I am by all definitions a movie buff.

I have seen most of the classics. I’ve been blown away by the intensity of Marlon Brando, I’ve doubled over from the comedic genius of Peter Sellers, and I’ve even shed a few tears at the performances of James Stewart and Gregory Peck.

Now I’m supposed to roll over and accept Matthew McConaughey as a brilliant actor? I think not.

Lately I have noticed the rise of what I like to call the “what the hell do we do now,” generation.

I feel that the best movies have aired already and most new filmmakers are scrambling to lob off hunks of old films in hopes of creating something better.

The result is normally a Frankenstein of cliché dialogue and awkward acting, with bits of glorious films sewn together in sloppy fashion. Most of the time these remakes are uninspired and unnecessary.

Whether It is simply a color version of a black and white film, or a modernized plot of an oldie… why is the original not good enough? True Grit is a prime example. Why the remake?

The original True Grit, made in 1969 starring John Wayne and Kim Darby (Yes, I had to IMDb Kim Darby), was a great movie. You can’t really top a western with John Wayne.

That being said, Jeff Bridges’ True Grit was a well-executed remake. Except for the boulder that kills the Texas Ranger in the original, yet only temporarily stuns the almighty Matt Damon.

This generation is too sensitive for boulder-deaths. The remake added a different perspective to True Grit, focusing around Mattie Ross rather than Rooster Cogburn.

This is how a remake should be done. The Green Hornet (for those of you who don’t know) is a parody-driven remake of the short-lived TV show The Green Hornet (1966-1967).

Starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou, the movie focused on much of the implied humor in the TV show, with it’s own modern-day spin. The TV show, with Van Williams and Bruce Lee, had Kato (Lee) saving the Hornet’s ass quite often, much like in the movie.

Now on to The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Advertisements abound have been running in America for the past month or so.

The fact the original movie was released in 2009 rules out modernizing plot or a color-version.

So what’s left? If the original movie aired in America, it would have to be in subtitles. So there it is.

Short of the Passion of the Christ, Americans don’t want to read a movie. Now that’s just plain lazy.

The International Movie Database rates the original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo at 7.8, while the newer version is rated 8.2.

I guess they did something right. Most remakes suck. If you want to see cinematic genius, watch the originals. If you want to see cheap dialogue, over-the-top explosions and CGI animation, watch the remakes. It’s all a matter of taste I suppose.