Podcast Summary
Ridley Scott's inconsistent storytelling: Despite having impressive technical elements and resources, some Ridley Scott films, like 'Legend', fail to effectively utilize their strengths due to disorganized narratives.
Despite having impressive technical elements and resources, some films, like Ridley Scott's "Legend," may not come together as effectively as intended. The movie boasts stunning sets, unparalleled production design, a great cast, and intriguing ideas. However, its narrative fails to cohesively utilize these strengths, resulting in a disorganized and sometimes irritating viewing experience. This observation applies to other Ridley Scott films, showcasing his exceptional visual direction but inconsistent storytelling. While films like "Alien" and "Blade Runner" are critically acclaimed and perfect examples of storytelling and visual harmony, it's intriguing to explore the rougher edges of his filmography.
Ridley Scott's unique filmmaking style in Legend: Ridley Scott's distinct filmmaking style created a dark fantasy world in 'Legend' unlike any other in 1985, despite its narrative flaws and slower paces. Different cuts offer varying experiences for viewers.
Ridley Scott's unique filmmaking style sets him apart, even in films that may not be considered great. His approach to "Legend" created a dark fantasy world unlike anything else in 1985, despite the film's narrative flaws and slower paces. The different cuts of the film, including the director's cut with a Jerry Goldsmith score, offer varying experiences for viewers. While some may prefer the director's cut for its length and traditional score, others may hold nostalgia for the theatrical cut with the iconic Tangerine Dream score. Regardless, Ridley Scott's vision for "Legend" brought audiences to a new, dark fantasy realm that stood out from the gritty barbarian fantasies and animated high fantasies of the time.
Director's cut vs Theatrical cut: Director's cut provides a more immersive and detailed exploration of the story, while the theatrical cut aims for a more immediate and exciting experience. The director's cut may have an older look and more grain, but it offers a more nuanced and thoughtfully crafted viewing experience.
The director's cut of a film can offer a more nuanced and thoughtfully crafted viewing experience compared to the theatrical cut. The speaker provides the example of the movie "Legend," which has multiple versions with varying lengths and editing styles. The director's cut, released years later, allows for a more dreamy and hypnotic opening, whereas the US theatrical cut attempts to make everything tighter and more exciting at the beginning. However, this tightening effect can result in a less engaging and less effective storytelling experience. The speaker also notes that the director's cut may have more grain and an older look, which could be intentional to maintain the film's dreamy fairytale effect. Overall, the director's cut offers a more immersive and detailed exploration of the story, while the theatrical cut aims for a more immediate and exciting experience.
Ridley Scott's career: Ridley Scott's unique vision led to groundbreaking films despite commercial failures, marking significant steps in the careers of actors like Tom Cruise
The podcast Senora Sex Ed, hosted by Viosa and Mala, explores the experiences of individuals during their senior years, specifically discussing topics related to self-discovery and control, using the career of influential filmmaker Ridley Scott as a case study. Ridley Scott, born in 1937, started his career as a TV production designer and made his directorial debut with "The Duelists" in 1965. He gained recognition with films like "Alien" (1979) and "Blade Runner" (1982), but also faced commercial failures such as "Legend" (1985), a fairy tale that was visually and thematically too dark for children despite its fantastical elements. The screenwriter for "Legend" was William Hortzberg, who was best known for his work on the film and the horror novel "Falling Angel." Tom Cruise, who starred in "Legend," was still an up-and-coming actor at the time, having already appeared in films like "Endless Love" and "Risky Business." Despite "Legend" being a commercial failure, it marked an early step in Tom Cruise's career and led to his breakout role in "Top Gun" the following year. Ridley Scott's career showcases the highs and lows of the film industry, with his unique vision often leading to groundbreaking films that push boundaries.
Tom Cruise's physical appearance in 'Legend': Tom Cruise's rugged and feral appearance was emphasized in 'Legend' through filming techniques and positioning, while Tim Curry was hidden under heavy makeup to bring the villain to life
The 1985 fantasy film "Legend" features Tom Cruise in a leading role where his rugged and feral appearance was emphasized, with the actor often filmed from the waist up or in awkward positions to showcase his physique. Meanwhile, Tim Curry was hidden under heavy makeup to play the villain, the Lord of Darkness, in an intriguing decision that required both the actor's and the effects team's talents to bring the character to life. The film also marks a turning point in the fight against the mafia in New York City, with a group of young prosecutors taking on the powerful crime organization and ultimately dismantling it. In the entertainment world, the Amber and Lacey Lacey and Amber show on Will Ferrell's Big Money Players Network is back for a second season, featuring new segments and guests.
Cast diversity in The Dark Crystal: The Dark Crystal boasts a diverse cast featuring talented actors like Alice Clayton, Billy Barty, Kiran Shah, Corb Hubert, Annabelle Lanyon, and Robert Picardo, each bringing unique characters to life
The movie "The Dark Crystal" boasts an impressive and diverse cast, with notable performances from actors like Alice Clayton, who brought the goblin Blix to life with her unique voice and acting skills. Clayton also dubbed the character Honeythorne Gump, the youthful elf. The film features a range of other memorable characters, including Billy Barty as Screwball, a tiny character actor with a long career, and Kiran Shah as Blunder, a four-foot, one and a half tall actor who was Elijah Wood's scale double in the Lord of the Rings films. The cast also includes Corb Hubert as Brown Tom, a leprechaun, and Peter O'Farrell as Pox, a pig demon. Annabelle Lanyon played the temperamental fairy Luna, and Robert Picardo brought Meg Mucklebones, a hag, to life. The diverse and talented cast helped bring the fantastical world of "The Dark Crystal" to life.
Legend's Star-Studded Production: A star-studded crew, including Ashton Gordon, Alex Thompson, Vic Armstrong, Charles Node, and Rob Botin, along with Jerry Goldsmith and Tangerine Dream's scores, brought the magical and visually stunning world of 'Legend' to life.
The making of the 1985 fantasy film "Legend" involved a star-studded crew both in front and behind the camera. Notable figures include production designer Ashton Gordon, director of photography Alex Thompson, stunt coordinator Vic Armstrong, costume designer Charles Node, and special effects makeup lead Rob Botin. The film features two distinct scores: Jerry Goldsmith's original score and Tangerine Dream's electronic score for the US release. The production boasted impressive talents, with Vic Armstrong holding the title of most prolific stunt coordinator in the Guinness Book of World Records, and Rob Botin's team responsible for iconic makeup effects in films like "Star Wars" and "The Thing." The collaboration of these creative minds resulted in the magical and visually stunning world of "Legend."
Katie Couric vs Amber and Lacey: Katie Couric's Body and Soul newsletter and Amber and Lacey show offer contrasting elements: trustworthy health advice vs humor and engaging segments.
Both Katie Couric's Body and Soul newsletter and the Amber and Lacey Lacey and Amber show offer valuable information and entertainment, respectively. While Body and Soul focuses on trustworthy health advice, the Amber and Lacey show delivers humor and engaging segments. The Lord of Darkness from the discussed plot seeks to destroy the sunshine and rule over eternal midnight, emphasizing the contrast between light and darkness. Both Katie Couric and the Amber and Lacey show provide essential elements that cater to different aspects of people's lives, offering knowledge and enjoyment.
Light and Darkness, Sacred Rules: Disregarding sacred rules can lead to disastrous consequences, as seen in 'Legend' when Lily's impulsive action allowed goblins to exploit the situation and gain power, causing a calamity. Reverence is important to maintain balance.
The interconnectedness of light and darkness, and the consequences of disregarding sacred rules, are central themes in "Legend." Jack and Lily's actions, specifically Lily's impulsive decision to touch a sacred unicorn, lead to disastrous consequences. The goblins, representing darkness, exploit this situation and use the unicorn's horn to gain power, causing a worldwide calamity. The film highlights the importance of reverence and the potential consequences of disregarding it. Additionally, the goblins' behavior in this scene, characterized by their self-indulgence and rejection of social norms, can be seen as a representation of "goblin mode." However, not all goblins embrace goblin mode, as some, like Darkness, retain a greater understanding of the consequences of their actions.
Legend's mythology: The film features a rich mythology with intricately detailed magical creatures, a corrupted world tree symbolizing darkness and evil, and a quest for magical armor and weapons.
"Legend" is a fantasy adventure film filled with various magical creatures, including Honeythorn Gump, a magical elf-like leader, and companions like Brown Tom and Screwball. Honeythorn Gump communicates in unique time units and is the keeper of lore information. Tom Cruise's character must answer a riddle to prove his worth and embarks on a quest to obtain magical armor and weapons. Meanwhile, Lily encounters the unicorn mayor and gets captured by goblins. The film's mythology includes a corrupted world tree, which serves as a symbol of darkness and evil. Characters engage in battles against creatures like the Swamp Hag, and the story features intricately detailed scenes with visually stunning effects. Ultimately, the heroes must confront the Lord of Darkness in his tree castle. The film's rich mythology and imaginative world-building create an immersive and captivating adventure.
Labyrinth visuals: The film's unique blend of horror and fantasy is showcased through its visually rich settings like the Hell kitchens and the final confrontation between Jack and Darkness, which explore themes of seduction, transformation, and the power of light versus darkness.
"Labyrinth" features a complex and intricate world filled with magical beings, dark lords, and visual disturbances. The character of Sarah, played by Jennifer Connelly, is a capricious hero who defies expectations and desires both Tom Cruise and the enigmatic goblin king, Jareth. A goblin named Hoggle, initially presented as a villain, is later revealed to be a hidden folk of the forest and joins Sarah on her journey. The Hell kitchens, a terrifying and visually rich setting, are home to a dark lord, Darkness, who attempts to seduce Sarah and bring her into the darkness. The film explores themes of seduction, transformation, and the power of light versus darkness. Sarah's transformation into Gothily, with her mono brow, symbolizes her submission to the darkness but does not mean she's fully under its control. Jack and his friends devise a plan to bring light into the darkness and save Sarah from the clutches of Darkness. The film's visuals, including the Hell kitchens and the final confrontation between Jack and Darkness, are a unique blend of horror and fantasy.
Embracing darkness and light for balance: Ridley Scott's 'Legend' explores the theme of balance between darkness and light through its villain's defeat and the revival of unicorns, leaving a lasting impact with stunning visuals and iconic soundtrack despite rough edges.
Key takeaway from our discussion on Ridley Scott's "Legend" is the theme of embracing darkness and light for balance. The film's villain, Darkness, is defeated by being blown out into space, a common ending for villains in iconic films like "Alien" and "Gladiator." After Darkness' defeat, the unicorns are revived, and the supernatural winter ends. Despite some rough edges, "Legend" has left a lasting impact with its stunning visuals and iconic soundtrack. The film's impact is evident in its cult following and continued popularity. While the ideal happy ending may not be present, the message of balance between light and dark remains. The film's ending, depending on the cut, can be bittersweet or more traditional, with Jack and Lily coming to an agreement for Jack to stay in the forest while Lily visits him daily. Overall, "Legend" is a reminder of the importance of balance and the power of embracing both light and dark aspects of life.