Here comes another one...

It's like deja vu all over again.
It's like deja vu all over again.

Well, we've entered another season of summer blockbusters and with that comes another summer of sequels and remakes.

On Wednesday, the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen opened amid much hype and anticipation garnering over $ 200 million in its first weekend.

This new Transformers film is another in a succession of summer blockbuster sequels and remakes including Night at the Museum 2: Battle for the Smithsonian, Terminator Salvation and Land of the Lost.

But sequels and remakes are not a new concept in Hollywood. Ideas have been used and reused for generations:

A Star is Born- This film, originally made in 1937 and starring Janet Gaynor as Vicki Lester and Fredric March as her love, Norman Maine., a young actress, trying to make it big. The film chronicles the rise of this bright young star to fame while the stardom of her love is fading. This film has been remade not once, but twice!

The 1954 remake starred Judy Garland as Vicki and James Mason as the washed up Norman Maine.

The film was then redone again in 1976 with Barbara Streisand and Kris Kristofferson and turn the leads into musicians instead of actors.

Did You Know?: In the 1954 version, the role of Norman Maine was rejected by Humphrey Bogart, Gary Cooper, Montgomery Clift, Marlon Brando, as well as accepted then turned down by Cary Grant because the character was a has-been actor.

Also, this was the first film where two people (Judy Garland and James Mason. 1954 version) in the same film were nominated for Oscars for playing the same roles for which two other people were also nominated (Janet Gaynor and Fredric March. 1937 version)


Probably one of the most successful sequels/trilogies of all time:
Star Wars (1977)- This intergalactic adventure is the first of a trilogy chronicling the fight of the Rebel Alliance against the evil Galactic Empire. Starring Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia and Harrison Ford as Han Solo, this series has continued into the new millenium with prequels which chronicle the early years of Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader and the rise of the Empire to power.

The Empire Strikes Back followed in 1980 and the concluding episode Return of the Jedi followed in 1983

Did You Know?: Carrie Fisher actually has ties to our classic remake feature. Carrie's mother is Debbie Reynolds who owns a museum in Hollywood that features a large collection of Judy Garland's costumes.

Also, Return of the Jedi was the highest grossing film of 1983, more than $250 million.

It's Going to the Dogs...

"Lassie, get help!"
"Rut row, Raggy!"
"Get me those puppies!"

Hollywood has once again gone to the dogs. For years, our canine companions have been making grand appearances on the silver screen and audiences have been lapping it up.

Just what is our fascination with these furry stars? There always seems to be a market for a movie that features those big, soupy eyes, loyal personalities and that constant grin-like look.

It must be that animal featuring movies pull at our heartstrings. If nothing else can be said about the movie, at least you can say the dogs were cute!

With the recent releases of Disney/Pixar's Up!, those lovable mutts are once again making an appearance on the big screen.

All through the ages these four-legged fur balls have brought a smile to our face, a warmth to our hearts and, sometimes, even a tear to our eye.

Old Yeller (1957)- When a big yellow dog shows up on the farm, young Travis Coates reluctantly adopts him while trying to help run the farm with his father gone. After a number of close calls, Travis and Yeller become nearly unseparable. But can it sustain the test of trials they can't control? (Warning: This is a (at minimum) two tissue movie. You have been warned.)

Did You Know?: The dog that played Yeller's name was Spike. Also, although the dialogue describes Yeller as mutt, Spike was a Yellow Labrador Retriever.

The Incredible Journey (1963)- Three four-legged friends take a journey across the country to find and rejoin their "family." The film chronicles the journey of a cat and two dogs as they face mountains, wild animals and other seemingly impossible obstacles to find when they think they've been left behind as their family vacations.

Did You Know?: Bodger, the bull terrier, is referred to as a male but was actually played by a female! Also, the film was remade as Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey in 1993 and featured the voice talents of Michael J. Fox and Sally Field

Lassie Come Home (1943)- When the Carraclough fall upon hard times, they are force to sell their beloved Collie. But Lassie, unwilling to be separated from his loving owners, journeys far and wide to join them again, helping those in need along the way.

Did You Know?: Pal, the Collie who played Lassie, was paid $250 dollars a week while his human co-star, a young Elizabeth Taylor was payed only $100 dollars a week!

101 Dalmatians (1961)-When the evil Cruella DeVil gets a fancy to make a Dalmation puppy fur coat, the 15-puppy litter of Perdita and Pongo go missing. With the help of the "Twilight Bark" and many new friends along the way, the two spotted parents have to rescue their pups and the 84 other abducted puppies from Cruella's bumbling henchmen before it's too late.

Did You Know?: There are approximately 6,469,952 spots throughout the whole movie, frame by frame.