GOLDEN BRIEFCASE

1

Thought about something I wish I'd said on the podcast after the fact (I'm sure that happens to Tim & Jeremy all the time) in reference to the "Why is Found Footage used almost exclusively in the Horror genre?" question.  At a basic level, outside of the idea that the Found Footage style effectively pulls the audience into the terror more, I think the Found Footage subgenre is inherently Horror because the term "found" implies that whoever shot the footage left it behind and someone else discovered it...as in didn't finish whatever film they were making...as in the person is no longer with us. So, within the narrative, for the footage to be found and released (in such a way that is often used as a gimmick in a given Found Footage film's viral marketing), it is often connected to something horrific and unexplained.  You have films like Catfish that are not Horror per se but may be shot and presented in a similar Found Footage style. But that is where the line between Found Footage and Fauxumentary are drawn. And that is why the Found Footage subgenre by definition doesn't really work outside of any other genre that doesn't present an opportunity for a mysterious mythology surrounding it.

James Wallace on Aug 31, 2011

2

Regarding new ways of using "found footage" as a plot device, I thought that since this is the Era of the VLOG, it could be interesting to bring up a new movie with that factor at play. Something like "Up-and-coming VLOGGER goes missing from his Los Angeles home. Three months later, only his camera is recovered from a remote section of the Mojave Desert. This is what was recorded..." I don't know...just something to chew on.

DAVIDPD on Aug 31, 2011

3

I loved Cloverfield, and REC, and REC 2, and Paranormal Activity. The found-footage sub-genre is working for me. And I think it works only in horror, and maybe in a war film, like you said. Thanks guys, now I have ideas for some found-footage films to watch 😀

Anonymous on Aug 31, 2011

4

Damn, you guys mirrored my thoughts on Scarface to the point where it's scary... I've always been scared of talking bad about it since there is such hype behind it and now I can let my opinion free knowing you guys feel the same. Though of course that last scene is pretty a badass and iconic scene, not to mention quotable. 

Vic Liang on Sep 1, 2011

5

The key to enjoying Scarface is to watch 50 times a year, like Diddy. Think of it all self administered brain washing. For real though, I'm a big fan of Scarface. It's a bloated, slow, unsubtle thing, but it is so gloriously inhabits all the cliched tropes it covers. Like the Ferrari Testarossa or Rick James' recording career, it is the epitome of 80's excess, and I can't help but love it.

Lebowski on Sep 1, 2011

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Good to hear the regular music back!

Chazzy on Sep 1, 2011

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I feel the same about Scarface.  I watched it for the first time a few years ago, all hyped up for it, and was incredibly disappointed.  It just wasn't a great movie, at all.

Chazzy on Sep 3, 2011

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I wanted to recommend "Noroi: The Curse (2005)" to you guys! Let me know if you like it, it's my favorite found footage film 🙂

Davide Coppola on Sep 4, 2011

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Since you discussed the question of found footage movies that aren't horror films you should really check out a german movie called "Muxmäuschenstill". I don't know, of there is a US-release. Maybe it could be described as a psychological thriller, but it is really unique. It's about this guy Herr Mux, who wants to make the world a better place by teaching people to obey law&order. And he hires a simple-minded long-time jobless guy to document his "work" with a camcorder. It's a really disturbing movie takes some really surprising turns.

Scp Filme on Sep 5, 2011