Where there is an original, there will be a remake.
Where there is a remake, there will be a complaint.
Where there is a complaint, there will be a defence.
And this is one right here!
You hit the nail on the head there. I think Hollywood are making remakes as they usually put bums in seats and make lots of $$$, while they wont make an original film as it could be a flop - and of course Hollywood thinks of money rather than originality.
Apparently the recent Poseiden TV movie is appalling but the movie version does look better.
Damaja's right on this one. It's a safe way to make money at a time when studios are suffering - art doesn't come into it unless it's something that'll hit big at Oscar time.
Most big studio movies follow basic formulas at heart essentially making the films remakes in disguise (rom-coms for example). Only the Charlie Kaufmans of this world really mess with this and manage to be profitable on the whole.