Thursday, March 24, 2005

Hollywood lacks imagination

REVISED: 12-16-05

Isn't it time for the folks that make movies to get themselves a library card??

I first started this particular rant back in the Spring I took my kids to see Robots, when on came a preview for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, a remake of one of my childhood favorites, Willy Wonka and the Choloate Factory (yes, I know the new version tried to stay truer to Roald Dahl's book).

I should have known that more remakes were to come. and come they did.
The most recent visits to the land of UNoriginality:

Fun with Dick and Jane. Loved the original with Jane Fonda (yeah, you right-wingers are gonna rag on me about that, I know)

Yours, mine, and Ours. The (1968 Version starred Henry Fonda)It was based on a TRUE STORY, why remake it??)

King Kong. I KNOW that I am going to catch crap about this one, since it is the revered Peter Jackson's pet project. Folks, yes, he is a good director, yes it has always been his dream to make the movie and yes special effects have improved since the 1976 Version, itself a remake of the 1933 classic. Are these REALLY good reasons to remake a movie??

I am not saying that these are bad movies (though I have heard that the 05 version of Yours, Mine and Ours is pretty lame), I am just tired of a lack of originality. The powers that be are either too stupid to read a book or too damned lazy to do so (Peter Jackson not included in these folks, but I wish he'd throw his talents (and considerable power) behind something original)

Some remakes actually RUIN the story behind the original movie. Cheaper by the Dozen is a perfect example. The 2003 version starring Steve Martin is a fish out of water story, with a typical Hollywood ending. The original, based on the true story of the Gilbreth family. The story is a comedy, but with a not so Hollywood ending, The Frank Gilbreth dies suddenly, leaving the family to cope. It is a great family movie, and bears no resemblance to the remake. (I like the remake to some extent, I just don't find it realistic)

Not to say that all movie makers lack imagination. Robert Rodriguez, Quentin Tarrantino, Kevin Smith among others have put out some great films that have original content.

Question is: Why can't the others do the same??

Monday, March 21, 2005

welcome

Welcome to my blog....