Are we allowed to complain about remakes of classic films if they appear to be intentionally changing most of the basic elements of the original? Yes? OK, then. Brittany Murphy will be starring in a movie that looks like a total trainwreck, Deadline, a psychological thriller in the vein of The Shining, according to The Hollywood Reporter. OK, it's not just in the vein of The Shining. It's the same damn story. A writer goes to an abandoned house and suffers writer's block, which results in a psychological breakdown. Red rum, mysterious children and terrifying topiary mazes likely ensure.
Murphy will play the lead role, with Tammy Blanchard and Thora Birch in unspecified supporting roles. Will they be the twin girls at the end of the hallway? Will one of them be the decomposing body in the bathtub? OK, so the plot probably won't be exactly the same-- after all, the whole “writer freaking out” story was done just last summer in 1408. But if Stephen King isn't involved-- which he's not-- it's hard to get on board. And as much as I've loved Brittany Murphy's charms in other things, I mostly just want to see her say “You're a virgin who can't drive” instead of trying real acting.
Side note: Do those twins up there terrify you as much as they terrify me? I could barely look at that image long enough to size it properly. I'm impressed if you've even managed to read this far with those two staring at you.
