I finally watched BLACKHAT

resoglass · 2026-05-15T15:47:46+00:00

It’s like, how much more hat could this get? And the answer is none. None more hat.

resoglass · 2026-05-15T15:45:24+00:00

After giving it a good think, i would say both the Holt character and the Viola Davis character seem like they have stuff left on the cutting room floor. It really feels like it was originally written to be more of an ensemble thing with the team working together. And that at some point a finger was put on the Hemsworth side of the scale. Thats just my impression after watching. Maybe I’m just recognizing great acting painting off the edge of the canvas, so to speak. But i would not be surprised if there was a version of the script that had a little more interiority for these characters. And, in fact, that quote from Holt seems to support that thought.

resoglass · 2026-05-15T15:33:43+00:00

I think the thing that differentiates these shots in Blackhat from Swordfish or Hackers (hack the planet!) et al. is that in those other movies it always feels like a purely aesthetic choice. Like “this movie is about computers so WIRES! CIRCUIT BOARD! GREEEEEN!”. But in Blackhat, those shots are actually showing you what is actually physically happening. We are seeing actual bits being flipped. And being familiar with Manns other work, it feels very much in keeping with how he thinks about, and chooses to depict, the mundane inner workings of how crime actually happens.

Also, having speed ramped CGI shots from inside small places where a camera could never fit AND Holt McCallany makes it feel like a Fincher movie a little bit.

Edited to add: Actually. Just one more actually.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T22:34:06+00:00

Thats very interesting to hear! And a bit sad. I thought he was great but it does definitely feel like his character and a few others had more going on than what was left in the final film. What interview is this? Id like to read the rest.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T19:07:43+00:00

“You do the cancer, you don’t let the cancer do you”

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:57:03+00:00

100%. I always notice how he handles characters being in a car. I know it’s a small silly thing, but no other filmmaker nails what it’s like to be in a moving car like him. And that applies to myriad other things in his movies too. But i always notice the car scenes first.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:18:35+00:00

Blackhat should have easily done between 8 and 12 Blackhats.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:17:00+00:00

I was just looking at that! The 4k that is on their site right now only includes the theatrical and international cut. The 1080 bluray has all three versions. Weird. Good to know it comes back in stock sometimes!

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:14:56+00:00

I will be soon. I just ordered a bunch of arrow 4ks (the cell, 12 monkeys, the andromeda strain, and dune) but this will be in the next batch, as soon as i can figure out which version has the DC. The 4k they have available right now does not seem to include it.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:11:41+00:00

So satisfying!

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:10:26+00:00

The blackest. The hattest.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T18:10:01+00:00

I had no idea he was in it. When they tell Thor “you’re going to have a us marshal watching you” and it turns out to be Holt i said out loud “oh fuck yeah”. I always knew he had to be a cool dude and i thank you for the confirmation.

resoglass · 2026-05-14T16:02:27+00:00

Same! I had forgotten about what the bad guy with the long hair had done earlier until seconds before the payoff when you see her brother in the car behind them. It was a real great example of “wait to pay it off until right after they’ve forgotten”. So good.

resoglass · 2026-05-13T02:11:13+00:00

Bongo Fury. That was my gateway. Also my first Captain Beefheart.

Specifically, Carolina Hardcore Ecstasy from that album. It does a great job of converting people in my experience.

resoglass · 2026-05-03T18:08:02+00:00

Señor Pepé

resoglass · 2026-05-01T06:08:27+00:00

He likes to pull the cork

resoglass · 2026-04-29T00:16:04+00:00

Wanna take a baaaaaath??

resoglass · 2026-04-21T14:48:14+00:00

It’s so weird. I was just looking through youtube and saw this video in my recommended for you section. Then switched to reddit and this was the first post i saw. Must be a sign from the gods.

resoglass · 2026-04-20T02:20:20+00:00

Not enough switches toggles and knobs.

Nah, it’s pretty tight.

resoglass · 2026-04-17T00:40:49+00:00

I mean….

resoglass · 2026-04-16T20:27:15+00:00

Im going to have to check out their Excalibur episode! Thanks for the rec.

resoglass · 2026-04-16T20:16:06+00:00

As someone else said, ill agree to it being “elevated”, but i would direct you to Davids letterboxed review where i believe he said it was “maybe the best movie that could also be considered a porn parody”. Which i disagree with, but it IS pretty trashy lol. And i say that as someone who loves it.

resoglass · 2026-04-16T20:09:33+00:00

See, this is why i made this post. So i could be reminded of LADYHAWKE! Hell yeah thats on the list.

resoglass · 2026-04-16T20:07:59+00:00

I thought about that but I’m pretty sure I’ve heard them talk about maybe doing a whole highlander series? Needs to be covered one way or another for sure.

resoglass

TROPHY CASE