I posted this on links a few weeks ago, in response to a similar post but here it is again.
The Thing is a remake, and a fucking class movie. Same goes for A Fistful Of Dollars, Magnificent Seven, Invasion of The Body Snatchers, Outland, etc etc etc. Hollywood started out plagiarizing old books and play, and even in the very early 20thC was remaking films from just a couple of years before. The 30s and 40s were chock full of endless sequels and prequels: look at all the old Dracula and Frankenstein movies. There are DOZENS of them, all milking an initially good idea until it becomes a pale, dull immitation. Even Hammer films are mostly rehashes of Universal monster movies. I don't think films are any better or any less shit than they ever were, we just remember all the good stuff from older eras BECAUSE its the good stuff. Think of all the absolute shite that was made around the same time as Jaws and the French Connection. No one cares about the bad films from those periods because they were as bad as most of the rubbish movies of today.
(Kitty Fantastico "Dwarf, Anorexic and In a Fight ", Thu 29 Sep 2011, 9:36, 3 replies)

Every version of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers
is shit.
( monster munch person, man, woman... camera... TV?, Thu 29 Sep 2011, 10:22, closed)

Not to mention that Shakespeare plundered every old tale and myth he could find for material

( emvee cruor deo cruoris, Thu 29 Sep 2011, 10:50, closed)

A bit too Campbellian, that.

( Felis Concolor, Thu 29 Sep 2011, 11:00, closed)

The Forbidden Planet
Was ace. But is was really The Tempest set in space.

I would go so far as to say that not enough old books are turned into films. My point being that 2012 took away valuable screen time from something else more worthy. Anything.
(Bicycle Repairman "you're also a bit of a wanker", Thu 29 Sep 2011, 12:23, closed)