Not another vampire movie!!!!!

[Lokasenna]

Although vampires are popular at the moment, its just a passing phase. My concern is really about quality. Let the Right One In is an absolutely brilliant vampire film that came out around the same time as Twilight.

One is a powerful, deeply troubling, disturbing, emotional tale, examining the themes of violence, innocence, childhood, self-awareness and escapism. The other is a mindless piece of drivel aimed at 13 year old girls.

Having studied vampires academically, I know which is truer to the essential nature of the creature, and I know which one I found consequently more interesting.

Still, each to their own. If sparkly pretty-boy vampires are your thing, then who am I to argue?

[OrphanPip]

Although vampires are popular at the moment, its just a passing phase. My concern is really about quality. Let the Right One In is an absolutely brilliant vampire film that came out around the same time as Twilight.

One is a powerful, deeply troubling, disturbing, emotional tale, examining the themes of violence, innocence, childhood, self-awareness and escapism. The other is a mindless piece of drivel aimed at 13 year old girls.

Having studied vampires academically, I know which is truer to the essential nature of the creature, and I know which one I found consequently more interesting.

Still, each to their own. If sparkly pretty-boy vampires are your thing, then who am I to argue?

That was a great movie, but you can't expect many people to run off and see a Swedish vampire movie. There is only one theater in Montreal that plays independent and foreign films and it's become pretty much the only one I go to.

Anyway, the problem isn't the subject matter it's the quality, and I haven't seen any change in the quality of Hollywood films in the last decade.

[Eryk]

That was a great movie, but you can't expect many people to run off and see a Swedish vampire movie. There is only one theater in Montreal that plays independent and foreign films and it's become pretty much the only one I go to.

Anyway, the problem isn't the subject matter it's the quality, and I haven't seen any change in the quality of Hollywood films in the last decade.

iTunes has Let the Right One In (that's how I saw it). The only other vampire movie I really liked was the 1979 'Salem's Lot miniseries. It must be hard to make a good vampire movie because there is a long list of really bad ones like Coppola's Dracula movie and Lair of the White Worm. The Addiction was ambitious but mostly just pretentious.

[NickAdams]

That was a great movie, but you can't expect many people to run off and see a Swedish vampire movie. There is only one theater in Montreal that plays independent and foreign films and it's become pretty much the only one I go to.

Anyway, the problem isn't the subject matter it's the quality, and I haven't seen any change in the quality of Hollywood films in the last decade.

Don't worry: Hollywood is remaking it.

[Eryk]

Don't worry: Hollywood is remaking it.

Oh Gawd it's The Vanishing all over again

[Lokasenna]

Don't worry: Hollywood is remaking it.

Shoot me now...

Why remake a film that is perfect in its own right? Have they not heard of subtitles?

[NickAdams]

Spielberg is directing and Will Smith is starring in another Old Boy adaptation. Hollywood is interested in profit; it's business. I'll stick with the originals. There are too many films out there and I'd rather not waste time watching rehashes.

I'll take Bergman's Virgin Springs over The Last House on the Left any day. I've heard the argument that compares film remakes to music covers, but I don't buy it.

[Mathor]

Even if it has been going on for years, that still doesn't make it OK

And I really don't care how it sounds, bad movies are just... BAD!

and it's not only my taste or only me that decides, but when we are just giving the majority what they want and not moving forward, not taking risks, everything goes down.

and that's the thing with this part of the pop culture! It's not like any good movies are being released, but most of them are released for people who don't even like movies, they don't! take a film appreciator, a true one, doesn't matter if his taste in movies is like mine, and make him sit through one of the twilight sequels, or any other like it for that matter

the thing is: they are playing it safe, they are making movies, music and write books for someone who just wants to waste time
is not only that they don't make any progress, but they are going backwards!

As many have pointed out, I do not think this has ever changed. Hitchcock was rarely appreciated in his day, and frequently very wishywashy musicals were the blockbusters of the past. Popular culture has not gotten worse, it's just stayed pretty much the same. Fact is, though, that blockbusters help the industry. As long as people are still going out and seeing movies in theaters, even if those movies are bad, it helps out the industry and allows for those companies to afford to take on the independent releases. The general public are always going to like crappy movies, this is never going to change.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Even if it has been going on for years, that still doesn't make it OK

And I really don't care how it sounds, bad movies are just... BAD!

Bad movies are only bad because there are good ones to compare them to. Do you see what I mean? The reason we are able to say something is good is because it is relatively better than something else. If we eliminate the bad films, appreciation for the good films diminishes, because the people who would have liked the bad ones now have no choice but to like the good ones. It goes the other way as well: if there were no "Good" movies, you would probably like the "Bad" ones because you are drawn to this type of media but would not know any better because better doesn't exist. Sorry, that all sounds confusing. I hope you get what I mean.

and it's not only my taste or only me that decides, but when we are just giving the majority what they want and not moving forward, not taking risks, everything goes down.

Filmmakers out there are taking risks, and the artistic value of their work is increased by the fact that blockbuster films like Twilight are out there. The only way filmmaking can move forward is if there is something from which to do so. If someone wanted to make a really good Vampire film, now would be the best time. It would likely get more exposure than if it were released a couple years ago.

and that's the thing with this part of the pop culture! It's not like any good movies are being released, but most of them are released for people who don't even like movies, they don't! take a film appreciator, a true one, doesn't matter if his taste in movies is like mine, and make him sit through one of the twilight sequels, or any other like it for that matter

the thing is: they are playing it safe, they are making movies, music and write books for someone who just wants to waste time
is not only that they don't make any progress, but they are going backwards!

What exactly is a "true film appreciator"? That depends one what aspect of filmmaking one appreciates. If you're speaking of someone who goes to a movie in the hopes of being purely entertained and distracted for a couple hours, then Twilight serves its purpose. That person is still an equally viable appreciator of film. If you're speaking of someone who is looking for an insightful script, subtle acting, creative camerawork and cinematography, a score to blow your mind, etc., then yes, perhaps they won't be overly impressed with Twilight. But I think someone with that much insight will be able to find something good about it. I think that makes a true film appreciator- someone who can evaluate a film based on its intended purpose and audience and find its merit within those parameters.

Just because something is safe doesn't make it bad. It serves its purpose. If it doesn't serve yours, find something that does.

For example, I don't like Country music. The majority of it, that is. To me, country music is safe and boring and irritating. It never changes, it never progresses, it never takes on new subject matter or explores new musical structures, and thus, it does not appeal to me, much the same as Twilight does not appeal to you, I'm assuming. It's extremely popular, but you could say I think it's bad. But the reason I don't go saying that Country music shouldn't be made anymore is because I understand that Country music serves a purpose. It entertains a lot of people with a particular taste, and it would be wrong of me to demand that for Country to have any musical merit, it should examine a new subject and start playing in an obscure time signature because that's just not what Country music does, or has ever been intended to do. That is not its identity or its purpose, but it does have those, and it lives up to them in its own right. It's the same with film.

p.s. Just in case you're wondering, I'm very well-aware that Twilight is a poorly-written novel, and an un-creatively-made film. I seek out more stimulating film and literature, but I still find Twilight entertaining in its own way. And just for fun, in summary of all my random analogies, I welcome back the resurgence of 80's fashion, though I'll never be caught dead in leggings, and I want to vomit whenever I hear country music

[DanielBenoit]

I'll take Bergman's Virgin Springs over The Last House on the Left any day. I've heard the argument that compares film remakes to music covers, but I don't buy it.

You know, I just saw that the other night. I wonder what Bergman thought of his religous masterpiece being turned into a slasher film. I watched it, and I just couldn't find any way how this great and emotionally subtle film could inspire three remakes, all of them gory slasher pictures. I think they missed the point of Bergman's film, or they walked out on the last scene.

[rimbaud]

What exactly is a "true film appreciator"? That depends one what aspect of filmmaking one appreciates. If you're speaking of someone who goes to a movie in the hopes of being purely entertained and distracted for a couple hours, then Twilight serves its purpose. That person is still an equally viable appreciator of film.

No, he's not! You can be distracted and be entertained by good movies too.
I am aware of the whole bad is here so we can recognize good. still that doesn't mean that we should do nothing to prevent bad.
this god off topic
and a true film can prefer a type of movie, but appreciate all well made, kick a!! movies there are.

and there is a problem with making lame remakes of an already good movies, sometimes because people just have problem with black and white or the computer work or the language, god forbids the "appreciators" should read subtitles, or this one is one of the worst - MAKING A MOVIE AFTER A VIDEO GAME! (hitman) also making worst sequels.

I understand your point and I do respect your opinion.
but we just have to agree to disagree

and I'm not saying that everyone should watch good movies, or be passionate about movies, I'm just saying that they shouldn't watch bad ones, like I said, it's making our generation dumber!

[Mathor]

What exactly is a "true film appreciator"? That depends one what aspect of filmmaking one appreciates. If you're speaking of someone who goes to a movie in the hopes of being purely entertained and distracted for a couple hours, then Twilight serves its purpose. That person is still an equally viable appreciator of film.

No, he's not! You can be distracted and be entertained by good movies too.
I am aware of the whole bad is here so we can recognize good. still that doesn't mean that we should do nothing to prevent bad.
this god off topic
and a true film can prefer a type of movie, but appreciate all well made, kick a!! movies there are.

and there is a problem with making lame remakes of an already good movies, sometimes because people just have problem with black and white or the computer work or the language, god forbids the "appreciators" should read subtitles, or this one is one of the worst - MAKING A MOVIE AFTER A VIDEO GAME! (hitman) also making worst sequels.

I understand your point and I do respect your opinion.
but we just have to agree to disagree

and I'm not saying that everyone should watch good movies, or be passionate about movies, I'm just saying that they shouldn't watch bad ones, like I said, it's making our generation dumber!

good and bad is completely subjective. I know a LOT about film, and I am a major film buff. Most people say that I have pretty good taste in film. But to insinuate that an entire area of filmmaking is superior to another is close-minded. If you act so selectively you miss out on a lot of films that might have taken you by surprise. There are a lot of gems in comedy, teen romance, etc etc that you might be missing out on.

And on the concept of remakes, that seems rather silly to conclude that remakes are inherently bad. Every single one of Alfred Hitchcock's movies was either adapted from a play, a book, or an older movie. Adaptation is the life blood of good filmmaking.

In the 90's there was a remake of "Psycho". It was terrible, but the only reason it was terrible is that the filmmaker chose to emulate every one of Hitchcock's shots in the original film. The purpose of a remake is to expand on the original idea of a film, to add something new. A purely perfect film cannot be made again the same way, but if it is completely re-invented, there is still room for genius.

[*Classic*Charm*]

and there is a problem with making lame remakes of an already good movie!

Agreed. Except that time Hitchcock re-made his own film...that was acceptable

[DanielBenoit]

Here's my take on remakes (and adaptions for that matter), I think I already said this in another thread, but I'll say it here. Like Mathor said, the best remakes are the ones that go in a different direction than the original, so that it can then stand on its own as a film, as oppose to just some sort of mediocre imitation.

That said, I do not think that Hollywood must remake every single film that has ever existed. I find it rather appaulling that they're planning to remake Let the Right One In so soon, I mean, it just came out last year! What they're really doing is not remaking a perfectly fine film, but they're in a sense translating it, because of the sad fact that most American audiences run when they see a film from a different country and with subtitles. Come on guys, you can read!

[qimissung]

I haven't seen Let the Right One In yet, but want to very much. Can't say I'm to surprised to find out that Hollywood is remaking it. Sigh. They did that with Mostly Martha also.