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Jun 11, 2010

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"however unnecessary" part is what should be bothering folks (after all, it's not as if the original feels all that outdated, right?), but I fear they're just pissed that something "classic" is being screwed with.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%


5 people have chosen wisely: on "TGITDNMAR (6/11/10)"

Nick said...

I'm gonna see Karate Kid... I've heard Jaden Smith's acting has gotten better, too. I have no major interest in the A-Team, though.

Castor said...

Not all that interested in seeing any of the two movies but WOW for The Karate Kid at a whopping 69% RT so far. I was really expecting to be nasty but looks like it's actually watchable!

Peter Eramo said...

A sad commentary on Hollywood when you have these two debacles released in the same week, along with Killers. What a crappy summer season so far, filled with unoriginal remakes and sequels. Where is the originality? Do we have to wait for Inception as the only one??? I haven't seen a movie in weeks because of the crap that is out there.

Fletch said...

Castor - I was expecting to go to RT today and see that 69% dipped down at least into the 50s, what with more people submitting reviews over the last couple days.

No dice - it's now at 70%! I'm shocked.

Peter - like the looks of it or not (I don't), and however derivative it looks, Killers is technically an original piece of fiction (as far as I know). As is Get Him to the Greek, Please Give, Solitary Man and any number of other smaller flicks. But if you're just looking at blockbusters, it's Salt and Knight and Day and probably not much else in the originality department.

Nick - hard for it to get worse, no?

Mt. Wood said...

Waiting till it comes out on HBO. . . yeah thats how totally not excited about this movie I am.