Only because you crucify me for using it (or Star Wars) as an example... ;-)


Thursday, February 3, 2011
10 Things You Can Learn From The Greatest Contained Action Thriller Of All Time


Die Hard. Some people say Jaws changed the way movies were made. Others say Star Wars. But an argument can be made that Die Hard had just as much of an influence on movies as both of those films, maybe not so much culturally, but definitely in how studios approached the tent pole film. The irony, of course, is that those same studios used Die Hard as their action template without realizing what made it great. Yeah, it has splosions. Yeah, Bruce Willis was perfect casting. Yeah, the action scenes were great. But the reason Die Hard is so awesome is because of its script.

So I decided to go back to the granddaddy of contained (action) thrillers and see if I couldn’t learn a few things from it. It didn’t take long. Die Hard is chock full of screenwriting tips if you pay attention, and I’m happy to highlight ten of them for you here.

Read the rest on ScriptShadows Blog

And, that's why Jeb Stuart is/was semi-good stuff and Steven "I'll cut my paycheck so I can get the stars I want in Street Fighter" E. De Souza are different.

Stuart wrote the movie in the dark form the book it's based on was in. The studio didn't really care for it so they brought in De Souza and basically said, "Look, Steve, we liked how Commando turned out. Make this more fun and give it more classic one-liners."

Dreamscale/Jeff...  This is for YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!!!!!




It's a chaise lounge.

Well, thanks, Clorox...that's great...I love seeing things dedicated to me.

Have I crucified you for quoting Die Hard?  I love that movie.  Actually, I love all the Die hard movies.

Probably what I've said is that it's based on a novel, so it's not an original screenplay or idea.  and it's from 1988.  Otherwise, love it!

PS - Balt, thanks for the lounge...very comfy.  Not sure it goes with my decor though...   ;D ;D

Quoted from Dreamscale Well, thanks, Clorox...that's great...I love seeing things dedicated to me. Have I crucified you for quoting Die Hard?  I love that movie.  Actually, I love all the Die hard movies. Probably what I've said is that it's based on a novel, so it's not an original screenplay or idea.  and it's from 1988.  Otherwise, love it! PS - Balt, thanks for the lounge...very comfy.  Not sure it goes with my decor though...   ;D ;D

It's actually a quote from a movie.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity.

I opened this thread and expected a huge hand flicking you off, Jeff. Thats what I would have posted. Or,  and enormous pair of funbags on a hot blonde. Depending on my state of decrepency. Instead, its just pretty much a description as to why we love Die Hard. I do. I think we all do.

Seems like a promotion for Scriptshadows. Where are you going with this clorox? Mind you, on cheap rum again...

James

I use Die Hard, or Star Wars, as examples of story lines, characters, etc. and DS will call me out...so when I read that on ScriptShadow, that's the first thing I thought of.

Quoted from cloroxmartini I use Die Hard, or Star Wars, as examples of story lines, characters, etc. and DS will call me out...so when I read that on ScriptShadow, that's the first thing I thought of.

You know what I think of you Clorox. You tell people what is wrong with their scripts and what is good. Mostly whats wrong. I rarely see you offer ideas as to how to improve them. Which makes you a practicing critic IMO. I fucking loathe critics. Everyon's a critic, so why do we need pros. Keep practicing though....

James