This Month's Horror Remakes

I know I'm supposed to hate remakes, but I don't. Not really. Not that I like them all, but I go see them and I hope to be entertained. Sure, I wish they'd make more original horror movies. But you know the one about wishes and shit, right? If you don't, hold out your hands...

If you DO hate them, I certainly hope you get out and support original horror movies that have come out, like Insidious. Regardless of whether you like that or other original horror films that come out, you should line up and get your ticket torn and see them. And it's not like you know whether it's a good movie or not unless you actually see it for yourself.

I remember back in the great 80's. Serious horror fans and writers bemoaned the number of horror comedies and sequels that were coming out. Now me and a lot of other people look back at those days with infinite fondness. Will the same be said of this era? Time will tell.

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark This original TV movie scared the piss out of me when it originally aired way back in 1973. It was the talk of the schoolyard the next day. It was a novel, very frightening idea for a horror movie. I managed to see Don't Be Afraid of the Dark not so long ago, and while it's still pretty cool, the film is terribly dated. It doesn't hold up as well as The Night Stalker or the Zuni Fetish Doll segment of Trilogy of Terror.

I have the highest hopes for the remake, which debuts in theaters everywhere on August 26th. The trailer alone is pretty damned creepy, and it certainly does not hurt that Guillermo del Toro co-wrote and co-produced it. I hereby decree that all horror fans get their asses out and see it on opening weekend.


Fright Night This remake is less promising, but I still really look forward to it. Fright Night 3D has very big shoes to fill, and I don't think anyone expects it to be as good as Tom Holland's classic original. When the first one came out, I saw it twice in the same day. Once in a hardtop theater, then later that night at a drive-in.

Again, I know I'm supposed to hate 3D, but I don't. I think it's awesome. The main complaint I hear about 3D is that it is a gimmick. Gee, you think? I thought exploitation fans liked gimmicks?!? I'm sure that William Castle is fondly smiling down on the Fright Night remake.

I used to intensely dislike Colin Farrell, but I thought he was really good in Crazy Heart and especially Cassandra's Dream. Nearly ALL the critics missed the ferry on Cassandra's Dream. Catch Farrell's performance in it again, or for the first time. It's painful to witness and I mean that in a good way.

But still, there's no way Farrell can top Chris Sarrandon's majestic performance as Jerry Dandridge. However, I like Anton Yelchin, and I think he's perfect for Charlie Brewster. And of course Christopher Mintz-Passe, McLoven from Superbad, was born to replay Evil Ed.

I hope all of you get out and see Fright Night on August 19th.

With even less promise comes the inevitable Final Destination 5, on August 12th. I'll be out there to see this one in 3D too. A lot of people loathed the last FD sequel, but I didn't think it was THAT bad. It was pretty much what I expected it to be when I bought my ticket. A dumb slasher sequel with some choice 3D sequences.