In precisely ten days, five hours, and twenty-six minutes, Trekkies across the United States will rejoice in a movie premiere that marks a celebration of forty years of the incredibly influential science-fiction series known as Star Trek. This new film will be the eleventh Star Trek movie and the first in eighteen years to feature the entire crew of the Original Series. Fortunately for Star Trek lovers, the storyline of the new film is complteley novel, and the film itself is not a remake.

Recently, it seems that Hollywood has run out of ideas. Films like "The Day the Earth Stood Still," "Ocean's Eleven," and "The War of the Worlds" are just a few movies that are remakes of films that were originally made in the 1950's and 60's and were altered to be more receptive to a contemporary audience. For the most part, these changes have been for the worse. "Remakes have generally been considered inferior to earlier versions by film critics and cinema-goers alike," and cinemas nationwide are under siege from repetitive, unoriginal films that do nothing more than waste our time and our money.

Of course as to any stereotype, there are exceptions, and not all remakes of classic movies are doomed to failure. Peter Jackson's 2005 remake of 1933's classic "King Kong" was a spectacular and faithful rendition of the original (which I can truly say since I have seen both the original 1933 film and the 2005 one). However, this one success is overshadowed by the great amount of mediocre film remakes.

Why do film makers create, or even consider, doing a remake? The biggest reason is probably for the money. As a film maker, you are guaranteed fame and fortune if you are able to pull off a remake of an immensely popular classic film or film series with success, and your name will be associated with that famous franchise for generations. Another reason is because the film maker thinks that he or she can make their movie better than the original with some character changes, plot changes, and better effects.

Dear Hollywood,

Movie-goers around the country are tired of watching contemporary versions of age-old classics. These recent remakes are extremely boring and demonstrate an inherent lack of creativity among the members of Hollywood writers. Please do not make a remake of a classic film unless your producers are 100% sure that they are able to pull one off successfully. A successful remake pays homage to the original and includes some personal touches that are significant enough to add extra depth and color to the film while staying faithful to the intent of the original.

Sincerely,
The American People

The Columbine High School Massacre happened ten years ago, but for some people time does nothing to soothe their vivid, bloody memories of the shootings that took the lives of twelve students and a teacher. In a recent Newsweek article, Rev. Don Marxhausen, a local pastor who performed funeral, talks about how the decision to preside over the funeral of Dylan Klebold (one of the perpetrators of the massacre) haunts him to this day.

"Marxhausen believed that Dylan's parents deserved to hear the message of God's grace. In his sermon, Marxhausen spoke of God's love. 'God, who knows about suffering and pain and loss, wants to reach out to you,' he told the grieving parents."

But it is what happened after the massacre that shows that the shootings did more damage than taking the lives of thirteen individuals. Immediately after the incident, local evangelicals declared the shootings as the work of the Devil and indirectly criticized the reverend for allowing one of Satan's minions to have a Christian funeral. In the end, Marxhausen lost his pastoral job because of his relationship and public support of the Kleblod family and was discredited by his own parish.

A man should not be persecuted because he provided a grieving family with support when others would give them none or because he gave the opportunity for a sinner to experience God's grace through a Christian funeral. Jesus, too, was criticized for eating with sinners, prostitutes, and tax collectors. What happened to Rev. Marxhausen as a result of the Columbine High Massacre is a disgrace to the institution of Christiantiy. Who are we to judge and deny another person of a celebration of their death?