Escape to the Movies: Straw Dogs

[ZephrC]

You know, I think there's a bigger reason than modern society's total inability to deal with ambiguity that a Straw Dogs remake with modern sensibilities was a grade-A terrible idea.

You see, the real problem here is there are just a whole metric fuck-ton of a lot less people out there that genuinely believe that violence never really solves anything than there were when the original came out. The same events with a more modern set of sensiblities have no choice but to come across as an empowerment fantasy, because that's what modern sensibilities believe in.

 

[Philip Petrunak]

Dude, I love your videos, they are actually something I look forward too and consider a highlight of my day. However, how can you really work as a reviewer if you're spoiling the movie we want reviewed? This isn't the first time I've had to stop watching one of your reviews because I knew it would ruin the movie for me that I was hoping to see reviewed. This actually is what usually happens for films I really want to see.

If cool if you go on a tangent that can spoil the movie being talked about, but not if you haven't finished the actual review yet. What do I mean by Finnished? I dunno, make a recommendation. Give it the "thumbs up/down". Tell us if we liked a set of movies, then we'll probably like this one. Things that to help us decide if it's worth our time and money. Once you've done that, then throw up the spoilers.

Also, if you want to make movies, what's stopping you?

 

[The-Epicly-Named-Man]

I can't help but feel like Hot Fuzz had a hand in getting the Point Break remake greenlit.

It's the only thing that's really made it relevant again as of late.

Certainly the only thing that got me to watch (I have a soft-spot for ridiculous action flicks).

 

[EmperorSubcutaneous]

Er, Bob...Lots of rape victims don't report the rape or even tell anyone about it, usually because of the guilt they feel even when it wasn't remotely their fault. Not telling anyone doesn't suggest that they were ambiguously willing participants. I don't think that's what you were suggesting, but still...Just making sure.

 

[Draconalis]

Not that surprised by it... but now I've lost all hope of something good being on.

Okay. Why do movies always make Southern people out to be aggressive, ignorant, bible thumping red necks? They aren't.

Because we're the ones that lost the war.

 

[moviedork]

It appears that Bob is actually be trying to sabotage his own show. Choosing to review Straw Dogs over movies we'd actually be willing to see in theaters like Drive or Lion King 3D. It's kind of like choosing Red State over Warrior or Contagion last week or wasting a weekend where an anticipated Guillermo Del Toro produced movie comes out, but instead he chooses to complain about not getting pre-screenings. It's all becoming clearer that you're actually brighter than you appear! Bravo, Bob, Bravo!

 

[WingedIncubus]

Er, Bob...Lots of rape victims don't report the rape or even tell anyone about it, usually because of the guilt they feel even when it wasn't remotely their fault. Not telling anyone doesn't suggest that they were ambiguously willing participants. I don't think that's what you were suggesting, but still...Just making sure.

And if you had seen the original, you'd see that it's VERY implied that Amy likes it - when it's Charlie.

The other reason would be that it's because she doesn't think David can defend her, or even defend himself, or that he will even move a finger about it. She basically sees him as a "nice guy", ballless nerd who lives in clouds, hiding behind his pacifism because he is afraid to fight and stand his ground.

In fact, she got owned twice in the movie. The first time by former boyfriend Charlie (which mid-way becomes consensual, although it's strongly implied that she's imagining David, having a blurry vision of him, screwing her like that) while David was away hunting; the second time just after, by one of Charlie's mook holding him at gunpoint while he rapes her (totally not-consensually this time) in front of him. It's also strongly implied it's not in the same hole, either.

In the original also, the relationship between David and Amy is far more screwed and tense, alterning between moments of intimacy and bitter vitriol toward one another. Also, in that movie Amy is a much more deliberate a sexual tease, as much to turn on the villagers (and Charlie) than to hurt her husband.

 

[Shameless]

Man this is exactly like the remake of Cast Away.

 

[HBaskerville]

It appears that Bob is actually be trying to sabotage his own show. Choosing to review Straw Dogs over movies we'd actually be willing to see in theaters like Drive or Lion King 3D. It's kind of like choosing Red State over Warrior or Contagion last week ...

Maybe he's trying to emulate Yahtzee by complaining about everything?

I agree with you, Moviedork. These last few episodes seem like such wastes of time when compared with the other choices out there for subject matter.

 

[Hungry Donner]

And I bet they made you watch that Bucky Larson movie right after too - you can't buy publicity like a zero on Rotten Tomatoes

 

[Dana22]

So Bob, are you going to direct a movie anytime soon ? (fingers crossed)

 

[theultimateend]

The previews for Straw Dogs was so shitty that I couldn't fathom any human wanting to see it.

I'm surprised you reviewed it.

"A bunch of texan jocks like to drink and cause trouble." Really? Damn that's a heck of a stretch for a plot.

Maybe I'm just biased because I've lived in the south. Is this sort of thing magical to people in like Maine or something? "Man that wild west! Woo!"

 

[Hitchmeister]

At least by remaking Point Break they have some room to go up. One could argue they have no place else to go. I'm somewhat infamous among my circle of friends for standing up at the end of Point Break and yelling at the screen how stupid it was.

 

[Yankeedoodles]

You know, I think there's a bigger reason than modern society's total inability to deal with ambiguity that a Straw Dogs remake with modern sensibilities was a grade-A terrible idea.

You see, the real problem here is there are just a whole metric fuck-ton of a lot less people out there that genuinely believe that violence never really solves anything than there were when the original came out. The same events with a more modern set of sensiblities have no choice but to come across as an empowerment fantasy, because that's what modern sensibilities believe in.

I don't think that's necessarily the case. The original Straw Dogs came out in 1971. I don't know how things were in the UK, but in the US there was a massive increase in violent crime between 1960 and 1990. However since about 1992 or so there's been a steady decrease in violent crime. We're still not back to the levels they were in the 60s but the trend is downward rather than the upward trend of 1971. Maybe you're right and the violence of that era has left a desire for violent empowerment fantasy in our society. But the facts could also be construed to suggest that society rejects violence even more strongly now than in the past.

This just sounds like they're cashing in on the established dark, violent notoriety of the original movie with a movie which they hope appeals more broadly because of its slightly more appetizing (though now less sensical) story.

 

[SOCIALCONSTRUCT]

The last acceptable targets: rednecks, Russian ultra-nationalists, Christians (as long as they are white).