# Poorly-aged films that could use a "woke" (for lack of a better choice of words) remake **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [November 18, 2025, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941 "2025-11-18T00:49:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/21 "2025-11-18T11:32:31Z")
Some of the examples so far that involve specific language or presentation changes are not really remakes as much as edits. And yeah, if your genre was “80s teen sex comedy” or “wartime propaganda” it’s often hopeless, gotta clean-sheet it. > [@Cervaise](#): > > I think _Warlock_ is pretty much perfect the way it is. You can’t look at it now and believe they didn’t know exactly what they were doing A very fair point. And something like that applies to a bunch of code-era films: the writing around things you could not directly portray (but a smart enough person would see through) could give good artistic result. > [@zbuzz](#): > > is more than a little problematic these days because Mitch is a minor at 15 and Jordan is an adult at 19 Which BTW is a problem with looking at it from the “woke” angle because, as pointed out, that itself is not the really cringe part. ---
**Author:** ![Author\_Balk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Author\_Balk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Author_Balk)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/22 "2025-11-18T11:41:43Z")
I won’t watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s again because of the Mickey Rooney character. He’s a non-Asian playing an Asian with the stereotypes. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 11:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/23 "2025-11-18T11:49:45Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > Mitch and Jordan is easy to fix - just make her 17 (another early admission to college). Nah… the state law has a “Romeo & Juliet clause” and 4 years difference is within the range. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/24 "2025-11-18T12:31:58Z")
They could just edit out the Rooney scenes and it would significantly improve the film. Would be an easy fix. ---
**Author:** ![zbuzz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e19b73/32.png) [@zbuzz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zbuzz)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/25 "2025-11-18T12:40:21Z")
> [@Andy\_L](#): > > I think the movie shows us through Mitch’s reaction that that was creepy as hell. I don’t really see anything in his reaction that shows it’s meant to be creepy, it’s more like he’s just confused by this older woman in his dorm room. When he then immediately goes to see Jordan, he doesn’t appear creeped out, he’s used that experience to crystalize his feelings for her. > [@Andy\_L](#): > > Mitch and Jordan is easy to fix - just make her 17 (another early admission to college). Well, that just makes them both guilty of statutory rape or whatever the legal term is in that situation, right? But it doesn’t matter, they could fix it all; I only just meant to point out that Real Genius isn’t particularly better than Revenge of the Nerds in a woke context of having aged poorly. It’s still a great fucking movie though. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/26 "2025-11-18T12:44:53Z")
I see your point, but I really like watching those old films because it clearly illustrates the climate of our society at the particular time the film was made. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/27 "2025-11-18T13:15:24Z")
> [@zbuzz](#): > > Well, that just makes them both guilty of statutory rape or whatever the legal term is in that situation, right? Not in most states (see my earlier note). > [@Jasmine](#): > > I really like watching those old films because it clearly illustrates the climate of our society at the particular time the film was made Exactly. We can always make a new original property that “does it right”. But many of these tell us what was going on in the culture AND in the industry. For instance there were a lot of 1970s R-rateds where it’s damn obvious they just threw in “Oooooh, look, bare b00beez!” in the visuals, or “motherf-wording n-word” in the dialog for the sake of it because they now could. Eventually the good writers/directors got over it. ---
**Author:** ![FlikTheBlue](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fliktheblue/32/10972_2.png) [@FlikTheBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlikTheBlue)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/28 "2025-11-18T13:15:55Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > If it’s the scene I’m remembering (and if I’m remembering it correctly) it was in the second film _Bogus Journey_. It’s a brief mention, easy to miss, during the scene where Bill and Ted are in the medieval castle. Ted falls down some stairs and out of his suit of armor, Bill thinks he’s dead, and charges at one of the castle guards. Ted saves him by bonking the guard on the head. Bill and Ted then hug and call each other fag. > [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > _Warlock_ with Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn Today I learned about a new movie. When I hear about the movie _Warlock,_ I think about the 1989 movie starring Julian Sands as an actual warlock. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/29 "2025-11-18T13:39:09Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > It’s a brief mention, easy to miss, during the scene where Bill and Ted are in the medieval castle. Ted falls down some stairs and out of his suit of armor, Bill thinks he’s dead, and charges at one of the castle guards. Ted saves him by bonking the guard on the head. Bill and Ted then hug and call each other fag. It’s been a while. I was thinking of the scene where their robot doubles throw them off that rock. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/30 "2025-11-18T13:44:14Z")
> [@Author\_Balk](#): > > I won’t watch Breakfast at Tiffany’s again because of the Mickey Rooney character. He’s a non-Asian playing an Asian with the stereotypes. Yeah, that’s a really painful thing to watch, and I agree with @Shakester that Rooney’s presence in the film is unnecessary. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/31 "2025-11-18T14:03:40Z")
> [@FlikTheBlue](#): > > > [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > > > _Warlock_ with Henry Fonda and Anthony Quinn > > Today I learned about a new movie. It’s fantastic. Pretty far ahead of its time in anticipating the evolution of the genre toward more subversive storytelling. Fonda and Quinn are both excellent, and the supporting female characters _are actually people who are given things to do!_ ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/32 "2025-11-18T14:26:34Z")
I watched the original “Bad News Bears” awhile back and boy did it not age well. Bullying, racism, drunk driving, adults giving alcohol to kids… I know there was a remake at some point but I’ve never seen that one. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/33 "2025-11-18T15:02:02Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > all those “romantic” films which showed a man unable to take “NO” for an answer- and… it works Absolutely. > [@DrDeth](#): > > Well, to be fair- too many women were taught to play “hard to get” But you were doing so well. ---
**Author:** ![We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/838e76/32.png) [@We\_re\_wolves\_not\_werewolves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/We_re_wolves_not_werewolves)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/34 "2025-11-18T15:14:40Z")
> [@DWMarch](#): > > _Pulp Fiction_ would be much improved by avoiding use of the N-word by white characters (Jimmy isn’t the only one who says it, Lance the drug dealer also casually tosses the word around). what? No! Those characters were assholes and their use of the word emphasizes that. Do you really think those characters would be introspective enough to consider whether they shouldn’t be using those words? Not a chance. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/35 "2025-11-18T15:15:57Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > The ‘man talk’ line from _Goldfinger_, Gotta leave _Goldfinger_ out of this discussion. You start eliminating all the problems and … you have no film left. Just keep it as a relic. As for the OP, I’m actually the other way on some old code-era movies. I get tired of having to over-analyze old movies (“are they supposed to be gay, or British, or is it just…nothing?”) trying to understand the “real meaning”. I wish they’d just show it, and none of this “wink-wink nudge-nudge you have to know the code” storytelling. Did Charlie and Rose have sex in the African Queen? The code says “yes” because she says she loves him in the morning and calls him darling. But…seriously? maybe she’s just naive, and equates a kiss with love. If they didn’t have to hide it in the code. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/36 "2025-11-18T15:55:49Z")
Remaking a film to remove an eloquent subtext doesn’t appeal to me, at all. For all of its evils, censorship has given birth to some remarkable creativity. ---
**Author:** ![ZosterSandstorm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e0b2c6/32.png) [@ZosterSandstorm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZosterSandstorm)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/37 "2025-11-18T16:08:01Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > Of course, I don’t suggest remaking either of those former two films, because reasons. But I could see Seth MacFarlane taking the wheel of _Revenge of the Nerds_ and making it hilarious. Ah yes, Seth MacFarlane, famous for never using rape jokes in his animated shows. _Revenge of the Nerds_ is a really bad movie overall and I’ve never met anyone who claims to like it. Yeah, it has some weird rape-adjacent stuff in it, but it’s easily addressed by just not watching a bad, stupid movie in the first place. There’s nothing there that needs saving, unlike the more mixed bag of the Hughes films. ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/38 "2025-11-18T16:09:53Z")
> [@ZosterSandstorm](#): > > Ah yes, Seth MacFarlane, famous for never using rape jokes in his animated shows. > > _Revenge of the Nerds_ is a really bad movie overall and I’ve never met anyone who claims to like it. Yeah, Seth MacFarlane was a poor choice, given the parameters of this thread. Lesson learned. Nevertheless, _RotN_ was a good movie at the time, as the type of humor that birthed some of the jokes was acceptable at the time. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/39 "2025-11-18T16:49:24Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > _RotN_ was a good movie at the time Opinions, yeah, we all got 'em. Me, too. I saw _RotN_ in the theater, and I thought it was an inferior teen sex comedy the day I saw it, even at the heyday of teen sex comedies. Or even comedies in general. It’s closer to _Police Academy_ than _Airplane!_. But it did make a lasting impression: I still refer to Curtis Armstrong as Booger, no matter what role he does, like the sleezy lawyer he played on The Closer. ---
**Author:** ![Meatwater](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meatwater/32/20074_2.png) [@Meatwater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatwater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941/40 "2025-11-18T18:12:14Z")
I’m surprised no one mentioned _Blazing Saddles_ yet. That being said I have trouble perceiving what a modern day take/remake on it could possibly be. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/poorly-aged-films-that-could-use-a-woke-for-lack-of-a-better-choice-of-words-remake/1024941.md?page=3)