The Thing (2011)
Totally agree with Elvis, not as darker or tense as the original but a fairly done entertaining film indeed.
>>: B
Straw Dogs (2011 & 1971)
Most of the great things about Sam Peckinpah's original cult classic is missing in this horribly miscast, shallow & ultimately pointless remake. Yeah, it's easily understandable that it's very hard for today's any young actor to fit in those characters that's been done by such brilliant actor like Dustin Hoffman or even Susan George's Amy. And particularly in compare to them, the convincing job that they done in the original movie, there is no chemistry between this new version of David & Amy.
After the remake, I watched the original again (after a long time since saw it first years ago) just to refresh my memory. And it's again great to see how remarkably Susan George portrayed Amy's role in the film, particularly in that exceptionally chilling rape scene. All of Amy's expressions...that unimaginable experience she was going through is missing here in the remake. No offense but Kate Bosworth (with flat boobs) is clearly miscast for this role.
Now, about James Marsden's David...it seems that he didn't see the original or have very little idea about who did the David Summer's character and how well did in the 1971 film; otherwise he wouldn't agree to do the role, IMO.
Anyway, only good things about the remake is it's got good production value & few nice shots here & there.
>>Remake: C
>>Original: A
Cowboys & Aliens (2011)
Main plot/idea: interesting,
Cast & premise: Great
but...
the overall story & characters: uninspired.
>>: C+