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IRL (In Real Life) => Music, TV, Movies => Topic started by: JasonPratt on December 09, 2019, 04:03:58 PM

Title: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 09, 2019, 04:03:58 PM
Not a fan film, except maybe in the best way possible?



Written and directed by Jason Reitman.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Huw the Poo on December 09, 2019, 04:08:28 PM
How does that respect the source material?  It doesn't seem to have any of the spirit (lol) of the original at all, and no comedy that I could discern.  And it's full of irritations like "didn't your dad tell you about this?" despite the fact that if the events of the original film were true, then you literally have proof of the existence of the soul.  Oh and KIDS SAVE THE DAY aaaarrrrggghhhh NOOOO!

No.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 09, 2019, 04:31:16 PM
Agreed on no discernable comedy; the spirit is completely different in that sense. It's more of a meta-context on the current generation discovering how cool the original Ghostbusters were.

I'm a bit torn on the apparent lack of meaningful societal followup to the events of the original. On one hand, the original absolutely waved that off to the side (and even moreso in GB2, which appears to be non-canon now?) On the other hand, they could do that because it was a comedy (with some sporadic flashy action, arguably the first of its kind); whereas this is taking everything relatively seriously (in the obvious Spielbergian fashion), so then there's no excuse for the lack of cultural impact.

However, having said that: there is obviously a deep respect for the source material per se. You can plausibly argue they aren't sufficiently respecting the spirit of the source material, but they do clearly respect the material. You could even plausibly argue that they're overcompensating for 2016's lack of any respect for the source material, and so they have too much respect for the source material (which should have dry jocular irreverence.)

But they do have respect, and I'm willing to give them that much of a chance.

My guess at the moment is that this is an alternate canon sequel to the original, taking the idea of the GBs being discredited after their victory over the Gozerian (as in GB2), and playing it seriously from there.


(Edited to add: the fact that I can even type that with a straight face, so to speak, means I'm probably going to love the film. The comedy was fine, if over-the-top sometimes; but I loved the concept and the gear, and that's what they're clearly marketing for.)
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Huw the Poo on December 09, 2019, 04:53:46 PM
Well it's just my opinion but I think you're being far too generous Jason.  What you call respect for the material, I call ripping it off to sell what would otherwise have been a totally different film.  Setting aside the fact that it's set in the same universe, going by everything in that trailer, it seems to be a film for someone totally different to those who enjoyed the original comedies (and let's be honest, they were comedies first and foremost).

You're right that it's very Spielbergian, which is another reason I think it will suck.  Yes that's right I said it - Spielberg is a hack!  How's that for iconoclasm?! :D
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Jarhead0331 on December 09, 2019, 05:09:26 PM
Only thing that trailer accomplished was getting me in the mood for munchkins.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Gusington on December 09, 2019, 05:43:41 PM
'Sup.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: SirAndrewD on December 09, 2019, 11:21:17 PM
Needs more comedy.  Otherwise, I'm interested.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Anguille on December 10, 2019, 06:38:02 AM
Comedy will start when the heroes come back imho
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 10, 2019, 09:33:49 AM
Quote from: Huw the Poo on December 09, 2019, 04:53:46 PM
What you call respect for the material, I call ripping it off to sell what would otherwise have been a totally different film.

Well, I mean, this IS Sony Pictures after all, so I can't discount that theory.  :hide:
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 10:13:42 AM
Not sure what Jason Reitman's relationship was with his father Ivan, but I would think this new movie is more of a tribute to the original than ripping it off. That sounds really harsh, Huw.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 10, 2019, 12:49:31 PM
The film is clearly set up to be a Father's Day gift about how much Jason Reitman loves his Dad.

That won't make it automatically a good film, but I'm willing to give it plenty of opportunity on that alone.

I will of course write a scathing tome and post it here if I end up disappointed in the story structure etc.   You all know this  >:D

The crew seem to be on board with the film, so that may count for something, too, after the 2016 debacle: they wouldn't want to go through something like that again.


Quote from: Anguille on December 10, 2019, 06:38:02 AM
Comedy will start when the heroes come back imho

That seems plausible.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 01:32:59 PM
Will Aykroyd, Hudson or Murray be making cameos?
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Huw the Poo on December 10, 2019, 01:53:19 PM
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 10:13:42 AM
Not sure what Jason Reitman's relationship was with his father Ivan, but I would think this new movie is more of a tribute to the original than ripping it off. That sounds really harsh, Huw.

I call it as I see it.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 10, 2019, 04:03:03 PM
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 01:32:59 PM
Will Aykroyd, Hudson or Murray be making cameos?

Everyone is listed on imdb, but that isn't necessarily official of course.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 07:16:39 PM
I am cautiously optimistic 😎
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: SirAndrewD on December 10, 2019, 07:59:30 PM
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 01:32:59 PM
Will Aykroyd, Hudson or Murray be making cameos?

Everyone but Rick Moranis have agreed to return.  Murray made no direct statement about it but Dan Aykroyd confirmed he would be in the film in May.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 08:55:39 PM
Rick Moranis had basically lost his mind since the death of his wife many years ago, from what I have read. Sad.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rick_Moranis

Sigourney Weaver is coming back??
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 10, 2019, 09:16:44 PM
That's what I heard, yep! -- even Dana.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Staggerwing on December 10, 2019, 09:45:40 PM
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 08:55:39 PM
Rick Moranis had basically lost his mind since the death of his wife many years ago, from what I have read. Sad.


That seems a bit harsh.
Though I'd never ever imagine I had anything approaching Rick Moranis's talent, I have also had to forgo a lot of what the wider world may have had in store for me when I decided to focus on caring for my kids over personal career ambitions.

Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 10, 2019, 10:16:02 PM
Hm.

Enough downer vibes! Now for some RLM commentary on this project!

"So, Rich, are you excited for another Ghostbusters? {sip}"



"...not really?"
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: SirAndrewD on December 10, 2019, 10:40:58 PM
Quote from: Staggerwing on December 10, 2019, 09:45:40 PM
Quote from: Gusington on December 10, 2019, 08:55:39 PM
Rick Moranis had basically lost his mind since the death of his wife many years ago, from what I have read. Sad.


That seems a bit harsh.
Though I'd never ever imagine I had anything approaching Rick Moranis's talent, I have also had to forgo a lot of what the wider world may have had in store for me when I decided to focus on caring for my kids over personal career ambitions.

Yeah, that's a bit farther than what seems to be the case.  Moranis decided to retire and raise his family when his wife died.  Since then he's done some voice acting after his kids grew up, but he's been fine living off well invested money and never really liked the rigors of filming anyway. 

Movie making is kinda hard.  I was an on screen extra in the flop Walk in the Woods, with Robert Redford and Nick Nolte.  I put in a paid 18 hour day shooting two shots in the background.  It was kind of grueling.  Take after take in a hot diner with constant stops and reshoots. 

That was just a one day thing for me.  Got to hang out with Robert Redford which was cool since I was in the shot with him and he was free with conversation on the downtime.  Other than that though, yikes.  If I had enough money doing that job to retire from it I would.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Sir Slash on December 10, 2019, 11:40:17 PM
Sweet! I'm ready for Butch & Sundance Part 2.  O0
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 11, 2019, 08:50:16 AM
I think someone already did a sequel to Butch and Sundance? Maybe more than once?

The more recent one I even remember getting good reviews!
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: JasonPratt on December 11, 2019, 09:03:06 AM
Yep, I'm not insane! https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1629705

Blackthorn, with Sam Shepherd as Cassidy, trying to get back home after many years living in Bolivia.
Title: Re: Ghostbusters 2020 = Spielbergian respect for source material?!?
Post by: Sir Slash on December 11, 2019, 12:02:18 PM
That looks good. I don't know how I missed it. I pine for good Westerns.  :dreamer: