The Borrowers by Mary Norton has become one of the UK most beloved children fantasies about 10c tall “borrowers’ who live under the floorboards of this big country home. In 2010 world renowned Japanese animation studio Ghilbli have reworked Norton’s classic replacing the sprawling UK manor with Koganei, western Tokyo.

When we got the trailer sent through to us I nearly choked on my coffee. On first look this film looks not only bad but just damn near the worst thing you could ever think of being made, or in this case remade, and when you’re finding yourself making sweeping statements like “even Jack Black in Gullevers Travels was better than this” you know you have right turkey on your hands.

Then we saw the film. Russell Brand is as miscast as anyone and filmmakers playing on the ‘badboy whore-like’ image that he has created for himself have thought they where going to be onto a good money winner, but they are not. Blame for this annoying remake seems to also fall on the producers themselves who have seen it a lot more easier for them to do a cheap remake that lacks any originality than to actually make a new, good, film.

In a response to another comment Jimmy from LA had this to say:

“Mark” above asks what they’re thinking “out there in California.” I can tell you, Mark. Years ago, movie studios were headed by moguls who took risks. When that generation died, it was replaced by lawyers and accountants: hacks hired to reduce all risk. Their corporate culture measures success solely by dollars generated by the film, plus additional money generated from ancillary products.

As a writer in LA, I’ve earned thousands from the screenplays I’ve written, income derived solely from screenwriting contests. Winning those contests generates enough heat to attract attention from Hollywood producers, but when I admit to those producers that a film set in rural Poland will not sell video games, Happy Meals or even Halloween costumes, my prize-winning scripts are dead on arrival. I loved the original “Arthur” when I was growing up in NYC.

To some Hollywood bean counters, it apparently seemed like fair game to resurrect an earlier hit, insert a leading man that probably costs less than Dudley Moore, and voila: make money. Well, I’m glad the movie is a flop. I hope to see a few more sobering failures like this one. Maybe corporate culture at the studios will get the message that it’s time to read new scripts and take new risks.

Hey Disney! Do we really need “Pirates of the Caribbean FIVE?” Hollywood doesn’t lack for bright ideas and good writers, Mark. It lacks executives willing to make art. Shareholders demand that they make nothing but money.

And what Helen Mirren is doing in it I don’t know!

One of the obvious issues with a remake of such a classic is that comparisons between the original are going to be inevitable. But I think one of the more interesting facts is the two main leads, Dudley Moore was a Hollywood star and the original film was a complete classic played by an actor who had not only paid his dues but was accomplished in a variety of formats. Brand isn’t, he’s neither accomplished in acting, music, or writing, he’s simply a cheeky guy who got a really good agent and thus has become the ‘flavour of the month’ in Hollywood.

So rather than have us tell you how bad this movie is we thought we would share some of the comments that have been making the rounds on the internet. These are all the proof you need to know that this is an awful film!

Could there be anyone more patently annoying than Russell Brand? I am not sure which is worse – his acting skills or the overestimation of his affability.

– Richard K, Miami

Desperate movie for despearte imbeciles. Even if this movie goes straight into the bargain bins, which I sincerely hope it does, it’s difficult for me to conjure up an image of someone for whom it would be considered a bargain. It has all the appeal of a battered Betamax copy of Private Benjamin in a cardboard box at a goodwill store.

– MikeL,

Helen Mirren, How Could You? Seriously, did she need the money or what?

– nancy chase

Why did they remake this? I remember seeing the first “Arthur” as a kid, and don’t think I laughed once; even at sixteen or seventeen, I was somewhat dismayed that alcoholism had been treated in such a cute and endearing way (I think they even made a sequel). I’m surprised an actress as great as Helen Mirren would have stooped this low. Why not go all the way and make an updated version with Arthur as a crackhead? Now THAT’s entertainment!

– dman

came out of the theatre . . .called it “excruciating” . . . sticking to that. And I really llke Get Him to the Greek. . . .

– rhill41

BAFTA winning director if 2009 classics space thriller “Moon” is back with his second major movie starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Captain Colter Stevens who wakes up in the body of an unknown man, he discovers he’s part of a mission to find the bomber of a Chicago commuter train.

You only have to see the trailer to see how good this film is going to be and will be a delight to see Jones follow up to his incredible first offering as writer/director of “Moon”. This film is going to be a smash!

To mark the release of the smash hit horror film The Rite, starring Oscar Winner Anthony Hopkins, which follows a skeptical preist who joins an exorcism school. The film inspired by true events and released this week nationwide has intrigued TNC to thinking about other such extreme courses out there. So we are launching our very own search for the most ‘Extreme University Course of ALL TIME‘.

What courses are out there that make you think ‘Really, a whole course on The Science of Harry Potter?’ These should be Mickey Mouse courses on acid:

Take for example Cyberporn and Society at the State University of New York at Buffalo

Lecturer: Are you looking at porn during class time?
Student: Yes, sir.
Lecturer: Then you get an A+.
Student: Yay!
Lecturer: Can you please put your pants back on?
Student: Ziiiiiip.

What are your most extreme courses email EXTREME@thenewcurrent.com. You can also join the Facebook Group “What Do You Believe”.