Recent Dieselpunk films
Here's a listing of some "Dieselpunk" (either in nature or thematic content) films that have graced the silver screen as of recent or will be for anyone interested:
Iron Sky which I mentioned in the previous article I wrote in regards to dieselpunk an as I can see there is a topic posted here already... my views on this film are here and there - it looks a little too cartoony and most of the ideas taken from the ACTUAL secret Nazi space program seem to have been taken way out of context and distorted. There are many theories by Miguel Serrano who has studied a lot of the esoteric and hidden projects of the Nazi Regime, but I feel as though the filmmakers didn't really take any time to research it enough so it ends up being another Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (which also I wasn't too impressed by either). In any case it looks good, but I hope the CGI won't be over-used as I can't stand it.
City of Ember - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/
think Dark City and a mix of a post-apocalyptic version of M. Night's The Village... I actually enjoyed this somewhat, it has a lot of elements relating to the primitivism shown in a dieselpunk-infused community which relies wholly on electricity (and not the fancy type), from one generator. There are other elements provided which give off a very 'diesel' feel to the movie, however the story didn't make sense in certain parts and overall wasn't anything wholly original either. But worth a look for a laugh.
The Mutant Chronicles - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490181/
this was pretty good, in terms of the story - only like most action movies today, it suffered from the usual overuse of rapid-camera angles and incessant plot-holes due to continuous fight/action sequences. Overall it was also visually interesting and the idea was also somewhat original, even if it was adapted loosely from the table-top RPG.
I won't even list the noir-like films of The Spirit or even Max Payne as they both didn't really embody any of the true nature from the original material... I was sourly let down by both.
There are some other obscure projects which are very atomicpunk vis-a-vis dieselpunk for instance take this intriguing individual:
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html
I shall keep my eyes peeled for anything else, but as of yet haven't seen much of a revival. It seems the days of taking inspiration from the past eras is dying out, from what I can tell there seems to a be a new trend now in cinema venturing further towards different cultures.
However in any case I will check out Iron Sky, but won't hold my breath.
Iron Sky which I mentioned in the previous article I wrote in regards to dieselpunk an as I can see there is a topic posted here already... my views on this film are here and there - it looks a little too cartoony and most of the ideas taken from the ACTUAL secret Nazi space program seem to have been taken way out of context and distorted. There are many theories by Miguel Serrano who has studied a lot of the esoteric and hidden projects of the Nazi Regime, but I feel as though the filmmakers didn't really take any time to research it enough so it ends up being another Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (which also I wasn't too impressed by either). In any case it looks good, but I hope the CGI won't be over-used as I can't stand it.
City of Ember - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970411/
think Dark City and a mix of a post-apocalyptic version of M. Night's The Village... I actually enjoyed this somewhat, it has a lot of elements relating to the primitivism shown in a dieselpunk-infused community which relies wholly on electricity (and not the fancy type), from one generator. There are other elements provided which give off a very 'diesel' feel to the movie, however the story didn't make sense in certain parts and overall wasn't anything wholly original either. But worth a look for a laugh.
The Mutant Chronicles - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490181/
this was pretty good, in terms of the story - only like most action movies today, it suffered from the usual overuse of rapid-camera angles and incessant plot-holes due to continuous fight/action sequences. Overall it was also visually interesting and the idea was also somewhat original, even if it was adapted loosely from the table-top RPG.
I won't even list the noir-like films of The Spirit or even Max Payne as they both didn't really embody any of the true nature from the original material... I was sourly let down by both.
There are some other obscure projects which are very atomicpunk vis-a-vis dieselpunk for instance take this intriguing individual:
http://worlddominationtoys.com/drsteel/enter.html
I shall keep my eyes peeled for anything else, but as of yet haven't seen much of a revival. It seems the days of taking inspiration from the past eras is dying out, from what I can tell there seems to a be a new trend now in cinema venturing further towards different cultures.
However in any case I will check out Iron Sky, but won't hold my breath.
Comments
I also happen to be an avid listener of Dr.Steel. Didn't really like that sort of music until I discovered him. Gimmicky artist, really, but he pulls it off well.
I'm severely disappointed at the lack of Dieselpunk in general. So few artwork, films, or books...
On the other hand, a film as Australia, which really isn't dieselpunk of course, shows that that same movie audience also enjoys a tour back to a more realistic reimagination of the dieselpunk era. The genre has great potential and I expect we'll see more and more of it over the next few years, especially in film.
For now, I am looking forward to Iron Sky. I don't mind much that the film may turn out a bit cartoon-esque and ridiculous. I see plenty of drama and seriousness in the trailer so I don't think that will come to dominate the atmosphere of the entire film.
I don't worry too much about new stuff in the Pulp genre though... There are the few stirling examples like Sky Captain, Rocketeer, some Studio Ghibli stuff and Raiders, but for the most part, my interest is in the Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror (and music, for that matter) actually produced in the 1920's, 30's and 40's.
Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra (Not as jazzy, but he's certainly a staple in the music industry).
So off topic. (I'm not sure if that's an issue here or not).
La Antena
(He removes his fedora and trenchcoat and hands it to the coatcheck gal. She's behind a counter, dammit -- can't see her wheels.)
I offer my new indie film project, which is a love letter to classic sci-fi, classic films, and a "future that might have been."
Look for a short trailer and more later this year!
http://www.groovium.com/coming_attractions.html
http://www.coverbrowser.com/covers/astounding-stories
Also, welcome, of course, to the Smoking Lounge, sir! It seems you've come to the right place!
The trailer, care of YouTube.
I don’t really know much about it right now, beyond the fact that it started life as a 10-minute CGI short directed by Shane Acker (and can be seen in its entirety [url=”
http://www.ottens.co.uk/lounge/viewtopic.php?id=1402
Gangster Squad
Should the iTunes site be a bitch, here's the trailer on youtube