40 Movies Everyone Needs to See

Some people have a favorite movie. Others, like myself, can’t pick just one. There are some movies that everyone needs to see at least once whether you’re a connoisseur of the big-screen or not.

One of my goals in life is to watch every Best Picture winner since the first Academy Awards in 1927. I’m a little over a quarter of the way through over 80 years of the best of film.

I compiled a list of 40 movies (in no particular order) from all genres and decades that I think are the best of the best. It was difficult to whittle the list down to a whopping 40, but not every good movie is a “must-see.” Which movies would you add to this list?

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•  "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998)

• "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994)

• "The Godfather" (1972)

• "Pulp Fiction" (1994)

• "Fight Club" (1999)

• "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" (1975)

• "Goodfellas" (1990)

• "The Departed" (2006)

• "Casablanca" (1942)

• "The Silence of the Lambs" (1991)

• "Forrest Gump" (1994)

• "The Shining" (1980)

• "Back to the Future" (1985)

• "Full Metal Jacket" (1987)

• "Some Like It Hot" (1959)

• "The Sting" (1973)

• "The Big Lebowski" (1998)

• "Jaws" (1975)

• "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)

• "Scarface" (1983)

• "Good Will Hunting" (1997)

• "The Graduate" (1967)

• "Star Wars" (1977)

• "Rear Window" (1954)

• "American Graffiti" (1973)

• "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (1969)

• "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" (1982)

• "Dr. Strangelove" (1964)

• "Wall Street" (1987)

• "Thelma and Louise" (1991)

• "Caddyshack" (1980)

• "Office Space" (1999)

• "The Sandlot" (1993)

• "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" (1986)

• "American History X" (1998)

• "The Rock" (1996)

• "Blazing Saddles" (1974)

• "Animal House" (1978)

• "Beverly Hills Cop" (1984)

• "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987) 

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Check out AFI's movie lists

'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'

The book “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” came out in February of 1999. This was the first book I could say I actually liked and read more than once. Now, it has been adapted to a movie and is set to come out Sept. 21, 2012.

The story is about a teenager going by the alias of Charlie, who is writing a series of letters to an anonymous "friend." Charlie is a shy, unconventional wallflower starting high school until he befriends a couple seniors who introduce him to life.

Stephen Chbosky who wrote “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” also wrote the screenplay and directed the film adaptation. This gives me some hope that the movie will do the book justice, but I still won’t be seeing it.

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I feel seeing Chbosky’s interpretation of the characters will ruin the connection I have with the first book I liked when I was 11 years old. Emma Watson, Ezra Miller and Paul Rudd aren’t even close to how I picture Sam, Patrick or Bill.

My other favorite book, “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” was also made into a movie. But it follows the book line for line and is a perfect representation bringing the book to life. Johnny Depp plays Raoul Duke perfectly and you can’t imagine it any other way.

English teacher April Milow said, “As an educator of young students, I am torn about books being made into movies. Very few movies based on books have lived up to the same quality experience that individuals get from reading and by using your imagination, visualizing, and predicting.”

Milow was extremely disappointed when one of her favorite books, “The Lovely Bones” was transformed for the big-screen. The different levels of heaven were omitted, which is a key part illustrated by the book.

Charlie’s mix tapes are a central element of “The Perks of Being a Wallflower.” It's impossible for all of these songs to be included due to cost. Modern tracks to fill in the gaps won't fit.

Charlie's Mix Tape Infographic by Kelly Sterner

“The author chose those songs for a reason,” said college senior Kelly Campbell. “This issue is particularly important to me because I have a soundtrack to my own life, and I choose those particular songs because they fit a mood or time well.”

Books to movies are a hit or miss. Most of the time people don’t even realize a movie was based off of a book unless it’s a high profile publication like the “Bourne” series or “Harry Potter,” just like a lot of people aren’t aware they are seeing a remake.

I’m sure this movie will create a slew of bandwagon fans. There’s nothing I despise more than bandwagon fans. Being a Colorado Rockies fan since birth, I know a lot about the old bandwagon.

It will be an interesting mix of 20-somethings who read the book when it came out, and teenyboppers who don’t know there is a book, when “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” hits theaters. Sadly, people probably won’t read the book now that there’s a movie.

Infographic by Kelly Sterner

A lot of things can go haywire when a book is adapted to film. This book has some of the best quotes I have ever read and I hope they are preserved. I wish “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” the best of luck and I hope it stays true to the original.

Why, Soitanly… Not

The Three Stooges are being brought back for a new generation. Film lovers aren’t thrilled about the classic slapstick trio being brought back because it’s only in name. Only the film makers and people who don’t know The Stooges will be filling movie seats for this disaster.

The premise of the new “The Three Stooges” is that Larry, Moe and Curly are trying to save their childhood orphanage, but accidentally stumble into a murder plot and wind up starring in a reality TV show.

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Why is the cast of “Jersey Shore” being mixed with The Stooges? The orange crew may be a joke, but being a joke and being comedic are two different things. F-list celebrities shouldn't comingle with the spirit of A-list comedy.

According to Kofi Outlaw from Screen Rant, at one time Sean Penn was going to play Larry, Benicio Del Toro would play Moe, and Jim Carrey would play Curly. This might have been a good combination. But, for one reason or another, each of them bowed out.

The Stooges are who the original Larry, Moe and Curly were. They didn’t dabble in theater, sitcoms, or play a variety of roles from drama to chick-flicks. They did slapstick sketch comedy and no one did it better. The Three Stooges even have their own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They are comedy legends.

What they built should be preserved, not re-packaged. Comedy doesn’t exist in the same way which makes this movie feel out of place and forced. Dumb and Dumber were the closest thing to The Stooges of our time, and that's pretty far-fetched.

Any attempt at recreating what Larry, Moe and Curly did will end in an insult to The Stooges. You can’t do it better, so why do it at all? I wish Hollywood wise guys would learn that you just don’t mess with a good thing.

‘Titanic’ 3-D

The 1997 Best Picture winner is making its triumphant return to theaters in 3-D on April 4, just in time for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic’s tragic evening. Whether you love it, hate it, or secretly love it but keep it to yourself, no one can deny how good “Titanic” really is.

For some, it seems to be the song that turns them off. You’re not alone. According to Yahoo!, hearing “My Heart Will Go On” even triggers Kate Winslet’s gag reflex. A song featured in the credits is no reason to dismiss the entire movie. I decided to share a few interesting facts about the movie from TitanicUniverse and IMDB to remind people why “Titanic” deserves all of its praise.

• James Cameron actually went to the Titanic wreck and filmed using underwater cameras. He ended up spending more time with the ship than its living passengers did.

• Most of the decor was constructed by the companies who did the construction for the actual Titanic.

• "Titanic" was the first movie to have a budget of $200,000,000 and is the most expensive movie to be filmed in the 20th century.

• "Titanic" was the highest grossing film ($1,843,201,268 worldwide) until James Cameron released "Avatar."

• When Rose meets Jack on the Grand Staircase at the end, the time on the clock is the same time the ship sank.

• Harland and Wolff, the Belfast shipyard who built the Titanic in 1909, opened up their private archives to the production, sharing blueprints that were long thought lost.

• Kate Winslet says Jack 80 times. Not even rivaling how many times Al Pacino says his favorite four-letter-word in “Scarface,” which is a whopping 226 times.

• 300 computer artists spent 750,000 man hours to give "Titanic" a third dimension, according to ABC News.

With the new trend of bringing back old favorites to theaters in 3-D, it got me thinking of other movies I’d like to see make a high-tech comeback. After we see “Titanic,” how amazing would it be to see “Jaws” or “The shining” with a pair of 3-D glasses?

‘80s Sequel News

If it’s not an ‘80s remake it’s a sequel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 1988 movie “Twins,” which starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny DeVito as two polar-opposite brothers, is possibly expanding the experimentally conceived family a bit further. 

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In the proposed sequel, “Triplets,” Julius and Vincent would discover they have another brother – Eddie Murphy.

It used to be that any movie Murphy was in was classic. However, these days we don’t get “Beverly Hills Cop” or “Trading Places,” we get “Norbit.”

I like “Twins,” but I don’t know if a sequel would be successful. The original fits with the character of ‘80s comedies and the stars were different people then. A modern take on Julius and Vincent after Schwarzenegger’s indiscretions and DeVito’s “It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” antics would be weird.

But, in a time when Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter are continuing their excellent adventure with a "Bill and Ted 3" script currently in the works, anything can happen.

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In more troubling movie news, another ‘80s classic is being eyeballed for a continuation. According to David Hinckley from NY Daily News, the writer/directors of “American Reunion” have signed a “first look” deal with Universal Pictures. This allows them to pick movies from the Universal library and propose remakes, variations or sequels, and they have their eye on "Back to the Future"

What would happen to the DeLorean?

Hopefully Bob Gale, Steven Spielberg and director Rob Zemeckis, hold onto the rights to this movie like it’s the last golden ticket to the chocolate factory.

I’m not sure why film makers see it as their duty to either remake, or continue on in an obscure fashion, the movie franchises we love. For now, we wait and see which ideas will sink, which ones will swim, and which ones will belly flop if they make it to post-production. 

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‘Beetlejuice’ Sequel

"Say it once... Say it twice... But we dare you to say it THREE TIMES"

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Tim Burton’s 1988 classic movie, “Beetlejuice,” has had a sequel rumor for years, but now it looks like it will finally happen. According to Collider.com, Seth Grahame-Smith, will be writing the screenplay. Also, Grahame-Smith confirmed that Michael Keaton would return to star as Beetlejuice and Burton would produce.

When I think of “Beetlejuice” I think of quirky characters, the Danny Elfman score, and the classic dinner party scene.

“The thing that Tim and Michael and I all agree on, and is most important for me is, I don’t wanna be the guy that destroys the legacy and the memory of the first film; I would rather die,” said Grahame-Smith.

It’s nice to know that some filmmakers still have respect for the originals. Grahame-Smith stresses that it’s not a remake or a reboot, but a true sequel.

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According to Collider.com, the film will account for the time-lapse from the original movie. “What’s great is that for Beetlejuice, time means nothing in the afterlife, but the world outside is a different story,” said Grahame-Smith.

According to IMDB Trivia, “Beetlejuice” is Keaton's favorite film of his own. It’s not surprising he would want to be a part of the sequel. “Beetlejuice” had an all-star cast including Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as the recently deceased ghosts Adam and Barbara, Catherine O'Hara and Jeffrey Jones as Delia and Charles Deetz, and Winona Ryder as the peculiar Lydia.

I can’t wait to see who else from the original cast will jump on board as time passes and the script becomes more concrete.

I have no doubt this will be a movie worth seeing. There’s something exciting about a sequel taking place 26 or 27 years after the original.

TMNT… not ANT

When I was a kid, rainy Saturday afternoons consisted of whipping out the ‘80s cartoon “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle” VHS tapes for a marathon. My brothers and I would sing along to the catchy theme song exuding our own turtle power.

I’m with all of the outraged TMNT fans after learning of Michael Bay’s plans to change the Ninja Turtles from mutant, pizza-eating, sewer-dwelling teenagers to aliens. This is not thinking outside the box. Bay squished the box and set it on fire.

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Saying Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello and Raphael are aliens waters down their cool back-story of radioactive ooze. Bay can make a story about alien turtles all he wants. Just don’t drag the ninja turtles into it.

I wonder what his plan is for Splinter, the mutant-rat martial arts master who teaches them to be ninjas.

According to The Guardian, Bay said, “Kids are going to believe one day that these turtles actually do exist when we are done with this movie. These turtles are from an alien race and they are going to be tough, edgy, funny and completely lovable.”

Stuart Heritage from The Guardian said it best saying, “They're called the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, not the Teenage Alien Race of Turtle-like Creatures Who Happen to Know Ninja.”

Bay needs to stick to movies like “Bad Boys” and “Pearl Harbor” and stop ruining our childhoods one misinterpretation at a time.

I think I speak for all TMNT fans, young and old, when I say I hope that this idea stays in its shell, never to make its way out of the sewer.

‘American Reunion’

The movie franchise that changed the way we look at apple pie since 1999 is coming out with its final chapter. The East Great Falls class of 1999 is back together for “American Reunion” which hits theaters April 6.

The complete original cast is returning, which doesn’t happen often. A little older, a little wiser, and still immature. Nearly 13 years ago, four raunchy boys were devising a plan to lose their virginity by prom night. Now, after graduating high school, navigating college, and a marriage, they’re adults with careers and kids.

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The story finally continues after a brief, sad hiatus into straight-to-DVD movies starring unknowns with “Band Camp,” “The Naked Mile,” “Beta House” and “The Book of Love.” Eugene Levy is the only actor who made an appearance in all of the “American Pie” movies.

In an interview with The Huffington Post Alyson Hannigan said, “It's really true to how real life would be, where everybody, they've all gone in different directions. You'll be able to catch up with all the characters, see what they're doing, where are they now, it's as if no time has passed when they all come back together.”

I’m excited for “American Reunion” for countless reasons. Some ideas lend themselves to sequels. This doesn’t feel like a sequel, it’s the next chapter of life with some old friends. We grew up along with them and there is a character we can all relate to in some way.

“Most of us can relate to a Stifler, Finch, or a Jim and Michelle,” said Sam Woolsey, senior at Colorado State University. “And we all know someone who acts like Stifler, has a mom like Stifler’s, or quotes him constantly.”

Richie Kurtzman, a CSU alum whose high school reunion is next summer, said, “'American Pie' makes me think of partying, going wild, drinking alcohol and promiscuity, which is what they portray in the films. It’s men being men saying lewd and crude comments, getting drunk and hopefully doing what they want with women they want.”

Amount the "American Pie" trilogy grossed worldwide. 
Infographic by Kelly Sterner

Despite the crude humor and unfortunate events with baked goods and super glue, there is a touching story behind “American Pie” that gets an audience emotionally involved.

Patrick Goldstein, blogger for the Los Angeles Times, said, “‘American Reunion’ is a perfect fit for the age of pop nostalgia. By letting us see our favorite teen dimwits all grown up, it reminds us that we’re never too old to act young and hilariously dumb all over again.”

Any way you slice it, “American Pie” is about friendship and navigating the world of sex and awkward parenting. Where we learned flutes are for more than playing and pies are for more than eating.

In the words of Jim’s dad, “It’s a perfectly natural, normal thing.”

I’ll have an “American Pie” marathon before I go see “Reunion.” Like they say on the movie poster, save the best piece for last.

'Overboard'... Again

The 80s were a good era for original movies with good stories starring the actors we love. So, of course Hollywood is remaking another classic 80s flick.

“Overboard” originally came out in 1987 starring Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn. Hawn plays a rich woman named Joanna who hires single-dad, country-carpenter Dean to build a closet on her yacht. The two don't see eye-to-eye and Joanna sets sail without paying Dean. Joanna suffers from amnesia after falling overboard and being fished out of the sea the next day and Dean uses this opportunity to get the money she owes him by telling her she's his wife.

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It’s a movie that never gets old because it has an original, entertaining storyline. Romantic comedies of today have nothing on “Overboard.” Remaking it into a run-of-the-mill “chick-flick” will ruin it. 

According to Screen Rant, back in 2009 Katherine Heigl was said to be a part of the remake. Then, in 2010 Jennifer Lopez was announced as the lead. Neither one will even come close to what Goldie Hawn brought to this movie. All of J-Lo’s attempts at a comedy and/or romance fell flat, why will this be any different?

Adam Cooper and Bill Collage, who wrote “Accepted,” are getting together once again to write the script. The amusing qualities of “Accepted” are not in line with what makes “Overboard” so great.

According to Digital Spy, Hawn told Stylist, “I guess when they remake it they should have a different slant and different people. That's the challenge. Good luck to them, really.”

Paul Young from Screen Rant predicts there will be a change to the script and Lopez will play the part of Russell as a woman scorned by a snobby man who gets amnesia. But who will play the lead male role?

Young said it best saying, “There are plenty of other projects out there that should be done first but, alas, Hollywood is just going to keep serving leftovers instead of making steak for dinner, simply because it’s easier.”

'Men in Black 3'

The theatrical trailer for “Men in Black 3” was released yesterday revealing additional scenes of the extraterrestrial, sci-fi comedy sequel.

From the trailer, “MIB3” looks like a good continuation of the franchise that we already love. The story follows Agent J as he travels back in time to 1969 to stop an alien from assassinating his friend Agent K, which would subsequently change the history of humankind. It isn’t clear what kind of secret will be revealed, or even who the alien villain will be.

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However, I prefer movie trailers that don’t give away all the best scenes of a movie. From the short scenes in the preview, I think Josh Brolin was the perfect choice to play the stiff-faced K.

There are some skeptics out there that think the sequel is going in the wrong direction, saying MIB is not a time travel story, it’s an alien invaders story and it will leave holes in the plot. As long as the movie isn’t solely based on time travel and J and K are still policing aliens, it will be a good twist. Sci-fi movies are meant to be entertaining, not 100 percent logical.

Traveling back in time presents the opportunity for a new batch of celebrity aliens for the MIB agents to keep an eye on, one being Andy Warhol.

I’ll be there when “MIB3” hits the big-screen May 25 for the dark sunglasses, new secrets of the universe, and of course, the catchy theme song.

‘Vacation’ Remake

The image of Clark Griswold hauling his family to Wally World in the family station wagon set to the song “Holiday Road” is something I grew up with. The classically funny ‘80s movie, “Vacation,” is set to be remade, but not how you would think.

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According to SlashFilm.com, John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein are writing and directing the reboot/sequel. It will follow Clark Griswold’s now grown-up son, Rusty, as he takes his own family on a vacation just like his dimwitted, lovable dad.

Ed Helms, who is best known for "The Office" and "The Hangover," is said to be taking the lead role. Chevy Chase and Beverly D’Angelo still aren’t tied down to the new “Vacation.” No one can replace Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold. If he doesn’t sign on to the project, they better simply leave Clark out of the story.

According to EntertainmentWeekly, Goldstein said “The tone of what makes people laugh has changed. We’re not trying to re-do the tone of National Lampoon’s “Vacation” in the early ‘80s.” Daley added, “In no way do we think of this as a remake. It’s definitely an extension of the legacy that has already been created.”

These comments give me hope that this remake/sequel, or whatever they want to call it, won’t smear the “vacation” series’ comedic good name. However, I agree with Sean O’Connell from CinemaBlend.com, why fix a comedy that isn’t broken? 

And the Oscar Goes to…

The hype over everyone’s favorite gold man, Oscar, finally came to a close last night at the 84^th Academy Awards. My prediction for best picture was correct, keeping my streak alive.

“The Artist” walked away with Best Picture, putting it among the likes of “Forest Gump,” “The Silence of the Lambs,” “The Godfather” and “Gone with the Wind.” The black and white throwback to old Hollywood was so different from anything else that came out this year, or this decade for that matter, that it makes sense to win such an honor.

According to Thelma Adams of Yahoo! Movies, this is the first time a black and white silent movie has won Best Picture since “Wings” got the Oscar in 1929, the first year of the Academy Awards.

I’m glad Billy Crystal was back to command the stage as host. Anything is better than the train wreck last year put on by Anne Hathaway and James Franco.

Everyone always talks surprises and snubs after it’s all said and done. One would think people wouldn’t let the Oscars surprise them anymore.

Meryl Streep won for Actress in a Leading Role for "The Iron Lady," which created an upset. I’ve got to hand it to Streep, the opening line of her acceptance speech was classic. In her elegant gold dress she said, “When they called my name, I had this feeling I could hear half of America going, 'Oh no ... her again.’” After 17 Oscar nominations and two previous wins, I think it’s appropriate for the Academy to throw her another bone.

I wish George Clooney had won for Actor in a Leading Role, but those who saw “The Descendants” know how great he was and we don’t need an Oscar to prove it. I also wish Martin Scorsese could get another win. But, that’s the Oscars – full of upsets, underdogs, disappointments and surprises.

Full list of Oscar winners

'RoboCop' Reboot

"RoboCop" has had its fair share of sequels, animated shows, video games, and comic book series.’ Now, the cyborg man of law, Officer Alex Murphy, is returning to the big screen in a reboot of the franchise. Originally played by Peter Weller, the role of RoboCop has been offered to Swedish actor Joel Kinnaman. Best known for playing detective Stephen Holder on AMC’s "The Killing," Kinnaman had better be up for the task of filling Weller’s shoes.
 

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The new "RoboCop" is being directed by director José Padilha and scripted by "Gran Torino" writer Nick Schenk.

According to Screen Rant, Padilha wants to avoid simply updating the old. Padilha summed up the premise short and sweet on BleedingCool.com. “[It involves] a man being turned into a product by a corporation.” He plans to tackle some of the philosophical, existential issues that the original 1987 "RoboCop" didn’t face.

This is a great time for this movie to make a comeback because, as Kofi Outlaw from Screen Rant points out, the original "RoboCop" was "a scathing social satire touching on everything from government and corporate corruption, economic inequality in America, commercialism and more."

All of these themes are as relevant as ever which leaves a lot of room for the new director to confront them in new ways through this classic, action sci-fi thriller.

'21 Jump Street'

When I first heard “21 Jump Street” was being turned into a movie starring Channing Tatum, I was less than thrilled. “21 Jump Street” was one of the cop shows I watched when I was a kid, along with “Nash Bridges” and reruns of “Hill Street Blues” and “Dragnet.” However, the more I learn about the movie, the more I approve. It seems different enough from the 80s show, but still similar enough to make it worthy of the “21 Jump Street” title. These are some of the facts I learned from Collider.com which make me excited to see the 2012 version:

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• Johnny Depp is rumored to appear as his character from the original series, Tom Hanson. If it gets Depp’s approval, it gets my approval.

• The creator of the show, Stephen J. Cannell, was very involved with development on the film adaptation until he passed away in 2010. The movie is taking the material in a comedy direction while the show did not. The filmmakers hope the end result is a worthy spin on Cannell’s original concept.

• The original theme song will make an appearance in some form. Once you hear that song once you’ll never get it out of your head.

• The directors watched all 103 episodes of “21 Jump Street” before production.

• There’s a reference to Johnny Depp’s crew along the lines of, “We’re re-commissioning an old program from the 80s that was shut down.”

• The directors cite “48 Hrs.,” “Lethal Weapon,” and “Running Scared” as influences in the buddy-cop genre. So, it has to be good.

• One of the directors wanted Ice Cube to play the Jump Street captain because he thought “it would be great having the guy who wrote ‘F*** the Police’ play a police captain.” NWA fans are scratching their heads right now. First Ice Cube was in a PG-rated family flick, now he’s a cop.

New Generation of Grads Ditching Tradition

The annual Spring Grad Fair sponsored by the Colorado State University Bookstore held Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012 provides a comprehensive guide to the traditions of graduating, but increasingly, graduates choose to avoid these collegiate traditions all together.

The row of booths in the corner of the lower level of the bookstore provide information about cap and gown, class rings, announcements, and Alumni Association and Career Center services to guide graduates in their post-college job search.

Representatives from Herff Jones and Jostens wait patiently at their tables for questions from graduating seniors

While all of this information in one place is helpful to those graduates who want to follow the traditions of graduating, many students have no interest in a “traditional” departure from their college career.

Students are bypassing sitting with their peers waiting for their moment to walk across the stage in a cap and gown to receive their diploma. 

Kate Merkin looks at the cap and gown display

"Instead of sitting in a room full of other people at the traditional type of graduation, I‘d much rather have a more personal celebration with the people I care about that know how hard I have had to work to get to where I am at, and where I’m going," Leah Rosen, graduating history major, said.

The Grad Fair doesn’t cost the Bookstore anything according to Alyssa Montoya, employee of Bookstore Marketing. About 1,000 students attended the fair this semester.

Senior history major, Thomas Mahoney, was one of the thousand in attendance and plans to walk in his graduation. "I will walk, mostly because my parents need pictures for some photo album," Mahoney said. "But this is only going to happen once and graduating means a new part of my life, one filled with new opportunities and maybe a job."

Michael Shimek at the CB Graduation Announcement table

Kate Merkin, a senior journalism and technical communications major, holds the same sentiment, only wanting to go thorough the motions of graduation for her parents. With plans to go to law school, Merkin doesn’t see her graduation from CSU as significant, just expensive.

One of the goals of the grad fair is to inform students about how to make their commencement a special memory for their families and themselves.

Sales representative for CB Graduation Announcements, Michael Shimek, said graduates might not realize the tradition of it. "There are those who as a grad student they regret not walking as an undergrad," Shimek said. "They see it more as an inconvenience than commemorating their accomplishment."

Dan Moffitt hands out cap and gown information

The Master of Suspense Gets Another Modern Twist

Alfred Hitchcock movies are no stranger to remakes. From Gus Van Sant's attempt at "Psycho," starring Vince Vaughn as Norman Bates, to “Rear Window” which got a modern jolt in the 2007 movie “Disturbia,” starring Shia LaBeouf.

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According to Screen Rant, Dreamworks and Working Title plan to remake Hitchcock’s film “Rebecca,” originally penned by Daphne du Maurier in 1938 and adapted by Hitchcock in 1940. The story revolves around a young woman who marries a wealthy widower, only to be haunted by her husband’s deceased ex-wife, Rebecca.

The master of suspense left some pretty big shoes to fill seeing that this was his first Hollywood film and it won him Best Picture. This was Hitchcock's only Oscar victory.

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According to FirstShowing.net, Paramount is hopping on the Hitchcock train, remaking the 1941 film, “Suspicion.” The series writer of AMC’s “The Killing,” Veena Sud, offered to write the big-screen adaptation, which is based on Frances Iles' 1932 novel “Before the Fact.”

The original movie starred Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant. The story was about a young woman who suspects her new husband is trying to kill her in order to gain money from her affluent family. Fontaine won Best Actress, making it the only Hitchcock film that featured an Academy Award-winning performance.

If the 1998 version of "Psycho" taught us anything about Hitchcock remakes, it’s that directors shouldn’t try to imitate the master scene by scene. The remake needs to have its own angle, twists and turns because you can't compete with a legend.

Who You Gonna Call? Maybe Ghostbusters?

Dan Aykroyd opens up about “Ghostbusters 3,” revealing the movie is moving full speed ahead with or without Bill Murray. The threequel is about to get out of development and finally start production in spring of 2012. 

Photo courtesy of screenrant.com

However it doesn’t look like Bill Murray will be a part of it, leaving the role of Peter Venkman up for grabs. Are the Ghostbusters really the Ghostbusters without the original crew?

In an interview with Empire magazine, Aykroyd denies rumors that Murray shredded a potential script and included the note, “No one wants to pay money to see fat, old men chasing ghosts.”

According to Screen Rant, Aykroyd told Dennis Miller that, "Although Billy was absolutely the lead and was contributive to it in a massive way – as was the director [Ivan Reitman] and [Harold Ramis], myself, and all of us, Sigourney – the concept is bigger than an individual role. The promise of 'Ghostbusters 3′ is that we get to hand the equipment and the franchise down to new blood."

Photo courtesy of screenrant.com

More times than not, a sequel carries no weight if the original cast doesn’t make an appearance. Just look at “Teen Wolf Too,” “Terminator Salvation,” “RoboCop 3,” “The Next Karate Kid,” and every “American Pie” sequel that was released straight to DVD after “American Wedding.”

According to Aykroyd, the Ghostbusters team will be back with three men and one female. Who these fighters of living-impaired will be is still up in the air. Apparently Aykroyd likes Matthew Gray Gubler from 'Criminal Minds.'

If all of this news is simply blowing smoke, Ghostbusters fans are going to be more disappointed than gamers who waited 15 Years for “Duke Nukem Forever” only to be let down.

All I can say is, if the Ghostbusters are going to be ghost chasing again, the script, actors, and everything in between better fall into place or the Ghostbusters’ reputation will be tarnished and people are gonna call someone else.

Valentine's Day Movie Picks

Valentine’s Day is less than 12 hours away which means sappy movies are on every channel and chick-flick lovers everywhere are flocking to see “The Vow,” starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams.

“The Vow” is about a woman who wakes up from a coma with no memory of her husband after a car accident and he tries to make her fall in love with him all over again.

According to Yahoo! Movies, "The Vow" is based on the true story of Krickitt and Kim Carpenter. After Krickitt lost all memories of her new husband, a therapist recommended the couple date again, Krickitt agreed. "I figured I liked him before, so I'll get to know him again."

And a Hollywood movie was born.

If you don’t feel like venturing out to the movie theater, you can always snuggle up with some classic movies. For those in the mood for romance, there’s, “Punch-Drunk Love,” “Ghost,” “The Wedding Singer,” “When Harry Met Sally,” “Benny & Joon,” or sticking with the memory loss motif, “50 First Dates.”

Or, check out AFI’s list of the 100 greatest love stories of all time.

If you’re not into love stories, jump on the Indie-film bandwagon of indifference and watch “500 Days of Summer.” This movie states right up front that it is not a love story. 

If these ideas don’t spark your interest, you could go see “Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace” in 3-D, "Safe House," or think completely outside of the box and have a one-of-a-kind, Valentine’s Day “Lethal Weapon” marathon.

One Circuit Short of a Classic

Hollywood has run fresh out of ideas so they’re going back to the ‘80s. The nostalgia of “ShortCircuit” that most of us hold on to from childhood is being retooled into the next kid-friendly franchise according to Inside Pulse.

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The remake bug already ate "The Karate Kid," so I’m not sure why I thought the robot classic would be safe.

What saddens me most about remakes geared toward the younger crowd is that their generation will probably never see the original. Of course, most of today’s generation, including my own, have not seen some movies I consider classics such as, “Escape from New York,” “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “The Shining,” The entire Chevy Chase “Vacation” series, “Thelma and Louise,” “Police Academy,” and even “E.T.”

Blogger "Caffeinated"Clint from moviehole.net does’t have high hopes for the “Short Circuit” remake saying, “Bob Weinstein likens the property to his “Spy Kids” series – and with “Alvin and the Chipmunks” director Tim Hill helming, and the “Dolittle” guy on scripting duties, it’s clear he’s only thinking of the eight-year-olds here (whereas the original film appealed to all audiences).”

The movie won’t be the same if Steve Guttenberg, Ally Sheedy or Fisher Stevens don’t make an appearance. Guttenberg didn’t even want to be in the sequel that came out two years after the original in 1988. I don’t think he’ll show his face in the remake set to come out in 2013.

Johnny Five is meant to stay in the ‘80s where CGI animation and high expectations of realism can’t take away from his simplicity and charm.

Possible 'Fear' Remake

There is a rumor floating around that teenybopper Justin Bieber wants to star in a remake of the movie “Fear.” Anyone who grew up in the 1990s is officially crying on the inside. “Fear” came out in 1996 starring Mark Wahlberg as a charming turned obsessive and violent boyfriend who flies off the handle when his innocent girlfriend, played by Reese Witherspoon, dumps him.

I don’t see how he could possibly fit into a thriller like “Fear,” or fill the shoes of muscle-bound, man's-man Mark Wahlberg.

According to examiner.com, audiences and reviewers alike weren’t impressed with Bieber’s nice-guy attempt at playing a criminal on CSI in 2010. One review said, "I’m afraid I can’t really praise his ability to portray a real person in a crime drama."

Witherspoon spilled her thoughts on the idea of a Bieber remake with MTV, saying, “Fine, great. That'd be cool. Would he be playing me, or is he playing Mark Wahlberg? Is it like a girl who harasses the family, like a stalker who can't leave him alone? That would be good, right?”

Even the sweet southern belle can’t see Bieber in the movie, unless he is the one being harassed.

This is one remake I hope never gets made because it will give a black eye to the original. The original isn't cinema gold, but it has something great about it. Some things are best left alone.

Weekend Box Office

This was opening weekend for a few movies and a test for others to see which flicks could hold their ground. The top movie at the box office was “The Grey,” bringing in $20 million. Liam Neeson leads the pack in this action-adventure about an oil drilling team who struggle for survival in the Alaska wilderness after their plane crashes and they are hunted by a pack of wolves. According to Media Stinger, there is a short extra scene after the credits, so don’t make a break for the door when the credits start rolling.

“Underworld: Awakening” dropped from No. 1 to No. 2 in its second week in theaters, beating out the Katherine Heigl movie, “One for theMoney,” which came in at No. 3.

“Red Tails” traded its No. 2 spot at the box office last week for No. 4 this week. Barely rounding out the top five was the new thriller, “Man on a Ledge,” bringing in $8.2 million for its opening weekend.

Check out the full weekend box office rankings and stats at Box Office Mojo or the Yahoo! Movies page.

Future Wahlberg Flicks

Mark Wahlberg has been on a movie-making hot streak over the past few years and it doesn’t look like he’s losing steam. His latest crime-thriller, “Contraband,” has further proven he is an action-flick legend. Wahlberg plays a legendary, international smuggler forced out of retirement to settle a debt for his brother-in-law who got in over his head after following in his footsteps. Full of corruption, twists and turns, this movie didn’t disappoint.

According to IMDB, Wahlberg has numerous projects being developed, one currently being filmed, a few in post-production and movies sitting the rumor-mill. Be on the lookout for these movies to hit the big-screen between now and 2014.

“Ted” (post-production)

A comedy about a man’s teddy bear that comes to life.

“Broken City” (filming)

Wahlberg plays an ex-cop who ends up in the heart of a scandal while trailing the wife of New York City's mayor.

“Good Time Gang” (pre-production)

An action-comedy about two mercenaries who take on a case involving a terrorist, and one of them ends up being related to the target.

“2 Guns” (pre-production)

A crime-drama about a DEA agent and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer who are investigating one another, only to find out they have been set up by the mob.

“Blood Ties” (rumored)

A crime-drama about two brothers who end up on opposite sides of the law.

Other titles said to be in development are “Cocaine Cowboys,” “Pain and Gain,” “The Raven,” “Three Mississippi,” “Bait and Switch,” “Five Brothers,” “The Fighter 2,” and “The Brazilian Job.”