Lord T has a post up about the Day the Earth was Boring:
Just watched the remake of the old sci-fi classic ‘The day the Earth stood still’ I can see why it bombed - it was rubbish ... The remakes have the advantage of the latest technology so why is it that the remakes are not as good as the originals?
It is a point, isn't it? Take your pick but they don't seem to be the same or as good. The only one where I do like the remake in its own way is The Manchurian Candidate, with Denzel Washington. But in general, it's true though. I also like sci-fi in black and white but not everyone does.
Favourite creatures
Zeroing in on our favourite monsters/creatures, my two are above and below. Yours?
I don't know. I like the remake of "Little Women" - the one with Winona Ryder as Jo. I also quite like the remake of "The End of the Affair" although the Deborah Kerr version is closer to the book. The "remake" I can't stand is the modern version of "Cheaper by the Dozen": it bears no resemblance to the original version or, more importantly, to the original novel and makes the mother seem utterly stupid.
ReplyDeleteI really don't understand why they do remakes of some of these films. Why not just make another?
ReplyDeleteThe remakes have to be so much better to eclipse the original but they try and put in political messages instead of a decent new story. The special effect difference is not enough to carry it.
It's a similar problem with IIs. Keeping to the original but making a good story. It needs to be a story in its own right.
I don't even like colourized versions of black and white films.
ReplyDeleteAnd sequels are usually a letdown,too.
There exists a lack of creativity in Hollywood, because hollywooders attempt to make political statements, rather than entertaining movies. That's why I see one about every five years--if that often.
ReplyDeleteI think the originals are better because of censorship. The implication of passion and adult activities are more intense than the mere viewing as a voyeur. Think of Gone With the Wind when Rhett drags Scarlett upstairs or the tension in African Queen. And for horror, how about the original War of the Worlds versus the dullness of the Tom Cruise version? And for comedy the original French "Les visiteurs" verses the Americanized abomination?
ReplyDeleteRemakes are like movies based on TV shows or comics, pretty consistently rubbish and best avoided.
The original was on the other night and it was just as good as always. I have never seen the remake.
ReplyDeleteI think Winfred Mann has it; too many producers are worrying about making "social statements" and not enough about entertaining. Unless you're making a documentary, entertainment comes first. If you can work something else into it without preaching, that's a plus.
ReplyDeleteYes, Lord T said that about TDTWSS - that they went all green in the remake and b---ered it up.
ReplyDeleteColourized is bad, Uber.
ReplyDeleteWe feel that way because we are both lovers of film noir,but not sure others would agree with us.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Uber about b&w films, James. They have a charm of their own.
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