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The Australian remake of The Office has the potential to be great - if the writers remember how unique our humour is

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philippa-burne-158735">Philippa Burne</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Twenty-two years after the original UK television series The Office was released, and 18 years after the highly successful US remake (2005-2013), Australia is getting its own version of The Office. This will be the 14th remake of the concept by Ricky Gervais, which has included adaptations in Chile, France, Finland, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Germany and other countries. It’s an interesting move by Prime Video when there are already two highly rewatched English language versions available – highlighting the ongoing relevance of the workplace comedy. It also speaks to the relative safety of remaking a known series concept rather than an original, in a time of expensive television production. Starting from an idea that has already proven hugely popular with audiences worldwide can seem to minimise the financial risk of making a new TV show – if it’s done right. <figure class="align-center zoomable"><a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/532534/original/file-20230619-24-2hzcfa.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /></a><figcaption>Comedian and actor Felicity Ward will star in The Office Australia, which will start on Amazon Prime in 2024. Prime</figcaption></figure> <h2>A history of remakes</h2> There has been a long history of remakes on television. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805669/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_Ugly%2520Betty">Ugly Betty</a> (as it is known in the US version) is one of the most recognised. Originally a Colombian telenovela, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0233127/">Yo Soy Betty, la Fea</a> (1999-2001), the concept has been remade in other languages around 20 times to date. Other versions include Na Daj Se, Nina (Croatia, 2007-2008) and Lotte (The Netherlands, 2006-2007), both of which I worked on adapting from the Colombian original. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1zP7Uiiiqhc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Australian television concepts from the 1970s and 1980s travelled remarkably well. <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081935/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1">Sons and Daughters</a> has versions in Germany (Verboten Liebe, 1995-2015) and Croatia, (Zabranjena Ljubav, 2004-2008). The Australian classic <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077064/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_3_tt_8_nm_0_q_Prisoner">Prisoner</a> became the highly popular Hinter Gittern (1997-2007) in Germany. And long-running soap opera <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088580/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_7_nm_1_q_neighbours">Neighbours</a> has been the basis of shows in Poland, Sweden and Slovakia. A common factor in all of these is the internationally successful Grundy Television and creator Reg Watson. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-IGHPsaYDMw?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> What Grundy Television realised and honed was that to give an international remake the best chance of success, writers and producers need to be willing to pull a series back to its foundational concept – such as twins separated at birth meet and fall in love, a women’s prison, neighbours becoming good friends – and then to build culturally informed stories and characters from that. Localising is not just changing a few small details, it requires driving characters and stories from <a href="https://theconversation.com/bluey-was-edited-for-american-viewers-but-global-audiences-deserve-to-see-all-of-us-188982">deep within a local culture</a> and storytelling tradition. It requires a deep commitment to developing a show as if it was a new idea, even if it is based on an existing series. Audiences are savvy and want nuance, history, politics, issues. Recently, many international dramas have formed the basis for successful US shows, such as Israel’s Prisoners of War (2010-2012) becoming Homeland (Showtime, 2011-2020), and the Danish/Swedish Noir series The Bridge (2011-2018) spawning The Bridge (US/Mexico), as well as The Tunnel (UK/France), The Bridge (Russia/Estonia), The Bridge (Malaysia/Singapore), Der Pass (Germany/Austria) and Gefyra (Greece/Turkey). These shows incorporated a deep socio-political angle within the familiar thriller or crime genre, giving audiences a new depth and breadth to the stories. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y9Nln23PaOc?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> <h2>Mistakes and flops</h2> Less successful have been US attempts to remake Australian comedies such as <a href="https://theconversation.com/noice-different-unusual-watching-kath-and-kim-as-a-locked-down-historian-166261">Kath & Kim</a> (2008-2009) and dramas such as The Slap (2015). Perhaps their Australian contexts, social mores and comedy did not translate – or were not translated well. Reviewers said of the American Kath and Kim that the humour was unfunny, the characters unlikeable and unrelatable. Variety’s Brian Lowry said, “If this was a major hit in Australia,” he said, “then <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/us-take-on-kath-and-kim-fails-to-amuse-tv-critics-20080928-ge7exo.html">something has been seriously lost in translation</a>.” <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DE-FepzzYQA?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Ironically, one of the greatest mistakes screenwriters make is sticking too closely to the original. No matter how popular it was, how good the writing is, how funny the jokes are, translating scripts very rarely works due to cultural differences in humour, socio-economic circumstances and workplace politics. The Dutch version of the Yo Soy Betty, la Fea began shooting Dutch translations of Colombian scripts: the production shut down one week in as it became clear that none of the circumstances, relationships, tone, rhythm or humour made sense in a Dutch context. That’s when I was brought in to work with the Dutch writers to completely redevelop the show for the local context. (I brought television storytelling experience and relied on the Dutch writers for character specifics, local stories, cultural specificities, etc.) <h2>An Office in Australia?</h2> The Office Australia might seem a simple prospect, given there have been two preceding series in English. Plus, culturally, Australia has been well-informed of and by the UK and US. What could possibly go wrong? Humour and social mores will have changed: the world is a very different place in 2023 compared to 2001. Many of David Brent’s 2001 exploits and jokes would see him quickly fired by any 2023 risk-averse company no matter how apathetic and downtrodden his staff might be. Also when The Office came out, mockumentary felt fresh to television, now we’ve had Parks and Recreation, Modern Family, and our own The Games and Utopia. Plus, of course, we’ve had reality TV shows where things quickly spiral beyond any inappropriate awkwardness The Office ever came up with – think about Vanderpump Rules or Selling Sunset. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KbA_5cATgAU?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> Australia is different to the UK and the US, in the way we live, work, joke, date and play. Australian comedy has a different rhythm, pace and flavour to that of anywhere else. One of the most important things a good adaptation understands is that specificity is key. For instance, the character Gareth/Dwight is less likely to be territorial army or army reserve and more Steve Irwin; an office party probably involves backyard cricket not bowling alleys. This provides a great opportunity to add a fresh edge to familiar characters, plus a cultural specificity intriguing to international audiences. <figure><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8GxqvnQyaxs?wmode=transparent&start=0" width="440" height="260" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></figure> For example, the US adaptation Ugly Betty brought in the story of Betty’s family’s immigration issues, highlighting a relatable problem for many immigrant Americans and deepening the difference in class, power and privilege between Betty and the other characters in her workplace. The Office Australia is making one major change from the UK and US versions: the office boss is a woman, Hannah Howard (played by Felicity Ward). This is a potentially brilliant, timely change, which will differentiate it as a series. But beware the scriptwriter who thinks you can simply swap a gender and keep all the traits, insecurities, worries, jokes and dynamics the same. There’s the potential for wonderfully rich, new comedy material – if the writers and producers are willing to pull The Office apart, go back to its key concept, characters, themes and its story engine – and then rebuild it, for a new time, place and gender. The Office Australia launches in 2024 into 240 countries and territories. It will be interesting to see if they understand us. And whether we understand ourselves well enough to make a compelling new version of this popular show.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/207614/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/philippa-burne-158735">Philippa Burne</a>, Lecturer, BFA Screenwriting, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/the-university-of-melbourne-722">The University of Melbourne</a> Image credits: Netflix This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-australian-remake-of-the-office-has-the-potential-to-be-great-if-the-writers-remember-how-unique-our-humour-is-207614">original article</a>.

12 movies that were better than the books they were based on

The Notebook (2004)The reason that the film adaptation of The Notebook eclipses the bestselling Nicholas Sparks book is simple: It’s impossible to capture the sizzling chemistry between Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling.The Canadian duo – and former couple – star in the popular romantic drama as Allie and Noah, a young couple who fall in love in 1940s South Carolina. Meanwhile, in the modern day, an elderly man reads their story from a notebook to a woman in a nursing home.Chances are, you already know how this moving story ends, which means you also know that its tear-jerking ending hits harder on-screen than it ever could on the page.The Devils Wear Prada (2006) Meryl Streep may not have won an Oscar for her role as intimidating fashion magazine editor-in-chief Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada – but she should have.While Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel is reportedly inspired by her experiences working as Anna Wintour’s assistant at Vogue, Streep portrays the role with much more nuance than she’s presented with in the book.Anne Hathaway also shines as Andy Sachs, a fashion industry-averse journalism grad who nevertheless hopes to jumpstart her career as Priestly’s assistant.Plus, it’s more fun to see Devil’s countless elegant outfits – from Chanel to Fendi – on-screen.The Shawshank Redemption (1994)It’s a credit to Stephen King’s talents that this ‘90s classic remains beloved today.King, of course, is mostly known for his horror writing, but this Oscar-nominated drama – about a man (Tim Robbins) who, despite his professed innocence, is sentenced to life in prison for killing his wife and her lover, and his friendship with a fellow prisoner (Morgan Freeman) – closely follows the material from his novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.But the film also takes the opportunity to expand on the story, telling it in such a rich, compelling way that sticks with viewers long after the credits roll.Jaws (1975) We all know the story of Jaws: a string of shark attacks at a summer resort town leads a police chief, marine biologist and shark hunter to go off in search of the great white responsible for the havoc.But we know the story because of Steven Spielberg’s renowned blockbuster, especially thanks to the filmmaker’s instinct to focus on the shark hunt and introduce new material that wasn’t in the novel.There’s also John Williams’s unforgettable score and the ingenious decision to suggest the shark’s presence, rather than show it on-screen, to build tension.Crazy Rich Asians (2018)Kevin Kwan’s 2013 bestseller is a fun, dizzying multi-generational novel that revolves around the wedding event of the year in Singapore, told from five different perspectives.The plot of Jon M. Chu’s rom-com centres on the same event but zeroes in on the sweet love story between Rachel (Constance Wu) – an economics professor raised by a single mother – and Nick (Henry Golding), who is secretly a member of one of Singapore’s richest families.Viewers get to spend more time with the main couple and become more invested in their relationship, set against a lavish, visually stunning backdrop.Mean Girls (2004)Did you know that Mean Girls was based on a 2002 self-help book called Queen Bees and Wannabes?Luckily, Tina Fey switched up the genre – and incorporated her own high school experiences – for her screenplay.The result is an endlessly rewatchable, incredibly quotable movie about cliques and bullying that also includes one of the all-time great teen movie casts, thanks to fantastic performances from Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Lizzy Caplan and more.The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001 - 2003)Fans of The Lord of the Rings may consider its inclusion on this list somewhat controversial – J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic high-fantasy novel is beloved by many, after all.But with a length of 1200 pages and a handful of slower-paced sections, it can also be hard to get through.Though Peter Jackson’s influential film trilogy – The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers and The Return of the King – is also quite long, it does a great job of condensing Tolkien’s dense and detailed mythology, making for a vivid, immersive and immense moviegoing experience.The Godfather (1972)This one is pretty obvious. Francis Ford Coppola’s The Godfather is widely considered one of the best films ever made, with everyone involved – from Coppola to cinematographer Gordon Willis and stars Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Robert Duvall – delivering career-best work.Author Mario Puzo’s source material, on the other hand, with its pulpy prose and out-of-place subplots, never reaches the same operatic heights.Election (1999)Before there was Big Little Lies’ Madeline Martha Mackenzie, there was Tracy Flick. This fantastic early Reese Witherspoon role saw the star playing a super intense, Type A high school overachiever set on winning a class election.Tom Perrotta’s black comedy novel of the same name – which finds Tracy going toe-to-toe with a jealous teacher (Matthew Broderick in the film) who wants to sabotage her campaign – is an interesting read, but on the shorter side.The novel’s satire is drawn out better on-screen, making each drama-filled scene that much juicier.Jackie Brown (1997) Jackie Brown is the only Quentin Tarantino film based on a book – and it’s also one of his best.Adapted from prolific crime writer Elmore Leonard’s Rum Punch, Jackie Brown takes the opportunity to get creative with its source material. Case in point: the titular flight attendant-turned-smuggler (Pam Grier, in a critically acclaimed performance) was a white woman in the novel.The result is a slick, lively homage to the ‘70s Blaxploitation films that Grier helped make famous.A Simple Favor (2018)Author Darcey Bell’s debut novel, A Simple Favor, is written as a tense, Gone Girl-esque thriller that’s more of a pale pastiche of the genre than a gripping page-turner.For the film adaptation, director Paul Feig reinvented the story, and instead made the tale – about a small-town vlogger searching for her missing, enigmatic friend – a sharp and twisty black comedy.Stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively are dynamite and deliver on the laughs. And we can’t forget the many covetable suits Lively dons on screen that sparked a thousand memes!Legally Blonde (2001)Elle Woods (another iconic Reese Witherspoon role) is a perfect protagonist. She’s smart, funny, ambitious and surprising on her quest to battle stereotypes and conquer Harvard Law School.On the other hand, the novel is inspired by writer Amanda Brown’s own pretty negative experiences at law school, making it…kind of a drag.It’s more mean-spirited and, frankly, less empowering than the film to the point where it feels like everything you love about the charming movie is missing from the page.Thankfully, the movie took a different approach, which we can all be grateful for the next time we re-watch the “bend and snap” scene.Image credits: Getty ImagesThis article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.com.au/culture/12-movies-that-were-better-than-the-books-they-were-based-on?pages=1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>.

Movies

First look at All Creatures Great and Small remake

The countryside drama All Creatures Great and Small is returning for a second season, after the first season of the beloved BBC series was newly remade last year. With the new adaptation’s first season bringing in five million viewers, the second season is expected to be as much of a success. Based loosely on a series of books written by veterinary surgeon Alf Wright, under the pen name James Herriot, the second season is expected to pick up right where season one ended. After Helen (played by Rachel Shenton) calls off her relationship with Hugh (played by Matthew Lewis) in season one, the second instalment is expected to start with Helen coming to terms with her decision and considers her feelings for James, who himself has to decide between duty and love. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843721/234789410_875048113117466_8158000647066268757_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/76f79034577b492c9117a018ff4329e5" /> Image: Channel 5 / Instagram “As Helen and James navigate their feelings for one another, Siegfried, Tristan, and Mrs Hall are also forced to consider the places in the world,” writes Hello magazine, “while James must ultimately decide between duty and love.” Like many shows filmed over the last two years, the creators of All Creatures Great and Small had to adapt their filming schedule around the COVID-19 pandemic. But, The Daily Mail has reported that production of the series started in early 2021, with filming wrapping up in Yorkshire a few months ago. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> One of our beautiful period motorcars, behind the scenes on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ACGAS?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ACGAS</a> Series 2! <a href="https://t.co/XfYlABqApu">pic.twitter.com/XfYlABqApu</a> — All Creatures Great and Small (@AllCreaturesTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/AllCreaturesTV/status/1426868786045628419?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 15, 2021</a></blockquote> As for the cast, it remains the same from season one, with Nicholas Ralph returning as leading man James Herriot, along with Samuel West as Siegfried Farnon, and Rachel Shenton as Helen Alderson. The only change is the addition of Patricia Hodge, star of Miranda and A Very British Scandal, playing Mrs Pumphrey, replacing Diana Rigg. Rigg played Mrs Pumphrey throughout season one, but passed away from cancer in September last year. <img style="width: 0px; height: 0px;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7843722/235835266_228981639134027_4669993659719690094_n.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/68307d53884f4caabd46c34ae0217d5d" /> A first look at Hodge as Mrs Pumphrey in series two. Image: Channel 5 / Instagram Though the remake comes 30 years after the original series ended, executive producer Colin Callender said it was something people needed to see once again. “Even before COVID, I felt the audience wanted the sort of show that you could watch and revel in and not be beaten by,” he told Deadline. “There was something about All Creatures Great and Small with its themes of community and family, harking back to a kinder, gentler world, compared to the divided, complex, and rather brutal one that we’re now living in.” Watch the first trailer here. Image: Channel 5 / Instagram

The big mistake in The Lion King remake: "It'll be off-putting for some"

<div class="replay"> <div class="reply_body body linkify"> <div class="reply_body"> <div class="body_text "> When The Lion King hit the cinemas in 1994, it quickly made waves among whole generations of moviegoers. The animated film became the second-highest grossing film of all time upon its release, That is why the 2019 remake by director Jon Favreau could not escape comparisons. Other remakes or adaptations of movies, such as The Last Airbender (2010) and Dragonball Evolution (2009) have received flak for straying too far from the source material – however, reviewers believe that the new Lion King’s doom lays on the fact that it follows the storyline of the original flick too closely. While the photorealistic animation makes for grand visuals, it does not fit well with the playful story that the movie sticks with, said Wenlei Ma, film and TV critic at <a href="https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/the-lion-king-remakes-big-mistake/3781652/">news.com.au</a>. She noted how some musical numbers, such as I Just Can’t Wait to Be King, seemed to be slowed down “to accommodate the photorealism”, making them feel “flat” and dull. “Though by no means a disaster or even a bad movie, The Lion King would’ve been better off trying to be more of its own movie, do something different in terms of story and character,” she wrote. <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"> To be clear, I'm not inherently against remakes in general, or even a remake of The Lion King. It's just baffling that they tried to stick SO CLOSE to the original's beats and tone but in a new format so ill-suited to it. — Dana Schwartz (@DanaSchwartzzz) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanaSchwartzzz/status/1150140136283238401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2019</a></blockquote> Helen O’Hara of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/the-lion-king-2019/" target="_blank">Empire</a> also said the movie suffers from an “emotional gap” due to the visual effects technology. “What we gain in realism we lose in expression, even in their limpid eyes; it’s distinctly jarring when these cats speak, and even more when they break into song,” she wrote. “You can’t help but mentally impose the performances of their 2D predecessors and see far more, well, animation in the older characters.” Luke Goodsell of the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-07-17/the-lion-king-review-disney-live-action-remake-is-majestic/11312854" target="_blank">ABC</a> was more supportive of the naturalistic design. “There’s an unusual dissonance to the photorealistic animals, who have only a fraction of the expression of their cel-animated counterparts, speaking with the voices of the human actors,” he wrote. “It’ll be off-putting for some, as though the original voice soundtrack had been dropped into a wildlife documentary, but it can be refreshing, too – at least for those who sometimes find Disney’s anthropomorphic animals a bit cloying.” But for some reviewers, fresh visuals do not suffice. Yasmin Omar of <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/culture/culture-news/a28393880/the-lion-king-film-review/" target="_blank">Harper’s Bazaar</a> said apart from the impressive computer-generated imagery, the new version offers nothing more. “Despite following the original plot to a tee, Favreau’s reinterpretation of The Lion King (or should that be ‘interpretation’?) is simply a regurgitation, drawing on digital technology designed to enhance viewer enjoyment,” she wrote. “This film is a digitally enhanced clone of the first. It feels like nothing more than an empty ploy to line the pockets of studio execs.” While the animated classic earned a rating of 93 per cent on review-aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the new version only managed to score 59 per cent. Nevertheless, the movie seems to be <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2476483/will-the-lion-king-still-hit-1-billion-after-disappointing-reviews" target="_blank">on track to make more than US$1 billion worldwide</a>. Another of Disney’s 2019 remakes, Aladdin, has made US$960 million so far. </div> </div> </div> </div>

Movies

Dolly Parton’s beautiful remake of classic “Jolene”

Dolly Parton has teamed up with a cappella group Pentatonix to give her classic hit “Jolene” a hauntingly beautiful modern update. In a video posted last Friday, the 70-year-old country singer takes over lead vocals as the Texas quintet delivers a backing beat using only their voices. It’s a emotional rendition of the iconic country song, and we have to say, we love it! The day the video was released, Parton tweeted that the experience of singing with Pentatonix, was “pure magic.” “Jolene” was released in 1974, with Rolling Stone ranking the song No. 217 on its “the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list in 2004. Have a listen to the Dolly Parton and Pentatonix version of “Jolene” and tell us if you’re a fan or not in the comments below. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/2016/08/15-photos-of-musicians-before-they-were-famous/">15 photos of musicians before they were famous</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/2016/06/15-most-iconic-album-covers/">15 most iconic album covers</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.com.au/entertainment/music/2016/05/1970s-songs-that-defined-a-decade/">1970s: songs that defined a decade</a>

Music

Disney remakes classic childhood movies

Walt Disney is on a lucrative nostalgia trip. Disney's latest re-imagining, Beauty and the Beast, marks a big test of the company's strategy of using live actors to make beloved animated tales more relevant to new generations. Disney has a dozen more possible remakes in the pipeline that it hopes will build on the success of recent films like Cinderella, The Jungle Book and Maleficent. Despite a couple misses, the strategy has proven a better bet for the live-action studio than trying to create new legends. Disney has generated NZD$2.8 billion (US$2b) in net profit from six remakes since 2010, according to S&P's Kagan research unit. That success, coupled with strong showings by other Disney film divisions, including Marvel and Lucasfilm, have made the company the box-office leader. They're properties that "everybody knows," said Doug Creutz, an analyst at Cowen. "It's probably a safer strategy than taking all that money and trying to create new intellectual property." Disney's live-action strategy isn't without risks. When the company strayed from revisiting its classics, disaster sometimes ensued. The Lone Ranger, Tomorrowland and Million Dollar Arm all failed to recover their costs at the box office, as did the Disney-backed live-action adaptation of the Roald Dahl book The BFG from Steven Spielberg. Two stories that came right from Disney's playbook, the sequel Alice Through the Looking Glass and Pete's Dragon were also duds. The Burbank, California-based studio's current run of successful remakes began with Alice in Wonderland in 2010. Directed by Tim Burton, the film generated more than $1.43 billion in ticket sales. The success of that film, along with Universal Pictures' 2012 release Snow White and the Huntsman, led Studio Chairman Alan Horn to wonder "Why aren't we doing that?" Disney's live-action unit, led by Sean Bailey, built on the success in 2014 with Maleficent, a darker take on Sleeping Beauty, featuring Angelina Jolie. The $250 million production budget yielded $1.08b in global sales. Cinderella, in 2015, went on to score critical and commercial success, and The Jungle Book won an Oscar in February for visual effects. A sequel is planned. To Crockett these films are a necessary new hybrid for a younger generation that's grown accustomed to cutting-edge special effects. "It is very hard for them to watch some of the older movies because the movie-making technology was so different than it is today," he said. "You don't get the same reaction." While Disney is still making original live-action films, like the Ava DuVernay-directed A Wrinkle in Time due for release in 2018, it's largely focused on remaking classics. The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Marry Poppins returns A live-action Mulan film is due out in November 2018. Mary Poppins Returns, with Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep and Lin-Manuel Miranda, is set for release the following month. Revivals of Dumbo, The Lion King, Cruella and Aladdin are being developed, and the company may also have in the works The Little Mermaid, a Maleficent sequel, another Peter Pan story and a fresh Pinocchio. "I don't think they're anywhere close to trailing off soon," said Jeff Bock, senior box office analyst at Exhibitor Relations. "They'll run out of their best animated films maybe in a decade. That is not to say they don't continue the adventures in sequels." Those films will also help Disney battle superhero fatigue in its Marvel division. Horn, Disney's studio head, said at the Beauty and the Beast premiere that the company remains committed to mining Disney's best characters. Remakes of classics "are quintessential Walt Disney company properties and we believe to our toes that we are the company that should bring these stories to the screen in live action," Horn said. "We want to do so with an underscored emphasis on quality - they have to be good." Written by Anousha Sakoui and Nicole Piper. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz.</a>

Movies

Sneak peek photos of the Dirty Dancing remake

When Dirty Dancing first hit screens in 1987, it captured our hearts. The film became an international sensation and Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey had a chemistry like no other. ABC have released photos of their TV movie remake that will be first released in America at the end of May. Although no one can beat Patrick and Jennifer, these photos are getting us excited. This remake will stay true to the original plot as it follows Baby falling in love with the camp dance instruct at a summer resort. To see the behind the scenes pictures, scroll through the gallery above. Are you excited about this remake? Let us know in the comments below. Image credit: ABC

Movies

First full trailer released for Netflix’s Anne of Green Gables remake

Earlier in the year, we got our first glimpse of Netflix’ eagerly-awaited Anne of Green Gables remake (simply named Anne) starring Irish actress Amybeth McNulty in the titular role. Now, we finally have the first full trailer for the new eight-episode series, and it’s only making us even more excited. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S5qJXYNNINo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> It looks to be a bit darker than the original 1985 adaptation, but we think the cast looks absolutely perfect. We can’t wait for May 12 to arrive! What do you think about the trailer for the new series? Will you be tuning in? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Remake of Overboard in the works

The 80s comedy classic Overboard starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russel is being remade. Anna Faris will star in this remake with Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez. This film will have a gender-reversal of character roles, meaning Faris will play Kurt Russell’s character. The film will follow a spoiled Mexican playboy who is from an extremely wealthy family. Eugenio’s character will fall off a yacht and then get amnesia and Faris’ character will be a single mum who convinces the playboy that they are married. MGM boss Jonathan Glickman said, “The original Overboard was beloved and the only way to bring it back is to reinvent the story in a whole new way. Anna and Eugenio are two of the most charismatic forces in comedy whose take on the material will modernize the story for a whole new generation of moviegoers." The movie will start filming in May in Vancouver. Katherine Heigl, Jenifer Lopez and Kate Hudson, daughter of Goldie Hawn, were all once previously attached to the film. This film follows over movies from the 80s being remade such as Ghostbusters and the upcoming Splash with Jillian Bell and Chinning Tatum. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/03/first-look-at-emily-blunt-as-mary-poppins/">First look at Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/16-oscar-winning-costumes/">16 Oscar winning costumes</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2017/02/co-stars-whose-romance-continued-off-screen/">Co-stars whose movie romance continued off-screen</a>

Movies

More revealed about the cast for the remake of Picnic at Hanging Rock

Joan Lindsay’s classic mystery novel Picnic at Hanging Rock has long been a favourite both in Australia and abroad, and it’s set to get the TV treatment with Foxtel announcing the cast for their upcoming reboot. Producers have already scored two big-name stars, with Game of Thrones’ Natalie Dormer signing on to play English headmistress Mrs Hester Appleyard and Orange is the New Black’s Yael Stone set to play Miss Dora Lumley, mistress of Deportment and Bible Studies. French actress Lola Bessis will play Mademoiselle Dianne de Poitiers, mistress of French Conversation, Music and Dance, while the roles of Miss Greta McCraw (mistress of Geography and Mathematics) and Mrs Valange (mistress of Art and Literature) will be played by Anna McGahan and Sibylla Budd, respectively. The students will be played by Lily Sullivan as Miranda Reid, Madeline Madden as Marion Quade, Home and Away’s Samara Weaving as Irma Leopold, Ruby Rees as Edith Horton and Inez Curro as Sara Waybourne. The Aussie series, controversially directed in part by a Canadian, Larysa Kondracki, will feature six 60-minute episodes and is set to begin shooting this month. Related links: <a href="/entertainment/tv/2017/02/anne-of-green-gables-netflix-remake/">First look at Netflix’s Anne of Green Gables remake</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2017/01/miss-fishers-murder-mysteries-becomes-movie-trilogy/">Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries to become an action movie trilogy</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/12/7-facts-about-lucille-ball/">7 things you didn’t know about Lucille Ball</a>

2016 is the year of TV reboots and remakes

Just when you think cinemas are being flooded with remakes, sequels and prequels, it seems television producers are returning to the classics in the quest for ratings, too! Whether they’ve already aired, are in production or have just been announced, we take a look at some of the classic TV series returning to our screens (plus a few movie-to-TV-show reboots!). MacGyver Everyone’s favourite crafty adventure hero is back, but 66-year-old Richard Dean Anderson will not be returning to play Angus MacGyver, who will be played instead by 25-year-old X-Men actor Lucas Till. A pilot episode has been ordered, and it is reported that the new series will be something of a prequel, looking back at MacGyver’s early years. The Notebook The Nicholas Sparks tearjerker is set to get the small screen treatment after US network The CW picked it up for a reboot, which is currently in development. Not much is known yet about the details, but Sparks will be co-producing the series based on his best-selling novel and the blockbuster film adaptation starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams. Xena: Warrior Princess Iconic female warrior Xena will soon be returning to our screens, thanks to a new series from NBC. Co-creator of the original series, Rob Tapert, is said to be involved but it is unknown if wife (and star of the show) Lucy Lawless will be reprising her role. The pilot’s screenwriter, however, has said the new series would definitely address Xena and Gabrielle’s ambiguous relationship. Twin Peaks A reboot of David Lynch’s short-lived cult classic Twin Peaks is already in production, and many of the original cast members have already signed on, including Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, David Duchovny, Peggy Lipton and more. Naomi Watts, Laura Dern and Jim Belushi have also confirmed new roles. It is set to air next year. Gilmore Girls Lorelai, Rory and the gang are back for a new Netflix revival titled Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life, which will be comprised of four 90-minute episodes set in a different season of the year. Most of the original cast will be involved, and the special will be released to the streaming service any day now! Fuller House Fan of Full House? You’re in luck! Almost all the original cast have returned for this 13-episode reboot of the hit show, which first aired in 1987, with the exception of Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen who played Michelle Tanner in the hit show which first aired in 1987. It has already been renewed for another season and is currently in production. Fargo The Coen Brothers’ critically acclaimed, quirky crime thriller Fargo has been revived in the form of an anthology series with each season presenting a different story. The cast includes Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, Kirsten Dunst, Ted Danson and more. The critically acclaimed series has won two Emmys and is currently producing its third season, starring Ewan McGregor. The X-Files Sci-fi classic The X-Files was rebooted earlier in the year, with David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson reprising their roles as Mulder, the believer, and Scully, the sceptic. The “event series” produced six episodes set 14 years after the final season and 7 years after the last film, The X-Files: I Want to Believe. The cast and crew are currently in talks for another season. Which of these reboots are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below! Related links: <a href="/entertainment/movies/2016/05/8-classic-films-getting-remakes/">8 classic films getting remakes</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/06/10-classic-british-tv-comedy-shows-we-love/">10 classic British TV comedy shows we love</a> <a href="/entertainment/tv/2016/06/shocking-facts-about-tv-shows/">10 shocking facts you didn’t know about your favourite TV shows</a>

5 of the worst movie remakes of all time

Hollywood loves to do a movie remake. But why try to improve on a great film, or try to improve a bad one? To be honest, it’s not often that the remake is better than the original, but these five films are actually so badly done they have made our list. 1. Psycho (1998) When you are following on from a legend like Alfred Hitchcock and his 1960 classic film, anything you do is going to struggle. But the 1998 remake of Psycho is known in film circles as the remake that should never have happened. Despite a new cast, the addition of colour, and the film being set in modern times – the rest seems to be a blatant scene-by-scene copy of the original. Even down to the same camera angles and editing techniques. 2. The Wicker Man (2006) The cult 1973 British horror movie The Wicker Man is often regarded as the best horror film of all time. So deciding to remake it in 2006 using an American director and cast was a risk that unfortunately didn’t pay off. Directed by Neil LaBute, the remake sees Nicolas Cage star in a horror film that ends up being mostly comedy. With the original film full of tension and a shocking ending, the remake has become as famous for its bizarreness. 3. Stepford Wives (2004) The original 1975 film adaptation ofthe novel Stepford Wives was only moderately successful. But Frank Oz’s 2004 remake was given the thumbs down from many critics. Despite the all-star cast – Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, and Glenn Close – the film failed to make use of the original movie’s sci-fi horror roots. Instead it presented itself as a camp comedy, leaving the audience scratching their heads as to what it was really about. 4. Planet of the Apes (2001) The critically acclaimed 1968 version of Planet of the Apes is loved by many all over the world. Despite many fans believing that a remake could hold its own, director Tim Burton’s 2001 remake came up short, despite doing moderately well at the box office. The style and effects were given a positive nod, but many critics felt that the director didn’t really add anything new to make it his own. In the future it will be the 1968 version of the film that will be watched time and time again. 5. Godzilla (1998) Of all the odd-spots in the 1998 remake of the 1954 film Godzilla, the biggest was the fact that the setting in New York City meant that the original film’s nuclear symbolism was lost completely. Despite spending $130 million on the film, Roland Emmerich’s blockbuster was widely panned due to a poor script. It was so widely criticised for its acting, directing and effects that the original plans to turn it into a trilogy were scrapped. Related links: <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2015/12/top-10-horror-movies/">Top 10 classic horror movies of all-time</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2015/11/best-kids-movies/">10 of the best movies to watch with the grandkids</a> <a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/movies/2015/11/sean-connery-is-the-best-james-bond/">5 reasons why Sean Connery is our favourite Bond</a>

Movies

5 of the worst movie remakes of all time

Movies

Kiwi’s set to recreate Home and Away

Home and Away fans could be in for a treat as TV3 is proposing a new television series that will replicate the popular Australian series. A Kiwi version of the soap is tipped to be set in a fictional beach town based on the outskirts of Auckland city, the NZ Herald reported, and it may well be one of New Zealand’s most expensive shows, requiring at least $10 million of funding. New Zealand on Air confirmed it received an application from MediaWorks and a decision would be made on December 11. The Australian Home and Away rates well in New Zealand, consistently rating between 165,000 and 250,000 viewers last week. It would be a positive move for TV3's parent company MediaWorks, which in recent weeks has announced it's reviewing current affairs show 3D and dropping reality shows Come Dine With Me, X Factor NZ and MasterChef NZ. * An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the level of funding NZ On Air might have available for such a show. First appeared on <a href="http://www.Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a>.

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Film producer turns hand to new projects, remake of Goodbye Pork Pie

The Blondini gang's little yellow mini is roaring back - with a boost from the NZ Film Commission.The producer of Kiwi smash hit The Dark Horse Tom Hern is set to tackle another national icon, Goodbye Pork pie, and things are looking good for a slate of other new projects too.Hern is not new to New Zealand's entertainment industry - fans of the small screen will remember him as the face of religious fanatic Baxter Cormack on Shortland Street, circa 2005.But these days, the 30-year-old is more likely to be found behind the camera.He now runs production company Four Knights Film, alongside longtime collaborator James Napier Robertson, who wrote and directed The Dark Horse, and writer/director Max Currie.Four Knights is one of five production companies to get a cash injection under the New Zealand Film Commission's 'Boost' scheme, with grants of between $50,000 and $130,000 given out to further develop television and feature films at all stages of production.The company has seven feature films and two television shows on the go - one of which is a remake of the 1981 classic Goodbye Pork Pie, with Matt Murphy, the son of original director Geoff Murphy, attached to direct.Hern and Robertson are also working on a follow up to The Dark Horse, an "ambitious project" that has sparked a lot of interest off the back of the success of previous film, Hern says.When Hern started working with Napier Robertson, the idea was that producing would help him create vehicles for his acting.He starred in the pair's first feature I'm Not Harry Jenson in 2009, but quickly fell in love with producing gig, how varied the role was.The two began work on The Dark Horse, a biopic looking at the life of bipolar chess champ Genesis Potini, in 2009. The film was released in New Zealand in July last year, soaring up the box office rankings, grossing more than $3 million. Hern said The Dark Horse has become calling card for the pair, opening doors to bigger and better projects."We looked at the likes of Niki Caro off the back off Whale Rider and what she was able to do with her follow up feature, we looked at the likes of other hit Kiwi films like Once Were Warriors and what Lee Tamahori was able to do off the back of that film," he said."We were looking for that high pedigree, quality picture that would announce us to the international market and go, here's what we can do. Now let's talk about what we're going to do next."The film went to festivals like the Toronto International Film Festival, the Rotterdam International Film Festival, where it won the MovieZone Award, and the Palm Springs Film Festival, where it was runner up for best film.At the 2014 New Zealand Film Awards, it picked up best picture, best director, best screenplay and best score.Cliff Curtis took home the best actor Moa for his portrayal of Potini, and James Rolleston was named as best supporting actor as Potini's nephew Mana.The film will have a US release in December."You can talk about all kinds of strategy … but at the end of the day, if you make great work, the opportunities will come," Hern said."It's that simple"Written by Kashka Tunstall. First appeared on <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz" target="_blank">Stuff.co.nz</a> Related links:<a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/10/iphone-photo-tips/">8 iPhone photo tips you’ll want to know about</a><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/10/social-media-health-benefits-study/">Social media good for older people’s health</a><a href="http://www.oversixty.co.nz/entertainment/technology/2015/10/people-failed-at-technology/">8 people who utterly failed at technology</a>

Movies

Film producer turns hand to new projects, remake of Goodbye Pork Pie

Movies

Disney to remake Mary Poppins movie

Disney has plans to re-make the original Mary Poppins movie, according to Entertainment Weekly. The original movie was based on one book from the series by P.L Travers, and the new movie will take its content from the rest of the collection, set 20 years after the first movie. The re-make will feature Mary and the Banks Family, but is, according to Disney, not a sequel. The movie will be directed by Rob Marshall, who directed Chicago and Into the Woods and will also feature the songwriters behind Smash and Hairspray and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. It is unlikely Julie Andrews will reprise her role 51 years later, especially given her inability to sing as she once did as a result of a surgery gone wrong. Start betting on which actress might replace her now! Related links: <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/facts-about-sound-of-music/">6 little known facts about The Sound of Music</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/discontinued-classic-australian-lollies/">Old-favourite lollies that are no longer available</a> <a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/new-favourite-childhood-book-covers/%20">Your favourite childhood books now look different</a>

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Disney remakes classic childhood movies

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5 of the worst movie remakes of all time

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Film producer turns hand to new projects, remake of Goodbye Pork Pie

Film producer turns hand to new projects, remake of Goodbye Pork Pie

Disney to remake Mary Poppins movie

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