4/04/2008

I Have No Words...

In the past, anytime I heard people rail against Hollywood (and by Hollywood, I'm talking about mainstream cinema) and how it is contributing to societal decline, I'd think to myself that they must just be prudes or hyper-sensitive. I'm beginning to have my doubts.

Some nimrod has decided that "Short Circuit" is worthy of a remake. The frustrating thing is that I KNOW there are good films being made and I have to believe there are equally good ideas begging for their chance. Unfortunately, these films never make it to theaters.

So, in order to dissuade those of you who are harboring even remote thoughts of actually plunking down money to see something like this, may I present to you El DeBarge. Maybe this video will generate some second thoughts.

19 comments:

Special K said...

You ARE shitting me, right?
They aren't really re-making a Steve Gutenberg movie?

The End is near....

Special K said...

Okay, read the article.....

The end is absolutely near.

I have SO much sinning to live for.........

Geo said...

Ok, here's the thing. Don't take this as some defense of Short Circuit, because, you know, it sucked. That said...

...it's actually the kind of film that should be remade. Where people trip up is remaking really good films. Let those be. However, movies that have a neat idea or a fun hook but aren't, well, any good are fair game.

The Ocean's movies are the perfect example. The original Ocean's, much as people wax poetic about the Rat Pack and such, really isn't much of a movie. But there's a great high concept in there, and all the new Ocean's movies (with the possible exception of 12) are significantly better.

So the _idea_ of a military drone that becomes self-aware and has adventures is not the worst concept ever. Frankly, I'd rather a Short Circuit remake than a Short Circuit sequel.

Assuming it's sans El DeBarge.

vikkitikkitavi said...

Wow! That's a bad bad video!

Some Guy said...

Geo- I'm sure there are examples of remakes that improved on the original. I guess my frustration comes from the lack of innovation. I think there is way too much recycling in film, either with remakes or adaptations of other things like TV shows. I want Hollywood to be the place of big dreams - a place that is cutting edge. Maybe I'm just bitter because the movies I enjoy and would love to get to see on a big screen are usually crowded out by a lot of shit. Perhaps things might be different if I lived in a big city with more access to arthouse theaters.

Moderator said...

Thanks for the ElDebarge reference.

Anonymous said...

Military drone that becomes self aware? Hollywood already did that, and we ended up with The Governator.

Jen said...

the first minute of that video
made my eyes bleed
I had to shut it off


thanks Chris

Joe said...

I hope Steve Guttenberg gets a cameo.

Distributorcap said...

that might be the worst video of the 80s

SkylersDad said...

If I want to hear a really bad Indian accent, all I have to do now is dial up tech support!


Heeeeyyy Oooohhhh!

Rick Rockhill said...

sadly, I remember actually liking Short Circuit when it came out. But I always hated that stupid song.

BeckEye said...

Just when I had the "Who's Johnny" song out of my head...you just pushed me back in.

I used to assault people with my rendition of that song at work all the time. Maybe that's why I don't work there anymore.

Micgar said...

I wasn't harboring any doubts, but that video is... well simply awful.Yes that may be the worst video of the 80's like DC said.

Writeprocrastinator said...

I wonder how they're going to trot The Guttt-ster out for the cameo.

Oh...after that film? I'd never go into an Indian restaurant with Fisher Stevens.

That's not curry, Fisher.

Writeprocrastinator said...

And why the hell did El DeBarge just give her away?

GETkristiLOVE said...

Good point by you.

twiffer said...

jonny 5...is...ALIVE!

seriously though, i just saw a commerical for a "speed racer" movie. what the fuck? why would anyone think that a crappy anime with no discerable plot would be primo material for a feature length, live action film?

in light of this, a remake of "short circut" is welcome.

twiffer said...

also: @geo, good point.

@someguy: we, as a species, ran out of new material for stories about 17,000 years ago. i think it only bothers us when people make that obvious.