Some classics are better left alone

A report came across The Brazil Times' wire service Monday morning that really disturbed me.

Apparently, there is a remake in the works of "The Karate Kid."

The original, released in 1984, starred Ralph Macchio as Daniel Larusso.

He and his mother move from one coast to the other to basically start over. But things don't go so well for young Daniel, who is picked on by school bullies.

Mr. Kesuke Miyagi (played by Pat Morita) takes Daniel under his wing and begins to teach him the art of Karate.

Most of you probably know the rest. But if you don't, I don't want to spoil it. If you get a chance, rent the flick and watch it. It's entertaining.

Monday morning, I saw a story come across about this apparent remake of this movie.

According to the story, Jackie Chan will play a kung-fu master in a "Hollywood-Chinese" remake of the "The Karate Kid."

Chan's disciple in the movie will be played by Jaden Smith, son of Hollywood stars Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith.

Upon seeing this news, my mind started wondering.

I couldn't help but think, why does Hollywood continue to make remakes of movies?

Have all original ideas gone out the window?

What are the worst remakes of all time?

Ah-Ha! Another list opportunity!

I then started thinking about what I believed to be the worst remakes of all time.

It's actually not that difficult when you think about it.

So many films have been remade over the years, but I thought I would focus on what I believe to be the 10 worst remakes in Hollywood history.

Here's my list:

10. Superman Returns -- The only thing that didn't push this further down the list was the fact that Kevin Spacey played Lex Luthor. The movie was remade in 2006.

9. The Thomas Crown Affair -- Remade in 1999 and starring Pierce Brosnan, this film didn't live up to the hype from the first one, which starred Steve McQueen.

8. King Kong -- This film has been remade several times, most recently in 2005, which didn't really generate a new fan base. The film was also remade in 1976, and that adaptation is often considered bad as well, although I kind of liked it. In other words, my taste in movies isn't all that great, apparently.

7. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre -- Remade in 2003, it just didn't pack enough of a punch like the first movie did, which was released in 1974.

6. Planet of the Apes -- Remade in 2001 and starring Mark Wahlberg, this film probably shouldn't have been remade at all.

5. Psycho -- Remade in 1998 and starring Vince Vaughn among others, how dare Hollywood mess with an Alfred Hitchcock classic?

4. Godzilla -- Remade in 1998, the film starred Matthew Broderick, among others. A train wreck.

3. House of Wax -- Remade in 2005, this "gem" starred Paris Hilton, among others. Good grief, Vincent Price was in the original, which came out in 1953.

2. The Omen -- Remade in 2006, the original made people squeamish, but for much different reasons than the remake.

1. Can't Buy Me Love -- Remade in 2003, under the title "Love Don't Cost a Thing." Why, oh why, oh why, Hollywood. Why?

I'm quite certain my list will chance in 2010 after the release of "The Kung-Fu Kid." Let alone a 2010 remake of "Footloose," which a co-worker reminded me a remake is already in the works for this 80s classic as well.

What's next, "The Breakfast Club?" They could call it, "The After School Club."

What about "St. Elmo's Fire?" The remake could be called "Where we hung out while in college, but life has changed and it may be time to grow up but we can't because we ..."

"Meatballs?" They could call it, "That summer when we went to camp and met the really cool guy who made us laugh because he was just plain silly."