MovieChat Forums > The Perfect Host (2011) Discussion > What's the deal with the old technology?

What's the deal with the old technology?

posted 13 years ago by mcse72
27 replies | jump to latest

Anyone else notice Warwick's fasination with out dated stuff?

1.Polaroid camera
2.Super 8 projector/film
3.Roladex/contacts book (w/ Juila's #)
4.The mask used on John from the Black Lagoon (which was made in the '50s)
5.No visible TVs/computers in his house
6.Postcards? Everything is done thru email, who sends postcards anymore? (Although I do see how this one fits into the plot).

Then he complains about technology "getting out of control" (in reference to the Polaroid photo) towards the end.

Make me wonder if this has anything to do with the movie or his character. It just seemed so out of place.

[–] useme2305 13 years ago

it hasn't been mentioned before but the movie could very well be set in the mid nineties.

[–] darkdomino 13 years ago

Serial killers always use Polaroids. What are they gonna take grisly murder pictures and develop their film at Walmart? Haha... no.

"I've owed you this for a long time, and I pay my debts...to the penny"

[–] nastypuppy 13 years ago

well i just print my own grisly murder pics.

[–] Brian11 13 years ago

It's interesting to see the dynamic. On the one hand you have this very old technology that seems to be a trait specific to his character. The ones you've mentioned including the camera, no TV, projector.

On the other hand you have things such as a peculiar modern cordless phone, and a modern stereo (where John was hearing the news). The appliances and furnishings seemed to be modern as well.

Yet again something puzzling is the technology at the police station. They have old CRT monitors, not even good ones, as well as what seems to be an older fax machine.
Compare that to when John is checking reservations the woman at the counter has an LCD monitor. Then at the end in Warwick's office at the station he as well has a modern LCD monitor.

I think it might come down to his fantasy world being separate from his real life. He has done a great job in his life hiding his other side. I think the old fashioned way of life is intertwined with his "fantasy world".

Surprisingly in depth storytelling in this film!

[–] jagskotpalme 13 years ago

The usage of super-8 and such is probably just a character trait of Warwick. Apart from that, I believe the movie is set in the late 90's, which makes the use of CRT-screens and lack of cell phones understandable. Furthermore, when the detective receives the polaroid from John in the end of the movie, the Mexico stamps are dated 97/98.

[–] spamlover-2 13 years ago

It's not just Warwick either. In the police station, all of the desks have CRT's. When I saw them, I pressed the info button to see when the movie was made.

[–] ladydog1980 13 years ago

The cars used in the movie are new models..so I think the 90's thing doesn't make sense..though John is driving an 80's model car, will have to watch it again and see what yr. models the cars are. For a movie that made little money and had such a low budget, it sure gets people talking..lol

It's not WHERE you've been, but WHERE you're going!

[–] trash_wallyworld 10 years ago

I was wondering if this movie was filmed in late 1990's and just now released in 2010.

It wouldn't be the first time something like that happened.

[–] jeffhartley 8 years ago

When the movie was made really isn't relevant - it's the time period that it is set.

For example, Rome (HBO) was made in 2005, but all the technology is from 2000 years ago.

[–] 9 years ago

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