Laurence Lerman

Stepfather, Meet the Bad Lieutenant

A few quick words on The Stepfather—no, not the new version starring Dylan Walsh that’s opening theatrically today, but rather the original 1987 thriller directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Terry O’Quinn. It was issued on DVD this past Tuesday by Shout! Factory and we reviewed it last week (http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6700383.html).

The DVD contains a commentary and retrospective featurette that includes contributions by writer Brian Garfield, producer Jay Benson and director Joseph Ruben. It’s all quite informative (Garfield interestingly talks about how he based his script on a real-life serial killer known as “The Boogeyman of Westfield,” who stalked New Jersey in the Seventies), but most amusing is Ruben’s comment about filmmaker Abel Ferrara. The always-game Ferrara has recently been mouthing off about Werner Herzog’s soon-to-be-released reimagining of Ferrara’s 1992 drama Bad Lieutenant, the new version of which stars Nicolas Cage. Ruben is apparently quite amused with Ferrara’s feelings about the new film, comparing it to his own feelings on the upcoming Stepfather re-do:

“I didn’t have the Abel Ferrara ‘I’d like to rip their brains out and eat them’ kind of reaction, which I understand on one level. To me, it’s a compliment. I probably won’t see [the new Stepfather] just ‘cause I don’t like scary movies, but I wish them well.”

Touche Abel! And that’s a nice volley back, Joey!

Posted by Laurence Lerman on October 16, 2009 | Comments (1)