I honestly think they keep doing remakes is because they really think that low of American audiences. They think we're dumb and that we won't be interested in something fresh and new. WRONG! Slumdog Millionaire wasn't a remake or sequel yet it was a huge hit. and of course, there's District 9, too.

Hollywood has a very low opinion of their audiences.

Quick Change is on that list!?!?! Preposterous!!! I love that movie. I blame distribution of that one. It wasn't released on dvd until 2006 and it came out in 1990.

I saw F/X the other day. It wasn't "bad," but I think the concept is better. Lots of potential there.

The problem that I have is there is not enough new material being produced alongside the remakes to fuel more remakes. Eventually the well will run dry. I would like to think this will fuel a new generation of film makers who only work on original material, but I am scared about the prospect of studios just remaking remakes.

I love the idea of reworking crappy movies that could haev been good....but please do not suggest we touch arachnaphobia. I love that movie even with its small problems

I think execs greenlight these remakes/sequels because then they'll have an idea of what the finished product will look like.

Personally, I think this trend just proves how un-creative execs are these days.

...but then again, people keep rewarding them by purchasing tickets so what does that say about us...

I should also add, in my opinion, I think to studios these remakes/sequels are just product updates.

Apple just released Snow Leopard. TWC just released Halloween 2.

Oddly enough, I've been planning a blog post with a similar topic. My pic for "Good concept, bad movie" that I'd remake: "I Know What You Did Last Summer." I'd make it less of a slasher movie and more of a thriller/morality play.

I did a post on this a month ago at "The Last Reveal." My thinking was that re-makes are worth considering when there are elements that warrant it, such as a significant improvement in technology, or an actor “born” to play a famous role. I cited two re-makes as succeeding or nearly so at justifying being re-made: SABRINA and THE THING. But others such as THE HAUNTING and PSYCHO are cases where the film-makers were trading on the success of the original with nothing fresh or of value to contribute.

Hollywood has been remaking movies since the golden age. The maltese Falcon was made in 1931, in 1936 as a comedy under a different title, then finally u got the classic version in 1941 with Bogart.

My problem with hollywood now is there seems to be know real creativity behind the remakes. It seems like they half ass it cuz they have that potential built in audience.

They should be taking the concept of the original film and developing something totally different but still the same. Kind of like what Depalma did with Scarface.

The story and basic plot is the same as the original. But the vibe of Depalma's movie is totally different. With the drug trade, Miami, the violence, the soundtrack, and the curse a minute script by O. Stone.

Hell u can remake the Godfather if you want. Just set it in Ancient Rome or Mid Evil times. And call it "The King" or "The Emperor". I wouldn't have a beef with that.

That's how Kurosawa and Leone would role. Cuz they knew people tell the same stories all the time. What makes those stories interesting is how u tell it.

Star Wars is basically a remake of Kurosawa's Hidden Fortress.

I think you made an excellent point with regards to the key demos of 18+ yr olds not seeing movies like Halloween as remakes because they likely have never seen the original. I have lots of younger cousins in their teens and 20's who eat up the horror and sci-fi remakes because it's new to them, looks cool or their friends hype it. It's no-brainer for them to take in a flick like Final Destination 4 or Transformers 2 because they know what they're getting and it's not something that's going to make them feel like they're trapped in an AP Enlgish class. I asked one of my cousins why they went to see FD4 and they said "3D killerings. They'll gorefest it." Okay, so maybe I should be scared of and worried for that one cousin of mine, lol."

I am not against remakes. I am DYING for a great Dune movie. It's so sad how much I want that to happen. So sad.

In all seriousness, I'm disgusted that you referred to Joe Versus the Volcano as a "bad movie, with a good concept." Like...I'm really disturbed by that comment and considering whether or not I'll ever read this blog again. When is the last time you saw that movie? Did you even seen it? Unbelievable.

Namism, the list of 'bad' movies isn't my list: It's from The Wrap columnist Michael Adams. I thought Joe Versus the Volcano was enjoyable. First directing gig for a top writer John Patrick Shanely and follow up to his Acad Award winning movie Moonstruck.

I thought about this post for hours. think this should finally - for a lot of writers - make it clear that OWA is where everyone really makes their money.

I think the challenge is to look at specs in terms of successful "oldies." I like the term "familiar but different." That's what I shoot for every time.

I mean how many "hero-types" are there? Cops, soldiers, CIA, SEAL, etc. They all have the same traits (damn those archetypes) and face the same threats.

It's like a challenge to me to get in the door. Damn that writer's strike.

I tried to think of bad movies that could be updated but I forgot every one.

I think the biggest change is that now EVERY studio is now just a department of a larger entity (GE, Universal, VIACOM, etc.) so they can't just "take chances."

It's much harder to get fired when your boss is down the hall and you eat lunch with him. But when he's in another city worrying about other subsidiaries, you become nothing special.

I'm actually considering writing movies that are NEARLY identical to something else.

@ Scott.....woops, sorry for flipping. I have a pathological soft spot for that movie. It's actually a very beautiful film.

Not culturally conservative. Environmentally progressive. Re-use, remake. Save the planet from all those wasted new ideas. Hollywood keeping it Green.