Honeymooners

pp2 · 05-27-2005, 08:19 PM

No not the superior, classic, original 39 episodes from the 50s. I'm referring to the motion picture remake starring Cedric the Entertainer and Mike Epps.

In a word? Blech.

I really hate when Hollywood feels the need to not only remake things like The Honeymooners, but to make them "hip and urban". I really, really hate that. Aside from the fact that Cedric is not funny enough to carry a project as a principle (note the difference between Barbershop and Barbershop 2), but why are the characters now black? I hate that. Its like if they made a movie out of Sanford and Son but used a couple of white guys. George Jefferson as a grumpy white man? Its not the same, and it just won't work. The previews don't even look remotely funny.

Any thoughts on this particular project or the "Hollywoodization" of projects like this?

Joseph T. Cool · 05-27-2005, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pp2

Any thoughts on this particular project or the "Hollywoodization" of projects like this?

This movie shares nothing in common with the tv series except the basic premise of the characters names and occupations I believe. Everything else was changed. I don't understand why they had to call it the Honeymooners when they made this movie. Just change the characters names to something else and you have your own crappy movie by itself.

I've said it before and I will say it again, remakes as a whole need to be grounded in a solid script. If you make a movie just off the premise of an old tv show or a movie from the 70's etc, it's most likely not going to work. You need to have a good script, engaging characters, and a chemistry amongst the cast. Granted not a lot of movies have this to begin with but it all comes back to is the story good? I believe if you have a good story to tell, even if it does re-tell an old one, you will have a decent movie.

All that being said I will avoid the Honeymooners at all cost.

In the words of Dennis Miller, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.

pp2 · 05-27-2005, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spidey

I've said it before and I will say it again, remakes as a whole need to be grounded in a solid script. If you make a movie just off the premise of an old tv show or a movie from the 70's etc, it's most likely not going to work. You need to have a good script, engaging characters, and a chemistry amongst the cast. Granted not a lot of movies have this to begin with but it all comes back to is the story good? I believe if you have a good story to tell, even if it does re-tell an old one, you will have a decent movie.

Well said. I'm trying to think of remakes that actually WERE successful. First thing to mind is The Fugitive. Had all the elements you mentioned...and hey, Kimball was still white! lol Its also one of the top money-grossers ever.

How about the original Brady Bunch movie? Not only did they stick to the basic theme, but they went out of their way to cast as identical as they could to the original. Again, its what we IDENTIFY with. The story was simple but worked well within the Brady universe. That movie grossed only $46 million (with a budget of $12 million), but I somehow think thats a better take than the Honeymooners will wind up with.

Joseph T. Cool · 05-27-2005, 08:49 PM

The more successful remakes take the exisiting concept and add a new twist. Therefore you have the same characters but with an entirely new direction the other one didn't explore. Mission Impossible with Tom Cruise did this to some extent. IE. The surprise with Jon Voight at the end.

I would prefer to avoid remakes all together as the fine line there is tricky.

But I understand the need for them as well.

Honeymooners will bomb worse then "Gigli" and "Taxi" with Jimmy Fallon. That's my prediction.

pp2 · 05-27-2005, 08:54 PM

We can only hope. I'd like to think that utter failure here would make Hollywood think twice about doing this again, but we all know that will never happen.

Mr. Kennedy · 05-27-2005, 10:35 PM

This movie could do worse than Swept Away and it wouldn't stop Hollywood from doing re-makes. I also object to the idea of making the characters black since it seems like they do it to appeal to the urban markets, 2 that stand out it my mind are Wilson "Kingpin" Fisk and Catwoman.

pp2 · 06-21-2005, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pp2

How about the original Brady Bunch movie? Not only did they stick to the basic theme, but they went out of their way to cast as identical as they could to the original. Again, its what we IDENTIFY with. The story was simple but worked well within the Brady universe. That movie grossed only $46 million (with a budget of $12 million), but I somehow think thats a better take than the Honeymooners will wind up with.

After 2 weeks, the abomination known as The Honeymooners has not only gotten (by and large) horrible reviews buts its also taken in a sickly $9,551,584. Its not even gonna touch the Brady Bunch.

Maybe Hollywood will learn something from this. Like...if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Joseph T. Cool · 06-21-2005, 08:06 PM

With the Bewitched and Dukes of Hazzard films due out in the coming weeks I don't know if they ever will.

At least these two look a little promising but Honeymooners should have never been greenlighted for production.

It makes you wonder who they had to pay off to get that film made.

Spinoff360 · 06-21-2005, 10:20 PM

If they made a good movie based on an old TV series or something then I wouldn't mind. But I don't think Hollywood is capable of that so they will just keep making crap.