MovieChat Forums > Miracle Mile (1989) Discussion > Totally Ripe for a Re-make

Totally Ripe for a Re-make

posted 9 years ago by dustyhonda2000
18 replies | jump to latest

Please hear this out...

Miracle Mile is a grim and chilling tale encapsulated by goofy 80's characteristics of presentation. The first time I saw this, even despite the 80's cheesy-ness, I was genuinely moved and even a little terrified. That's the point of a movie right? To strike an emotion (or 2 or 3), even if it was from an unexpected source.

Fast forward to present day. Viewing audiences have always been willing to deal with heavy subject matter, and ever since 2005 audiences have proven willing to stick with heavy subject matter presented using dark aesthetics as well.

The corporate snob, the cross-dresser, the no-nonsense restaurant owner, the stolen police car, narrow minded cops... these chronotypes would need updating as far as their presentation, but they are still relevant characters. The gay body builder couple would need the most revision, but not necessarily omission.

Hunger Games has shown that young couples can still be depicted poignantly, and the race against time, the city as a maze, the descent into chaos... all great stuff if given a modern budget, stunt team & effects team and of course... modern wardrobe!

In conclusion, if this film could be "cleansed" of its 80's dorkiness, i.e. trombones, tube steaks, mentions of balloon rides, and the general "save the whales" type standard issue late 80's icons, then this would make a truly visceral and chilling tale.

A short example... look at Michael (Mykelti) T. Williamson's character as the stolen car stereo guy... and look at the exact same actor 7 years later as Sgt. Drucker in Heat. It's all in the direction & production design folks!

I'd like to see this tale given the James Cameron treatment(and corresponding budget & aesthetics).

[–] dustyhonda2000 9 years ago

One more thing I'd like to point out... there seems to be no shortage of depictions of the Roman Empire or the Third Reich in film both modern & historic. The threat of nuclear war was a similar "regime" that we had to live under for 2 solid generations (or 3), its place in filmic depiction is not uncalled for.

[–] Diss_Oriented 9 years ago

and ever since 2005 a depressingly huge amount of horrendously dull dweebs nerds and just all-around annoying douches who should know/try to do better have proven willing to sit through thousands of hours of dreary dreck as long as it pretends to be "heavy subject matter" and is presented "using dark aesthetics" so as they can pretend to be all deep, intellectual and edgy and stuff.

Fixed that for ya

- - -
"And the number one reference that I am running into the ground is: Homer Simpson!"

[–] dustyhonda2000 9 years ago

Do you feel better now? Did you get it all out?

Nothing like a nice little catharsis, until it all builds up again I suppose.

[–] Diss_Oriented 9 years ago

lololololol

I'd rather root for a trombone playing "dork" any day of the week than a guy who speaks in an absurdly low and fake-sounding growl which tries to sound manly but just sounds unintentionally hilarious and cringeworthy because the whole stupid freaking production is obsessively and unhingedly concerned trying to "right the wrongs" of an old movie that had been released like a freakin decade previously, and only meant anything to some really terrible people (a large amount, I admit) who obsessed over said movie and the sexual preference of the German dude who made it.

They are the real dorks, believe me.

About the only thing I can vaguely agree on is I don't like having Harry Belafonte listed as a "must-save" individual..... you think that guy even wants to live in the snow anyway. Also maybe I shouldn't have lengthened the rant (I made it short originally) so as you couldn't go all "ooh you're angry!" on me. Probably would have done anyway...

Oh and I dunno about you but I'd climb all over that chick with the cellphone any day. And Robert DoQui going nuts = epic win so hush plzzz...
- - -
"And the number one reference that I am running into the ground is: Homer Simpson!"

[–] dustyhonda2000 9 years ago

I believe you.
What do you recommend by way of deep and quality movie titles and/or directors?

[–] dustyhonda2000 9 years ago

I am sympathetic to most of what you say.
It would be a mistake to think that your writer is of the opinion that everything made post-2005 is worthy of worship. It is not. There is a lot of schlock and dreck out there, absolutely.
The post-2005 world does contain a handful of examples of controversial subject matter presented in such a way as to be thought-provoking and introspective, rather than simply garish and merely shock-value oriented.

Being a fan of science fiction in general is also equally tricky. There is a certainly a lot low-quality productions out there with not much to distinguish them by way of content or aesthetic.
Miracle Mile straddles the line. It has not aged like fine wine, yet it is discernible that the film's style contains a version of the same quirky & unsettling tone as felt in Twin Peaks or Blue Velvet.
The astute viewer can discover in a forgotten and abandoned film like Miracle Mile an exercise in combining production elements in just the right combinations to create, say, a chilling phone booth scene.

Rather than indulge in ridicule, derision and frat boy swagger, a more intelligent & useful way to make these points would be to offer parallels.
1. Joss Whedon's Firefly series and Serenity Film can be pointed out to have strong thematic & storyline similarities to Blake's 7, a BBC drama that ran from 1978-81.
2. James Cameron's The Terminator has been identified as containing similar plot & villain aesthetic to Westworld, and a similar thematic storyline to Day of the Daleks (a 1972 Doctor Who episode).
3. Outland starring Sean Connery is widely cited to be a futuristic retelling of High Noon.
Miracle Mile stands as a viable springboard for similar such inspiration, in the happenstance that someone in that frame of mind stumbles across it.

Peace be with you o my brother.

[–] rishi85 9 years ago

Dusty...

First I want you to look at my posting history if you have time. Scattered among the threads are opinions of a singular outlook: The look and feel(aesthetics/atmosphere) of pre digital era films.

Dusty,
I hate remakes however there are three films that I will be remaking someday(Yes-me).
The Deep(1977)
Miracle Mile(1988)

and a third I cannot mention here. My first agenda(which I intend to place on the screen before my film will begin) would be to put a disclaimer stating that I'd like the viewers to go and see the originals later. I want these films to be seen. The more, the merrier.

Now coming onto my main topic and what your post is about:
I loathe the majority of new movies. To me a movie is all about the atmosphere-the vibe. It is a combination of the look, the soundtrack, the nature of the film. Today's films(anything made after say 1998) all look the same to me.glossy, saturated with fake edited colors like a video game. I don't mention this a lot because I get criticized.
Older films I adore almost every sense of their being, even if the film itself isn't that good. I love the film stock the 70s(documentarish) the 80s(gritty and raw) and early 90s(sunny, yellowish...lazy). They look cinematic. Real sets and props over computer washed CGI. And this isn't nostalgia...My nostalgic phase began with Jurassic Park but I love Robocop, Alien, Blade Runner, Terminator and every other random film from those times. Literally I scout unknown films from the 70s to the mid 90s..films no one has seen or heard of much. Why? They just seem....real. And innocent.

Miracle Mile has its unique charm and all the quirks you mention only add to the surreal nature. The night glow, the offbeat characters, the real everyday leads....that is what makes this movie so goddamn special.

If and when I remake this fine film I will keep all those just the way they are with very minor changes. Like a Twilight Zone episode it speaks to me. Other than that what you say is spot on....the aesthetics is what matters.

[–] dustyhonda2000 9 years ago

Overall I wish you the best of luck then. I really respect how you've decided to take on this project. Many dimensions here for you to work with.

Just a quick note on the "Harry and his blue suit issue"
Please permit a look to generational character updates that have proven successful... old and new Battlestar Galactica:
70's Starbuck: suave, smart mouthed & invincible ace pilot
00's Starbuck: overconfidence covering for insecurities
70's Adama: grandfatherly, warm, wise, cunning
00's Adama: moody, occasional iron punishment, sometimes uncertain & other times an experienced oracle.

Characters have to morph with their times and since the 90's popular entertainment has been more willing to look at psychological mechanisms & character flaws than in decades past, which provided "cardboard cut-out" perfect image heroes. A 2015-2020 Harry should not somehow become an ass-kicking, phallocratic alpha male.
Can I point to Jaime Foxx's Max in Collateral... here's a timid, sensitive, yet meticulous, self-assured & visionary young man who needs to overcome chronic approval-seeking. A great 'modern day' exploration of the inner depths of a multi-dimensional character.

Overall you made many important points in your posting. Totally agree with the often-seen sepia tones of the early 90's... Black Rain, exterior LA shots in Die Hard & Die Hard2, Falling Down, Point Break, Terminator2, Speed, Strange Days and 187... this visual style was eerie, atmospheric and invigorating... it is worthy of omage & even (imho) deserves a study in its own right as the signature of an era. This of course would have to occur gradually & eventually... as the early 90s moves far enough back in history to be seen as vintage rather than just 'an out of fashion style'.
The director's commentary on Falling Down is extremely helpful to jumpstart a discussion of early 90s LA zeitgeist, particularly the comments made by the LA Times editorial columnist during the army surplus store scene and later as Michael Douglas is watching home videos in his old house and then running out onto the pier for the final confrontation.

Television post-2005 follows a visual style that is a very characteristic type of gloss. The images are solarized, high-contrast and often color-tweaked as you say. Everyone's skin seems to be greasy and gritty at the same time. Yes it is getting a little old, and the only 2 shows (imho) that I think got it right are the new Battlestar Galactica and the new Doctor Who, and that's because they didn't/don't go over the top.

Hope to someday see your interpretation of nighttime glow on the big screen. If you may permit your writer a few suggestions, nighttime capture has been mastered by Michael Mann in Collateral & Miami Vice. The special features on these discs contain insights into the particulars of hi-def video they used, and how it is able to capture color and focus miles deep into the background during night conditions using only natural/available light or with very little additional light. A closer look at Manhunter and especially Heat will show Mann had an interest in portraying poignant nighttime sensations way back... its just the technology wasn't there. Of particular interest is the shot of waves of breeze in long grass just after Waingro escapes from DeNiro outside the diner... and characters/vehicles against cityscape lights.
That's the technical side, for sheer beauty & aesthetics may I recommend a Peruvian film called Dioses (2008). The DP & designers have some very interesting things to say about 'green nights' and how they are different to everyone else's... night owls, insomniacs & chronic clubbers have green nights and they've put this on the screen as well as they can, but could be bettered...

If you like gritty and raw I'd like to recommend:
Once Upon a Time in the West
Bullitt & French Connection
Vanishing Point
Andromeda Strain (1971)
Capricorn One (for a good yet serious laugh)
Outland
Mississippi Burning (made in 88 but feels older somehow)
Runaway Train

And last allow me to agree completely: yes Miracle Mile is the ultimate Twilight Zone episode! Twilight Zone on steroids.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] haywoodyoudome 8 years ago

and a third I cannot mention here.

Ooooh, must be super cereal about that one.

[–] ripdolphin13 9 years ago

This was re-made; well, sort of: 2012's Seeking a Friend for the End of the World. Ok, not really a remake, but the end of both films have the same desperate finality which at least for me, left such an empty feeling in my heart.

[–] dharmacrown 9 years ago

For some reason I picture Tom Cruise as the main lead

[–] Woodyanders 9 years ago

This film doesn't need a remake; it's fine the way it is.

I am the Duke of IMDb bio writers! I am A#1!

[–] lennonforeveragain 8 years ago

agreed!

Even a man,who is pure of heart,and says his prayers by night...

[–] classics_guy 8 years ago

Remake this and ruin it. I would never wanna see it. I love the original in its 80's time capsule.

[–] Magnus_Ironfist 7 years ago

Right? It's not like the Total Recall remake wiped the original classic from existence.

[–] Siamois 8 years ago

ever since 2005 audiences have proven willing to stick with heavy subject matter presented using dark aesthetics

huh ? What happened in 2005 ?

[–] airfaith 7 years ago

If a movie is ever as good as someone says, then it doesn't need a remake, it's that simple, so no probably not. Hollywood is crowded with remakes, we want new material..... that's good ofcourse.