So is it a good thing that Blaxploitation films are having their chance at the remake, ‘revisioning’, process that seems to be the only original concept in Hollywood these days? It’s bad enough that every 3rd film that comes out these days is a remake or sequel of some prior movie, television show, book or comic book. The concept of an original idea seem to be a void in the minds of producers and entertainment executives. Seriously.
So far in this year (all 3 months of it) there has been a movie based on a play, a serial killer, 2 comic books, a dictator, 2 television shows (including the animated one), and a book. That does not count the remake, prequel, sequel (Are We Done Yet isn’t out yet but will be shortly), ‘revisioned’ idea {the concept of Shooter has been done so many times, like a version by Mr. Keenan Ivory Williams as one example) and remake sequel. To be fair, The Last King of Scotland and Dreamgirls came out in 2006. But come on, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is based on a comic book from the 1980’s and has already had 2 other movies and 2 versions of a daily cartoon. While some may be too young to realize it 300 and Hill Have Eyes 2 are remakes. Ghost Rider is an old comic book character and the Zodiac was a real killer and has been featured in at least one television movie as I recall.
What might the summer bring us? Sequels – Ocean’s Thirteen, Bourne Ultimatum, Pirates of the Caribbean, Spiderman 3. Comic books – Transformers (also at least 4 versions of cartoon series). Television show – The Simpsons Movie. And that’s what I can think of off the top of my head. Do executives think the public is as lazy as they are, since they seem to be trying not to reach out for new ideas. Or is it that entertainment companies are so afraid of trying a new idea and seeing it fail that they won’t greenlight anything that hasn’t already been done?
I don’t think it’s the talent. There are more than a few talented actors in most every genre right now. There are many that have made movies in multiple formats. Mr. Mark Wahlberg has done action, drama and comedic action. Mr. Denzel Washington has run the gambit of movie genres and been both good and bad guys. Do I really need to go further?
So I ask, is the fact that Dolemite is going to be remade, or revisioned, really a good thing? Views on Blaxploitation films run the spectrum from very happy to highly insulted. I can only imagine what the film might be like in a PC dominated world, where every minority and race needs to be represented in a film whether it makes sense or not. Even worse is the fact that many words are verboten, unless of course they are put to music or bring in a really big profit.
I suppose the answer will be the film itself, once it comes out. It may be good. Some of the above mentioned films are quite good. Some have huge anticipation behind them. And then there are the ones that are a waste of time. I just fear a trend that I see. If I’m right, expect your favorite television commercial to be brought to the silver screen. Won’t that be a joy? [As I mentioned previously, the cavemen from Geiko are getting their own television show. A movie is not that farfetched now is it?]
This is what I think, what do you think?
No comments:
Post a Comment