comment #1

btwnproductions says ...

It's a foreign-made horror movie, is why. I doubt even a quality English-language remake would generate Oscar buzz.

comment #2

MikeSchaeferSF says ...

It's one of my favorite films of the year, and I shudder to think what Mr. Cloverfield is going to do to it when he remakes it.

One curious thing about it: it takes place in the (late?) '70s -- there's a scene where a radio is playing and Brezhnev is mentioned -- and I'm not clear why (the setting is otherwise generic/Scandinavia). I'm guessing the remake will be contemporary.

comment #3

EricDSnider says ...

The only Oscar it could possibly have a shot at would be best foreign-language film, and Sweden didn't submit it. I agree it's a terrific movie, but it has little chance of gaining traction in any of the major Oscar categories, what with being foreign and a genre film and all.

comment #4

Chase Kahn says ...

"I recognize without hesitation that it's an exceptional film. I'm just looking forward to the American remake."

What? And I'm looking forward to Michael Bay's reimagining of THE BIRDS...

comment #5

CitizenKanedforChewingGum says ...

Yeah, Jeff, those weird looking Swedish youngsters are a really valid reasons for not liking a foreign film.....what the hell? And didn't you just get done swearing off yet another crappy big-budget remake (TDTESS), yet you're salivating for this one? I just don't get you, man.

comment #6

hiviper says ...

Probably one of the most original, well acted, expertly directed films this year, with a gorgeous soundtrack behind it all...and you can't wait for the American remake?

Yeah, we'll fix this one, just get some of those Cloverfield-quality actors in there and Twilight-it up more for the kids!

comment #7

BurmaShave says ...

Wells what does how you liked it have anything to do with its Oscar balloon status?

comment #8

YRG says ...

In the American remake, they will probably make the vampire a girl, and then it won't be much more than a male version of Twilight.

comment #9

Renfield says ...

The fact that Wells called the character "a girl" means he didn't get the film at all.

Best film I've seen this year.

comment #10

Howlingman says ...

Why not? Vampires, plain and simple. And put me in the camp that freakin' loved it.

comment #11

Rothchild says ...

"I recognize without hesitation that it's an exceptional film. I'm just looking forward to the American remake."

This will easily be the dumbest thing posted/written/typed on the internet today. I'd say no offense, but who am I kidding? This is the kind of thing you'd rail on, and maybe you should think about that. I really enjoyed Cloverfield, but I can't imagine another film in less of a need of a remake, and making them teenagers shows that Reeves missed the entire point. The film doesn't work once puberty kicks in. That changes the subtext, themes, structure, story, and character arcs. What do you have left? And the aesthetic look of the film, the fluorescent lighting, architecture, and constant snowfall, are part of what makes it great. And the kid being a candy-ass? It's about a Columbine type kid, right before he snaps.

There's nothing wrong with simply saying, "I didn't get it." But in a sense, that's what you did, in a roundabout way.

comment #12

hiviper says ...

Renfield:
in all fairness, he called the actress a girl, not the character - but he's right, she should've been WAY hotter, and that little pansy blonde kid should've kicked some major ass in the end, much like a young Wells would've done.

comment #13

Luke Y. Thompson says ...

Mike-

it takes place in the (late?) '70s -- there's a scene where a radio is playing and Brezhnev is mentioned -- and I'm not clear why

I said the same thing in my review, and was sharply corrected by the publicist. It's the very early '80s.

The reason why is that the book it's based on was set then, and the title is based on a Smiths or Morrissey lyric from the time.

comment #14

Ray says ...

I loved this movie; it's definitely in my top ten for the year.

As for its Oscar chances, it doesn't have one. But it SHOULD be in the running ... it's that good. What a shame that, in the year the Academy finally acknowledges the rest of the world with the inclusion of Jackman as host, they continue to slight foreign films that are better than American product.

Sad.

comment #15

qwiggles says ...

C'mon, Jeff: with that justification, you sound like one of the rubes you're always so hard on. Don't like the drab institutional palate or the snow? Why not relocate The Lives of Others to Palm Beach, while we're at it?

I don't, of course, mean to diminish the fact that you weren't crazy about it. Fine, different taste, whatever. But you make it sound like you're the kind of guy who has to turn Fanny & Alexander off because the snow is just too much to handle, and Alexander's refusal to take his stepfather out is too...effeminate.

comment #16

lipranzer says ...

To me, this was like TELL NO ONE - very good when I saw it, albeit with some problems of pacing, and then it got better for me the more I thought about it. It's too bad Sweden didn't submit this as their official Oscar nominee (unless they thought it didn't have a chance and films like PAN'S LABYRINTH were an aberration) - not sure if it's going on my top 10, but it's definitely up there.

And I'm not looking forward to the remake either.

comment #17

TonyR says ...

A comfortable environment where you can meet singles who understand that love has a language that transcends race.
************INTERRACIALLOVING.COM************* is an exclusive online community designed to help diversely ethnic singles meet new friends, make great dates, and build lasting interracial relationships. Meet like minded singles who are looking to date outside their race.
You are just seconds away from taking that first step towards the life you have been longing for. So sign up for your free profile now.

comment #18

K. Bowen says ...

There is an American film like it. It's called Carrie.

comment #19

diesel says ...

of course renfield thinks it was the best film of the year! if only they handed out free cockroaches at the movie.

comment #20

janee says ...

Si vous etes interesses par le dossier, ou desirez en savoir plus, contactez-moi par mail, et je vous mettrai en contact.
Best regards,Jane, CEO of high availability system