The reboot.  Sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.  Seen as an attempt to save a dying franchise, the reboot has become a fixture among summer movies and produces big money. Whether or not it works, I am beginning to wonder if it is getting out of hand.

Some of them cannot be disputed.  “Batman Begins” was a fantastic movie that allowed comic fans to breathe a sigh of relief.  “Casino Royale” helped us forget about the Pierce Brosnan days.  Most recently, “Star Trek” brought the franchise to a mainstream audience.

But sometimes…? Take Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” for example.  Possibly the second-greatest horror movie ever made, the original got an unworthy makeover that was cringe-worthy at times.  What is the greatest horror movie ever made?  That would be Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho.”  That got a horrible reboot too.  And the “Alien vs. Predator” movies?  Don’t get me started.

So what is on the horizon for the reboot?  Here are movies to look forward to, movies to avoid and movies that deserve a legit reboot:

Look forward to:

Robocop (2011)

The reason this may be awesome? Director Darren Aronofsky may have something to do with it.  Creator of films such as “The Wrestler” and “Requiem for a Dream,” Aronofsky has yet to make a dullard.  On top of this, the original “Robocop” was not exactly a masterpiece and has a lot of room for improvement.

True Grit (December 25, 2010)

A Coen Brothers movie? Wait, a Coen Brothers western?  Count me in.  The original “True Grit,” which remains John Wayne’s only Oscar win, was a good movie, but something tells me the Coens will take it to a whole new level with the all-star cast of Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon and Josh Brolin.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (April 30, 2010)

As a personal fan of the original film, I am excited to see Jackie Earle Haley stepping into Freddy Krueger’s shoes, or should I say gloves.  It looks like a shot-for-shot remake of the original, so I expect an adequate reboot.

Try to avoid:

Die Hard 5 (TBA)

The fourth “Die Hard” was ridiculous…I mean, absolutely crazy.  The older John McClane gets, the wackier his stunts become.  Bruce Willis told MTV that a fifth one is probably going to happen, which is just scary.  The movies started sucking after the first one, so why make a fifth?

Footloose (2011)

I’m all for remaking bad movies, and the original “Footloose” is awful.  But Chace Crawford?  It is an improvement on Zac Efron, the first actor rumored to take Kevin Bacon’s original role, but this movie sounds like a disaster.  Please avoid.

Cliffhanger (TBA)

The first “Cliffhanger” was no good, but the new one sounds worse.  It is rumored to follow a group of younger climbers, similar to the treatment the recent “Star Trek” got.  Something tells me the result will not be as good.

Wishful thinking:

12 Angry Men

I am not a fan of remaking classic movies, but this one has immense potential.  The original film featured twelve men who argue over a court case, which could mean an all-star cast.  On top of this, the original director, Sidney Lumet, is still making movies and could return.

Grumpy Old Men

Judd Apatow should wait about 30 years to remake this one with his star-studded cast.  Perhaps Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd?  It would be impossible to match the original duo of Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon, so it should get its own unique spin with a different type of comedy.

Attack of the Giant Leeches

I only mention this movie because it could be the worst movie ever made. It features awful acting and men dressed in painfully obvious leech outfits.  It cannot get worse, so why not remake it?

Travis Bean can be reached at tbean@dailyegyptian.com or 536-3311 ext. 274.

Related posts:

1. Ten-Year Itch: Raimi
2. Dear Hollywood: Das Reboot
3. Pulse Movie Picks
4. The Messengers bring bad tidings
5. Hitcher Skip this ride