January 18th, 2012 
Justin Proper 
Under The Gun is continuing our efforts to bring you more original and engaging content with REASONABLE REMAKES. Written by film-nerd Justin Proper, this column aims to highlight Hollywood’s forgotten gems and spark debate.
You see, we’ve grown tired of Hollywood rehashing ideas we’re old enough to remember. Why remake something the majority of the planet still remembers and loves deeply when there are tons of films that deserve a chance to be as great as modern technology and skill can make them? If you agree, this column is for you.
The 80’s were a great time for comedies. It seems that every week there was a new quirky comedy released with an all star cast and a ridiculous plot. From Ghostbusters to Airplane to Beetlejuice the decade is loaded with classics. A lot of us have seen these, and hold them in pretty high regard, but you need to realize something: the younger generation that watches movies have not seen these films. That is what makes a lot of them perfect for a remake, and what would be better than a new version of The Money Pit?
For those of you who haven’t seen it, The Money Pit is a movie starring Forest Gump (Tom Hanks) and Diane from Cheers (Shelly Long) as a couple who buy a house that seems to good to be true. Since it’s a movie, it is to good to be true as the house falls apart pretty much the second they move in. The stairs collapse, Mr. Gump falls through the floor, there’s electrical fires, pretty much a homeowners nightmare. The couple do everything they can to get enough money to keep their house and repair it, and lots of zany antics ensue. This one has lots of physical comedy mixed with sarcasm to cover up the character’s slowly building soul crushing depression.
It was either laugh maniacally at the floor or hang himself.
With a fresh coat of Hollywood paint (yep, I’m making a house pun) The Money Pit could be a great new comedy that still has a ton of relate-ability. The thing that made the first movie so popular was the fact that so many people can relate to that situation. There will be a time in most peoples lives where they buy a house and it will seem like everything will go wrong. Now, the 1986 version of the film wasn’t as well received as most people would think. Only about half of the critics gave it a positive review. I think a newer version could take the original formula and improve upon it. With the right cast and the right writers The Money Pit remake could be an even more popular movie than the original.
Tom Hanks: Master of the "look surprised at something off screen" acting method.
Who can bring this remake from foreclosure to financial gain (and you thought the house puns were over)? How about David Gordon Green. He directed Pineapple Express, Your Highness, and The Sitter. and while those last two did not do as well as he would have liked, I still enjoyed them and think he has great potential as a director. I think if we give him another shot he can make another great movie, and this comedy seems right for him. All of his movies have zany antics and sarcasm, and that’s just what The Money Pit remake needs.
Pictured: Zany Antics
Now that we have David Gordon Green directing I’m sure you want a Jonah Hill or Seth Rogen in the main role. Well too bad, that’s far too obvious of a choice, I’m no hack. My choice for the male lead is Kal Penn. I think Kumar would be a great choice to star in this remake. He’s funny, witty, and kind of looks like an Indian Tom Hanks anyways. I think he could portray that character slipping further and further in to a frustrated insanity over buying a shitty house. For the female lead I would love to see Aubrey Plaza. She doesn’t get a chance to be a leading lady very often, and I believe she could pull it off. Plus I think the onscreen chemistry between the two would be perfect.
The statue went on to star in an R. Kelly music video.
80’s movies are like a fine piece of meat. They do not really get better with time unless you cure them and age them properly…wait, no, scratch that. 80’s movies are like an expensive cheese. They only get better with time if they are…forget it, this joke isn’t working. I need to stop watching Food Network all day. Hope you liked the article, sound off in the comment section below and let me know how much you loved it. If you hated it, write a better one and send it to me. That’ll show me.
Justin Proper spends far too much time watching cooking shows. Seriously, help him stop by berating him about it on Twitter.
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