Ah! What times were there when there was no Internet and to watch a movie that had already been removed from theaters?, one went to those spaces (temples, some would say) called video stores. Betamax or VHS, big dilemma. Since the years 80, The entertainment industry experienced spectacular growth, developing a whole new consumer culture. Today, We could almost say that we continue on that same path that was opened then.
The movies that made us is a documentary series broadcast by Netflix since the end of last year that aims, precisely, bring back (if they are ever gone), some of the movie titles that founded a good part of that culture. In a relaxed tone and with a very agile narration, the series created by Brian Volk-Weiss is an exercise in nostalgia popcorn maker first order. Nostalgia, but without sadness, Well, if something characterizes this series, it is for trying to recover that carefree spirit that permeated the era.. A time in which, although it also had its problems, there was a space to push them aside and let yourself go. and listen, Go ahead than most of these titles that the series refers to, to one, well, how plim (now, like then). But that doesn't mean we can have a good time remembering some things., letting ourselves be immersed in those sensations, and discovering others that one did not know. After all, the cinema, like music, It also has something that is linked to certain moments in our lives..
The first season of The movies that made us (The movies that made us) It has four chapters in which we will review as many other very very titles., but very popular over the years 80 y 90. Through its protagonists, or better, its makers, Each episode reviews the vicissitudes in which these films were made with interviews with some of their leading actors., but above all, and this is perhaps the most interesting, to a good part of the artistic and technical team that made them a reality. Screenwriters pass in front of Volk-Weiss's camera, producers, special effects technicians, directors, to dance and action sequence coordinators. A complete journey that will allow us to discover the circumstances and vicissitudes that these projects had to undergo to become some of the highest-grossing films in the recent history of cinema. (American). Hoy, following the subsequent monumental success these films enjoyed, It seems difficult to understand why some of them encountered so many financing problems.. But the world of cinema is like that. Who has the magic wand?
The movies that made us starts very strong. Its first chapter is dedicated, no more no less, than one of the most saccharine films of all time, but what, however, You can't stop watching if you have the misfortune of putting your eyes on a TV when it has already started.. Talk later, Yeah, of Dirty dancing. Today it seems impossible to imagine that this blockbuster of the 80 could have so many problems financing. As producer Linda Gottlieb tells us, The project went through more than forty production companies and was rejected in all of them.. It would be a modest home video distribution company, eager to enter the film market, the one that, in the end, gave him the green light. Could anyone imagine that this dance story was inspired by autobiographical events?? (What?!). Without ceasing to completely clear up doubts, This is what screenwriter Eleanor Bergstein suggests., driver of history. From here, We will learn about the difficulties that led to the election of the sadly deceased Emile Ardolino, a documentary filmmaker who would make his first film, as director, the incompatibility conflicts of its protagonists or Patrick Swayze's knee problems, that almost ruined the big moment of the movie (Yeah, the one with the jump).
We continue our journey through what is undoubtedly the comedy? best-known family of all time: alone at home. Do you remember that cute little boy who faced a gang of thieves? (poor Joe Pescci, bueno, poor no, that he would get his due)? Well that one. Once again we will witness the story of the difficulties of a low-budget film that would end up becoming an absolute benchmark for Christmas movies.. The tape, a true global blockbuster before the impertinent Harry Potter, would launch the careers of virtually everyone who participated in its execution: from Macaulay Culkin himself, passing by the actor Daniel Stern, even director Chris Columbus himself, who would later participate in many other films such as the saga, Yeah, from Harry Potter (and well, is executive producer of The lighthouse the Robert Eggers; vale, I forgive you). The most interesting part of this chapter, Perhaps it is provided by the testimonies of specialists, who suffered their own in one of the films with the most blows and falls in all of history.
But if there are two films that can be considered true icons of the 80 They are the two titles that follow. The first of them is, of course, Ghostbusters. For the fans (among whom I am) of this masterpiece (Yeah, what's happening!) of entertainment cinema, many of the things narrated here will already be known, but maybe they will discover others that they don't know. In any case, This chapter makes us have a great time. Did you know that the original story is based on Dan Aykroyd's family's passion for magic and the occult?, co-writer of the project? With him we will review its origins in the Saturday Night Live Show (when it was fun, some say), his relationship with Bill Murray and the great Harold Ramis, also screenwriter of the film and genius behind another myth of the 90, trapped in time. Did you know that, despite elevating New York City, The film was shot mostly in Los Angeles.? More bizarre it is, if possible, the story of the problems that the producers had to obtain the rights to a title that, without knowing him, headed a series of years 70 starring two guys and a gorilla. Or the difficulties of Ray Parker Jr.. to fit the title of the tape into a melody, a song that would become a true boom world. Here we leave it.
And to top it off (roll) the first season (It is said that the second is already underway) of The movies that made us offers us a trip back in time to the filming and circumstances of one of the most emblematic action titles ever filmed: Die Hard, or to understand each other: Die Hard, which is its real title 😉 The film elevated a Bruce Willis who, after his success on television with the (wonderful) serie moonlight, had failed in several attempts to reach the big screen. But more interesting if possible, in this case, It is the journey of an original script that was based on a detective novel written exclusively so that it would end up in a film starring Frank Sinatra!! Fortunately, The matter did not work out and, after many vicissitudes, reached the title that we all know today. The script passed through several hands thanks or because of director John McTiernan, a really funny guy, author, among others, of great Coca-Cola milestones such as Predator, The Hunt for Red October o The last great hero, and that he considered that that was missing, above all, sense of humor. And how right he was! What is the origin of the phrase “Yippee-Ki-Yay mother fucker”?
As we said before, All of these movies were real box office bombs.. Dirty dancing has managed to raise money all over the world 217 million dollars, alone at home would raise more than 260, Ghostbusters almost 300 millions and the jungle (for friends) almost 200. But, unlike some blockbusters now, These were not accompanied by aggressive advertising campaigns or based on books that had already been a best-seller (as Harry Potter). In fact, as we have said, many of these projects encountered many difficulties in carrying out. But they had something, a kind of sense of opportunity, an indisputable charisma and grace. They would be other times, what do I know. What does emerge from this series is that behind each of these projects there was something unquestionable: an overflowing passion for cinema and for making something that lasts. I leave it there. GERARDO LEON
