2006's WHEN A STRANGER CALLS |
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Remakes seem to be in an abundance lately from the Hollywood system. Rather then come up with a groundbreaking, unique, and interesting concept, why not just borrow someone else's? The price of originality is at an all-time high and each month has at least 3 remakes to be made. Even TV shows have been used from the 60's and 70's to be turned into full length major motion pictures. If you can't borrow from Hollywood, why not just look through old TV Guides and throw darts and hope you get a winner?
My only hope is that one day they make two of my favorite TV shows ALF and DAWSON'S CREEK into motion pictures. Hey, a guy can dream can't he?
Why has Hollywood resorted to rehashing old ideas you might ask?
The Hollywood system has changed a lot from the early days to today. Films used to get time to grow, be spread around, and find their audience. Now the whole fate of your film is usually decided by week 1. If you bomb week 1, chances are you will be forgotten about and pass with time. There is exceptions like CRASH and MILLION DOLLAR BABY, which grew from word of mouth and Oscar buzz. But those are rare exceptions.
A remake is a cheap way to make a dollar. Curiosity value will gain you a decent sized audience to see how it compares to the old film. You already have a built in audience. Considering you are remaking a well known film. If you aren't, why bother remaking it in the 
2006's THE OMEN |
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first place? Nobody wants to see a remake of a film nobody saw and nobody heard of.
A lot of the remakes are made just for a quick buck with no intention of being good. This causes a lot of people to be bitter towards remakes. They hate the ideas of remakes and they feel it's an insult to them, and their intelligence. How dare they try to ruin their vision of a classic film they loved? The old saying is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
The bad part about this, is that a lot of GOOD remakes get a bad rep and hated before they are given a chance, due to the bad remakes. People even hear the word "remake", and they are groaning and writing it off.
I recently checked out the remake of THE OMEN, and I loved it. I thought it was faithful to the original, while having it's own voice of gorgeous art direction and kick ass kills. Was it as good as the original? If you ask me, it's better. This one played it serious and focused on what the film is really about. Characters, plot, and the story. Which is effective, scary, and creepy enough as it is. I consider it one of the better films of this early year.
I apparently was alone in love for THE OMEN, as the bad reviews and comments kept pouring in.
A little advice: Leave behind your thoughts and notions of the original. Walk in with an open mind as if you had never seen the original and this is its own film. Don't compare since it's 
MIDNIGHT COWBOY |
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not fair to the remake. The original has its place and its purpose. Let the remake do its own thing and stand on its own feet. It's like comparing all of your future girlfriends with your ex. It's not fair to them. They are not her. Neither is this film trying to replace the original.
What it is, is simply paying homage and tribute to the original, while giving their own twist to it. THE OMEN remake is done slickly and is very well made. Plus, you have to take into consideration that not everyone has seen the original. I know if I had not seen it, I would want to go out and check out the original. It brings new life to the original, and a whole new audience. It gets newer movie fans to check out older movies.
If you had to me ask me at the end of the day if I like remakes, I would give a "No."
I would much rather see original ideas done by original people. But I can appreciate a well made remake that honors, respects, and brings to life an old classic, while doing their own thing. I like the thought of someone like Quentin Tarantino getting his hands on an old Scorsese film and giving his own brand of QT on it. Imagine someone like Ang Lee remaking MIDNIGHT COWBOY? How about Michael Mann remaking DOG DAY AFTERNOON? These kind of ideas if in the right hands can make a remake pretty enjoyable.
Next time you hear the word "remake", go in with an open mind. You just might be surprised.
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Expect the unexpected from Tony as he'll give you his columns on the way movies used to be, the way movies are, and the way they should be.
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| Tony Farinella |
Tony is an Oak Lawn, IL based film reviewer and columnist looking to have fun and share his unique views on film with everyone. Tony also has an unhealthy obsession with Vanessa Lengies, but that is neither here nor there.
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