Is Jackson a hack?

[jerseydevil]

I was just wondering if jackson falls under the definition of a hack.

Hack: a professional, esp a writer, who does routine work for money.

To be exposed or offered or to common use for hire; to turn prostitute

To use as a hack; to let out for hire.

To use frequently and indiscriminately, so as to render trite and commonplace.

Originally, a quick job that produces what is needed, but not well.

Reason why I think Jackson is a hack is because he turned the Lord of the Rings into an action movie with very little substance. There were several other things. If Jackson really did cut out Saruman's character in RotK without any explanation - that completely drops a plot line - in place of additional action.

Jackson did a great job on the action sequences, the special effects, the scenary. the music and the costuming - but when it comes to the storyline and characterization - he fell right on his face. He set out the bait and we took it - some spit out the hook while others swallowed it hook line and sinker. Some just ate the worm and stole the bait.

I will continue, in later posts, to explain where I think Jackson went wrong on the movies, why I think he is a hack and why I think he was NOT the right director for the movies.

[olsonm]

Nope. :)

[Wayfarer]

Yep. ;)

[gdl96]

Come on guys. I don't feel the LOVE. Let's all hug and stop wit da hatin. Of each other. You can still hate the movies.

[mithrand1r]

I think that sums everything up nicely. :D

See. No ones feeling gets hurt. :D

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by gdl96
Come on guys. I don't feel the LOVE. Let's all hug and stop wit da hatin. Of each other. You can still hate the movies.
I don't hate you greg. But, I just don't like the movies or Jackson.

There is a difference between hating the movies, Jackson and the movie fans. However, I prefer movie fans who are primarily book fans though. Call me prejudice. :p

[gdl96]

I think everyone here is quite aware about your opinion of the movies. :p

[Wayfarer]

I hate you, GDL. :rolleyes:

Come /on/.

[Ruinel]

Absolutely. :) Jackson is a hack.

However, I'd like to correct you on a few things. Mainly, that he did a good job on the scenery, etc. In fact, PJ didn't do a lot of the best parts of the movie... he merely hired or assisted hiring people who were world class in their fields to do that work. So, truely, you can't completely contribute those parts to PJ.

1) computer generated imagery: WETA
2) blacksmiths, leather-workers, sculptors and experts in medieval armor: hired by WETA
3) special effects, including the Orc makeup and masks, and the scale size props: WETA
4) Scale sized models: WETA
5) Art department: Grant Major (Production Designer), Dan Hennah (Supervising Art Director), Chris Hennah (Art Department Manager), Matthew Mellor (Model and Sculptor Supervisor), Brigitte Wuest (Head Sculptor), and Christian Rivers (Storyboard Artist).
6) Costumes: Ngila Dickson (Costume Designer), Janis Macewan (Wardrobe Manager), Liz McGregor (Wardrobe Coordinator), Carolyn Fenton (Wardrobe Supervisor), Bob Buck (Extras Coordinator).

And there are more.

Funny how the best parts of the movie don't include Jackson. ;)

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by gdl96
I think everyone here is quite aware about your opinion of the movies. :p
But future newbies don't though. :p

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by gdl96
Come on guys. I don't feel the LOVE. Let's all hug and stop wit da hatin. Of each other. You can still hate the movies. "Dance Dance You little monkey bastard?" What's up with that? O.o
Anyway, it aint 'bout da hatin', babe, and it aint 'bout da love eethah. it's 'bout gittin yo mind right.

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by Ruinel
Funny how the best parts of the movie don't include Jackson. ;)
Well actually WETA was founded by Jackson - hence my comment that the money from New Line from one of Jackson's pockets to his other pocket (WETA). Lord of the Rings was a great way for Jackson to build up WETA into a world class special effects company and to create a great advertising vehicle for his company.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Well actually WETA was founded by Jackson - hence my comment that the money from New Line from one of Jackson's pockets to his other pocket (WETA). Lord of the Rings was a great way for Jackson to build up WETA into a world class special effects company and to create a great advertising vehicle for his company.
He might have put it together, but it isn't talent that makes it any good. :) It's the talent of those that work for WETA. That's what I'm saying.

[olsonm]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
I prefer movie fans who are primarily book fans...Why JD, that's the perfect description of me. I never knew you cared! *wipes away tear of joy* :)

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by olsonm
Why JD, that's the perfect description of me. I never knew you cared! *wipes away tear of joy* :)
Well don't get too excited - it's only over the movie only fans. :D I prefer book fans above everyone else. But nothing wrong with liking the movies - just as long as you realize there is more out there than just Jackson. And can accept that Jackson didn't do everything right - just like I accept he didn't do everything wrong - as I have REPEATEDLY stated.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
... - just like I accept he [Jackson] didn't do everything wrong - as I have REPEATEDLY stated.
He just did the most important thing wrong... the story. :p

[olsonm]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
Well don't get too excited - it's only over the movie only fans. :D I prefer book fans above everyone else. But nothing wrong with liking the movies - just as long as you realize there is more out there than just Jackson. And can accept that Jackson didn't do everything right - just like I accept he didn't do everything wrong - as I have REPEATEDLY stated. Why so defensive? I'm not BB. Don't you remember all our chats back when I first joined the Moot? I like the movies (a lot, actually) but none of them could compete even with the appendix on calendars for me. :cool:

[jerseydevil]

Originally posted by olsonm
Why so defensive? I'm not BB. Don't you remember all our chats back when I first joined the Moot? I like the movies (a lot, actually) but none of them could compete even with the appendix on calendars for me. :cool:
I'm not - just giving you a hard time. Just didn't want you to think that I liked the movie fans who prefer to books over the book fans. :)

[olsonm]

Originally posted by jerseydevil
I'm not - just giving you a hard time. Just didn't want you to think that I liked the movie fans who prefer to books over the book fans. :) Now you're just insulting my intelligence! :mad: Even drunken howller monkey's know that! :D

[BeardofPants]

Is Peter Jackson a hack? I would argue generally no. I don't like the movies (well, TT was generally better IMO), but I can't completely write off what he produced either - the production time alone dictates that this was not a quick buck/job. I would also add that PJ's detractors (egads, I sound like bb, somebody cut my tongue out!:eek: ) ought to watch Heavenly Creatures as this is an outstanding movie. It saddens me that this didn't carry over into LOTR.

[Wayfarer]

Wow... somebody has actually watched and liked some of PJ's prior films. I am aghast.

Although I will point out that, given the type of films Jackson produced before snagging work on LOTR, his credentials were certainly better than one Ralph Bakashi. :D

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Is Peter Jackson a hack? I would argue generally no. I don't like the movies (well, TT was generally better IMO), but I can't completely write off what he produced either - the production time alone dictates that this was not a quick buck/job. I would also add that PJ's detractors (egads, I sound like bb, somebody cut my tongue out!:eek: ) ought to watch Heavenly Creatures as this is an outstanding movie. It saddens me that this didn't carry over into LOTR.
Oooh... I saw "Heavenly Creatures"... totally flipped me out when the one girl... bludgeoned her own mother to death... :eek: ... gives me chills. Freaked me out that it was a real story.

As for cutting your tongue out, sorry, SGH is putting the hammer down... I have to clean up my act :( (or at least feign such ;)). *dejectedly puts knife away* :(

[Wayfarer]

I have no such scruples. What I do have, however, is a flensing knife. ]:-)

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Wayfarer
I have no such scruples. What I do have, however, is a flensing knife. ]:-)
:mad: WELL I'M WORKING ON BEING GOOD, OK? SHEESH!!! :p

0:-) <== see? I'm being gooood.

[Wayfarer]

No you're not. ]:-)

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Wayfarer
No you're not. ]:-)
ACK!!! I AM!!! :o
It's been hours since I've flamed anyone. :p HOURS! Surely that counts for something. :)
0;-)

[Wayfarer]

Feh. Like that matters. You never were that good at it anyway. ];-)

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Wayfarer
Feh. Like that matters. You never were that good at it anyway. ];-)
If I had ever said what I wanted to say... I'd be banned from here for life. :rolleyes:

[Wayfarer]

So you claim. I think that's just a convenient excuse.

[jerseydevil]

Stop the spamming alreadyy - this is a serious discussion on Jackson's directing abilities as it portains to Lord of the Rings. :D

[Black Breathalizer]

This thread is a clear violation of the new forum rules. If the admin. is serious about improving the atmosphere here, this thread should be closed.

[Sister Golden Hair]

Originally posted by Black Breathalizer
This thread is a clear violation of the new forum rules. If the admin. is serious about improving the atmosphere here, this thread should be closed. I am aware of that BB, and am working on getting around to this and some other threads. Try to understand that I've been a little busy with other things. The movie forum isn't the only forum at Entmoot, you know.

Closing.