The death of originality: Remakes

[TheSaintofKillers]

I'm sure i'm not the only here who grew up on Hollywood. I'm sure i'm not the only one who loves them. Like them or hate them, Hollywood's been the leader in the movie industry primaly because of their box-offices.

Industries and filmmakers all around the world aspire to either beat them, or take inspiration from them. Even most of the cinema snobs who will say they hate Hollywood will have grown on them (and they will secretely cherish at least hundreds of their movies, without a doubt).

Remakes are nothing new. We've seen them before. From Werner Herzog's brilliant remake of german's Nosferatu in 1976, to the terrific new adaptation of the Thing by John Carpenter in the early 80's.

But, while they happened, they were the exceptions. Most filmmakers, from Hollywood to Hong Kong to France's industry, prefered finding their ideas elsewhere then in their fellows' films. From books to painting to comic books to fables to real life stories, inspirations was everywhere, and made films something that could take it's ideas from so many variables it was an outstanding one.

But recently, it seems as if films have become a better inspiration for Hollywood. While the adaptation of a book was something to look foward (because it was never filmed before), the adaptation of another movie isn't as exciting (since we've already seen what the medium can offer).

That's the biggest problem with adapting another movie. Few times will a filmmaker really be able to bring something new. Of course, in the thousands units of a trend, there will be exception (Carpenter really brought horror to a new level with his remake of The thing), but they are usually few and far.

Hollywood were leaders of both ideas and box-office. But if you look at the last two years, most of what you will see will be remakes. Or you will find later on they were indeed remakes. And not just in the big blockbusters, but also in the hands of the most talented Hollywood filmmakers.

From Peter Jackson's King Kong, to Polanski's Oliver Twist, to Steven Spielberg's War of the worlds, to Scorsese's The departed to Burton's Chocolate factory. What most people would consider the bests of the best in contemporary Hollywood are following this same trend.

These movies aren't bad, mind you. They all take their ideas from great movies, and are done by masters. But that is the problem here. Spielberg should be making THE sci-fi movie that brings the genre to a new level, not rehash the same story we love.

Peter Jackson should have seen King Kong, and said to himself: "wow, I just HAVE to make my own version of a giant monster movie. It is time I make this genre alive again, and if I take inspiration from the greatest of them, I can do it".

Instead, he did the same thing all over again. Sigh. Same with Scorsese. Infernal affairs has been praise all around the world in the last 4 years for bringing something new and original for once to the crime/cop movie genre. Finally a movie that does that!

Then Scorsese sees it. Does he say: "wow, I just have to beat those filmmakers and make the damn best cop movie there is" ?

Sadly, no. He instead remake it, take their ideas, and bring nothing new to the genre. Why not make a new movie ? Something we haven't seen ? Why not blow the filmmakers of IA's minds by making something else, and better ?

And it's happening in every genre right now in Hollywood. (horror having the worst backlash right now).

Hollywood is dying as an original leader. And yet it still does money. They aren't learning.

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

originality is'nt dead. Its jjust that studios just don't want to take risks anymore.


if a director wanted to make a movie about a killer shark feeding off beach goers, probably would'nt happened.

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

originality is'nt dead. Its jjust that studios just don't want to take risks anymore.


if a director wanted to make a movie about a killer shark feeding off beach goers, probably would'nt happened.

Then it goes back to the same thing.

 

[November Rain]

i ask you if you enjoy your cinematic viewing to try and watch more foreign films

and also notice that as a viewer, you ultimately have the power to control the type of film that comes out.

re-makes are easy, the reason people watch it is to see another person's take on the idea.

the same reason why the majority of us watch superhero movies, to see how the original piece is worked into another medium form in another time. Curiosity of other people's creativity plus ultimately knowing what you are going to get from a product.

generally nowadays except for superhero films, i tend to want to know as little about a film as possible before going in to watch it and seeing what i make of it.

accompanied with watching films from around the globe, i assure you that going to the cinema will soon become a more pleasurable experience, especially when you start dropping the names of all these sophisticated films no one has really heard of.

try it, decent experience.

 

[Wilhelm-Scream]

I think instead of composing my own posts, I'm going to start re-making and/or "re-imagining" other people's posts.

I'll start with post #3 by SaintOfKillers (above).

*slick jump-cut washed out silver nitrate opening credits like on "Se7en" with some industrial music*......Then it *hot, fresh new teen starlet* goes*CGI* back to the same thing.

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

i ask you if you enjoy your cinematic viewing to try and watch more foreign films

and also notice that as a viewer, you ultimately have the power to control the type of film that comes out.

re-makes are easy, the reason people watch it is to see another person's take on the idea.

the same reason why the majority of us watch superhero movies, to see how the original piece is worked into another medium form in another time. Curiosity of other people's creativity plus ultimately knowing what you are going to get from a product.

generally nowadays except for superhero films, i tend to want to know as little about a film as possible before going in to watch it and seeing what i make of it.

accompanied with watching films from around the globe, i assure you that going to the cinema will soon become a more pleasurable experience, especially when you start dropping the names of all these sophisticated films no one has really heard of.

try it, decent experience.

Oh, don't worry about me on that front. I've been watching "foreign films" (hell, i'm from Canada, so ultimately foreign to Hollywood ) since forever.

The most fun I have is seeing a movie I know nearly nothing about. For exemple, unlike Peter Jackson, Joon-ho Bong (the korean director of the great Memories of murder) just released a giant monster movie, that was acclaimed at Cannes and is receiving huge praise all around the world since it's release this summer (of course an american remake has been secure, heh). The movie's name (which you might have heard of) is Gwoemul (the Host).

What do I know about that movie ? Nearly nothing, and just like a lot of asian movies, i'm sure it's pack with originality. Viewing it (when it will come out on dvd in Korea, so that I can import it of course ) will probably be a very pleasant and surprising 2 hours.

So, I wouldn't say going to the cinema will be a better experience. I'd say staying home and watching new foreign and original movies is the way to go.(because yes, I can choose. If Hong Kong falls as an industry, and let's say, Germany rises, I can switch easily)

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

I think instead of composing my own posts, I'm going to start re-making and/or "re-imagining" other people's posts.

I'll start with post #3 by SaintOfKillers (above).

*slick jump-cut washed out silver nitrate opening credits like on "Se7en" with some industrial music*......Then it *hot, fresh new teen starlet* goes*CGI* back to the same thing.

? I'll admit I don't follow you.

edit: forget it, just got it. I'm slow this morning.

 

[November Rain]

don't you have any cinemas near you that showcase independant films?

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

don't you have any cinemas near you that showcase independant films?

Very few here in Montreal. One of the only one we had (that showed movies from Sophie Scholl to Kung Fu hustle to Oldboy last year) was closed because of lack of popularity. It is the big Hollywood showing theatres that bring the money, unfortunately.

I'm ashamed of my fellow montrealers.

 

[November Rain]

I've got a nice one near me in sheffield in the United Kingdom, it even offers discounts to students...very nice and trendy, perfect venue for a 5th/6th date.

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

I've got a nice one near me in sheffield in the United Kingdom, it even offers discounts to students...very nice and trendy, perfect venue for a 5th/6th date.

The England threats cinema in a better way. Here, we get the big ones like Tony Jaa's the protector. Maybe Jet Li's Fearless. But aside from these kinds (and aside from movies from France, which we at least receive), importation in theatres isn't very popular.

I do miss small theatres that did that, thought.

 

[November Rain]

what about film festivals, are there any held anywhere around you?

fearless was pretty mainstream here, protector isn't out yet

you should try some european stuff if you can, even bollywood, you might be pleasantly surprised

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

what about film festivals, are there any held anywhere around you?

fearless was pretty mainstream here, protector isn't out yet

you should try some european stuff if you can, even bollywood, you might be pleasantly surprised

Oh, there are GREAT festivals here. That's how I survive.

 

[PLAS]

I'm rarely interested in remakes

 

[supzfan]

Remnakes are as old as Hollywood itself. From the Silents thru today, many movies have been re-made. Look at the Horror genre alone. Silent versions of "Frankenstein", "Dracula", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (probably the most re-made movie), as well as "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame'. Other notable re-makes include at least 3 versions of "Mutiny On The Bounty", several of "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Glass Key", DeMille re-making his own "Ten Commandments" and the list goes on and on. Here's a trivia question for you guys. Name three actors who re-made their own movies. One is still alive.

 

[TheSaintofKillers]

Remnakes are as old as Hollywood itself. From the Silents thru today, many movies have been re-made. Look at the Horror genre alone. Silent versions of "Frankenstein", "Dracula", "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" (probably the most re-made movie), as well as "The Hunchback Of Notre Dame'. Other notable re-makes include at least 3 versions of "Mutiny On The Bounty", several of "The Maltese Falcon" and "The Glass Key", DeMille re-making his own "Ten Commandments" and the list goes on and on. Here's a trivia question for you guys. Name three actors who re-made their own movies. One is still alive.

Yes, i've already stated remakes were nothing new. My problem was with the amounts we are seeing nowadays.

As for the actor, no idea. Maybe someone else knows ?

 

[Hunter Rider]

I think with remakes it depends on what is being remade
If it's an old sci fi or monster movie i think those are often great ideas that have acting that is now seen as hokey and SFX that looks fake so retelling them with SFX that can really bring the idea and world to life for a new generation i don't see a problem
Same with Foreign movies remade,there are a lot of ppl that don't like watching movie in another language with subtitles,so why not take a good story and remake it in a language that is spoken in the biggest movie market in the world for new film fans to enjoy ?

The ones i don't see the point in remaking are US thrillers where it's the acting and plot that drive the film as you can;t improve on that and also Horror movies although the recent remake of the hills have eyes smoked the original

 

[Lord Valumart]

Name three actors who re-made their own movies. One is still alive.

Burt Reynolds is one, and by my guessing the other two are the dead ones?

 

[cookiva]

The past 3 films i have loved are ones that started in limited release. Science of Sleep, Half Nelson, and Little Miss Sunshine. Go see smaller films or foreign films before you say that originality is dead.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

originality is'nt dead. Its jjust that studios just don't want to take risks anymore.

Exactly right.

The guys in Hollywood who decide which movies get made are not the ones who come up with the ideas.

 

[OtepApe]

The one thing that pisses me off.

There are some fantastic foreign films around the place, yet there are american versions being made of them (usually nowhere near as good as the original), why not just watch the bloody original in the first place.

Look at The Grudge, that was done with pretty much the same crew as the original, same loacations etc. Only SMG was cast in the lead role instead. I see no point to this.

The Departed for instance. I have not seen it yet, but have heard good things. I heard it's an excellent movie, the thing is, Infernal Affairs is an excellent movie. I just think people should be watching the originals instead of Hollywood push their style of movies into concepts that don't need it.

 

[mister Lennon]

I think that some people are mistaken remakes with adaptations. One thing is several adaptations from one novel, comic, whatever( dracula, frankenstein, etc), another different one is the remake of a movie without any previous base( king kong, omen, etc). One of the problems of that is the majority of the people who goes to cinema today are very young people. And those people or the most part of them only watch movies after 1990 or 1980( being generous), and more people on industry make all those remakes as a way to bring the classsics to the new generations, what i think is pretty stupid and it kills the cinema totally.

 

[chosen1]

Transformers director needs to read this post.

 

[Substance D]

I'm sure i'm not the only here who grew up on Hollywood. I'm sure i'm not the only one who loves them. Like them or hate them, Hollywood's been the leader in the movie industry primaly because of their box-offices.

Industries and filmmakers all around the world aspire to either beat them, or take inspiration from them. Even most of the cinema snobs who will say they hate Hollywood will have grown on them (and they will secretely cherish at least hundreds of their movies, without a doubt).

Remakes are nothing new. We've seen them before. From Werner Herzog's brilliant remake of german's Nosferatu in 1976, to the terrific new adaptation of the Thing by John Carpenter in the early 80's.

But, while they happened, they were the exceptions. Most filmmakers, from Hollywood to Hong Kong to France's industry, prefered finding their ideas elsewhere then in their fellows' films. From books to painting to comic books to fables to real life stories, inspirations was everywhere, and made films something that could take it's ideas from so many variables it was an outstanding one.

But recently, it seems as if films have become a better inspiration for Hollywood. While the adaptation of a book was something to look foward (because it was never filmed before), the adaptation of another movie isn't as exciting (since we've already seen what the medium can offer).

That's the biggest problem with adapting another movie. Few times will a filmmaker really be able to bring something new. Of course, in the thousands units of a trend, there will be exception (Carpenter really brought horror to a new level with his remake of The thing), but they are usually few and far.

Hollywood were leaders of both ideas and box-office. But if you look at the last two years, most of what you will see will be remakes. Or you will find later on they were indeed remakes. And not just in the big blockbusters, but also in the hands of the most talented Hollywood filmmakers.

From Peter Jackson's King Kong, to Polanski's Oliver Twist, to Steven Spielberg's War of the worlds, to Scorsese's The departed to Burton's Chocolate factory. What most people would consider the bests of the best in contemporary Hollywood are following this same trend.

These movies aren't bad, mind you. They all take their ideas from great movies, and are done by masters. But that is the problem here. Spielberg should be making THE sci-fi movie that brings the genre to a new level, not rehash the same story we love.

Peter Jackson should have seen King Kong, and said to himself: "wow, I just HAVE to make my own version of a giant monster movie. It is time I make this genre alive again, and if I take inspiration from the greatest of them, I can do it".

Instead, he did the same thing all over again. Sigh. Same with Scorsese. Infernal affairs has been praise all around the world in the last 4 years for bringing something new and original for once to the crime/cop movie genre. Finally a movie that does that!

Then Scorsese sees it. Does he say: "wow, I just have to beat those filmmakers and make the damn best cop movie there is" ?

Sadly, no. He instead remake it, take their ideas, and bring nothing new to the genre. Why not make a new movie ? Something we haven't seen ? Why not blow the filmmakers of IA's minds by making something else, and better ?

And it's happening in every genre right now in Hollywood. (horror having the worst backlash right now).

Hollywood is dying as an original leader. And yet it still does money. They aren't learning.

are you really that ******ed? jackson did lotr. it was original. you know, with the awesome special effects, taking fantasy seriously, the epic battle sequences. that **** was unseen before then. sure, he remade king kong, but that was after he left a giant impact with lotr.

and speilburg? i guess you don't remember raiders of the lost ark, close encounters, ET, schindler's list, saving private ryan, jurassic park. how could forget jurassic park? are you telling me he wasn't being groundbreaking or original with that?

and scorsese, a man responsible for some of the greatest films ever made, and you're telling us he's never done anything original?

dude, those guys all made lasting impressions because they were so groundbreaking and original. speilburg made dozens of awesome, original movies. so has scorcese. who the **** cares if they make ONE remake??? seriously, quit being so dramatic. speilburg ****s out great films like minority report, munich and you throw a fit because he remade war of the worlds??? ****, he even gave it an original twist, chose to show it from another perspective.

 

[Fenrir]

I'm sure i'm not the only here who grew up on Hollywood. I'm sure i'm not the only one who loves them. Like them or hate them, Hollywood's been the leader in the movie industry primaly because of their box-offices.

Industries and filmmakers all around the world aspire to either beat them, or take inspiration from them. Even most of the cinema snobs who will say they hate Hollywood will have grown on them (and they will secretely cherish at least hundreds of their movies, without a doubt).

Remakes are nothing new. We've seen them before. From Werner Herzog's brilliant remake of german's Nosferatu in 1976, to the terrific new adaptation of the Thing by John Carpenter in the early 80's.

But, while they happened, they were the exceptions. Most filmmakers, from Hollywood to Hong Kong to France's industry, prefered finding their ideas elsewhere then in their fellows' films. From books to painting to comic books to fables to real life stories, inspirations was everywhere, and made films something that could take it's ideas from so many variables it was an outstanding one.

But recently, it seems as if films have become a better inspiration for Hollywood. While the adaptation of a book was something to look foward (because it was never filmed before), the adaptation of another movie isn't as exciting (since we've already seen what the medium can offer).

That's the biggest problem with adapting another movie. Few times will a filmmaker really be able to bring something new. Of course, in the thousands units of a trend, there will be exception (Carpenter really brought horror to a new level with his remake of The thing), but they are usually few and far.

Hollywood were leaders of both ideas and box-office. But if you look at the last two years, most of what you will see will be remakes. Or you will find later on they were indeed remakes. And not just in the big blockbusters, but also in the hands of the most talented Hollywood filmmakers.

From Peter Jackson's King Kong, to Polanski's Oliver Twist, to Steven Spielberg's War of the worlds, to Scorsese's The departed to Burton's Chocolate factory. What most people would consider the bests of the best in contemporary Hollywood are following this same trend.

These movies aren't bad, mind you. They all take their ideas from great movies, and are done by masters. But that is the problem here. Spielberg should be making THE sci-fi movie that brings the genre to a new level, not rehash the same story we love.

Peter Jackson should have seen King Kong, and said to himself: "wow, I just HAVE to make my own version of a giant monster movie. It is time I make this genre alive again, and if I take inspiration from the greatest of them, I can do it".

Instead, he did the same thing all over again. Sigh. Same with Scorsese. Infernal affairs has been praise all around the world in the last 4 years for bringing something new and original for once to the crime/cop movie genre. Finally a movie that does that!

Then Scorsese sees it. Does he say: "wow, I just have to beat those filmmakers and make the damn best cop movie there is" ?

Sadly, no. He instead remake it, take their ideas, and bring nothing new to the genre. Why not make a new movie ? Something we haven't seen ? Why not blow the filmmakers of IA's minds by making something else, and better ?

And it's happening in every genre right now in Hollywood. (horror having the worst backlash right now).

Hollywood is dying as an original leader. And yet it still does money. They aren't learning.

Talk about being a crybaby. :

You're really pissed off about Scorcese remaking Internal Affairs aren't you? Even though I watched and loved the original, I am also very much interested to see a visionary filmmaker like Scorcese put his own spin on it.

"Oh, The Departed is twice as long as Infernal Affairs and isn't as good" you say? Watch the bloody film first. There, that sounds like a pretty good idea doesn't it?

I am all for any kind of film - adaptation, original, remake, whatever....as long as it is done well. I had a blast watching the Ocean's 11 remake, King Kong as well as the superb performances in Nolan's Insomnia. If it weren't for these great remakes, I would have never been exposed to the classic originals either.

And I simply can't stand condescending film snobs like you who start throwing a hissy fit just because someone took their favorite foreign film and made it so well that it might have surpassed the original in some way or another.

Putting down revolutionary filmmakers like Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorcese are you? Say it ain't another shameless attribute of some hard-nosed foreign film critic who thinks his taste is so much better than everyone else. These are guys have already proved their mettle in the arena of cinema:

Peter Jackson helmed what was quite possibly the grandest, most ambitious and complex project ever undertaken by a filmmaker.

Steven Spielberg, despite his fondness for working with adapted material, has shown to be one of the most versatile and proficient directors of all time, with classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark, Schindler's List and Munich under his belt.

Martin Scorcese? Yeah, another director of many undisputed classics like Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Taxi Driver is suddenly not worth half his stock just because he made a remake of another movie, eh?

Pompous and haughty wannabe critics lashing out at Hollywood even if they do something good for once, because you know, it's just such a hip'n trendy thing to do right now.