TGITDNMAR (6/11/10)

It's that time again for TGITDNMAR, which (obviously) stands for Thank God It's The Day New Movies Are Released.

Insert campy 80s reference here. Haha...so original! Like a Chia Pet or something...*groan*

The Karate Kid
Jaden Smith has proven, if nothing else this far into his young career, that he is a terrible actor. I can only hope that that truth has changed somewhat for this remake, because if it hasn't, it will submarine the whole movie, no matter how good the rest of it may be. The Day the Earth Stood Still was awful, but even more painful anytime he was asked to emote or, hell, speak. Weird, since I don't recall much of anything either way from his role in The Pursuit of Happyness, though I suppose it might be easier to "act" like you're the son of your father when you really are.

Anyway, I know "people" (note: I can't cite references here, but I know I've seen chatter and such) are up in arms about this and the next film even existing, but I really don't have a problem with either. Yes, the original Karate Kid is a hallmark film from my childhood, but it also came out some 25 years ago - that's more than enough time for a remake - however unnecessary - to be produced. I suppose that "however unnecessary" part is what should be bothering folks (after all, it's not as if the original feels all that outdated, right?), but I fear they're just pissed that something "classic" is being screwed with. A somewhat fair point, but, like Red Dawn (also being remade - coming later this year, I believe) - neither original is an AMAZING film. They are memorable for this reason or that, and many, many certainly love them, but they certainly aren't untouchable.

Fletch's Chance of Viewing (in the theater): 40%

The A-Team
First off, a round of applause to the producers for their casting choices here. I might've never come up with Liam Neeson for this (strange, since he's constantly in Mentor Mode), but he appears to have really pulled it off. Cooper and Jackson seem 100% natural fits for their roles, and the plum picking of Copley on the heels of his District 9 success was a masterstroke. Just seeing him in the trailer makes me think there's no one they could have gotten to do a better Murdoch, and I barely know the guy.

All that said, I can't say that I'm terribly interested in this. I watched the show a bit (but never looooooved it), but with this and all of the other renegade flicks out this summer, I'm just bored with them, and I think I've had enough dumb fun recently (PoP, I'm looking at you primarily). If reviews are great and it sticks around...maybe. Otherwise, I can wait.

Fletch's Chance of Viewing: 51%