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Remake-o-Rama Continues!! John Woo's THE KILLER Gets Americanized!! Because It Needed To Be Remade, Damn It!!
Merrick here...
John Woo's super-mega-slick-o-cool-o-riffic THE KILLER is being remade.
THE KILLER comes from way back in 1989 - before Woo came to America & his creative compass lost its sense of direction.
"The actor has to be Korean in this version, but also, L.A. is a character in the film," Chang said in an interview on the opening day of the four-day Asian Film Market.
"In John's original version, it doesn't really matter where the film is set, except that Hong Kong has this dragon boat festival which adds a bit of local flavor. In this remake, we will use the geography of L.A. to move the story forward."
...says THIS STORY in Hollywood Reporter.
I'm tempted, VERY tempted, to say this ain't ever, eeeevvvvaaaaahhhhhh gonna work - but many folks were saying the same thing about a remake of a film called INFERNAL AFFAIRS. And...look how that turned out.
Still, THE KILLER is a major favorite of mine that never seems to lose its impact. It's hard to embrace the notion of remaking it (can these people find NO original material out there?) But, we'll see...
Readers Talkback
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Look, a line has to be drawn. I cant sit back and watch bullshit like this happen. Leave the classics alone Hollywood! There is no way to improve The Killer. Leave it alone and move on to something original you bastards! Im a Buffalo Bills fan and I watched that whole Monday Night game last night, and now I have wake up and see this! Fuck! The END IS near.
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Americanized doesnt mean better. Just ask Blacks and Indians.
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90 minutes of blank screen should suffice. P.S. I want photorealistic rotoscoped CGIed slow motion doves!
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Oooooook. Why does he HAVE to be a Korean? Is there a scene where he makes p'ajeon with a frying pan in each hand?
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It's not exactly celebrated for it's plot. The only reason anybody would want to see the Killer is for Chow Yun Fat and John Woo. If you want to make a movie about assassins and takes advantage of LA's geography, just make your own damn movie then. Or you could remake Collateral instead...
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Especially, if No Chow Yun Fat no deal. Why bother? It CANNOT
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it cannot live up to the original. Just make a different movie for gods sakes. We all know it'll have a less then ideal director for it, one that just wants to make his "John Woo" flick.
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You Rotten Asswipes! JUST WRITE SOMETHING NEW!!!!!!!!!<P>The Killer was my first John Woo Experience, why? Why? WHY?<P>And Gwen Stefanny is a div!
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...we're gonna see a TON of rushed productions because of it.
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This is f-ing stuid. This remake crap has gone too far.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 10:46 a.m. CST
Every week start 5-7 times more original movies than remakes in
by DerLanghaarige
Not that I say that remaking a movie that has the personal style of the original director written all over it is a good idea, but saying that there are "only remakes" or stuff like that is just wrong.<br> P.S.: I hope this will be directed by Florent Emilio Siri. He's no pre-Hollywood John Woo, but he's great anyway!
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Sorry, I forgot... I don't buy shitty remakes on DVD when I have the originals on Criterion LD.. :)
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1. I don't think The Killer is that great a movie (and neither is Hard Boiled).<br><br> 2. A remake could definitely improve on the original as long as it's shot by someone capable... I'm thinking Mike Hodges, Paul Greengrass, Alfonso Cuaron.
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FUCK T**T
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...I don't understand why people say John Woo lost all his talent when he started making American films, since to me they're exactly as good as his HK films.
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with John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson playing the leads. Or was that an April Fools Joke????
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He wouldn´t do that.
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Though I'll freely admit they usually fall flat on their faces. I think I read Walter Hill's script for this (circa 98 or something) and it was actually really good, though I doubt they'll be using that one. Also, the guy who said The Departed was inferior to Infernal Affairs is a fucking retard.
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Amelie: Possibly starring Audrey Tautou, speaking English this time. It's been six years since the original! Get a move on for fuck sake.<p>Hard-Boiled: instead of Tony Leung making origami cranes, Sean William Scott makes cup-cakes.<p>Casablanca: Tom Cruise, Katy Holmes, Kayne West remix of "As Time Goes By."<p>The Seventh Seal: Ron Howard plays up the comedy elements of Bergman's classic. Starring Tom Hanks as Death.<p>Blade Runner: Ridley Scott says "Fuck it" and re-does the whole thing from scratch.
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Well, in Hollywood anyway. Everywhere else in the world, especially in South Korea, Japan, and Hong Kong, they don't seem to have too much trouble coming up with original ideas. Maybe Hollywood doesn't do "original" anymore. "The Departed" was good, but search your feelings, you know this will be crap.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 11:06 a.m. CST
Merrick you don't have to put YouTube vids in every article.
by Not The Messiah
Just sayin'.
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Cheap bastards. There are plenty of new ideas, Hollywood simply won't BUY them! The community is so inbred it makes Banjo Boy from Deliverance look downright normal!
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Oct. 9, 2007, 11:27 a.m. CST
God, this means that a Hard Boiled remake can't be far behind...
by Abin Sur
If they remake HARD BOILED, I will become THE KILLER.
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... just for the sake of it, isn't the killer ALREADY a remake ?
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Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
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It's because Americans can't read too good. Also, there aren't enough movies already starring good-looking white people, is my other theory.
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Look..we had a sort of "The Killer" remake. It was called "The Replacement Killers"... and look at what a masterpiece that turned out to be !!! The Killer and Hardboiled are truly great films because John Woo was set free creatively (in terms of both story and union free stunts! This remake will forgettable piece of fluff. Now if you take an American film crew, film it in Korea(with more relaxed stuntman laws,and you put John Woo behind the camera...I'd pay to see THAT.
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We need to march on Hollywood and start protesting all these goddamn remakes and re-imaginings. For fuck's sake, let's organize people.
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It's not like the general public thinks, "I loved the original John Woo version, I'm gonna see what Hollywood has to offer." In fact most people don't even know the original exists. Same thing with Infernal Affairs. Why, Hollywood, why?
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Are you telling me that right now, somewhere in the U.S., there isn't a person with a dynamite, original, WOW inducing action script trying desperately to make his dream come true and to sell that script to the studios? I bet there are tons (well…at least a several hundred). Why remake classics? A smart film based on a smart script will always make more box office than a remake. Remember a small film called The Matrix. Or Star Wars. Or Raiders of the Lost Ark. These films were original in plot and in execution….and they were mega blockbusters. Hollywood executives: Start reading scripts again (and stop buying remake rights). The next great action film is out there.
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Which gives you an idea how long ago a remake of this has been talked about.
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I had to register after reading this. Why fuck up one of the best movies ever made? Why?
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it was announced that Denzel Washington and Richard Gere would be doing the remake.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 1:12 p.m. CST
Remember when Koreans complained there were no roles for them in
by HellKing
They use to complain that non-Koreans were playing Koreans, Now virtually every Asian role in Hollywood is acted by Koreans. Also when a role is originally non-Korean Asian, it's turned into a Korean.
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Yea, producers are lining up for that Hard Target remake..
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Seems to be that movie's already been remade starring Jet Li, Jason Statham, or both about 90 times in the last 3 years.
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Dude, you rock! That was hilarious! Tom Hanks as Death had me laughing out loud!
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good one..
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this shouldnt be remade. the original is a classic, the new version will be some dumbed down americanize pos for the short attention span audience. let me guess, ratner to direct it?
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Or how about, "save my corneas for the awesome original instead of this".
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Get off your computer, right now, and rent the fucker. It. Will. Blow. Your. Funking. Mind!
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How good would it be if it were remade by James Cameron? Pretty incredible wouldn't you think?
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This is the worst fucking idea ever. Infernal Affairs was a drama(Scorcese is a master at dramas), but this is an action movie. No one director in this decade has been able to create action scenes even coming close to the Killer.
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The dialogue was so goofy and half the actors thought they were in a comedy while the others in a drama. And what was with the classic rock combilation ablum playing in the background occassionally getting so loud that it overpowered the actors talking? Just make an Eatern Promises sequel. I'll see that.
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This is old news. In fact, it was part of the way The Killer became so known then. Geez, that's got to go back to 1991 or 1992. I remember the articles in Fango and all those kinds of mags going on and on about The Killer and this director named John Woo. Meet the new remake, same as the old remake...
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Slow to get back...your Jet Li/Stratham comment proves that Woo's American output takes a back seat to his Korean films. Which are better: Hard Target, Face Off, MI 2 or The Killer and Hard Boiled? The choice is pretty obvious.
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I don't think the choice is THAT obvious; there's definitely more of a gritty indie feel to the HK films, since they were made for less money and without a clueless studio exec pulling the strings, but Woo's style just rubs me the wrong way in general. I mean, let's face it, in terms of subtlety all his films are basically Moulin Rouge with guns.
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Didn't Walter Hill write the screenplay for the KILLER remake that never happened? I don't remember if he was gonna direct.<p> I don't know why Merrick didn't mention this, but if you click on the article it tells who the director is. Apparently he directed the highest grossing movie in Korea. It is kind of unclear whether this is a Korean production or American.
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I don't know WTF you guys are raving about? I saw this movie and it was one of the worst action-scripting shows I have seen. Plot was horrible, acting was sub-par. The only thing that seemed to be about was the EXTREME violence in it. Hell "A Bittersweet Life" had better action in it than this sod of a movie. And also why shouldn't Korean actors be the ones remaking it? They are the ones that have been turning out quality shit in this century in ALL the asian countries combined. I remember a time when all the asian actors that were portrayed used to be chinese or japanese. Now koreans seem to be the "hot" movie face and so what? Get over it. The Killer is at its best, a "C" quality movie.
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I forsee them getting LBH (Lee Byung Hun). I can see this working with this korean actor. Anyone else...not so much.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 3:19 p.m. CST
i wont watch a forein movie if it aint in american staring ameri
by kelli_picklers_cooter
ifn a movie is in jap it makes it hard to pay atenshun. i cant read none too fast. i liked the lake house it was also a jap remake. it stird up feelings i had deep inside and i weeped.
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and you know they'd cast Cillian Murphy as Antonious Blok, and some action director looking to expand his range, like McG or Rob Cohen or the Transporter guy comes along ( I love all three of you guys, BTW ), and all of a sudden the internet community is talking about how this one has a chance. Guys, people read this stuff. Some are looking to reduce the financial risk of their companies by investing in properties that will inherently generate conversation, others are looking for a creative challenge, and someone, somewhere, is reading this, considering it's viability, and realizing that swordfights were what was missing from the original, and that nobody plays chess anymore. But wait! What if it were a soldier returning from Iraq, fighting against death and trying to save an innocent artist on the streets of New York? Suddenly, the budget is cut by half and this is exactly the thing that gets the internets a-titter. Hell, maybe I should write it!
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If anyone wants to pay me to write this, it's tennyson @ 8sidedfilms.com.
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you never know who's reading.
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Make it so Hollywood...
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That would be Kate Blanchett as Death then, Bruce Willis as Block, and Nils or whatshisname can be played by Jake Gyllenhal or Cillian Murphy. Act One is the act where Bruce gets into a game of cunning with death, and makes the deal where he can live if he wins. The second act is where Death sets his sights on the artist, who in this case is a sculptor and installation artist to allow for some very cool sets, and begins to move in for the kill, and act III is where Bruce pulls out all the stops in a last ditch effort to pull death away from Jake or Cillian, as the case may be.
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Come on, level with us. You're a development exec. It's too perfect.
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I'll pay you to wash and wax my car... $20 if you do a good job...
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And D-Wars was the best movie in the history of the world. Don't see that many Korean movies getting Oscar noms. And the few that do win festival awards bomb at the box office.
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This should be a made-for-TV movie. For CBS. So I can be assured to never see it, even by accident.
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I think that Woo's style can be a take or leave proposition, but that his American films are all style and little content, whereas his early work has more content to compliment the style. But true, you gotta love slow motion. As far as the remake goes, I think I'll just play Stranglehold on my 360. Good night.
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I realize it's pretty obvious sounding, but The Killer was pretty much known for it's action scenes.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 4:42 p.m. CST
Wasn't this going to be a Nic Cage and Denzel flick awhile back?
by Itto Ogami loses Daigoro
or rumored to be anyway. This remake's been off and on especially when Woo was 'hot' after Face/Off hit.
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i am developmnt exec we jus greenlighted "iron eagle 5: iron eagler" its a total reboot with some time travel and mind erasing. wouldja like to rite that?
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D-Wars althought it wasn't the best movie was the FIRST all-asian production using all asian (korean) CG effects, which no other asian country can boast can it? So what is your point? As for getting oscar nominations...what are you stupid? Like getting a hollywood Oscar Nomination is the be-all of a FOREIGN movie? Its laughable that foreign films even have an oscar category. It's like the biggest joke at the oscars. You know that for foreign films, the oscars are not the benchmark to show that its a good film. Hell, I'd rather base a foreign film's performance rather on markets that actually focus on foreign films like Cannes or some of the other film festivals out there. As for bombing at the box office...name me 1 asian movie, other than korean that surpassed a top 10 grossing korean movie @ the box office, in America or elsewhere other than their native country? Can you name 1?
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...was mentioned above about starring in a remake years ago, as mentioned above. Bad idea, obviously. Leave the movie alone.
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but A Better Tomorrow is a much better film. That is the one that should be remade, if a John Woo film remake has to happen. Possibly Hard Boiled, because of the crazy gun fights, but A Better Tomorrow is a classic.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 6:42 p.m. CST
In action movies when a dude takes his sunglasses off.....
by BillyPilgrim
You KNOW its go time. Like Stallone turning his hat around in Over The Top. Now thats a movie that needs a remake.
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Oct. 9, 2007, 7:33 p.m. CST
Just wait for the backlash when they announce a Hard Boiled rema
by Boondock Devil
Or even worse.. a Hard Target remake... noooooooo!
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You forgot 'Licsense To Drive', starring Zac Efron in the Corey Haim role, and Shia Lebauf in the Corey Feldman role.....Hijincs ensue... In answer to someone else's post about original script, and why they don't make all of the new original scripts written by talented writers get made, I go with the current state of rap music theory..... Instead of going with the Talib Kweli's, Common's, Jean Grae's & Kupe Fiasco's because they make 'smart' music, music exec's instead offer all of the Soulja Boy's, Young Jeezeys's, and other rap acts that don't offer anything of substance, and continue to market similar acts because it's easy and requires no thought, and it guarantee's a big return....plus, why take a chance on something new that might actually be good in the long-run?? same thing with the movie industry. Remakes and shortcuts when filming, which affect the quality of films. You would think that the administrators on this site have some connections to throw a wrench in the studio's plans, or at least get us a contact address or e-mail that we could write to..without it, we just have to stand by and watch for the next remake...
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Oct. 9, 2007, 7:53 p.m. CST
Peter777, Exactly! That's why you're so-called superior Korean..
by HellKing
cinema is as crappy as the others you don't like. I'm glad you agree those few Korean movies that won film festival awards mean nothing. Now don't get all Virginia Tech and start shooting people. You seem to be very touchy. I knew you would defend D-Wars as something special. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
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Since this movie was a thin setup to let Woo get his action ballet on, and this is going to be full of Hollywood style action sequences, couldn't you just play the original in a VCR and throw the tracking way off? Look now it's just like the Borne movies! Weee!
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Oct. 9, 2007, 9:07 p.m. CST
Japan is remaking Sanjuro
by Guy Who Got A Headache And Accidentally Saves The World
What do you say to that, I mean if it was Hollywood that'd be one thing but Japan should know better.
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Er? When did I ever tout that Korean superiority? I just stated the obvious. Only a bread-dead fart like you who can't use google can't tell the different. Just look up asian cinema and literally watch as google searches match up korean movies that have been out this century ok? If I am "superior" because I told the truth, than WTF are you? Just stupid?
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I've seen it ten times. Just looking at that clip reminds me of how the copy cats never got it right and never will. I mean nobody moves like Chow Yun Fat in a two gun shoot out. He gave Woo plenty to work with.<P>In other words, there's no need for a remake. Leave it alone!
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What I've heard from my sources is that much original material gets "passed" on due to lack of good dialogue and character development. It appears that all the script doctors for original material have relocated to India and China, leaving a glut of movie remake re-writers. :-)
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I guarantee you will not find this in a theater. Fucking remakes mark the END OF HISTORY AND THE LAST MAN. Whatever that means.
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a) The Killer is fine to be remade<br> b) Hard Boiled is not<br> 1) because it is organically awesome<br> 2) because it reinvented realism in action movies<br> 3) because it hasn't been remade up until now<br> a. and therefore shouldn't be.<br> i. if a chinese/hong kong action movie is worth ermaking, they will do it within 5 years, thumbing their nose at the original artistic intent<br> 4) it has elevators shown in one take, and squibs<br> a. neither are available in hollywood any longer<p> I am drunk.
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wth my original spacing, that would have been funnier. sort of like a high school essay outline spoof. but as it strads, it's just kinda incomprehensible. oh well. the office reruns on TBS.
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Oct. 10, 2007, 12:40 a.m. CST
There's no way, there's NO FUCKING WAY that this is going to wor
by Motoko Kusanagi
Even if this friggin lame rehash doesn't suck ass it will in every way be inferior to the original. There's no way they can top the mayhem, the bodycount or even the brilliant camera and editing work. They won't come close.
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Bunch of snobs
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...then check out Johnny To's stuff. Warning: His films may cause 30 year-old men to get so excited that they may chest-bump each other in public.
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... RATNER BOY!!! Assuming he hasn't already done it by the time I'm done posting this. Any buzz on a Hong Kong remake of "Money Talks"?
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'The latest National Adult Literacy Survey in the US shows that 21 to 23 percent (some 40 to 44 million of the 191 million adults in the US - demonstrated skills in the lowest level of prose, document, and quantitative proficiencies. A full half of adults were in the bottom 2 (of 5) levels of literacy.' <br> <br> That's just plain fucking embarassing.
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Just because a movie was succsessfull once.... aw fuck it i'm not even gonna go into this one. Boycott this shit.Boycott i say . :(
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Archive, when I wrote that I thought it was funny. You have shown me that it is, in fact, frighteningly plausible. Nevertheless, your updating of The Seventh Seal was quite inspired. Here are some more.<p>8 1/2: Brett Ratner searches for original material, fails, remakes Fellini's classic instead.<p>Sidewayz - the Next Generation: It's one week till Jonah Hill's first date. Michael Cera takes him on a road trip where they drink beer, play some catch and ruminate on life.<p>The Death of Mr Lazarescu: Joel Silver asks, "Does he have to die?"<p>The Lives of Others: The original could have been a classic if the cast hadn't insisted on speaking German all the way through. The Hollywood update will rectify this.<p>Au Hasard Balthazar: This time the donkey talks! And fights back! And is CGI!
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Remake title.
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Oct. 21, 2007, 3:11 a.m. CST
The only way this would work is if Woo directed the remake
by GibsonUSA
This movie requires Woo.
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