Remake

Dead Ringers Jeremy Irons Lookin' Good! Rachel Weisz Remake Twins

BEST DRESSED THIS WEEK: RACHEL WEISZ

Yet ANOTHER remake? We were NOT thrilled to learn that David Cronenberg’s 1988 film Dead Ringers had been rebooted for Amazon Prime, starring Rachel Weisz. BUT this particular remake is different – because Jeremy Irons played the original leading characters, who happened to be twin obstetricians. THIS time around, the film’s leads are played by a woman- Rachel Weisz – and the film had an all-female writing team. Hence, quite a different point of view! Worth checking out – and Rachel looks sensational in New York promoting the film…

 

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / May 7, 2023
1 Comment
About Last Night Demi Moore Hailey Bieber Justin Bieber Remake Rob Lowe

CAN JUSTIN BIEBER AND HAILEY FILL SOME BIG SHOES?

Lovebirds Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin Bieber are hoping to remake the 1980’s classic, About Last Night. The movie, which catapulted Demi Moore and Rob Lowe to superstardom, revolves around their characters’ complicated relationship. Hailey introduced Justin to the movie and they decided it would be perfect for them to remake as costars. They’re even hoping to get Rob and Demi to appear, mostly likely as Hailey’s parents. Of course they’ll update the script since many of the original references and situations reflected that era – no internet or cellphones among many other things. Hailey and Justin have been dying to do a movie together, so they’ve started pitching this idea to producers.  (Will Justin finally take his hat off?)

Photo Credit: BACKGRID-USA

By Janet / January 16, 2023
2 Comments
Ansel Elgort Remake West Side Story

WOULD UPDATED VERSION OF WEST SIDE STORY BE A BLOODBATH?

The announcement today that Ansel Elgort has been cast to play Tony in Steven Spielberg’s “updated” version of West Side Story, leads to SO MANY questions! In the original West Side Story, the gangs of disaffected youth were cool but not dangerous, except for an occasional rumble. But NOW the gangs like The Latin Kings or Harlem Crips are psychopathic criminals capable of unthinkable violence! Is there any room for a sweet romance? Personally, we fell in love with slick Bernardo in the original film and haven’t lost our taste for Latinos. We never forgot him in that purple shirt and black shiny hair at the big dance. Who could play THIS key role? Any suggestions? Is this remake an awful idea?

Photo: George Chakiris as Bernardo and the Sharks

By Janet / October 1, 2018
8 Comments
East of Eden Jennifer Lawrence Remake

JENNIFER LAWRENCE TO STAR IN “EAST OF EDEN” REMAKE

east-of-eden1cut

We admit we’re very fond of Jennifer Lawrence, but we just cannot imagine her starring in the Julie Harris role in a remake of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden. A REMAKE OF EAST OF EDEN? It sounds like an awful idea. Elia Kazan’s 1955 classic movie starring James Dean was as good as it gets. And what young actor would dare take the Dean role and risk comparison to an icon? The Hollywood Reporter says the remake is already in the works and the script is being customized for Jennifer. (Above Julie and James in a scene from the movie)

By Janet / February 24, 2014
10 Comments
Anthony Michael Hall Beverly D'Angelo Chevy Chase Christina Applegate Ed Helms Vacation

WILL THE NEW “VACATION” BE TWICE AS FUNNY – OR HALF AS FUNNY AS THE ORIGINAL?

Looks like Christina Applegate will slip into Beverly D’Angelo’s shoes in the reboot of the 1980s family comedy Vacation. Ed Helms of Bachelor Party fame is signed to play the Chevy Chase “Dad” role. The reboot will be updated in that the son Rusty (originated by Anthony Michael Hall) now grown up and married, will take his wife and kids on a vacation similar to the one he remembers with his family in the 80’s. Ed Helms will play the grown up Rusty and Christina will play his restless wife. The original Vacation was written by John Hughes and directed by Harold Ramis – it will be interesting to compare the two.

By Janet / March 20, 2013
14 Comments
Arnold Schwarzenegger Colin Farrell Kate Beckinsale Movies Remake Sharon Stone Total Recall

TOTAL RECALL IS HIGHLY FORGETTABLE

#totalrecall #katebeckinsale #janetcharlton

Colin Farrell is great to look at, but the new Total Recall remake can’t hold a candle to the 1990 original. The first version featured a fascinating futuristic society with novel inventions and gimmicks galore. We remember seeing Arnold‘s character watching a flat screen TV at home and realizing we would have one someday. The new version has Colin and his wife living in a murky, dismal, wet underground slum. (So dark it might as well have been 3D) Sharon Stone was unforgettable as the traitorous wife in the original and what a SHOCK when Arnold killed her! Colin Farrell never managed to get rid of his wife Kate Beckinsale and she kept popping up to assault him over and over. (Why is it so hard to swallow skinny model types as hired killers?) We couldn’t figure out WHY Kate’s character was unkillable until we realized her husband directed the movie and enlarged her role to costar. Numbed by cartoonish stunts and violence, we could barely locate the plot. Another lame remake…

By Janet / August 5, 2012
6 Comments
Kevin Bacon Remake

KEVIN BACON DID NOT SNUB THE NEW “FOOTLOOSE”

Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

We didn’t THINK Kevin Bacon could resist seeing the remake of “Footloose.” HIS version, filmed 27 years ago, turned into a cult favorite. Often actors act like they couldn’t be less interested in seeing remakes of their original hit movies – they keep their distance. But we’re quite sure they SNEAK a look behind closed doors. Kevin Bacon wasn’t sneaky – he went to a theater and bought a ticket to see the movie and apparently loved it – he immediately tweeted congratulations to the young stars. What a nice guy – he really made the remake actors happy. (Above, Kevin and his dog are on the set of his new movie R.I.P.D.)

By Janet / October 24, 2011
11 Comments
Joan Crawford Kate Winslet Mildred Pierce Remake Todd Haynes

KATE WINSLET AS MILDRED PIERCE?

We love Kate Winslet, but Joan Crawford’s shoes are not easy to fill. The classic 1945 movie ”Mildred Pierce” is being remade into a five hour miniseries for HBO and Kate’s playing the lead. Naturally, we have reservations about remaking a close-to perfect movie. Fortunately, it will be directed by one of our favorites, Todd Haynes, who’s responsible the exquisite “Far From Heaven” with Julianne Moore. The touching moments, photography, and set decoration, in that period film are unforgettable. Haynes is really the only director we can imagine doing justice to this classic story.

By Janet / February 16, 2010
19 Comments