(From syracusenewtimes.com)
March 26, 2015 11:26 am
(From syracusenewtimes.com)
To me, “A Star is Born” means a drunked-up rocker played by Kris Kristofferson doing the right/wrong/right/wrong dance with a wild-eyed optimist of a young singer played by Barbra Streisand.
To a generation that came ahead of me, Judy Garland was the young singer.
In the original, it was … well, you can trace the lineage back in today’s installment of my weekly Movie News blog for the Syrause New Times by clicking the link below.
The thrust of the report is that a new version taking off again, and this time star Bradley Cooper is fueling the ignition by considering making his debut as director.
Also at that click is a list of folks who still command salaries around the $20 million mark.
Which brings us to my Movie Day question block.
Do you think any movie story is worthy of a fourth remake, and why or why not? Who would you like to see as the leads if “A Star Is Born” is made again, and why? Do you think the big six are driving movie ticket prices so high that nobody goes to the theater anymore?
Posted by markbialczak
Tags: A Star is Born, Barbra Streisand, Bradley Cooper, Clint Eastwood, Kris Kristofferson, Movie News, Syracuse New Times
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I used to watch the Judy Garland version with my dad. It will probably remain “my” version.
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By cat9984 on May 12, 2015 at 9:17 pm
I’m glad you can remember seeing that classic with your dad, Cat. Priceless.
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By markbialczak on May 12, 2015 at 9:19 pm
Never liked the Babs & Kris version–don’t buy Streisand in the role, although Kris did some decent work as the dissolute rocker. But how do you do this movie today? Unless you flip the script–an older female “used-to-be” pop star going with a boy band One Direction media sensation? No more rock stars these days. I guess you could make it a period piece and re-do the Garland version–or go the route of the Wiz and remake it as a hip hop movie. Not very hopeful on any level.
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By Phil on March 30, 2015 at 11:17 am
They make take out of the music realm and make it actor-actress, Phil. That would be the salvation of the plotline. I believe the original was not music-oriented. And as for our lifetiime’s, yes KK was certainly a believeable down-and-outer.
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By markbialczak on March 30, 2015 at 12:32 pm
ahh, that makes more sense–So
Bradley, go right ahead!
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By Phil on March 30, 2015 at 3:30 pm
Original is best. Or at least for those who started with the original.
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By Liz on March 30, 2015 at 12:20 am
Sure. If you were around for No. 1 or went back and viewed No. 1 before No. 2, I agree, Liz. That’ll usually be the benchmark forever.
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By markbialczak on March 30, 2015 at 8:41 am
I’ve heard of the move but haven’t seen any of the productions. My opinion is that if the quality of the production is good then the number of times it is done is not a factor.
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By Paul on March 29, 2015 at 4:20 am
Quality beat quantity in life in many forms, my friend Paul. 🙂
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By markbialczak on March 29, 2015 at 9:04 am
I’m definitely in the original content camp. I miss new ideas. I’m really burnt out on superheroes. A fourth remake sounds like a bad joke.
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By Jay on March 28, 2015 at 5:09 pm
I’m always open to new ideas, Jay.
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By markbialczak on March 28, 2015 at 6:14 pm
No, I would not go see the remakes. And yes, the movie ticket prices are too high. I almost never go to the real theater because of that. I usually wait for the movies to either go to the drive-in for $2,50 or to the Mugs ‘n Movies restaurant theater for $3.00. It’s usually about a month after they leave the real theater, but I’m patient. 🙂
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By rachelcarrera on March 28, 2015 at 1:08 pm
Mugs ‘n Movies sounds like such a treat, Rachel. A month is not too long to wait, at all.
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By markbialczak on March 28, 2015 at 1:13 pm
I loved Judy Garland’s version best, then the one with Barbara Streisand and Kris K. made me think the story over again, in a different way. I love Bradley Cooper and he is a great actor, showing maturity and growth in many of his newer movies. He would make this worth watching, I am sure!
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By reocochran on March 28, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Bradley is certainly on a hot streak, Robin!
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By markbialczak on March 28, 2015 at 1:02 pm
I will be as likely to see it as I was to see the remake of “Annie.” Hollywood should only remake the rottenest tomatoes ever filmed. It’s like singing Whitney songs in vocal contests. The best you can do is a poor man’s version.
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By kerbey on March 27, 2015 at 10:40 am
Interesting concept, Kerbey. Only do new movies for bad efforts. Hmmmmmm.
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By markbialczak on March 27, 2015 at 3:36 pm
But if Grease was good and Grease II was terrible, then I don’t know if one should do a Grease III. I think you can only remake if the original was terrible. Speaking of that, I watched part of Help! last night (the Beatles, not The Help), and OMGoodness, they musta been smokin’ a hookah pipe bc we could not for the LIFE of us figure out what was going on. It was CRAZY.
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By kerbey on March 27, 2015 at 5:00 pm
I can say with full confidence, Chum, that I do not want to see the same movie done six different ways. No thanks. However, people love to go to the movies. I don’t see that changing…no matter the cost.
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By Audrey Dawn - Oldest Daughter Redheaded Sister on March 27, 2015 at 12:55 am
Some people watch the same version of the same movie 50 times. So who knows, Aud?
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By markbialczak on March 27, 2015 at 9:27 am
I think I saw the KK version but can’t remember it at all.Maybe I didn’t see it. Anyway, I’m available in a reworked “last chance for fame” story twist and am even willing to comb the tangles out of my Ermigal long black wig. Do you happen to have Brad ‘s cell #, Mark?
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By ermigal on March 26, 2015 at 10:59 pm
I just missed make his D list, I think, Ermine. Dang it.
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By markbialczak on March 27, 2015 at 12:34 am
The passing forward of allegory is essential for preservation through and for posterity, for education of genY and beyond so as not to lose the depth and richness of our history of art in the ever widening sea of modern commercialism. It has been said that anything worth telling is worth retelling (that’s been said right?), so then, the question is, was it worth telling to begin with? If yes, then it’s worth retelling so long as we are not watering it down. Keep it neat, no rocks.
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By Janelle on March 26, 2015 at 8:43 pm
Very well resaid, Ellle. Indeed. Welcome aboard, neat.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 10:27 pm
Maybe I should watch one, two or three of the first three versions before I pass judgment…. 😉
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By Chatter Master on March 26, 2015 at 7:11 pm
The one that I saw in my adult life rocked, MBC!
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 10:24 pm
You know I value and trust your opinion MBM 🙂
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By Chatter Master on March 27, 2015 at 5:49 am
Speaking as one older than dirt, bro Mark, I don’t go, as you well know, because I treasure my ability to hear things. The sound level in movie theaters is set for the young people who want the volume turned to ear splitting capacity. If they manage to reach 72, they will be deaf as doornails from all of this.
As for my fave version of the movie, I’ve been secretly in love in love with Kris since he first showed up back in the 60’s, so that is my favorite. I really don’t think the world needs another version of “A Star Is Born”, and it definitely does not need a 5th one. Have to admit I didn’t think it needed the KK version until I watched it (the sound level was not as loud in the 60’s), but after seeing that version I was sold.
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By Kentucky Angel on March 26, 2015 at 6:19 pm
We’ll see, sis Angie. Maybe this version would eventually win you over as well if you saw it lower level volume at home. 🙂 One never can tell.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 10:18 pm
I hope there’s no remake of a sad story of people slopping up their lives.
I also think movie prices have nothing to do with why people don’t attend the movies. We are entertained by screens everywhere we go – even at gas stations. Everything is individualized – a room full of people and they all have their own screens they are staring into. Why pay for a bigger one that one must give his complete attention to????
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By swimsonemile on March 26, 2015 at 2:29 pm
Yes, this story line has a lot of mud on it, certainly.
And your theory about the screens of life holds a lot of weight, especially with young people who had iPhones and iPads and video games to learn from since the crib. But I think the price of movies out does affect my generation and older, which nowadays is a core theater-goer, whether Hollywood wants to admit it or not.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 2:56 pm
I’m sure you’re right about the older generations not wanting to spend more money but the older they are it’s more about comfort and convenience.
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By swimsonemile on March 26, 2015 at 3:52 pm
Yes, but the older they are the more they have going to the movies ingrained in their social norm, too.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 4:17 pm
i’ll always favor the babs ‘n kk version, but i’m open, with low expectations and i’m sure i’ll be weeping no matter what. also excited about aloha and now realize how underpaid i am. )
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By ksbeth on March 26, 2015 at 12:58 pm
I know, ‘Aloha’ looks great. And how about if you and MG and MDW Karen and I split one of those salaries?
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 2:49 pm
yes, i think we could all live quite comfortably with that split )
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By ksbeth on March 26, 2015 at 5:24 pm
I think it’s kind of sad the Hollywood relies so heavily on remakes. Doesn’t anyone have any original ideas anymore?
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By Marissa Bergen on March 26, 2015 at 12:44 pm
I think there are one million unbought scripts that are really good and 10 million unbought scripts that stink, Marissa, sent out every year, and the agents get too tired to even read them.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 2:47 pm
I’m sure. Sad but true!
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By Marissa Bergen on March 26, 2015 at 3:56 pm
Best was and remains the Judy Garland / James Mason version.
I think this story premise is a little long in the tooth now. A 4th remake? Yawn…
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By Kate Loveton on March 26, 2015 at 11:43 am
It depends upon the zizz of the stars, of course, Kate. Bradley and which young starlet, and in the acting realm, not music.
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By markbialczak on March 26, 2015 at 2:36 pm