I recently saw the movie "Dope". I highly recommend it. A few notes: 1. I don't like the "hit the white guy" routine - he's just trying to fit in. And he saves the group from the drug dealers. Is one word really worth all that hating? 2. The plot concept was "borrowed" straight from "Risky Business". It's still a great, highly enjoyable film, but a more obvious homage to RB would have been appropriate. Audiences notice these things. 3. "Why do I want to get into Harvard? You wouldn't even ask me this if I were white." Really? It may be dramatic, but that's got to be the most ridiculous statement I've heard in a long time. If President Obama's daughters interview for Harvard, they will be asked that question. I'm sure George W. Bush was, too. Imagined issues of racism don't need to be cast out with the hopes that no one will challenge them - just like the "borrowing" of a plot concept. Still, well worth watching.
Anything Goes : "Dope" - Pluses and Minuses by James David Sullivan
"Dope" - Pluses and Minuses
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Most concepts are borrowed... I know of one exception Forest Gump. Can you think of more? I will try and watch this Dope movie you speak of :)
I generally watch about 200 theatrical releases a year and have done so for many years. But perhaps I've missed something. If so, you can enlighten me. You state that "Most concepts are borrowed..." If so, you should have no problem listing 10 theatrical releases made in 2015 whose core themes or plots came from some other movie. I'm not talking about sequels or remakes. I'm talking about original movies - the first one in a franchise, the first time made. I can only think of two in 2015: "Dope" - as I already indicated and "The Visit" (discussed in another post). I also mentioned the movies from which these movies "borrowed" their plots/themes. I expect you to do so as well. And, by the way, I am not counting on adaptations - by definition, such movies borrow their content from a work in another medium. "Most" means more than 50%, just so that we are on the same page. And to answer your question: From previous years, "Casablanca", "Die Hard", "Gone With The Wind", "Frankenstein", "Dracula", "Superman", "Batman", and many more.
What I mean is storytelling in "general" are old story twisted into new ones. That's why when you pitch and idea you say it's Toy Story meets The Rescuers. WoW 200 movies! I wish I could watch 200 movies a year. I can't name 10 movies in 2015. I watch a lot of animations as I write family movies. Thanks you for your input ~ :)
I personally feel that I need to watch as many movies as I can so that I know what is selling and what my competition is doing. In addition, observing the craft evolve can't be done in any other way, at least in my opinion. I seldom pitch in the manner you indicated, although I have used the phrase "in the vein of" when appropriate. But that's not what I'm talking about. "Risky Business" vs. "Dope" - two high school students, one black, one white, are preparing to interview for the Ivy League colleges of their choice. Both get involved in a disastrous situations which requires them to become engaged in highly illegal activities in order to recover from the disasters. Both end up with their "dream girls" and both impress their college interviewers by a whitewashed version of how their illegal activity was a great success. That's what I mean by a "borrowed" plot. SPOILER ALERT: With "The Visit" there was an old plot trick employed by the writer years ago, which was just revamped, given new clothes, and used again.
Oh, another "borrowed" plot comes to mind. "Earth to Echo" - and I'm not the only one who thinks so: "I am watching "Earth to Echo,' this utterly shameless sci-fi fantasy rip-off of 'E.T.'...." From: http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/earth-to-echo-2014 PLUS: "Earth to Echo" brings back the beloved "shaky cam"!
Yes, I agree. Not a fan of "Earth to Echo" Love E.T. ! I think what the industry tries to do is recreate new movies for the new generation, a more modern version. "Earth to Echo" fail to do that. In this case they already had a classic "E.T." maybe they should just re-lease old movies, I would still pay to take my kid see E.T on the big screen, because to me a movie is an experience. When I was a kid my mom took us out of school to see "JAWS". The lines were around the block on the weekend, so she figured during the week we would get in. It was one of my favorite memories. Or when my dad took me to see "The Champ" I remember the theater was cold. My dad went out to the car and got me a sweat shirt. I remember the movie was so powerful, I cried so much that the sleeve of the sweat shirt was saturated. Movies that elicit emotion!!! When movies are done right they can transcend generations. What do you think about releasing great movies?
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"What do you think about releasing great movies?" I'm in favor of it!
I was once recommended by a coverage exec. to watch a minimum of 1 new movie and read 1 top screenplay per week. After a while, I find structure, good dialogue and characterization etc. becoming second nature. Not that I can write like the masters, lol, but am trying and think I'm improving each script.
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York: It is a journey! Sounds like a great tip: #1 1 movie per week (which I will call mandatory date night with workaholic hubby) :) #2 Reading scripts, I read one script a month, but I should up my game. I remember the first script I read. It was not easy in the beginning. However, I have a better feel for them now.
Way to go Susan... you're already doing it!