Anticipating the worst from Diane English’s new remake of The Women is not just typical low expectations regarding remakes in general. My dread is specifically based on dissatisfaction with remakes and updates of films from the 1930s, arguably the best decade in cinema (it is certainly my favorite). While I may recognize and appreciate some favorable redos, such as DePalma’s Scarface (of which I’ve never really been a fan), Mazursky’s Down and Out in Beverly Hills and the multiple repeats from Hitchcock, I am more often disappointed with attempts to recreate ‘30s classics, even when I approach them with already low standards.

Worst, for me, doesn’t necessarily have to do with the quality of the film alone, especially when related to remakes and updates. The titles and versions I’ve selected are hardly the worst in terms of craft or production value — you’ll note there are no Dracula movies on this list — and a few would almost be acceptable if they were more unique or solitary works.

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The Democratic National Convention is over, and all the ecstatic party members have left Denver to go back to their zombie-esque lives (Bob Hope said it, not me). But after four days of celebrating what it means to be a Democrat, some may not wish to settle down and calmly wait out the next two months until Obama’s (possible) win, let alone the next five months waiting for the candidate to (possibly) be sworn in as President, participating in the normal non-specifically-Democratic, non-self-congratulatory activities that most of us are content with.

So, one thing excited Democrats can do is watch movies that will continue to inspire and encourage their beliefs and politics. As Karina already wrote, The American President is one movie that just barely may allow Obama fans to relive his DNC speech. Also, beginning yesterday, the Oscar-nominated documentary No End in Sight will be available in full on YouTube through till Election Day. Of course, there’s always other anti-war and anti-Bush docs for free viewing online, at such sites as SnagFilms and FreeDocumentaries.org.

And since there are so many docs out there that can make a Democrat giddy with the want for change, I’ve decided to limit today’s list to fictions and dramatizations, because they are more about feelings than facts, and that’s all you really need for political inspiration these days. As usual, I’m leaving out a lot of picks, both obvious and obscure, so feel free to tell us what movie make you feel most proud to be a Democrat.

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What is the first thing you’d do if you found out you had super powers? Save someone? No, you’d probably try something selfish first, just because you could. You’d likely say you’ll use the powers for good after that initial all-for-me trial run, but there’s a good chance you’ll get greedy instead. After all, you’re only human — you’re just more powerful than the rest of the race.

This is exactly what happens to David Rice (played by Max Thieriot then Hayden Christensen), a kid who discovers he can teleport, or jump, anywhere he’s been before. Yes, he’s kind of like the X-Men character Nightcrawler, someone David is likely familiar with since he references Marvel comics and therefore has a good self-awareness of the fantastical sort of life he’s a part of, or ought to be a part of. But unlike Spider-Man, another exemplary Marvel character, he doesn’t believe in the whole “with great power comes great responsibility” crap. Although the first time he robs a bank he tells himself he’ll pay it back one day, he eventually stops kidding himself. He doesn’t even contemplate using the money to help the needy. He’s no Robin Hood or Longfellow Deeds. He’s just your average follower of Objectivism. …Read more