This year film has seen an increase in the release of movies that draw inspiration from video games. World of Warcraft, Assassins Creed, Angry Birds, and Hardcore Henry (though not based on a video game it's cinematic style is to tell a narrative in the way video games do) are four such examples of this interest in adapting video games to the big screen. Why such a rise in this style? Does this style have a place in cinema?
This is a really interesting topic. There was also a Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time film with Jake Gyllenhaal that was released in 2010. Additionally, an Uncharted film has been in development since 2009, with a variety of stops and starts. Also, most intriguingly to me, was Gore Verbinski's Bioshock film, which never got out of the planning stage. I also think that it would be interesting to examine how gamers view these adaptions and how film fans view video game adaptions. Great, very relevant topic in today's pop culture landscape. – SeanGadus8 years ago
If we want to consider older adaptations, too, we could talk about Tomb Raider, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat, and Resident Evil. We might also want to think about machinima (using video games to create one's own animated films). Video games and adventure films certainly have a lot in common. I'm not sure how far back we can find cut scenes in video games, but their presence shows a strong and lasting connection between the two genres. – JamesBKelley8 years ago
Another thing to consider is how much more creative control the creators of the video games sometimes have with their film adaptations. In the past video game adaptations were made with little to no creative input from the creators, but more recent adaptations such as Warcraft, Ratchet & Clank, and the upcoming Assassin's Creed movie are being co-developed with the people who made the games. Going off of this, it might be interesting to look into how game developers view the movie industry and why they would see the potential into adapting their properties into films. – Seth Childers8 years ago
I've been thinking a lot about this. It's sad to me that many of these movies are poorly adapted. In some ways, it seems that producers are still figuring out how to do this in the same way that films have been adapted from lengthy novels; the main challenge is capturing the story and the spirit of the game. It seems like a different challenge to choose what to include or cut from a game rather than a novel--which is generally more straightforward and follows a clearer story arc. These game adaptations don't necessarily retell the same story in a new format, but rather they use familiar characters to tell parts of the metanarrative not covered in the games or they mash together the important moments into one hodgepodge film. The Resident Evil movies were relatively good compared to other game adaptations. They also seemed to draw a broader fan-base because the films take time to tell the origins story, which is important for new people to establish a connection to the franchise without experiencing the games first. World of Warcraft tried to explore origins in its first installment, but I think it lacked focus and failed to establish a solid emotional connection with any one character. The movie was lackluster unfortunately, and I hope that they can learn from their mistakes and make a much-improved second installment. – Breezy8 years ago
Can't forget about the actors and actresses that portray our favorite characters in these movies. Some take the time to do their research and properly portray the character they are playing. Most go off of the adapted script and actually have no clue as to how to bring the character to the big screen. Hopeful that AC is good. – antsteve8 years ago
I think a large part of why adaptations generally don't do well is because their narratives are formatted for game play rather than character development. The game series format doesn't allow for an overarching story line that can fit nicely into one film, and since most main characters in video games are stripped down to allow the player to assume their role, we often don't start with a true character to get emotionally attached to. Though some of the iconic games like The Legend of Zelda have a strong story line, Link is a blank slate, and therefore would need a contrived personality just for film. We want something completely different from a game than we want from a movie. – wtardieu8 years ago
A lot of it has to do with two main things. The first is that, for awhile now, Hollywood has been remaking films left and right because they are losing creativity. As I got older, I noticed more and more movies from the 70's and 80's being remade. Now in 2016, there is at least one movie a month that is a 1980's remake, and usually not a good one. The second reason is because of the tremendous growth in the video game industry over the past two decades. The video game industry has surpassed Hollywood, and Hollywood execs are now jumping on the bandwagon. Keep in mind that Generation X and Millenials are now grown up, with families of their own. And like all generations, we have nostalgia for movies and shows when we were kids. The video game and movie industries know this, which is why you have so many sequels to video games and remakes of classic movies. – MikeySheff8 years ago
Curtis is one of my favourite documentary filmmakers. However, I often find it hard to point to exactly where he is on the political spectrum and wondered if anyone had thoughts on the subject? Although he professes to be "neutral" he has to say that in public due to his affiliation with the BBC, often his work can swing wildly from revolutionary Anarchist to militant socialist to uncompromisingly hard right Libertarian… Sometimes when he is making the same point!
Films and the production is constantly changing. With new technologies, it is often deemed as a good progression throughout time, but what are the cons? I wonder if film has perhaps lost its level of value in the growing world of technology.
Interesting topic. An interesting point to bring up would be the making of Young Frankenstein. Mel Brooks had to bring back people who had worked on films from the 30s and 40s because no one at the time knew how to film in black and white. And this was in the 70s. Could tackle film vs digital, the sound design aspect, the effects of relying on CGI... – CoolishMarrow908 years ago
In the new remake of Rocky Horror Picture Show, aired on FOX last night, choices on set, costume design, as well as the lead protagonist deviate from the original impressions and genre classic that Rocky Horror is known for. Many might claim that being unhappy with Laverne Cox's choice for protagonist is wrong etc., but I think personally she represents a woman, through and through. But, the original production resonates so clearly as a man in woman's clothing, a sweet transvestite, gothic sexual, and eerie, through and through. The clothing choices misgender the cast and portray a different set of queer statements throughout.
Your topic requires a strong controversial argument and will present a challenge for anyone who tackles it. – Kevin8 years ago
I would warn anyone who takes on this topic not to let your feelings as to which one was "better" influence the gender and sexuality discussion. It is difficult sometimes to separate nostalgia from analysis. It is quite possible that the new version is specifically trying to separate itself from the original. Ask "why"? – Christen Mandracchia8 years ago
As incredible as the original Rocky Horror is, our society has evolved from 1975. I think you can examine the casting of Laverne Cox, as well as other casting, costume, and design choices, as a reflection of the values of our society now versus the views and values of the society which produced the original. Maybe look into reviews for the original movie and compare them with reviews from this new version and see if there are any similarities/differences among the opinions. – lpcrescenti8 years ago
You pose an interesting question. With transgenders becoming a more common part of society and American culture, these matters raise a lot of questions have could easily come off as offensive. We are told that gender is which sex we identify with, okay, Laverne Cox identifies as a woman. So, she's a woman. However, the original screenplay for the movie calls for a man to play the role of a transvestite. Therefore, Laverne Cox playing Dr.Frank-N-Furter is essentially tantamount to let's say Jennifer Lawerence playing the role. So in every other circumstance Cox is suppose to be characterized as a woman except for when she plays in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, then she is characterized as a man playing a transvestite. The role doesn't call for a transgender is calls for a man to play one, that's what adds to the conspicuity of the show, going outside of your comfort zone, giving in to absolute pleasure. For this reason alone I don't think Laverne should had been casted. She is amazing and talented by her taking a male role in a show it is contradictory to everything we know about gender identification.
– sastephens8 years ago
Analyze the ideology behind attempting to capitalize on nostalgia and how it has effected the film industry. This includes remakes, Quentin Tarantino, and the B-list aesthetic.
This is absolutely everywhere, and is a super broad, big idea in my opinion--a really good one!--but definitely too big to effectively analyze in one article. A more narrow focus (like remakes, Tarantino, B-aesthetic, etc.) following a broad intro to the overall topic might be more successful and ultimately more exciting/enjoyable to read. For sure a pervasive part of the zeitgeist that many people would be interested in and probably benefit from, haha. – skohan8 years ago
I think this would be a great and interesting article. I have definitely noticed how modern culture has adopted a love for old things. It's very fashionable to wear certain things that clearly have a relation to old-fashioned styles. Music also has been taking a lot of older styles and bringing them to the surface again. It would be cool to discuss the influence on music and clothing, not just film. But those could be separate articles, even, because you could go into great detail about each thing. – Wordmaster8 years ago
I would say that the capitalization on nostalgia is due to a longing for the "good old days". I feel that a majority of the population sees the world as a hectic, overwhelming place, while the "old days" were a much simpler time. The next generation always falls short of the previous generation's expectations, and the next generation always longs for the perceived simplicity of the previous generation. It is a very circular view. I believe the use of this in film is simply an attempt to relate with this nostalgia. – DKdaVinci6158 years ago
The film movement New Queer Cinema was meant to describe independent films of the 1990s that helped bring queer narratives to the screen. This article would review the history, importance, and films of the movement.
With great, iconic musicals like Grease in the late 1970s, would it be possible to create such a hit musical now? How would modern music like house music be incorporated into such a film? What do you think a modern musical would look like?
Hamilton by Lin Manuel Miranda just won a ton of Tony awards and it features hip hop and rap. House Music might be a little different since it doesn't often feature lyrics and musical theater is dependent on words by definition - but I would like to see if someone argue the house music could become material for a musical... – Kevin8 years ago
I think now with the remake of Rocky Horror Picture Show, as well as the huge success of Hamilton, musicals definitely have been revived and have become hits. I think now musicals speak to a specific genre or time period in order to be successful, their flavor is specific as well as culturally relevant. Even High School Musical created such unproar! I think if done correctly, marketed correctly, and the scoring was impeccable the musical would definitely be adopted by large demographics. – amirnaveh8 years ago
With live-action versions of Cinderella, Maleficent, Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King, etc., it seems that every animated Disney film is likely to be re-imagined. Discuss why filmmakers are drawn to recreate these classics and the consequences. Have the most recent Disney animations, such as Moana, been influenced by the sudden live-action interest?
Don't forget to talk about Beauty and the Beast! – albee8 years ago
Also The Jungle Book and how this particular reimagining may be superior to the original film. – DallasLash178 years ago
Maybe one of the reasons is that they needed more original ideas and they thought the concept was good enough to keep the economy going. – RadosianStar8 years ago
