Another 'High Noon'? Are they high?

saddletramp Sun, Apr 6, 2008 at 10:20 AM EST

It is time to bring the westerns back!
High Noon is dated dull and black & white. It is time for Tom Sellec to get back in the saddle. I think he would be a great role for this film. He did a good job in "Quiggly down under" he would make an awsome town marshal.

my I Fri, Nov 9, 2007 at 06:56 AM EST

Lord of the Rings. All 3 movies.
Yeah, fat-orc-turned-respectable(however that happened)-director Jackson proved the movies could be made. Kudos for that.
Now it's up to someone else to prove they can make *good* movies from those books.
And leave 'High Noon' alone.

Tuzo Fri, Nov 9, 2007 at 01:36 AM EST

If they do go ahead with this who would be a good choice to play Kane? For straight laced courage and gravitas I'm thinking Harrison Ford although he is probably too old.

Tuzo Fri, Nov 9, 2007 at 01:06 AM EST

In general these remakes are a bad idea. Especially classics. The Maltese Falcon is a bit of an anomaly with 3 films in 10 years (although one was an "adaptation") but how many remakes have there been since they nailed the '41 version? To my knowledge, none. I don't see how you could succeed in comparison. The only thing to gain would be money; use the goodwill and "brand" of the original to earn some cash. It's late here and I'm feeling cynical, I guess.
I will admit that we usually look back with rose colored glasses since most of the average and even bad films are, for the most part, long forgotten by the general public.

Rebekah Thu, Nov 8, 2007 at 12:23 AM EST

This is one of the best movies of all time. They CANNOT remake it. Leave it alone- please!

Rebekah Thu, Nov 8, 2007 at 12:22 AM EST

This is one of the best movies of all time. The CANNOT remake it. Leave it alone- please!

John Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 06:05 PM EST

I'm going to be ripped to shreds for this, but here goes: If ever there was a classic, beloved film to be a candidate for a remake, High Noon is it. I find it to be a somewhat dated, dull film with broadly drawn, generally unlikeable caricatures for characters. It doesn't hold up like the very best westerns. I'm not ignorant to classic films, High Noon is just one of the few canon classics that I don't hold in the same esteem as the vast majority of film fams.

In fact, I think Marc Bernadin is wrong: 24 does the "real-time" gimmick better (it did until season 6, anyway).

With a good director and writers, a High Noon remake could be an improvement on the original; tighter, with better characters. Considering Hollywood's tendencies, however, it will probably be pretty lame.

Jager Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 04:51 PM EST

Afraid I'm going to have to agree with the few other people on my bandwagon... OUTLAND was a GREAT movie.. It's a scifi classic that has a wide following... I suppose it helps that I saw it on the big screen when it came out - that much visual real estate tends to change one's viewing experience. But remake it? Nah.. One should only be allowed to remake BAD movies based on GOOD stories... Chrichton books are usually good stories, but have mostly been made into horrid movies (Sphere, Congo, Timeline) - then you get Jurassic Park series, Andromeda Strain (remake already in production), Coma, and Twister (ok, the latter was so-so).

If they only remade GOOD stories with BAD movies behind them, I'd be happier - leave the already classics classic.

Ceballos Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 04:28 PM EST

It's probably too soon to remake "The Da Vinci Code" isn't it?

I know it's not classic literature, but I still can't accept how such a fun, exciting read could've been turned into such a lame movie.

Michael Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 03:22 PM EST

So I'm a musical fan. A guilty pleasure I have is the film version of A Chorus Line. I love it, even though I know it's terrible. When I was a young film major, I always thought that this would be a movie I would tackle and get right. I still think it should be remade a la Rob Marshall!

Shaun Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 02:32 PM EST

I'm tired of people complaining about remakes. Sure some shouldn't be made (High Noon is probably a good example of this.) But come on, who didn't love 3:10 to Yuma, the Departed or even the American Office? It has to be done right though - take the premise and some of the ideas of the original and expand it, put your own stamp on it or make it more relevant for today's times. Don't just do a frame by frame retread. That being said, I think remakes should be done a lot less often than they are right now and stay away from the classics!

Rahul Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 01:45 PM EST

Especially after '3:10 to Yuma' this year, I don't think there's a need for this remake since the story and setting are similar -particularly Christian Bale's character arc.

Aaron Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 01:24 PM EST

They could really do a great remake of "Miracle at Morgan's Creek" which would just need to updated for today's, uh, new social mores. It could play a lot like a more screwball version of "Knocked Up" and while the surprise ending in the original wouldn't work anymore, I'm sure they could come up with something just as clever.

ronaldo Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 01:21 PM EST

I believe Logan's Run is still planned to be updated; pretty promising since it had a great concept burdened by 70's special effects/direction.

stop Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 01:04 PM EST

peter jackson's king kong was not very good first of all. although it fits into a category of movies that could have been remade in my mind. some remakes are good, but most are bad or absolutely horrible.
And i agree that you can't remake the running man. the movie is awesome. and dawson's performance kicks ass.

stop remakes though. just stop.

Martin Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:56 PM EST

Definitely "Chinatown". Not really.
I would actually like to see a remake of "The Changeling". The original is great, but I know it can be imporved upon.

Ned Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:55 PM EST

This is weird, it was already remade in 2000 with Tom Skerrit as Will Kane. Maybe that doesn't count since it was made for television.

I wonder who they'll get to play him this time, if they must remake it again, then I vote for Sam Elliot. But they'll probably make it a comedy and get Jack Black.

mjryan Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:55 PM EST

Everyone acts like rehashing ideas is a new thing in Hollywood. The Humphrey Bogart version of The Maltese Falcon was the third try, in less than 10 years, mind you.

furry_tom Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:54 PM EST

I always wanted to see a less campy version of Repo Man. Scrape of some of the 80's cheese and put it in the hands of Lynch or the Coen brothers. Unfortunately, if it did get remade, it would probably star Dane Cook and have Sum 41 instead of Iggy Pop on the soundtrack.
God, I hope I haven't given them any ideas.

Tuzo Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:50 PM EST

Clunkers? Connery. Highlander II. 'nuff said.

I truly think that Hollywood is out of ideas. Let's leave the classics alone. As someone else said, I think it may be appropriate to take a look at a remake when the original is lacking in some way or not fully realized.

Fair game would probably be older fantasy sci-fi films that could be improved with new technology. Kong fits in there. I'm also thinking things like Journey to the Center Earth, Mysterious Island, Sinbad, etc. Just as long as they try to inject some sort of soul along with the effects.

Also, leave the TV shows alone too!

j Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:48 PM EST

remaking this movie makes me just as sick as the thought of remaking The Day the Earth Stood Still. OMG people! No more original thoughts? WTF? must steal from others who were clearly more clever? i agree that a remake of something that wasn't a classic isn't necessarily a bad thing cuz sometimes the remake can be better than the original. in this case however, bollucks! & if you are of the mind that the remake introduces the movie to a new generation, you're an idiot! all it does is introduce the remake to a new generation, which does nothing for the original.

Kevin Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:48 PM EST

I think we should be revisiting soundtracks rather than completely remaking films. High Noon is fine as is, but there are more than enough decent movies from the 70s and 80s that are virtually unwatchable courtesy of bad synth soundtracks. Once the soundtracks are fixed, we then only need to figure out a way to digitally remove pornstaches, feathered hair, and nuthugger jeans and the 70s and 80s classics would be watchable again.

RP Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:36 PM EST

Most video game movies need fixing in my opinion. Silent Hill is an exception but most are at least corny if not cringe worthy.

Instead of ripping of the Japanese, again, how about redoing The Fall of the House of Usher? They made us watch that in school and it messed me up!

WH Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 12:32 PM EST

The only reason to remake High Noon is if we had some incredible new technology that could add to it. But since we don't, don't even think about remaking High Noon. Some things are perfect as they are.
Ideas for imperfect movies to remake:
Gaslight - a serious remake could add so much; The Apartment - change the genders of the characters (who knows?); Starting Over was a 70s movie-just okay, but I think it could be done really today; and how about another "David Copperfield"?(not the magician). The kid who played him in the last Brit remake has done well. But I don't think the movies have come up with a truly great version of it yet. Let's give it a try.

Rasdane Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 11:59 AM EST

It's a horrible idea to remake a classic like High Noon. And it's already been done! Yes, there was "Outland." Yes, there was a bad cable-version with Tom Skerritt. But the version that takes the cake: The HORRIFIC "Miami Vice" episode "The Afternoon Plane" from '87 which stole the plot wholesale! And I believe both Vincent D'Onofrio and John Leguizamo guested. Not anyone's finest hour. Ah, Philip Michael Thomas, where are you now?

Torin Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 11:24 AM EST

Cyborg - This is one of my guilty pleasure movies. I think that the right director and screenwriter can do something amazing with the plot.

Commando - I mainly love this movie for the over-the-top action. I'd love to see The Rock (in Schwartzenegger's role) and Vin Diesel as the villian.

Nose Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 11:18 AM EST

Nothing. Nothing needs to be re-made. Leave old movies alone. I die a little inside every time I hear that one of my favorite childhood movies is going to be modernized. Stay away from old movies and come up with something new and original!!

Verity Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 11:14 AM EST

While I agree Hollywood often goes too far when it tries to remake beloved classics, there are a few remakes out there that I really enjoyed just as much or, in some cases, better than the original. "Ocean's 11" was great when it starred the Rat Pack and was just as good when George Clooney and Brad Pitt took it on again. "An Affair to Remember" was a remake of "Love Affair" but is the version we remember most today, plus it had all of those Oscar nominations. I'll admit though that the third remake (back to the title "Love Affair") was definitely below standards. I also enjoyed "The Italian Job" with Mark Wahlberg more than I did the original version that originally starred Michael Cane. So it's not always a bad thing. I think instead of remaking the solid classics (like “High Noon” and “Psycho”) they should focus on films that maybe aren’t remembered as well today and that could be told well in a modern setting.

Sarah Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 11:02 AM EST

That picture looks like Dermot Mulroney!

Martha Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 10:43 AM EST

How about Hollywood coming up with original scripts instead of trying to mine past gems? The quality record of remakes is pretty piss-poor.

Sally Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 10:42 AM EST

Let's put a moratorium on remakes...PLEASE! I don't believe they're going to remake High Noon...that's like remaking Gone with the Wind...you know, Hollywood wants to do that so badly, so they keep making prequels and sequels to GWTW....next they'll try to remake Citizen Cane...that's why they need to put a moratorium on remakes.

Ep Sato Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 10:16 AM EST

First, agreed that it's disgraceful anyone would remake high noon. The movie is a gem not only for its themes, but also what it symbolized in its era. Now, remaking The Running Man would also be a sin. Richard Dawson's performance was legendary.

I'd love to see the Warriors remade, but only if it's done "retro" to reflect on the era the book was written. Gangs of NYC in the 1960's might be an interesting concept to see on film.

Now that the online game is coming out, a remade Conan would be cool. The character's got tons of storyline between the books and comics.

Or instead of a remake, why not a long anticipated sequel? The Last Starfighter certainly had a lot of promise...

Finally, Jason's right. Connery's made a LOT of crappy movies. Medicine Man anyone?

Ames Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 10:13 AM EST

When I saw "Guess who's coming to dinner" I thought it had to be updated. Mainly b/c the girl was so beneath Sidney Poitier. That movie's idea of a modern women was someone who was allowed to speak while serving martinis.

However, Bernie Mac and Ashten Cutcher were not what I had in mind.

Craig Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 09:11 AM EST

I loved Outland. I watch that movie whenever it comes on.

mjryan Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 09:02 AM EST

Personally, I think Peter Jackson's King Kong is the best example of taking a classic and improving upon it while keeping the integrity of the original. Everyone seems to forget that reamake and always focus on Psycho. As for High Noon, sadly I haven't seen it but as soon as it shows on TCM, I will. The question is, who (director, producer, writer) is remaking High Noon?

Joe C Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 08:44 AM EST

I actually disagree; I like the classics being remade because it introduces a new generation to them. For example, Cape Fear. I saw the Robert Deniro/Nick Nolte one and through that version discovered the Gregory Peck/Robert Mitchum one. I'd never heard of High Noon before now; if I like the remake, I might check out the first one.

Dan TO Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 08:19 AM EST

I will always defend Gus Van Zant's Psycho. Yes, the original will always be the one of best films ever made... and one of my faves. However, GVZs version was a shot-for-shot, line-for-line remake with different actors and set in the present. To my knowledge this is the only time this has ever been done in film and makes for a fascinating study how these nuances change perception of the story and characters. What Psycho geek doesn't appreciate it on that level?

castlenes Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 08:00 AM EST

Red Dawn

castlenes Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 08:00 AM EST

Red Dawn

jason Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 07:34 AM EST

"one of Sean Connery's FEW clunkers"?!?!

Are you kidding?

cindy Wed, Nov 7, 2007 at 06:33 AM EST

The Last Dragon