5 MGM Films Amazon Should Remake

 

Amazon/MGM Studios just released a remake of the 1980's classic film that starred Patrick Swayze Roadhouse. The updated version stars Jake Gyllenhaal and UFC star Connor McGregor. I plan to watch the film this weekend, but it has already got me wondering about remakes.

Amazon bought MGM Studios for $8 billion back in 2021, with the deal completing in 2022. That's alot of coins that still hasn't been fully utilized yet. I previously wrote about how I would like to see The American Ninja series rebooted. Amazon is sitting on alot of intellectual properties right now, so here are five films from the MGM library that could be good material for a reboot.

5. MadHouse

MadHouse released in 1990 stars Kristie Alley and John Larroquette as Mark and Jessie, a yuppie couple who live a perfect life that works for them. That is until their lives are turned upside down when relatives come to visit at different intervals, and one by one for whatever reason they end up having extended stays. 

Until the couple loses their shit and can't take it any longer. If you ask the average person if they have heard of this movie, I guarantee the overwhelming answer will be no. That's what makes it perfect for a reboot, most people wouldn't have anything to compare it to. And getting rid of unwanted house guests is a story that stands the test of time.

4. Delirious 

This 1991 film starred John Candy as a soap opera writer who takes a bump on the head. He wakes up in the world of his soap opera where everyone assumes he is a new main character he created. He has to stop a nefarious plot while keeping his cover and realizing he can still write his story as he goes along.

I love a good meta movie that works like Pleasantville The movie is often overlooked among Candy's films. I'll admit it's not one of his best, while the humor in the movie is kind of dry, and the villains are typical scheming rich men. The plot of a writer waking up in a world he created is always ripe for good material and opportunity.

3. Cutthroat Island

One of the biggest box office bombs in movie history, Cutthroat Island is infamous for the film's budget bankrupting it's production company. The film was released in 1995 and starred Geena Davis and Matthew Modine as swashbuckling pirates.

Ok, so the scripts dialogue is very stiff and campy (not sure if that was by design), the plot gets wonky. However the movie fits the bill of a roller coaster ride, and if you turn your brain off you may like it. Pirate movies aren't the top of the heap right now but the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise proved there is a market for it, if done right. With such a bad stench on it, a remake could be given a fair chance.

2. The Beastmaster

A film losely based on a 1959 novel and made  in the mold of Conan The Barbarian. This 1982 film starred Marc Singer as Dar a warrior during an ancient time who is very skillful with a sword, and can communicate with animals. 

The film spawned two sequels Beastmaster: Through The Portal Of Time which was a limit theater release and Beastmaster III: Eye of Braxus (made for TV movie) and a syndicated television series. The potential is there to revive this property and maybe bring sorcery themed properties back into pop culture.

1.Hackers

Out of all the film's mentioned Hackers is the one most ripe for the picking. Especially with the digital world we live in now and technical geniuses with the potential to change the world getting younger and younger. Released in 1995, the film is best known for being Angelina Jolie's breakout film.

It involves a group of teen hackers who get themselves caught up in something way bigger than they anticipated. We now live in a world of ethical hackers, cyber security analysts, and breaches left and right. A updated film touching on digital concerns and social media playing a part in our everyday lives. Could really spark a new cult favorite or potential franchise.

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Extreme Ghostbusters: A Hidden Gem

 

While I anticipate seeing the new Ghostbusters movie Frozen Empire this weekend, I went down a Ghostbusters content rabbit hole. Which led me to revisit the 90's cartoon Extreme Ghostbusters, which honestly is a underrated and worthy addition to the Ghostbusters mythos.

Released in the fall of 1997, the cartoon followed original Ghostbuster Egon Spengler who recruits a new generation to defend the city against new paranormal threats. The new recruits were a very diverse crew, far different than the original crew. There was a female member Kylie, a Hispanic member Eduardo, a Black member Roland, and a paraplegic member Garrett (which I believe was the first depiction of a paraplegic in a cartoon). With Janine and Slimer by their side they set out to make their own legacy while saving the city.

Being the late 90's the cartoon took a bit more of a edge. The classic theme song had a rock inspired version. The series creators also worked on the Men In Black  and Godzilla cartoons. The styling of Extreme Ghostbusters matched those cartoons and  the tone was slightly darker with the creatures looking a bit more terrifying. And there seemed to be real life stakes in play throughout the series.

But what really makes the cartoon a hidden gem was the character development. All four members of the team were fleshed out and had their own reasons for joining the team. They were relatable and provided reasons for the audience to care about them.

The cartoon also gave fans a very satisfying moment years before Ghostbusters Afterlife did. The original Ghostbusters teamed up with the new Ghostbusters to take down the villain in the series Finale. A true Holy Shit moment back when that wasn't common in media.

The cartoon deserves another look as it truly may have just been ahead of its time. It's not available to stream anywhere, but YouTube will satisfy your appetite. If you don't remember the gem or never seen it, do yourself a favor and check it out.

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UPN On Monday Nights Was Must Watch TV

 

Once upon a time there was a broadcast network known as United Paramount Network (UPN), it was a mini network attempting along with The WB network attempting to compete with ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. To do that they aimed to attract demographics that were undeserved. While the WB became known as the teen network with shows like Dawson's Creek, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and One Tree Hill. While UPN became the home of Star Trek Series, WWF Smackdown, and a string of successful Black sitcoms.

UPN use to spilt sitcoms across two nights in four hour blocks. Starting in 1999 they used Monday nights to pair the first successful sitcom on the network Moesha with its spin-off sitcom The Parkers, that is when Monday nights really took off. The four hour block did not have a catchy name like NBC's Must See TV or ABC's TGIF, but everyone in the Black community knew what channel to tune into. I remember I use to record UPN sitcoms on VHS incase I missed something important flipping back and forth between those shows and wrestling.

Alongside Moesha and The Parkers, there were highly regarded still to this day sitcoms like the now legendary Girlfriends. Exploring friendships and relationships for Black woman in the 21st century. Half and Half which I think is still very underrated about two half-sisters trying to build a relationship. One on One about a father and daughter adjusting to life together. All Of Us about a blended family and navigating that space. UPN even saved The Hughleys when it was cancelled by ABC, even though personally you can miss me with that show.

Malcolm & Eddie spent some time on Monday nights. Rapper Eve had her own sitcom Eve, even though her character's name was Shelley. One on One produced a spin-off Cutz that made it on Monday nights. And oft forgotten Jaleel White led sitcom Grown-ups. 

While many of these sitcoms are still playing on cable or available to stream. It's often forgotten how important these shows were during the late 90's and early 2000's, when the major networks turned a blind eye to Black led sitcoms. These shows were unapologetically Black and for the culture, and it's a shame that 2 hour block on Monday nights is not given it's flowers more. 

It was truly Must See TV for Black families.

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Centurions reboot

 

I recently watched He: Man Revolutions on Netflix a nice quick 5 episode cartoon to binge. Once that was over I went down the rabbit hole of cartoons of the 80's and 90's that Hollywood could pick through for a new generation. Which led me to a cartoon I remember watching as a kid and playing with my older cousin's toys of, but I wasn't particularly a huge enamored with. That cartoon is Centurions released in 1986 that fit the bill of cartoons of that time, a toy line and comic book line built in to raise the cartoons profile. As customary during that time, the intro gave you the whole story in 30 seconds.

The cartoon follows three individuals Max Ray, Ace McCloud, and Jake Rockwell, who it's never made explicitly clear but are military of government employees. They all have specialty skills in sea, air, and land and use specialized exo-suits that allow them to combine weapons within their suits. The trick though is they have to yell "Power Xtreme" for the suits to activate (not sure that would work in today's world).

Along they're side is Crystal Kane who is the overseer of their operation from the group's headquarters a  space station called The Sky Vault. The big bad of the cartoon is Doc Terror a cybernetic scientist much like other evil villains hell bent on domination.

Themes of the cartoon were based in science and environmental issues. Which are still very relevant topics today, with a little fine tuning to bring the plot up to date.  I know I would watch it as I'm not tied to it nostalgically and would give it a fair shake. The rights are owned by Warner Bros. so they either need to get on the ball and develop it in house or license it. 

There's only so many times you can rehash properties like Masters Of The Universe and G.I. Joe without adding anything new to the franchise. This is perfect candidate to reboot for the 21st century. It doesn't have an expansive mythology tied to it that needs to be worked in, and fan backlash wouldn't necessarily be a concern for needed changes, since it wasn't a super popular cartoon. Who knows it may become very popular with today's youth and become a gold mine.

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We Need A Baltimore Day

 

There's been a lot of talk about the Baltimore Renaissance. Great things happening in the city, businesses giving the city opportunity. The O's are coming back to prosperity and hopefully make a deep run in the playoffs this year, the Raven's although not making the Super Bowl produced a lot of purple fever. The planned Inner Harbor revitalization which I'm personally 50/50 on but that's neither here nor there.

The CIAA tournament just finished up in town and bought a multitude of College basketball fans and events here to experience the city and what it has to offer. CFG Bank Arena is bringing big name acts back to the city, the frenzy the day Usher announced his tour was crazy. There's still A LOT of  work that need's to be done on public safety but there is progress and it will take time to change mindsets, behaviors and systemic conditions that lead to that.

All of these things got me thinking. We need a day to celebrate Baltimore, it's culture and what it means to be a Baltimorean. It would be great if the day occurred in the summer months so some type of outdoor event could be held. If not though, we still need something to celebrate the Inner Harbor, our sports teams, crabs, natty boh's, snowballs and of course Baltimore club music. 

It's a way to help instill civic pride in natives and make them love Baltimore good and bad for what it is.  I previously wrote a blog about having a Baltimore sign, much like other cities do against the backdrop of the Inner Harbor. Creating the perfect opportunity for a photo op to show Baltimore in it's beautiful glory. Let's hope those in City Hall think of the great things a day to honor Baltimore could do for the city, and make it official. 

Imagine folks walking around saying "Happy Baltimore day tew you".

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