The Year of Pointless Remakes

[safariguy5]

Laughed at the poster for Robin Hood, Maximus in the forest...
Doubtless it'll be a case of Crowe saying "Son of a murdered Father, Citizen of a betrayed land, Loyal Servant to the true King of England...and I shall have my revenge in this life or the next! A Pox upon you Sheriff *spits* and upon Prince John".
As if we needed another Robin Hood film, there's gotta be loads of cool hero stories and myths instead.
Prince of Persia looks good.

Will Russell Crowe+ Ridley Scott=Leonardo Di Caprio+Martin Scorsese or Johnny Depp+Tim Burton?

[pimpdave]

Remakes can sometimes be good.

[muy_thaiguy]

Remakes can sometimes be good.

That's more the exception, rather than the rule though.

[thegreekdog]

I'm still pissed they remade Transformers and GI Joe (from the cartoon movies of the same name). Stupid bullshit knock-offs... grumble... stupid kids get off my lawn.

[Symmetry]

I'm still pissed they remade Transformers and GI Joe (from the cartoon movies of the same name). Stupid bullshit knock-offs... grumble... stupid kids get off my lawn.

The original Transformers: The Movie was great when I was a kid. And in what kind of crazy world can you get Orson Welles, Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, and Weird Al Yankovich together in a film based around a toy franchise? I still remember all the best lines:

"They're in our way! Wrong, they're our way in!"
"Coronation, Starscream? This is bad comedy"

Also everything in the Optimus Prime/ Megatron fight:
"I'll rip out your optics!"

Epic when you're 9.

[thegreekdog]

I'm still pissed they remade Transformers and GI Joe (from the cartoon movies of the same name). Stupid bullshit knock-offs... grumble... stupid kids get off my lawn.

The original Transformers: The Movie was great when I was a kid. And in what kind of crazy world can you get Orson Welles, Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, and Weird Al Yankovich together in a film based around a toy franchise? I still remember all the best lines:

"They're in our way! Wrong, they're our way in!"
"Coronation, Starscream? This is bad comedy"

Also everything in the Optimus Prime/ Megatron fight:
"I'll rip out your optics!"

Epic when you're 9.

I was not happy with the first scene (when the Decepticons transported on board and killed all the Autobots). I was not happy at all.

[Symmetry]

I'm still pissed they remade Transformers and GI Joe (from the cartoon movies of the same name). Stupid bullshit knock-offs... grumble... stupid kids get off my lawn.

The original Transformers: The Movie was great when I was a kid. And in what kind of crazy world can you get Orson Welles, Eric Idle, Leonard Nimoy, Judd Nelson, and Weird Al Yankovich together in a film based around a toy franchise? I still remember all the best lines:

"They're in our way! Wrong, they're our way in!"
"Coronation, Starscream? This is bad comedy"

Also everything in the Optimus Prime/ Megatron fight:
"I'll rip out your optics!"

Epic when you're 9.

I was not happy with the first scene (when the Decepticons transported on board and killed all the Autobots). I was not happy at all.

Me neither- I had the transformer that dies with smoke pouring out of his mouth.

[Snorri1234]

Which movie seems like the most pointless remake/sequel coming out this year? Or, any year really.

My vote:

The Karate Kid

With Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son, Jaden. Please note, film will not actually contain karate.

In all seriousness, Hollywood lost their originality about six years ago.

Six? I've been watching the same typical movie from them for decades now...

But at least they had the humility to change the god-damn names of the movies. That's not even bothered with any longer.

No seriously, remakes have existed since the beginning.

[Symmetry]

Sure, re-makes themselves aren't necessarily bad, but when you get, as in the last few years, a big budget industry devoted entirely towards remakes, adaptations of already popular novels and video games, and sequels to established franchises, then it's a bit depressing.

There's always plenty of room for re-imaginings, and there's room for experimental cinema too. They're all competing for a limited audience though.

[Woodruff]

Which movie seems like the most pointless remake/sequel coming out this year? Or, any year really.

My vote:

The Karate Kid

With Jackie Chan and Will Smith's son, Jaden. Please note, film will not actually contain karate.

In all seriousness, Hollywood lost their originality about six years ago.

Six? I've been watching the same typical movie from them for decades now...

But at least they had the humility to change the god-damn names of the movies. That's not even bothered with any longer.

No seriously, remakes have existed since the beginning.

I recognize that, but it wasn't a ridiculously high percentage of the new movies coming out (never mind television series, as well).

[Gypsys Kiss]

The Italian Job......why??? It was a fucking travesty and an insult.

And also, why does Robin Hood need to be an American or Australian. If I remember my mythilogical history correctly neither country had been discovered at the time?

[pimpdave]

I recognize that, but it wasn't a ridiculously high percentage of the new movies coming out (never mind television series, as well).

At first it was mostly remakes of plays.

[Symmetry]

I recognize that, but it wasn't a ridiculously high percentage of the new movies coming out (never mind television series, as well).

At first it was mostly remakes of plays.

True, but let's face it, there's a huge number of movies coming out at the moment that rely on the popularity and commercial success of another product. That can be a previous movie, a book, a character, or a TV Series, rather than originality.

[danansan]

Worst sequel of the year for me is Saw VII.
WILL THEY EVER STOP?!

[safariguy5]

I recognize that, but it wasn't a ridiculously high percentage of the new movies coming out (never mind television series, as well).

At first it was mostly remakes of plays.

True, but let's face it, there's a huge number of movies coming out at the moment that rely on the popularity and commercial success of another product. That can be a previous movie, a book, a character, or a TV Series, rather than originality.

That's true, but some of the best films were adaptations of already published works. The Godfather Trilogy for example. James Bond was based on a series of novels, and that's endured up until now. There's definitely a market for adaptations. Otherwise, the Harry Potter films wouldn't have been so successful.

[Woodruff]

I recognize that, but it wasn't a ridiculously high percentage of the new movies coming out (never mind television series, as well).

At first it was mostly remakes of plays.

True, but let's face it, there's a huge number of movies coming out at the moment that rely on the popularity and commercial success of another product. That can be a previous movie, a book, a character, or a TV Series, rather than originality.

That's true, but some of the best films were adaptations of already published works. The Godfather Trilogy for example. James Bond was based on a series of novels, and that's endured up until now. There's definitely a market for adaptations. Otherwise, the Harry Potter films wouldn't have been so successful.

Personally, I don't mind adaptations from books to movies or television to movies (or even movies to television, really). It's from movies-to-movies and television-to-television that REALLY piss me off.

[stahrgazer]

Personally, I don't mind adaptations from books to movies or television to movies (or even movies to television, really). It's from movies-to-movies and television-to-television that REALLY piss me off.

The Lord of the Rings was not only a remake of a book; it was also the remake of an animated movie... which had also been a Rankin Bass cartoon. In its case, I'm GLAD they did the remake, the animated sucked; they should've stuck with the Rankin Bass cartoon (Leonard Nimoy sings about Bilbo in the Rankin Bass cartoon) rather than make the animated LoTR tragedy.

[Pedronicus]

the fact that dumb arse fuckers pay money to go and watch a remake only keeps the remake industry in business. Don't blame the film makers - blame the paying customers who make it all worthwhile for the film makers.

Lock Stock?
Bend it like Beckham ?
Brassed off?
Trainspotters?

No remakes, no sequels. Just good original films made on a small budget, no special effects.

Special effects nowadays leave me cold. You can make a computer generated dog cheaper than to train a dog.

[Symmetry]

Sequels I can live with as long as they continue the story in a relevant way- Godfather 2 being the trump card.

Remakes I can live with as long as they go further than just being the same film in a different language. Kurosawa's movies getting remade into westerns... I can live with that.

Books made into movies, I can live with that too.

I have an issue with poorly thought out sequels that just seek to repeat a formula.

I have an issue with remakes that add nothing to the original, and don't even attempt a different take on the overall meaning.

I have an issue with movie adaptations that just cash in on a book's success.

On that last point, I think I should say that I found the Lord of the Rings adaptations kinda boring. The book was pretty boring, but fun in places. Same with the movies. They really are a nine hour long blur. Fun and spectacular, sure. Interesting? Only for those who really loved the book. Still- an effective way to relieve people of the better part of ten pounds (It's three hours long- popcorn is required).

[Titanic]

Sequels I can live with as long as they continue the story in a relevant way- Godfather 2 being the trump card.

Remakes I can live with as long as they go further than just being the same film in a different language. Kurosawa's movies getting remade into westerns... I can live with that.

Books made into movies, I can live with that too.

I have an issue with poorly thought out sequels that just seek to repeat a formula.

I have an issue with remakes that add nothing to the original, and don't even attempt a different take on the overall meaning.

I have an issue with movie adaptations that just cash in on a book's success.

On that last point, I think I should say that I found the Lord of the Rings adaptations kinda boring. The book was pretty boring, but fun in places. Same with the movies. They really are a nine hour long blur. Fun and spectacular, sure. Interesting? Only for those who really loved the book. Still- an effective way to relieve people of the better part of ten pounds (It's three hours long- popcorn is required).

11 hour drool fest with the extended version!!

[Symmetry]

Sequels I can live with as long as they continue the story in a relevant way- Godfather 2 being the trump card.

Remakes I can live with as long as they go further than just being the same film in a different language. Kurosawa's movies getting remade into westerns... I can live with that.

Books made into movies, I can live with that too.

I have an issue with poorly thought out sequels that just seek to repeat a formula.

I have an issue with remakes that add nothing to the original, and don't even attempt a different take on the overall meaning.

I have an issue with movie adaptations that just cash in on a book's success.

On that last point, I think I should say that I found the Lord of the Rings adaptations kinda boring. The book was pretty boring, but fun in places. Same with the movies. They really are a nine hour long blur. Fun and spectacular, sure. Interesting? Only for those who really loved the book. Still- an effective way to relieve people of the better part of ten pounds (It's three hours long- popcorn is required).

11 hour drool fest with the extended version!!

Sure, and I was only counting seeing one movie in the cinema. See all three and buy the dvds, then you're down what, nearly 50 pounds? You can pick up the book for 5.

[strike wolf]

Sex and the City 2

That movie should not be allowed to see the light of day...ever!

In other news, I think Iron Man 2 looks good and i think you left off clash of the Titans.

[strike wolf]

Is it just me or did Jackie Chan age like 40 years?

I don't know if you aged 40 years, but Jackie Chan did as soon as he hit Hollywood.

To be fair, though, it killed Bruce Lee.

I think a good 8 minutes of Drunken Master are in order:

Raise a glass to some classic Jackie Chan

Ever seen the original Drunken Master? From before Jackie came to Hollywood. It's actually pretty good considering I can't understand a word they're saying even with subtitles.

[Symmetry]

Sex and the City 2

That movie should not be allowed to see the light of day...ever!

In other news, I think Iron Man 2 looks good and i think you left off clash of the Titans.

Yes on both points, but I didn't leave it off deliberately. Clash of the Titans may well have the worst tagline in history:

Clash of the Titans: Titans will clash

[Symmetry]

Is it just me or did Jackie Chan age like 40 years?

I don't know if you aged 40 years, but Jackie Chan did as soon as he hit Hollywood.

To be fair, though, it killed Bruce Lee.

I think a good 8 minutes of Drunken Master are in order:

Raise a glass to some classic Jackie Chan

Ever seen the original Drunken Master? From before Jackie came to Hollywood. It's actually pretty good considering I can't understand a word they're saying even with subtitles.

Yeah- it's great. Jackie Chan really is at his best in that movie. Almost a perfect mix of martial arts and comedy. And yeah- the translation is irrelevant, the physical comedy says enough.