Movie Review #105: Fright Night (2011)

In my search for an image to add to this post, I found this Gem for the 80s original version of this movie…

So, if you asked me (and you did when I reviewed it), I enjoyed the original Fright Night because of its overwhelming CAMP and because it actually had a few really good scares mixed in. So as a result I was really looking forward to how they went about re-making this movie.

I was looking forward to it most because I was interested in how they were going to deal with the challenges of a movie that was made 25 years ago. Some of the stuff just wasn’t going to translate. The fancy boy, sweater wearing, miami-vice-esque vampire of the first movie… you know this guy…

That just wasn’t going to fly anymore. Not in 2011. The main thing was the show that Charlie liked to watch, the titular late-night b-movie show? That stuff doesn’t exist anymore. How were they going to get around stuff like this? Without spoiling some of my favorite parts of this movie, they did an excellent job. There aren’t any loose ends, there’s nothing odd or out of place in this movie. It’s solid on this point which is what made me very excited as I was continuing to watch.

Now its time for some notes on what you need to prepare yourself for if you are going to see this movie.

DO! Expect to see some good scares. It’s a vampire movie after all.
DONT! Expect the scares to be the best part of this movie. This is a horror movie, but I don’t think it’s greatest appeal is in being a horror movie. I think it’s being an homage to the previous movie, it has a strong, fast-moving script, and it very well acted throughout. Which brings me to…

DO! Expect some really great performances. Anton Yelchin has moved into my favorite new actor list along side Andrew Garfield. Expect a really strong performance from Toni Collette and David Tennant. I really liked both of them. The biggest surprise is the strong performance from Colin Ferrell. Being the vamp in this movie is tough because you gotta be scary, intimidating but also being charming. He does a great job. So confident, so evil. I loved it. He was great.
DONT! be annoyed by Chris Mintz-Plasse. He plays an important role in the movie as Evil Ed, but I didn’t care for what he brought to the movie. I might have preferred they chose someone a little less known. I couldn’t stop thinking about him being a forever high school student. When I know that the guy is 30, he’ll still be playing nerdy HSers.

So, overall here’s my suggestion; if you’ve seen the first movie, and liked the goofiness, I think you’ll like this movie. If you’re just trying to go to the movies to get scared, this might not be the best movie for you. If you’re looking to go see a Great movie, save it. If you want to go see a really solid movie with strong acting, great pacing, and good directing, I doubt you’ll be disappointed.

PS- 3D recommendation? I recommend skipping the 3D. This is one of those movies that does the Universal Studios “Throw stuff at you” style 3D. Not a fan, not worth your money. Save the 7$, go see it in regular.

Movie Review #87: Fright Night

yea yea, la la la la. It’s fright night. Fright night time. Sing the song, about fright night. vampires and stuff, people being weird. No one believes you because it’s fright night!

That’s a little song I wrote about the original fright night. You like it? I guess you can’t hear it. It’s in the same tune as the Scoobie Doo, I think.

I love this movie. It’s different than other 80s B Horror movies. Other movies… I dont know… they’re low budget, they just don’t have the full ability. You know what this movie has? It has that teen feeling. It’s got a mix of Back to the Future with B Horror. Believe me, there’s plenty of B horror in this movie.

This movie has awesome kills, great story, cool characters, interesting perspectives on the story, and honest analysis. I mean, I can’t help but love it. The kid that plays Charlie is amazing, The girl that plays Amy is drop dead gorgeous, the guy that plays Jerry is terrifying while being completely normal in every way. Evil, the Igor guy, Peter Vincent, it goes on and on.

The special effects are amazing, yet completely B. The transformation of the wolf, the bat attacking (and the fact that you can see the strings holding it up! Priceless!), the igor melting, the sunlight burning the vamps. All of it. Amazing. This movie is both campy and fun, while also being sometimes scary and mostly suspenseful.

I’m gushing. I think what adds to my excitement over having seen this movie is the anticipation that is growing in me for the upcoming version. My man Anton… He plays the updated version of Charlie:

I’m pretty sure I’m gonna be a big fan. He seems like he’s got a good career ahead of him.

Here’s what I’m hoping for this upcoming movie…

1. I hope that the movie is not quite as much about people not believing Charlie, but more about the fight between Charlie and Jerry. For example, the scene where they go to prove he’s not a vamp via the holy water. It’s gotta go.

2. I hope that they make an attempt to remove as much camp as they can, while still leaving it with a light heart. I want a darker more gritty fight night, but I also want the comedic moments and the heart to be there.

3. I hope there are some really cool call backs to the original. Not sure what yet, but it would be cool if there were.

4. I hope I dont hate Colin Ferrell’s performance. I’m not sure what it is, but I think I don’t like that guy.

Anyway, have you seen the original? Are you as excited as I am about the remake? See you there?

Anticipation Rankings: 7/21

Here are some movies from August or as I like to call it, the HOT ONE!

The Help

This one isn’t for me. I’m not a big fan of this type of drama overall. I much more of an action sci-fi or horror type of guy. Then, after that, maybe some comedy. Last, I guess I could go for some social drama. So… I’m guessing this one’s not going to make it very high on my list. I give it 2 driving miss daisies.

Fright Night

Ok, NOW we’re talking! Just rented and watched the original of this movie on purpose for the anticipation of this movie. You’ll be seeing that review soon, but the fact is that this movie is coming out is really exciting to me. I loved the first one, but I honestly hope this movie is nothing like it. Good thing is, it looks like it is completely different. I’m really looking forward to seeing Checkov in this role. I like that kid. I give this 2 Vampires next door.

Attack the Block

This movie is right up my alley as well. It’s like the ghetto, nowadays version of Super 8. I love seeing goonies kids fighting off something that should be left for adults/war machines. It’s a fun time every time. I hear tell that this is a big one and people that have seen it say it’s super excellent. You should check it out, like I will. I give this 4 Shawn or Shaun of the deads.

OK, heres the updated list….

27. Monte Carlo (Out Now!)
26. The Help (8/10)
25. The Smurfs (7/29)
24. Friends with Benefits (Out Tomorrow!)
23. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (out now!)
22. Zookeeper (Out Now!)
21. The Change-Up (8/5)
20. Cars 2 (Out now!)
19. Kung Fu Panda 2 (Out Now!)
18. Crazy, Stupid, Love (7/29)
17. Final Destination 5 (8/12)
16. Larry Crowne (Out Now!)
15. Bad Teacher (Out now!)
14. Midnight in Paris (Out Now!)
13. The Skin I Live in (11/??)
12. The Hangover 2 (Out Now!)
11. The Trip (Out Now!)
10. Attack the Block (7/29)
9. The Immortals (11/11)
8. Rise of the Planet of the Apes (8/5)
7. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (Out Now!)
6. 30 Minutes or Less (8/12)
5. Cowboys & Aliens (7/29) (Movin’ Up the List!)
4. The Tree of Life (Out Now!)
3. Conan the Barbarian (8/19)
2. Fright Night (8/19)
1. Captain America: The First Avenger (Out Tomorrow!) (New #1!)

THE “GO SEE THIS” Rankings!

6. Green Lantern
5. Bridesmaids
4. Horrible Bosses
3. Super 8
2. X-Men First Class
1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II