Comments on: A Good American Host? http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/ Giant monsters, ghosts, zombies, weird stuff and Robert Hood, Writer Wed, 23 May 2012 03:24:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Joseph Winter http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-29689 Joseph Winter Fri, 10 Jun 2011 05:01:18 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-29689 All of you have interesting arguments. However, What could possiby be so wrong with making a remake, and modifying it for an audience of a different culture. The fact of the matter is, The Host is really only enjoyable if you know the Korean culture. It's the same with any foreign movie really, wound an audience in France enjoy a Russian movie, with Russian humor? Probably not. So, make a remake to break it down for an audience of a different culture, with humor and drama that they will understand, that they can identify with. What's so wrong with that? Hell, it might even inspire more people to see the subtitled original, if word 'mysteriously' got out that it was a remake! All of you have interesting arguments. However, What could possiby be so wrong with making a remake, and modifying it for an audience of a different culture. The fact of the matter is, The Host is really only enjoyable if you know the Korean culture. It’s the same with any foreign movie really, wound an audience in France enjoy a Russian movie, with Russian humor? Probably not. So, make a remake to break it down for an audience of a different culture, with humor and drama that they will understand, that they can identify with. What’s so wrong with that? Hell, it might even inspire more people to see the subtitled original, if word ‘mysteriously’ got out that it was a remake!

]]> By: Backbrain http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3022 Backbrain Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:44:21 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3022 Well, I'm glad you said all that, Hervey... I'd get in trouble if I did. :-) I'm sure you're right about the intellectual laziness of audiences, though, and that goes beyond America. When talking about the Japanese "Ring" and its influence on the genre, for example, I (here in Australia) always have to explain that the US one was a remake and that the Japanese one came first. MInd you, "Ring" got remade everywhere, even throughout Asia. And Raimi's company did the right thing by "The Grudge" by getting the original director to make it so that it just fit into the "series" of "Ju-on" films he made without feeling much like a re-make at all. And I sort of like the fact that the "Infernal Affairs" remake was re-titled "The Departed" and thus divorced somwewhat from the original, recognising that major changes had been made, especially in terms of cultural tone. The original is acknowledged for anyone who takes notice of such things, but the changed title forces the film to stand on its own merit -- and leaves "Infernal Affairs", as a separate entity, to be itself. One feels less inclined to compare them. I have to add though that here in Australia at least, the situation regarding audience acceptance of foreign (ie. non-Western) films is improving. More subtitled films are being released to mainstream cinemas (most recently "The Orphanage") and many appear on DVD in their original form. Even anime! Well, I’m glad you said all that, Hervey… I’d get in trouble if I did. :-)

I’m sure you’re right about the intellectual laziness of audiences, though, and that goes beyond America. When talking about the Japanese “Ring” and its influence on the genre, for example, I (here in Australia) always have to explain that the US one was a remake and that the Japanese one came first. MInd you, “Ring” got remade everywhere, even throughout Asia. And Raimi’s company did the right thing by “The Grudge” by getting the original director to make it so that it just fit into the “series” of “Ju-on” films he made without feeling much like a re-make at all.

And I sort of like the fact that the “Infernal Affairs” remake was re-titled “The Departed” and thus divorced somwewhat from the original, recognising that major changes had been made, especially in terms of cultural tone. The original is acknowledged for anyone who takes notice of such things, but the changed title forces the film to stand on its own merit — and leaves “Infernal Affairs”, as a separate entity, to be itself. One feels less inclined to compare them.

I have to add though that here in Australia at least, the situation regarding audience acceptance of foreign (ie. non-Western) films is improving. More subtitled films are being released to mainstream cinemas (most recently “The Orphanage”) and many appear on DVD in their original form. Even anime!

]]> By: Hervey http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3020 Hervey Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:27:36 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3020 Plain and simple, Hollywood wants to take THE HOST and make it "their own." Simply put, they will make it their movie and capitalize off it. We all know that Hollywood movies are well known world wide. Therefore when we (Hollywood/USA) remakes it, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, America and other countries outside of Asia will think it's "America's movie." Even some people in Asia who strictly watch American films won't know where it really came from; Thus totally tarnishing the idea and fact that Asia (in this case Korea) has well made films and even originality. When people talk about films like The Ring, The Grudge, Dark Water, The Eye etc, most movie goers don't know where it really came from. So they say "I'm talking about the real version....The American one." When in fact, it is Asian. Basically Hollywood remakes it, takes ALL the glory and shows how lazy American audiences are. What happened to being "the most diverse nation on Earth"?? If this statement is TRUE, then we (Americans) should be tolerant and open to viewing films from abroad...especially if they feel it's so great that it needs to be REMADE Plain and simple, Hollywood wants to take THE HOST and make it “their own.”
Simply put, they will make it their movie and capitalize off it. We all know that Hollywood movies are well known world wide. Therefore when we (Hollywood/USA) remakes it, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, America and other countries outside of Asia will think it’s “America’s movie.” Even some people in Asia who strictly watch American films won’t know where it really came from; Thus totally tarnishing the idea and fact that Asia (in this case Korea) has well made films and even originality.

When people talk about films like The Ring, The Grudge, Dark Water, The Eye etc, most movie goers don’t know where it really came from. So they say “I’m talking about the real version….The American one.”
When in fact, it is Asian.

Basically Hollywood remakes it, takes ALL the glory and shows how lazy American audiences are. What happened to being “the most diverse nation on Earth”??
If this statement is TRUE, then we (Americans) should be tolerant and open to viewing films from abroad…especially if they feel it’s so great that it needs to be REMADE

]]> By: Avery http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3012 Avery Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:32:01 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3012 Oh I most definitely agree with the fact that those changes in tone and that weird[at least to the general American audience] Korean style of humor are very big parts of what make the original stand out from other giant monster films. My point is what's wrong with making another version of the same basic story that would have it's creators' own influences and styles to make it stand on it's own?? Much like the many versions of "Fankenstein" which some are drastically different from the original, but that doesn't make them a bad film or in the first place a bad idea. Just a different take on the same basic story to love for it's own distinct differences. Oh I most definitely agree with the fact that those changes in tone and that weird[at least to the general American audience] Korean style of humor are very big parts of what make the original stand out from other giant monster films. My point is what’s wrong with making another version of the same basic story that would have it’s creators’ own influences and styles to make it stand on it’s own?? Much like the many versions of “Fankenstein” which some are drastically different from the original, but that doesn’t make them a bad film or in the first place a bad idea. Just a different take on the same basic story to love for it’s own distinct differences.

]]> By: Terry Frost http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3011 Terry Frost Tue, 25 Nov 2008 07:01:26 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3011 I think that one of the virtues of The Host is the fact that the plot ventures into areas that a Hollywood exploitation film wouldn't go. The death of a child is hard-core by US standards and although it fits well in the structure of the movie, I don't think that a remake would take a protagonist along the arc that Kang-ho Song's character travels. Yeah, it's about the angry catfish thingie but it's also about the lives of the characters. I agree with you, Rob, the changes in tone make the movie what it is. I think that one of the virtues of The Host is the fact that the plot ventures into areas that a Hollywood exploitation film wouldn’t go. The death of a child is hard-core by US standards and although it fits well in the structure of the movie, I don’t think that a remake would take a protagonist along the arc that Kang-ho Song’s character travels. Yeah, it’s about the angry catfish thingie but it’s also about the lives of the characters. I agree with you, Rob, the changes in tone make the movie what it is.

]]> By: Backbrain http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3010 Backbrain Tue, 25 Nov 2008 06:49:02 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3010 Sure, but having flaws isn't the same thing as being a "bad" movie. You could argue for flaws in just about every film ever made and every book ever written. Shakespeare's works have "flaws". And though the presumably all-American audience you were with, Avery, didn't think the Korean humour was funny, obviously the vast Korean audience did. Is that "bad"? I admit I found some of it a bit strained, though as it went along that foreignness just became part of the ambiance of the film. I didn't see it as a laugh-out-loud sort of humour anyway. Again, this all sounds like an argument for a remake; I just don't think the film is anything more than a generic monster picture once you remove the non-Western differences from it -- including the grim, melancholic ending, which has a pretty good chance of disappearing under the pressure of differing cultural forces. It's all moot. Until they make it, we won't know if it's bad or good (and even then maybe we'll argue about it). Past history is against it though, in my opinion... Hey, are we have a controversy? Quick! Someone argue with me. Keep it going! It's usually so quiet and agreeable around here. Sure, but having flaws isn’t the same thing as being a “bad” movie. You could argue for flaws in just about every film ever made and every book ever written. Shakespeare’s works have “flaws”. And though the presumably all-American audience you were with, Avery, didn’t think the Korean humour was funny, obviously the vast Korean audience did. Is that “bad”? I admit I found some of it a bit strained, though as it went along that foreignness just became part of the ambiance of the film. I didn’t see it as a laugh-out-loud sort of humour anyway. Again, this all sounds like an argument for a remake; I just don’t think the film is anything more than a generic monster picture once you remove the non-Western differences from it — including the grim, melancholic ending, which has a pretty good chance of disappearing under the pressure of differing cultural forces.

It’s all moot. Until they make it, we won’t know if it’s bad or good (and even then maybe we’ll argue about it). Past history is against it though, in my opinion…

Hey, are we have a controversy? Quick! Someone argue with me. Keep it going! It’s usually so quiet and agreeable around here.

]]> By: Avery http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3004 Avery Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:29:04 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3004 I actually loved "The Host", but I also have to say that IMHO it had it's flaws. Most of the Korean humor just wasn't funny to me or any of the audience members that I viewed it with any of the 4 times I caught it in the theater, as no one was laughing. I saw it at an 'arthouse' theater so it wasn't a normal 'general' audience, but packed auditoriums of the critic kinds. Not that we didn't 'get it' but maybe we just felt that we couldn't relate to it. I think an Americanized version would appeal to a much wider audience and really what's wrong with making our own version and translation of the story to enjoy. No matter how this version turns out we'll always still have the original version and it's Asian sequels to enjoy. Most everyone loathed the American version of "Godzilla", but it honestly didn't destroy character forever. We all have moved on. It's no different fro all the countless takes on 'Dracula' and 'Frankenstein'. Some are great while others.... You get the idea. Whether it turns out something great like the original or just another by the numbers giant rampaging monster flick we still will be getting another version of a great story. I actually loved “The Host”, but I also have to say that IMHO it had it’s flaws. Most of the Korean humor just wasn’t funny to me or any of the audience members that I viewed it with any of the 4 times I caught it in the theater, as no one was laughing. I saw it at an ‘arthouse’ theater so it wasn’t a normal ‘general’ audience, but packed auditoriums of the critic kinds. Not that we didn’t ‘get it’ but maybe we just felt that we couldn’t relate to it. I think an Americanized version would appeal to a much wider audience and really what’s wrong with making our own version and translation of the story to enjoy. No matter how this version turns out we’ll always still have the original version and it’s Asian sequels to enjoy. Most everyone loathed the American version of “Godzilla”, but it honestly didn’t destroy character forever. We all have moved on. It’s no different fro all the countless takes on ‘Dracula’ and ‘Frankenstein’. Some are great while others…. You get the idea. Whether it turns out something great like the original or just another by the numbers giant rampaging monster flick we still will be getting another version of a great story.

]]> By: Backbrain http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3003 Backbrain Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:52:47 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3003 You're so contrary! :-) I think some people relate to the more extreme cultural nuances and oddities in world cinema and some don't. Which I suppose is an argument in favour of remakes. To me, "The Host" was a very good film, made so by the tonal shifts and all. I guess we'll have to agree to differ. At least you're at one with the Harlands.... You’re so contrary! :-)

I think some people relate to the more extreme cultural nuances and oddities in world cinema and some don’t. Which I suppose is an argument in favour of remakes.

To me, “The Host” was a very good film, made so by the tonal shifts and all. I guess we’ll have to agree to differ. At least you’re at one with the Harlands….

]]> By: David C http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-3002 David C Tue, 25 Nov 2008 03:31:19 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-3002 _I_ don't think it is a good movie... Well, I don't know. I can appreciate what they are trying to achieve, with their tonal shifts and all, but it never came together for me (excellent effects notwithstanding). Sean is actually an excellent blogger on horror, comics and related fields, but he certainly has his personal take on things, which I don't always agree with. He's not much of a fan of Guillermo del Toro either. _I_ don’t think it is a good movie…

Well, I don’t know. I can appreciate what they are trying to achieve, with their tonal shifts and all, but it never came together for me (excellent effects notwithstanding).

Sean is actually an excellent blogger on horror, comics and related fields, but he certainly has his personal take on things, which I don’t always agree with. He’s not much of a fan of Guillermo del Toro either.

]]> By: Backbrain http://roberthood.net/blog/index.php/2008/11/25/a-good-american-host/comment-page-1/#comment-2998 Backbrain Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:55:34 +0000 http://roberthood.net/blog/?p=1484#comment-2998 I should add that I'd be ecstatic if the remake was better. I just doubt it. None of the Asian remakes yet have been, despite some deviant opinions re "The Ring" (and "The Grudge" doesn't count). And if Collins didn't think "The Host" was a good movie he's an idiot. (Sorry to all those I just offended -- especially Mr Collins, whom I'm sure isn't an idiot. I'm being ironic, honest.) I'd give leeway to "not a great movie", but to say it's bad is just silly. I should add that I’d be ecstatic if the remake was better. I just doubt it. None of the Asian remakes yet have been, despite some deviant opinions re “The Ring” (and “The Grudge” doesn’t count).

And if Collins didn’t think “The Host” was a good movie he’s an idiot. (Sorry to all those I just offended — especially Mr Collins, whom I’m sure isn’t an idiot. I’m being ironic, honest.) I’d give leeway to “not a great movie”, but to say it’s bad is just silly.

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