Screenwriting : Rage against the tired machine by Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Rage against the tired machine

A bad movie starts with a lousy script, and after watching 10 minutes of writer and director Rob Zombie’s The Munsters, I turned off that uninspired, tired movie. Thank God Netflix only spent 5 million on this sad project; as a screenwriter, I wish Hollywood would stop trying to revive concepts because they were once prosperous. It’s an attempt to hedge their unimaginative bets, but they should consider putting reboots like The Munsters where they belong, in the graveyard of lame ideas. Why not risk producing something fresh from a talented writer for new original content?

What say you?

Jeff Caldwell

Haven’t seen this, but the only zombie movie I liked was devils rejects. Loved his music as a kid. I want to like his movies so bad but just can’t

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Jeff:

I also thought The Rejects was a good film.

Craig D Griffiths

The Munsters was created to compete with the Addam’s Family. These were huge prime time shows. American TV was so innocent back then. The Brady Bunch didn’t even have a toilet in shot.

The world has moved on from quaint.

POP QUIZ (no cheating) first TV couple to appear in a double bed together in American TV?

Dan MaxXx

Netflix isn't a corporation where they pay beginners to make their first features. I think new writers gotta make indie films on their own and then leverage that credit for a Netflix original production next.

$5M is a lot for first time feature filmmakers. Famous ppl like Jordan Peele, Spike Lee, PT Anderson, Tarantino, Barry Jenkins, Lulu Wang, James Wan spent way less than $5M for first features.

Kiril Maksimoski

It's a tide thing, guys...didn't I blabbed here of werewolves genre coming back (after the vampire tide)?

Check this

https://scriptshadow.net/?s=day+shift

Check this

https://scriptshadow.net/screenplay-review-the-wolfman/

Same as stock market...Yea some of you have stocks here - there...but ain't enough...can u follow the tide? Watch "Big Short"...Burry, Mark Baum knew what's gonna hit the US market months before it happened...these guys ain't Houdini's...they just followed the tide...Baum was even questioned by the FBI on the account, like it's some kind of conspiracy...I mean...people are more being ignorant than being dumb...that's our general issue...

Geoff Hall

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique Well, "Uncle Phil" you did use the 'R' word there. Risk. However, every production is a perceived risk. I'm sure we can all name a few star-laden big budget flops. It seems it's all to do with who they feel they can put their trust in to deliver a project.

Rick Jay Glen

I believe they envisioned a revival similar to that of the “The Addams Family”, because it had such a successful comeback, for the 3rd time. It just goes to show you that just because one series makes a new splash, doesn’t mean it’s 1960’s counterpart will do the same.

Shellie Schmals

Tonally, they got the characters all wrong - Herman was a lot more mean-spirited than he ever was in the show & Lily was all over the place. Only Grampa seemed on point.

Yes. I watched this. No. I won't be watching it again.

I loved everything Rob Zombie tried to do, but he missed the mark. The Transylvania sets were gorgeous though! And I read that he wanted to shoot in BW but the studio wouldn't let him, so he amped up the saturation in the color instead.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Geoff: I absolutely get it's about risk and I know several producers who are scared to pitch to their contacts for fear of burning them out. But the new Munsters supports my belief tons of industry people have little imagination or a nose for artistic quality.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Rick: I agree.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Dan M: I have no illusions about Netflix paying beginners. However, they could spend more effort reading content from lesser-known writers with fresh voices. The industry keeps making excuses for what WG said a long time ago. In Hollywood, no one knows anything. And I'll go a step further. There are too many Philistines with business and film school degrees making decisions. And they're still grinding out the same tired formulaic drivel.

Jim Boston

A resounding "AMEN!" to your point, Phil!

Geoff Hall

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique I get it when people say “it’s a business”, but that’s only half the story; it’s an art, a craft. The problem comes I think, when business types start making ‘artistic’ decisions.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Geoff:

Agreed!

Dan Guardino

It is both business and art. The business part decides what gets made. If they believe one project is less risky that is the one they will usually choose. The Munsters have a built-in audience so it would be less risky. They don’t care if the movie is good or not.

Maurice Vaughan

That's the sad reality, Dan Guardino. I hope more people on the business side start seeing that they can make great movies/shows AND make money. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

Jerry Robbins

I love the original MUNSTERS; the writing was great, but what I think makes the series a classic is the chemistry of the original cast. The series was driven by the personalities of the lead actors in their roles... anything after that is just a pale imitation, IMHO.

William Schumpert

The teaser trailer seemed promising. But like other movie teasers I didn’t hold my breath. Even as it shows to have some love for the franchise the video quality and story look out of date. What made ‘The Addams Family’ unique in the early 90s is the dark comedy. This looks to be another lazy origin rom com. Playing by the numbers.

Dan MaxXx

I dont believe ppl go to a new job saying, "I dont care if this project Sucks." That makes no sense at all. Especially since this lifestyle is freelance jobs, and it is harder to get the next job when your previous job sucked. That goes for actors, crew, director, execs at corporations.

Now imagine yourselves as company salary execs and if someone pitches to reboot Munsters with a proven director (zombie) attached, wouldnt you agree to do it?

Geoff Hall

Hmm, I’ve just watched the trailer. It just seems tad off piste to me. The music doesn’t match the style of the characters and some of the casting is off, for me. I think when everyone of a certain age knows the music, it conjures up a certain expectation, which is missed here.

The casting and style of The Addams Family is so on point and doesn’t cause you to baulk at what you see on the screen. The Munsters however…

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Geoff: Great observation. It's always interesting to hear the different aspects of work that I never consider. That's why brainstorming with several people in a creative situation can be so valuable and productive.

Phillip E. Hardy, Prolifique

Dan M: I agree with you to some degree but the road to flopsville is paved with suits that thought rebooting a project was a path to certain success.

Richard Buzzell

Hard to argue with the success of "The Goldfinch". Bestselling novel - money in the bank.

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