Ever since Tarantino and Rodriguez did "Grindhouse" a few years back, filmmakers, always on the look out for an idea to do to death, have given us the "homage film." You know, those loving tributes to exploitation films from the past that we all adore, often decked out with faux scratches, missing reels, and crappy acting. We've seen "Black Dynamite," actually quite an excellent blaxploitation parody, as well as "Machete," and this year's "Drive Angry." There was even a Russ Myers' parody, "Pervert!" which didn't really work because Myers' films were already parodies. And now comes the homage to the 80s vigilante film, "Hobo with a Shotgun," playing in Canadian theatres and on U.S. pay-per-view, with U.S. theatrical dates beginning May 6. Let's run down the 80s elements: Rutger Hauer as a hobo with a shotgun. Check Hooker with heart of gold. Check Bada** dialogue ("I'll wash the blood off my face with your blood."). Check Oversaturated Technicolor generating rusty- colored flesh tones. Check. Over-the-top, sadistic villains. Check Buckets of blood. Check Cheesy syntehsizer score. Check Robots. Check.
OK, so what is the problem, you ask. As much as I adore 80s exploitation films, and as well made as this movie is (and it's actually too well made for the films that it is parodying), it's just not the same. It's like doing an excellent rendition of the Mona Lisa in paint-by-numbers. It may look good, but it's just not the same as the real thing. There isn't a lot of creativity at work when you simply use beloved 80s films as a cookbook of ingredients and expect folks to "ooooo and ahhhh" over your cool film. I think that the two Nova Scotia guys behind this film are talents to watch, and if you can stomach the incredible amount of blood and gore (I think they must've used all the corn syrup in Nova Scotia), then "Hobo" is worth a look. But let's just say "no" to more of these fan specials. The 80s films stand on their own, in their own special way. There's no need to make slavish copies today.
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
No doubt I'll agree with your no more in the end, but for now I'm enjoying them Wish they'd show Hobo here Posted by Logan 5 (Member # 1467) on :
I have the same issue with a lot of stuff. I find it hard giving credit to people who've, for want of a better word - 'traced' something. When the influences are more present than whatever new ideas someone has put in, it just seems like a copy.
I feel the same about certain bands. The two words that always come to mind are; 'pastiche' and 'ersatz'.
quote:Originally posted by Helen_S: No doubt I'll agree with your no more in the end, but for now I'm enjoying them Wish they'd show Hobo here
Logan, you said it better than I did. It's hard to feel love for something that's simply "traced." And "Hobo with a Shotgun" is a pastiche of 80s vigilante films and an ersatz 80s exploitation film. Those two adjectives perfectly describe it. Instead of making these silly knock-offs, why don't these folks just come on the Rewind and talk about the films, preserve memories, catalogue trivia for historical purposes, etc.?
High marks for "The Littlest Hobo" credits!
[ 04. April 2011, 18:11: Message edited by: Crash ]
Posted by Helen_S (Member # 5804) on :
quote:Originally posted by Logan 5: Here's the only hobo you'll ever need:
Aww Posted by The Good Package (Member # 9492) on :
so are you against the attempt to do this style of film again today, or today's way of doing this style of film.
i think these can be done again, and done right.
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
I am against slavish, mechanical replications of 80s films that have this "gee, isn't this so cool?" attitude simply because the filmmakers checked off the boxes of required elements--bad color, synth track, Rutger Hauer...
You can do an 80s exploitation film in today's style. The guys who did the remake of My Bloody Valentine and Drive Angry succeeded pretty well. Less winking at the fans and more creativity... That's all I ask.
Posted by The Good Package (Member # 9492) on :
ah, the shameless cash-in thing. i would like to see orginal stories too.
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Yeah, and I'd forgotten to mention "House of the Devil" from a few years ago, another shameless attempt to ape a 70s-80s exploitation film that just didn't work at all.
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I really haven't watched enough of this stuff to comment. I believe Hobo With A Shotgun was filmed in my "backyard", about an hour and a half away from where I live. A friend of a friend apparently had a run in with Rutger Hauer, and noted, in as nice a way as possible, that...he was one freaky dude!
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Kev, your beautiful part of the world was made to look pretty darn seedy by your fellow Nova Scotians in "Hobo with a Shotgun."
Even at his age, Rutger Hauer is still pretty intimidating. I wouldn't want to tangle with him in a dark alley, shotgun or no shotgun. LOL
Posted by kevdugp73 (Member # 5978) on :
I'm actually interested in seeing this now...maybe recognize a few spots in the movie....
Posted by Crash (Member # 7484) on :
Take a look at the crazy trailer... Hobo with a Shotgun Trailer Posted by The Good Package (Member # 9492) on :
crash, this is probably the best trailer i have seen this year so far, at least its better than mars needs moms
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Wish they'd show Hobo here ![[Mad]](mad.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
