I should have recognized your foul stench when I was brought on board
August 18, 2011 4:29 PM Subscribe
Robert Rodriguez, acclaimed film director of the Mariachi trilogy, From Dusk Till Dawn, Sin City, one half of Grindhouse (Planet Terror), and Machete [amongst others] will release the 4th installment of his charming Spy Kids movie series, Spy Kids 4: All The Time In The World in "4D". Otherwise known as Aroma-Scope, directly inspired by Polyester's Odorama release. In doing so, Rodriguez joins a long line of movie directors who have attempted to integrate smell into the moviegoing experience.
I wish they would work on the taste integration, the "popcorn" thing was impressive at first but now it seems like a one trick pony.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 4:37 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by furiousxgeorge at 4:37 PM on August 18, 2011
It will stink no matter what.
posted by ColdChef at 4:37 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by ColdChef at 4:37 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
I'm sure all the theaters that get most of their profits from concessions will be thrilled with the news.
posted by JHarris at 4:38 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by JHarris at 4:38 PM on August 18, 2011
Scenes that do NOT need Odor-rama:
The scene from Jaws where they cut the shark open.
your turn....
posted by tomswift at 4:38 PM on August 18, 2011
The scene from Jaws where they cut the shark open.
your turn....
posted by tomswift at 4:38 PM on August 18, 2011
I'm really glad he didn't decide to roll this technology out for his scene in Four Rooms.
posted by phunniemee at 4:40 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 4:40 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
Trainspotting with Odor-rama - not as well received...
posted by pupdog at 4:43 PM on August 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by pupdog at 4:43 PM on August 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
I can't wait for Criterion to release an Aroma-Scope version of Salò, or the 120 Days of Sodom.
posted by perhapses at 4:46 PM on August 18, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by perhapses at 4:46 PM on August 18, 2011 [3 favorites]
Also, nix to any Aroma-vision for scenes filmed in Manhattan, particularly the subway stations.
posted by jabberjaw at 4:51 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by jabberjaw at 4:51 PM on August 18, 2011
I don't think any zombie movie would benefit from this.
posted by P.o.B. at 4:52 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by P.o.B. at 4:52 PM on August 18, 2011
Better Rodriguez than Todd Solondz.
posted by munchingzombie at 4:52 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by munchingzombie at 4:52 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can't really hate on this. Robert Rodriguez is milking Spy Kids for all that it's worth by adding a dimension for each new sequel. Best part? If he keeps this up he might be able to fully explain string theory in a decade or two.
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:53 PM on August 18, 2011 [21 favorites]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 4:53 PM on August 18, 2011 [21 favorites]
Scenes that do NOT need Odor-rama:
The campfire scene in Blazing Saddles.
Yeah, I saw Polyester when it came out with Odorama. I remember getting the card you scratched and sniffed, and watched as the corresponding number came up during a smell-enhanced scene, indicating the spot you were to scratch and sniff. About halfway through the film, a character farts, and a number flashed on the screen. The entire theatre groaned, then you heard reluctant scratching, and everyone in the theatre goes "Eeeew!". I learned something important about human nature that day.
posted by Mcable at 4:54 PM on August 18, 2011 [37 favorites]
The campfire scene in Blazing Saddles.
Yeah, I saw Polyester when it came out with Odorama. I remember getting the card you scratched and sniffed, and watched as the corresponding number came up during a smell-enhanced scene, indicating the spot you were to scratch and sniff. About halfway through the film, a character farts, and a number flashed on the screen. The entire theatre groaned, then you heard reluctant scratching, and everyone in the theatre goes "Eeeew!". I learned something important about human nature that day.
posted by Mcable at 4:54 PM on August 18, 2011 [37 favorites]
"I thought they smelled bad ... on the outside!"
posted by darksasami at 4:55 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by darksasami at 4:55 PM on August 18, 2011 [4 favorites]
Scenes that do NOT need Odor-rama:
"I thought they smelled bad on the outside!"
posted by Bookhouse at 4:56 PM on August 18, 2011
"I thought they smelled bad on the outside!"
posted by Bookhouse at 4:56 PM on August 18, 2011
What would Blow smell like?
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:58 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:58 PM on August 18, 2011
More importantly, would I still feel my teeth.
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:59 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Dark Messiah at 4:59 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah this is a totally wicked idea. I can't wait until the time when I can "hear" paintings. Also, delicious books!
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by tumid dahlia at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011
Midnight Meat Train would benefit from this.
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Joey Michaels at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Spy Kids 1 and 2 were actually a lot of fun. Spy Kids 3 wasn't all that great, but what was remarkable about it was that it was filmed in 3D and then edited and post-production-ed (post-produced?) in Rodriguez's home editing studio, basically his garage. And all YEARS before 3D became the big thing it has turned into these days. Rodriguez truly takes the helm of his projects, and what he's able to accomplish with his technology and swagger is pretty outstanding.
posted by hippybear at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 5:01 PM on August 18, 2011 [2 favorites]
Damn, forgot the link which talks about Spy Kids 3 -- About The Production. (He filmed it with the same cameras James Cameron used for his underwater 3D movies, and later Avatar.)
posted by hippybear at 5:05 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by hippybear at 5:05 PM on August 18, 2011
Yeah, count me as a fan of the first two Spy Kids films, especially the second which had a great Ray Harryhausen vibe to it. I didn't see Spy Kids 3D, but I heard it was pretty bad. I'll probably give it a shot sooner or later.
By the way, is Trejo's character in Spy Kids supposed to be the same "Machete" as in the later film? He doesn't display any gadget-building abilities in Machete, but I love the idea of a hard "R" Spy Kids spin-off.
posted by brundlefly at 5:07 PM on August 18, 2011
By the way, is Trejo's character in Spy Kids supposed to be the same "Machete" as in the later film? He doesn't display any gadget-building abilities in Machete, but I love the idea of a hard "R" Spy Kids spin-off.
posted by brundlefly at 5:07 PM on August 18, 2011
According to Wikipedia, the character originated with the Spy Kids films. It doesn't seem to be a sequel, but it's certainly the same actor / character / director / writer...
posted by hippybear at 5:11 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by hippybear at 5:11 PM on August 18, 2011
I was a regular at the Waverly theater for The Rocky Horror Show when it also had Polyester playing there earlier. Of course Rocky Horror was the midnight show. I remember the first time we arrived for a midnight show and there were those Odorama cards everywhere. Of course a bunch of people decided to scratch and sniff. And in a couple of cases vomit profusely. it was an, interesting evening. I do so love John Waters.
posted by Splunge at 5:14 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by Splunge at 5:14 PM on August 18, 2011
Truly, an idea whose time has come. Tangent: When I attended Internet World in 1994, there were two companies pushing their smell-o-vision (the correct umbrella term, BTW) devices: DigiScents and AromaJet. I wish I could remember which company's slogan was "It Makes Scents".
posted by The Tensor at 5:16 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Tensor at 5:16 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Rodriguez knows how to make money. This is a guy who raised money for El Mariachi by doing experimental drug testing.
Spy Kids pay the rent, $50 million production for $147 million gross. #2 for 38 million, grossed $119 million. $38 million for #3, grossed near $200 million.
Budget for #4? $40 million again.
In fact it looks like only Planet Terror, as part of Grindhouse, was the recent film he directed that didn't make money. But I doubt he and Tarantino were planning to cash in on that one.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:16 PM on August 18, 2011
Spy Kids pay the rent, $50 million production for $147 million gross. #2 for 38 million, grossed $119 million. $38 million for #3, grossed near $200 million.
Budget for #4? $40 million again.
In fact it looks like only Planet Terror, as part of Grindhouse, was the recent film he directed that didn't make money. But I doubt he and Tarantino were planning to cash in on that one.
posted by mrzarquon at 5:16 PM on August 18, 2011
I haven't seen the trailer, only posters, but I'm not sure I could suspend my disbelief enough to watch Jeff Winger as a dad.
posted by Gordafarin at 5:28 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Gordafarin at 5:28 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
John Waters did a signing in my bookstore once and I had an original, unused scratch and sniff card from Polyester and he was kind enough to sign it for me. He was tickled to do it.
He also bought a slew of books. That guy is crazy well-read. He was way into Weimar then and bought about four or five books on the topic. Everything I pointed to he purchased. And he was just plain nice.
As for Spy Kids, I love those movies. I'm totally looking forward to watching this with my girls. Rodriguez also did the very excellent Shark Boy and Lava Girl movie. In it, Taylor Lautner can act. Show that one to your children. It's pretty awesome.
posted by Toekneesan at 5:29 PM on August 18, 2011
He also bought a slew of books. That guy is crazy well-read. He was way into Weimar then and bought about four or five books on the topic. Everything I pointed to he purchased. And he was just plain nice.
As for Spy Kids, I love those movies. I'm totally looking forward to watching this with my girls. Rodriguez also did the very excellent Shark Boy and Lava Girl movie. In it, Taylor Lautner can act. Show that one to your children. It's pretty awesome.
posted by Toekneesan at 5:29 PM on August 18, 2011
The twin failures of AromaRama and Smell-O-Vision killed smelly cinema for more than two decades. It wasn't until 1981 that filmmaker John Waters revived the concept
And thus an entire generation was denied the opportunity to learn exactly what that incredible smell Han and Luke discovered was like.
posted by dersins at 5:32 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
And thus an entire generation was denied the opportunity to learn exactly what that incredible smell Han and Luke discovered was like.
posted by dersins at 5:32 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
...but what was remarkable about it was that it was filmed in 3D and then edited and post-production-ed (post-produced?) in Rodriguez's home editing studio, basically his garage. And all YEARS before 3D became the big thing it has turned into these days. Rodriguez truly takes the helm of his projects, and what he's able to accomplish with his technology and swagger is pretty outstanding.
I enjoy his movies, but the above is mostly not true (though it would seem to be by reading Rebel Without a Crew and watching his behind the scenes shorts). He has employed a full-time digital effects crew of several (really amazing) artists who have been with him since at least Spy Kids 1, and his "garage" is really just a very large and professional studio. Rodriguez has a great flair for the weird, with good results after he cranks out enough iterations from his small creative team. But to say that he is a one-man show is inaccurate.
I will say that I think he's a good action editor, but I haven't seen him excel at anything on his own that requires long term creative focus. That includes writing and directing good performances from his actors. That's not to say that I don't think he has it in him, but he's done very well at building his renegade mythos and turning out low budget films like a modern Roger Corman. Breaking with that and making "better" movies wouldn't be good business sense.
posted by hanoixan at 5:48 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I enjoy his movies, but the above is mostly not true (though it would seem to be by reading Rebel Without a Crew and watching his behind the scenes shorts). He has employed a full-time digital effects crew of several (really amazing) artists who have been with him since at least Spy Kids 1, and his "garage" is really just a very large and professional studio. Rodriguez has a great flair for the weird, with good results after he cranks out enough iterations from his small creative team. But to say that he is a one-man show is inaccurate.
I will say that I think he's a good action editor, but I haven't seen him excel at anything on his own that requires long term creative focus. That includes writing and directing good performances from his actors. That's not to say that I don't think he has it in him, but he's done very well at building his renegade mythos and turning out low budget films like a modern Roger Corman. Breaking with that and making "better" movies wouldn't be good business sense.
posted by hanoixan at 5:48 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
The one scene that truly needed some kind of smell-o-vision feature was the Lard Ass story in Stand By Me. Just imagine the amount of audience participation!
posted by eyeballkid at 5:50 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by eyeballkid at 5:50 PM on August 18, 2011
(insert joke about a scene in a film in which smell-o-vision would have been very counterproductive)
posted by memebake at 5:51 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by memebake at 5:51 PM on August 18, 2011
The motion simulator ride "Soarin' Over California" at Disney's California Adventure includes subtle scents like orange blossoms, pine trees, and ocean breeze during appropriate times in the ride, and the effect is wonderful. I would be much more in favor of something like this, which lends to a more immersive experience, as opposed to the "in your face" tactics of a scratch & sniff card.
posted by ShutterBun at 6:29 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by ShutterBun at 6:29 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Foci for Analysis:Robert Rodriguez is milking Spy Kids for all that it's worth by adding a dimension for each new sequel..
Now that he's surpassed the 4th dimension, his next film will actually be a Twilight Zone episode.
posted by dr_dank at 7:35 PM on August 18, 2011
Now that he's surpassed the 4th dimension, his next film will actually be a Twilight Zone episode.
posted by dr_dank at 7:35 PM on August 18, 2011
Or just a Buckaroo Banzai reboot.
That's 4 sequels from now.
posted by hanoixan at 7:43 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's 4 sequels from now.
posted by hanoixan at 7:43 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
I demand to know what the Bog of Eternal Stench actually smelled like.
posted by Ritchie at 8:14 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by Ritchie at 8:14 PM on August 18, 2011
I just want to see them hand out these marvelous devices along with the 3D glasses.
posted by teraflop at 8:35 PM on August 18, 2011
posted by teraflop at 8:35 PM on August 18, 2011
I demand to know what the Bog of Eternal Stench yt actually smelled like.
I always assumed it was something like puppy farts.
posted by elizardbits at 8:57 PM on August 18, 2011
I always assumed it was something like puppy farts.
posted by elizardbits at 8:57 PM on August 18, 2011
Or just a Buckaroo Banzai reboot.
That's 4 sequels from now.
posted by hanoixan
Well...you would know.
posted by adamdschneider at 9:15 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
That's 4 sequels from now.
posted by hanoixan
Well...you would know.
posted by adamdschneider at 9:15 PM on August 18, 2011 [1 favorite]
Saw Pigface play Toronto one time, and the concert started with one of the band (Martin Atkins?) walking to the front of the stage with an aromatic spray can and emptying the entire thing in the direction of the audience. This was not a small room, but the whole venue smelled like Lavender Spring or whatever for the duration of the show.
posted by stinkycheese at 2:44 AM on August 19, 2011
posted by stinkycheese at 2:44 AM on August 19, 2011
I vote for the "Sloth" (I believe it was) scene from Fincher's "Se7en" as a potentially unfriendly source of olfaction.
posted by O Blitiri at 5:20 AM on August 19, 2011
posted by O Blitiri at 5:20 AM on August 19, 2011
Trejo is always Trejo regardless of any circumstantial narrative.
Unfortunately, you could say this about a large portion of the top actors in Hollywood.
posted by P.o.B. at 5:43 AM on August 19, 2011
Unfortunately, you could say this about a large portion of the top actors in Hollywood.
posted by P.o.B. at 5:43 AM on August 19, 2011
Rodriguez also did the very excellent Shark Boy and Lava Girl movie. In it, Taylor Lautner can act. Show that one to your children. It's pretty awesome.
Also, kind of a remake of Neverending Story. Not necessarily in a bad way, but enough to explain how Rodriguez's kid came up with such a complicated story.
posted by padraigin at 6:38 AM on August 19, 2011
Also, kind of a remake of Neverending Story. Not necessarily in a bad way, but enough to explain how Rodriguez's kid came up with such a complicated story.
posted by padraigin at 6:38 AM on August 19, 2011
and what he's able to accomplish with his technology and swagger is pretty outstanding
He's probably my favorite filmmaker, if for no other reason, he makes be believe that, if I really put my efforts into it, I could probably make a reasonably good looking movie with stuff I can buy off the shelf.
Hell, his 10 minute film schools have kept my dream of making a backyard film alive for the better part of 15 years.
I also really dig the fact that he's kept pretty much the same group of actors and crew through all his films, regardless of what kind of picture it is. When I saw Cheech and Trejo doing Spy Kids with Rodriguez after the characters they played in From Dusk Till Dawn, their last film with him, I couldn't stop laughing. It is one of my favorite pieces of recasting I've yet seen.
posted by quin at 8:22 AM on August 19, 2011
He's probably my favorite filmmaker, if for no other reason, he makes be believe that, if I really put my efforts into it, I could probably make a reasonably good looking movie with stuff I can buy off the shelf.
Hell, his 10 minute film schools have kept my dream of making a backyard film alive for the better part of 15 years.
I also really dig the fact that he's kept pretty much the same group of actors and crew through all his films, regardless of what kind of picture it is. When I saw Cheech and Trejo doing Spy Kids with Rodriguez after the characters they played in From Dusk Till Dawn, their last film with him, I couldn't stop laughing. It is one of my favorite pieces of recasting I've yet seen.
posted by quin at 8:22 AM on August 19, 2011
Wait, Robert Rodríguez did all the SpyKids films? Why didn't anyone sit me down and explain that to me?
posted by memebake at 9:21 AM on August 19, 2011
posted by memebake at 9:21 AM on August 19, 2011
Although, it looks like Rodriguez doesn't have much use for Antonio Banderas these days.
posted by P.o.B. at 1:44 PM on August 19, 2011
posted by P.o.B. at 1:44 PM on August 19, 2011
BEHAVE!
posted by stinkycheese at 2:55 PM on August 19, 2011
posted by stinkycheese at 2:55 PM on August 19, 2011
P.o.B., it doesn't look like anyone has much use for Antonio Banderas these days.
posted by gideonswann at 5:27 AM on August 20, 2011
posted by gideonswann at 5:27 AM on August 20, 2011
it doesn't look like anyone has much use for Antonio Banderas these days.
Not sure what you're talking about. Aside from his recurring role in the Shrek movies (and the upcoming Puss In Boots spinoff), he IS in this new Spy Kids film (albeit as an uncredited cameo), and currently has his latest project with Almodóvar in theaters. He's also in Soderberg's newest film, starred in a movie which never saw release, and currently is awaiting the end-of-year release of this movie.
He is also currently filming one movie, and has two more in pre-production.
If that's the status of someone who nobody has much use for, I can only hope to be so ignored.
posted by hippybear at 5:42 AM on August 20, 2011
Not sure what you're talking about. Aside from his recurring role in the Shrek movies (and the upcoming Puss In Boots spinoff), he IS in this new Spy Kids film (albeit as an uncredited cameo), and currently has his latest project with Almodóvar in theaters. He's also in Soderberg's newest film, starred in a movie which never saw release, and currently is awaiting the end-of-year release of this movie.
He is also currently filming one movie, and has two more in pre-production.
If that's the status of someone who nobody has much use for, I can only hope to be so ignored.
posted by hippybear at 5:42 AM on August 20, 2011
I meant to be able to report how awesome or terrible this smellovision thing is, but my kids acted like dicks at the mall so we brought them home, movie-free. I'm pretty bummed out about it.
posted by padraigin at 5:32 PM on August 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
posted by padraigin at 5:32 PM on August 20, 2011 [2 favorites]
Get a sitter and leave them at home and go see it yourself, and then come back and tell them how awesome the movie they didn't get to see because of their bad behavior was. In detail. To the point where you completely ruin the movie for them.
It must be done. It's the only fitting punishment.
posted by hippybear at 6:29 AM on August 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
It must be done. It's the only fitting punishment.
posted by hippybear at 6:29 AM on August 21, 2011 [1 favorite]
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