Hollywood: Ann Dowd

By Tony Rizzo

HOLLYWOOD -- Matthew McConaughey's finally back at work on his first film since 2019's "The Gentlemen." Ironically, it's called "Dallas Sting," and it's a fact-based film about the Dallas High School girls' soccer team headed for the 1984 women's soccer competition in China. Did McConaughey pick this one because "Dallas" is in the title? After all, it was "Dallas Buyer's Club" (2013) that gave him his Oscar.

Ann Dowd PHOTO CREDIT: Depositphotos

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Are streaming platforms picking the bones of classic old films? In the spirit of competition, platforms are remaking any classic film they can wrangle the rights to from old studios, who can't make money off those titles unless they sell remake rights! Let's start with a planned remake of the 1973 classic film "The Exorcist," which Peacock is rebooting with Emmy-winner Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia in "The Handmaid's Tale"), Leslie Odom Jr., and Ellen Burstyn (now 89) from the original film. Burstyn just completed the comedy-drama "Three Months," which stars South African/Australian pop singer Troye Sivan, Judy Greer and Louis Gossett Jr. Leslie Odom Jr. is due soon in "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," which is Daniel Craig's first post-007 role. It also stars Edward Norton, Kate Hudson, Janelle Monae and Dave Bautista.

Meanwhile, Amazon's rebooting the 1992 classic "Road House," which starred Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliott. This time, it'll star Jake Gyllenhaal (coming soon in an untitled Guy Ritchie film), along with Billy Magnussen and Travis Van Winkle. And, Hulu has committed to a reboot of the 1988 classic "Working Girl," which earned Oscar nominations for three of its female stars -- Melanie Griffith, Sigourney Weaver and Joan Cusack -- with Harrison Ford in the lead male role.

Then, there's the untitled film based on a short story of H.P. Lovecraft's, starring Heather Graham and "Re-Animator" star Barbara Crampton, a queen of horror in such films as "Chopping Mall," "From Beyond" and "Puppet Master." Also a part of the cast is Bruce Davidson, who starred in "Willard," the film that introduced the rat, Ben, and gave Michael Jackson a worldwide hit.

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Other "not so classic" films being remade are "Highlander," "Big Trouble in Little China," "Alien Nation," "The Toxic Avenger," "Flash Gordon," Arnold Schwarzenegger's "Commando" and Chevy Chase's hit "Fletch." Then, there's "All Quiet on the Western Front," "Lost Boys," "The Bodyguard" and -- the big shocker -- a remake of "My Fair Lady." Maybe you'll enjoy seeing some of your favorites brought back! Peter Allen, once married to Liza Minnelli, wrote a song in 1974 called "Everything Old Is New Again." They should let sleeping dogs lie!

(c) 2022 King Features Synd., Inc.