Mr.Shelden....the CASEBOOK'S "Double Event"......... |
Author: NR Tomasheski
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:22 pm | |
And of course, you've all seen, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring", riiiigggght?
Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins!
What a range, what a range. . . |
Author: Timsta
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:26 pm | |
NR:
Actually, no I haven't. I know I would fall asleep halfway through.
Regards
Timsta Benzedrino
PS I *have* seen the Ralph Bakshi version through. On a double-bill with 'Fritz the Cat', as it happens. |
Author: Howard Brown
Saturday, 14 September 2002 - 09:29 pm | |
| Another coincidence..I'm watching DRUGSTORE COWBOY (1989) with Matt Dillon...and Heather Graham !!!!!!! Yow ! Wazzgoinon? |
Author: Warwick Parminter
Sunday, 15 September 2002 - 05:26 am | |
| Your in your prime. Take my word for it |
Author: Neal Shelden
Sunday, 15 September 2002 - 05:57 am | |
Hi Howard,
The film was called ESTHER KAHN. It was French made, and about a girl in the Jewish East End in late Victorian England. It did well in Europe and I think the US, but Britain hated it. Not because of me being it I think????
Hi Timsta,
So both of us passed on acting tips to Mr Holm!
I remember he spoke very highly of you |
Author: Monty
Sunday, 15 September 2002 - 06:07 am | |
Divia,
So I have no competition then ?
With thoughts of you Monty does, indeed, sleep well.
Howard,
Its Mr Moseleys offer of etching showing which has boiled the blood 
Ian Holm was in the Borrowers as well.
Monty
|
Author: Divia deBrevier
Sunday, 15 September 2002 - 11:28 am | |
Dearest Monty:
It is my understanding that Mr. Mosley's interest is purely professional. I could be wrong. He'd have to answer that himself.
And I hope you have sweet dreams of me!
*smooch*
Divia |
Author: Esther Wilson
Saturday, 21 September 2002 - 10:00 am | |
Divia--yes, I caught that eye trick immediately and thought it was a very interesting touch to the character of a "Mad Doctor".
Esther |
Author: Ashleah Skinner
Friday, 18 October 2002 - 10:16 am | |
| In the movie which was definately "From Hell" LOL it was claimed the producers used actual "case evidence" but even i could have made a better film with a realistic theory |
Author: Monty
Saturday, 19 October 2002 - 08:36 am | |
People,
I caught some news over the radio that Ian Holm has had to pull out of a play he was appearing due to illness.
I do hope that he is on his way to recovery. He was the only decent thing in that film.
Monty |
