This just in from our Hollywood Operative: Neil LaBute, who you’d would think would know better, is trying his hand remaking The Wicker Man. Big mistake.
The original Wicker Man is a triumph of ham, of cheap thrills, creepy Scottish countrysides made even creepier by poor camerawork, and a ridiculous script that seems as if it were concocted by the lovely fools at Hammer Studios (it wasn’t). It’s a product of its times, the free-lovin’ late 60s and early 70s. There were sexy witches with near-beehive haircuts, almost-hippies in thick Scottish sweaters, all of whom spend time screwing each other’s brains out in the town square, and educate their children that this is good religion.
The new Wicker Man–watch the preview here–looks as if a corporate vampyre drained the story of its life.
And this: so you can buy your very own Fisher Price Academy Award. Laugh, or cry?
And finally: you want a movie to see? Check out “Zero For Conduct” at the Walker. Playing every hour on the hour (when open), through June. When I get a minute, I’ll check it out and write it up.
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