Suspiria

[Dr. Briggs]

There's been some news on the horizon, and apparently David Gordon Green's Suspiria remake is still in the works (and they're using the original Goblin soundtrack :claaaap: and Steve Jablonsky will be orchestrating it :banghead. I am... excited, believe it or not, but not entirely optimistic about it. There are a few ways Suspiria could be successfully remade if you ask me, but like if Evil Dead were to be remade, the director would have to be a real fucking horror-virtuoso for it to work.

I think MAYBE Gordon Green could prove to be one. From what little he's given us, he doesn't seem to be just some formulaic music-video director posing as a fanboy; he actually claims to have a plan for it, something that could incorporate a lot of cultural elements (which can indeed be frightening to play with), add symbolism, and due to this possibly turn out to make an epic remake. Of course, the guy could be lying, or turn out to be clueless where it really counts.

Still, I have more hope for a re-do of Suspiria than, say, the rumored Candyman remake that would make the titular killer white.

To restate my earlier idea, I think there are many ways to do a worthwhile Suspiria remake; you could do what Argento originally wanted and make the main character a child, but keep the gore to make things completely twisted, you could do what I think Green may do and keep the general plot but add a bunch of surrealism, non-superficial witchcraft and social commentary, or simply go by the way of the original but add more mystery to the plot and make it longer to give more potential to heighten suspense.

There are some things one would really have to do to make a good Suspiria remake in my opinion

* Emulate Argento's directorial style
* Keep the main character determined but never feeling in-control, and somewhat flat in terms of personality
* Never do a boring looking death scene
* Never let other genre-elements overtake the horror
* And more

Do you think a remake of Suspiria could work? If so, how would you do it?

[FreddysFingers]

As painful as this is and as predictable as it was I was never a HUGE fan of Suspiria to begin with. I think it's overrated but with that said, visually the film is absolutely gorgeous. I doubt the remake will ever touch on that. As for Jablonsky, you can bet your top dollar that it will all be industrial sounding like his other scores.

[mrblue]

Didn't the dude just finish directing that one stoner movie 'Your Highness'? Seems out of ordinary for him to take on a horror remake.

[Dr. Briggs]

@Fingers: The color scheme is one of the many reasons I'd say a Suspiria remake-director would really have to know what they were doing. IMO you cannot just pass up one of the big reasons why Suspiria is so popular (and IMO so effective) in the first place as "outdated" or "unimportant artistry." In this case, the dreaded color-correction/digital intermediate that's pervaded so many modern films could actually work wonders if they do use it right.

As for the score; yeah, I doubt Jablonsky would try anything different for what is probably in his mind "just another fright flick remake," but I hold out hope that the source material's inherent creepiness will shine through and still come out as something scary to listen to.

@mrblue: That's actually one reason why I'm so optimistic, not because I think making good stoner films is indicative of good horror films, but because A) we'd be coming into him doing horror with a fresh slate, and B) it means (once again) he's less likely to be just some overconfident fanboy and more of someone who actually wants to do justice to the original because it's a good movie, and not just because it's an old horror film to be "updated"

[Creamy Goodness]

I really hate the original Suspiria. I don't understand the love for it or Argento at all. With that said, I loved Pineapple Express. I've heard David Gordon Green's earlier work is way different and worth looking into, but Your Highness was really disappointing. I had fun with it, but it was still fairly week. I don't really have high hopes for this.

[Freddy=Legend]

[COLOR="Red"]Doesn't surprise me they want to remake it. Anything with a bankable name gets the treatment.

But the director they want makes me want to vomit. You can't hand over Argento's masterpiece to the guy behind stoner comedies.[/COLOR]

[FreddysFingers]

What you really got love about Suspiria isn't just the color and art direction but that music is phenomenal.

[Creamy Goodness]

I hate the music, too. They were way too proud of it as it plays over the lines of dialogue in the film. I'm just not really a fan of anything Argento produces, I guess.

[Freddy=Legend]

What you really got love about Suspiria isn't just the color and art direction but that music is phenomenal.

Without a doubt. All of Goblin's scores are incredible. Their score always add another level to Argento's work. It also added a little something extra to Romero's Dawn of the Dead.

[FreddysFingers]

I hate the music, too. They were way too proud of it as it plays over the lines of dialogue in the film. I'm just not really a fan of anything Argento produces, I guess.

I don't think that's the composer's fault but rather the director or editor, even sound mixer. The score is fantastic as a stand-alone soundtrack.

Without a doubt. All of Goblin's scores are incredible. Their score always add another level to Argento's work. It also added a little something extra to Romero's Dawn of the Dead.

I'd have to agree. I enjoy Goblin's scores but they are far from my favorite horror composers.

[Dr. Briggs]

What you really got love about Suspiria isn't just the color and art direction but that music is phenomenal.

Don't forget the suspense!

[Creamy Goodness]

All Goblin music sounds like a wankfest to me. Nothing to get excited about yet everyone praises them to oblivion.

[FreddysFingers]

They aren't the absolute greatest but considering that the score was heavily influenced by rock, it's quite original to fuse witchcraft with rock 'n roll. However, I don't think they are the greatest horror soundtrack artists ever.