Open your eyes

[ffreak]

Abre los ojos is a well written and well directed film by Alejandro Amenábar of Spain (born in Chile).

We know it better in the U.S. by the name of the remake, Vanilla Sky. But the remake is by no means a better movie. Once you see the original, you will be tempted to rail against the stupidity of Hollywood for the essential story elements that they removed.

The original vision is not only complete, it makes complete sense. There is an entire layer of story missing in the remake, and without it, the protagonist seems like he is simply trapped in a loop. Within the missing layer, we have hope.

Are there other movies like this? Do you have a favorite example?

Tell us about them.

-FF (always wanting to expand my visual experience)

BTW Señor Amenábar also wrote Lot Otros which became the movie: The Others

 

[MathGirl]

Originally posted by ffreak [ But the remake is by no means a better movie. Once you see the original, you will be tempted to rail against the stupidity of Hollywood for the essential story elements that they removed.

Dear f,
Sounds like "Meaning of Life" without the Mr Creosote scene.
Cinematographically,
MG

 

[Guest]

You're spot on, Eff. I love Amenábar and I've watched The Others several times, it's like a favorite poem, slays me to joy. Not quite up to 'snuff' (test pun there), but I appreciated his "Tesis" also.

Offhand, disastrous remakes:

Madonna's hubby's "Swept Away"; what the fuck was he thinking? Rhetorically put; we all know. (Hubba, hubba, as Maths says.)

The remake of Godard's "Breathless" with Richard Gere was crap; the original still a breath of freshness. Poor Seberg...

I enjoyed Sharon Stone and Isabelle Adjani in "Diabolique"; I think of it as good-bad, but forced to choose - the original hands down.

Compare Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" and "The Magnificent Seven". Sorry, but I merely think of Toshiro Mifune and all else is nil.

more anon, Perdita

 

[raphy]

I have to admit, I did rather think Nolte and De Niro did a fantastic job in the remake of Cape Fear though.. Especially De Niro..

As to hollywood remakes of foreign films - I'm not that well versed in foreign cinema, I'm afraid.

Raph, part of the 'big guns and loud explosions' 80s generation.

 

[Guest]

Can't help myself - Nolte is a schmuck actor (I hate self-involved emotions that speak nothing but personal angst and self-pathos and are little more than trickery and technique). De Niro was an overblown villain compared to Mitchum, and IMO his best work ended with Taxi Driver.

Perdita (rough on actors, and writers)

 

[destinie21]

I like the french movie Nikkita the name of the american remake escapes me but I do remember I didn't enjoy it because so much of the plot and sub plot was missing.

 

[Icingsugar]

I like the french ovie Nikkita the name of the american remake escapes me but I do remember I didn't enjoy it because so much of the plot and sub plot was missing.

"Point of No Return" I think. It wasn't even half decent. On the other hand, I think the remake was pretty much an exact copy, down to certain memorable camera angles even. So the faliure had simply to do with an uninspired effort on all accounts. Or did I miss osmething?

 

[Icingsugar]

Compare Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai" and "The Magnificent Seven". Sorry, but I merely think of Toshiro Mifune and all else is nil.

Haven't the Seven Samurai formula been re-used in, like, a zillion films ever since? Even some extremely good ones. I'm not at all a movie buff, so I can't give you any namedropping at the moment.


Oh, and I for one enjoyed Vanilla Sky, although I didn't really like the ending. A but too much explaining. I'd rather leave a movie a little unsure than having it all excessively unravelled in the last five minutes. I've been searching for the Amenábar original, but so far haven't found it.

 

[ffreak]

Going backward (I reference other movies by the same writers):

Icing: I found Open Your Eyes at a local Blockbuster video store - and was surprised when I got home to find it was in Spanish with subtitles (a fact that was not on the box, but I will leave the mismarketing of films to another thread). Of course the material on the box simply stated that it was a murder mystery and I vaguely recognized the writer (had to go home to find out why). But once the film started, I was intrigued and captured. I don't know who the most prevalent companies are in Europe for videos - but it's worth finding.

Mrs. D: Yeah, I like la femme, Nikkita too. BTW Luc Besson also wrote; The Transporter which includes one of my wife's favorite action sequences, where he knocks on the door, then kicks it in just as the guy reaches for the handle, The Big Blue, and The Fifth Element.

Perdita: never saw the Madonna version of Swept Away - it has Madonna. With À bout de soufflé, how can you go wrong with Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg? I agree with your assessment of Les Diaboliques with Simone Signoret - this is also the author of Vertigo directed by Hitchcock. But with Shichinin no samurai I think both it and The Magnificent Seven stand within their respective genre's acceptably - I never see them as the same story (even though they are) simply because I can forget while watching the western that it is anything more than a showcase of seven actors I like. At least Kurosawa got credit for the story. It is sadly amusing to me that the only movies that are recognizable to most people based on his stories are Runaway Train and Last Man Standing

I tend to pay attention to the writer of the story more so than the adapter to a screenplay. After all, this is the Author's Hangout.

-FF

 

[pop_54]

Hmmmmm

I'm no film buff but I agree Holywood fuck up everything they ever remake, rename, rehash, or as usual generally make sure the Americans won all the wars single handed, even the ones they weren't involved with.

As for poor unfortunate people like Allan Rickman always being cast as a villain so as not to offend the US public.

Tell me US public who visit here, do you really like being treated like kids by your film makers/producers who think the truth would unhinge you in some way.

I see they've just remade the 'Italian Job', bound to be true to the original isn't it, set in LA as I believe it is, ahem.

'Blade Runner directors cut' was actually a better effort than the original cut to shit version I must admit.

I wonder when they get round eventually to remaking 'Laurence of Arabia' will they recreate that memorable first ever genuine running long shot at the Oasis well where Omar Sharif appears out of the heat haze on his mount in a scene lasting minutes on screen. Umm no I don't think so, they'll use computer graphics no doubt to do it in studio.

Anyway enough inflammatory crap from me.

 

[Jenny _S]

I'm sorry...

But the all time greatest acting effort in a Hollywood film was Jack Nicholson in "That All There Is". He was totally nuts. He was totally funny. And he made some outstanding character/personality changes from the beginning, throwing the dog down the laundry chute to the end where he becomes a real human being. Loved it. Seen it a dozen times.

 

[ffreak]

Pops, I'm still looking for the original version of The Italian Job and hope it is as good as I expect. The new version is well worth the look-see. It takes place in Venice and Lala land. There are no sex scenes, the language is not littered with 20 adjectives used as verbs to one noun, the stunts do not involve computer graphics, and the only real violence is handled as well as the scene in Psycho - oh, and it's still running in the theatres - may become the Oscar sleeper of the year. Word in the movie critic circles is that they stuck to the old style of doing the story.

The Thomas Crown Affair is different. The 1969 version with Norman Jewison directing Steve McQueen was a flip-flash disjointed movie that made you wonder why McQueen got involved. The 1999 version with John McTiernan directing Pierce Brosnan was so much better it makes the original seem not even worth watching. I loved their use of Rene Magritte's The Son of Man.

-FF (I can say lala land if I want to - I was born there a long time ago)

 

[gauchecritic]

I have nothing to compare it to, but since I don't think Sinatra could act to save his life I really liked George Clooney's Ocean's 11 remake.

But then I liked all the Hackman films where he played the knowledgeable ex-spy guy: The Conversation, whatever the follow up to that was and even Enemy of The State. Oh and also that film with Robert Redford, Day of the Condor(?)

Gauche (thinking he should've started another thread)

 

[Icingsugar]

and the only real violence is handled as well as the scene in Psycho

Speaking of which, did anyone see the -98 remake of that, with Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche? Really really really really bad.

 

[CrazyyAngel]

As to hollywood remakes of foreign films - I'm not that well versed in foreign cinema, I'm afraid.

Just a few examples:

- "City of Angels" with Meg Ryan, Nicholas Cage is a remake of Wim Wender's "Himmel über Berlin"

- "Three men and a baby", directed by Mr. Spock, with Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson - a remake of a french movie

- "Nine Month" with Hugh Grant and Robin Williams, also a remake of a french movie

- "My father the hero" with Gerard Depardieu is the remake of the 3 years earlier produced french movie "Mon pere, ce heros" ... Depardieu plays the exact same role in both movies

... there are dozens of others.

Mrs. D: Yeah, I like la femme, Nikkita too. BTW Luc Besson also wrote; The Transporter which includes one of my wife's favorite action sequences, where he knocks on the door, then kicks it in just as the guy reaches for the handle, The Big Blue, and The Fifth Element.

Not to forget his best movie ... León, the Professional with Jean Reno. I just love that movie.

Originally posted by Jenny_S
But the all time greatest acting effort in a Hollywood film was Jack Nicholson in "That All There Is".

Don't you mean "As good as it gets"? Where he plays that book author falling in love with Helen Hunt? But you are right, his performance was outstanding. I love this movie ... Jack is just great.

And regarding that remake thingy ... what is it with you americans and foreign movies? Why do you have to make a remake instead of just dubbing it, like we here in germany do?

CA

 

[raphy]

Ah now.. Leon was a truly excellent movie, but Gary Oldman and Jean Reno never disappoint.

As for the remake movies you listed.. I have to admit, the only one I ever saw was Three Men and a Baby, and that was only because my gf at the time demanded I watch it, heh..

Eff, good luck in your search for the original of the Italian Job. I hope you find it, it's a classic movie.

Ocean's Eleven was clever-ish, reminded me very much of Robert Reford and Sneakers.

Raph, could talk about movies, but probably doesn't have quite as discerning tastes as some others here.

 

[Guest]

I lurrrrvvv La Femme Nikita esp. for her lover, Jean-Hughes Anglade. After I saw LFN I rented everythign w/Anglade; he's so my fave type. He's in Betty Blue and La Reine Margot, both fine. Also in Nikita - la grand Jeanne Moreau - chic de chic! But Bridget Fonda in the remake: pfft!

Sinatra a non-actor I agree, Gauche; and The Conversation is one of Coppola's best films. I've always found Hackman one of the sexiest men on screen. To put it like a dear friend says, He's utterly fuckable. A really fine Hackman role you'll find in "Night Moves". There's a scene where he comes up behind his film wife and begins fondling a breast - simple but an utterly erotic visual.

Sugar, you're right about Kurosawa borrowings, but none have impressed me. Spielberg and Lucas use 'em alot but in cartoonish ways, not what I'd label true hommage. At least they helped finance 'Ran'. The Psycho remake was the oddest thing ever - duplicated the original frame for frame, but why?

Pops, no, I don't like Hollywood in general, though it's a fun place to visit.

I like Nicholson as well as anyone, but As Good As It Gets was too cute and unreal, way too much syrup, and Helen Hunt always looks dopey. She was a laughable Viola in 12th Night, an actress NOT (just my harsh opinion); she has no face (ref. Gloria Swanson in Sunset Blvd.)

CAngel: I love Jean Reno and The Professional, and Oldman as the off the charts bad guy.

anon, Perdita

 

[ffreak]

Raphy, your tastes are just fine.

CrazyAngel - I ask the same question. The movie I started this thread with is a good example. I have seen several of the actors from the original in movies using English, so the entire film could have been dubbed in English. The only reason I can think of as to why they so foolishly slaughtered this film as a remake is so they could use it as a vehicle to promote Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz (the box office draw - made mucho euro's - how I don't know - even in Spain - what's wrong with those people! It made it's budget in Europe alone).

for the detail oriented:
Der Himmel über Berlin (the sky over berlin) was released as Wings of Desire in 1988 - then remade into City of Angels in 1998.

Three Men and a Baby was from a French screenplay: Trois hommes et un couffin (three men and a cradle) two years earlier (1985).

Nine Months was done only one year after Neuf mois (1994)

My Father, the Hero was also done three years after Mon père, ce héros (1991) Depardieu was in both versions.

Gauche - Three Days of the Condor - a great film was originally titled Six Days of the Condor as a book - but not a remake. Maybe a thread on spy movies would be in order.

-FF (with way too much movie info available - we've only seen 50 so far this year, won't make it to our record of 102 - amazingly enough we have less than 10 on our don't ever recommend list - still rank writing as most important aspect)

 

[raphy]

Pops, no, I don't like Hollywood in general, though it's a fun place to visit.

And that'd be what I meant by me having tastes that are somewhat less discerning than some others here =)

I'm definitely a popcorn boy.

Raph, who just got done watching American Psycho again. Forgot how much I love this movie.

 

[raphy]

Hehe, thanks Eff, but you should know that you're talking about a boy who rates The Princess Bride, The Last Boy Scout and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man amongst his top all time movies..

Popcorn boy.. But I repeat myself..

Raph, hiding now.

 

[Guest]

Hey, Raff. I'm a popcorn gurl. I really didn't mean to be snobby. I have lots against Hollywood vis-a-vis the waste of money and press, but I enjoy good crap. I loved American Pie, and others I can't recall at the moment. I must read and see American Psycho (well talked about not too long ago by the discerning Mlle. Blue Pen).

Last weekend saw Roberto Rodriguez' "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" and totally loved it. Very Mexico, very funny, moving, etc. The violence is surreal and so not disturbing at all. Johnny Depp is brilliant (as usual lately). See it, and buy un grande pop-maíz.

'dita

 

[raphy]

Hey, Raff. I'm a popcorn gurl. I really didn't mean to be snobby. I have lots against Hollywood vis-a-vis the waste of money and press, but I enjoy good crap. I loved American Pie, and others I can't recall at the moment. I must read and see American Psycho (well talked about not too long ago by the discerning Mlle. Blue Pen).

Last weekend saw Roberto Rodriguez' "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" and totally loved it. Very Mexico, very funny, moving, etc. The violence is surreal and so not disturbing at all. Johnny Depp is brilliant (as usual lately). See it, and buy un grande pop-maíz.

'dita

Oh oh, I want to see that (Once Upon A Time In Mexico) .. Heard mucho good things about it!

And I never thought you were snobby, hun - But I do know that you like things Italian, and Wagner.. I was extrapolating that into your taste in film, and feeling less than intellectual in the comparison - Apologies for the unfounded assumptions =)

American Psycho is *very* good; Christian Bale is excellent, although I'm sure every single person who's ever talked about that movie says the same thing. His performance can't be over-enthused about in any way though, it really is that good. He's a man I really would love to take acting lessons from (and voice coaching - He's used a different accent in almost every one of his movies so far, and they're all flawless)

Not bad for a boy from West Wales who probably grew up talking like Tom Jones.

 

[ffreak]

Thanks for the reccomend on Once Upon a Time in Mexico I am planning on renting both El Mariachi and Desperado to watch the week before we go to see it (or the trio if we can't catch it at the megaplex).

Hard to believe this is done by the same writer who did the Spy Kids movies and From Dusk till Dawn (on our don't see list - everyone is getting turned into vampires instantaniously with the tiniest of scratches, then Harvey Keitel gets a full-blown bite and the action stops so he can say: "I think I've got about 20 minutes before I turn into a vampire" and what does he base that exceptional difference on? the amount of whiskey he's been drinking while he goes through his crisis of faith? - besides the ultimate infuriation to a writer, while they role the credits and back the camera away from the rear of the cantina to reveal it is on top of an ancient Mayan temple - in the middle of the desert?! - they so could have used that in the movie and did not - sorry, I'll stop ranting now)

-FF (love movies - especially ones that make me react - normally in a good way, really)

 

[raphy]

I rather liked Dusk Till Dawn...

But I admit, I may have been distracted by Salma Hayek...........

Raph, sheepishly.

 

[ffreak]

Being distracted by Salma Hayek is a perfectly normal way to behave (and not just for men). Her portrayal of Frida Kahlo (in, of course, Frida) was the best done so far - and will be very difficult to improve upon. The scene with her and Karine Plantadit-Bageot (playing Josephine Baker) was very electric.

-FF (gorgeous soundtrack too - one I bought the day after the movie opened)