After her killer performance in “Chicago,” as Mama Morton, Queen Latifah committed career suicide when she went behind the wheel as the whacky taxi driver in the American remake of Taxi. American remake? Yep, you might be surprised to find out that it was originally a French series of classic comedy films directed by Luc Besson.
The post-SNL Jimmy Fallon didn’t add much either. In the film’s defense, it did make quite a lot of cash. Critically though, it tanked.
It's Alive (2008)
Larry Cohen, the creator of the original film as well as one of the writers of the remake has even commented on how awful this version is. The film follows the ridiculous story of a newborn serial killer.
Cohen reportedly said “It's just beyond awful. I would advise anybody who likes my film to cross the street and avoid seeing the new enchilada.” I think we should listen to the man.
Halloween (2007)
The slightly upgraded Michael Myers mask clearly did not cut it. Rob Zombie took John Carpenter's seminal horror film and turned the infamous psycho-killer into a total bore. He also added in this total unnecessarily back story, destroying the mystery around the notorious masked murderer.
Of course, Rob Zombie, being the disturbed metalhead he is had to try to come and give his personal little twist to things. Unfortunately, he didn't succeed in amping up the fear factor.
Get Carter (2000)
No one can compete with the coolness of Michael Caine in the original British crime drama "Get Carter." Unfortunately not even Sylvester Stallone. His tough-guy persona brought a different flavor to the remake.
He may be able to look good in a suit and holding a gun, but he just cannot achieve the emotional richness of the masterful Caine and his London gangster persona.
Guess Who (2005)
The classic film originally called "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" was a breakthrough comedy-drama filled with political commentary on racial dynamics. It starred the legendary Sidney Poitier, Katherine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy.
The 2005 remake turned the film into a boring slapstick rom-com that seemed to tiptoe around the very subject matter it attempted to portray.