Discussion»Questions»Entertainment» Are there any fine-arts examples that you so much love the original form that you choose to avoid "follow-up" versions?
Are there any fine-arts examples that you so much love the original form that you choose to avoid "follow-up" versions?
Three that come to mind for me:
The song "Ode to Billie Joe" by Bobbie Gentry -- since a boy of six years old, I love the song so much I still choose not to watch the movie based upon the song
The original version of the 'children's' book "A Day with Wilbur Robinson" by William Joyce -- I fell in love with the book as a late-twenty-something adult; I love Joyce's artwork and humour; a movie 'Meet the Robinsons" was made (have not watched it) and after the movie release, Joyce "re-did" the book; I've not looked closely at the new version; I love the original
The 1997 original Austrian movie "Funny Games" directed by Michael Haneke -- Haneke remade his own movie into an English-language film; I refuse to watch the remake - - the original is superlative, excellent and flawless in all ways to me
EDIT: Ha! "Funny Games" is Austrian yet I realize the image I posted features the French language :)
It was hard to think of an example, but yesterday I rewatched Der Himmel über Berlin (known in English as Wings of Desire), a movie about an angel wanting to become human, and I can't say I would expect too much from its remake, called City of Angels.
Even so, I'd be curious to see how it adapts the source material — I may not be quite as loyal a viewer/listener/reader of the originals, hehe.
Thanks for answering, Danilo_G! I can't say for sure I've seen "Der Himmel uber Berlin". (Can't figure out the Umlaut, sorry) But I've heard about the movie. I read a one-sentence 'blip' of it and now desire to maybe watch it. I haven't seen it, I'm practically sure.
Yeah, certain examples, like those I mentioned -- I'm very loyal, ha. But I also am very disappointed I missed the Musical version of "Carrie." Yes, they made a musical based upon Stephen King's "Carrie"! Perhaps my favorite Stephen King book! :)
Hehe, I'm just a simple guy who's happy when someone knows what the Umlaut is called!
And I'm confident you would enjoy Wings of Desire, but I won't say much about why I think so. Might be worth a try whenever you get some time off from devising the next Carrie musical! ;)
It just hit me -- I very much enjoy director Brian DePalma's original movie of King's "Carrie" (1976); so much so that I did not choose to watch a relatively recent movie remake of "Carrie." And that remake , I believe, even featured a favorite actress of mine -- Julianne Moore. Even with Moore, I still did not want to see another 'Carrie' story come to life. :)
This post was edited by WelbyQuentin at January 11, 2026 4:03 PM MST
I am literally appalled. Just today, talking with a wondrously great friend, I shared I was reading Bret Easton Ellis' book, "American Psycho." The very-good-to-me 2000 film of same name was based on the book. I saw the movie years ago but have never read the book. My friend had not heard of neither the movie or book and she looked it up and said , "Oh ,there is a musical based upon the same book!"
I can't believe it! Frickin' crazy to me! A musical on "American Psycho"!! If you haven't read the book nor seen the movie - - just the movie posters of the movie will be enough to support my thought.
Ok - - enough of my shouting - -
back to my composing musicals for the " May 31,1889 Johnstown, Pennsylvania Flood" and "The 1894 Great Hinckley (Minnesota) Fire".
Both true-life horrendous disasters. Thousands perished. Let's go all the way and make musicals on them! And then some prequels! And then sequel musicals based upon the prequels! And then some remakes on the musical movies! For sure, an all-around "Grrr" from me.
Was jsut reading more of "American Psycho" and I was drawn to come back and add - -
now that I think about it, perhaps a musical based upon the book is not so "out there." The book --
QUASI-PLOT SPOILER "American Psycho"!!!
-- is written in a comedic style. If the book itself is rather an understated comedy about a serial killer, why not make a musical based upon the book?
Danilo_G 