#rodlurie

[moviesharkd]

Behind the Lens Radio Show – 07/13/2020 with guests MIKE ARTHUR and CALEB LANDRY JONES

Miss #BTLRadioShow live this week? Catch up now with this fun-filled show thanks to writer/director MIKE ARTHUR talking the noodly goodness of his latest documentary, I, PASTAFARI. Plus, our prerecorded exclusive interview with CALEB LANDRY JONES talking about his award-worthy performance in THE OUTPOST.

[moviesharkd]

THE OUTPOST is the Best Picture of the Year

THE OUTPOST is an emotional powerhouse that grabs your heart and soul with both hands and doesn't let go. This is not an action movie. This is a "war movie". Nothing is sugar-coated. Nothing is romanticized. Rod Lurie's direction is award-worthy as is that of the artisans who helped craft this masterful film. This is how you make a film.

[moviesharkd]

Behind The Lens Radio Show – 06/29/2020 with guests MICHAEL CUENCA and ROD LURIE

Miss #BTLRadioShow live on Monday? This is one show you don't want to miss, so take a listen now to this exciting episode with writer/director/editor/composer MICHAEL CUENCA, who joins us live talking about his new I'LL BE AROUND, while director ROD LURIE talks about his latest (and greatest) film THE OUTPOST, in our exclusive prerecorded interview.

[99quotes]

Quote by Rod Lurie

I do have this belief that we all have a chance to be great, beautiful people based on how we are raised and our surroundings.

I do have this belief that we all have a chance to be great, beautiful people based on how we are raised and our surroundings. —Rod Lurie

[onthelinefilms]

Today's additions to my #MovieCollection, from #MovieTradingCompany. #LAConfidential, an amazing #Film!! Also stars #GuyPearce, who I had the pleasure to work with on #Results. He kills it in this movie!!! Been trying to add the next to my collection for a bit, part of my #OriginalandRemake collecting, the original #ManOnFire. #TonyScott was slated to do this flick, but lost the opportunity, and later made is version with #DenzelWashington. This version stars #ScottGlenn as #Creasy. Sticking with the #Remake theme, a film I actually even got to work on, the updated #StrawDogs. I got this, to say hey I did that, but also to pair up with the original #SamPeckinpah movie starring #DustinHoffman. Also, the remake Director, #RodLurie, did a film called #TheLastCastle, which I Love!! That starred #RobertRedford, who I got to work with recently! I could go on and on!!! Man, #ILoveMovies!!! #Cinephile #Movies #BluRay #BluRayCollection #TodaysFinds #MakingMovies (at Movie Trading Company - Hurst)

[theenthusiasticcinephile]

Straw Dogs

1 hour 50 minutes

Rated R (Strong Brutal Violence Including A Sexual Attack, Menace, Some Sexual Content, and Pervasive Language)

Directed by Rod Lurie

Starring James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgard, Dominic Purcell, Laz Alonso, Willa Holland, and James Woods

3 out of 4 stars

Straw Dogs is a surprisingly well-made remake that doesn't go too over the top. It is pretty violent though, and I'll warn that there is a sexual attack in the film. I remember when I watched Wes Craven's original The Last House on the Left I enjoyed it because even though it was brutal it didn't exactly try to put a label on itself as a flat-out horror film. The 2009 Dennis Iliadis remake is suspenseful but tries too hard to act like a horror film. And worst of all, the violence goes completely over the top. Straw Dogs is different though. It's brutal but doesn't try to celebrate horror movie conventions. This is strictly a thriller about the animal inside us and the time it takes for us to release it.

The controversial Sam Peckinpah original, though, is much much much much much better. It came out in 1971 and it still manages to shock me every time I watch it. It's about Dustin Hoffman and Susan George, a married couple that decides to move into George's old house in Cornwall, England. Their lives get mixed up with some creepy old british men and thennnnnn it get bad. That's all I'll say. Hoffman and George give grade A performances and the editing is exhilarating. Best of all though is the movie's views on violence in society. Why are certain people fascinated by it? Sometimes we exhibit violence when we don't mean to and sometimes we're forced to to protect our own lives.

The remake is set in the south this time and stars James Marsden and Kate Bosworth as the couple and Alexander Skarsgard, or Eric from True Blood, as the main baddie. The movie certainly isn't as effective as the old one and its philosophical views feel less intact. However I was engrossed by its effort. Director Rod Lurie understands the meaning of the original and tries his absolute best to make a faithful remake and in many ways he succeeds. The acting is superb. Marsden makes his character as dorky and awkward as Hoffman's. Bosworth is surprisingly natural here. Skarsgard is great at being bad. James Woods, as well, is so amazing at being bad too.

The editing is very well-done as well. The cross-cutting technique that signifies Peckinpah's films (specifically The Wild Bunch) isn't really used here but does it need to? I'm glad that Lurie didn't simply repeat what Peckinpah did in the editing room. The soundtrack in the movie is also very nicely handled. If you've seen the trailer for the movie then unfortunately you pretty much know what will be the big climax of the film. Take my word for it, DO NOT WATCH THIS TRAILER. Be surprised. Even though Hollywood made this trailer to try and get more audiences Straw Dogs still got #5 at the box office its opening week. Trailers don't always work!