Film Buffs

Inception, the new sci-fi actioner from director Christopher Nolan, is only his first film since 2008′s blockbuster The Dark Knight. However, it’s also his first film since 2000′s Memento to be based on an original idea, rather than a novel or comic book. So what are the results? According to many reviewers, nothing short of stunning.To ensure proper enjoyment of the plot, most of it must remain a mystery (as it has, in fact, since the film’s inception). The premise is simple if surreal: Leonardo DiCaprio enters people’s dreams and changes them to suit the ends of his clients. He works with a team with pulpy names like “The Architect”, “The Forger”, and “The Chemist”, but rather than coming off as simply Ocean’s 11 in a sci-fi world (which, let’s admit, would be awesome), Nolan crafts a twisting story that holds its own with his earlier Memento. Read more »

In the last few years there has been an insurgence of vampires into the film and literary world. These historically dark creatures have also taken on a whole new persona that can actually be good and virtuous. Stephenie Meyer introduced us to the Cullen family in her the first book of the series, Twilight. This non-biologically related group of people is bound together by their commitment to overcome the inherent evil of being a vampire. Read more »

With Hollywood apparently running low in the fresh ideas department, studios seem to be serving up repackaged leftovers, sometimes throwing in a big budget to try to make an old classic shine again. Unfortunately, this approach is often either done too soon or strays too far from why audiences fell in love with the original film. Here is a list of the 5 most unnecessary remakes out there.5. The Karate Kid (2010) When it was first rumored Mr. Miyagi was being brought out of retirement, a lot of people thought Karate Kid was being rereleased for a new generation to enjoy on the big screen. After all, it came out in 1984, just long enough ago for some of its original young fans to share it witht there kids today. An entirely new remake was nowhere near necessary, but sentiments are tempered in that this movie could probably survive on its own. With some key setting and plot changes, at least the new version offers a fresh spin on the classic, as opposed to just recasting it wish new stars and better effects.4. The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008) At first glance it would seem this 1951 film could use a freshen-up. Studios were probably licking their chops at the chance to apply today’s new technology to one of science fiction fans favorite scripts, but in doing so they missed the point of why fans today still rave about the golden oldie. The black and white version is quirky, engaging and believable in its naivety and doesn’t fit with the modern day script updates and thematic relevance re-writers forced down viewers’ throats.3. Lolita (1997) It takes guts to remake a Kubrick film, with his notorious reputation as a perfectionist, and Adrian Lyne’s new version is far from terrible, but a lot of the genius in the 1962 film lies in crafting Nabokov’s novel to be not only suitable for the sensors of the early 60′s but true to the story’s central motifs. Remaking Lolita under today’s relaxed societal norms turns the film from a masterpiece into a mere movie. Read more »