To Remake, Or To Definitely Not Remake
To remake, or to definitely not remake
Films that just remake the original (Red Dawn 2012), I don’t see the point of, why wouldn’t I just watch the original? Yes, sometimes we get confused because we’re stuck in our modern world (when first seeing a Walk to Remember—it never made sense why the doctors gave up so easily but I figured it was just what’s “in the script”, until I learned that the original story was set in the 1950s). Remakes that take the older film (Dial M for Murder, Rear Window) and bring it into a new time with technological or societal, or political changes (A Perfect Murder, Disturbia) are not ripping off the ideas of the original but re-creating it.
I did not see Dial M for Murder and A Perfect Murder on the same night as usual with remakes but over the same weekend, giving time to reset my mind and put the movies as their own. In Dial M for murder, the husband’s plans are set in motion because he discovers his wife’s affair and doesn’t want to lose his lifestyle as he has just retired and feels betrayed. The resolution mostly happens because the husband messes up, not because of the watch or even that the wife lives, that he clears up pretty quickly—and even confuses leads the wife into giving confusing information so she looks guilty (whether intentional or not). But with ample opportunity, he doesn’t clean up the messes he could have changed, that would have let him get away. This is the same with A Perfect Murder, where with a little more patience, the husband would have gotten away with it.
In A Perfect Murder while the affair is still an issue, the main reason for the murder for the husband is his money issues at work, not really caring about his wife’s betrayal but as a way to come off clean about the murder. An added level that I didn’t care for (thou mostly out of pity for the wife—thou I guess she doesn’t deserve it) is in A Perfect Murder, her boyfriend gets involved while in Dial M for Murder he fights and fights to clear her name. What I do like, is that while in Dial M for Murder the police mainly figure out what happened, in A Perfect Murder the wife figures it out—saving herself twice.
Neither movie would be the same without the aspect of the key as the switcheroo, as both were simple and, I believe, brilliant stories. In the remake, there were the updates and changes of cellphones, characters’ intention and how the crime was solved—but the main thrill and suspense was kept, but this doesn’t always happen. I’ve seen both Red Dawns, 1984 and 2012 and I didn’t really understand the point of a remake. It’s not updated to a modern time and while the characters have more camaraderie, there is also less story, somehow. It’s just not worthy of a remake, and many agree.
PS-- I love how we know everything, but don’t know how it will all piece together or turn out
More Posts from Jjayolsen and Others
Jan Levinson (Gould)
Jan’s Best Moment: Season Two, Episode Fifteen: Boys and Girls
When Pam mentions the obstacles of not going for the Corporate Graphic Design Internship (her current job, cost, and time), she tells Pam “There are always a million reasons not to do something”.
Jan’s Worst Moment: Season Three, Episode Nine: The Convict
When she tells them it’s Martin who was the ‘reformed convict’. Maybe she had to, but honestly, she should have known how this would go.
Jan’s Best Line: Season Four, Episode Nine: Dinner Party
“This will be great to cook with—really”.
Jan’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Four, Episode Fourteen
When we find out she’s pregnant with *not Michael’s* baby.
Nellie Bertram
Nellie’s Best Moment: Season Nine, Episode Two: Roy’s Wedding
When she had Dwight and her a pledge that he’d live by Taliban law in the office because the only charity he’d choose for her Special Projects assignment (Operation: Give Back) was the Global Relief Foundation, a front for the Taliban.
Then, after signing the pledge, she steals his pen so he has to cut off her hand.
Nellie’s Worst Moment: Season Eight, Episode Fifteen: Tallahassee
When she has Ryan say, “So who’s leading this thing, anyway?, and “I can’t wait to meet him.” Only to respond. “Him, you say? Don’t think a woman can be a leader?”
She sets him up to seem sexist so she can correct him, also, she says her brain is her “huge whopping penis” Creepy.
Nellie’s Best Line: Season Eight, Episode Nineteen: Get the Girl
“I have one simple philosophy in business: if the seat is open, the job is open. It's how I came to briefly race a Formula One Car.”
Nellie’s Most Memorable Moment: Season Nine, Episode Nine: Dwight’s Christmas
When after spending hours in the breakroom with Toby, before and during the Christmas party, listening to him talk about the Scranton Strangler case she starts shushing him. When he takes this as her going to kiss him she instantly takes it as the lesser painful option and kisses him.
That’s what i’m talking about
Meishu, Leider, Ledare
Today, many in the US celebrate a world of chocolate, candies and fantasy. While books tells us the stories of ourselves, our community, those we don’t know and those we will never meet the public spaces we can enjoy these stories, explore and grow. But while many of these stories are true and these public spaces not all in libraries, many of the libraries would be empty if existing at all if not for...authors.
November 1st is National Author Day, Gracia!
While not the best of ideas, in the pre-internet times--books sometimes were your only saviour. Even today, I still appreciate the new worlds, in some aspect better worlds books can take me to and inspire me to create
Pam Beesley
Pam's Best Moment: Season Seven, Episode Two: Counseling
When and how she interacts with everyone in the office to get her Office Administrator Job--it's not the most moral but it does show that she would be good and knows the office well.
Michael just signs, because it's Pam,
She acts out a sex-story to Meredith,
Plays with Angela’s cat,
Discusses decorative changes Darryl was inspired by from tv shows.
Pam's Worst Moment: Season Five, Episode Ten: The Surplus When she throws out the tiramisu Jim brought her because he wouldn't take her side in the chairs v. copier debate.
Pam's Best Line: Season Nine, Episode Sixteen: Moving On When she lives mid-day to interview for a job in Philadelphia and Andy asks her where she's going she just replies:
“Not on a three-month boat trip.”
Pam's Most Memorable Moment: Season Five, Episode Nineteen: Golden Ticket When going through Michael's list of prepared reasons for skirting a phone call (being at the civil rights rally, stopping a fight in the parking lot, an Obama fashion show, having a colonoscopy) and that's she's saving that Michael is “trapped in an oil painting”.
Librarius
The United Kingdom (UK) somewhat undeserving, and somewhat deserving, has a reputation and overall appearance of being sophisticated and intelligent, worldly and exquisite. Another one of the top countries overall in various global lists of the most educated and intelligent, the UK also presents itself these just by the beauty of its institutions and that are intertwined within their communities.
Separate into four countries, probably the most historic, paired and well-known institutes are the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge which have been promoted throughout media culture in classics such as A Tale of Two Cities, Pride and Prejudice and more contemporary stories as A Discovery of Witches and Wilde. Adding to the prominence placed on this type of institution, the Belfast Library in Northern Ireland is located on Royal Avenue, and has expanded the education selection to a well-equipped music section all by itself that contains the music along with books about music throughout history. The Newport Central Library is part art gallery, museum and library in Wales. Being a larger infrastructure this library is a successful tourism spot possibly because of the focus on local communities with a large emphasis on community activities for children, film screenings and local dialect and history. Unfortunately, sometimes the historic presence of libraries can get lost or drowned out by the prestige of the surrounding community. While the New York Public Library may not be anything grand, its architecture compared to the surrounding environment make it stand out. However, with its cobblestone roads, local castles and older feel many are likely to mistake the Library of Edinburgh as just another building, completely passing the opportunity to visit the reading room or art pieces placed throughout that connect locals to their history.
The UK puts library and education at the top of its priorities, so it’s place and presence as a world leader while smaller than in the past is still properly recognized and deserved.
Dementors
"Dementors are among the foulest creatures that walk this earth. They infest the darkest, filthiest places, they glory in decay and despair, they drain peace, hope and happiness out of the air around them....get too near a Dementor and every good feeling, every happy memory, will be sucked out of you...you'll be left with nothing but the worst experiences of your life.’
It is with our introduction to Dementors that we really feel inside JK Rowling, even for those who dealt with depression, the aspect of it being temporary and out of ones control made the connection difficult--but is becoming more accepted overtime. While some stories show us new worlds, and other stories draw connections from different worlds to our own, others open our eyes to living a better life and all the different ways stories and books and conversations, sometimes we read to find ourselves as we look for ourselves in others. This is one of the best examples, of how JK connected us and brought us forward within ourselves as those right next to us. Her ability to openly and honestly portray pain, loneliness and loss are some of the most crucial elements that people needed to feel connected with in order to survive.
"You do care" said Dumbledore "You care so much you feel as though you will bleed to death with the pain of it"--and we did, we have survived
Let's be honest, reading books and buying books are two completely different hobbies.
Dreamed, Desired, Determined
Tripzilla, a Southeast Asia Travel-Media company, created a list of the 10 libraries you must visit around the world. (https://www.tripzilla.com/10-bucket-list-libraries-you-must-visit-once-in-your-lifetime/27470)
Stadtbibliothek in Stuttgart, Germany
With a bit of an Escher vibe, I love it, though I highly doubt it looks this way all the time. Everyone in Germany can’t be this neat.
Biblioteca Vasconcelos in Mexico City, Mexico
This one looks a little scary, both what I would imagine being stuck at a microscopic size in a large industrial machine but also in the engine room of the Titanic but I can see through walls. Looks nice, but I think I’d spend most of time fearing a book or something else was going to fall and kill me
Liyuan Library in Beijing, China
Well that was dumb, I didn’t even think about going to a library when I traveled and my guess is that for the most part I won’t be going back. I love the homey and natural feel of this mountain-nestled library. It definitely looks like a place where you feel welcome to sit and read all day with some tea.
Benediktinerstift Admont in Admont Abbey, Austria
This one, for me, is just one to look around in. Along with the distraction of the ceilings and insane molding, I’d be too afraid to drop something and make a mess (after my Belle swing on a ladder and sing about books moment of course)
New York Public Library in New York, U.S.A
Ehh. I’ve been here but while it’s beautiful and I guess famous it’s also incredibly strict, convoluted to get through and the true library portion of it is a small floor in the basement
Musashino Art University Library in Tokyo, Japan
So, maybe it’s because it’s the Art University library and maybe this is for better planning but all I can think is, WHY ARE THERE SO MANY SPOTS WITHOUT BOOKS! Nope, not a fan.
Librije Zutphen in Gelderland, Netherlands
Okay, this is more for the historic obviously than for the actual bibliophile or community. But at the same time, maybe not the worst idea given the books, movies and other items that somehow never make it back
Taipei Public Library Beitou Branch in Taipei, Taiwan
Surrounded by just a bit of nature and peace, this library is a true haven for the local community who want to get an escape from the chaos of city and modern life. Not only made entirely of wood and glass, it is also a certified green building with plenty of space and freedom to restore yourself
Villanueva Public Library in Casanare, Columbia and Min Buri Old Market Library in Bangkok, Thailand
These libraries are what it’s all about. Both intricate and developed by the community, for the community the Villanueva was designed and built my students and organizations in the community with locally-sourced materials and is meeting place for many of the community’s social events and activities.
The Min Buri Old Market Library was a small (3 by 9 meters) unoccupied space that residents spruced up into a library with local books, a small reading and garden space in the back and workstations “upstairs”.
