What older films should be remade today?

[somethingshiny]

As I was watching 2001 A Space Odyssey today, I began thinking how cool it would be if they would remake it with today''s technology. Don''t get me wrong, the original film kicks butt, but it would be so neat to update it technologically.

Some movies like Gone with the Wind, Wizard of Oz, Jaws, and any Marilyn Monroe film should be left alone, IMO. But some like Vertigo, 2001, the Godfather movies could become box office smashes if they were to be remade. Also, for my own gratification, I''d love to see old Sci-Fi films like Them remade.

Remakes I didn''t like were Psycho, Dr. Zhivago, and Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

 

[Italiahaircolor]

I really like that they have started to remake the good old (dare I say, classic) slasher/ horror films...so far I have loved everything from Texas Chainsaw Massacre the remake and beginnings, to Halloween (the Rob Zombie edition) and even the latest Friday the 13th was good! I hope they keep making them!

 

[soocool]

How about the Rocky Horror Picture Show?

 

[Selkie]

I just read "Breakfast at Tiffany''s" by Truman Capote, and wow, there''s so much in that story that they could never have gotten away with putting in the original 1961 movie. I would love to see a new adaptation of the book, with the original ending. It''s not happy, but it''s not really tragic either, just kind of ambiguous. Also, a key difference between the book and the movie is that the narrator "Fred" is not really a love interest for Holly, and is in fact implied to be gay (as was Capote). I''d love to see Audrey Tautou in the role of Holly, after seeing her in Priceless (which is, in it''s own way, a very similar story.)

 

[vespergirl]

I dunno, I would really like to see a remake of Gone With the Wind. I loved Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable, but the racism in that movie is SO Jim Crow south, that it embarrasses me to watch it. The movie portrays enslaved people as happy in bondage, which I can imagine was absolutely not how they felt. It would be nice to see a more realistic portrayal of the antebellum south.

 

[somethingshiny]

Italia~ I haven''t liked any of the slasher remakes. I think because they''re almost TOO graphic. It was scarier when you didn''t know EXACTLY EVERY move that was made. The fear you create for yourself is so much better.

soocool~ Could they make it any worse?!

Selkie~ Good call on Tiffany''s! There was a ton left out and it would be nice to see the REAL ending!

vesper~ I like the original Gone With the Wind simply because it''s a classic. I think the way they portrayed the enslaved was the director/writers decision for the effect of the film. A more realistic portrayal would in essence be a completely different movie.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 5/1/2009 3:41:28 PM
Author: vespergirl
I dunno, I would really like to see a remake of Gone With the Wind. I loved Vivian Leigh and Clark Gable, but the racism in that movie is SO Jim Crow south, that it embarrasses me to watch it. The movie portrays enslaved people as happy in bondage, which I can imagine was absolutely not how they felt. It would be nice to see a more realistic portrayal of the antebellum south.

I think a remake would be terrible. I cannot think of one actor or actress who could do it justice.

And while most slaves were not happy in bondage, the O''Hara''s treated their slaves like family. The book shows more of that than the movie. But after the war, Mammy and others stayed around by choice. Part of the story is how loyal they were all to each other. I agree that many of them could not have been happy, though. It would have been interesting and accurate for the original to have shown more of the mistreatment of slaves.

 

[Clio]

Both the book (1936) and the movie (1939) do portray slaves as happy in bondage when owned by a "benevolent," paternalistic family like the O''Haras or the Wilkes. This was the prevailing interpretation of mainstream historians at the time (most notably, Ulrich Bonner Phillips).

Fictional accounts of the past often reflect more about the time in which they were written than about the actual historical period depicted, and GWTW is no exception. There has been a tremendous amount of historical research done over the past 40+ years showing that the vast, vast majority of slaves not only hoped for freedom, but many also worked to resist their condition (the absence of a large-scale revolt similar to the Haitian revolution should not be interpreted as contentment; resistance can take many forms).

I have a love/hate relationship with GWTW. It''s a grand, romantic story played out against the backdrop of sweeping, significant historical changes, but the historian in me cringes. A movie version that was more historically accurate, though, would not really be true to the book.

 

[musey]

I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

 

[HollyS]

No remakes. If the originals were good or classic, you can''t improve on that.

If the originals were lousy films, who wants to see them again?

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.


I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.

I love Singin'' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He''d be hard to top.

 

[Miscka]

I would NOT be ok with a GWTW remake! Don''t mess with perfection!!

I know it''s not really perfect, but I love the main characters too much to care.

The slavery issue is how the book was written.

IF it was done REALLY well, I might be ok with a movie version of the newer Rhett Butler''s people.


Anywhoo....I agree, Selkie about Audrey Tatou! I just watched Priceless and did not think about it that way but you are right. Now I want to read Breakfast at Tiffanys!


Sorry Musey, but I love Beyonce! Though sometimes I am am not sure why

 

[iluvcarats]

I would love them to remake Grease and cast Adam Lambert as Danny.
That guy is so talented.

 

[SarahLovesJS]

Ooh interesting question..I think I''d like to see a remake of Gaslight..they could probably do that one pretty well.

 

[musey]

Date: 5/1/2009 5:35:45 PM
Author: Miscka

Sorry Musey, but I love Beyonce! Though sometimes I am am not sure why

I like her too, a lot actually, but not really as an actress (sorry) and absolutely NOT for Aida.

 

[musey]

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.

I love Singin'' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He''d be hard to top.

I haven''t heard anything more than rumors, but I''m secretly hoping they''ll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Yeah, there''s NO way they could top Gene Kelly if it were a remake. I think a re-imagining would work though, and I''d absolutely love to see James Marsden in the updated version of that role!

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 5/1/2009 6:31:44 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:35:45 PM
Author: Miscka

Sorry Musey, but I love Beyonce! Though sometimes I am am not sure why

I like her too, a lot actually, but not really as an actress (sorry) and absolutely NOT for Aida.

Agreed. They should cast me as Amneris.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 5/1/2009 6:33:26 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.

I love Singin'' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He''d be hard to top.

I haven''t heard anything more than rumors, but I''m secretly hoping they''ll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Yeah, there''s NO way they could top Gene Kelly if it were a remake. I think a re-imagining would work though, and I''d absolutely love to see James Marsden in the updated version of that role!

Ha ha - just saw this.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

Date: 5/1/2009 6:33:26 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM

Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM

Author: musey

I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.


I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.


I love Singin'' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He''d be hard to top.

I haven''t heard anything more than rumors, but I''m secretly hoping they''ll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Yeah, there''s NO way they could top Gene Kelly if it were a remake. I think a re-imagining would work though, and I''d absolutely love to see James Marsden in the updated version of that role!

I''m also a singer... and I''ve auditioned with "I Know the Truth" quite a few times. Working at a restaurant that was "home of the singing waiters" it was kind of my signature song. Amneris is a greaaaat role, I''ll cross my fingers for you

James Marsden would be a good choice. I loved him in Hairspray.

 

[kittybean]

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

Me too! I adore Singin'' in the Rain. It would be awesome to see it in a modern setting.

 

[OUpearlgirl]

I''d kind of like to see a creepy version of The Wizard of Oz. I would only want to see a remake of it if it were something very different.. Not just the exact same movie with different actors.

But think of how COOL it would be with modern technology.

 

[musey]

Date: 5/1/2009 6:46:04 PM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 5/1/2009 6:33:26 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I'd personally love a good remake of Singin' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I'd rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I'm generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.
I love Singin' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He'd be hard to top.

I haven't heard anything more than rumors, but I'm secretly hoping they'll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Ha ha - just saw this.

Date: 5/1/2009 6:47:41 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 6:33:26 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I'd personally love a good remake of Singin' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I'd rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I'm generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.

I love Singin' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He'd be hard to top.

I haven't heard anything more than rumors, but I'm secretly hoping they'll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Yeah, there's NO way they could top Gene Kelly if it were a remake. I think a re-imagining would work though, and I'd absolutely love to see James Marsden in the updated version of that role!

I'm also a singer... and I've auditioned with 'I Know the Truth' quite a few times. Working at a restaurant that was 'home of the singing waiters' it was kind of my signature song. Amneris is a greaaaat role, I'll cross my fingers for you

James Marsden would be a good choice. I loved him in Hairspray.

 

[LAJennifer]

Date: 5/1/2009 6:56:08 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 6:46:04 PM
Author: LAJennifer

Date: 5/1/2009 6:33:26 PM
Author: musey

Date: 5/1/2009 5:20:46 PM
Author: OUpeargirl

Date: 5/1/2009 4:50:13 PM
Author: musey
I''d personally love a good remake of Singin'' in the Rain. Though more a re-imagining of the film than a remake... I''d rather see it modernized, including new arrangements for the music and a modern setting.

I''m generally more excited/concerned about musical adaptations. I literally cannot wait for Aida, but if the rumors about Beyonce starring are true, I am going to be very disappointed.

They are making a movie of Aida??? YAY! One of my favorite shows. Beyonce would totally kill it, though. She is not the right woman for that role at all.
I love Singin'' in the Rain. It would be kind of cool to see a remake, although I am a huge fan of Gene Kelly. He''d be hard to top.

I haven''t heard anything more than rumors, but I''m secretly hoping they''ll wait 5-10 years so I can be Amneris

Ha ha - just saw this.

We''ll have to go see it together!

 

[soocool]

Date: 5/1/2009 5:41:18 PM
Author: iluvcarats
I would love them to remake Grease and cast Adam Lambert as Danny.
That guy is so talented.

Has anyone seen Bye Bye Birdie with Ann Margaret? I think Adam looks like the guy who plays Conrad.

 

[soocool]

I think I heard that they are remaking Footloose and they are thinking of Hayden Pannetiere (? is that how she spells her name) or Julienne from Dancing with the stars to be in it.

 

[somethingshiny]

Musey~ Singin'' In the Rain could be wonderful! I''d love to see new arrangements, but I''d want the sweetness kept. Beyonce for Aida, cannot fathom a worse choice for that role. I would prefer a no-name actress/singer.

iluv~ The horror!!! Why Adam Lambert??? I get the creeps off him--BIG TIME! I''m not really a Travolta fan, but I cannot imagine anyone doing Danny justice.

Sarah~ Gaslight could be really good, too. I''d love to see it when the people''s heads, arms, background don''t keep changing positions. The continuity is terrible! However, I adore Angela Lansbury. I think that would be a hard role to cast.

soocool~ Footloose? Why? I mean the movie was good and all, but not much to really change/update.

 

[purselover]

Date: 5/1/2009 3:28:12 PM
Author: Selkie
I just read ''Breakfast at Tiffany''s'' by Truman Capote, and wow, there''s so much in that story that they could never have gotten away with putting in the original 1961 movie. I would love to see a new adaptation of the book, with the original ending. It''s not happy, but it''s not really tragic either, just kind of ambiguous. Also, a key difference between the book and the movie is that the narrator ''Fred'' is not really a love interest for Holly, and is in fact implied to be gay (as was Capote). I''d love to see Audrey Tautou in the role of Holly, after seeing her in Priceless (which is, in it''s own way, a very similar story.)

I was thinking of Breakfast at Tiffany''s as well although I have not read the book, I think I have to now I''m curious to see the differences

 

[iluvcarats]

Date: 5/1/2009 8:07:46 PM
Author: somethingshiny
Musey~ Singin' In the Rain could be wonderful! I'd love to see new arrangements, but I'd want the sweetness kept. Beyonce for Aida, cannot fathom a worse choice for that role. I would prefer a no-name actress/singer.


iluv~ The horror!!! Why Adam Lambert??? I get the creeps off him--BIG TIME! I'm not really a Travolta fan, but I cannot imagine anyone doing Danny justice.


Sarah~ Gaslight could be really good, too. I'd love to see it when the people's heads, arms, background don't keep changing positions. The continuity is terrible! However, I adore Angela Lansbury. I think that would be a hard role to cast.


soocool~ Footloose? Why? I mean the movie was good and all, but not much to really change/update.

LOL SS! I hope I didn't give you nightmares!
When I was watching him on Idol I thought he would be great as Danny on Broadway.
I agree with you. I love JT in his younger days, and it would be hard to do that role justice.
Adam is a little creepy, but man o man can he sing!

 

[Selkie]

Date: 5/1/2009 8:41:04 PM
Author: purselover

Date: 5/1/2009 3:28:12 PM

Author: Selkie

I just read ''Breakfast at Tiffany''s'' by Truman Capote, and wow, there''s so much in that story that they could never have gotten away with putting in the original 1961 movie. I would love to see a new adaptation of the book, with the original ending. It''s not happy, but it''s not really tragic either, just kind of ambiguous. Also, a key difference between the book and the movie is that the narrator ''Fred'' is not really a love interest for Holly, and is in fact implied to be gay (as was Capote). I''d love to see Audrey Tautou in the role of Holly, after seeing her in Priceless (which is, in it''s own way, a very similar story.)

I was thinking of Breakfast at Tiffany''s as well although I have not read the book, I think I have to now I''m curious to see the differences

It was SO good, and had such a modern feel to it in some ways that I kept being stunned that it was written in the 50''s and set in the 40''s. I''ve only seen the movie once, actually, and really enjoyed it too, but it had such a different tone from the book. Apparently, Capote based Holly on Marilyn Monroe, and strongly objected to the casting of Hepburn as Holly!

 

[AGBF]

Date: 5/1/2009 4:52:32 PM
Author: HollyS

No remakes. If the originals were good or classic, you can't improve on that.

If the originals were lousy films, who wants to see them again?

Holly,

I agree with you if we are looking at this simply from the standpoint of remaking movies (which we have been in this thread). However, what if we look at it from the point of view of remaking movies of novels? I know that sometimes I have seen movies made of famous novels that have not done those novels justice, and the novels have stood the test of time, been worthy of praise in their own right. Are those novels not worth being made into films? Good films? Shouldn't someone else be able to make the attempt if one filmmaker failed to do justice to a novel?

I'm just playing devil's advocate here .

AGBF