Ordinarily, when we see a film that's a remake of a previous movie, we tend to say that the original was better. But in this second of two episodes, we discuss a pair of films in which the remake was the superior version, at least in our humble opinions.

Here in Part One, we're looking at The Thomas Crown Affair (1999), directed by John McTiernan and starring Pierce Brosnan and René Russo. There are several differences between the two, but most noticeable is the chemistry between the two leads.

In Part Two, we'll be reviewing the 2001 version of Ocean's Eleven.

In Part 2 of our episode, we go to 1988 and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin, directed by Frank Oz. It's the second of FOUR different versions of this story: the original from 1964, this version, and then two which involved gender flips. Of the four, this is the best one, so say we.

COMING ATTRACTIONS: 

We continue this remake conceit with another pair of films that worked out better when they were remade. First up, from 1999 it's The Thomas Crown Affair, then we move forward a couple of years to Ocean's Eleven, from 2001. Join us, won't you? 

We so often complain that Hollywood has no original ideas, but then we're also forced to concede occasionally that from time to time, the remake actually does a better job of telling the story.

We don't enjoy conceding that, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

With that in mind, this is the first of two episodes taking a look at films whose remakes surpassed the originals. First one up is The Man Who Knew Too Much, from 1956. This Alfred Hitchcock-directed film leans heavily on weird coincidences to get the story rolling, but you'll feel the tension from the moment the characters do. You may not even hate hearing Doris Day sing what became her signature song.

In Part Two we'll jump to 1988 to talk about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.

Here in Part Two, we look at the 2016 edition of Loving. This film, which was directed by Jeff Nichols, stars Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton as Mildred and Richard Loving, the real-life couple who turned their relationship into a Federal case.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

Our next episode is the first of two in which we examine remakes that surpassed their originals. And we start with The Man Who Knew Too Much, from 1956, and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, from 1988. See you soon!

We return to the well of two films whose only commonality is their title. In this episode we look at Loving, from 1970 and 2016.

The first half of our episode stars George Segal and Eva Marie Saint, and was directed by Irvin Kershner. Segal stars as a freelance artist who's attempting to revitalize his career just as his marriage to Eva Marie Saint begins to fall apart. It's a serious story with a comic overlay and you'll wonder why it doesn't get more attention these days.

In Part 2 we'll look at a different film with a very different theme.

Our conversation jumps to 1987. This No Way Out stars Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman and Sean Young in a story of Cold War intrigue. We practically guarantee that you'll be caught off-guard by the way everything resolves. Strap yourself in; we had a LOT to say.

For the next two episodes, we'll be looking at films whose only commonality is their title.

In this episode we're screening two films titled No Way Out. In the first half, it's the 1950 version starring Sidney Poitier in his feature film debut, along with Richard Widmark, Linda Darnell and Stephen McNally. Poitier is a doctor who runs into race issues and a medical complication during his first night in a new assignment. The issue snowballs until there's a full race riot going  on. Poitier's character comes up with an interesting tactic to prove he did the right thing that first night, but it nearly backfires on him.

In Part Two of our episode, it's Starship Troopers, from 1997. Paul Verhoeven takes us to a far future society in which everyone is free so long as you're a Fascist. There are a lot of elements of Robert A. Heinlein's original story in there, but it's definitely a different plot line and a different mentality that, in hindsight, may have been more prescient than anyone suspected at the time.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

In our next episode, we take a peek at a pair of films where the only thing they have in common is their title. After that, all bets are off. We'll be screening the films No Way Out, from 1950 and from 1987.

We've covered several different kinds of adaptations, and the one thing that they have in common is that they're in some way faithful to their source material. This time around, not so much.

And that's why this episode is titled "Subversive Adaptations." In these two films, the intent of some portion of the original story has been turned on its head to give you a similar story, but perhaps with a different point of view, or to present a different message from the source.

We begin with Kiss Me Deadly, from 1955. Robert Aldrich set out specifically to attack the right-wing ethos of Mickey Spillane's story, and we benefit from a constant romp of action and intrigue from beginning to end.

In Part Two, we'll look at 1997's Starship Troopers.

...nope, still ain't done.

From Texas we come to Boston and 2003's Mystic River, directed by Clint Eastwood. It's a powerful film about a trio of boys, one of whom is caught up in a bad situation. Many years later, this event still haunts all three of them.

COMING ATTRACTIONS:

Join us as we take on a couple of subversive adaptations. First up is Kiss Me Deadly, from 1955. Then we jump to 1997 or, if you prefer, the far future, with Starship Troopers. Were they good? Bad? Weird? Or did you just not get the message they were sending? Stay tuned!