Weekly Theme

Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

Well it seems lots of other people liked it but I thought Taken was really rather weak. But we can talk about it anyway because it fits the theme.

On of the most drastic differences between the quality of an original film and it's remake has got to be Spoorles and The Vanishing. Unfortunately for me, I had the misfortune of seeing the remake first, which kinda ruined the original for me.

So far my favorite Kurosawa film is still High and Low, which is a gripping story about a kidnapping and ransom of a young boy. Everyone should watch this film. It works on pretty much every level imaginable. The cinematography is absolutely brilliant.

And y'all know by now that I can't talk about kidnapping (or any other theme) without bringing up the Brothers Coen. These guys have somewhat of a kidnapping trilogy of sorts with Raising Arizona, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. These films together raise the most important question: If you were kidnapped, who would you rather have looking for you.

Re:Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

leeroy711:

Well it seems lots of other people liked it but I thought Taken was really rather weak. But we can talk about it anyway because it fits the theme.

On of the most drastic differences between the quality of an original film and it's remake has got to be Spoorles and The Vanishing. Unfortunately for me, I had the misfortune of seeing the remake first, which kinda ruined the original for me.

So far my favorite Kurosawa film is still High and Low, which is a gripping story about a kidnapping and ransom of a young boy. Everyone should watch this film. It works on pretty much every level imaginable. The cinematography is absolutely brilliant.

And y'all know by now that I can't talk about kidnapping (or any other theme) without bringing up the Brothers Coen. These guys have somewhat of a kidnapping trilogy of sorts with Raising Arizona, Fargo and The Big Lebowski. These films together raise the most important question: If you were kidnapped, who would you rather have looking for you.

You are right, the Coens are the kings of kidnapping movies.  And more in general their films usually involve some kind of scheme for getting money, if not kidnapping, then some kind of ransom, blackmail, heist, scheme, robbery, etc...   In fact, looking over their filmography, the only movie of the 13 they have directed that doesn't involve something like this that I can think of is Barton Fink.  And even that I think has some element of businessmen trying to manipulate for more money.  I would be surprised if their next film A Serious Man doesn't feature someone attempting to scheme for huge sums of money, even though the descriptions of it make no mention of anything like that.

Spoorloos is a great mention in this category!  I think I will avoid seeing the remake ever.  Doesn't sound like there is any reason to.  When mentioning that movie I always have to mention that the music at the end is probably the creepiest music I've ever heard.  Also, the bad guy is so identifiable, to me at least.  I am always wondering what would happen if I took that step from imagining these occasional strange compulsions in my head to actually doing them!  Not that I think I ever will, but maybe that's why this movie is good to watch.

Have you seen Buffalo '66?  That is one of the stranger kidnappings in a film.  You almost start to forget she was actually kidnapped after a while.

Re:Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

Risselada:

 

Have you seen Buffalo '66?  That is one of the stranger kidnappings in a film.  You almost start to forget she was actually kidnapped after a while.

I love that movie. Probably my favorite Ricci role.

Re:Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

When I think about kidnapping films the first thing that comes to mind is "It puts the lotion in the basket." The Silence of the Lambs has that rare ability to give me chills each time I watch it and I love it for that. I think a lot of people also became weary of helping others after Buffalo Bill feigned an injury in order to kidnap his prey in the film. The thought of being trapped in a well and starved so someone could skin me definitely gives me the willies.

I just recently got to see my first Buster Keaton film, The General, which revolves around a kidnapping. It's probably one of a handful of films in which the audience is rooting for a Southerner to win out over the North during the Civil War.

Another older film that involves kidnapping is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. It's a disturbingly creepy but incredibly enjoyable musical about a group of mountain men that decide to kidnap the local towns young girls in order to get all the "perks" of marriage.

I'm really only a fan of the first one, but all of the Saw films centered around kidnappings.

Similarly, all of the Cube films revolve around a group of kidnapped victims trying to figure out why they were abducted.

And lastly, The Princess Bride. Undoubtedly doesn't need any explanation. The combination of Wallace Shawn, Andre the Giant and Mandy Patinkin as the kidnappers is just perfection.

Re:Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

leeroy711:

Risselada:

 

Have you seen Buffalo '66?  That is one of the stranger kidnappings in a film.  You almost start to forget she was actually kidnapped after a while.

I love that movie. Probably my favorite Ricci role.

Ha, yeah me too!  That strange dress!!!  Somewhere between strange, kinky, slutty and a strange innocence.  I guess that's how I'd describe a lot of Ricci's characters on average.  Like Lucy in Fear and Loathing too.

Re:Weekly Theme for April 20: Abducted

Risselada:

leeroy711:

Risselada:

 

Have you seen Buffalo '66?  That is one of the stranger kidnappings in a film.  You almost start to forget she was actually kidnapped after a while.

I love that movie. Probably my favorite Ricci role.

.

Ha, yeah me too!  That strange dress!!!  Somewhere between strange, kinky, slutty and a strange innocence.  I guess that's how I'd describe a lot of Ricci's characters on average.  Like Lucy in Fear and Loathing too.

Yeah, you kinda feel dirty by finding her soooo hot....... I  don't know.