Dear Hollywood: Remake these

Leo Southworth, fellow blogger and avid reader, recently commented on my blog regarding the remaking of "The Karate Kid."

The movie, made in 1984, starred Ralph Macchio and was nominated for an Oscar (Pat Morita as Best Actor in a Supporting Role).

Elisabeth Shue did win an award for the movie, after being nominated for Best Young Supporting Actress in the Young Artist Awards. Shue later went on to gain critical fame for her role in "Leaving Las Vegas."

In my last blog, I argued that some "classics" are better left alone.

I composed a list of what I thought were the worst remakes of all-time, including "Superman Returns," "The Thomas Crown Affair," "King Kong," "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Planet of the Apes," "Psycho," "Godzilla," "House of Wax," "The Omen," and "Cant' Buy Me Love."

One reader reminded me of "Dirty Dancing," which was remade in recent years, while another reminded me of "War of the Worlds."

Another reader said "The Seven Samurai" spawned several remakes with different titles, for example "The Magnificent Seven," "A Bug's Life," and more.

At the end of the blog, I tossed out a few movies that I hope never get the Hollywood "facelift," such as "The Breakfast Club," "St. Elmo's Fire," or "Meatballs." (Coincidentally, I should have added "Sixteen Candles" to that list).

Another reader, by the way, reminded me of some other timeless classics that hopefully will not receive that "facelift," including "Caddyshack." I concur.

But fellow blogger Leo Southworth issued a challenge that I thought would be worth taking.

He suggested a list of movies that a remake would be considered better or perhaps movies that could receive "facelifts" to make them better.

Good idea Leo. Good idea indeed.

So, the following is a list of movies that could be remade better (hopefully). I didn't put the list in any particular order because in this case, I didn't think an order was necessary.

Flash Gordon -- The original starred Sam Jones as Flash Gordon and Max von Sydow as Ming. Made in 1980, it was cheesy, giving it the perfect reason for a remake. This movie, by the way, is currently being remade for a television.

The Creature from the Black Lagoon -- Originally made in 1954, this movie could use a facelift indeed. It is scheduled, according to IMdb.com (international movie database) to be remade for release in 2011.

Star Wars Episode I, II and III -- These three movies did not live up to the originals. Sorry George. A remake would be cool.

Barefoot in the Park -- Made in 1967 and starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, This Neil Simon comedy could be remade quite well.

The Thing -- Originally made in 1951 as "The Thing from Another World," and remade in 1982 as "The Thing" (which was directed by John Carpenter and starring Kurt Russell), this film could use a facelift.

Escape from New York -- Made in 1981 by Carpenter and starring Russell, this film is already listed for a possible release in 2011. Hopefully, whoever stars as Snake Pliskin will have the same cool that Russell had.

Dreamscape -- Made in 1984 and starring Dennis Quaid, I remember watching this as a kid thinking it was really neat.

Flowers in the Attic -- Simply scary. This movie really frightened me when I was a kid. Made in 1987, it could be remade if the right cast was assembled.

Streets of Fire -- This film just didn't get the credit it deserves. I always thought it was really cool. Starring Michael Pare and made in 1984, it also featured a young Willem Dafoe.

The Greatest American Hero -- I know it was on television, but it was made in 1981. The technology Hollywood has today could really make this a great film, that is, if the right cast is assembled.

So there is the list. By the way, if I have forgotten a movie or you have another idea, please feel free to comment.

And whether or not these are ever remade, I just hope that Hollywood never remakes the following: "Ferris Bueller's Day off," "Ghostbusters," "Caddyshack," "Animal House," "Stripes," "Sixteen Candles," "The Breakfast Club," and "St. Elmo's Fire." Let me remember my childhood favorites fondly.