Diminishing Returns

Who will play Vittorio Gassman's role?

Breaking news out of Hollywoodland, the studios are still lacking creative decision making, opting instead for remaking both classics, camp, and random early 80's movies, like the upcoming "Sharky's Machine." Music Video director, Phil Joanou (U2's 'One,'Rattle and Hum, the upcoming Gridiron Gang starring the Rock, "3rd Rock from the Sun" (1996) TV Series (episode "A Nightmare on Dick Street") etc.)

Phil Joanou is attached to direct Warner Bros. Pictures' remake of "Sharky's Machine," being produced by Basil Iwanyk. The original movie, released in 1981, was directed by and starred Burt Reynolds as Sgt. Tom Sharky, a vice cop who puts together a team to hunt down a group of brutal bad guys


This trend is not a new one, and has become common knowledge at this point. What would the Warner brothers, Jack, Sam, Harry & Albert, say if they saw their factory remaking movies it already owns? And ones that were no blockbusters to begin with, and feature length camp TV shows, Jurassic Park 4 and well...Burt Reynolds movies?



They would probably not agree, from what I gather. I'd imagine someone would get punched, or fired, or killed even, probably not one of them, if they we alive, that is. There can be no doubt that there was a golden age, and it's in the past.

Remakes of the "Wild Bunch" and "Dirty Dozen" are also in the works. While these are a few years off, I'm not counting down the days. Films should be remade when the can be improved upon, and that is a rare thing. "Psycho," "the Shining" with the guy from the TV series "Wings"? "Starsky and Hutch," "Scooby Doo," please don't give me movie theater gift certficates for my birthday, I've got a stack of them building up over here. In 1989, Warner Communications merged with Time, Inc. in an $18 Billion merger that created one of the largest communications and entertainment companies in the world.

Still loving some comic book come to life movies, the odd indie film, and liking the occasional studio release, although often not in the same way as those in days gone by,.

I could use a new Wes Anderson movie, although it seems he is working on the Fantastic Mr. Fox, the Roald Dahl novel.

Fantastic Mr. Fox is on the run! The three meanest farmers around are out to get him. Fat Boggis, squat Bunce, and skinny Bean have joined forces, and they have Mr. Fox and his family surrounded. What they don’t know is that they’re not dealing with just any fox–Mr. Fox would never surrender. But only the most fantastic plan ever can save him now.

Art School Confidential's upcoming release will help me shorten that stack of coupons.



The theme of the day is take some chances, let some hungry talent in. There are new stories to be told, no?


Leave your own material alone, the good and bad.