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I would really like to know everyones thoughts about old movies that are being redone? Like for example, Fright Night. It was made I believe back in 1987, maybe a year before or a year after, but now the movie has be redone. I love the orignal. The previes that I have seen for the new Fright Night movie, does look alright, but I know it's not going to be anything like the orginal. Which could be a good thing, or it could be a really bad thing.
A good redone movie for example, I think, is 13 Ghost. The orignal was black and white. Done around the time of the orignal The Haunting and House on Haunted Hill. But a bad redone movie, I think, is House on Haunted Hill. All they did was come up with a movie and put the title of an older movie, and they called a redone movie. Another bad redone movie i believe was the Fog. Somewhat stady with the plot of the orginal movie plot, but didn't at the same time. Dawn of the Dead was better as a redone movie, I think.
I did love Rob Zombie's verison of Halloween, but I still love the orignal as well. So on that one I'm kind of feel the same about. But I want to know what everyone elses thoughts are.

Movies being remade are good from the sense that I like to see someone else's take on the idea.

Yes, some are just down right horrible. Your examples were spot on in my opinion. I love Rob Zombie's "Halloween." Although, I too still love John Carpenter's original version.

Then, there are movies that should never be redone. Such as the up coming "Conan the Barbarian." The original stands on it's own.

Being that this is a vampire site. I have to say, "Bram Stoker's Dracula" (with Gary Oldman and Keanu Reeves) is one of the best remakes ever and the best version of the Dracula tale. (my opinion)

I like watching remakes.Not only because I like to see another's perspective on a story,but as technologies get better,so do graphics..

Two thumbs up and a double snap back.

LOL when you notice movies being re-done you're not the current generation anymore!

Welcome to the world of the ancient ones who go round muttering, "It was in black and white ... and it didn't have sound ... but the original has never been surpassed!!!"

rofl

To better understand old movies, film from back then, you have to understand was done differently. For example, black and white movies with less sound have better movements with actors.

Personally, sometimes I adore the beauty of old films. I mean.. you can't compare the Hunchback of Notre Dame 1939 film to the kiddie Disney one. It's a whole other world. Then again as the above people said, it takes another view on what one person wants to say about the story.

Now, I do love new movies at times, but sometimes it just gets old if the story line doesn't come back with a punch! Graphics on blood and gore are what people ask for, but it does take away from good quality acting.

I'm on the fence with remakes.

Mostly I don't care if someone remakes a film if, as someone mentioned, they feel they can improve upon it like with graphics and what not.

I never liked the original Clash of the Titans but I do love the new one.

I don't get why every director feels the need make a version of every Bronte novel though.

On the other hand I think they ruined House of Wax. The Vincent Price was classic. I don't think someone should go remaking a film simply because its old or in black and white.

What I really detest is Hollywood remaking foreign films simply so people don't have to read. There are so many great Asian films that are turned inside out and trashed by Hollywood, The Eye is a great example.

Or The Departed, the original film is spectacular. And now they're redoing Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. Oy...just leave it alone.

Captain Avenger was rather cliche. Thor was OK to a point. I'm waiting to see what Conan will be like

anji13, I agree with you 100% on the fact that The House of Wax was defintintly was messed up!!!! The only good part was when Paris Hilton Died!!!!!

I would imagine that a large percentage of the people who are interested in seeing a new release of an older film go simply because they liked the old one.
If the film makers and the studio go into the project with a "could care less" attitude about the casting and screen play, then they are simply out of ideas and so they decided to do a remake.

Thee, "we need to make money some how" movies always suck!!

The retelling of the story is what is important regardless of whether or not they put a modern spin on it. So I guess what it boils down to with remakes is whether they attempt to remain true to the original film. If they do that then the fan base that supported the original will support the remake.

My question is in 50 years will we start seeing remakes of the remakes... now thats a scary thought.

anji13, you're so right about foreign films! I loved "The Eye" when I had to read it. Foreign films are so awesome. :) Lol In one of the sequels they even made fun of the American version! I was laughing. XD Haha "Did you see my report card?" -Guy kicks the kid.- "Ow, what did you do that for? :(" Guy-"Oh, I thought you were a ghost." Haha

Another example of that is "Let The Right One in." I loved that vampire movie. Wonderful story line.

I honestly think the fact they are redoing so many older movies means they are running out of good ideas. I will admit that there have been alot redone that were good. But if you have seen the original and then look at the new ones, if they can't follow the story line and start changing things so much, they should leave the old ones alone. lol There is no reason to make a live movie of smurfs :D

It could be that they're running out of ideas but then again a changed story line is what they want at times. It would be pretty boring to sit and watch a movie that was exactly the same, only it was in color, or had sound. A good example of how different and still good some movies are would be.. something like "Hair Spray" :P Those were both good movies, just different.

I consider Fright Night a classic in its genre. What usually happens is they take the campy films and remake them seriously as they did with Nightmare on Elmstreet. I didn't like it. I do like Coppola's Dracula as a stand alone. He didn't follow the book, especially the beginning. He tried to tie Vlad the Impaler into it and it isn't about him. That sort of turned me off. Mr. Oldman was really good though so one could hardly dislike it and the special effects of the movie.

I think they are trying to make some of these movies brand new for a new generation of movie goers. The musical scores would be outdated for some to watch so it makes sense to me BUT if they try to remake Lost Boys, I will put my foot down, lol.

They dont have to remake Lost Boys.... they have half a millions sequels lol


And Stranger you're right about the sequels to the Eye. Lol. I love those movies!

I wasnt a huge fan of Let The Right One In but I still didnt see the point of making an English version. Let the original film stand for itself. I didnt mind the story of it, I just didnt need to see a 12 yr old hermaphrodite naked...slightly creepy and pedophile-ish. Lol. And that scene with the cats was just hilarious.

Some more ruined foreign gems:

Tale of Two Sisters--The Uninvited (sigh)

Ju-On -- The Grudge

Ringu -- The Ring

Honogurai mizu no soko kara -- Dark Water

Kairo -- Pulse

Jungdok -- Addicted

Spoorlos -- The Vanishing

Pour Elle -- The Next Three Days

Das Experiment -- The Experiment

Into The Mirror -- Mirrors

Insomnia (1997)-- Insomnia (2002)

I certainly hope they don't try to Americanize "Day Watch" or "Night Watch."

It just means that the movie makers are presuming that no further ideas are coming up in the mainstream movie business and that they need to resort to doing re-makes if there is any money to be made at the consumers expense. I am thinking that someone did a marketing aspect ratio and came up with a few numbers that might have benefited the mass market.

Some of the movies that are or have been redone, are pretty damned good. But, there are a few slackers such as the remade Nightmare on Elm Street and the new Fright Night. Both really do suck ass, but that is just my perspective as to which marketing the movie chose to take, ie young teenage hipsters.

If the marketing focus was on a wider audience, then the movies could have turned out much better (acting problems, and choice of actors themselves).

This modern world, lacks what is called " originality " Most focus on technology and who can make the coolest stuff or the deadliest. The theater has been abandoned and the art of creativity is lacking inspiration. Hollywood or whoever, think that just because a movie is "old" that it is forgotten. WRONG!!!

A lot of movies are getting remade, I guess it is great for this generation as they will see movies that we saw in pass generations. If they are made good I don't have a problem with it as I like seeing things updated, but when it is a hit and miss just for the sake of someone getting money and they change the story line then it better off left in the grave yard.

most of them I have to say are good. With the way tech is growing to do films again can make them even better. Some movies I believe should never be remade but with each generation movies need to be remade so to keep up with the current generation.

There is always a 5050 chance you'll either love a remake or hate it. Depending on how much you loved the original can reflect you're feelings after seeing the remake.

You mentioned Rob Zombies 'Halloween'. I enjoyed the first one. The second remake left me upset I lost two hours of my life to that shoddy piece of crap.

Good post though. Every 15-20 years you'll see remakes of popular movies. It use to be Cult classics didn't fall into this category but with the remake of 'Evil Dead', there goes that standard.

Karei

Some remakes are cool - many are bad...especially when the newer versions veer completely away from the original storyline.
The newer film technologies improve a lot of the remakes though.
However, I think that the new version of Fright Night might be cool, as it looks more frightening than the original. (I always thought that the original film was a lil' too cute for my taste).

I've just seen Fright Night remake and say this--I wasnt disappointed because I wasnt expecting much. It was okay. I was hoping that because it was rated R there would be something to be excited over.
Not really. Its just like the commercials so it to be. Vague and kinda blah. Colin Farrell does what he can but he comes off being a missing Twilight clan member.

Just another film shot for money sake only, and the 3D aspects of the film were barely there. If you want to see a cool 3D vamp flick I suggest Priest.

I saw the new Fright Night last Wednesday. I generally do not like remakes but this one way awesome.

There's another Batman Dark knight being done and you'd think they made enough of those.Hollywood is running short on ideas

Think "Enter The Dragon" (Bruce Lee).

Some movies should NEVER be remade simply because you cannot replace a talent like Bruce.

I heard that there is a new "Mad Max" film coming out in 2012. This is supposed to be a continuation of the story, not a remake.

Oh dear goodness don't give hollywood ideas...they might just try and remake Enter The Dragon now.

And I wouldn't put it passed them to try and replace Bruce either. I mean they're already replacing his son with The Crow remake.

I think a vast majority of them should never be redone simply for the factor of they kill them. I would say, that if, for instance, a classic is being redone it should be remade with the exact same basics and story plot but with the special effects from our day and age.


But regardless of that- I still think older movies shouldn't be remade, it kills it for me.

I honestly believe that the new effects ruin classic films.

i have to agree...i have to see remake where new effects made it better...

i still shudder at the travesty of House of Wax

Actually, the new Conan the Barbarian remake was quite impressive, and this is coming from a fan of the original. It still features enough cheese to make it feel like a Conan movie, but at least Jason Mamoa can somewhat act, unlike a certain Austrian we all know.

I was rendered positively incedulous that someone, anyone might prefer the remake of Dawn Of The Dead...

The original could not be surpassed.

That said.. the remake was ... alright.

And, think of all The Punisher movies.. it was only the interminable flashback sequesnces in the Thomas Jane one that made that annoying. Other than that.. they were all good, in their own way.

I guess I'm saying, like the remake of planet of the apes... so don't work... some do.

Now for once I will say , The new Planet Of The Apes, turned out great. Ity even brings in how the begining of the old series of movies started, I won't say any more. Don't want to piss anyone off who has not seen it yet. But they dd a really god job, kind of a prequel :)

i prefer them to be left as they was maybe the movie directers are runnig out of ideas so they remake all the old ones nothing that as not been seeen before.in many a film

Conan The Barbarian~I'm glad this one is redone. The one with Arnold is pretty old. I love Arnold, don't get me wrong! But it's time for some fresh blood!

still think the vincent price version of last man alive was superb... and that's after charlton hestons and will smiths.. both versions.

i really dont like redone movies
especially japanese horror flicks
they dont turn out well when redone
they lose their scare factor

Some movies absolutely SHOULD be remade. Take "The Thing From ANother World".... a good movie for its time, but when John Carpenter got ahold of it and turned it into "The Thing", pure horror gold.

But then there are some movies that shouldn't be redone. Some movies are being remade or as they like to call it these days "relaunched" only a couple of years after the originals. DC Comics has already stated that they can't wait for the Chris Nolan Batman Trilogy to be over because they already have plans in motion to reboot the entire franchise.

Not completly opposed to remakes, although it does seem to be all that Hollywood is churning out. The remake of the Sweedish 'let the right one in' was okay but unnessesary to make 'let me in' as the origonal was perfect. If a remake outodes it's predesssor or adds somehing special, a charm, then I aprove. Bothered by the constent sequals as well. Is ther nothing origonal left. Where are the writers, or are a hundred chimps now writing Rocky 28. Would like something new unique, not the same old thing in brand new drag.

hmmm....i think i would be the sap in the front row for Rocky 28 lol...i love Rocky.

But anyhoo....

And this is why I watch mainly foreign films or at least independent American films. 90% of them are better than the latest crapfest Hollywood has crammed out. Remake or not.

I should have never gone to see Conan the Barbarian with a group of women, who screamed and hooted at the man during the film. *LOL*

AND now they've remade a Dustin Hoffman classic. Straw Dogs. Great.

From some of the reviews I've read this might be one to watch what's really hard to believe is all the damn Bat,man films

Hollywood is running short of ideas I think. Even TV shows, with the exception of the premium networks are try to copy them.

Ok, I'm jumping on my soapbox for a minute. Remakes? Hmm, for the most part I'm getting really tired of them. Personally, I think there are a few that were good, for example, Halloween, Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, that would have been better off renamed as a better movie, and I wouldn't have minded so much. I like Rob Zombie, but would have preferred that he gave his redention of Halloween a different name and said it was inspired by.

There are also several, I really didn't care for. Personally, I think Hollywood is running out of ideas, or maybe they are wanting to revamp some movies. My note for producers, screenwriters and directors though is this, READ SOME BOOKS. There are several wonderful books that would make fantastic movies. On that note, I'm stepping off of my soapbox. :)

Get some real ideas, I mean come on. Three Stooges the movie? Really are you that much desperate for making a new movie and couldn't be original.

Reboots.


I hate reboots. stop rebooting stuff.

Continue the story.


The Amazing Spiderman only exsists to save the name Spiderman because the director of the 3 Spidermen movies took too long to make a 4th.

Sometimes, and only Sometimes reboots are good.


After the Dark Night Returns, Movie they are rebooting Batman for the Justice League movie, why not incorporate that into the current Batman. You still have time you don't need to reboot it.

I wonder what super-heroes, are next? Too many adaptations. The only repeats I liked were Harry Potter. At least they were more original although admittedly themes appeared similar.

... the former Doctor Who David Tennant, was surprisingly good as Peter Vincent in 'Fright Night.'

I was ever-so curious as to whether he would be, or not...
or
whether the film itself would be a real crock...


He was Great... as was the movie.

I say that as someone who adored Roddy McDowell in the original and, just LOVED the original movie!

Yes, he was and he is the only thing I liked about the new one. I really liked the newer version of Peter Vincent. I really don't care for some of the cast members and especially the main one. The same writer of the story did the update but it still wasn't my cup of tea. I like the original too much.

The only movie that would be a remake I have been waiting to see done is "Logan's Run." With the newer technologies it could be really awesome redone. As long as they get the general premise I would be fine with it. They have been planning it for years but it has been in limbo for awhile now.

As for the Vincent Price adaptation of I Am Legend, Richard Matheson did do some of the scripting but he didn't like the story they came up with, so he used a pseudonym. He didn't want his actual name on the credits. All of the adaptations were fine. I prefer the one with Will Smith.

I have tried to watch Conan a few times and it looks ok but I got bored right away. The only thing I would like is the eye candy, Jason Momoa. I find him more than that though, he is a fairly decent actor. He was really good in Game of Thrones I thought.

I don't think it is harmful if they redo or add prequels to movies such as the last Final Destination but it is difficult for hardcore fans of the older movies to accept I think.

Watched the new "Conan."

If Hollywood wanted to cast a little girl to play Conan, why not just go out and get a little girl to play the part? Because, next to the 70's/early 80's Schwarzenegger, that's EXACTLY what Momoa is.

His acting? PFFFT!

Also, if they wanted to grab a female base, why not just cast Johnny Depp and make it "Conan The Barbarian, The Musical?"

Oh, I know...

They can get Johnny to be "The Terminator" and cast Anne Hathaway to play Sarah Connor!

Nightmare on Elms Street was ok, but the first one was sexier.

When they do a remake, to much CGI and special effects are brought forward. Seems they can't do a movie anymore without these.

I don't mind special effects, but hate it to see them dominate a movie, while they are intented to support it.

But would welcome a remake of " Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte", the original being from 1964 with Bette Davis.

@ BRZombie

You make me :)

I couldn't agree more about Conan.

And I too can't stand when a movie is nothing but CGI and graphics. Too many times directors and producers rely on graphics and let other aspects of the film suffer.

I didnt mind the new Nightmare on Elm Street, it was certainly better than some of the sequels that were made. I think i liked it simply because Jackie Earle Haley was Freddy. But I think they could've picked better actresses, every chick in the movie was massively annoying.

some older movies are better off being left alone..some of them if you dont have the same actor or actress its just not the same,like star wars episode 4,5 and 6,same actors which is cool...but like james bond were there is so many different 007s,thats is not lodgical,because the first 007 actor is not on the next one,that means the next bond should be 008 and so on..
also,the new a-team movie,its not like the original tv series,different actors... different attitudes..
also you have the original conan the barbarian,the new one should be called something different for the fact there is a different actor and it seems to be telling a different story..

some old movies can be good when they are redone but that depends on how well they did it a lot of them shouldn't have been redone mainly because the original tends to be a whole lot better. But many people have different tastes in the movies so it all varies. But I will admit there have been some movies that have been redone that were excellent.

ive not seen one work well so far.old movies are set in a different society and when they try to make a new one it never works as they try to change it.new movies should stick to being new movies. as they reflect a different time and place

Here is an article, from filmcontact.com asking the question:

CGI: Spelling The End For Actors

What do you think?

Now days most movies and commercials get dumber and dumber for each new one that they make.

I think the remake of Nightmare on Elm Street was god awful. If you don't have Robert Englund , you don't have Freddy Krueger.

some movies are better older because the people who remake them make them worse

I don't think they should have remade romeo and Juliet. it is a rather big insult to the original, and more to the story, and what had happened.

Some films are re-made because the special effects they have now might add even more of an impact to them...especially if when they were first made they really drew audiences....other films are re-made with a gamble that they could be filmed with the Sfx that are around today and possibly make a so/so film into a real money maker.

Some films are re-made because there is a large genre of people that they hope will be attracted to it because of the main character.

The Mummy for instance is a classic for the horror genre, but even though it may have done well in the theaters it did not fully appeal to the older generations that are more familiar with and more dedicated to the original(s) of the same name. Those films from the 30's 40's 50's and even 60's were classics that could be re-made...some of which have been but the crowds were not as receptive...even though they were hoping for a newer generation to grab hold of the reins and ride with it....they, in general, didn't.

The Creature from The Black Lagoon is another example. The new Creature film might not really make an impact as the original, something that directors really hope these films will do. So many of these directors depend on sex, drugs and rock and roll to sell many of their films because they know the script isn't that good and are leaning on the Sfx to save the day.

The Woman in Black is supposed to be coming out soon (2012). It is a re-make of the 1989 film which in it's time was rather well done and did have that British air of horror. But with the Sfx they have today it should be a rather well made film...if they stick to the story.

Yes! Seriously have they run out of ideas in Hollywood?
Because, most of these remakes don't enhance the original movie or gain new fans. Just STOP it already!

Of course Hollywood has run out of ideas. Lol.

Not that I hate or dislike every remake or sequel. I think it depends on why they are remaking it.

I didnt mind the new Nightmare on Elm Street. I love Jackie Earle Haley and this one was closer to the what the original was supposed to be but at the time pedophilia was a no-no subject and they wanted to make money.

I can understand that. They werent retelling the same story, they were adding context to it.

I really get annoyed by America remaking foreign films for American audiences. I just don't see the point.

I do think that a remake can attract new audiences, not everyone has access to older films. (Doesnt forgive Hollywood completely trashing it though!)
:)

I honestly hate the new Nightmare! I think only Robert Englund can't play Freddy. But, with foreign films you know the American audience is not sophisticated enough to grasp the meaning and context of foreign films, hence the dumbed down dialogue.

At first I wasn't sure of the new Nightmare either. I'm too used to seeing Freddy. But I like the new one because it has a slightly darker undertone. The first films were dark too then I got tired of them trying to be campy or funny.

Robert Englund supported Jackie in playing Freddy because he was tired of playing the character and felt someone else could put a new take on it.

I get it though.
I refuse to see the remake of Girl With The Dragon Tattoo for: 1-The original was amazing, just leave the Swedish alone.
2-I can only see Noomi Rapace and Michael Nyqvist play those characters lol

I remember reading about Robert Englund saying he is tired of playing Freddy. Plus, he is not getting any younger! I despise New Line Cinema for making Freddy campy and funny. *screams* Ah well! Now I feel better.

Haha same here.
I didnt like some of the "teens" in Nightmare remake but eh whatta gonna do? At least its a horror movie and most of them died haha

Adult actors playing teens *humph* Typical cardboard cutouts of characters with no depth, no personality and 3rd rate actors.

Okay Hollywoods latest victim is Dont Be Afraid of the Dark. Okay granted the original wasnt the greatest thing ever, being a low budget TV movie.

But the new one is soo dull, that I'd recommend it for people wanting to introduce their kids to horror movies.

I was disappointed cause normally I love movies involving Guillermo Del Toro but this was terrible. I wrote a longer review in my journal for anyone interested.

Ok, they've remade "Footloose!"

WAS THE ORIGINAL NOT BAD ENOUGH???

The Crow first 1994 movie being re done -very annoyed- I do not like the cast they have already I forgot where the article is but ehh still thinking about seeing it or not.

The original was rather good, the mood, I will have to have a look at the new one. Does anyone know where the idea originated?

James O Barr comics it was based on

I believe that writers can not think of anything to write about so they have to remake the classics .

So true they should leave the classics alone unless it badly needs new special effects and SGI

lol BRZombie, I agree with you on that one. I was thinking the same thing after seeing the previews the other day. I guess some older movies are just a lost cause even with our modernization and technology. :P

Ah yeah. I'm on the fence with this one too. I do love watching some remakes of classics to see another's perspective they have on it but some should be left alone.

I remember I saw Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning with a few friends (one being a huge horror movie buff and owning all the original movies in that genre). She was disappointed at the remake because it was all blood, guts, and gore with a little plot line with the characters. We ended up going back to her place and watched the original (I think it was from the 70's?) and I have to agree, I liked the original better.

Also, one that really is iffy on my part: The Crow. I am a HUGE fan of the original with Brandon Lee (even own two copies of VHS and finally found a DVD copy since I don't have a VHS player anymore--just the PS2 I borrowed from my brother to watch DVDs with since he has a PS3). When I heard about the remake, I was pretty upset but I will give it a chance and go see it (if they do remake it) just to see what they do with it. But no matter what, Lee is without a doubt, the one that made the movie and Eric (in my opinion anyways).

The problem with re-making The Crow is this:

How well did the sequels fare?

That's right, the sequels SUCKED!

So, why remake a film that you know is going to suck?

The Crow should never be touched, it's one of the very few true classics.

yes The Crow should NEVER be touched!

Some movies are better left as the originals. Sure the remake may have better special effects, but that isn't what makes a movie.

I really think they should just get more creative and come up with new plots. remaking older movies is getting boring. Time to be more creative.

Perry Mason is going to be the next movie to be redone. Robert Downey Jr. is going to play Perry Mason.

I am holding out hope though for The Thing.

More of a prequel I think though, not a remake. Plus I have a soft spot of squishy love for Norwegian films. The director is actually from the Netherlands but several of the cast are Norwegian including Trond Espen Seim and my Danish luvie Ulrich Thomsen.

So yea I am there when its released. Lol.

I think some remakes are good, but some are just ridiculous and should have never been done... just because one movie was famous or good in a certain time frame, doesnt mean its gonna be good in the present time ... they just need to raise the bar and come up with good new stories ... Remaking Nightmare on Elm Street ... one example of a really bad Remake!

Hell raiser remake in the works but it will be bloody awful without doug bradly playing pinhead