Thompson on Hollywood

'Starbuck' Director Ken Scott Not First to Remake His Own Movie

Reviews

That science would eventually be rendering men obsolete is something Aldous Huxley saw coming; that fatherhood would be rendered slightly hysterical is something he apparently sensed as well. In fact, the extreme patrimony of Patrick Huard’s David Wozniak has been declared found funny enough that “Starbuck’s” Canadian director, Ken Scott, is now adapting his French production into English for DreamWorks, as “The Delivery Man.”

By John Anderson
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March 21, 2013 1:32 PM
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Films that Should Never Be Remade - From 'The Goonies' and 'Die Hard' to 'Deer Hunter' and 'Shawshank'

Features

You'd think the great auteurs would be safe from remakes -- it's hard to imagine someone taking on a Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Terrence Malick or David Lynch film, for example. But that hasn't stopped Hollywood from remaking everything from "The Haunting" to "Psycho." Studio heads figure the lazy new generation doesn't know the classics. And marketers want to cash in on easy-sell branded titles and fan followings -- it's the way it works. But more often than not, when less-than-great movies get remade into even less great "reboots" like 2012's "Total Recall," they flop with audiences anyway. And when the great ones get remade, like Federico Fellini's "8½," even canny movie stars like Daniel Day-Lewis and Marion Cotillard can't save them.

By Sophia Savage
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December 27, 2012 5:11 PM
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Immersed in Movies: Will Animated Black-and-White 3-D 'Frankenweenie' Win Burton His First Oscar?

Interviews

"Frankenweenie" is not only Tim Burton's best film since "Big Fish" (another rite of passage story), but also a lock for a best animated feature nomination. In fact, the Oscar arguably appears to be Burton's to lose, though it's shaping up to be quite a race with two other tantalizing retro movies yet to come: Disney's "Wreck-It Ralph" (November 2) and DreamWorks' "Rise of the Guardians" (November 21).

By Bill Desowitz
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October 4, 2012 12:41 PM
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FilmDistrict Acquires Spike Lee's 'Oldboy' Remake (VIDEO)

News

In the wake of a successful launch for "Safety Not Guaranteed" and strong response to opening nighter "Looper," FilmDistrict has moved decisively to acquire U.S. distribution rights for Spike Lee's remake of Chan-wook Park's 2003 South Korean thriller classic "Oldboy." They plan a 2013 release.

By Anne Thompson
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September 7, 2012 11:02 AM
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Michael Keaton Joins Kinnaman, Jackson, Oldman, Cornish & Williams for Padilha's 'RoboCop' Remake

News

Michael Keaton joins MGM and Columbia's "RoboCop" remake. The actor will play Raymond Sellars...

By Sophia Savage
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August 30, 2012 9:12 AM
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Weekend Preview: 'Total Recall' a Noisy, Shallow, Costly Misfire

Reviews

For a reported budget of $200 million, you'd think that if nothing else "Total Recall" would be visually dazzling. Sadly, Len Wiseman's futuristic universe lacks believable depth and texture, and the actors are stuck with a truly uninspired script. A zero-gravity sequence is an exception to the otherwise incessant and forgettable action.

By Sophia Savage
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August 2, 2012 1:58 PM
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Strong & Sexy Women Dominate Comic-Con: 'Twilight''s Stewart, 'Resident Evil's Jovovich & Rodriguez, 'Total Recall's Beckinsale & Biel [Video]

Features

Comic-Con may be known for its fanboys, but this year the girls rule. If it's not Bella Swan finally kicking ass in "Breaking Dawn - Part 2" as a vampire, it's Michelle Rodriguez vs. Milla Jovovich in "Resident Evil: Retribution" or Kate Beckinsale vs. Jessica Biel in "Total Recall."

By Sophia Savage
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July 14, 2012 1:45 AM
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New Trailer for 'Total Recall' Lands; Colin Farrell Making A Comeback?

Video

Len Wiseman's "Total Recall" lands August 3 with Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale (Wiseman's wife and "Underworld" star), Jessica Biel, Bill Nighy and Bryan Cranston. When comparing the new trailer to the 1990 original with Arnold Schwarzenegger (here) the visuals are quite impressive.

By Sophia Savage
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June 29, 2012 1:52 PM
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First Look at Angelina Jolie as 'Maleficent'; Disney Kicks Off Production

News

On June 13 Angelina Jolie became "Maleficent" as Disney's retelling of the "Sleeping Beauty" tale began principal photography...

By Sophia Savage
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June 19, 2012 11:41 AM
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SIFF Virgin Diary 2: Spacek Talks Malick, Loretta Lynn & 'Carrie'; Kassovitz's 'Rebellion' and 'The Exorcist'

Festivals

SIFF honored Sissy Spacek with their Outstanding Achievement in Acting Award and held a tribute evening in her honor. Time critic Richard Corliss led the nearly two hour Q & A with Spacek, covering everything from her upbringing in Texas to what she grows on her farm in Virginia. "Grass," she said, but "not that kind of grass!"