Friday, May 17, 2013

Best and Worst Movies Blogfest and Celebrate the Small Things

Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, Stephen Tremp, Livia Peterson, and Father Dragon Al.

When Hollywood runs out of ideas, they remake older films. Sometimes this works, and sometimes it fails miserably.
List the best remake you’ve ever seen and the worst.
Added bonus – list the worst and/or best song remake you’ve ever heard!


Best remake:
Sherlock Holmes with Robert Downey, Jr. and Jude Law. Out of all the Sherlock movies ever made, this is my favorite. Robert Downey, Jr. captures the arrogance and the cleverness of Holmes in a thoroughly enjoyable way.
 
However, I'm also a big fan of the BBC show, Sherlock.
 
If I had to choose between these two, it would be a tough toss up. Both productions are awesome in their own way.

If we are just looking at old movie versus new movie, and not looking at the myriad of different takes on a similar character (Sherlock), then I would have to say the new Total Recall is a cool remake of the older movie.

 
And then, I like the new take on Star Trek too . . . . but is that a remake or a different timeline continuation?


Worst remake:
I'm going to go a different direction with this one . . . I had a tough time thinking of just movies here.
I loved the Nickelodeon show, Avatar: The Last Airbender. It was fun, clever, had great character development, and a redemption theme with one of the villains. In short, it was just awesome, and my family and I have watched it over and over again.
 
So, we were super excited, and then super disappointed when the movie came out.
It sucked beyond belief . . . they even changed the pronunciation of main character's names. Aagh! I've heard that people like this movie if they've never seen the show. But if you liked the show, don't watch the movie, ever.
 
I know I should be able to think of just a worst movie remake here, but I just couldn't get the Airbender travesty out of my head.
 
Best Song Remake (maybe): Killing Me Softly by the Fugees
 
The story: I was sitting in traffic when this remake came on the radio. I could sing every word, and it was the first time I had heard it .  .or so I thought at first. Turns out, that one of my aunts used to play this song repetitively back to 1973 when it first came out by Roberta Flack.(I was two years old, how in the world was I able to remember all those lyrics so many years later?) 
I'm not sure the new version is really better than the first one, but I loved that it was remade and I was able to rediscover it. It's hard to describe the feelings that it brings up, like I'm transported back 40 years just hearing it. My aunt didn't have an easy life back then, but she had a poetic soul .  . . and this song just captures that.
 
Worst Song Remake: A rock song I heard remade into a slow, folk song . . .I was in a coffee shop, and I wanted to plug my ears. I have nothing against folk music. I used to listen to my Dad's Kingston Trio records as a kid, but Bon Jovi made folk music . . .Nooooooooooo!
 
 
Anyway, I loved this fest, even if I didn't quite follow the rules . . .
 
 
Oh, Almost forgot to celebrate the small stuff:
1. My beagle dog is on meds for major nerve pain. (We have some tough decisions ahead, but for now, the medicine is working, so we have a bit more time with our Jumper buddy.)
2. Had a breakthrough idea moment for my story and poetry collection. It's now two projects. Dragonfold might be ready for release in late June, the other one (working title: Poetry's Taste) might be ready in August.
3. Slow, steady progress on Champion in Flight revision.
4. This awesome commercial that made me smile, and laugh, and laugh again.
 
 
 


If you don't know why Nimoy is singing about Bilbo Baggins, check this hilariously bad video out.

Have a great week! Hope you have small things or big things to celebrate! And tell me, what's the best, or worst remake ever?

50 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You have a lot of projects in the works!
Bonjovi a folk song? The horror. I cringe anytime a pop or country act mutilates a rock song.
Sherlock Holmes is a wise choice.
Thanks for participating in our blogfest!

Simply Sarah said...

I agree that the both Sherlock's are amazing. Congrats on your writing breakthoughs!

jaybird said...

I love Robert Downey Jr. in just about everything he shows up in. I thought he made a brilliant Sherlock Holmes. I'm also a fan of the BBC version and the TV show, Elementary. I think I am on board for just about any Sherlock Holmes twist that gets thrown at me, lol.

Barbara Watson said...

Both my kids LOVED the Sherlock movie! And celebrating the small things is so, so important.

L.G. Keltner said...

The Sherlock movie was fun. And I've never seen it myself, but I've heard horror stories about The Last Airbender.

Killing Me Softly by the Fugees is a great song!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Oh, you're SO right about Sherlock. Loved that remake.

And Spock vs Spock. That is so hilarious. I've seen it before but had to watch it again. =D

Donna Shields said...

Yes, I absolutely loved the new Sherlock Holmes!!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

I agree with all of your choices! Those are great!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Alex - I can't seem to work on one project at a time . . .it's just the way my brain works. And the music thing . . .agreed.

Sarah - Thanks!

jaybird - yes, Sherlock twists are good - or at least they have been lately!

Barbara - Cool!

LG - Glad someone knows the song!

Donna - It's worth watching more than once . . .and it's a commercial.

Donna - me too!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Michael - Thanks!

Jay Noel said...

I hated the Last Airbender. Especially the white washing of all the Asian-ness of the TV series.

Go Bilbo!!!!!

Samantha May said...

I thought the same thing about Avatar! I love the show, but that movie was not very good.

Laura Eno said...

Bon Jovi as a folk song? *shudder*
Yes, the Quinto/Nimoy commercial is great. :)
I had wanted to see The Last Airbender but keep hearing awful things about it. Too bad. It could have been so good.
Sorry to hear about your dog. That's hard.

Jennie Bennett said...

Great picks! I liked the Last Airbender Movie, but I hadn't even heard of the show at the time. My opinion's changed since then :) Kinda like how I liked the Percy Jackson movie until I read the books. Seriously, that movie should have been titled something else, the only similarity was the character names. Stepping off my soap-box now.

Arlee Bird said...

Haven't seen any of the new Sherlock films yet, but they're on my list. Flack's hit is a classic and I think the Fugees did it justice, but still not as good as the original.

Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog

Tara Tyler said...

we agree on sherlock, fantastic!

but are opposed on the other two...
i didnt like the total recall remake, they paid more attention to the fx than the plot
and i liked airbender series and enjoyed the movie, they just tried to compact way too much into the movie... i will take anything i can on Aang! Airbender 2 comes out this summer if they finished it. got lots of bad press... oh well!

have a grreat weekend!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Jay - Totally agreed on the Airbender! Love that commercial!

Samantha - yes, they just took all that was good in the show and tried to replace it with special affects.

Laura - Glad you like the commercial. And thanks for your thoughts on our dog . . .it's just hard seeing him in pain.

JA - I get how you feel about both those movies.

Arlee- yes, Flack's hit is a classic - I'm just thankful that the Fugees brought it back so I could remember it.

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nutschell said...

Aw man the Last Airbender movie just killed me. I loved the series so was expecting so much more from M. Night. tsk tsk. I'm a big fan of Sherlock as well - both the TV and movie versions.
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com

Unknown said...

I really liked Downey's version of Sherlock too! Fun post and great things to be thankful for!

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I should have thought about Sherlock. The new movies are great and I love the show Sherlock too. Can't wait for it to come back on. Good luck on all your projects and I love that commercial.

Al Diaz said...

I am with you all the way. I don't know how I didn't think on the Air Bender. The movie was worth my flames. It was awful!
I just saw the video and I laughed.
Good celebrations there, although I'm sorry for your beagle being sick. Good it feels better.
Send you dragon hugs, have a great weekend! Thanks for participating :)

Tyrean Martinson said...

Tara - glad we agree on Sherlock! I just enjoyed the new Total Recall more than the old one, and I understand about wanting more Aang.

nutschell - Sherlock rocks!

Julie - yes, Downey does an excellent job.

Susan - It's hard to wait for the new Sherlock. Glad you like the commercial!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Al - Thanks for the dragon hugs! The beagle, Jumper, is probably in his last days, and it's just been so unexpected and fast that I'm still reeling a bit. Our older dog is currently in better shape than our middle-aged beagle.

Brandon Ax said...

Wow dead on with your picks. I was so disappointed with The Last Air Bender, shows me for getting my hopes up.

Luanne G. Smith said...

Yay for both Sherlock remakes. Brilliant stuff.

mshatch said...

I concur with LG :)

LD Masterson said...

I didn't think of Sherlock Holmes. I think I agree with you there.

I hope your dog's med can keep his pain under control. Nothing harder than to see them hurting.

Christine Rains said...

You've had a great week, and that commercial was hilarious! Go old Spock! Hehehe.

SK Anthony said...

Love Killing me Softly by the Fugees and the new Sherlock Holmes, great choices!

Tyrean Martinson said...

Brandon - Thanks! Yeah, me too with the Airbender movie.

LG - Definitely!

mshatch :)

LD - Thanks! So far, we haven't figured out yet if the meds are helping or just making him sleep. :(

Christine - Team Nimoy! :)

SK - Thanks!

VikLit said...

Love both of those Sherlocks!

You are v. busy with your projects!

M Pax said...

I was wondering if Star Trek would be considered a remake. I guess it's more a reinvention. It's awesome. The new one is as good as the first.

I love the BBC Sherlock Holmes. The Downey version was fun, but I'd vote for the BBC version. :D

Total Recall they should have given a different title, but I haven't seen it. Bon Jovi as folk music? lol

M Pax said...

PS my wishes for your dog's recovery. Hugs.

Unknown said...

Great choices! I almost picked Total Recall. It was pretty good.

M.L. Swift, Writer

Anonymous said...

I thought TOTAL RECALL had some great world-building in it, and I'm a HUGE fan of the BBC's SHERLOCK. Good choices!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I'm not a fan of Guy Richie, but I like the Sherlock Holmes films.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the Spock videos hahaha ..made my day! And yay for making some writing progress ;)

Heather R. Holden said...

Have never seen the Robert Downey, Jr. version of Sherlock, but I absolutely adore the BBC show!

Heather M. Gardner said...

I'm so happy for Robert Downey, Jr. So happy that he didn't give up and now he is a force to be reckoned with.

Great choices. I love that Killing Me Softly version. So funky.

Great fest.
Heather

Rhonda Albom said...

I loved the original Total Recall and Killing Me Softly, and I haven't seen/heard the remakes.

Rhonda @Laugh-Quotes.com

Unknown said...

Yep, Total Recall, Sherlock Homes and Star Trek are all pretty good remakes. I haven't seen the Avatar remake or The Last Airbender 3d, so I cannot make an honest comment1

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Allison said...

I am totally rewatching the Last Airbender (the TV series, of course) this weekend! I heard such awful things about the movie, and I love the show so much, that I refuse to see it. Ever.

Allison (Geek Banter)

Brandy said...

Mmm Benedict Cumberbatch! I love the BBC mini series of Sherlock.

I am glad that the meds are working for your furry family member and that your projects are coming along nicely. Gotta love those break through moments!

Stopping by from CTST Blog Hop!

Jeff Hargett said...

Go Bilbo! Love those kinds of commercials.

Michelle Wallace said...

I love Roberta Flack... and her version of Killing Me Softly! But you are sooooooo right, The Fugees did an amazing job with the remake.... it's fresh, bouncy and very catchy...

Congrats on the writing progress, Tyrean! Two projects... including a poetry collection? Plus the progress on Champion In Flight? You are on a roll! I'm so impressed. Well done!

Writer In Transit

Tyrean Martinson said...

Viklit - me too. :) and yes, I'm busy, but it sounds like more than it is, really. The collections are old things made new.

MPax - I think the new Star Trek is a reinvention too . . . not a replacement, just a continued adventure. And thanks for your thoughts for my dog. :)

ML - It was pretty good . . . although the original was good too.

Milo - yes, that's what I liked about the new Recall, and BBC Sherlock rocks! Thanks for stopping by!

Diane - Guy Ritchie - I should know who that is . . . but it seems like I just get the MC's name and the rest just flies past.

JA - glad you liked the Spock video! :)

Heather H - it is superbly clever and well done!

Heather G - me too! I think he has a great triumph story going on in his life.

Rhonda - you might like the new ones . . .you never know. :)

Carolyn- yes, sometimes remakes are good things.

Allison - smart choice. :)

Jeff - me too. :)

michelle - it's just a great song! And thanks! It actually sounds like more than it is . ..

Trisha said...

Haven't managed to watch all of Sherlock Holmes yet, though I do love me some RDJ. I must've been in the wrong mood for it or something.