C.G.Why?

Some of Hollywood's worst remakes...Part 1
On
February 03, 2012
Going though Retrojunk, I've come across many "Top Ten" lists. I was going to do my own Top Ten Horror Movie list, then I read the beating people have been taking. So, I decide to write something that I thought would be different.
Well, here it is folks, my very first Article on Retrojunk. Any constructive criticism would be welcome!

Has anyone noticed how many "Remakes" have been popping up at your friendly neighborhood movie theaters lately? Within the last decade, Hollywood has seemed to remake everything within it's cinematic catalog. So, has the industry lost it's inspiration, creativity? In recent years, I think it would have to be a definite yes. Have they relied too much on computer animation?
In some cases.
Although all Horror movie reincarnations aren't horrible, for example, The Fly (1986) and The Thing (1982) were remade due to the advancements in technology. Let's face it, Jurassic Park or Terminator 2 wouldn't have been the same without without CGI. I'm not bashing technological advancements, however, I am in the case of LAZY movie making.
Some movies are near and dear to my heart. One in particular....

The Haunting 1963 vs The Haunting 1999

1963



In the 1963 version of the film, Dr. Markway, (played by Richard Johnson) is researching the paranormal. His test ground, a house that has had a tragic past. A house that he believes is Haunted. The location is Hill House.
To assist him with his research he picks from a group of people who've have had a documented history with the supernatural. Most of the volunteer research subjects (with the exception of two) drop out once they learn where they are headed.



The two who eventually show up are Eleanor or 'Nell', (played by Julie Harris) and Theo (played by Claire Bloom). Joining Dr. Markway, Nell and Theo, is the skeptical Luke Sanderson. Who is anxious, as to what the research will do to the resale value of the house. A house in which he assumes he will inherit.


The Haunting has very little "special" effects. The only thing I can think of is the breathing door. Everything else was sound, or was left to the imagination of the viewer.

1999

Now we forward to 1999. The Haunting was directed by Jan de Bont. This is the Guy who gave us crap like Twister and Speed 2: Cruise Control. What do these two disaster movies have in common with the equally disastrous Haunting? You guessed it, CGI. When a Directer relies entirely on animation and not on the charter development the movie is doomed to fail. Even with superstars such as Liam Neeson and Catherine Zeta-Jones. CGI made this movie worst, in the original, you never got to see the ghost. In the updated version, you are overwhelmed with ghost children that looked as if they were related to Casper.


See the resemblance?

At first, I laughed out loud when I saw it in the theater. By the time the movie had ended, I was so appalled at what I had seen. I actually jumped out of my seat, threw what popcorn I had left at the screen and shouted "KHAN!!"...or something else that I shouldn't repeat!
After being escorted out of the theater, my girlfriend at the time, mortified by my behavior, asked why I cared so much? I remember thinking...was it Liam Neeson's hollow performance as Lead researcher Dr. David Marrow? Or was it Lili Taylor's dim-witted attempt as Eleanor 'Nell' Vance? Perhaps it was the pretentious sets. Maybe it was the lackluster C.G.I of the ghost kids, and the incongruous Hugh Crain!? After a long ride home, I had finally reached a conclusion. It was all the above, including the fact I had wasted $22.50 (CDN) on this movie. I continued to explain that I felt ripped off, these Big Wig's in Hollywood ruined a movie that I had loved and delivered this...this...SH*%!!

Sadly, years later I would have to relive this aghast for another childhood favorite horror...


19802005
6
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload Dismiss