Countdown to “Man of Steel”!
Fans have debated since 2006 whether or not the Richard Donner Cut is the superior or inferior version to its 1980 brother from Richard Lester. Thanks to a online campaign from fans to allow Richard Donner to complete the film he was kicked off of, Donner finally was able to release his own version of the movie on DVD with some alterations, and major story changes. Back in 1980, when Donner was replaced by Richard Lester, many of the cast and crew followed with him. This time Donner is able to not only show what he had in store for much of his own Superman sequel, but also showed that he had a much more mature mind set in regards to the second outing for Superman on the big screen.
The sequel to the Wes Craven horror fantasy completely strips away all pretense of drama and horror, and completely relies on its camp potential. “The Return of Swamp Thing” is more of an action comedy this time around, with Dick Durock returning as the plant man monster who lurks the swamps to fight crime and protect humans from Arcane’s mutant men. This time around Swamp Thing is basically on his own and becomes a more sentient being as he did in his television drama. Now forced to help a new love interest, as played by Heather Locklear, Swamp Thing has an unusual lure with the ladies. Can he procreate or engage in sexual activities? Who knows?
Originally I was very upset at the notion of a “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” back in 2003 when it was announced. The original is so perfect as is, it’s tough to think that someone would try to top it. Thankfully the remake didn’t top it, and after watching it I realized my antipathy toward it was pointless because “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is one of the many genre classics that’s been unofficially remade almost a dozen times already. So what’s the big deal? And as much as I enjoyed the sequels, they also couldn’t quite top the original film. And Tobe Hooper was behind the second film, oddly enough.