‘Little Women’
‘Little Women’ is a coming of age historical drama based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. The original film dates all the way back to 1917. Since it came out there has been five remakes in the years 1918,1933,1949 and 1994, the most recent one being Greta Gerwigs 2019 adaption. The story follows the March sisters and their mother, while there father is away fighting in the civil war. The oldest sister Jo is a free spirit who rejects the idea that a woman’s life should revolve around finding a man to marry. If you want a lighthearted watch I couldn’t recommend this film more. While I think many people were skeptical about the 2019 remake as the 1994 remake in particular was so loved, Gerwig does an amazing job of modernising a classic.
‘Pyscho’
Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 ‘Psycho’ is a movie loved and cherished by many. In 1998, Gus Van Sant made an almost shot for shot take on the classic. Even though the adaption is almost identical to the original, it has been highly criticised for not only being pointless, as it is so similar to the original, but also for the acting. Theres no denying that Anthony Perkins did an incredible job at playing Norman Bates, he somehow makes the creepy serial killer likeable. However, the same can’t be said for Vince Vaughn, Norman is unlikeable from the start of the film. While I think it’s worth a watch, nothing compares to the original.
‘Poltergeist’
If you’re a horror fanatic you’ve definitely watched the 1982 ‘Poltergeist’. Directed by Tobe Hooper, who is known for directing ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’. The films follows a family who move into a new house and they soon realise the house has evil spirits that possess their child. In 2015 director Gil Kenan made a remake of the classic. If you grew up watching the original ‘Poltergeist’ you may find yourself comparing the two, in particular the ‘grabbing tree’ scene, while Kenan did a good job with the remake, it doesn’t compare to the original. The most exciting part of it being that it was released in 3D in the cinema.
‘The stepfather’
‘The Stepfather’ is a 1987 horror directed by Joseph Ruben. The film follows a serial killer who marries a widow and her daughter after murdering his entire family. The 2009 remake has a slightly different storyline as the film follows a teenage boy who gets back from the military to find that his mum has a new boyfriend with sinister intentions. The films both follow the same basic storyline, there are just a few changes. Many people think the original is a 80s cult classic that didn’t need to be remade, however the 2009 adaption is a great remake, director Nelson McCormick does a good job at not following the storyline too closely, the audience is still kept on their toes, even if you’ve seen the original.
‘The Parent Trap’
The very loved ‘Parent Trap’ is a 1961 film directed by David Swift, the film follows two identical twins, separated at birth by their divorced parents. They reunite at a summer camp and hatch a plan to swap lives. In 1998, Nancy Meyers released an adaption to the film starring Lindsey Lohan. The remake is almost identical to the original, while Lindsey Lohan does a great job at playing the twins, Hayley Mills acting is excellent in the original, nothing compares to it! The storyline is followed almost exactly in the remake, the main difference being the acting.
‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’
‘Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory’, released in 1971, is a musical directed by Mel Stuart. An adaption of the Roald Dahl book, the perfect family film, follows a chocolate factory owner that gives five children the chance to win a life time supply of sweets. An adaption of the timeless movie was released in 2005, directed by Tim Burton. The name was changed to ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. Both films follow the basic storyline of the book, with slight changed in both version. While I think both films are successful in bringing the book to life, Johnny Depp’s acting in the remake is incredible.
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