It’s no secret that remakes have become a huge part of the Hollywood landscape. It makes sense from a studio standpoint – they make movies to make money, so why not take something with a proven track record and run it back?

But here’s the thing – while it may feel more common today, this has been a cinematic M.O. for a long time.

Take “Father of the Bride,” the new film streaming on HBO Max. This movie is a remake, yes … but it isn’t the first time. Back in 1950, “Father of the Bride” hit screens, based on the 1949 Edward Streeter novel of the same name. Then, in 1991, we got a remake of that film. And now, in 2022, well … here comes the “Father of the Bride” yet again.

This latest iteration offers a Latin twist on the tale, with the central family consisting of Cuban-Americans and the action based in and around Miami. It’s got plenty of charm, thanks largely to its engaging cast and endearing story. Granted, there’s nothing particularly new here, with the basic structure repeating from previous films, but that’s OK – there’s a comfort food vibe to the proceedings that makes for a light, lovely watch.

It isn’t easy getting old in Hollywood. Too often, stars flail against the notion of age, desperately trying to stave off the inevitability of time. Aging gracefully isn’t something that most actors have the luxury of doing.

It’s particularly bad for women; there just isn’t a lot of space carved out of the cinematic firmament for actresses of a certain age. So when an opportunity arises – an opportunity for a collection of exceptionally talented women to shine - all you can do is cross your fingers and hope for the best.

At the very least, hope for better than “Book Club.”

Toy-inspired fiasco a dull, derivative, cynical cash grab

Movies and merchandising have gone hand-in-hand for a long time. The past four decades or so have seen plenty of films aimed at achieving some sort of crossover into other commercial opportunities. The most successful create merchandise based on the movie; the least successful create the movie based on the merchandise.