I ask all the time regarding movies coming out...why are there remakes or why is Hollywood remaking good movies or classics such as Psycho and The Shining? Two reasons: 1) The Hollywood studios want money or want to lose money because audiences are infatuated with the classics. 2) It is because of a generational gap because people have not heard of some of the masterpieces. Regardless, there are many needless remakes such as the recent Point Break or Poltergeist nowadays that executives seem to know that audiences are clamoring for it and they just make it and have the marketing staff come up with a strategy and plan.
But, there are good remakes are better than the original and/or on par with the original. Here are my top 10:
10. The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
When watching the original from 1968 with Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, I felt like there was less excitement and suspense throughout the whole movie except for one scene, an infamous chess scene. With this remake, there's palpable tension between Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo in the getaway scenes, the sexy scenes and the climactic heist scene in which he attempts to rob the paintings in a New York museum. It's a slick film.
9. Father of the Bride (1991)
It's a guilty pleasure of a remake from the 1950 Spencer Tracy film. It's touching and a bit memorable with a good father and daughter chemistry. And, also, Steve Martin and a few scenes with Martin Short make this film very funny.
This scene always makes me laugh:
8. True Grit (2010)
The Coen brothers took a risk by remaking a 1968 John Wayne movie but this movie turned into a very good remake by having Jeff Bridges taking the main role supported by Matt Damon, Josh Brolin and a star making performance by Hailee Steinfeld. However, there is a better western remake on this list...
7. Scarface (1983)
The Paul Muny version from 1932 is good but the Brian De Palma version starring Al Pacino is very good but not a classic in my opinion. But, it's non-stop violence and profanity following Tony Montana throughout the whole journey and it is riveting capturing the Miami hear and vibe real well.
6. 3:10 to Yuma (2007)
I like the 1957 movie just fine and despite the conventional ending, this is a hell of a western remake with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale squaring off delivering two great performances. And, Ben Foster gives a chilling villainous performance.
5. Heat (1995)
I did not know that this was a remake of L.A. Takedown but this is one of my favorite movies of all-time. It's Robert De Niro vs. Al Pacino.
4. The Fly (1986)
The 1958 version was fine but this David Cronenberg masterpiece takes the sci-fi genre to a whole other level bringing in a fascinating performance by Jeff Goldblum and a romantic chemistry between him and Geena Davis. But, it's all about the science and makeup behind the creature.
3. The Departed (2006)
It's an excellent remake by legendary director Martin Scorsese from the Hong Kong film, Infernal Affairs, that propels the quiet suspense (the phone call scene with DiCaprio and Damon) and a shootout between the Boston Police Department and Costello's guys. You can pick any scene from this movie and a scene can be better than most of the movie remakes today.
2. Ocean's Eleven (2001)
The far superior and very fun remake from the 1960 version starring Frank Sinatra tempers with fun and coolness between each and every character in the ensemble cast with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, Andy Garcia, Bernie Mac, Casey Affleck, etc. It's dynamite and the Steven Soderbergh movie moves swiftly with a very interesting heist in Las Vegas.
1. The Thing (1982)
You know what, I recently saw this movie months ago and it was tantalizing as hell thinking who is not who they seem to be. It's scary chilling in a cold environment that propels you to pay close attention to who will survive. This is a fantastic movie from John Carpenter.
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