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Friday, May 17, 2013

W.R.I.T.E update & Best/Worst Movie Remake BlogFest (Reviews by the Valley Girls)

Aloha,

Before my oxy-moronic one-of-a-kind, unique take on Alex’s “Best/Worst Movie Remakes” BlogFest, a quick note on my Writers Retreat Island-Time Escape, here in Honolulu Dec. 6-8, 2013.
Anyone Need Rescuing in December? 


 I had this crazy idea of paying it forward for my fellow writers by organizing a FREE weekend of fun writing activities, etc., here in Honolulu, Hawaii.
You can find full details, including a provisional schedule here.
While not earth-shattering, the latest news is that W.R.I.T.E is still ON.

There’s been a lot of interest, and I understand that getting to Hawaii is the issue for most people, but if you’re perhaps like Nancy LaRhonda Johnson, who plans to attend while on vacation, I’d love if you could join us.

                                                                             ###

OK, so onto the best and worst Movie Remakes, co-hosted by the indomitable Stephen Tremp, the indestructible Father Dragon and the irresistible Livia Peterson.

I’ve chosen two best and two worst – ‘cos I couldn’t chose one best and one worst. It was too hard, which made me wonder is this the best or the worst BlogFest?
(See that play on words –yahh boo! – Man, when I grow up, I realy want to be a righter.)

Most will at least know the titles, so my reviews will be short, sweet (and sponsored by the local chapter of the Valley Girls.)
I was Clueless, but if you need more info on each movie, the link will bring you to Wikipedia.


Totally First Best: 3:10 to Yuma (2007) versus the original, also a Western, which was made in 1957.
My Review: I love the coincidences in that both movies were Westerns… that’s awesome, like.


 
Second Best and duh, still a great movie: The Birdcage (1996), versus the original comedy, La Cage aux Folles (1978)
My Review: Like, I enjoyed The Birdcage, but they talked a bit funny in the original (and I’ve heard the movie was a partnership between two European countries, but I’m not sure who this Franco-Italian director fellow is, like.)



Totally First Worst: Planet of the Apes (2001) versus the original, which came out in 1968.
My Review: The original scared the bejaysus out of me for years (as an impressionable child, I refused to watch further episodes of Curious George. The remake… nahhh. That was crap, like.)
 


Second Worst, but still way, way bad: The Pink Panther (2006) versus the original, and still, like my favorite movie, the co-named The Pink Panther (1963)
My Review: Again, the coincidence of the names got me, definitely, like, for a few minutes.
I had high hopes for Martin Sheen
(What?)
Oh, sorry, Steve Martin, but there is only one King Panther, and his name was Peter Sellers, baby. He was way cool. Definitely.

There are Bonus BlogFest Boints, er points, for listing my best/worst song remake, but duh... everything from the '80s will always remain brilliant. Why remake a classic, like?

For example, I triple-dog dare you *not* to hum along with this ditty by Chris de Burgh, which is set to scenes from Pretty Woman :)



‘Nuff said. I’m off to go chill with my rad Yuppie amigos.
Like. Totally.

 
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50 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved the original Planet of the Apes, Who in their right minds could think that anyone could take the place of Peter Sellers in the Pink Panther, Steve Martin is a great actor but for me only one Peter sellers.

Yvonne.

S.P. Bowers said...

Yep, I agree with both of those worsts. I would also add Journey to the Center of the Earth. Classic movie, horrible re-make.

Dani said...

I couldn't pick just one either and 3:10 to Yuma was on my best list as well!
Have a great weekend!

Unknown said...

I have never liked the Pink Panther, the humour just doesn't appeal to me.

I agree with The Planet of The Apes. The first movie when released blew my mind, just thinking of this possibility!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

The Planet of the Apes was such a letdown. What was Burton thinking?
3:10 to Yuma was really, really good.
And one day, when you grow up, you'll make a fine righter!
Thanks for participating in our blogfest.

Ella said...

I love your photo on the beach!

I agree with the remake of The Planet of the Apes-we deserved so much more after the gap in time! I liked Pink Panther, when I was little-somethings should just be left alone.

Great picks...
Hubby agrees with your 3:10 to Yuma pick-I don't think I have seen the remake?!

Al Diaz said...

The Planet of Apes was terrible, more so since I'm fan of Charlton Heston. I'm with you about Peter Sellers. The man was a genius. Steve Martin's is soooo boring. I recently watched 3:10 to Yuma, the newest version. I loved it.
Thanks for participating, Mark. And for the indestructible there, hahahaha.

farawayeyes said...

You sure got it right on 'The Planet of the Apes'. What a stinker. And, while I liked "The Pink Panther' remake nothing beats Sellers.

Tara Tyler said...

great choices!
birdcage was fabulous!
planet of the apes was terrible & steve martin needs his own crazy character, sellers was the best pink panther!

mshatch said...

Yup, 3:10 to Yuma was a great remake :)

Donna Shields said...

Right there with you on The Planet of The Apes.

Elizabeth Seckman said...

Like Dude, yer righterness shined through!

The 80's did rock and Peter Sellers was the king of the role. Never try to overthrow a king unless you have a big army at your back.

Isis Rushdan said...

The 3:10 to Yuma remake rocked!

I was terribly disappointed with Planet of the Apes.

Stephen Tremp said...

We have some movies in common. Looks like I'm the only one who liked the remake of the Pink Panther.

Elise Fallson said...

Oh I'm so with you about the Planet of the Apes, what a disappointing remake. W.R.I.T.E is a great idea and I really hope more people sign on, just wish I could be one of them. Hope you're preparing for the marathon! :D

Tyrean Martinson said...

Like, I love this post, dude! You rock!
Well, except I have never liked that song, in any remake, even though it's my husband's favorite romantic song . . . is this a guy vs. gal thing? I don't know.
Sorry. I'm being painfully honest and typing too fast.
But your movies choices rock!!! And your song choice rocks for you, but not for me. (again, sorry, tmi - loved the song you picked on your last post)

Mark Means said...

I liked the Planet of the Apes remake (even though it was a Tim Burton production), but it still didn't beat the old version :)

This is like the third 3:10 to Yuma I've seen on the 'best' list...I may have to just check it out.

Rachel Schieffelbein said...

You have no idea how much I would LOVE to come to a writer's retreat in HI! Oh, I wish it was possible. You guys will have so much fun! I can't wait to see pictures. (There better be pictures.) :)

Anonymous said...

lol You're silly.

One day I'll see Hawaii. One day.

Sheena-kay Graham said...

Heard loads of bad about Tim Burton's Planet of the Ape's, haven't seen it though. These were some good picks on both sides of the fence. Glad W.R.I.T.E. is still on, hope to make it.

nutschell said...

Didn't know Birdcage was a remake! But I do love that movie.
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Rena said...

Holy smokes! The original Planet of the Apes!!!! and yeah, the more recent one is just silliness.

Maurice Mitchell said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Tony Laplume said...

Actually a fan of both the Planet of the Apes and Pink Panther remakes. I'm not really an Apes fan (like the original but have never seen the sequels or TV show, and hated the Rise prequel), but my dad helped make me a big Clousseau fan. Steve Martin is a far more acceptable alternative to Peter Sellers than others that have been attempted.

Maurice Mitchell said...

I love Martin, but Pink Panther was terrible! I actually laughed at the sequel though. It's worth checking out.

Maurice Mitchell said...

It's not am understatement to call Sellers a comedy genius Tony.

Rhonda Albom said...

I don't know your first pick, but the others I completely agree. I forgot about the Birdcage and I did love that remake.

Visiting from the blogfest
Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com

Mike said...

good picks, I forgot about Birdcage as well. I enjoyed the style you used!

Anonymous said...

3:10 is a good one; I'm a big fan of solid stunt work. I think I've blocked Martin's panther out of my mind -- holy cow, that was bad.

Johanna Garth said...

My kids just watched the original Planet of the Apes with their dad and I've heard a LOT of quotes lately. Love the original, but didn't see the remake.

LD Masterson said...

Well, I agree with both your worsts, not sure about your bests - especially 3:10 to Yuma. I always has a soft spot for Glenn Ford.

I loved finding a Boston Strong link on a blog from HI.

Samantha May said...

The original Planet of the Apes also freaked me out. The 2001 version, not so much.

The Pink Panther was so disappointing. The theme song is catchy though :)

Have a great weekend!

Chancelet said...

Those are great worsts pics. But the newest Rise of the Planet of the Apes was terrific.

Thanks for the shout out. Looking forward to that time away, getting to Hawaii, and meeting fellow bloggers to write and have fun. December... it's so far away. huh. :) Writer’s Mark

Anonymous said...

Happy to hear the WRITE is still on. I am still trying to work it out. Best, haven't seen 3:10 to Yuma, but I want to. The Birdcage, good choice.

Trisha said...

Haven't seen either these in original or remake form. ;) For some reason the idea of a planet full of apes never really appealed to me. :D Then again, I almost felt the same about Avatar and so didn't see it for ages, but when I finally did I enjoyed it a lot!

Arlee Bird said...

3:10 yes. Birdcage I have no idea. And Steve Martin should stay away from all remakes and do what he does best--make quirky films and play the banjo.

Lee
Tossing It Out

JJ said...

They really should stay away from attempting to re-make classics. It rarely works. It would be far better to take lemons from the past with great storylines and try to turn them into fantastic films.

DL Hammons said...

I agree 1000% about the Plant of the Apes remake. OMG! Disastrous on so many levels.

Excellent choices!

Carrie-Anne said...

I loved The Birdcage. I remember seeing it when it first came out, in the local indie theatre. The Planet of the Apes remake was just horrible, though as an animal-lover, I did feel really sorry for the primates kept in that jail.

Emily R. King said...

I love the Pink Panther and Steve Martin, but together? Not so much.

David P. King said...

Excellent pics, to which I would have to agree. Man. I still want to go to your retreat. Blasted money. This is your way of getting all of us back on the mainland, isn't it? :)

Morgan said...

I've heard that Planet of the Apes remake is AWFUL! So you must be spot on!

And I want to go to the retreat too!!!!! Gaaaaah...

Meradeth Houston said...

I'm, like, totally dying here. Great picks :) And the origin of Planet of the Apes movie that released a few years ago (so bad I'm not even going to bother googling its title)--seriously leave the classics alone!

Carol Kilgore said...

OK, I admit it. I listened to Lady in Red twice. Love that song :)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Mark, you do know Rebecca Carlson, right? I know her through Susan Kaye Quinn, and she lives in Hawaii. She might be interested in your retreat.

Tammy Theriault said...

how could you about my mark wahlberg *pouts* i love him!!

haha...3:10 was awesome!! and i'm the biggest fan ever of robin williams stand up comedy!!

next week i'll feature your pass on to me of being happy!!

Susan Oloier said...

I have never been to HI, and would love to be there if I could.
You're right...Peter Sellers is the one and only!

Tonja Drecker said...

Yep, the original Planet of the Apes was simply fantastic. And nope, I wasn't into the new Pink Panther. Just not my thing.

Sounds like you're in for a great weekend - so glad Nancy is going! (and a little bit jealous ;) )

Anonymous said...

The only film out of the four you've listed, that I've seen is the Planet of the Apes one and yes, I felt pretty much the same way. It was a lame film.

The best remake I enjoyed has been Star Wars. I loved it!!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Mark .. I've no idea about the movies .. but I did love the clip of the Lady in Red, plus the reminder of Pretty Woman .. loved that.

Re Hawaii - if I could get a vacation out of the UK .. I would looovveee to turn up - even if I didn't write - just being there and listening, sounds so good to me ..

Cheers and I'm sure you'll get some takers .. Hilary

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