Big studio ripping off original films.

Boo Radley

I'm sitting here watching Empire Records for the first time (bit pants to be honest). I can't help but see the similarities between this film and Clerks.

In fact it could be seen as a studio version of the cult classic - released a mere year after Clerks - and indeed it could be speculated that it was a cash in on Clerks' popularity. Of the two I favour Clerks as it doesn't seem as contrived and forced as Empire Records which just comes across as trying so hard to be 'cool'.

I was wondering if anyone here can think of a cult or low budget film being blatantly ripped off by big studio and which of the two is preferred?

I'm not talking about remakes like foreign remade to English language etc. or reboots.

Marty McFly

Boo Radley wrote: »

I'm sitting here watching Empire Records for the first time (bit pants to be honest). I can't help but see the similarities between this film and Clerks.

In fact it could be seen as a studio version of the cult classic - released a mere year after Clerks - and indeed it could be speculated that it was a cash in on Clerks' popularity. Of the two I favour Clerks as it doesn't seem as contrived and forced as Empire Records which just comes across as trying so hard to be 'cool'.

I was wondering if anyone here can think of a cult or low budget film being blatantly ripped off by big studio and which of the two is preferred?

I'm not talking about remakes like foreign remade to English language etc. or reboots.

Hmm i get what your trying to say but I dont think you can call Empire Records a rip off of Clerks yes there are similaritys as in there made in the 90,s so obviously there going to be 90,s cultural references etc, yes there both set in shops but thats were the simalaritys end really.

Empire Records as far as myknowledge anyway is a cult, low budget movie sure it only groessed 303,000 thousand us dollars not exactly a big box office smash, it gained its popularity through word of mouth upon it release I dont think it even got a cinematic release in Ireland.

Boo Radley

luvbulmers01 wrote: »

Hmm i get what your trying to say but I dont think you can call Empire Records a rip off of Clerks yes there are similaritys as in there made in the 90,s so obviously there going to be 90,s cultural references etc, yes there both set in shops but thats were the simalaritys end really.

Empire Records as far as myknowledge anyway is a cult, low budget movie sure it only groessed 303,000 thousand us dollars not exactly a big box office smash, it gained its popularity through word of mouth upon it release I dont think it even got a cinematic release in Ireland.

Well let's put it this way, its production value is certainly way beyond Clerks and I presume there was more money put into it. That's what I mean by big studio. Didn't Moon carry the independent label but still spent a few million in the process? I would consider it a big studio production even if it doesn't carry the name of one if you see what I mean.

I do still think there is a lot of ripping off from Clerks, what with the dire attempts at debates and quirky discussions.

Boo Radley

Boo Radley wrote: »

I do still think there is a lot of ripping off from Clerks, what with the dire attempts at debates and quirky discussions.

Pulp fiction was the same year as Clerks. Same "dire attempts at debates and quirky discussions"

Ideas happen at the same time. Tis a universal fact

Boo Radley

Boo Radley wrote: »

Well let's put it this way, its production value is certainly way beyond Clerks and I presume there was more money put into it. That's what I mean by big studio. Didn't Moon carry the independent label but still spent a few million in the process? I would consider it a big studio production even if it doesn't carry the name of one if you see what I mean.

I do still think there is a lot of ripping off from Clerks, what with the dire attempts at debates and quirky discussions.

I don't think you can call a film a rip off just because the dialogue is quirky. Lets not forget that the script for Empire Records was based on the experiences of a former Tower Records employee and many of the incidents in the film are based on incidents which occurred while she was working. It was also written in late 93 to early 94 so to call it a rip off is unfair.

Boo Radley

Deleted User wrote: »

Pulp fiction was the same year as Clerks. Same "dire attempts at debates and quirky discussions"

Ideas happen at the same time. Tis a universal fact

Yeah, but I don't think you can suggest that Pulp fiction is in any way similar to Clerks bar that similarity. I wasn't basing my entire argument on that one point. Taking the concept and attempt at style together with the dialogue I think the similarities between Empire Records and Clerks are to the point where it feels like you're watching Clerks with a budget but no real character.

To go off point with regard to Pulp Fiction I enjoyed the dialogue in it as it felt natural and not forced unlike Empire Records.

Boo Radley

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't think you can call a film a rip off just because the dialogue is quirky. Lets not forget that the script for Empire Records was based on the experiences of a former Tower Records employee and many of the incidents in the film are based on incidents which occurred while she was working. It was also written in late 93 to early 94 so to call it a rip off is unfair.

Again, I at no point called Empire Records a rip off purely based on quirky dialogue. Regardless of the origins of the story for Empire Records I suspect that the studio said, 'hey this is kinda like Clerks in its basic concept. Let's run with it and do a polished Clerks. That's bound to be popular'.

That's how I see it. It strikes me as over produced and any potential character it may have had is totally lost in the end product. Not to mention some terrible performances to boot.

Are there any other films that anyone thinks may have been ripped off? You don't have to agree with my interpretation to put forward an example of your own.

JohnFalstaff

I see what you're saying and I think you've got a point - a Hollywood exec sets out to find a script 'kinda like that movie all the kids are talking about that made a ton of cash...'

A good example would be John Carpenter's Hallowe'en which was the most successful independent film ever when it was first released and kick started a craze of big studio slasher flicks like Friday the 13th etc. Movie studios will always try to cash in on the latest trends.