Remakes, remakes, remakes

So if remaking these original movies isn't a necessity, then why are they doing it so much?!

There are so many different reasons for remaking a movie! So let's get those negative reasons out of the way first. Greed, revenue, acclaim, seeing a movie and just 'knowing' how they can make it better.
But perhaps a director has appreciated their own movies weaknesses and wants to iron out a few creases. Or what if their original version was restricted by that eras science? What if they can now use modern technology to enhance that project and get across what they had always intended, yet never could? Remaking a movie for such 'updating purposes' doesn't have to result in killing a classic, especially if done sympathetically. The same goes for modernising. Our principles and opinions, the way we live our lives, it has all changed. Some films simply wouldn't make sense to younger viewers. So instead of feeling like someone is taking away an old favourite of yours (or mine!) And being offended, shouldn't we instead feel proud that a film we feel so strongly about is going to be 'tweaked' and repackaged for a larger audience? Our preferred version isn't going anywhere or being replaced. It is instead being supported by a younger sibling if you like. And this also relates to that dreaded word 'Americanizing'.

I forever hear statements like; "foreign to english speaking remakes lack substance and intensity" Do they really? Is that right?! Or is it just that the scene is set differently? The atmosphere thicker? Our senses heightened to follow the sounds and images of the movies whilst keeping up with the subtitles? Our expectations higher due to previous experiences? And if any of these factors are true, then shouldn't we just 'get over it'? Accept that remakes are as much a part of today's horror movie market as special effects or popcorn?!

There is an assumption that immediately shouts out on hearing that word, "Oh no! You are going to take it and make it a big, stupid american film and destroy everything that's great about this story!"
I put both my hands up, I used to jump to this conclusion too! And although there will always be cases where that statement is proven to be correct, we need to open our eyes a little wider. What film makers are really attempting here is to give an american context for the story. Often foreign books and movies are so rooted in the country the story originates from, western audiences would overlook the essence of the actual story. We need an understanding of the outside influences effecting the story. For example; era, culture, political regime, economy, ethics, blah, blah, blah...

When I first heard that Pascal Laugier was rewriting his original Martyrs screenplay for Daniel Stamm to use in his planned remake I was irate. Livid! I could have shot both men down with just a drop of my venom. But now, I almost (but not completely) appreciate that such an iconic film as Martyrs needs to be understood and respected by a larger audience. If they do it right, it could be very good. I'm not quite ready to hold my breath yet though!

Don't be fooled by my newly accepted understanding because there are some movies that should be left completely alone. And my beloved Old Boy is one of them. Americanizing will simply not work. There isn't any part of this beautifully disturbing Korean film that could be retold as a western movie with even an ounce of credibility.

There are several remakes in discussion at the moment, with many more in varying stages of production. The internet has a wealth of information for you to peruse. Don't go in blind, closing off all possibilities. Some of these remakes really can work.
It is just frustrating and a little bit sad, that in such a strong market as the horror genre, film makers can still turn out so many ridiculous interpretations and idle remakes!!