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Good Ideas Handled Poorly
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860
5.2
5.6
The Box (2009)
The Good Idea
Would you press a button that would reward you with lots of money, but the downside was that it would kill a complete stranger? That premise alone is worthy of exploration.
Where it Went Wrong
The execution. How much better would it have been, to show the person dying, and actually see genuine and realistic consequences in a chain reaction or butterfly effect manner, that end up coming back to bite the protagonists? Instead, the movie goes for a more ambiguous take, and turns it into a generic alien invasion plot. And the film's plot twist is stupid and makes no sense.
Would you press a button that would reward you with lots of money, but the downside was that it would kill a complete stranger? That premise alone is worthy of exploration.
Where it Went Wrong
The execution. How much better would it have been, to show the person dying, and actually see genuine and realistic consequences in a chain reaction or butterfly effect manner, that end up coming back to bite the protagonists? Instead, the movie goes for a more ambiguous take, and turns it into a generic alien invasion plot. And the film's plot twist is stupid and makes no sense.
garfield2710's rating:
793
6.3
6.6
Flatliners (1990)
The Good Idea
The idea of college students exploring and trying to scientifically prove the existence of life after death is a fascinating concept, because it actually opens up several questions about the limits of science both morally and philosophically. The religious and philosophical musings also practically write themselves.
Where it Went Wrong
However, by the end, instead of a film dealing with the philosophical or perhaps even psychological ramifications of their actions, what we get is just a generic horror film, with the ghosts of the dead haunting the living. We do kind of get a moral, about asking for forgiveness for the sins of your past, but with a set-up like this, I expected so much more than your typical "what's hiding behind the door" third act.
The idea of college students exploring and trying to scientifically prove the existence of life after death is a fascinating concept, because it actually opens up several questions about the limits of science both morally and philosophically. The religious and philosophical musings also practically write themselves.
Where it Went Wrong
However, by the end, instead of a film dealing with the philosophical or perhaps even psychological ramifications of their actions, what we get is just a generic horror film, with the ghosts of the dead haunting the living. We do kind of get a moral, about asking for forgiveness for the sins of your past, but with a set-up like this, I expected so much more than your typical "what's hiding behind the door" third act.
garfield2710's rating:
3124
6
6.4
The Good Idea
The idea for this film is sheer brilliance. In fact, this is a premise that is begging to be made; a person is a superhero, but instead of being heroic or villainous, they're just a lazy, petty, alcoholic asshole. It certainly has the capability to being an enjoyably cynical comedy.
Where it Went Wrong
It falls apart in the second half. If it had kept the tone of the first half all the way through, this could've been great. But it loses its nerve, and instead becomes the generic superhero film it was mocking in the first half.
The idea for this film is sheer brilliance. In fact, this is a premise that is begging to be made; a person is a superhero, but instead of being heroic or villainous, they're just a lazy, petty, alcoholic asshole. It certainly has the capability to being an enjoyably cynical comedy.
Where it Went Wrong
It falls apart in the second half. If it had kept the tone of the first half all the way through, this could've been great. But it loses its nerve, and instead becomes the generic superhero film it was mocking in the first half.
garfield2710's rating:
151
5.1
6
Sex and Death 101 (2007)
The Good Idea
A man receives a list of all the women he will ever sleep with in his life. Right off the bat, this has great comedic potential. Granted it would probably work better as a TV show premise, but it could still work as a film.
Where it Went Wrong
It focuses way too much time on the mechanics of how the list came into being, and the Mankiller angle could've worked if handled better, but as is, it's misguided.
A man receives a list of all the women he will ever sleep with in his life. Right off the bat, this has great comedic potential. Granted it would probably work better as a TV show premise, but it could still work as a film.
Where it Went Wrong
It focuses way too much time on the mechanics of how the list came into being, and the Mankiller angle could've worked if handled better, but as is, it's misguided.
garfield2710's rating:
387
5.9
6.4
Very Bad Things (1998)
The Good Idea
It's difficult, but making this premise work as a comedy is possible. The idea of bachelors going to Las Vegas, and accidentally killing a prostitute, and them having to deal with the consequences could be a dark comedy, just so long as it's kept relatable or could even work just as a straight up drama if you remove the more humorous edge it's obvious they were going for.
Where it Went Wrong
One word; tone. The tone and pacing were poorly misjudged.
It's difficult, but making this premise work as a comedy is possible. The idea of bachelors going to Las Vegas, and accidentally killing a prostitute, and them having to deal with the consequences could be a dark comedy, just so long as it's kept relatable or could even work just as a straight up drama if you remove the more humorous edge it's obvious they were going for.
Where it Went Wrong
One word; tone. The tone and pacing were poorly misjudged.
garfield2710's rating:
716
6.6
6.8
The Good Idea
A woman loses her memory in a car accident, to the point where she can't even remember meeting her husband, let alone that they're married. Brilliant high-concept, with lots of potential.
Where it Went Wrong
The bland execution. Instead of capitalizing on this high-concept premise, they went the safe and generic route. This feels like something straight out of a Nicolas Sparks book, and that is not the right tone for this plot.
A woman loses her memory in a car accident, to the point where she can't even remember meeting her husband, let alone that they're married. Brilliant high-concept, with lots of potential.
Where it Went Wrong
The bland execution. Instead of capitalizing on this high-concept premise, they went the safe and generic route. This feels like something straight out of a Nicolas Sparks book, and that is not the right tone for this plot.
garfield2710's rating:
Essentially, this is wasted potential. A list of films, that had good premises or ideas, but the execution was off. You could even say this is a list of films that should be remade.
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