As
research continues for this list, I keep finding more and more remakes
that are in the works, and some of them have my stomach turning. Why
would you need a remake of "The Warriors"? Is there that much lack of
creativity for the writers these days, or is it the studios just looking
to bleed more money from us? My guess is the latter of the two. It
would be so much easier to dump a boat load of money into a project you
know was successful one time around than to take a chance on something
new and fresh. I'm loving the independent movies more and more. Even
some of the "spoof" trailers coming out on You Tube these days look more
interesting than the remakes of movies I already loved once.
So without ranting any more than I have been, I'll get to this weeks five. Enjoy.
#11: "It's A Wonderful Life" Released in theaters January 7, 1947
Story driven, plain and simple. I could go on and on about the acting,
directing, and set design (the town is a place I wish still existed in
modern day America). I, however, will focus on what I loved about this
movie, and why it made the list.
It's a classic in every meaning of the term "classic". Actor James
Stewart and director Frank Capra were no strangers working together.
They had worked together in 1939 on another classic, "Mr. Smith Goes To
Washington". The chemistry between director and actor was alive and
well, and that became apparent in how well crafted this movie was.
Second, the story captivated the audience throughout, following the
impact that one man had not just on those immediately around him, but
practically his entire town. It was heartwarming, from start to finish.
While Hollywood has the ability to tug at the heart strings, it is not
something that happens too often these days. Remaking this would have
me asking my guardian angel to let me jump, thus ruining his chances of
ever getting his wings.
#12: "Blade Runner" Released in theaters June 25, 1982
This met negative criticism from both fans and critics alike, but in
recent years has garnered a cult following. The reason for this is that
it may have come a bit prematurely, maybe a little before it's time.
With the movie following the release of Lucas' Star Wars and Harrison
Ford portraying Han Solo in, maybe the expectations were for a similar
character to be in Blade Runner. Plus, the edited ending that was
originally shown to audiences didn't reveal if Ford was or wasn't a
Droid.
To me, re-releasing the Director's Cut was the extent of a "remake" for
this. Ridley Scott is a fantastic story teller and his directing
skills are well above average, so needing to see this with updated tech
would be a slap in the face to anyone originally involved in the first
iteration. It may also be a kick to the chicklets to those who have
always followed and loved it. Just please take into consideration that
it now has a fan base, and that should be a good indication to leave
well enough alone.
#13: "Deliverance" Released in theaters July 30, 1972
Filming this movie revealed some beautiful scenery of the American
wilderness. It was also the first movie to unknowingly coin the phrase
"Brokeback Mountain".
With a stellar lead man in Jon Voight, and a supporting cast that
included Ned Beatty and Burt Reynolds, this was a formula for success.
It was adventurous and suspenseful in every way imaginable. The
camaraderie between these friends looking for a trip up a river before
it was turned into a man made lake was quickly developed after
encountering horny moonshine runners from the mountains. A remake of
this movie, I fear, would try to make it something it's not: an action
packed movie between mountain men and a band of Iraqi War Veterans.
Plus who else other than Ned Beatty would see the script and say,"Oh, I
get to squeal like a pig while some crazed man sodomizes me? I was
MADE for this part!"?
#14: "The Shawshank Redemption" Released in theaters October 14, 1994
Don't read too deep into the fact that this makes the second movie on
this list in which a man is sodomized. I can't help it that these two
movies were amazing and involved a little man on man rape.
I was a fan of the short story by Stephen King before seeing this, and
honestly, Frank Darabont did a great job delivering a close rendition of
the book. Five years later he went on to do another prison movie by
Stephen King, "The Green Mile" and nailed that one, too. So, he proved
that, as a director, he can helm a movie based off of books by Mr. King
with the setting taking place in a prison.
Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman are no strangers to acting, and they
performed quite harmoniously with one another. We knew Andy was
innocent, we knew Red was guilty, but you still felt neither of these
men belonged there without the other. They had great chemistry, and the
end scene with the embrace by two friends was my defining moment to
include this on the list.
#15: "A Christmas Story" Released in theaters November 18, 1983
With more memorable moments contained within than our wonderful Vice
President has graced us with in the past three and a half years, this
movie has no reason to even be considered for a remake. The focus was
on young Ralphie and his desire to acquire an official Red Ryder
carbine-action 200-shot range model BB rifle with a compass in the
stock, and this was by far the least entertaining attribute to the film.
Ralphie's quest to convince anyone from his mom to old St. Nick himself
that he was responsible enough to posses such sophistication in the
form of an air gun was funny enough, but the narrative and supporting
cast was hilarious in their own ways, as well. The segways were
memorable, from Ralphie becoming blind based on his having to ingest a
bar of soap to his assignment from Ms. Shields resulting in him being
thrown on the shoulders of his classmates for such a phenomenal piece of
literature, were on par with some of the funniest moments in cinematic
history.
Why touch this? Was it not funny the first time around? I beg to
differ, as seeing this remake could definitely cause any red-blooded
American movie-goer to wish for their eye to be shot out. That is
unless, of course, you win an exquisite lamp that has some Italian word
pronounced "fra-jee-lay" on the package it arrives in. Then, the use of
both eyes would be mandatory for the rest of your days.
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