The Day The Earth Stood Still

2343 Views 30 Replies 16 Participants Last post by HIPAR, Jul 8, 2008

LarryFlowers

Discussion Starter · Jul 5, 2008

The very first movie I have a concious memory of as a child was Disney's The Song of the South.

The very first scifi movie I saw as a child was "The Day the Earth Stood Still" and it turned me into a life long scifi fanatic.

My primary PC has always over the years been named "Gort" and my back up PC is named "Klaatu". Fans will understand the reference.

It is with some trepidation that I became aware that 20th Century Fox was remaking the movie for a Christmas release this year.

I saw my first trailer today on the 'net. It looks good so far. Perhaps the most important part of the trailer is in the final few seconds when you get a glimpse of what appears to be a good representation of "Gort", moving death ray eye and all...

Fox hasn't put up a website yet for the movie but you can see the trailer at http://the-day-the-earth-stood-still-trailer.blogspot.com/

The movie stars Keanu Reeves as Klaatu and Jennifer Connely as Helen. Kathy Bates and John Cleese are also in the film.

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Jimmy 440

· #2 · Jul 5, 2008

John Cleese. Yikes !! I don't see him as the type of actor to be in a Sci Fi movie.
The original was just on tv a few nights ago.I caught the tail end.Great flick.
Why does Hollywood have this bug now to remake movies ? Has their talent lost their creativity ? <lol>

davring

· #3 · Jul 5, 2008

Thanks for the heads up Larry. One of the first SciFi movies I saw as a youngster also, hope the remake does it justice.

STEVEN-H

· #4 · Jul 5, 2008

Yes 1951 I will never forget:

Gort Klaatu barada nikto

Jimmy 440

· #5 · Jul 5, 2008

It will be on AMC again on 7/10 @ 0845 AM ! I just set the DVR to record it.

Richard King

· #6 · Jul 5, 2008

One of the first movies that I can recall seeing also, and I think a movie that was so well done that it would be VERY hard to do anything to compare. I wonder how the original would run in a big screen theater if it were re-released.

Stuart Sweet

· #7 · Jul 5, 2008

Just like you all, I consider the original a classic. A great science fiction movie passes along a strong message about our world without seeming preachy, and it does that.

I'm afraid the remake will just be another aliens vs. humans flick.

blackcat77

· #8 · Jul 5, 2008

If the trailer is any indication, the only thing this will have in common with the original is the title.

And let's not forget that the original was an allegory about the Cold War and our fears.

LarryFlowers

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jul 5, 2008

Jimmy 440 said:
John Cleese. Yikes !! I don't see him as the type of actor to be in a Sci Fi movie.
The original was just on tv a few nights ago.I caught the tail end.Great flick.
Why does Hollywood have this bug now to remake movies ? Has their talent lost their creativity ? <lol>

Sometimes I too, think that Hollywood has hit the bottom of the creativity barrel. It will definitely be a different role for John Cleese as he will play the part of professor Barnhardt.

LarryFlowers

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jul 5, 2008

My 50's Classic SciFi List: (feel free to make additions)

1. The Day the Earth Stood Still
2. Forbidden Planet
3. Them!
4. War of the Worlds
5. Destination Moon (George Pal, Robert Heinlein)
6. The Time Machine
7. The Thing From Another World
8. This Island Earth

Jimmy 440

· #11 · Jul 5, 2008

The Crawling Eye
Fiend Without a Face

RunnerFL

· #12 · Jul 5, 2008

How can you talk 50's sci-fi and not mention Plan 9 From Outer Space!

Or...

It Came From Outer Space
20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Fantastic Voyage
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
The Blob
The Fly
Attack Of The 50ft Woman
Cyclops
Earth vs The Spider
First Men In The Moon
Kronos: Ravager Of Planets

Just to name a few more....

See less See more

njblackberry

· #13 · Jul 5, 2008

This has all the earmarks of a terrible remake. The original is a classic and can be watched over and over. Yes, it is a bit dated, but the story line is great. John Cleese.. <shudder>. Keanu Reeves can remake his classic emotionless role that he has done several times before

Them! is vastly underrated.

Great lists. Great thread.

Klatuu barado nikto.

bigshew

· #14 · Jul 5, 2008

I have a hunch the new movie will use the original ending from the short story by Harry Bates, Farewell to the Master.

You can read the story online http://thenostalgialeague.com/olmag/bates.html

Richard King

· #15 · Jul 5, 2008

Another early one that I remember seeing in a theater many years ago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Creature_from_the_Black_Lagoon
Creature from the Black Lagoon

Jimmy 440

· #16 · Jul 5, 2008

And dont forget the horrible sequels :

Revenge of the Creature
Creature Walks Among Us

LarryFlowers

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 5, 2008

RunnerFL said:
How can you talk 50's sci-fi and not mention Plan 9 From Outer Space!

Or...

It Came From Outer Space
20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Fantastic Voyage
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
The Blob
The Fly
Attack Of The 50ft Woman
Cyclops
Earth vs The Spider
First Men In The Moon
Kronos: Ravager Of Planets

Just to name a few more....

Ok... good additions

It Came From Outer Space
20,000 Leagues under the Sea
Invasion Of The Body Snatchers
The Blob
The Fly
First Men In The Moon
Kronos: Ravager Of Planets

Fantastic Voyage is 1966 so not part of the 50's HOWEVER: of note Roland Emmerich is remaking this movie for 2010 release.

I am not sure about these... we are starting to lower the level here...
Attack Of The 50ft Woman
Cyclops
Earth vs The Spider

I should have included the "original" Godzilla (the one they added Raymong Burr to for USA release).

As for Plan 9 From Outer Space... I am not going there...

See less See more

Richard King

· #18 · Jul 5, 2008

I was also going to mention Godzilla. Good flick.

RunnerFL

· #19 · Jul 6, 2008

LarryFlowers said:
Fantastic Voyage is 1966 so not part of the 50's HOWEVER: of note Roland Emmerich is remaking this movie for 2010 release.

Oops, my bad.

LarryFlowers said:
I am not sure about these... we are starting to lower the level here...
Attack Of The 50ft Woman
Cyclops
Earth vs The Spider

They aren't that bad. :lol:

LarryFlowers said:
I should have included the "original" Godzilla (the one they added Raymong Burr to for USA release).

Doh! How could I forget Gojira!

LarryFlowers said:
As for Plan 9 From Outer Space... I am not going there...

Oh come on, it's an Ed Wood classic!

elaclair

· #20 · Jul 6, 2008

So I wonder if any of these classics will get a restore and release on HiDef? Especially Forbidden Planet and The Day The Earth Stood Still.

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