"Another year, another avalanche of remakes, dodgy 3D conversions and incomprehensible M Night Shyamalan dialogue. Here's how the studios need to mend their ways.
1 Fewer sequels and remakes
This was probably included in lists of Things We Want From Hollywood In 2010. And 2009. And 2008. And it'll be included on every list like this until the Sun implodes and swallows the Earth. It's a perennial complaint for good reason."
This was my comment posted in response.
1. Sequels, remakes and adaptations
Not necessarily bad:
Star Wars (4, 5 and 6). Toy Story 3 closes off 1 and 2; LOTR (see also commendable adaptations); forgive me, there must be at least 7 HP
Good remakes: Magnificent Seven, The Maltese Falcon, Ocean's Eleven (although 12 and 13 ... was there a 13? fail the sequel test.)
Adaptations: How bad are Shane, Maltese Falcon, The Big Sleep, LOTR, HP i to vii.i, 2001 A Space Odyssey?
We should (of course) resist badly made sequels, remakes and adaptations ... you've seen the trailer - don't spend money on the fockers.
2. 3D - fair point but Avatar was truly wonderful to look at in parts (shame about story, script and acting)
3. Batman casting rumours ... no contest.
4. POTC 4 - doesn't it fall foul of the sequel rule? Tragically, no matter how bad the trailer looks I'll be sucked in. it's like nicotine. I know it's bad for me ... but.
5. Social Network ... the Winklevai seem dedicated to building the potential for sequels ... keep suing guys.
6. M Night etc ... no sequels, no remakes and few adaptations in HIS oeuvre but THAT doesn't stop him making some of the biggest crap of the 21st Century. So does that make MNS the exception that proves your rule number 1?
7. Vampires ... blood-sucking right!! give me dodgy accents, fake blood and Ingrid Pitt any day of the week.
8. Pixar ... I don't think you can lament the mainstream's lack of originality, dominance of re-makes and propensity for sequels at the same time as damn Pixar for originality, excellence and maturity. Up is what Up is ... brilliant.
9. Nicholas Sparks ... never seen one cos I've seen the trailers. You only have yourself to blame. Sorry, not true ... saw Notebook on DVD. I only have myself to blame. I'd seen the trailer.
10. Jen ... can't we agree to stop having a go? It's like shooting fish in a barrel. Sadly, the inherent sexism of Hollywood will soon deem her too old for leading roles and extract its surplus value from some younger version. One day I'll read a Guardian piece about the way women get dumped when they reach 40 with Ms Aniston presented as a case in point. That's entirely wrong of course. Let's leave her alone, hoping that one day she discovers the movie equivalent of her TV mojo cos she does seem to have talent.
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