I know that Summer is already upon us, and so are the movie studios hopes of a big summer hit. How about a possible summer sleeper hit? Check out this review of “Reign of Fire”: http://www.myreelreview.com/ review.asp?ReviewID=163 (remember to remove space at “/ review.”). This is just one positive review of seen of this flick. After reading that, go to the official site: http://bventertainment.go.com/movies/ reignoffire/index.html (space added at “/ reign…”). Marvel at the site of a post apocolyptic war against dragons being fought with fighter jets and Panzer tanks. It opens on July 12 - see you there.
Saw the trailer and they had my money then. I love this kind of shit. i hope it is as good as the review.
I saw “Renee of Fire” I never knew such things were possible with just three people!
Geez, I just noticed all my typos in that initial post. Sorry about that. It was early when I was typing and I hadn’t any coffee yet. 
But, I know what you mean, huck. I love this type of stuff, too!
Welcome to the world of formula flicks. This one and “Eight Legged Freaks” (haven’t seen either one) seem like the same movie with a different setting. Haven’t we seen these before? These things are better as comedies than anything else.
Uh, brider: The premise for both films (Reign of Fire/Eight Legged Freaks) are completely different. “Reign” is exactly what I had called it: “post, apocolyptic war against dragons.” This film has a more serious tone - while, “Eight Legged Freaks” is a homage to the old, “giant spider” B-Movies. It’s completely lighter in tone.
What makes these two movies very interesting, is the fact that they ARE NOT "formula" flicks. Neither movies have "big A-List" stars (unless you consider Matthew McCougnahay a A-List star) - and both studios are having a difficult time promoting either film, due to the fact that they do not fall into ONE category (drama, sci fi, fantasy, comedy, etc.).
They are different. Think of 8LF as a modern version of “Them” the 50s classic about giant ants attacking LA. It is campy on purpose. ROF is more of a “humanity against the (insert villian, alien, etc here)” film, with a more dramatic tone.
Matthew McConahay (SP?) is definitely not A-list but I was sold as soon as I saw he was in it. He made Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3 worth watching.
Seems I touched a nerve there. Wasn’t trying to dis any one. Any way, I’ve only seen the short TV spots for both of these, and my impression was that they were kind of the formula monster flicks. But then again, Star Wars was pretty much “Knights of the round Table.” I have no doubt that I’d be entertained watching “Reign of Fire” (I’ve seen just about every other movie involving dragons). BTW, just as a matter of oddball interest, were the “dragons” depicted for RoF the two-legged variety? If so, they would be properly called “coldrakes” rather than “dragons.”
Good catch about the dragons. They are indeed the two-legged variety. Never thought about that.
Oh, and Star Wars was built around Kurosawa, Japanese Samurai, the American Western as well as Knights of the Round Table. And you didn't touch a nerve! It's just that for once, we get a couple of movies that are going against the grain of H-Town for summer entertainment. And I for one, would like to support 'em!
Patricia
Yup, I downloaded the Trailer for this movie after seeing the ad on Espn.com. They had my money right there.
On another note Brider, could ya tell me why, or where the two legged variety are “Colddrakes” and not “Dragons”? I’ve always been interested in this sort of stuff, and the differences between the oriental and more western styled dragons.
Well, I have just read three more reviews and one had a HUGE spoiler. Oh well. We’ll still be there in the theater this Friday. Oh, and BTW: The “Batman vs. Superman” movie may now be a reality - the studio may have a lock on a director. A pretty decent director and are now planning a 2004 release.
Reign of Fire looks really interesting. I’ve always liked movies that can mix sci-fi and fantasy (the ones that do it well, I should say).
Is the “Batman vs. Superman” movie going to be based on Frank Miller’s “The Dark Knight Returns”? If so, that would be pretty kick ass…
Actually, I first ran across the reference to “coldrakes” in a childrens book (don’t remember the title), many many years ago. I’ve run across it a few times since as well. If memory serves, the coldrakes were a bastardization of dragons and man (evil sorcery), and thus the hatred between coldrakes and man. The dragons were always noble beasts, helpful to man. It’s a western thing, based in pre-medeival lore. Don’t know the eastern references.
Are ‘coldrakes’ similar to Draconians in the Dragonlance novels? They are the magically altered offspring of metallic dragon embryos.
A pretty good resource for dragons is of course, Dungeons and Dragons. If you go to the Wizard of the Coast website (they are the D&D headquarters), I think you can find some info on all the different dragons.
Spanky: hey, dude, there has been in "development hell" a "Dark Night Returns" film. Darren Aronofsky (PI, Requiem for a Dream) was set to direct. Talks with Kurt Russell to portray a older Bruce Wayne fell cold. Then the studio shifted to Michael Keaton - and it stopped there and so did the project. NOW, there has been talks about a "Batman: Year One" and/or a live action film based on the "Batman Beyond" animated show (which would be REALLY cool!) - both are in script stages.
Excellent books, Michelle. Weis and Hickman are great fantasy authors.
Ahh Brider, I was a lil confused. I was thinking more along the lines of the european dragons compared to the ‘wyrmlike’ chinese, or oriental dragons. And when ya mentioned being on two legs, I was thinking more along the lines of any dragon with legs, hence the medivel thing.
I saw a sneak preview of this movie and it was damn fine. I think they would in fact qualify to be dragons, they kind of crawl around like bats.
Both Batman: Year One and Batman Beyond are excellent ideas for movies. I’d still really like to see Supermand get his ass handed to him by Batman, though…
As far as dragons go, I've heard the terms "dragon", "wyrm", "drake", and "wyvern" all used interchangeably, although I believe that dragons and wyrms are supposedly the more intelligent versions.
The distinction I was making was between the 2-legged variety (that, as you stated, crawl like bats, and was featured in the movie “Dragonslayer”) and the 4-legged variety (that walk like other 4-legged beasts, and was featured in the movie “Dragonheart”). Also note the disposition of these “dragons” – teh two-legged one in “Dragonslayer” was the destructive type, while the 4-legged one in “Dragonheart” initially helped the prince (by giving a piece of his heart), and later struck up a deal with the Dennis Quaid character.