Wicker Man remake

[Anonymous]

Somehow I don't think this is a good thing.  It seems like whenever big budget Hollywood tries to venture into the pagan/occult genre, nothing good comes from it.  I am curious about how they will handle the ending.  If they make it too anti-pagan, it could cause problems with old stereotypes.  If the make it too pro-pagan, it could turn into the pagan version of "the Craft."  I honestly don't know which scenario is worse....

I'll probably go see the movie, just to compare it to the original.  I really did enjoy the original version.   Hopefully the remake will be able to recapture some of the charm of the original, but I'm not holding my breath.

[NachtSorcier]

I happened to catch a few seconds of an advert or something of the movie.  I didn't think too much of it, but you're absolutely right.  I saw the original version last year and I too enjoyed it.  I hope they don't turn it into fuel for the fire or fluffy bunny crap.  *crosses fingers*

[mermdotcom]

I've never seen the original.  What's the plot?  I tried looking on imdb.com, but the plot summary doesn't tell you crap.

Hmmm... maybe I'll rent it for movie night on Sat....

[Anonymous]

The movie is set on a remote island off of Scotland (if I recall correctly) where the people have turned away from Christianity and embraced the Old Religion.  Someone wrote a letter to a police officer on the mainland about a missing girl, so he comes to the island to investigate.  Sgt. Howie is a strict Christian and is appalled by the pagan "barbarity" he witnesses on Summerisle (including maypoles, fertility rituals, etc).  He becomes convinced that the young girl was the victim of a ritual sacrifice to the pagan gods after the last harvest failed.  There's more to the story, but I don't want to spoil you.  

It looks like the new version is going to be more Goddess worship than Old Religion.  They made Lord Summerisle into Sister Summerisle, and there doesn't appear to be many male cast members apart from Nicolas Cage.  Oh well.

[NachtSorcier]

It looks like the new version is going to be more Goddess worship than Old Religion.  They made Lord Summerisle into Sister Summerisle, and there doesn't appear to be many male cast members apart from Nicolas Cage.  Oh well.

Sounds like it's gonna be new-agey garbage to me.

[Anonymous]

Maybe.  I read on IMDB that writer/director of the film is a Mormon, so I doubt he would portray pagans in a very flattering light, but we'll see.  I'm sure he won't include all of the pagan symbolism found in the original.  Whoever wrote the original screenplay really did their homework.  I was quite impressed.

I also liked the original version because the pagans were not really "bad guys."  It was much more complex than that.  The viewer felt sympathy for both sides, and not many films can pull that off.  It wasn't just your typical black and white, good vs evil storyline, and I appreciate that.  The gray areas are always more interesting and thought provoking.

So yeah, I have low expectations for the remake.  I'm sure that it won't live up to the original, but I hope it won't be as bad as we think.

[mermdotcom]

Maybe.  I read on IMDB that writer/director of the film is a Mormon, so I doubt he would portray pagans in a very flattering light, but we'll see.  I'm sure he won't include all of the pagan symbolism found in the original.

Well, it depends on how devout he is.  I had several friends in high school who were Mormon, and I found that the ones who were practicing, but not necessarily overly devout, were very open-minded because their own faith is so misunderstood and criticized.  On the other hand, I dated a Mormon whose parents were of the psycho-super-Mormon variety and thought everyone who wasn't Mormon was going to hell.  Apparently I was a bad influence because I was damning her son.  We won't get into they're precious baby boy's vices.  I could write a novel on that subject

So yeah, I have low expectations for the remake.

Don't we all for every remake?  :wink:

[Anonymous]

Maybe.  I read on IMDB that writer/director of the film is a Mormon, so I doubt he would portray pagans in a very flattering light, but we'll see.  I'm sure he won't include all of the pagan symbolism found in the original.

Well, it depends on how devout he is.

According to wikipedia, he's no longer a mormon. He made a film that showed mormons in a bad light and they kicked him out. I'm being sketchy on this because I'm in a rush right now.

[Anonymous]

This movie (the origanal) has been on my "watch at some point" list for a while now!
But I still haven't, doh - but going by what's you guys have said, I will defininetly watch the "old" before the new....plus, Nicholas Cage is in it?!?  [can feel skin crawling away from body to be far away frm the guys name]...I'm not a NC fan!!

~Rowena

[Anonymous]

Has anyone been to see it yet?  
I went the other eve with a mate.  It was...um entertaining, although I only vaguely know the original so I can't compare the two.  
It started quite well, Mr Cage was acting his socks off- and it's quite an intriguing story.  However, about two-thirds through tension and intrigue were replaced with hilarity- they got it sooo wrong.  Dodgy over-acting, and farcical dialogue.  We were wetting ourselves with laughter.  Cage ended up running round in a bear suit, drop kicking women and pulling guns left, right and centre!

As for the portrayal of 'Paganism': this involved the profound subjugation and manipulation of males.  The women were shown as vaguely creepy and scheming.  There was little real exploration of Paganism apart from foggy references to Mother Goddess, ritual and offerings.  Although I don't know how much better they could have done, given the plot- the women were not to be trusted, liked or empathised with!

Check it out- it's a hoot.  I might rent the original.  Would be interested to hear re/views of either.

<would you please pass the popcorn?>

BB, Npf x

[Sebbi]

One thing I love about the original is just how... well... badly made it is.

The editing is awful, actually, the production generally is appalling, but that's part of the charm I think.

Much Love
Sebbi

[mermdotcom]

Witchvox has a review on it this week, and not a very positve one.  It's got lots of spoilers, though, so be forewarned!