Comments on: Top 5 Film Vigilantes

By: Gerald Fryman

Gerald Fryman — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:44:30 +0000

I don’t know about the Straw Dogs remake – but I do not understand why you think Rod Lure “doesn’t get” the film. Is it possible he will just have his own take?

By: Ronn

Ronn — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 02:45:31 +0000

tink it is called Leon because that is the french translation. the dvd version that came out a few years ago the longer international cut says leon on the packaging

By: cftoto

cftoto — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:32:28 +0000

http://whatwouldtotowatch.com/2008/10/29/red/

Good flick … lame ending.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 23:16:45 +0000

C ~ I can’t find it! Where’s it at? Can you link it? ~ H.

By: cftoto

cftoto — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:50:28 +0000

Then you must rent “Red” – search for my review on this site. It’s all about getting even for the death of a good dog.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 20:28:48 +0000

I just really liked how she got back at those guys for stealing her dog…

By: cftoto

cftoto — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:35:02 +0000

“Straw Dogs” is a fascinating film for all the reasons you mentioned, David. And that moment where George smiles is truly complex, a flicker that reveals plenty about the darker side of humanity. Tough stuff … and I agree with your assessment of Lurie.

I had mixed emotions about “The Brave One,” although I expected it to backpedal about the need for vigilante actions, but the ending was far more conventional, and maybe even? conservative, than I expected.

By: David A.

David A. — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:31:12 +0000

I wouldn’t have thought to put David Sumner from “Straw Dogs,” even though I think it is a great film. The mixed reviews of the film overlook so much of what makes it so interesting. I am sure Peckinpah was trying to make some kind of statement regarding the state of the nation at that time. Sumner’s leaving the USA to get away from the violence, the upheaval, etc is essentially a denial of reality: there are terrible things that need to be dealt with. And there is an essential element to humanity–a primal selfishness that may or not be evil–that cannot be placated or avoided.

Sumner is essentially a coward, running away from a fight. But, the fight comes nonetheless and when it does Sumner responds.

A year ago, I read that Rod Lurie was going to remake the film, which filled me with dread. He also had criticism about the smile on Susan George’s face as she is being raped. I didn’t think it was meant to say that she enjoyed being raped. It was meant to show the emasculation of David Sumner, for even while she is being raped, there is something primal provoked within the wife, that Sumner–all civility veering into cowardice–cannot provoke.

For all their savageness, the thugs are men, in Peckinpah’s eyes. Bad men, but men, nonetheless. Until Sumner takes them down, he is not a man.

The smile shows that.

I hope Lurie doesn’t remake it.

I just don’t think he gets the film.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:24:06 +0000

I love Danzel in “Man on Fire.” Great movie! When he tapes that guy to the car under the bridge… wow. For those who missed that movie, rent it!!!

Another vigilante movie I liked, though it reviewed rather poorly, was”The Brave One.” I thought Jodi Foster was superb in this movie.

By: jic

jic — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 01:29:57 +0000

It’s an interesting film. I don’t love it, but it’s definitely worth watching. It’s the kind of movie which you like, but at the same time it’s flawed enough that you can see the value of a remake. I understand that the newer version has a different ending, so I’d be interested to see exactly what they’ve done with it.