STACK #156 Oct 2017

OPINION

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It’s not the only film that took time to be properly appreciated: The Shawshank Redemption (1994) was a commercial flop when it came out, and so was The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). Terry Gilliam’s cult favourite Brazil (1985) was another film that initially left audiences and critics equally baffled and underwhelmed. Home video proved instrumental in giving films like these a new life, as well as several box office bombs like Highlander (1986), The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8 th Dimension (1984) and David Lynch’s Dune (1984) – and more recently, Grindhouse (2007), Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) and Dredd (2012). Commercial success is never a good indicator of quality – the fact that there are two that. But that’s what Hollywood is predicated upon, even more so now. Consequently, it’s less likely to take risks greenlighting edgy and original projects. The sad fact is that if a film isn’t a reboot, sequel, franchise or part of an extended universe, studios and moviegoers just aren’t as interested. The few exceptions to the rule that do manage to find their way onto a cinema screen are either pitched at a niche market or disappear before anyone has had a chance to see them. The Lobster , The Witch and Everybody Wants Some!! are three standouts from last year that few saw and are waiting to be rediscovered on DVD. With so much entertainment now competing for our short attention spans, Highlander Transformers movies in the all-time box office Top 20 is testament to

TODAY’S FLOPS CAN BE TOMORROW’S CLASSICS A movie may not make squillions at the box office, but that doesn’t mean there isn't a devoted fanbase in waiting. Words Scott Hocking

N owadays there’s no argument that Blade Runner is a science fiction classic, but when it was first released back in 1982, it wasn’t a box office success and critics and audiences were left unimpressed by the dreary future it depicted. “ Blade Runner is a stunningly interesting visual achievement but a failure as a story,” wrote Roger Ebert in the Chicago Sun Times . That last part couldn’t be further from the truth – the film’s rumination on the nature of being human and the ‘Is Deckard a Replicant?’ issue has given film scholars and fans much to ponder and debate. In retrospect, it’s not hard to see why it failed to resonate with moviegoers. They wanted their sci-fi to be like Star Wars –

bright, colourful and action-packed, with heroes to root for and villains to hiss. Blade Runner was too dark and cerebral for its time – and being released the same year as E.T. didn’t help – but over the ensuing decades it found an appreciative and devoted audience and critical reappraisal.

The Shawshank Redemption

Commercial success is never a good indicator of quality – the fact that there are two Transformers movies in the all-time box office Top 20 is testament to that

The Lobster

unsuccessful and overlooked films are more likely to be forgotten than find a new lease of life. It’s up to the fans of these undiscovered gems to champion them and spread the word that there is a wealth of cinematic riches out there waiting for the love and recognition they rightfully deserve.

Blade Runner

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OCTOBER 2017

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