Movie: It (Stephen King, 2017)

[tragabigzanda]

This movie may or may not need its own thread, but searching for it is a nightmare, so here you are.

[LoathedVermin72]

A little late.

[epilogue]

The tone is very similar, and, yes, It takes place in the '80s. Which makes perfect sense. Contemporary audiences aren't going to feel nostalgic for the '50s in the way the original audience for the book would have, and this way the second movie can be set in present time.

Interesting that you like nostalgia in 'It' but not in Stranger Things.

For me it isn't the nostalgia that's important. The larger themes of America in the 50's is far more potent. What King was doing in the book had little to do with nostalgia and everything to do with the myth and menace of 50's Americana. Losing that kinda sucks. At least in my mind. Again, I haven't seen the film.

But the same holds true for the adult stuff in part two. There are so many great parallels to the whole "child abduction" boom/obsession/fear in the 80s that played so well in contrast with the 50's stuff in the book. Maybe they're using that as the starting point in the movie (the 80's stuff) but I have a hard time imagining what modern day equivalent will be. Anyway... my opinion on the matter is fairly meaningless until I actually watch the damn thing.

Another vote for "placing the movie in the 80s works." Really well, in fact.

Cool. So without spoiling anything major about the movie (I saw the old mini-series and read the book, so you can be loose with the term "Spoiler" as I know the story), as a fan of the book and the film, can you speak more to why the 80's move worked for you? Did you miss any of the subtext and commentary from the book by changing the decade? How do they replace all that tension, texture and thematic exploration of the 1950's and perceived Americana in the movie? What themes/ideas/menaces take the place of all that stuff?

[LoathedVermin72]

I think it could be argued that the '80s represent a certain kind of hollow Americana to modern generations that the '50s did to older generations.

[epilogue]

I think it could be argued that the '80s represent a certain kind of hollow Americana to modern generations that the '50s did to older generations.

But in an opposite way, right? I mean, as it pertains to themes of 'It.' So much of the point of 'It' is that there couldn't possibly be this inexplicable horror lurking beneath all of it. In the 80's weren't there boogey-men everywhere? At least, that's my memory of the 80's. Especially with the rise of child abduction attention: America's Most Wanted, etc.

[tragabigzanda]

The tone is very similar, and, yes, It takes place in the '80s. Which makes perfect sense. Contemporary audiences aren't going to feel nostalgic for the '50s in the way the original audience for the book would have, and this way the second movie can be set in present time.

Interesting that you like nostalgia in 'It' but not in Stranger Things.

For me it isn't the nostalgia that's important. The larger themes of America in the 50's is far more potent. What King was doing in the book had little to do with nostalgia and everything to do with the myth and menace of 50's Americana. Losing that kinda sucks. At least in my mind. Again, I haven't seen the film.

But the same holds true for the adult stuff in part two. There are so many great parallels to the whole "child abduction" boom/obsession/fear in the 80s that played so well in contrast with the 50's stuff in the book. Maybe they're using that as the starting point in the movie (the 80's stuff) but I have a hard time imagining what modern day equivalent will be. Anyway... my opinion on the matter is fairly meaningless until I actually watch the damn thing.

Another vote for "placing the movie in the 80s works." Really well, in fact.

Cool. So without spoiling anything major about the movie (I saw the old mini-series and read the book, so you can be loose with the term "Spoiler" as I know the story), as a fan of the book and the film, can you speak more to why the 80's move worked for you? Did you miss any of the subtext and commentary from the book by changing the decade? How do they replace all that tension, texture and thematic exploration of the 1950's and perceived Americana in the movie? What themes/ideas/menaces take the place of all that stuff?

For the record, I never said I "liked" the nostalgia in It.

Fair enough. I inferred from your post that you were fine with the nostalgia in the 'It' film but you seem to be enraged by it on Stranger Things. But, you're right. You never said that.

The difference is that It doesn't bank on nostalgia the way ST does. It's not chocked full of eye-roll-y references. I think it changes the backdrop for reasons of relatability and topicality; the sociopolitical menace of '50s Americana isn't exactly a super potent/relevant theme for a mainstream audience right now.

I think LV is on the right track here. I read It when I was 13, in 1993; I think I missed any of those overt 1950s themes, and just read that period as being a simpler, safer time; of course as a kid the 80s felt more dangerous in comparison, but now the 80s feel downright quaint to me. I think the move to the 80s was really smart because it helped me as a fan of the book connect with the kids lives' easier...

One scene that worked so well for me was the first time we see Richie Tozier's home life. His mother's bathrobe, her living room, her easy chair...I immediately remembered all these friends' homes that felt similar, the bored overweight mom watching daytime television. It drove home the emotional impact of his insane mother in a way that was far more visceral than had it been set in the '50s. There are lots more little scenes that worked like this for me, but this is an easy example for me to offer.

[epilogue]

Cool. So, it sounds to me like the stuff I connected with the most in the kids' half of the book is different in the movie and I just need to accept that and enjoy the movie for what it's trying to do. Thanks.

[tragabigzanda]

This would be good.
http://collider.com/it-2-cast-jessica-c ... rly-marsh/

[E.H. Ruddock]

This would be good.
http://collider.com/it-2-cast-jessica-c ... rly-marsh/

oh man, LV will HATE that.

[VinylGuy]

Its a safe choice but it makes sense.

[Jorge]

I don't like it

[LoathedVermin72]

That was pretty much a foregone conclusion. The kid actor said she wanted her, and the director has worked with her before on Mama. It seems super obvious. It's awful, but obvious.

[Farmer John]

Team Amy Adams

[Farmer John]

I've seen IT three times now. I love it so much.

[Mecca]

does chastain even have freckles?

[daft twat]

Tim Curry was better.

[Biff Pocoroba]

I enjoyed the new It.
Two things though: 1. the kids' part was better and the scarier half of the book and original mini. 2. I hope they change the big finale fight to something other than a giant spider.

[VinylGuy]

fuck no, i want the spider and the whole cosmic trip.

[Strat]

I can't wait. What a great teaser. Unique.

[LoathedVermin72]

Looks so good. I’m pumped.