Remake:

"to make again or anew" (dictionary.reference.com)
I wish American filmmakers would focus on the "anew" part when remaking foreign films/TV.  (Well, ideally, I wish American filmmakers would just stop it all together, but that's definitely a distant dream.)  I just started watching the British TV show "Being Human" and was only a few episodes into it when I saw that there was an American version on Netflix instant as well.  I was initially excited; I thought, Awesome!  When I'm done watching the British one, I'll have another entire show to watch!  Out of curiosity, I started Episode 1 of the American one.  Well...it isn't "another entire show"...it is the SAME show, with AMERICANS playing the characters, and taking place in AMERICA.  The story line is identical, although granted, the dialogue is different.  The dialogue is decidedly AMERICAN.  By that, I mean more obvious in exploring themes and plot points...more in-your-face, this-is-what-we're-doing-here-you-idiots, just-in-case-you-don't-get-it, we-will-spell-it-out.  So disappointing!

It makes me very sad when people start talking about American movies like "Let Me In" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" and they have no idea they are remakes of foreign movies.  And they did it right the first time.  Why is it that anytime some foreign film gains success, America can't wait to remake it here?  The character of Sherlock Holmes has been around forever, with many film/TV versions out there.  But for some reason, right after BBC makes "Sherlock," we have to jump on the bandwagon with "Elementary"?

I can't wait for the American version of "Downton Abbey" most likely to be called "L.A. Mansion."