1. Hitchock's Film Didn't Do The Book Justice - Strangers On A Train
Don't remake Hitchcock. Like not getting the boom mic in shot and not casting Jai Courtney (oh, that's the one really iffy part of Suicide Squad), it's just one of those cinematic rules that must be followed. Gus van Sant's Psycho is a cinematic atrocity that ruins one of my all time favourite films and the simple thought of a Michael Bay-produced The Birds makes me feel sick (and that's not even getting onto those remakes-by-another-name like Disturbia and Eagle Eye). Even with that in mind though, it's impossible to not get excited by Strangers On A Train. Reuniting Gone Girl's key creatives (David Fincher will direct, Gillian Flynn will write and Ben Affleck will star), it sounds like the sort of tense, internal crime thriller you just wish Hollywood would make more of, despite its typically sacrilegious origins. But, of course, Strangers won't actually be a remake of Hitchcock's thriller, rather a readaptation of Patricia Highsmith's cracking source novel. And, all respect to Hitch, he did kinda drop the ball in that regard - the real moral ambiguity of the story (two men meet on a train and "agree" to do a murder for each other) is skirted over and the resolution is simple spectacle lacking in impact. Fincher and Flynn are ideal to bring this more complex subtext to life (and maybe without a long tennis match this time). The film has been reportedly delayed due to the sheer busyness of each of the key players - Flynn is a hot property after Gone Girl, Fincher always has countless projects gestating and Affleck's got countless rounds as Batman to get through - but it's such an interesting idea, and one the creatives clearly have a passion for, that you can expect it to happen sometime soon. What other movies are you really looking forward to? Share any more down in the comments.
Alex Leadbeater
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Film Editor (2014-2016).
Loves The Usual Suspects. Hates Transformers 2. Everything else lies somewhere in the middle.
Once met the Chuckle Brothers.
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Alex