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Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 27th, 2012, 6:32 pm
by mrsl
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Western guy said: "Well, experiment or not, I despised it. Felt cheated by it. Hell, any of the "Psycho" sequels were better than that mess.

Get my meaning? Okay, that's why I dislike remakes although you folks are all correct in some of the exceptions - which is why exceptions to the rule came into being, I guess. e.g. Although many would disagree, I still think Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are much better 'almost cheaters' in An Affair to Remember than some of the others who have gone before or since. As for A Star is Born, I loved Judy, but would have preferred ANYBODY else as Norman Maine than James (?) :oops: senior moment.

The fact is still that in Them, I like thinking of James Arness as someone other than only Matt Dillon. Love Tom Cruise (even if it comes out he's nuts), but hated War of the Worlds, love Keanu, but hated The Day the Earth Stood Still, finally love Kurt Russell but hated The Thing. That blood testing was such a pile of bilge. And the sight of James Arness with those electrical rays coming out of him was a sight to see and remember. Also there seems to be a kind of comforting feeling at the end of all the originals - maybe it's the little lectures, or the black and white - I don't know.
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Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 7:39 am
by MichiganJ
This is very confusing. You hate remakes, especially how they made a "true mockery of War of the Worlds." But, you also "wouldn't mind seeing someone like Speilberg re-making Frankenstein…" You do realize that it was Speilberg who helmed the mockery? (He's also guilty of Always, his A Guy Named Joe remake. )

I happen to really like Speilberg's War of the Worlds, which has as much in common with the original film as Burton's Planet of the Apes does with that original film: i.e. They have the same title. Other than that, the stories are completely different. (And, whatever one thinks of Always, Holly Hunter looked smoking' in that white dress, and the always smoking' Audrey was pretty great in her final film).

I can't understand how people take remakes as personal affronts. If a remake does't live up to one's unrealistic expectations of it being as good as or better than the original, you feel cheated?

I hated Rod Lurie's remake of Straw Dogs (which, among other problems, was woefully miscast), but that does nothing for my feelings towards Peckinpah's masterpiece. (Susan George gives one of the greatest performances ever put on screen). Lurie's film is Lurie's film, and Peckinpah's film is Peckinpah's. Just as Hitchcok's film is Hitchcock's and Van Sant's is Van Sant's. There's really no cheating. It's pretty easy to like one and not the other, like them both or hate them both. If the remake has any effect on one's feelings about the original, it likely just makes you appreciate the original all the more. What's wrong with that?

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 8:56 am
by Western Guy
In my particular case, MichiganJ, when I say I feel cheated by the "Psycho" remake it's because . . . what was the point? Vince Vaughn certainly is no Tony Perkins. Couldn't take him seriously for a moment. The movie was a virtual scene-for-scene ripoff and there simply no reason for what many consider Hitchcock's greatest film to be redone. I suppose I really didn't know what to expect when I plunked down my admission at the box office (only that curiosity got the better of me since I'm a huge fan of the original), but upon leaving the theater I felt royally ripped off.

But I will argue that there are some remakes I am immensely fond of. "Scarface", "You've Got Mail" (my favorite romance of all time), "Always", and the recent "True Grit" remake wasn't too bad, either. I even wasn't too upset with "The Wolfman". And there are others, to be sure. My gripe is that, as with "Psycho", some of these movies are just a cheapjack attempt by producers and studios to flip some coin based on the picture's past reputation. Yes, then I feel cheated and the "S" gets engraved deeper into my forehead.

So . . . when it comes to such entertainment, I choose prudently. Which means that if in doubt I'll wait 'til the thing comes out on Pay-TV or DVD to see if I was wise in not adding to opening week b.o. receipts . . . Six months ain't a long time to wait. I will say I'm glad I made that decision with "J. Edgar".

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 1:36 pm
by RedRiver
Since I contributed to this subject, I should clarify my position on PLANET OF THE APES. It's not that I flat-out oppose retelling that particular story. I'm not one who holds up a cross and says, Remake, be gone! But Burton's film offers little new, little exciting; basically no reason to see the movie. The Hammer horror films are basically the same stories as Universal's classics. But they're quite different, and intriguing in their own right. Carpenter's THE THING, though I don't like it, is a far cry from Matt Dillon as a walking carrot! Robert Mitchum's two appearances as Philip Marlow are inferior to their black and white predecessors. But they have their own personalities. They respect the material and the audience. They're worth watching.

On that note, I haven't seen Scorcese's remake of my favorite Mitchum film, the wonderful CAPE FEAR. I'm still trying to get over the number of people who are not even aware of the original! Sigh...

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 4:12 pm
by Western Guy
Well, I can tell you, RedRiver, Scorsese's "Cape Fear" is definitely more of a horror movie than the Mitchum original. Clever cameos, though, with Gregory Peck doing a neat role reversal.

But I much prefer the original.

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 5:48 pm
by MichiganJ
RedRiver wrote:Since I contributed to this subject, I should clarify my position on PLANET OF THE APES. It's not that I flat-out oppose retelling that particular story. I'm not one who holds up a cross and says, Remake, be gone! But Burton's film offers little new, little exciting; basically no reason to see the movie. The Hammer horror films are basically the same stories as Universal's classics. But they're quite different, and intriguing in their own right.
We must have seen a different movie if Burton's film offers nothing new in relation to the original Planet of the Apes. Not a single character is the same from film to film and the plot is entirely different. You certainly don't have to like the story, the direction, the actors or any of it, but as far as offering something new in relation to the original film, I can't figure out how it's not new. Burton's film has the same title and essentially the same twist ending, but, at least to me, the rest of the story is new. (I'll give you that Burton's take on the ending isn't exactly new, as the idea of the Lincoln Memorial turning into the Ape-raham Memorial was in a Jay and Silent Bob comic book years before). The Hammer remakes, however, do follow, more-or-less, the same plots as the original films. There is plenty new to them too, but let's face it, Hammer's Dracula has Dracula. And Van Helsing!

To me, the early Hammer films are remakes; Burton's is a re-imaging with the same title. I'm happy with 'em all.

I'm even happy with Van Sant's Psycho, which had a fair amount of publicity around the fact that it was a shot-for-shot remake. Van Sant had a copy of Hitchcock's film on the set to make sure that he got the set-ups exactly right. Even mistakes in the original, Van Sant didn't correct any because he was doing a shot-for-shot remake, and he was doing it on purpose. You can question the reason Van Sant bothered, which, as I said earlier, I think was as an experiment, but who knows? But given the publicity about the fact that it was a (say it with me) shot-for-shot-remake, saying that the film is a rip-off because it's what it was intended to be is, well, your prerogative, of course.

Myself, as I wrote, for me the experiment was enlightening as it allowed to see different actors saying the same lines but creating different characters. So yea, Vince Vaughn is no Tony Perkins. So what? Perkins is no Vaughn, either. And Van Sant is no Hitchcock. But he's a damn good director with some bonafide classics of his own.

But I am convinced. From now on I vote that Hollywood should not do any more remakes or re-imaginings. No stealing from theater or novels, either (especially the classics. Do we really need another Three Musketeers or worse, another film from a Jane Austin novel?)
Who's with me? Vote early and often. (To vote, you are required to have a picture ID and original birth certificate.)

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 28th, 2012, 10:33 pm
by CineMaven
MichiganJ wrote:(To vote, you are required to have a picture ID and original birth certificate.)
Will my passport do?

Image

So whaddya think about the Anthony Hopkins' version of Hitchcock coming up?

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 29th, 2012, 7:51 am
by MichiganJ
CineMaven wrote:Will my passport do?
The first year we were required to have a photo ID to vote, I handed over my passport and the poll worker, who had only gotten driver's licenses before me, was going to reject the passport as ID until the head honcho came over and said passports would do.
CineMaven wrote:So whaddya think about the Anthony Hopkins' version of Hitchcock coming up?
Personally I love movies about making movies so can't wait.

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 29th, 2012, 9:06 am
by Western Guy
I agree, MichiganJ. Love these types of movies. As I stated earlier, "Ed Wood" is one of my all-time faves. I'll stand in line for this new Hopkins/Hitchcock.

BTW: Something I recently found out. After Robert Bloch passed away, his widow Ellie moved to Winnipeg to be with family. Darn, wish I had known that at the time. If you're interested, below is the link to her obituary from our local paper:


http://passages.winnipegfreepress.com/p ... ame%7CASC/

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 30th, 2012, 2:57 pm
by CineMaven
I admit, I am schizophrenic on the matter of gypsies, tramps & thieves, re-makes and sequels. In general, I hate ‘em with a passion!!! They don’t seem to show originality to me. ( No more Wilders or Sturgesses out there. ) But then sometimes I don’t mind. I love “The Maltese Falcon” and “A Place in the Sun” and both of them are re-makes as noted in earlier posts.

But how can I kick about sequels? I’m as curious as the next maven about what happens to Batman or Superman, the Twilight vamps: Bella and Edward, Jason Bourne or James Bond. But I’ll tear a movie exec a new one if he touches “Casablanca” or “GWTW.”

What shocked me at how bankrupt Hollywood has become in its creativity was with Spiderman. I find out that “The Amazing Spiderman” ( 2012 ) starring Andrew Garfield is not a sequel but a re-imagining of the “Spiderman” ( 2002 ) Tobey McGuire film. Huh?! Do I have that right...someone correct me ‘cuz these are twelve movies I’m never gonna see.

I saw the re-make of “The Women” and Van Sant’s version of “Psycho” just so I could say “I saw it.” And I guess I also saw them so I could bash them. I try to forget the originals when I go in and give these films a fresh viewing. But invariably there’s comparing and contrasting and the latter film comes out The Loser. So as you can see, I’m all over the map on this score. Just downright wishy washy. I s’pose I simultaneously have one foot on one soapbox and the other foot on the other soapbox and if either box moves, I’m going to tear a vital organ. But I must say I’ve read some great arguments from you guys here from both sides of the aisle.

So in general, my knee-jerky reaction is I HATE RE-MAKES!!!

But I can’t wait to see the re-make of Schwarzenegger’s “TOTAL RECALL” this time starring Colin Farrell, Jessica Biel and Kate Beckinsale. Hey...what’s not to like? After all it's been more 'n twenty-five years since the original, and there have been technological advances in filmmaking and CGI and...and...

WHAT AM I SAYING?!

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 30th, 2012, 3:31 pm
by MichiganJ
Raimi's Spider-man, an origin story, has considerable humor and a lot of action.

Webb's The Amazing Spider-man, also an origin story (with some obligatory similar plot points to Raimi's, but a different story), deals considerably more with Parker's teenaged angst and has less action, although it is still action filled.

Was the reboot necessary ? To keep the franchise going, absolutely. Spider-man 3 was pretty bad, and a Spider-man 4, which would have a different cast and director anyway, would cary the baggage of 3, so a reboot was a good way to go.

So, bankrupt Hollywood remakes the origin story twice in ten years, just as bankrupt Hollywood remade Dr. Jekyll, Musketeers, Falcon, et al.

If I'm reading all of the criticisms about remakes/reboots/re-imaginings correctly, it seems the consensus is:
"HOLLYWOOD! STOP MAKING THEM!except for the good ones.

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 30th, 2012, 5:35 pm
by mrsl
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Okay MichiganJ, I stand corrected on War of the Worlds, I forgot Spielberg did it. As for Always, I liked #2 a lot better. I thought Dreyfuss and Hunter were a much better match than Tracy and Dunne.

In general, remakes of regular dramas, comedies, etc. are not too bad except when a true comedian like Steve Martin does the Father of the Bride types of movies. The main reason the originals worked so well was because Tracy was not a comedian, he played the dad straight, but Martin put his comedy in the narration, and his screw-ups were so outlandish. A true father does not go checking out the household of his future son in law, but for a father to get flustered and upset when he sees the cost of things, and tries to curb things - women and their engaged daughters will find that very funny. Martin's slapstick comedy does not fit in this type of movie, or in the sequel. But a serious man facing trials and tribulations of certain events can be made to be funny. Whoever said it was difficult to watch a remake and not compare had it right, so why do they keep the same name? Back in the 30's, 40's, and 50's movies were remade often only 2 or 3 years apart, but they changed the name. His Girl Friday became Switching Channels in 1988 with Kathleen Turner and Burt Reynolds, and The Women, 1939 became The Opposite Sex in 1956 and It Happened One Night with Gable and Colbert in 1934, became You Can't Run Away From It in 1956 with Jack Lemmon and June Allyson. Kinda sneaky but you didn't realize you were seeing a remake until 1/4 through the movie.

You can tell, as well as I know, I'm no expert but at my age, I've gone through a lot of changes of the guard so to say. But I've always loved movies and so yes, I do kind of resent it when someone takes a favorite of mine and tries to pawn it off as a better commodity. Nobody sings I Will Always Love You like the lady who wrote it, Dolly Parton, so when all the rage was being made about Whitney Houston's version, I thought, haven't these people ever listened to the words? Dolly puts feeling into it but Houston just tried to make more noise. I was there when Pacino, DiNero, Redford, Newman, and a few others were relative unknowns, but look at them now - the highly respected cream of Hollywood, but now it's time for them to move over. The problem is what sort of crop is doing the taking over? With Sci-fi and horror there is no need to keep the name except in a definite circumstance like The Time Machine. I'm sure there must be some ad men in Hollywood who can come up with new ads for various films like When the Martians tried to obliterate the world. The audience would know it was sci-fi but not know it was a remake of War of the Worlds, would they?
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Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 30th, 2012, 10:40 pm
by CineMaven
My two very favorite re-makes are:

"RED DUST" ( 1932 ) . . . . . . . "MOGAMBO" ( 1953 )

"LIBELED LADY" ( 1936 ) . . . . "EASY TO WED" ( 1946 )

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 31st, 2012, 8:54 am
by MichiganJ
Okay, so we'll amend the No Remakes rule to read:
Remake = Rename.

As for music, while Aretha should have had a bit more respect toward Otis, and Elvis should have tried to catch his own rabbit, so long as nobody covers any of The Beatles' tunes, I'm actually okay with covers.
CineMaven wrote:My two very favorite re-makes are:

"RED DUST" ( 1932 ) . . . . . . . "MOGAMBO" ( 1953 )

"LIBELED LADY" ( 1936 ) . . . . "EASY TO WED" ( 1946 )

I'm with you on those, but my favorite is: Casablanca...Barb Wire!

Re: What Horror and Sc-Fi films have you seen lately?

Posted: July 31st, 2012, 9:12 am
by ChiO
My favorites:

FRONT PAGE (Milestone 1931)...HIS GIRL FRIDAY (Hawks 1940)

LA CHIENNE (Renoir 1931)...SCARLET STREET (Lang 1945)

M (Lang 1931)...M (Losey 1951)

ALL THAT HEAVEN ALLOWS (Sirk 1955)...ALI: FEAR EATS THE SOUL (Fassbinder 1973)...FAR FROM HEAVEN (Haynes 2002)

Note: It appears that creativity and imagination died after 1931. Must have been due to that newfangled technological development that ruined movies.