Hey all,
Talking about Harry Potter on Monday made me consider all the other movies and TV shows out there. I mean, when you think about it, there really are so many wonderful and unique ideas that have been turned into entertainment for us all.
Let's consider. In the last few years we've had such blockbusters such as Avatar, The Lord of the Ring Trilogy, Pirates of the Caribbean Movies, Spiderman, Xmen, The Twilight Saga, Shrek and many, many more. Some of them taken from books, some amusement park rides (who'd a thunk?), and we even have comic books being made into movies. It's clear to me, we will NEVER run out of ideas for new shows.So why is it that Hollywood has to redo movies? Especially the classics. I mean, I watched both the original Psycho and the remake and please...the remake might have had it's good points, but how can you outdo that wonderful classic? Why would you even try? And what about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre where the remake was nothing but a gory mess. It wasn't scary, it was just ridiculous. Begs the old adage, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!
Now, don't get me wrong. Some remakes are great! One of my favorite movies of all time is the 1982 version of The Thing with Kurt Russell. That movie still scares the bejeezes out of me almost twenty years later. And for an ensemble cast, you can't beat the 2001 version of Ocean's 11. The rat pack was reborn all over again in a brand new and most awesome way.
But those are few and far between, and I've never quite understood why, with all the fantabulous books and great new ideas there are out there, the PTBs feel the need to do a rewind.
Now, we're seeing it in TV shows. And some are good...some not so good. This year, one of my all time favorite TV shows did a do over. Hawaii 5-0 has been updated, reworked and recast. With Alex O'Loughlin as McGarrett, Scott Cann as Danno, Daniel Dae Kim as Chin Ho and Grace Park as Kono, they literally blew off the small screen during their premiere. Now I was all prepared not to like it, but I have to tell you...I was bloody amazed.
Even though I looked askance at Grace Park as Kono (I knew they needed a hot chick, but geesh...Kono?) I absolutely loved the new show. The chemistry between all the characters was awesome and it was only the first show. (over here in Macau it JUST started) I can't wait to see the growth of the characters as it goes on.
But then today I saw an article on yahoo about how TNT is thinking about getting Dallas back on the small screen. JR, Sue Ellen and Bobby would be around doing their thing, but it would focus on Bobby and Pam's son Christopher and John Ross, JR's son, and the younger crowd.
Seriously? Didn't that show die a slow painful death after the infamous shower recovery scene? I mean I watched it, but it lost me when they did something so stupid. Are they really going to try and recapture the lightning that got washed down the shower drain?
Again, aren't there any new original ideas TNT can do to take it's place? Please. I'll even let you turn one of series into a TV show. (I put that in just in case TNT is reading this. My new friend Johnny Miles taught me that trick *grin*)
So what do you think? Are remakes good, bad, or you don't give a darn? Is there a movie or TV show you'd like to see remade? Come to think of it, I'd love to see the classic Seven Brides for Seven Brothers redone. But I want to pick all the actors. I think if it's my dream, I should get to. Right? LOL
Anyway, let me know what you think in the comments below and then join me back here on Friday for another great Guest Blogger, MJ Fredrick, who'll talk a bit about her love of the holidays!
Hugs and I'll see you then,
CJ England
Follow Your Dreams
http://cjengland.com/luckbealady/luckbealady.htm
28 comments:
I have a agree. For the most part the remakes are done totally for the monetary gain or they wouldn't even consider bringing back Dallas, even if is was Dallas--The Next Generation.
For the most part I only get annoyed that the studio thinkers and tinkers can't come up with an original thought of their own. I mean come on. Nothing? And unfortunately most remakes never due justice to the original. The new version only makes the studio and actors looks sad and pathetic.
The new Hawaii 5-O is a happy exception. I admit it. I love that show and couldn't be happier with the casting and as much as I liked the original, I like the new on even better--go figure. Me liking a remake doesn't happen often.
That being said, I would still rather see a new and fresh idea coming at me on the big and small screen, knowing that the studios were willing to take a chance on something different than riding on the coattails of a story that was written decades before. Don't get me wrong, I value the previous work. I just object to seeing a redo when I know...know that the only reason it's seeing the light of day is the almighty dollar not talent or value.
Okay. I'm done with my early morning rant and excuse any without my contact typos.
I think it all depends on the movie or show. I think that the producers are scrambling for anything to make a buck to keep their houses out of chapter 11. What they forget it that they aren't listening to the people, Personally I won't pay to see certain stars like J LO or ToM Cruise. So stop giving them millions of dollars it doesn't matter what they are in.
Oh side rank...I am liking Hawaii Five o actually but dallas what are they going to make it just another dream at the end???
I would have to agree with you, I'm so tired of so many of the remakes that just aren't any good and take up screen time. I also agree with what Dominick Eastwick said...the time has come for some of the studios to take a look at the actors and actresses that are really bringing in the money and those that aren't...J Lo hasn't had a hit in years, Tom Cruise either, they need to hire people that are new and fresh and get away from paying someone $20 Mil just to show up:)
I agree that Seven Brides for Seven Brothers might be good in a remake, but it's still SOOOO good in the original.
Honestly, most of the remakes are a loss. If you're going to do a remake, make it BETTER than the original. THE THING was stellar. OCEANS 11 was fab! Even the new STAR TREK was an interesting reboot and kept most of what was sacred in the original. But most remakes and reboots aren't worth the film they are recorded on.
Example? The new HALLOWEEN. First of all, let's throw the book and the first movie out the window. And let's not get into series anyway. Everything past the second HALLOWEEN in the original series was pretty much crap...well, maybe the first one with his neice...eh...okay on that one, but Hollywood loves to beat a dead horse until it stinks. It's called diminishing returns.
Second, half the reason Michael was so scary in the original was that he didn't HAVE reasons. He was a seemingly normal kid from an average home, decent parents, and he was just pure evil. You lose that by giving him reasons for being psychotic and blaming his family for forcing him to it.
There are hundreds of thousands of new book titles that come out every year. You're telling me NONE of them are worth an original telling? Or is it just too expensive to use something they don't already own? Probably a mixture of laziness and money. Tell you what, Hollywood. How about asking the readers to send you suggestions of the books we feel would do best on the screen?
Agree to do the Dark/Were/Dream Hunters by Sherrilyn Kenyon right, for pities sake. Sign the Incarnations of Immortality series by Piers Anthony on and do it right. For that matter, I have at least four series that would be great on the screen.
That's the other trick. DO IT RIGHT. I am so heartily sick of these people signing on something good to take to the screen (or the big screen) and trashing it. AIRBENDER could have been good as a live action, but it wasn't, because the screenwriter/director was that POS. They should have done it right, with someone like Nolan or Jackson at the helm. If you're going to make a movie or TV show of something iconic, do it justice or the fans will hate you.
Brenna
Yup. Leave them lay. There are so many great books not getting the chance to be a series or movie, it's sad.
Hey CJ
I agree with you completely!
Hollywood can't seem to look at e-books - When I think of all the really wonderful authors and stories they "ignore" it makes me really - well, sad. In the end the public suffers. In our industry we have some great talents - shame they don't wake up and smell the computer chips
Sultry
Sometimes the remakes are good and sometimes they are terrible. The remake of Battlestar Galactica was really good. I liked it as a darker story than the original series, which was kind of goofy.
I didn't like the remake of Halloween. The original was great and had that late 70s look/feel that made is such a good movie.
I didn't know they were thinking of remaking Dallas. Really? You would think writers could come up with new ideas.
One thing I could do without is the reality shows. If I have to watch or hear anything else about the Kardashians, I am going to hurl.
I don't like remakes for the most part I have seen a couple that were really great. But I'm getting tired of people just remaking stuff instead of thinking up something new.
Did you know that they are making a movie remake of the show The Big Valley? They are screwing up the story though. I want them to stop messing with my childhood! LOL
After the first scene with Steve McGarrett and the governor I had to watch the rest of the series. In Spring 2005 I stood on the exact spot near the USS MISSOURI BB-63 where that scene took place. In 1962 a few weeks before I joined the Navy I took a tour of the Bremerton Naval Shipyard. The MISSOURI was part of the tour. In 2005 I was on my last cruise as a Navy Civilian Mariner. My career began and ended around the MISSOURI.
The new show makes better use of the beauty of Hawaiian scenery than did the original.
Speaking of books, I don't care for reissues with different titles and different covers trying to disguise the fact that I have already read the book. If I haven't read the book or want to reread it is a different story.
Ray
Phylis,
Exactly. Why not do all the new ideas THEN recycle the old.
LOL Sultry,
Wake up and smell the computer chips. I love it. And agree. There are great ebooks. I wonder if anyone in Hollywood checks those out.
Celtic Chick,
So totally agree on the reality shows. I hate them. And they aren't even real. They put them in positions that are real at all.
The only "reality" show we watch and we don't even really consider it so, is the Amazing Race. We love that one, because it's a race...no one gets voted off, it's more about luck and skill.
And we love to see all the different countries.
Julie,
Seriously? The Big Valley? Now that's just wrong. No one can replace the original Barcleys.
Ray,
What a great memory that must have been. And you're right. They are doing the scenery quite well in the new series.
And I agree about the books too. I had to fight with a previous pub once because my book was a reissue and they hadn't said so on the site. Unless it's been totally revamped it should be stated as a re-release.
Hey Welcome,
Money seems to be the reason for a lot of stupid movies, doesn't it. *sigh* Does quality have to go out the door when the almighty dollar walks in?
Dominique,
That was my question. All I could see when I read the article was Bobby poking his head out of the shower. LOL STUPID!!!!
Maria,
The $ signs dancing in their heads keep them from looking at unknown actors who have talent.
Can anyone think of a movie that did well with all no name actors? One is teasing my mind, but I just can't remember it.
Brenna,
I wouldn't even go to the new Halloween. I didn't want my taste for the classic one to me destroyed. And that's what many remakes do...screw up the enjoyment of the original.
And as you said, if you are going to do a movie from a book that is VERY popular, you better do it right. Because the fans WILL hate you if you don't.
Figure it out, Hollywood.
Brenna,
I enjoyed one movie made from a book very much. White Orchid followed the book for the most part. It just ended about two chapters before the end of the book. I watched the movie first or I would not have had such a positive attitude.
Ray
Ray,
That's an oldie. I had to go look it up. But it's a good one, huh? I'll have to check it out. I love old movies.
Sorry, my mistake. I meant White Oleander
Ray
Ray,
LOL Still had to look it up. *grin* It seems like a sad story. Is it?
It is sad. It starts out with a woman killing her lover and being put in prison. The remainder of the story is what happens to her daughter in the foster system and what she learns about who her mother really is. I am not saying whether or not the ending is sad or not, but with the different ending in the book there is definitely food for thought.
Ray
Ray,
Thanks for the clarification. Seems like a very interesting story.
Ray,
I never said they didn't make good movies occasionally from a book. But they've massacred a few lately too. Personally, I don't think they did a particularly good job with either THE WATCHMEN or V FOR VENDETTA, for instance.
Oh, and I didn't bother going to see the new HALLOWEEN at the movies. We got it from Netflix.
B
Hmmm, Brenna,
I didn't take his meaning as disagreeing with you. I think he was just letting us know about one he'd seen that WAS good.
I really do dislike most remakes because studios do them to introduce a series to a new generation. Most young movie-goers don't care. If they want, they can see vintage TV on TVLAND. The 14 year old boy demographic for movies only wants to see things gush blood, explode or crash cars anyway. As for an original idea--has Hollywood had one in years? They sometimes turn to a book (shudder!) for inspiration, but few authors are happy with the treatment their work gets. TV is faring much worse. "Reality" has taken over. Viewers eat up "reality shows." I hate them. You wanna see reality? Train a camera on your own house for a week. See how often you'd tune in for that. It's rare when a remake shines. Kudos to the new "Hawaii 50."
PJ,
Wow! Preaching to the choir here about reality shows. I HATE them! I mean, talk about a lack of imagination...
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