Straw Dogs (2011) Dir. Rod Lurie
R 110 mins.
Some times it takes me a while to get around to watching something. This movie was released late last year, and I just recently viewed it. And I liked it. James Marsden is fine as the every day Joe pushed to the breaking point when confonted by a group of red neck, hillbilly, ex-high school footballers, turned red neck, hillbilly, beer guzzlin' roofers trying to gain entry into their house. "I will not allow violence against this house". I will always hold this particular arcetype against Kurt Russel's power house performance in 1997's Breakdown. "You want me to stop!?! You want me to stop!?! 'Cause I bet this baby stops on a fucking dime!" Love it. Awesome movie.
Generally I stay away from thrillers. They either frustrate me with the obviously stupid decisions the characters often make, or they serve to remind us just sickly depressing our society is, by reflecting it on screen.
The best (or should I say worst) example in recent memory being Law Abiding Citizen. Good movie, vigilante justice is served. But for anyone who has seen this, it's the opening scene that is most likely remembered. Those of us with children for sure. The fucker that picks up the little girl, walking off camera (thankfully) telling his partner that "he's good with kids" while the horrified father watches helplessly. That scene stuck with me for days. I don't need that shit. I wanna be entertained, whisked away by the fantastical, provoked by new ideas, not reminded of the horrors that so randomly await us. So I tend to stay from this genre, but Straw Dogs doesn't feature any children, so this is safer territory.
Plus I'm a fan of James Marsden.
I'm still bitter over his handling in the X-Men films, especially the third. The one helmed by Brett ("rehearsals are for f*gs") Ratner. Douche. But it was his role as homophobic big brother in 2008's Sex Drive that I think of when his name is mentioned. "Tough talking" then beating the crap out of the garage door when he realises his younger bro stole his prized late model Dodge Charger almost brings me to tears every time I watch it. For those not easily offended, check this one out.
Straw Dogs also has that no-talent twit Kate Bosworth staring as his stupid, clueless, annoying, bitchy wife. I don't if that's what film makers wanted from her, maybe she just put too much of herself into the role. For those who can't read between the lines; I don't like Bosworth. I attribute my disdain for her as a result of her horribly mis-cast turn as Lois Lane in Superman Returns (also starring James Marsden). On a rooftop with Superman (basically the love of her life, for those of you spending the last 75 yrs. off world) after a 5 yr absence looking for remnants of his home world, he's returned and tells Lois that Krypton really is destroyed, and he really is all alone. And what does she say in return? "Oh you'll never be alone"? "Oh, how I've missed you, and love you and I'm so glad you've returned"? No. She says, "well you're back. And eveybody's real happy about it" (said like the real snotty bitch she is). Stupid bitch! Anyways, holy crap, way off topic here. This review was intended as a comment on the whole remake epidemic.
Straw Dogs is a remake of the '71 film of the same name starring Dustin Hoffman. Which was, as is usually the case, better received than this current do-over.
Is Hollywood lacking in originality? Most would argue yes. I can hardly disagree.
I mean look what's come just in the last year: Fright Night, Conan, Footloose and Tinkor, Tailor, Soldier, Spy to name a few. And on the horizon; Total Recall, Judge Dredd, Escape from New York, Poltergeist, Meatballs, Red Dawn.....on and on and.....
If it's not a remake it's a sequel or a prequel or based on a novel [Twilight and it's sequels (are we done yet?), The hunger Games and it's inevitable sequels (although this looks more promising)], or based on TV show (the 80's being the preferred decade), or based on a play. And here is the definitive proof Hollywood's scraping the bottom of the idea barrel: Battleship! Yeah, that's right Battleship. Like the Milton and Bradly Battleship.WTF! How do you stretch; B4..."You sunk my battleship!" into a 2 hr. movie? It will be sheer curiosity, nothing more that leads me to watching this one. And I'm afraid Mr. Neeson I've lost a little respect sir. This is also to be Rhianna's introductory film role. Time will tell if this was a good idea for her or not. (I'm guessing no)
In conclusion, although it only made $10 mil. domestically, Straw Dogs a remake worth a watch.
