The Bruce Willis Thread

[SilverSurfer]

Originally Posted by Prince_Vajda

I agree with Mr Harker. Starting with Death Wish II, the series definitely at least partly exploits both the genre and the basic storyline, but the original 1974 Death Wish doesn't condone vigilantism. The fact that it also does not overtly hammer "Don't take the law into your own hands!" into the viewer's head doesn't make it a manipulative film. The fact that the viewer can understand Kersey's actions and that the film is intense enough to make the viewer feel for Kersey doesn't mean that he is tricked into believing that Kersey's actions are right.

Yet he is just as bad as those who commit those crimes,So that is alright then?

[Stephen@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

Yet he is just as bad as those who commit those crimes,So that is alright then?

I think it’s more that the sequels (especially part 3), glorifies vigilantism, and that one basically turns it into slapstick with they way he takes out the bad guys. Me, I don’t think that he’s as bad as the people he takes out n the first film (well, those ones who raped his daughter and killed his wife).

[MacBlayne]

I never got the impression that the original Death Wish is pro-vigilantism. Death Wish was more of a character study, following a mild-mannered man's decline into murder. Yes, a lot of characters in the film cheer on Kersey's actions, but it's worth remembering when the film was made. New York's crime rate in the 1970s was way higher than it is today, and the film captured people's frustration with the legal system. And another point in the film's favour - compare Kersey at the beginning of the film with the Kersey at the end. That last shot scares me.

Now Death Wish II is a vile, repugnant film that wallows in vigilantism. The rape scene is extremely brutal just so we can savour the violent acts Kersey commits later.

The follow-ups wisely went into cartoon territory, which negates the ultra right-wing idealism of the series.

[SilverSurfer]

Originally Posted by MacBlayne

compare Kersey at the beginning of the film with the Kersey at the end. That last shot scares me.

Indeed that last shot tells you "I will get you....because I can" and that is subtle during the film's lengh.

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

Indeed that last shot tells you "I will get you....because I can" and that is subtle during the film's lengh.

Or is it "I might get you... because you deserve it"...

[SilverSurfer]

Originally Posted by Prince_Vajda

Or is it "I might get you... because you deserve it"...

More down the lines of "I will get you sometime because I am beginning to like it"

[Prince_Vajda]

Originally Posted by SilverSurfer

More down the lines of "I will get you sometime because I am beginning to like it"

Partly in Death Wish II, and maybe also in all other sequels - yes.
Death Wish - no.

[Susan Foreman]

Hurrah!

Recognition at last!

Bruce Willis Now Has His Own Category at the Razzie Awards After Appearing in 8 Garbage Films in 2021 / Paste Magazine

"...The Razzie Awards, the industry’s annual sarcastic celebration of the worst in film, announced the nominees for its 42nd awards show on Monday, and among the usual suspects was a new category specifically "honoring" the B-movie output of Bruce Willis. The new category, titled "Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie," includes the eight feature films that Willis made in 2021, not a single one of which will have a title familiar to anyone but the most inveterate action junkie. The films are as follows:

— American Siege
— Apex
— Cosmic Sin
— Deadlock
— Fortress
— Midnight in the Switchgrass
— Out of Death
— Survive the Game"

[gag]

Originally Posted by Susan Foreman

Hurrah!

Recognition at last!

Bruce Willis Now Has His Own Category at the Razzie Awards After Appearing in 8 Garbage Films in 2021 / Paste Magazine

"...The Razzie Awards, the industry’s annual sarcastic celebration of the worst in film, announced the nominees for its 42nd awards show on Monday, and among the usual suspects was a new category specifically "honoring" the B-movie output of Bruce Willis. The new category, titled "Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie," includes the eight feature films that Willis made in 2021, not a single one of which will have a title familiar to anyone but the most inveterate action junkie. The films are as follows:

— American Siege
— Apex
— Cosmic Sin
— Deadlock
— Fortress
— Midnight in the Switchgrass
— Out of Death
— Survive the Game"

8 films Gee not even sure I can name or remember last film I saw or heard him in, probably death wish remake, .

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

It's a shame that Bruce has now retired from acting due to brain disorder aphasia.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60934576

Thanks for the memories and some terrific films Bruce and i hope you can be as comfortable as possible in your retirement.