Straw Dogs (remake)

[Chest Rockwell]

...Which raises the issue of whether the film is misogynistic. It certainly seems at times that it is. During the rape scene the wife actually seems to enjoy herself when being controlled by Charlie, and then again she obeys David after he slaps her. But I didn't see it as necessarily misogyny. Certainly a masculine film, though I think the masculinity shown in is more horrific than anything. She's actually a rather realistic character. She craves attention from David and doesn't get it. She doesn't want Charlie, but at the same time she enjoys the fact that he truly wants her. She clearly doesn't enjoy being sodomized by the other guy. After the fact she's quite uncomfortable, which makes sense.

I wrote that under Peckinpah in Director's Chair

[tpfkabi]

...Which raises the issue of whether the film is misogynistic. It certainly seems at times that it is. During the rape scene the wife actually seems to enjoy herself when being controlled by Charlie, and then again she obeys David after he slaps her. But I didn't see it as necessarily misogyny. Certainly a masculine film, though I think the masculinity shown in is more horrific than anything. She's actually a rather realistic character. She craves attention from David and doesn't get it. She doesn't want Charlie, but at the same time she enjoys the fact that he truly wants her. She clearly doesn't enjoy being sodomized by the other guy. After the fact she's quite uncomfortable, which makes sense.

I wrote that under Peckinpah in Director's Chair

whether or not i'll ever fully understand Peckinpah's intentions with the scene, it made me think none the less.

by your avatar, etc, it seems you really like the film. what do you like about it? did the Criterion further your appreciation or cement it?

[Chest Rockwell]

Well I never saw the Criterion. But yes I do really like it. There's something about the whole Hobbesian view of people as the horrific savage that really entices me (I really want to see the original Lord of the Flies), so I was rather interested in seeing the film. Aside from the message and all that the film simply had me gripped. The tension was building up the entire time culminating into that excrciating 30-minute climax. About halfway through the climax the video started screwing up on what I was watching, and you wouldn't believe the curses I was saying to it to friggin get it to fix itself. But it started working so all was well. Anyway, point is I really liked it as a movie itself, as it entertained me, and never nsulted my intelligence. But more than that, I enjoy looking into all the little details, such as the said sex scene and the opening shot of children playing in the cemetary. Did that answer your question?

[MacGuffin]

Lurie dons 'Straw' hat for remake
Source: Hollywood Reporter

Rod Lurie is on board to direct a remake of the 1971 thriller "Straw Dogs" for Screen Gems. "The Shield" scribe Reed Steiner is penning the screenplay.

Screen Gems is in the process of acquiring the rights to the Dustin Hoffman starrer, which originally was produced by ABC Pictures Corp.

The original, directed by Sam Peckinpah, revolved around a young American and his English wife who move to rural England and face increasingly vicious local harassment. Plot details for the remake are being kept under wraps, but sources said it will take place in the U.S.

Lurie's producing partner Marc Frydman will produce.

Lurie's film credits include the political thriller "The Contender." He is in postproduction on the Samuel L. Jackson starrer "Resurrecting the Champ." He also is the creator of ABC's "Commander in Chief."

Lurie is repped by WMA and attorney Peter Nelson.

Steiner, whose writing credits include ABC's "Line of Fire," also was a co-executive producer on "Shield."

[martinthewarrior]

If this gets made, I will picket every theater in the country. 'Last temptation of christ' style. Straw Dogs is the perfect film. My favorite of all time. This news breaks my heart a little. If it wasn't so sunny outside, I'd jump off the roof.

[MacGuffin]

EXCL: Rod Lurie on the Straw Dogs Remake
Source: ComingSoon

Filmmaker Rod Lurie has made a name for himself with original ideas that have spawned the critically lauded 2000 political drama The Contender and a number of much-appreciated television shows like "Line of Fire" and "Commander in Chief." With that in mind, it was somewhat surprising to learn that he was planning to tackle his first full-on remake of Sam Peckinpah's 1971 violent revenge thriller Straw Dogs.

When ComingSoon.net recently had an extended talk with Lurie about his new movie Resurrecting the Champ, he told us that he's currently writing that remake with plans to shoot next May, and he also told us how this remake came his way. "My partner Marc Frydman came up with the idea to acquire the rights, which very quietly were floating around somewhere and we just snatched it up, because it's sort of a classic film in the sense that it's infamous. It's a good not great film by a great director, and we thought if we modernized it and Americanized it, it's rife for a remake, so we just went for it."

"It's an interesting film, isn't it?" he continued, "but it was pretty much killed by a two-second moment on screen where his wife is being raped and she smiles. That was the end of that movie. You can be certain that she's not going to be smiling in the rape in my film. I was a critic for years, and very often our reviews will say, 'Well, if he had done this, it would have been a better film.' I look at 'Straw Dogs' as a very imperfect movie. It's a little bit slow and it's themes are a little bit murky. There are some amazing moments and it's a very satisfying movie, but you sort of look at what can be improved upon now. It may seem very arrogant to say, 'We can improve upon Peckinpah.' I can never improve upon the best of Peckinpah. I would never remake 'The Wild Bunch' but this is a film that I think he was a little lazy on, and it's a fascinating story. What I really want to do is make a movie about what it means to be a bully, how easy it is to become a bully, and how decency is defined I think by not being a bully when you have the opportunity to be one."

Knowing Lurie's bent for politics, might there be a bit of hidden political underpinnings in that statement? Only time will tell, but next up for Lurie is Nothing but the Truth, a movie about the First Amendment, and on Monday, you can read our full interview with the filmmaker as he talks extensively about his current movie Resurrecting the Champ, which opens on Friday, August 24.

[MacGuffin]

James Marsden is 'Straw' man
Will take over Dustin Hoffman's role from 1971 original pic
Source: Hollywood Reporter

James Marsden will star in Screen Gems' reimagining of the 1971 thriller "Straw Dogs" being written and directed by Rod Lurie.

The new "Straw Dogs" follows Los Angeles screenwriter David Sumner (Marsden), who moves with his wife to her hometown in the deep South. Once there, tensions build in their marriage and old conflicts re-emerge with the locals, leading to a violent confrontation.

The original, co-written and directed by Sam Peckinpah, saw Dustin Hoffman in the role of Sumner, with the story set in rural England.

Both films are based on the book "The Siege at Trencher's Farm" by Gordon Williams.

Marc Frydman will produce the new "Straw Dogs" with Lurie via the duo's Battleplan Prods. banner. Gilbert Dumontet, who brought the project to Screen Gems, will executive produce. Filming is set to begin in August.

Screen Gems senior vp production Nick Phillips is overseeing the project for the studio.

The movie offers a change of pace for Marsden, more known for such light fare as "27 Dresses," "Enchanted" and "Hairspray" and comic book movies like "Superman Returns." The actor, repped by Endeavor and Brillstein Entertainment Partners, is filming Screen Gems' ensemble comedy "Death at a Funeral," directed by Neil LaBute, and he next stars opposite Cameron Diaz in "The Box."

[MacGuffin]

Thesps leashed for new 'Straw Dogs'
Bosworth, Skarsgard join Marsden in film
Source: Variety

Screen Gems has set Kate Bosworth and Alexander Skarsgard to star alongside James Marsden in "Straw Dogs," a reimagining of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah film.

Rod Lurie wrote the script and will direct. Shooting is scheduled to begin in August.

Marsden plays a Hollywood screenwriter who relocates with his wife to her hometown in Mississippi. Bosworth plays the wife, who left the South for LA. to become an actress and returns home so her husband can finish his script in quiet. Skarsgard plays her high school boyfriend, an ex-football hero who sees the return of his former girlfriend as a way to reclaim glory.

Bosworth, most recently seen in "21," next stars in "Warrior's Way." Skarsgard is playing the badass vampire Eric Northman in HBO's "True Blood." Before that, he starred in HBO's "Generation Kill."

Marc Frydman and Lurie are producing through their Battleplan Prods. banner. Gilbert Dumontet, who brought the project to Screen Gems, is executive producer.

[Convael]

I don't get it... isn't the point of the Dustin Hoffman role to have a nerdy, seemingly pathetic guy who shows his true smarts and rage and everything else in a huge climax?  Why would you cast a tall, handsome guy who has played a superhero?  That's like casting the dude from Twilight in a remake of The Graduate.

[MacGuffin]

Cast set for 'Straw Dogs' remake
Woods, Purcell set for Screen Gems pic
Source: Variety

Screen Gems has set James Woods, Dominic Purcell and Willa Holland in "Straw Dogs," the Rod Lurie-directed reimagining of the 1971 Sam Peckinpah film.

Lurie wrote the script, which stars James Marsden as a Hollywood screenwriter who accompanies his wife (Kate Bosworth) as she returns to her hometown in Mississippi. Her ex-boyfriend (Alexander Skarsgard), a former high school football hero, sees her return as an opportunity to reclaim glory.

Woods most recently lent his voice to the animated film "Surf's Up," Purcell starred in the Fox TV drama "Prison Break," and Holland starred in "The OC" and the upcoming Screen Gems thriller "Legion."

Filming begins today in Shreveport, La. Marc Frydman is producing with Lurie. Gilbert Dumontet is executive producer.

[SiliasRuby]

I don't get it... isn't the point of the Dustin Hoffman role to have a nerdy, seemingly pathetic guy who shows his true smarts and rage and everything else in a huge climax?  Why would you cast a tall, handsome guy who has played a superhero?  That's like casting the dude from Twilight in a remake of The Graduate.

Thats what they almost did. Redford originally wanted the role but I know most of you guys already know that.

[MacGuffin]

Trailer here.

Release Date: September 16th, 2011 (wide)

Starring: James Marsden, Kate Bosworth, Alexander Skarsgård, Walton Goggins, Drew Powell  

Directed by: Rod Lurie  

Premise: David and Amy Sumner, a Hollywood screenwriter and his actress wife, return to her small hometown in the deep South to prepare the family home for sale after her father's death. Once there, tensions build in their marriage and old conflicts re-emerge with the locals, including Amy's ex-boyfriend Charlie, leading to a violent confrontation.

[polkablues]

So they reduced one of the most thematically complex and controversial films of the 20th century into an R-rated version of Home Alone.  I liked it better when I was convinced this movie would never happen.

[Reel]

that guy gets Dustin Hoffman's role? I hate that guy..

[Mr. Merrill Lehrl]

an R-rated version of Home Alone.

Because this film definitely needs to be approached from the low grounds wherein it resides, I'm gonna approach it like a violent version of the old porn routine about the blue collar worker who knocks on the door and wants to fuck, except in this version she won't wanna fuck and it'll be heinous rape and the husband will have to murder everyone.  Hasn't actual porn been missing from torture porn?  Even better, I'll pretend all the blood is sex juice.  Daddy wants to fuck.  Although I love the Home Alone idea and will consider it also.

_{I'd like to emphasize the satirical side of this post until you know me better.}