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Post by Sailor Earth on Nov 26, 2005 6:32:30 GMT -5
Why?! Just been reading a little bit on the Persuaders remake... with Steve Coogan and Ben Stiller in the title roles. Now uh. Why does it need to be made? Wasn't the original TV series good enough? Obviously not... because it seems to be happening with a lot of them - Starsky & Hutch, Charlies' Angels, Thunderbirds, Wild Wild West, etc... And not just TV series, classic movies are also getting this treatment - Get Carter, The Italian Job, The Lady Killers, Alfie, and now classics such as the Pink Panther, The Omen and The Wicker Man are in the works too. I see a common theme as well... Most of these are American remakes of British classics. Now I don't want to offend any US people... but honestly... why must you constantly be remaking movies such as these, and Americanising the utter shit out of them? Is it because you can't understand the British humour/style? Or you just need to have your own version of them? (TV shows are treated like this too, The Office, Coupling, etc... What's next, a Little Britain rip off? "Big America"? *shudders*) It just irks me, really... most of these remakes are turned into "blockbusters" and they lose the charm the classic/originals had... Eeh I dunno... Am I alone in thinking this?
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Post by egregious on Nov 26, 2005 6:37:24 GMT -5
*hold head in her hands* Ahhhrrrrgggg...nooooooooo....not The Wicker Man....anything but The Wicker Man!!! (Unless tLoG want to do it )
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Post by adamadamant on Nov 26, 2005 6:41:51 GMT -5
Aah. A subject I feel very strongly about. You have touched a nerve, and unfortunately there just aren't enough people who are willing to listen.
Yes, I am pissed off about The Persuaders movie, having loved the original series, I find it impossible to think of this film being successful. It may make some money, but I predict a critical failure. This is really bad as it alienates the old from the new, and if it turns out to be a real turkey, then unfortunately, in the eyes of "new" viewers, the original series will be panned as well (RE: The Avengers 1998 film).
I find it hard to understand why these remakes need to happen. They are classics for a reason - there is only one of them! It is like art. Reproducing it just cheapens the original.
Don't get me wrong, I am for a "possible" remake, provided it is done correctly. At this moment in time, The Prisoner is still being thrown around as a possible release. Let's pray to God they get it right!
You're right, there seems to be a trend of dumbing down the classics for American audiences. It's not just films, it is TV shows. After seeing five minutes of that appalling Americanised "Coupling", I was shocked that they could get away with it, and what's worse, their throwing it back at us.
I hang my head in shame that such classics like Thunderbirds (even Gerry Anderson pulled out before it was released), The Italian Job, Alfie, The Lady Killers - vital British classics, being thrown to the dogs. I only hope one day, Hollywood execs and Americans will wake up and smell the tea.
The Wicker Man? The Omen? What's next, the Pink Panther? Oh shite, looks like we can't escape that...
This subject really irks me too...
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Post by adamadamant on Nov 26, 2005 6:43:49 GMT -5
*hold head in her hands* Ahhhrrrrgggg...nooooooooo....not The Wicker Man....anything but The Wicker Man!!! (Unless tLoG want to do it ) Yeah.. I know... Apparently it's going to be set in middle America and Nicholas Cage is supposed to be in it
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Post by Sailor Earth on Nov 26, 2005 6:57:38 GMT -5
It's just annoying, really... Ok I can concede that a few remakes can work... but most of the time, they're just glorified, relying on special effects and big name actors rather than the original storyline concepts - the stuff that made the original so good in the first place... LOL I had the same thought, actually... At least they'd probably do it "right" But in all honesty it shouldn't need to be touched... Hey, here's a concept... why not re-release the original versions, if you're so stuck on ideas? See that's the problem nowadays... no one has any "new" ideas anymore, hence all the remakes, sequels, prequels, etc...
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Post by tweed on Nov 26, 2005 7:05:40 GMT -5
.. Hey, here's a concept... why not re-release the original versions, if you're so stuck on ideas? See that's the problem nowadays... no one has any "new" ideas anymore, hence all the remakes, sequels, prequels, etc... The sad truth is that the public would stay away in droves, except for a few filmgoers with taste. The movie-going public aren't interested in 'old' movies. The studios latch onto a tried and tested formula that was successful in the past, beef it up with stars with box office clout, and roberta's your aunt! A product that will bring money into the studio. Support your local independant cinema, folks! I do my best to choose indi films over studio films whenever I can, and I'm usually rewarded by unique and challenging experiences.
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Post by Sailor Earth on Nov 26, 2005 7:12:03 GMT -5
Hmm.... yeah....
I'd much rather see the original version of something on the big screen, personally. Like when Adam and I went to see a Pink Panther movie that was re-shown recently. Actually the cinema it was shown at was packed! It was done in the "old fashioned" way as well, with the organ player and everything, LOL! That was quite a fun night...
I'm sorry, I just can't see Steve Martin as Inspector Clouseau... Damn, man, from pictures I've seen, Kevin Kline looks more the part! (and he would more than likely do a better job as well)
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Post by egregious on Nov 26, 2005 7:20:09 GMT -5
Yeah.. I know... Apparently it's going to be set in middle America and Nicholas Cage is supposed to be in it ...vstshtt..dhjiehf....nfdfjs.....can't type...too...insane....with anger... I mean....BLOODY HELL!!! WHY? ...here's a funky new idea...how about giving some new, young writers a chance?
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Post by kimmykins83 on Nov 26, 2005 8:43:46 GMT -5
I can't stand the remakes of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and The Dukes Of Hazzard, they've really spoilt both of those
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Post by Sailor Earth on Nov 26, 2005 21:56:16 GMT -5
Hah... well here's a slight catch for me... I actually liked Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - but I don't consider it a remake, particularly not of Willy Wonka - it was just Tim Burton's version of the original book.
However I do prefer the 70's version, more than likely because I grew up with it, so it's hard not to be so used to it...
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Post by tbird on Dec 15, 2005 8:17:38 GMT -5
Now you really don't want me to get started on the whole remake thing or I may go blind with anger.
Although i do really like the new COTCF and vanillan Sky...
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Post by Sailor Earth on Dec 15, 2005 8:20:34 GMT -5
Hehe...
Well that's just it, really. Some actually work, or are good, but... most of the time... "Why?!"
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Post by tbird on Dec 15, 2005 8:24:28 GMT -5
Your Adam got very angry didn't he?
The whole Wicker Man thing is just ridiculous though. Why would anyone want to remake something that is practically perfect anyway??
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Post by Sailor Earth on Dec 15, 2005 8:29:56 GMT -5
Your Adam got very angry didn't he? Oooh yes... It's a very sensitive subject for him, LOL! I kner! And to make it "middle American-esque" as well? Effin' hell!
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Post by tweed on Dec 15, 2005 15:55:39 GMT -5
A thought...playing the devil's avocado (TM egregious)
Plays are performed everywhere, with different casts and there is no animosity about it...
What alarms us about remakes? Is it when the story is buggerised around with? Is it when the classic characters are sorely miscast?
When are remakes okay? Is it when they are faithful to the original story/intent of the writer, or lovingly embraces the canon (eg The Addams Family movies)? Is it when they are an improvement on the original (rare, but I thought I'd throw it in.) Is it when the source material is parodied with success (eg The Brady Bunch movies, Starsky and Hutch) ?
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