Favorite Movies

[Maid of Marvels]

Hey, if it worked with Planet of the Apes, it could work with this...of course, I've never seen the new version of Planet of the Apes, so maybe it didn't work!

In general, I'm in favor of modern-day remakes of campy classic films like Logan's Run. On the other hand, remakes of true classics almost never live up to the original--Sabrina, Meet Joe Black, Psycho, etc. Even if the remake is a decent movie, it will always be compared to the original, so why bother?

In most cases, I think that remakes are just an indication of how few original ideas folks in Hollywood are willing to greenlight for a major production.

Anyone else?

Roman

I have to agree about remakes of the classics, Roman. It's interesting to see an older movie put into a time machine and brought forward. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes they should just leave my old faves alone.

I believe that it's not a lack of ideas in Hollywood, rather an unwillingness to take a chance on "unknown" screenwriters. It's a matter of taking an investment risk more than anything else... And, might I add it's their loss as well as ours.

 

[cocktail42]

One more film I have to add, half because it's a great film and half because of it's social relevance to recent world events. "Dr. Strangelove Or: How I learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Bomb". Great film. And I love Stanley Kubric's work. That man was a genius.

In some forms of statistical analysis you eliminate the highest and lowest value. I think Kubrick was a genius but "Eyes Wide Shut" must go. I am not sure what would be the high point - they were all across the board. I love Clockwork Orange but Paths of Glory, Spartacus, Dr. Strangelove, 2001, even Barry Lyndon are all pretty much milestones in their individual genre's.

 

[cocktail42]

Hey, if it worked with Planet of the Apes, it could work with this...of course, I've never seen the new version of Planet of the Apes, so maybe it didn't work!

It didn't.


In general, I'm in favor of modern-day remakes of campy classic films like Logan's Run. On the other hand, remakes of true classics almost never live up to the original--Sabrina, Meet Joe Black, Psycho, etc. Even if the remake is a decent movie, it will always be compared to the original, so why bother?

There you have your problem - if the original film is great, let's say "Wages of Fear," the remake "Sorcerer," while a reasonable film will pale in comparison. If the original is pretty mediocre material, Sabrina and Meet Joe Black certainly are, there is no reason to believe that a remake will improve on the original. Sometimes it does because of the talents of the current film-maker (rare) or the new technology allows for better story telling. The remakes I hate the most, because they are insulting to the original creator, are of current foreign films. These remakes are done because no one in America can read subtitles without moving their lips.

In most cases, I think that remakes are just an indication of how few original ideas folks in Hollywood are willing to greenlight for a major production.

That's pushing it - there rarely is an original idea under any circumstances. Someone, somewhere said that there are only seven original plots. That may be a little too glib. Keep in mind that Shakespeare was not above reprocessing older, weaker plays - Hamlet being one of them.
When most major films are pushing the $100 million mark (I still think they are laundering money for the Mob) it's hard to justify being experimental. Most of the money ends up in the greedy pockets of the above-the-line crowd. Complain to the always talented Jack Nicholson and the uncertain talents of Bruce Willis and the no talents (has he ever actually had a hit by himself?) Brad Pitt.
By the way, there was an interesting film last summer from the Canarie Islands about the concept that luck can be sold, stolen, acquired, given etc. and about the people who are addicted to it like junkies. The name escapes me for the moment but, of course, they are talking remake. I thought that was at least an interesting idea if not totally original.
I thought that Ito Itami's "Tampopo" was fairly original but isn't going to translate into the American market, anymore than "Breathless" could (you can't worry about the colonialization of your culture by America if you already live in America.).


Anyone else?

Roman

 

[sluttymama]

Favorite Movies:

Gone with the Wind
Bridges of Madison County
For the moment -well any movie with Russell Crowe
Gladiator
Rudy
Remember the Titans
When Harry Met Sally
I'm Sam
Stand and Deliver
Ruby Bridges
Lion King

I am romantic-and enjoy teams or people overcoming things and since I am
a teacher I like education movies about schools such as Stand and Deliver and Ruby Bridges.

The Gladiator just becaue Russell Crowe is SOOOOO HOT!!!!!

 

[VincentFloyd]

So I guess you're a Russel Crowe fan eh?

saw this movie "Phone Booth" the other day, really damn good, I recommend it

also a few months ago I saw this one called "Narc" with Ray Liotta. great fucking movie! go see now! NOW!

 

[RomanHans]

That's pushing it - there rarely is an original idea under any circumstances. Someone, somewhere said that there are only seven original plots. That may be a little too glib. Keep in mind that Shakespeare was not above reprocessing older, weaker plays - Hamlet being one of them.
When most major films are pushing the $100 million mark (I still think they are laundering money for the Mob) it's hard to justify being experimental. Most of the money ends up in the greedy pockets of the above-the-line crowd. Complain to the always talented Jack Nicholson and the uncertain talents of Bruce Willis and the no talents (has he ever actually had a hit by himself?) Brad Pitt.
By the way, there was an interesting film last summer from the Canarie Islands about the concept that luck can be sold, stolen, acquired, given etc. and about the people who are addicted to it like junkies. The name escapes me for the moment but, of course, they are talking remake. I thought that was at least an interesting idea if not totally original.
I thought that Ito Itami's "Tampopo" was fairly original but isn't going to translate into the American market, anymore than "Breathless" could (you can't worry about the colonialization of your culture by America if you already live in America.).

Certainly, there are a very finite number of completely original plots...I still remember from my junior high English class the classic Man-versus-Man, Man-versus-Nature, Man-versus-Himself breakdown--but where originality comes in is in the implementation and presentation of that plot. And some experimentation (good and bad) does make it through the sieve of Hollywood mediocrity. But I just can't understand the rationale for either making really bad remakes of bad classic movies, or making bad remakes of awesome classic movies!

I'm totally with you about attempts to 'adapt' foreign movies for U.S. audiences--especially comedies (remember 'Three Men and a Baby'? The French original was SO much better). I'd be interested to see how Hollywood could even attempt to remake Tampopo--there are definitely layers of humor in that movie that you can only understand with a strong comprehension of Japanese culture!

Roman

 

[cocktail42]

But I just can't understand the rationale for either making really bad remakes of bad classic movies, or making bad remakes of awesome classic movies!Roman

Compared to my usual verbose answers this will be short:

Can you spell M...O...N...E...Y - there is more money in a bad remake (not to mention what you can steal from the production budget) then there is in the distribution of an old film or a foreign film. No matter how bad the films seem they always have a sequel.

 

[RomanHans]

Compared to my usual verbose answers this will be short:

Can you spell M...O...N...E...Y - there is more money in a bad remake (not to mention what you can steal from the production budget) then there is in the distribution of an old film or a foreign film. No matter how bad the films seem they always have a sequel.

LOL--don't get me started on sequel-itis...as in the entire series of Jaws sequels...

Roman

 

[cocktail42]

LOL--don't get me started on sequel-itis...as in the entire series of Jaws sequels...

Roman

I must admit that I loved the add campaigns: "This time it's personal." I also liked "Jaws III-D" You know they are in trouble when they bring in 3-D.
I don't think there will be another town ever named Amity or Amityville - too many bad vibes.
For really bad remakes (I know that must be a hyperbole) there are the Police Academies, Porky's, Beethovens.
The one series where I thought the first one was pretty bad and number 3 was only so-so was "Road Warrior." I loved "Road Warrior" - I nearly put it in my top ten list - but couldn't stand the very pedestrian "Mad Max" Sometimes a sequel exceeds it's predecessor (do I hear "Godfather").
I always felt that "Stepfather" should have been the sequel to "Psycho."

 

[RomanHans]

Speaking of the post a bit before about U.S. remakes of foreign films, I just saw an item that Richard Gere is supposed to star in a U.S. version of the Japanese comedy "Shall We Dance?" I can't imagine that this will be a good thing, if the remake is at all faithful to the original. The comedic value of the original's plot, about the subversive nature of an office worker who practices ballroom dancing in secret, is so much richer when you understand the Japanese cultural context...I don't see how the point of the original would have any relevance in the U.S.

Roman

 

[cocktail42]

Speaking of the post a bit before about U.S. remakes of foreign films, I just saw an item that Richard Gere is supposed to star in a U.S. version of the Japanese comedy "Shall We Dance?" I can't imagine that this will be a good thing, if the remake is at all faithful to the original. The comedic value of the original's plot, about the subversive nature of an office worker who practices ballroom dancing in secret, is so much richer when you understand the Japanese cultural context...I don't see how the point of the original would have any relevance in the U.S.

Roman

I suppose the distinction is between the Japanese believe that dance instructors are one step above hookers while the American would be that a man who wants to do ballroom dancing is latently homosexual. The underlying drving theme is that while the protoganist is initially attracted to the dance instructor he is captivated by the art of dance and the ability to change his life. Therefore the prejudicial societal view of ballroom dancing is only an overlay of the main point of the film: art for arts sake.
Eureka it could work.
It's interesting to note that Richard Gere will be in this remake. He did another cross cultural film a while ago which really did not make any sense as an American film - "Breathless." Breathless is a film about the Americanization of French Culture - it hardly made sense to make a remake about the Americanization of American Culture.

 

[lustforlife74]

Has anyone mentioned:

Usual Suspects
Shallow Grave
Trainspotting
Henry and June
Bogart films
Hitchcock

 

[lustforlife74]

Personal opinion.

Most big budget films are crap.
I’ve never seen one that entertains.

The only notable film in 2002 was Rules of Attraction.

 

[VincentFloyd]

I don't even remember Rules of Attraction

 

[lustforlife74]

It was written by the author of American Psycho. It’s a nihilistic/noir take on college.

 

[VincentFloyd]

another favorite of mine is Memento, easily the best movie of 2001 (or 2000, not too sure when it came out)

also another good one is "Go", rip off of Pulp Fiction, but a good rip-off and very entertaining

 

[Icey*Fire]

Romeo and Juliet
Long Kiss Goodnight
Steel Magnolias
Christmas Vacation
Home Alone 2
Proof of Life
G I Jane
Hmmm wonder what all these say about me???

 

[VincentFloyd]

Romeo and Juliet
Long Kiss Goodnight
Steel Magnolias
Christmas Vacation
Home Alone 2
Proof of Life
G I Jane
Hmmm wonder what all these say about me???

I dunno, it might say something, I liked "long kiss goodnight" though

 

[Icey*Fire]

I dunno, it might say something, I liked "long kiss goodnight" though

My all time favorite.....
'Someone to watch over me.'
How you doing Vincent? good I hope

 

[VincentFloyd]

My all time favorite.....
'Someone to watch over me.'
How you doing Vincent? good I hope

my all-time favorite movie is Pulp Fiction, without a doubt

not too bad myself, just got over a 24 bug

how about yourself?

 

[Icey*Fire]

my all-time favorite movie is Pulp Fiction, without a doubt

not too bad myself, just got over a 24 bug

how about yourself?

Sorry to hear you were sick,, but very glad you are better,
(tender hug),,,,,
Titanic was huge hit with me..I loved it.....
and I am just great,, thanks for asking sweetie

 

[lustforlife74]

The entire sequence where Sellers is trying to find an unoccupied bathroom to take a piss is absolutely classic...and the look on his face when he finds one is priceless!

Roman

ShiT, yeh. Sellers kicked ass in ThaT.

 

[edwyr]

The Last Starfighter
The Last Shogun
Heartbreak Ridge
Club Paradise
Breaking Away
Excalibur
Billy Jack
The Devil's Brigade
The Matrix
MIB
Mr Holland's Opus

others...

 

[Alas Poor Yorick]

Last night I found a reason that DVD is the best thing in the world. I have a pretty nice Harman/Kardon sound system for my computer and a large monitor...anyway I just bought the Directors Cut of , anAmadeus , and it BLEW my mind! The music was SO pure and so perfect coming out of my speakers it sounded like I was in Lincoln Center listening to a concert of Mozart's music rather than in my room. The Directors Cut is good...it fleshes out some of the subplots and is actually more faithful to the original play than the film was when it was released. The best part of the added material is a semi-sex scene between Constanzi and Salleri...it gives the reason she is so angery with him at the end of the film, not just that he has been helping Mozart write his Requiem. I can remember watching Amadeus when I was much younger, 6 years old or so, and being touched by the beauty of the costumes and music...now I can appreciate the detail of the plot and the amazing nature of the script. If you haven't seen it before or haven't seen it for a while I think you should invest in this copy.

 

[Jehanox]

I have to agree about remakes of the classics, Roman. It's interesting to see an older movie put into a time machine and brought forward. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes they should just leave my old faves alone.

I believe that it's not a lack of ideas in Hollywood, rather an unwillingness to take a chance on "unknown" screenwriters. It's a matter of taking an investment risk more than anything else... And, might I add it's their loss as well as ours.

Maid, fancy seeing you here?

I tend to think that most old movies should be left alone in general, though, unless the original was pretty poor to begin with.

One classic film I can think of is King Kong, one of my all-time greats. Sure, we have the technology to make a "better" version. But would it? Now if it was me in this case, I would make a sequel rather than remake the original. Likewise with Forbidden Planet.

Once classic though I think could be remade well is War of the Worlds. A great film though it wasn't fully faithful to the book. Now, if they made a film which was exactly how HG visioned it...