rec.arts.movies.past-films

On Sep 24, 6:09 pm, Alric Knebel wrote:
> b...@ wrote:
> > Another useless pitiful remake, probably ranks up alongside deciding
> > to remake Charade. WTF is it with studios that they think they can
> > improve on these films (or make them more "topical"). Walter Matthau,
> > Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam...I mean, how can you even approach that
> > pedigree? Shot for shot remakes are pointless and changing elements of
> > the story significantly...well, just make a different movie then.
>
> > Aren't there any decent contemporary fiction works to make into films
> > these days? Old TV shows, remakes, sequels....godalmighty, just do
> > something original, even if it sucks. If these remakes make any money
> > whatsoever, it's just gonna get worse. What'll be next? Bad Day at
> > Black Rock? Citizen Kane? Wizard of Oz? From Here to Eternity? The
> > Searchers?
>
> > If you have to remake a movie, remake a crappy one and try to make it
> > better.
>
> I have to speak up here and defend remakes. Some classic films that
> have made for very likable remakes. A STAR IS BORN has been remade
> twice, and all three were pretty good, but I liked the Streisand version
> best. AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER was remade once by the guy who made the
> first one, and it was an upgrade, and the one with Warren Beatty from
> back in the 90s was enjoyable, too. And I especially liked the remake
> of WAR OF THE WORLDS. CAPE FEAR made a descent upgrade. I don't
> understand this complaining over remakes, since the very vast majority
> of movies are NOT remakes, and the ones remade have something in them
> that makes them worth the effort.
>
> --
> _________________
> Alric Knebel
>


Well just some personal opinions of course but of the two versions of
A STAR IS BORN I have seen I still prefer the Janet Gaynor/Fredric
March the best. The Mason/Garland was kinda overblown IMO - haven't
seen the other - Streisand has always given me the creeps. Didn't see
the re-makes of AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER but the original was definitely
odd - all those ugly kids warbling - it shouldn't be too difficult to
improve on it. Liked the original WAR OF THE WORLDS fine - haven't
seen the re-make yet but intend to. I felt remake of CAPE FEAR was a
mess - big mistake to make the daughter older and have her fall for
the De Nero character - it dissipated the tension and suspense.

Dave in Toronto