"Lack Of Money Is No Obstacle. Lack Of An Idea Is An Obstacle"

I might as well do a blog about how much I hate things, because every single day I seem to find out some news in the film industry that just aggravates me, be it Star Wars getting a re-release or a brilliant film getting remade, for no reason. This post falls in the latter, and I know a fair few people will be annoyed with this news as well as me.

This list (link) is a compiled list of 50 (FIFTY!) films that are being remade in the new few years. People will be split down the middle like every remake, saying it's either needed because it's unknown or not needed because the original is a complete classic. Some films on the list, I'll admit, I've never heard of, so maybe them being brought to my attention is a good idea, but there are some that I have heard of that just don't need to be touched. For example, Battle Royale, a blood thirsty joy of a Japanese film, and The Birds, a classic Hitchcock thriller. But there is one film on the list that really got to me, and made me write this blog. And that's An American Werewolf in London.

I was going to do this post a couple of weeks ago, but glad I waited, as two nights ago I had the joy of watching this film again. It's a classic British horror comedy film, which sees some fantastic acting, some memorable scenes and the birth of some of the greatest Oscar-winning transformation effects created by Rick Baker. The latter point is deserved for it's Oscar win, Best Make-Up, and changed horror films from the 80s onwards, way before CGI was a centre point in filmmaking. The transformation scene is horrifying, brilliantly created and memorable. This scene alone is reason for there not to be a remake of a classic.

There are brilliant cameos in this film also, with director John Landis being hit by a car in one scene and Rik Mayall popping up in the pub early on. Landis had a brilliant early career with this film, Trading Places, and the Blues Brothers being his hits of the 80s, and having National Lampoon's Animal House under his belt early on in his filmography. He hit a bit of a rough patch since then, with blunders like Blues Brothers 2000 and Beverly Hills Cop III making him quit the directing business in 1998. But thankfully, he's back this year, at the helm of Simon Pegg and Andy Serkis film Burke and Hare, and from the trailer alone it looks like Landis is back on form.

An American Werewolf In London is a classic horror film, one of the best British films ever made and really was inspiration for horror films after it, with it's mix of comedy and blood, and brilliant make up design, helpful in the Landis-directed video for none of than Thriller by Michael Jackson. This film, along with many others, should be watched by all, and not be spoiled by a unnecessary remake. I bet it'll be in fucking 3D as well...