SuperNova

[PKerr]

So me and the GF are cruising through the electronics isle at an outlet store called Big Lots a few weeks ago and find a big display of $4.00 DVDs

Most of the stuff in the display I had seen or wouldn't even pay $4.00 for but this one title got my attention called "SuperNova".

Sci-Fi...me like Sci-Fi

Then I see on the box "Never before-seen R-rated version!"

Hmmm..

So I flip it over and I start reading the names of the actors.
James Spader
Lou Diamond Phillips
Angela Bassett
Robin Tunney

Hmmm... heard of the those folks, $4.00 what the heck.

I finally got around to watching it tonight, pretty good movie with lots of deleted scenes.

I don't know how I ever missed it since I like Sci-Fi flicks.
It's been around since 2000.

I'll say, It's a keeper and will proudly go in the Sci-Fi section of my DVD collection.

Anyone else ever see it?

What did ya think?

 

[Aragorn]

For a moment I thought this would be about the Luke Perry, Tia Carrere, Peter Fonda sci fi cheapie that's been floating around the new release shelves.

I saw Supernova years ago. Thought it was pretty average. Walter Hill was the director and the studio didn't like his cut and redid it, so he wanted his name taken off and they made up a new name instead of saying it was directed by Alan Smithee. Francis Ford Coppola also did some uncredited editing/directing to try and salvage it.

But the James Spader buffness in this movie shows that anyone who doesn't have a 9-5 job that they're required to go to five days a week who can afford a personal trainer and nutritionist can get in supershape, no problems.

 

[auntiehill]

I remember seeing it in the theaters when it first came out. I thought, "Spader? Bassett? Sci Fi? Sounds good!"

I love movies. I love going to the movies. But this film.... WOW. What a crushing disappointment it was.

The direction was god-awful. This movie had no idea what it want to be---action-thriller-philosophical-horror-drama-scifi-what-the-fuck-is-the point? The plot was completely scattered; they are supposed to be on a rescue mission, but they only have enough pods for the immediate crew? Even the actual look of the film is a mess. Some shots are out of focus or you can't see who is talking during supposedly tense scenes. And there's the dramatic fog that shows up for no damn reason. Some frames are grainy while others are crystal clear.

I recently found out it director Walter Hill was so disgusted by studio interference that he took his name off the film. It says Thomas Lee on IMDB, as a DGA psuedonym. I can see why. I wouldn't want this on my resume, either.

 

[Kryton]

Just a note...the Guild retired the "Alan Smithee" pseudonym about 10 or so years ago when it became so well-known it was a pointless effort in the first place (there was even a movie called "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn" for which director Arthur Hiller even gave co-director credit to Smithee (played by Eric Idle in the movie)).

Last I read (some years back) there was a rotating list of 10 or 15 pseudonyms in use for that purpose these days.

 

[broberfett]

It was really short, but I like the look of it and the crazy glowy thing that supes people's bodies up. I feel like the movie needed at least another 20 minutes.

 

[Ben Sisko3]

Just a note...the Guild retired the "Alan Smithee" pseudonym about 10 or so years ago when it became so well-known it was a pointless effort in the first place (there was even a movie called "An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn" for which director Arthur Hiller even gave co-director credit to Smithee (played by Eric Idle in the movie)).

Last I read (some years back) there was a rotating list of 10 or 15 pseudonyms in use for that purpose these days.

Famously, David Lynch requested the name "Judas Booth" be put on the theatrical cut of Dune, believing the studio had betrayed and murdered the project.

And count me in on the dislike for Supernova. I too was very anxious to see it, but was sincerely disappointed -- this coming from a Walter Hill fan.