Two remakes of classic movies dominate the box office openings this week. The remake of a 1974 Walter Mattauh classic 'Taking Pelham 123', throws Hollywood heavyweights John Travolta and Denzel Washington into the New York City subway tunnels. And the 1980s classic 'Fame' gets a facelift, bringing veteran actors Kelsey Grammar and Debbie Allan into the mix with a host of new faces.

The Taking of Pelham 123
Starring John Travolta, Denzel Washington
Directed by Tony Scott
Genre: Thriller/Action
Age restriction: 16LV
Running time: 1hr 44 min

'Top Gun' and 'Man on Fire' director Tony Scott returns with this remake of a 1974 thriller.

Denzel Washington plays Water Garber, a man responsible for keeping much of the New York City subway system running as smoothly as possible.

Drifting through a normal day, Garber receives word that four heavily armed men have taken passengers hostage after taking over one of the trains for which he is responsible. Led by cunning master thief Ryder (John Travolta), the gunmen will begin executing everyone aboard should the authorities fail to deliver $10 million in the space of an hour.

With the tension in the tunnels rising, Walter teams up with chief NYPD hostage negotiator Camonetti as he races to save the hostages. But through it all, there's one part of Ryder's plan that Walter can't quite comprehend: even if the thieves do succeed in getting their money, how could they possibly get out of the tunnels undetected?

Imagine That
Starring Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi
Directed by Karey Kirkpatrick
Genre: Family
Age restriction: PG
Running time: 1hr 54 min

Karey Kirkpatrick, writer of films like 'Chicken Run' and 'Road to El Dorado', returns as the director of this wry family comedy starring Eddie Murphy.

Successful Financier Evan Danielson is a man who lives for his work. He's always found with his BlackBerry attached to his ear, and never seems to be able to devote enough time to the upbringing of his seven-year-old daughter Olivia.

However, when Evan suffers a crisis of confidence and his business world comes unstuck, it is Olivia who steps in with the unlikely answer to his problems. Like most little children, Olivia is equipped with an imaginary world of her own into which she now invites her troubled father.

Now, Evan will need to negotiate this dream world to answer the questions behind his inexplicable career setback, and perhaps to relearn the life lessons forgotten along the way and reclaim the sense of what is important in this life.

Fame
Starring Kelsey Grammar, Debbie Allan
Directed by Kevin Tancharoen
Genre: Musical/Drama
Age restriction: PG L
Running time: 1 hr 46 min

This remake of the 1980s classic focuses on a group of talented dancers, singers, actors, and artists over four years at the New York City High School of Performing Arts.

NYCHSPA (today known as Fiorello H. Laguardia High School) is a diverse, creative powerhouse where students from all walks of life are given a chance to live out their dreams and achieve real and lasting fame... the kind that comes only from talent, dedication, and hard work.

In an incredibly competitive atmosphere, plagued by self-doubt, each student's passion will be put to the test. In addition to their artistic goals, they have to deal with everything else that goes along with high school - schoolwork, friendship, romance, and self-discovery.

As each student strives for his or her moment in the spotlight, they'll discover who among them has the innate talent and necessary discipline to succeed. With the love and support of their friends and fellow artists, they'll find out who amongst them will achieve Fame.