What is one movie that should never be remade?

[FerrelGeek]

Casablanca as well.

Probably there isn't any movie that should not be remade although there are some that id it better the second time around when exposed to new media like talkies (Wizard of Oz) versus silent (Wizard of Oz); better direction (The Bogart Maltese Falcon was the second and the best remake); Different era actors (3:10 to Yuma) and color versus black and white (Zorro films started around 1920, became serials in the 30s, color after Disney's TV series) and advancements in special effects are examples of why.

Some however are out of touch with today's mores like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, WWII propaganda films and some only fit into a timeframe. Some are just offensive or so detached from reality they no future merit; Reefer Madness as example.

The Best Years of Our Lives is my pick for a movie that should not be ever be remade because it is a movie frozen in time and should stay their for future generations; also no actor could play Homer except Harold Russell

Other movies I don't think should be remade include the Jazz Singer, African Queen, Gone with the Wind. Metropolis, To Kill a Mockingbird and Charlie Chaplin Movies.

 

[SamQuint]

Yes you cannot remake my favorite movie Jaws!

There have been so many bad remakes, these are the worst
Miracle on 42nd Street
Psycho
Planet of the Apes
Stepford Wives
Clash of the Titans
Karate Kid (even Jackie Chan couldn't save this one)
Arthur
Charlie and Chocolate Factory

Stop Hollywood please your killing us.

 

[Sheik Yerbouti]

If what you mean is that there's no way in hell that a remake could improve upon the classic, then I think Jaws very well could be that movie. It was almost dumb luck that the movie turned out as good as it did. They couldn't get the mechanical shark to work well - that resulted in a huge improvement to the movie - more mysteriousness as the shark wasn't constantly visible. Hard to realize it the second time through, but you don't see much of the shark for at least the first hour of the movie - you don't see it until comes out of the water after the chum, then swims by the boat. John William's shark music - duh dunh... you were instantly on the edge of your seat. Robert Shaw giving Quint's USS Indianapolis speech - one of the best in the movies. There isn't a person alive who saw the movie and didn't jump when Matt Hooper was scuba diving alongside the listing boat, and the severed head rolled out. Jaws started the concept of a summer blockbuster movie that everyone just had to see, and I think it's listed as the American Film Institute's (or some such group) #1 movie of all time.

No, a modern remake would be filled with constant CGI sharks which would destroy the fear that the original movie invoked.

Kinda like how the first Alien movie used that suspense and mystery. You knew there was something lurking (creeping) around, you just couldn't see it, but you knew it could hear/smell/see you just fine, and needed that moment to launch itself at you out of the dark.

 

[zinfamous]

If what you mean is that there's no way in hell that a remake could improve upon the classic, then I think Jaws very well could be that movie. It was almost dumb luck that the movie turned out as good as it did. They couldn't get the mechanical shark to work well - that resulted in a huge improvement to the movie - more mysteriousness as the shark wasn't constantly visible. Hard to realize it the second time through, but you don't see much of the shark for at least the first hour of the movie - you don't see it until comes out of the water after the chum, then swims by the boat. John William's shark music - duh dunh... you were instantly on the edge of your seat. Robert Shaw giving Quint's USS Indianapolis speech - one of the best in the movies. There isn't a person alive who saw the movie and didn't jump when Matt Hooper was scuba diving alongside the listing boat, and the severed head rolled out. Jaws started the concept of a summer blockbuster movie that everyone just had to see, and I think it's listed as the American Film Institute's (or some such group) #1 movie of all time.

No, a modern remake would be filled with constant CGI sharks which would destroy the fear that the original movie invoked.

All too true, but what if those cartoon sharks were also smart sharks and we tossed in Ice Cube for good measure?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149261/

 

[zinfamous]

Are we distinguishing between remakes and adaptations?

Because there are several adaptations that are stellar: various 7 Samurai adaptations (shit, most of Kurosawa's stuff has been adapted to good effect.)

More recently, we wouldn't have the excellent The Departed if it weren't for that horrible Infernal Affairs piece of crap from which it was adapted.

 

[ImpulsE69]

All too true, but what if those cartoon sharks were also smart sharks and we tossed in Ice Cube for good measure?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0149261/

But that movie is AWESOME.

 

[Kaido]

Back to the Future

 

[Harrod]

Battlefield Earth

 

[zinfamous]

Battlefield Earth

well, that's sneaky. But certainly valid.

 

[Thebobo]

Lawrence of Arabia

 

[poofyhairguy]

Other movies I think should never be remade:
The Princess Bride
Forrest Gump
The Godfather
The Shining
Caddyshack
Silence of the Lambs
Back to the Future
Groundhog Day
Wizard of Oz
Pulp Fiction

Nailed it.

 

[BoberFett]

Every Coen brothers movie.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Goonies

 

[estarkey7]

Memento is being remade wtf.

That is a sin! The movie was perfect!

 

[K7SN]

Some others that IMHO should never be remade because they are already so close to perfect (for what they are) that improvement is nearly impossible:

• Casablanca
• Back to the Future
• Shawshank Redemption
• The Quiet Man
• Dr. Strangelove
• Raiders of the Lost Ark

Can't believe I'm posting in a Mayne thread.

+1 Good list as was DrPizza's
I can't believe I'm posting in a Mayne thread either

Casablanca as well.

Bogart made several only fit in time movies between 42 and 44 of which Casablanca is one of the best for all time Bogart. Consider also WWII movies are not as classical
Across the Pacific
Action in the North Atlantic
Sahara
Passage to Marseille
To Have and Have Not


The African Queen is my favorite Bogart movie but Casablanca is a close second; in the running Treasure of Sierra Madre.

I also add Lawrence of Arabia, Forest Gump, the three Godfather movies, Breakfast at Tiffanies, the Breakfast Club. all previously noted in the thread.

My next single Movie that shouldn't be remade is, in my opinion, the best George Lucas film; American Graffiti.

 

[Spydermag68]

Blade Runner...there has been 5 versions of the movie created from the original film stock, but a total remake would be a bad idea.