‘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?