Doug, I read that there was some sort of legal impediment to using the song in this remake. I can't help but think that it boiled down to someone not wanting to spend the money it would have taken to get rights to use the song (just my opinion, I don't know all the facts). I agree, the song is important to the film. If it was passed over due to someone's stinginess, I think that was stupid.

And I definitely agree that 99% of remakes of good films are sad wannabes. I'm afraid the only thing obvious to Hollywood is how to make money.