First let me turn your attention to this and then to this.
Freakin' ridiculous! Each of these films is less than 25 years in age, yet both are being remade for the probable reason that Hollywood likely stands to make millions off either and both of these probable cinematic dungheaps, not to mention the overwhelming decline of creative influence in this playhouse of plenty. As is becoming more and more frequent among blockbuster features, screenwriters and producers are selling out local theaters with their on-screen renditions of musicals, video games and movie remakes that truly original screenplays are unfortunately transitioning into slow fade.
Allow me for a moment to apologize. As i read over my words, I recognize I may be coming off as somewhat of a cinematic elitist. This is not my intention. Though I suppose if were truly sorry, I would delete all of the above and refrain from publishing this post. But that would eliminate the reason I undertook this draft to begin with, so (my hypocrisy aside) allow me to ask what your qualifications would be were you given the sole decision making process in allowing a film to be remade. Would there be a list of purely untouchable films that no one, regardless of stature or clout, would be permitted to touch (say Citizen Kane, Casablanca, The Godfather)? What other films outside of this "untouchable" realm would be granted "remake" status? How would you judge what could be remade and what could not?
...Proctor out.
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9 comments:
I'd let people remake whatever they like. Usually remakes aren't as good as the original, but sometimes they have something important to communicate. They nearly always shed light on the respective time periods in which they are produced, don't you think? But I'm not a true movie buff, so perhaps I'm wrong to put in my two cents.
Um, okay, just looked at the links . . . and yeah, it's kind of weird that those particular selections are being remade!
Hey, if anyone is permitted to put in their 2 cents in my book, it is you. Perhaps i could use a bit more charity. "Charity Proctor, Charity."
My initial reason for drafting this post was the fact that these two films still seem so young. Were I allowed to say what could be remade and what could not I would probably slap a 40 to 50 year moratorium on remakes. I kind of feel it does a disservice to the original film otherwise. I mean, Footloose has already had a pretty significant impact upon younger generations without there needing to be a remake to accompany. Let it be...give it time.
I don't even know why the Writer's Guild of America is on strike. They haven't came up with an original movie story for a long time! Yeah, that may come across as being really cynical, but seriously look at half the movies that's been released. They're either an adaptation from a video game, a novel, a cartoon, or a remake. I shouldn't really place the movies based from novels there, seeing that's been done since movies were invented. It's just, they seem to jump to doing that more and more because it's easier and faster to get it on the screen. Since the story has been written already. I think the last movie that I saw that was truly a great original screenplay was Crash. I think that's why I'm tuning into IFC and Sundance more these days. I really enjoy watching some of those independent films with such original screenplays. Even though some of the movies can be over the top.
But sorry, let me get back to the point, I feel there is a definite list of movies that are untouchable. If I'm not mistaken and if I can remember it, the movies in the top ten of AFI's 100 Years...100 Movies list should be untouchable. But there is others that shouldn't be remade. But to remake Karate Kid and Footloose is just getting sad for Hollywood. Footloose is just an excuse to plug in the actors from this new musical fad wave. (ie Highschool Musical.) Because they have no other proven talent. And to remake Karate Kid...yeah not comment on that.
It's really sad to see where Hollywood is now. It's all about "profit" and numbers and originality is being discarded. I think the decline in the Hollywood business is because of this problem. Not enough creativity and originality. But that's my opinion.
"It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation." - Herman Melville
Thank God they remade Footloose and KarateKid- there was so much left unsaid the first time round.
(yikes)
I think that the classics dont need to be remade. They are brilliant as they are and hold up because they speak to the heart,mind and souls of the viewers. I saw a remake of Doctor Zhivago(sp?) and my thoughts throughout the film was WHY-
Its time to dig deep in the well of creativity and come up with new ideas but I believe it comes down to all might dollar. Why risk it when you can make some serious bling.
I loved some of original stuff on HBO like Rome,Big Love,Carnival(brilliant)if you havent seen it, rent it-really great)and to some extent Sopranos. A great moive on HBO was Hysterical Blindness-original,fresh and well hey it was set in NJ!
So Hannah,James,Jason and all you brilliant writers out there, I think its time for you guys to write something. Your intelligence and creativity are much needed in this starved society. And to quote one of my favorite movies Amadeus-"is there a part in it for me?"
yo yo
keepin it real y'all
Oh my god I LOVED Carnivale! They need to make another season I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!
I know I miss it so much!!!
This maybe kicking a dead horse now, but did anyone noticed that they're coming out with the Sequel to Batman Begins? The title, Batman: The Dark Knight is basically a big remake for the first Batman. Only Heath Ledger is The Joker!! Are they serious?!?! Anyway, I just have to share this one, because it so fits in what James brought up in his original posting. The first Batman was released what, in the early 90s??
Good point on this one Jason. Though I half wonder if Superhero tales are more universal and can be redone at will. I'm thinking The Dark Knight won't be an exact remake of Burton's film, but i do share your same reservation with Heath Ledger as the Joker. However, Christopher Nolan is directing the film (think Memento, Insomnia, The Prestige) so all hypocrisy aside...i give Nolan a pass on this film ...at least until i see it.
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