Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Movies you would like to see remade

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Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 06-29-2009, 05:08 PM:

Just paging thru Boxoffice I noticed an article about Sensurround and was remembering the movie "Rollercoaster." Given all the advances in amusement parks since that film was made, I think it'd be ripe for a remake.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-29-2009, 10:45 PM:

Rollercoaster might possibly be worthy of a remake if a decent script could be put together to support it. I didn't like the original very much at all.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-29-2009, 11:57 PM:

What about FOX and Dimension 150's "Damnation Alley" of 1976? Grab that same vehicle, do some hi-tech CGA's in it, add some buffed out actors/actresses in it along with a decent story and plot, and you might just come out with another explosion filled, brain dead Michael Bay wannabe feature.

Sadly, Universal's "Earthquake" and "Midway" were great features in Sensurround (saw them at the Century 21 and the UTAH 1 theatres respectively in their release years in SLC), but when "Rollercoaster" came out...what happened? This was a terrible movie..and to ruin it with the sound process?

-Monte

Posted by Luke Anderson (Member # 5316) on 06-30-2009, 12:24 AM:

A couple films I liked as a kid that would be pretty cool in modern 3D are Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Inner Space.

Or you could go the raunchy Jud Apatow way with Bachelor Party, Back to School and License to Drive.

-Luke

Posted by Mike Schindler (Member # 1309) on 06-30-2009, 12:27 AM:

Gus Van Sant has talked about doing another remake of Psycho which would be the polar opposite of his other one. Instead of following the original shot for shot, this new one would be a complete reimagining on every level. I think that would be really interesting to see.

After CASINO ROYALE, I was kind of hoping that they'd just start re-adapting the James Bond books in order, starting with LIVE AND LET DIE. That's what I would've done.

But the movie which I would most like to see remade is ALIEN 3. They should do what the rest of us do and pretend that the original never existed, and adapt Mark Verheiden's ALIENS comic book instead.

Posted by Don Furr (Member # 1469) on 06-30-2009, 06:29 AM:

I'm about ready for a "epic" war movie remake. How about a "Guns of Navarone" or maybe "The Longest Day"?

Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 06-30-2009, 06:37 AM:

I'd like to see someone do a good version of A Separate Peace. I've always liked the book, but the 1970s film version is hideously bad. I don't think that it would be terribly difficult to do this one well on a low budget.

That said, I'm not generally a fan of remakes, especially if the original version was good. The work once in a while, but the original version is almost always better.

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 06-30-2009, 07:29 AM:

There was a remake of A Separate Peace within the last year or two, I think...possibly made for TV.

Personally...I can't think of any film I wan't remade...if was good orginally...then leave it alone and watch it...if it was bad...who wants to see another bad movie?

Steve

Posted by Rick Raskin (Member # 1561) on 06-30-2009, 07:56 AM:

Personally, I don't care for remakes except some silent films that were remade in sound; "The Ten Commandments", "Ben-Hur", etc.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 06-30-2009, 08:18 AM:

'Show Boat' would be one which I would add; it's about the only film I can think of where the re-make (1936) was better than the original (1929) version. Why they then had to re-make it yet again just fifteen years or so later, I don't know. Was it simply that they wanted it to be in colour?

Posted by Bill Gabel (Member # 1105) on 06-30-2009, 08:36 AM:

quote: Monte L Fullmer
What about FOX and Dimension 150's "Damnation Alley" of 1976?

Monte the only two Dimension 150 films were "The Bible" and "Patton".
You must be thinking of "Sound 360".

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 06-30-2009, 12:55 PM:

Not enough time has passed for a remake to be worthwhile, but I think Species could have been a much better monster movie if not for some stupid choices in character that took the plot in a direction that made no sense.

Posted by Monte L Fullmer (Member # 2797) on 06-30-2009, 01:36 PM:

Yea, that's what it was .. "Sound 360" .. (been too far back [Big Grin]

)

You're right on the other two from FOX.

thx for the correction .. - Monte

Posted by Jarret Chessell (Member # 5077) on 06-30-2009, 02:34 PM:

I would like to see a remake of "The Final Countdown", making use of CGI and some twisted story telling it could be pretty fun. They could cast Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen and Megan Fox.

Posted by John B. Keathley (Member # 5205) on 06-30-2009, 03:52 PM:

Speaking of remakes, anyone seen the trailer for "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s043quEQ9FY

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 06-30-2009, 04:27 PM:

Generally, remakes are a bad idea. There are rare exceptions though. Philip Kaufman's 1978 remake of Don Siegel's 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers was actually pretty good. It was remade again in 2007's The Invasion, which proved the general rule that remakes are usually not any good (I didn't see it, but the reviews were not great).

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 06-30-2009, 04:56 PM:

I demand "Star Wars" be remade...into the movie it was when it was originally released.

Or Lucas be forced to eat a bad sandwich.

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 06-30-2009, 05:58 PM:

Death at a Funeral ... oh wait, nevermind.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 06-30-2009, 06:18 PM:

Terminator Salvation.

Posted by David Stambaugh (Member # 1102) on 06-30-2009, 07:21 PM:

quote: Chris Hipp
Terminator Salvation

Posted by Mark Ogden (Member # 43) on 07-02-2009, 09:55 PM:

quote:
Don Siegel's 1956 classic Invasion of the Body Snatchers was actually pretty good. It was remade again in 2007's The Invasion,

There was actually a remake between those two, Body Snatchers with Gabrielle Anwar, came out in 1993. It was quite a bit better than the 2007 flick. That makes a total of four times the original story has been filmed (1956, 1978, 1993, 2007)!

Someone was going to remake Fantastic Voyage a few years back, but I think it fell through. That might make for a good update with better effects.

Posted by Carl Martin (Member # 1146) on 07-03-2009, 02:32 AM:

the austrian unsichtbare gegner is also basically a remake of body snatchers. interestingly, it opens with a close up of a body's snatch.

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 07-03-2009, 09:45 AM:

I think they should remake Schindler's List. The first one didn't have enough action or funny parts or a good soundtrack.

Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 07-03-2009, 10:10 AM:

quote: Chad Souder
I think they should remake Schindler's List. The first one didn't have enough action or funny parts or a good soundtrack.

Michael Bay should TOTALLY take that on.

Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 07-03-2009, 01:39 PM:

No, no. Michael Bay AND Mc.G should co-direct it!

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-03-2009, 02:58 PM:

Aww, man! I had my hopes set on John Woo to helm the Schindler's List remake. He needs to direct it just like he did Windtalkers!

Posted by Mark Gulbrandsen (Member # 72) on 07-03-2009, 03:54 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
Rollercoaster might possibly be worthy of a remake if a decent script could be put together to support it.

Yea, Eddie Murphy could play the Roller Coaster Operator! At least today we have some really huge roller coaster compared to when the film was made 35 years ago... so that alone would ad to the suspense. It's a film Hitchcock should have made...

quote: Mark Ogden
Someone was going to remake Fantastic Voyage a few years back, but I think it fell through.

They couldn't do it today.. Raquel Welch is all wrinkly! Anyway the original is actually quite good and holds up pretty well in todays filmic world.

I say re-make any move that was poorly done that really shouda been good the first time round. Otherwise don't bother... cause generally it's a letdown...

Mark

Posted by Geoff Jones (Member # 3668) on 07-03-2009, 04:43 PM:

I would love for the Star Wars Prequels to be remade.

Posted by Galen Murphy-Fahlgren (Member # 4535) on 07-03-2009, 05:14 PM:

quote: Geoff Jones
I would love for the Star Wars Prequels to be remade.

Really? I've always advocated for them to be demade.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-03-2009, 05:49 PM:

quote: Mark Gulbrandsen
Yea, Eddie Murphy could play the Roller Coaster Operator! At least today we have some really huge roller coaster compared to when the film was made 35 years ago... so that alone would ad to the suspense. It's a film Hitchcock should have made...

My thoughts ran to having such a remake filmed at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio -the ultimate boss park in the world for roller coasters. Screw any amusement park in California. Magic Mountain couldn't hold the jock strap of coasters like Millenium Force or Top Fuel Dragster.

Such a remake could actually function as a national tour of greatest roller coaster oriented amusement parks. Have some of it filmed in Orlando, FL (some good rides are located there). Cedar Point would be a must as a central location. Las Vegas and some of its crazy rides could be thrown in for good measure. Maybe finish off the movie with a failed attempt at demolishing The Titan at Six Flags Over Texas maybe with a foot chase, shootout and failed bombing of the $1 billion new Texas Stadium next door!

Hell, I can already see the plot formulating. Joel Silver! Are you reading this? Have your people call my people!

Posted by Anslem Rayburn (Member # 1267) on 07-03-2009, 06:04 PM:

They're remaking "Clash of the Titans" so I'm happy.

I would also like an updated version of "Willow," one of my favorite movies.

Both are fantastic, but the special effects have not aged well.

I think remakes can be pointless, but in the right hands they can be a great thing. If the writers and director care about the project and aren't in it just for a paycheck, good things can happen. Take "Batman Begins" as an example.

Taking an older movie that was special effects heavy and updating it with new technology makes the most since to me. That's exactly why I have high hopes for "Clash of the Titans." In my opinion, it takes nothing away from the original, it acts more like a companion piece if anything. Besides, nothing's stopping anyone from ignoring the remake and popping the old movie in the [insert format] player!

Posted by Caleb Johnstone-Cowan (Member # 3710) on 07-03-2009, 06:21 PM:

I want Michael Bay to remake How The West Was Won in IMAX, but he has to use the original soundtrack numbers and have an overture, entr'acte between the two parts and exit music.

Seriously though, a remake of Logan's Run would be interesting, liked the original but it is let down by some of the effects.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-03-2009, 06:45 PM:

A remake of Logan's Run would suffer without Farrah Fawcett. But if they did a remake they would need to shoot the movie in the Fort Worth area, just like they did with the original. Shooting in fucking Vancouver or damned New Zealand won't ever count, except counting for being a cheapskate ass-lick.

quote: Anslem Rayburn
They're remaking "Clash of the Titans" so I'm happy.

It would have been nice to see "Clash of the Titties" (or "Clash of the Titans") get produced, starring Christy Canyon.

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 07-03-2009, 06:47 PM:

quote: Bobby Henderson
Magic Mountain couldn't hold the jock strap of coasters like Millenium Force or Top Fuel Dragster.

There are some great coasters at Magic Mountain though. The one featured at the end of "Rollercoaster" is the Revolution, which featured the first vertical loop in the world (and that loop is still one of the tallest circular vertical loops).

Top Thrill Dragster --- I would love to ride that thing, but it's so short! 25 seconds or something. I've always wanted to go to Cedar Point but have never been close to it.

The Orlando area does have some great coasters....including two new ones this summer. We're going back there in September and plan to ride'em all.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-03-2009, 06:51 PM:

Currently, Kingda Ka, located at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, New Jersey (about an hour's drive south of New York City), is the tallest roller coaster in the world. At 456' it just gets over the 420' peak of Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point.

The downside is Six Flags Great Adventure doesn't have as many roller coasters as Cedar Point.

Kingda Ka was formerly the world's fastest roller coaster, boating a top speed of 128mph. Top Thrill Dragster is ranked at #3 with a 120mph top speed. Current world's fastest: King Racer in Nürburgring, Germany. It's a new steel air-thrust roller coaster opening this summer boasting a top speed of 135mph. Damn, I'd love to ride that!

That ride makes the "Mr. Freeze" ride at Six Flags Over Texas sound pretty weak by comparison. I still had a good time riding that one. First time I rode it, these high school girls were ahead of me in line. They rode and the "train" came back in the station. Those girls were bawling their eyes out crying. They were really upset. All I thought was, "Yes! This is gonna be kick ass!" Faster and scarier, please!

Posted by Claude S. Ayakawa (Member # 1401) on 07-03-2009, 06:57 PM:

Stephen,

I have all three versions of SHOW BOAT ON laserdisc in a box set and the 1936 version is the best but I am very partial to the 1951 version with it's sparkling three strip Technicolor photography and the talents of Howard Keel, Kathrine Grayson and Joe E Brown. If you like the Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein score, there is a complete recording of it on EMI Records and it is excellent. I had downloaded it all on my iPod and listen to it often.

-Claude

Posted by Chad Souder (Member # 343) on 07-03-2009, 09:02 PM:

quote: Anslem Rayburn
I think remakes can be pointless, but in the right hands they can be a great thing. If the writers and director care about the project and aren't in it just for a paycheck, good things can happen. Take "Batman Begins" as an example.

It wasn't a remake. The story of his becoming Batman was fresh material and Scarecrow was a new enemy, at least on the big screen. If anything, Dark Knight would have been the remake. That's why the franchise is working so well. They had to give the hero a fresh start so they could reuse the same enemy later without it being too much of the same. As it was, that still would have happened, if not for Ledger's now infamous performance. I think Nolan was very conscious of this, which is why he didn't want to use Joker in Batman Begins. That would have made it seem like a remake.

I can't think of one great movie that has been remade to the same level of greatness. Maybe Bad News Bears came close, but still wasn't quite as good. The only thing you can do is take a crappy or average movie and remake it better.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 07-03-2009, 09:18 PM:

I prefer David Cronenberg's 1986 version of The Fly to the original 1950's version. I prefer the remake by a long shot.

IMHO, the original 1950's version was OK, but not great. The 1986 version really shook me up in a number of ways. It was a compelling love story. It had some very uncomfortable, nihilistic moments. And the really sad ending was just unforgettable to me.

Posted by Chris Hipp (Member # 1788) on 07-03-2009, 10:00 PM:

I hate when people gripe about movies being remade when they are based on books. Like War of the Worlds, everyone griped about there being a remake, but I just see it as another person's interpretation of the book.

Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 07-04-2009, 03:48 AM:

Claude, I have the same box set. It's never been re-done on DVD, though there has been talk of it being done within the next few years. There was a PAL VHS of the 1951 version, but I don't think either of the other versions has been released on video over here. The 1936 version has occasionally been shown on 35mm at the NFT, I think the last time was as part of a Paul Robeson season that must be getting on for ten years ago now. I've never seen the 1929 version anywhere other than on the Laserdisc, though I did once hear a few minutes of the music from it somewhere, on the radio I think.

The 1951 version was a bit of an oddity technically. Some of the original elements were on triacetate, and some on nitrate; it must have been one of the last American films to use any nitrate stock. Some of the original sound recordings were magnetic, while others were traditional optical recordings. It wasn't quite the end of three-strip Technicolor, which carried on for another couple of years or so. Of course, unlike most of the big films of the '50s which were made in various widescreen processes, Show Boat was just too early, and was in traditional Academy ratio. It was a strange mixture of the old and the new.

It's a pity that three of the sound disks from the 1929 version are still, to the best of my knowledge, lost, so we are missing the music from about half an hour of that version.

It's also strange that three, very different, versions of the film should have been made within just 22 years.