Movie Mall

ANOTHER LIST


More from the future remake file, here's a bunch of projects that are said to be in very early development. Here's hoping they in fact develop a case of the 'what-are-we-thinking?' and end up in the too-hard basket, and taken out with the trash.




7 The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Then: First released in 1947, it was directed by Norman Z. McLeod and starred Danny Kaye as the title character, a comic book writer who likes to imagine himself as a hero getting to have all kinds of adventures, primarily to escape his overbearing mother. The film was based on a short story published in 1939.

Now: Jim Carrey was to star in a remake directed by Steven Spielberg back in 2003. Read here. But, after those two went cold on the project, Mike Myers' name has been heavily linked, though no director has been mentioned as yet. Apparently a new script has been "tailored" to suit Myers' style. Read here. So, I would hope there would at least be no singing.

I rekon: Leave it alone - at least with Myers in the role. The guy should stick with just churning out more Austin Powers and Shrek movies. They are the only things that seem to work for him, post Wayne's World.

Relive some of the original movie:






6 Footloose

Then: IMDb.com spruikes the original 1984 version as a "classic tale of teen rebellion and repression". It was serious wasn't it? I just remember that terrible Kenny Loggins theme song. The movie starred a young Kevin Bacon, who showed he could act and dance, and even both at the same time, as a city kid who moves to a small town that has banned popular music.

Now: Apparently Paramount Pictures has signed 'teen heart-throb' Zac Efron to star in a remale, which will be directed by Kenny Ortego. The pair has found amazing success collaborating on the High School Musical franchise. Read here. The word is the film will be reinvisioned as a musical. What odds John Travolta tries to weasel his way into proceedings somehow?

I reckon: Get Kevin Bacon in there as the lead again and I might watch it. He still looks young enough. But Efron ... Ortega ... well, you gotta cut loose ...

Relive some of the original movie:






5 Jesus Christ Superstar

Then: First released on the big screen in 1973, the film was itself an adapatation of the 'rock opera' from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice about the last days of Jesus. It was directed by Norm Jewison and starred Ted Neely in the title role, which was too much for his dear mother to bare, walking out on the movie during the '39 lashes' scene.

Now: While promoting his film Wanterd earlier this year, producer Marc Platt said he was working with Universal Studios to resurrect Superstar. Read here. They are obviously hoping to tread the path laid by other recent musical offerings including Hairspray, Chicago and Sweeney Todd.

I reckon: Leave it alone. There's just something odd about mixing singing and dancing with crucifying. I'm content with The Passion of the Christ - without all the damn singing and dancing. The whole concept just screams early '70s, so leave it there, buried, in a cave.

Relive some of the original movie:






4 Oh, God!

Then: First released in 1977, directed by the great Carl Reiner and starring the even greater George Burns as none other than God, a God who pesters the hell out of a grocery store clerk (played by John Denver) to get his message out to the people. It spawned two sequels, Oh, God: Book II (1980) and Oh, God! You Devil (1984).

Now: Comedian Ellen DGeneres was apparently set to play God in a 2004 remake, which would have been interesting (and I'm sure controversial).Read here. But now it looks as though only if hell freezes over. Christopher Walken would be another great option if it must go ahead, but ...

I reckon: Leave it alone. George Burns is Oh, God. Oh, God is George Burns. And besides, these types of films (Bruce Almighty, Evan Almighty) have flopped badly recently, especially the latter which was an absolute disaster.

Relive some of the original movie:







3 The Incredible Shrinking Man

Then: Based on a novel by Richard Matheson, the movie was first released in 1957 directed by Jack Arnold and starring Grant Williams as a guy who, after a day at the beach, begins to shrink and I'm not just talking about down below. He eventually reaches six inches, and again I'm not just talking down below. He's forced to live in a doll's house and battle spiders.

Now: Hollywood wants to take a more comedic approach to the story (as opposed to the original) with it being reported earlier this year Bret Ratner was to direct Eddie Murphy.Read here. Though apparently the pair is now in fact teaming up for Beverly Hills Cop 4 first. Oh, God!

I reckon: If they want a comedic approach, why Murphy? If he's not a donkey these days I don't want to know about it. Just go and rent Honey, I Shrunk the Kids instead. That includes you Eddie.

Relive some of the original movie:






2 Meatballs

Then: First released in 1979, it was Bill Murray's first major role, playing the 'wacky' Tripper Harrison, the fun-loving head counsellor at a lakeside summer camp, featuring plenty of tits and ass. It has gone on to become a cult classic, and spawned three sequels, including one with Corey Feldman, during his Michael Jackson-loving days. Watch it, see what I mean.

Now: There's been talk about a remake for a number of years - I have no idea why - although last year producer John Whitesall (who's track record is Big Momma's House 2, Malibu's Most Wanted and Deck the Halls) said he might instead make another sequel. Read here. Well, I'm sure Corey Feldman is free. Where's Jason Vorhees when you need him.

I reckon: If Murray's not interested, that's good enough for me. Though the way Matthew McConaughey is going these days he might be perfect for any new film. It might not be the beach, but there's still water in the lake, and plenty of girls ... he'd love it.

Relive some of the original movie:






1 Westworld

Then: Classic 1973 sci-fi thriller from recently-deceased writer and director Michael Crichton about a rogue robot on the loose at a fantasy theme park. Though Yul Brynner (played the said robot) never really looked like your typical gunslinger, he was pretty menacing here relentlessly pursuing one of the guests (played by Richard Benjamin). A sequel was titled Futureworld.

Now: Arnold Schwarzenegger was to appear in a remake, but has since made California his own 'Westworld'. Read here. Quentin Tarantino was apparently asked to direct also at one point, but turned it down.

I reckon: Leave it alone ... but I'm sure it will eventually get made. I've seen the name Daniel Craig mentioned as a possible Gunslinger, which wouldn't be a bad choice, and a nice breakaway from James Bond. Josh Brolin would be perfect in the Benjamin role. It would be like No Country For Old Men all over again. His dad was in the original too.

Relive some of the original movie:






Honorable mention: Labyrinth

Then: From the mind of Jim Henson, the fantasy film was first released in 1986, and, as a kid I loved it. Still got a soft spot for it. It starred Jennifer Connolly as a young girl trapped in a maze but trying to save her baby brother from the clutches of a goblin king (played by David Bowie). Like Alice in Wonderland but darker... though not as dark as Pan's Labyrinth.

Now: Actually, there's no word on a remake yet, but you can be sure it won't be long. Instead, we'll get an American version of Labyrinth, the 2003 French psychological thriller. It's about a mental patient with split personalities who holds the key to finding a serial killer. Maybe they could incorporate Henson's Labyrinth into the film. The patient could be Connolly's Sarah and the personalities Hoggle, Sir Didimous and Ludo.

I reckon: Only remake if Johnny Depp and Tim Burton drop tools on the set of the latest Alice in Wonderland adaptation and focus on Labyrinth. Depp would be great as Jareth. Otherwise, leave it alone, or any remake will end up smelling worse than the 'Bog of Eternal Stench'.

Relive some of the original movie:

What's happened to me? Everytime I go to watch a movie these days I wonder if it could be research for my next post. Even if it's a 'chick flick'!

There I was the other day settling down on the couch with my girlfriend to 'enjoy' recently released romantic comedy Because I Said So.

Of course, these things have to be done. I mean, all the crappy sci-fi action-adventure movies my girlfriend has to put up with...


Anyway, this film stars Diane Keaton as a doting old single mum who is desperate to find her youngest of three daughters, played by Mandy Moore, a nice fella.

What she does though is inadvertantly sets two young stags on the girl creating the stock-standard love triangle situation that is full of laughs, tears and rooting ... for one guy or the other, that is.

Now, the 'likable' love interest, as opposed to the guy who turns out to be an arsehole and gets kicked to the curb, is played by Gabriel Macht which really sparked my interest.

Sure, he's a good looking guy, I can admit it, and does have an undeniable presence, which augurs well for the big screen adaptation of Will Eisner's classic comic series The Spirit.

Co-starring Samuel L Jackson as the arch nemesis, Octopus, the film will be released next month and tread the path laid by the likes of 300 and Sin City in that it has been shot in front of a green background.

I had never heard of Macht before he was cast in the key part of Denny Colt, a cop who is murdered but brought back from the grave as elusive crime-fighter The Spirit.

The 36-year-old has been doing the rounds as a bit-part player in TV and film, most notably in The Good Shepherd with Matt Damon, but finally gets his leading role.

"We think Gabriel has a devilishly charming quality, and the dry wit that embodies the Spirit, and we wanted to do this with someone who can embody this character for the next few years, because we anticipate we'll be making more than one Spirit movie," said Lionsgate prexy of film production Mike Paseornek at the time of casting.


At the helm of the picture is of course Frank Miller, himself a legend of the graphic novel world as the man behind 300 and The Dark Knight Returns, but who is also directing his first feature film alone after collaborating with Robert Rodriguez for the cinema release of one of his own pieces, the aforementioned Sin City (2005).

While the film's trailers have been met with mixed reaction, I've been quite impressed and have hope The Spirit will be a highly entertaining ride and do justice to Eisner's work which originated in the 1940s.



And the performance of Macht will no doubt play a huge role in how this film, kind of a cross between The Crow and Sin City, turns out.

He's got his work cut out for him too, taking on a bevvy of seductive temptresses, including Scarlett Johansson as Silken Floss, Eva Mendes as Sand Seref, Jaime King as Lorelei Rox and more, who all cross The Spirit's path in one way or another.

Talk about a chick flick. Yeah, not that kind.

And for the record, I didn't mind Because I Said So, but don't tell anyone.

For more background on The Spirit go here GO HERE
To check out some of the cool images and posters from The Spirit film GO HERE

Continuing a look at remakes this week, Dune is set to return to the big screen in the very near future after one previous failed attempt, as well as a reasonably successful TV mini-series.

I hope Aaron Eckhart knows what he is doing. After grabbing rave reviews for his performance as Harvey 'Two-Face' Dent in this year's mega hit The Dark Knight, he will be starring in Battle: Los Angeles.

MOVIE NEWS

Johnny Depp loves to dress up these days doesn't he ... And I'm not talking nice suits and ties.

Most movie producers are creatures of habit, particularly those of the horror variety. They stick with what they know...

The Munsters appear set to finally follow their fellow freaks of 1960s television, The Addams Family, onto the big screen.

I was shocked when I first heard they were making a Monopoly movie. I was in even more shock when I heard who they would be.