tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post1017475889972339818..comments2024-03-29T04:57:26.162-04:00Comments on John Kenneth Muir's Reflections on Cult Movies and Classic TV: Cult-Movie Review: RoboCop (2014)John Kenneth Muirhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-29743881057511747672015-02-05T23:01:23.723-05:002015-02-05T23:01:23.723-05:00Another outstanding essay John. I think many of th...Another outstanding essay John. I think many of these same points could be made about the "Total Recall" remake too. Not terrible, even arguably quite good, actually involving and entertaining watch, well cast, technically competent, but utterly humorless and just not memorable (outside of the art direction and Kate Beckinsale in the TR remake).<br /><br />I think the problem is the lack of auteurs making movies today. I know you are not a big Nolan fan, but he does have very distinctive set of thematic and stylistic obsessions. But aside from him, who are the name genre directors who leave their distinctive stamps on their work? I enjoy the Marvel movies, but they kind of feel all the same, and I honestly cannot tell you who directed what and does it really matter? When we grew up we had Spielberg, Scott, De Palma, Carpenter, Cronenberg, Dante, Zemeckis, Cameron, Verhoeven etc, all with very distinctive styles, thematic pre-occupations, and individual personalities and senses of humor that were reflected in their work. I think that is what is lacking today. Given the current economies of production, I don't think we will ever see another director like Verhoeven (or even a Joe Dante) making big budget studio movies ever again.James J. Caterinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01457868136494514710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-18950767764284833432015-02-05T20:24:11.471-05:002015-02-05T20:24:11.471-05:00Yeah "The Dark Knight" syndrome strikes ...Yeah "The Dark Knight" syndrome strikes again. There is a strong belief that this what folks want to see in their films these days. I always wonder if it is older fans like you, me and Francisco who lament the loss of the humor and fun of genre movies of ages past. The younger generation often sees those films as "cheesy". <br /><br />Veerhoven in particular doesn't strike a chord with a few of the younger viewers I know. That term "cheesy" was used to describe both the original "Robocop" and "Total Recall". Both films are over the top, yes, but it was all done with a satirical target. It just feels like that type of satire isn't appreciated at the moment.<br /><br />And while I feel there is a place for this type of story and this type of film, maybe slapping the name "Robocop" on it, is what ends up hurting it more for us older viewers. We know and love the original film and all it's in your face violence and humor. To see the new film completely drained of all the red (blood and emotion) makes the whole thing feel sterile. <br /><br />Hopefully the pendulum will swing back. "Guardians of the Galaxy" had a lot of humor in it and seemed to really be a hit with viewers. Maybe it is a sign of things to come.Roman J. Martelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09545497713474664555noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12380553.post-48585632564515489692015-02-05T09:32:05.062-05:002015-02-05T09:32:05.062-05:00As a life long Robocop fan, I just couldnt take th...As a life long Robocop fan, I just couldnt take this one....as you mention, its lifeless, humorless when compared to Veerhoven's ultra entertaining original. That killed it for me. Also, all the CGI, the lack of crazy over the top villains, the acid satire....but as you say, it's well shot, well made, it's just lacking in life and humor. Franco Macabrohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10994905312221715861noreply@blogger.com