Post by klep on Oct 10, 2016 7:12:01 GMT -6
MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 10/10: Gremlins 2: The New Batch
"Do it again, but moreso" is the line that starts off the production of many sequels. The idea is that if the audience liked it the first time, they'll like more of it even more. Unfortunately, sequel production frequently latches on to only the tangible parts of the original - characters, stunts, jokes, etc. to do more of while losing sight of what made the original really work - the story and themes.
Gremlins took a look at the darker side of small-town America - exposing how fragile its friendly facade really was - but also found the heart there in Billy's (Zach Galligan) family (both blood and makeshift). Unfortunately Gremlins 2 lost sight of that, instead making half-hearted stabs at some sort of anti-technology, anti-corporate idea that never seems clear and is never truly resolved. What Gremlins 2 does have is more of everything else. More gremlins, more Gizmo, more more more more more.
To say this movie is overstuffed would be an understatement. It's like having ice cream for dinner, a little more for desert, then going to bed, getting up, and having some ice cream for breakfast before an ice cream lunch. It's bookended by Looney Tunes bits, has any number of strange cameos (including Hulk Hogan and Christopher Lee), frequently has gremlins mug for the camera, has an extended meta-joke about gremlins taking over the production booth, and various styles of genetically mutated gremlins. There's occasional sequel jokes, including a reference to Kate's (Phoebe Cates) tragic Christmas past from the first film, this time dealing with Lincoln's birthday. There's a kindly old man in a vampire costume covering the chaos as the man-on-the-scene with a stereotypical Japanese tourist obsessively shooting photographs and video. Smart gremlin, spider gremlin, bat gremlin, sexy gremlin, Phantom of the Opera gremlin, electro gremlin and on and on and on and on and on.
It's exhausting. It's really exhausting. The assault is relentless, never giving the audience a chance to breathe or take stock of what's happening; you just have to let the onslaught wash over you. It's a film that makes for fun moments, but it's hard to handle as a whole.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 10/17: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Our next Movie of the Week is this early silent film, and an excellent example of the German Expressionism that would go on to influence so many great noirs. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is available on Netflix Instant and for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though only the shorter 66 minute cut is free for Prime members. It can also be found on YouTube.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 10/6: Don't Breathe
As I missed the film in theaters, Ryan Swen has graciously offered to write a little something for us for Wednesday. Don't Breathe is still in a theater near you if you're very lucky.
"Do it again, but moreso" is the line that starts off the production of many sequels. The idea is that if the audience liked it the first time, they'll like more of it even more. Unfortunately, sequel production frequently latches on to only the tangible parts of the original - characters, stunts, jokes, etc. to do more of while losing sight of what made the original really work - the story and themes.
Gremlins took a look at the darker side of small-town America - exposing how fragile its friendly facade really was - but also found the heart there in Billy's (Zach Galligan) family (both blood and makeshift). Unfortunately Gremlins 2 lost sight of that, instead making half-hearted stabs at some sort of anti-technology, anti-corporate idea that never seems clear and is never truly resolved. What Gremlins 2 does have is more of everything else. More gremlins, more Gizmo, more more more more more.
To say this movie is overstuffed would be an understatement. It's like having ice cream for dinner, a little more for desert, then going to bed, getting up, and having some ice cream for breakfast before an ice cream lunch. It's bookended by Looney Tunes bits, has any number of strange cameos (including Hulk Hogan and Christopher Lee), frequently has gremlins mug for the camera, has an extended meta-joke about gremlins taking over the production booth, and various styles of genetically mutated gremlins. There's occasional sequel jokes, including a reference to Kate's (Phoebe Cates) tragic Christmas past from the first film, this time dealing with Lincoln's birthday. There's a kindly old man in a vampire costume covering the chaos as the man-on-the-scene with a stereotypical Japanese tourist obsessively shooting photographs and video. Smart gremlin, spider gremlin, bat gremlin, sexy gremlin, Phantom of the Opera gremlin, electro gremlin and on and on and on and on and on.
It's exhausting. It's really exhausting. The assault is relentless, never giving the audience a chance to breathe or take stock of what's happening; you just have to let the onslaught wash over you. It's a film that makes for fun moments, but it's hard to handle as a whole.
OUR NEXT MOVIE OF THE WEEK for 10/17: The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
Our next Movie of the Week is this early silent film, and an excellent example of the German Expressionism that would go on to influence so many great noirs. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is available on Netflix Instant and for rent on Amazon Instant Video, though only the shorter 66 minute cut is free for Prime members. It can also be found on YouTube.
NEXT PICTURE SHOW PODCAST for 10/6: Don't Breathe
As I missed the film in theaters, Ryan Swen has graciously offered to write a little something for us for Wednesday. Don't Breathe is still in a theater near you if you're very lucky.