Violet at 2010-03-10 20:51:16:
Not that I'm for remaking everything, but I don't think re-making a film is necessarily because the original needs an "improvement". I think re-makes could potentially shed a different light on the same topic/idea/characters, if they're well-done. I think Alice in Wonderland, for example, could be re-made by fifteen different filmmakers and you'd end up with fifteen completely different films.
To Kill A Mockingbird was a good film, but it was still adapted from the novel, and I'd love to see another take on the novel- The film I envisioned as I was reading it was completely different than the classic film.
That said, if the people re-making or adapting aren't good enough, or don't understand or respect the original material... well, there are plenty of examples of how wrong re-makes can go.
Joshua James at 2010-03-10 20:53:24:
The Breakfast Club
Violet at 2010-03-10 20:54:15:
I would, however, pay studios/filmmakers to NOT make Catcher in the Rye. That novel does NOT ever need to be a film.
Charli at 2010-03-10 21:08:56:
i would like to see someone handle the Oz books in a faithful manner without having to add some slick spin to it. that's a version that hasn't happened.

as for Psycho, that wasn't a remake, it was a refilm. hopefully neither will ever happen/again

as for things I would say don't even think about it. I would agree with the original list. Add it to Harry Potter and Twilight. not cause they are perfect but because the current movies are plenty and the hate to a remake would probably make the Internet explode. anything John Hughes, especially a Home Alone reboot.

and I disagree about Catcher in the Rye. I am not opposed to a film version. Just so long as the right people are doing it. Someone that will be faithful to the book could do a very nice job.
Darren at 2010-03-10 21:46:34:
I haven't seen the remake of Twelve Angry Men, but that certainly didn't need a remake.
jcarends at 2010-03-10 22:32:38:
Being There
The Searchers (anything with the Duke in it, good or bad; good luck with Rooster Cogburn...)
Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid
Marathon Man
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Amadeus
American Graffiti
Nikhil at 2010-03-10 23:19:16:
@Darren. They made it here in India. It was called 'Ek Ruka Hua Faisala' (A verdict in waiting).

I'd put 'The Sound of Music' on that list too.
Daley Productions at 2010-03-11 00:30:09:
Ugh. If they want to make an OZ film... do the orginial story.
jwebb66 at 2010-03-11 02:47:52:
I also wish Hollywood would stop remaking perfectly good foreign films.. [Rec] for example
OutOfContext at 2010-03-11 04:36:17:
@Nikhil--Lots of Bollywood remakes are more fun than the Hollywood originals--I'm thinking particularly of Chachi 420/Mrs. Doubtfire and Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai/My Best Friend's Wedding.

You all know I agree with Violet, but I think what is interesting about you list, Scott, is not that the films are perfect, but they all have a distinctive imprint of an auteur director or an iconic actor/actors.
Rob Fuller at 2010-03-11 05:19:46:
I'm trying to even remember, if i have seen a remake that held up to the original, and i'm truly at a lose on that one.
Kevin Traywick at 2010-03-11 18:11:10:
Star Wars, The Big Chill and Central Station
Eve Montana at 2010-03-11 18:21:02:
West Side Story, Annie Hall, Hannah and her Sisters, All About Eve, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Caddyshack