Remakers Mark

In part two of our first ‘Bizarro Remakers Mark’, we take a modern movie (2010’s Inception) and talk about how it would be remade in the olden eras of:

We first reveal who the big winners from our recasting selections in part one (hint: everyone’s a winner!). Then we move on to a discussion of three topics around how Inception would be remade in all of the various eras: special effects, ‘dream within a dream’, and overall plot complexity. Along the way we talk about risks in filmmaking in previous eras versus now, how blockbusters and ‘wonder’ have changed in the ~35 years since they have taken over the movie industry, and give some era-specific examples of movies with similar styles and plot devices as Inception.

Update: Mark Joesting, who wasn’t able to make the recording of this episode, provided the following (excellent) summary of his take on Inception in the 1920’s. Enjoy!

Sadly, I wasn’t able to participate in this one, but I will make a case for my 1920’s silent version of Inception, right here.

Inception

Actors and Actresses Discussed

Movies and Links Discussed

Next episode’s movie – The Searchers

In this very special episode of Remakers Mark, we play with our own space-time continuum, for a ‘Bizarro Remakers Mark’ discussion of 2010’s Inception. Unlike normal episodes of RM, where we discuss old movies if recast and remade today, in this episode we flip it for real, recasting a modern movie in several different eras:

Due to a nasty stomach bug, we had our good friend ‘1920’s Jimmy’ sit in to record Mark’s picks.

Inception

Actors and Actresses Discussed

Movies and Links Discussed

In part two of our discussion of When Harry Met Sally, we gush about how great the movie is, and give it credit for inspiring (for good and bad) nearly every romantic comedy since then. Along the way we discuss avoiding the ‘McConaughey Syndrome’ (recent McConaisance aside), why WHMS succeeded when so many other romcoms failed using much the same formula, hold WHMS up as a great example of how ambiguity can actually strengthen a film and its characters, and ponder whether a shot for shot remake of WHMS be successful today.

When Harry Met Sally…

Actors and Actresses Discussed

Movies and Links Discussed

Next movie – Inception

In part one of our discussion of what has proven to be the foundation for the modern romantic comedy, ‘When Harry Met Sally…’, we talk about how we should recast four major roles, and one minor role. Along the way we talk about Billy Crystal as a college student, whether Crystal made or killed Bruno Kirby’s career (but not Kirby himself), and manage to work in a death star reference. We are good Star Wars nerds, after all. Finally, Andy tells an extremely awkward story about the challenges present in slow dancing as a tall junior high student.

When Harry Met Sally…

Actors and Actresses Discussed

Movies and Links Discussed

In Part Two of our discussion of Taxi Driver, we start out by sharing lots of great casting suggestions from friends and fans of the show, including a couple that had us second guessing our choices. Then we reveal which of our choices were the official recasting picks. After that we dive into a discussion and appreciation of the original, including the role of the anti-hero throughout time, wondering whether it might be possible to provide more of a background story for Travis without venturing into cliché-land, a tribute to the dirty old New York City that Taxi Driver showed so well. We also talked about Scorsese’s history with New York, and speculate as to what really happens at the end of the film. Finally, in the spirit of the many Scorsese/DeNiro films, we each provide a director/actor pairing who’s films we have greatly enjoyed.

Taxi Driver

Actors and Actresses Discussed

Movies and Links Discussed

Next movie – When Harry Met Sally…