Pratfalls and Slapstick in Modern Movies...
08-09-05, 04:40 AM
#1
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Pratfalls and Slapstick in Modern Movies...
I HATE 'EM!!! BAN 'EM!!!
That shit was "Cute" back in '30's and maybe even all the way into the '60's and '70's. However, now pratfalls and slapstick humor are not only bad in modern movies, but 98% unnecessary. I don't know if it's because they're not being executed properly or because they're just thrown into films to replace genuine comedy.
I just saw the trailer for "Yours, Mine and Ours" which is a remake of the 1968 film with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. What seemed like a potentially decent trailer for a modern day take on an old flick suddenly became a Childish trailer full of pratfalls and really bad slapstick. Did the original have the same kind of gags in it? It's been a while since I've seen it. Either way I got the feeling the whole movie was full of that kind of silliness and it turned my off right away.
Come to think of it, they did the same silly shit in “Cheaper by the Dozen" (2003) which is another remake of one of my favorite films featuring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy from 1950. I know for a fact the 50's version didn't have the same stupid gags.
Anyway, that's my take on things.
NO MORE PRATFALLS AND OR SLAPSTICK unless:
a. You can do them right
b. You can make them funny.
c. You can use them to supplement the humor. NOT attempt to carry the movie with them.
That shit was "Cute" back in '30's and maybe even all the way into the '60's and '70's. However, now pratfalls and slapstick humor are not only bad in modern movies, but 98% unnecessary. I don't know if it's because they're not being executed properly or because they're just thrown into films to replace genuine comedy.
I just saw the trailer for "Yours, Mine and Ours" which is a remake of the 1968 film with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. What seemed like a potentially decent trailer for a modern day take on an old flick suddenly became a Childish trailer full of pratfalls and really bad slapstick. Did the original have the same kind of gags in it? It's been a while since I've seen it. Either way I got the feeling the whole movie was full of that kind of silliness and it turned my off right away.
Come to think of it, they did the same silly shit in “Cheaper by the Dozen" (2003) which is another remake of one of my favorite films featuring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy from 1950. I know for a fact the 50's version didn't have the same stupid gags.
Anyway, that's my take on things.
NO MORE PRATFALLS AND OR SLAPSTICK unless:
a. You can do them right
b. You can make them funny.
c. You can use them to supplement the humor. NOT attempt to carry the movie with them.
Last edited by Giantrobo; 08-09-05 at 09:18 AM.
08-09-05, 11:11 AM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by scott shelton
I would stay away from the DEUCE BIGALOW sequel then...
08-09-05, 11:45 AM
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
RIP John Ritter
08-09-05, 12:06 PM
#6
Needs to contact an admin about multiple accounts
in the trailer business, those moments are often referred to as sandler-esque, a term which annoys the shit out of me. they are always accompanied by over the top sound fx mixed in way too loud... because louder is funnier apparently. for example: see the fat guy falling on the sidewalk in the Hitch trailer.
08-09-05, 03:21 PM
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Interesting. I don't know, it jsut seem bad in tody's movies and they're definately not funny in most cases. I guess they work in Kid's flicks...
08-09-05, 03:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan1boy
RIP John Ritter
I loved Ritter but even back in his "Three's Company" days those falls and his reactions were never that funny to me. John was great actor without all that shit. But I know I'm in the minority on that.
