Remakes Everywhere Part 3

I'll get to the point:  part 3 of my remakes everywhere thoughts.  We continue...

50 Upcoming Remakes


Also, here is a refresher on my abbreviations:
NN - Not Needed
NS - Never Saw the original
NP - Make it Now Please


14. Judge Dredd - NP/NN  I love the original.  One of those early to mid 90s fun, silly action movies.  Recently have I heard that it was A) Based on a comic and B)Not done very well.  As to weather or not it needs to be remade?  Sure, why not.  If it really deviated from the original, then give it another go.  But there are plenty of other comic properties that could be made.  I'm looking at you Wade Wilson aka Deadpool.


15.Overboard - NS


16. Porky's - NS  With the return of the 'R' rated comedies, I could see this series beginning anew.


17. Short Circuit - NS  But I thought they already re-made this, animated it and called it Wally.


18. The Warriors - NS  I think this could work as a remake.  Having never seen the original I can't say for certain if  a remake is different, but it could would be interesting.


19. The Blob - NS/NN  I've never seen the original but this is one of those that I think works better with the FX of the day.


20. All Quiet On The Western Front NS/NP  I am tired of WWII and Vietnam movies/games.  There are other periods of history that need exploring, and none more important that WWI.  I say get a certain 'Saving Private Ryan' director to direct and you've got a hella movie right there.  Daniel Radcliff starring though?  That could be the hitch.


21. Barbarella - NS


22. The Black Hole - NS


23. Mad Max - NN ( I think )  I'm very meh about this.  Having watched all three, they are not really all that great.  For what they are, they are great, but I think that depends on your opinion of Mel Gibson.   Low budget, post apocalyptic fare is fine.  But remakes?  I don't know, I think the jury will be out on this one for a bit.


24. Westworld - NS/NN  I say not needed just based on the description from the website (despite the fact that Chrichton had a hand in the original) it just sounds not interesting.


25. The Never Ending Story - NS  But really, could it be called The Never Ending Story and not have more movies being made?

'Professional' quality my ass

Ok....


Very quick rant here.  I was very fired up about this, but have since cooled off and want to offer some insight and suggestions to Mohegan Sun Arena.


On the 15th of October, I went to see Alice Cooper and Rob Zombie at the Mohegan Sun Arena.  I have a Canon EOS XS Digital Rebel.  Detachable lens?  Yes.  Professional?  Perhaps...


See, just because I have the fancy camera does not mean I am going to take shots of any decent quality.  I had a short lens (18mm-55mm), seats in the upper level, and the lighting issues that you always have at a concert.  So really, the pics would have sucked.


I have two issues:


1.  For twenty minutes prior to going into the venue itself, their security stared at me with the camera around my neck.  At one point I even went up to them to ask about the camera, but after staring at me, and not engaging me in conversation I thought I was in the clear


2. Their policy.  Here are the two pursuant parts of their policy:
               Prohibited:
                              Professional quality camera equipment


                 Cameras in general:
                              

                       Cameras - As a house rule, disposable cameras are permitted, but may be prohibited based on the request of the performing artist and their management. Call in advance to find out what the camera policy will be during the event. Video and audio recording equipment are prohibited in the Arena at all times.

Where oh where does it specify that a detachable lens constitutes professional?  I saw plenty of camera equipped cell phones taking pictures of the same or similar quality!!  Oh, and BTW Mohegan Sun, did you know many phones can now take video?  That means all cell phones should be checked and and placed in coat check (which is not for coats BTW, but professional cameras and bulky items).  I'm just saying.

So instead of an AWESOME shot of Mr. Cooper playing (Zombie seemed to phone his performance it) all I have to show for it are these:

Remakes Everywhere Part 2

Ladies and Gentlemen!  Children of Internet browsing ages.... ( actually, leave the children at home )  I bring you part two of my thoughts on the list of 50 Movies Being Remade.  Here's the link, should you need it again.

50 Upcoming Remakes


Also, here is a refresher on my abbreviations:
NN - Not Needed
NS - Never Saw the original
NP - Make it Now Please

Dear readers, we now join this list already in progress (Its like watching 60 Minutes when there's Sunday afternoon football)
14. Creature From The Black Lagoon - NS.  This COULD be interesting.  The remade Wolfman was not bad, but not good.  I'll probably watch this, but probably not the original.

15. The Crow - NS.  I sense a great disturbance in the Force should this be remade.  I've know people who loved this film, and almost none who hated it.  Never having seen it, I do know that this is one of those massively popular films.  I sense great upheaval should this be remade badly.

16. Death Note - NS.  Its a Japanese horror film.  Which means millions will watch it and hundreds and thousands will hate it because its noting like the original.  (I'm looking at you Ringo, Ring, Creepy kid crawling out of the TV, whatever the hell its called (NS that one either))

17. Death Wish - NS/NN/SP.  Kinda torn on this one.  Can't offer any opinions on the original, cause I've never seen it.  But I've heard its a classic.  Not needed in that Sly Stallone is attached, and seems a bit too old for the part.  Now please in that Sly Stallone is attached, and he can whup some ass.

18. The Howling - NS.

I'm gonna leave this one short.  Number 19 is Judge Dredd, and I sense an even greater disturbance in the Force on this one.  Master Yoda recommends I proceed with caution.

That, and Leanda made pie!

EDIT:  Came across this from Ain't It Cool News, fits in with number 14.
What could this be?

Remakes Everywhere Part 1

50 Upcoming Movie Remakes

Greetings denizens of the interwebs.  Tis I your favorite unknown blogger here to share some thoughts on the above linked list of 50 movies that are going to be remade.  Its a big list, so I'm going to break my thoughts into several parts.  This first part covers the first 13 movies on the list.

First some thoughts on remakes.

I don't mind them.  Really, I don't.  I think if the original failed in some way, or could benefit from the current movie tech, then by all means remake a movie.  But, don't let the remake be worse than the original....then you've just wasted my time.

Key:

NN - Not Needed
NS - Never Saw the original
NP - Make it Now Please

1. Red Dawn - NN.  This movie is barely a classic.  Do I own it? Yes.  Do I enjoy it? Yes.  But I don't think it needs to be remade.
2. The Tourist - NS.  Jack Sparrow is attached.  Might be nice to see him playing Johhny Depp in a film starring Johnny Depp
3. True Grit - NS.  Want to see the remake.  Want to see the original.  In that order?  Not sure.  There are alot of classic westerns that I think could do with an update.  Today's westerns tend to be grittier and more true to life that the westerns of the 50s-early 70s.  But can Jeff Bridges channel The Duke?  I think yes.
4. Footloose - NS/NN  *Sigh*  I thought they re-made it already and called it High School musical 5000, or whatever number they're up to.
5. The Thing - NS.  Not much to say here.  Probably not needed.
6. Child's Play - NN.  Really Hollywood?
7. Straw Dogs - NS.
8. Fright Night - NS.
9. The Three Musketeers - NP!!!  This is one of those source materials that can always be redone.  Dumas was so damn verbose, you can take many interpretations from his writing.  But if you are going to re-do Musketeers, lets re-do Man In The Iron Mask too.
10. Arthur - NS
11. Battle Royale - NS
12. Commando - NS/NN.  Lets leave the cheesy 80s action movies where they belong.  I don't think this will update well
13. Connan - NS/NN.  Please reference #12.

Musings on an Eater....

As I sit here watching the latest episode of the Travel Channel show Man V. Food, I can't help but to feel, well, a bit concerned that this show may be giving people the wrong idea about food.

A few disclaimers...

1. This is not coming from somebody in any kind of shape.
2. I like food.
3. I understand the point of the show is not nessecarily the food, but the people and places

Now that we have that out of the way...

My 'concerns' if you will stem from the quantity challenges. We are a nation consumed and obsessed with the idea of people being obese, not eating well and the like. Watch any episode of Man V. Food, and you will see all sorts of un-healthy, yet amazingly delicious meals......

Ok, I can't write this with a straight face. Who cares if its not the most healthy thing in the world? The host has a passion for meeting people and learning the local cuisines. In the end, he does an equal number of spice ( and I have a co-worker who completed one) and quantity challenges. Each episode is an exploration of a little corner of the country you may not get to. Or you can be like me and use the show as a source of ideas for places to eat when I travel. So screw it if he heats a 7 dish Italian dinner in one city, and a 72 oz steak in another. He has fun doing it, and I have fun watching his adventures.