The Blob (1988) #393

Horror movies are constantly being remade with updated special effects, modern story lines, and/or cultural twists. The 1988 remake of "The Blob" is an attempt to cash in on a classic film with mediocre special effects that wear thin by the end of the film. Besides a few minor tweaks, the movie is almost the same as the original but takes advantage of having an "R" rating by introducing elements of sex, gore, and language. The movie feels VERY 1980's and falls into the trap of trying to be bigger and flashier than the other movies out at the moment. But like the original, the film is campy, fun, and entertaining as long as you're not looking for something too serious or outright scary.

Even scientific-military types are potential victims of the blob.

Invaders From Mars (1986) #389

Incredibly campy and comically overacted, the 1986 remake of"Invaders from Mars" is a both a let down and yet an entertaining gem of classic sci-fi fare. The fact that the screenplay was written by Dan O'Bannon ("Alien"), was directed by Tobe Hooper ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "Poltergeist"), and starred horror veterans Karen Black and James Karen should have been more than enough to ensure a thoroughly frightful and creepy movie, even if it was rated PG. Perhaps it was because the movie DID star horror veterans Karen Black and James Karen is why the movie felt over the top and campy? Or maybe it was because most of the aliens looked more comical than frightening? Hunter Carson (Karen Black's real son) delivers a fairly strong performance that is comparable to the 1950's source material that the movie is based on. Further more, the scenes between Carson and Louise Fletcher (who plays the alien controlled school teacher) are the most genuinely intense scenes in the film. Overall, "Invaders From Mars" is a fun film that brings back memories of watching it during summer afternoons as a child and is still entertaining enough for kids today.

Young David Gardner believes that a UFO landed behind a hill near his house during a meteor shower. He soon believes that his dad, and soon his mom, have become pawns of the alien's invasion of his small town. One by one, the population of the town is assimilated and only David and Linda, the school nurse, are left to warn the military about what is going on. Will the military save the town and David's parents or are they already too late?

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

The 2006 remake of Wes Craven's "The Hills Have Eyes" was set in motion by Craven himself after he saw how commercially successful the reboots of "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Amityville Horror" were. The updated version is clearly more violent, gory, has a larger mutant family, is set at a quicker pace to keep the action going. What I liked best about the cast was that the actors looked their ages unlike the 70's version where the teens do not look like teens at all (it's how they did things back then). The mutant family actually look like possible mutants instead of just being extras from the "Road Warrior".


"The Hills Have Eyes" is a simple story about a family that is on a cross country road trip who, after following the advice of a local gas station attendant, become trapped within a former nuclear test site. With their vehicle badly damaged, the family is left vulnerable to the murderous blood lust of a family of mutants.

My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009)

"My Bloody Valentine 3D" is a remake of the low budget, 1981 Canadian film "My Bloody Valentine". The film is vastly superior to the original and yet has it's own faults. This version is more intense, more violent, and simply has a better story line; it has the same basic premise as the original but the plot points are clearer and the pacing is stronger. Of course one of the most noticeable differences are the action shots that were used to take full advantage of the 3D properties that the film had, when shown in the movie theater. Now, on a basic TV, the sequences look a little silly and hammy. But that's alright, it's still a mildly fun slasher flick all the same.


In a small town, six miners become trapped deep underground during a cave in. By the time the rescue crew is able to get to the men, six days later, five of the men are dead and one is comatose. Harry Warden, the survivor, is taken to the local hospital but after he arrives is when the rescue team realizes that the five men who died were actually killed by a pickaxe.

Exactly a year later, Harry awakens form his coma and kills the entire hospital staff and disappears. Meanwhile, a party is taking place at the former mine (WHY???), where Axel, his girlfriend Irene, Sarah, and her boyfriend Tom are having fun. Tom is the mine owner's son and is believed to be responsible for the cave-in the year before because he forgot to release the built up methane gas. While in the mine, Harry appears in his miners suit and has his pickaxe in hand. Harry attacks Tom and hits him in the shoulder as the other three run to their truck, believing that Tom is dead. Tom runs deeper into the mine to hide from Harry. As Harry is about to kill Tom, the town's sheriff arrives and shoots Harry. Tom quickly leaves town and life goes on.

Ten years later, Tom returns to sell the mine. His father is dead and he wants nothing to do with the family business, despite the pleas from the locals. While in town, Tom learns that Axel is now the sheriff and is now married to Sarah, and that Axel's ex-girlfriend is now the town's whore. Unknown to most, Axel is having an affair with Megan, one of Sarah's employees. Megan happily tells Axel that she's pregnant with his child, which places him in a unwanted situation. That night, Irene is having sex with a truck driver who later tells her that he filmed the two together. Irene becomes furious and follows the man to his truck, completely naked. While they are fighting, the trucker is impaled by a pickaxe and a man who looks just like Harry begins killing various townspeople. Who it is, no one knows....until it's too late.

The Haunting (1999)

Like many movies, there are some which seem like a good idea while in production but once they are completed and seen, the entire project looks and feels horrible any way you try top spin it, and the 1999 remake of "The Haunting" is a perfect example of this. This is one terrible movie! The script is horendous and boring, and the over use of CGI for every little effect numbs and belittles any possiblity of this film being an effective ghost story. The casting choices were poorly made as well; Lilly Taylor is clearly not strong enough of a performer to carry the burden as the main character, both Catherine Zeta Jones and Owen Wilson belong in either comedic or dramatic roles, and Liam Neeson does the best he can with what the script gives him. And you know something is wrong when there are so many repeated shots in between scenes showing the outside of the mansion where the story takes place in; this was done purely as a filler and to lengthen the film. Please see the original or read the book that this story is inspired by if you are moved to.


Eleanor is a meek woman who has spent the last eleven years caring for her unhealthy mother. After her mother passes away, she develops a serve case of insomnia and answers an ad in a paper for a study to find a cure. In reality, Dr. David Marrow has selected three test subjects to study the psychological effects of fear. The three test subjects and the Dr. are locked inside an old manor called Hill House. Eleanor believes that she is seeing ghosts and is learning the true nature and history of the house while the others come to believe that she's going crazy. Only when the house begins to turn on them do they realize that Eleanor is right and that she is a direct descendant of the original owners....

They're all so young!

Fright Night (2011)

One of my favorite remakes of recent memory is the 2011 production of "Fright Night". While I appreciate the original 1985 version, I find the remake to be a superior movie. The teens characters look more like teenagers, the dialogue and reactions between characters are played realistically and less comical, and the special effects are pretty top notch. The pacing is more comfortable in the remake and the overall story is sharper and streamlined. Finally, I love that the movie is now set in Las Vegas, a perfect place for a vampire to hunt his prey.

From the leads to the supporting cast, everyone gives a stellar performance. Anton Yelchin shines as Charley, a former geek turned popular high school kid who comes to believe that his neighbor is a vampire. He plays this role very seriously, a perfect anchor that allows some of the other characters to have their comedic moments. Imogen Poots, who shared the screen with Anton in “ “plays Amy, Charley’s girlfriend and Toni Collette plays Charley’s mom Jane.

Colin Ferrel is confident, sexy, and completely predatory as the new neighborhood vampire, Jerry. His presence, which a good vampire needs, commands the screen whenever he appears. I really enjoyed this kind of portrayal of a vampire and is reminiscent of those from “30 Days of Night”.  Finally, taking the place of Roddy McDowall from the original is David Tennat, fresh from his time from “Dr. Who”. Like Mr. McDowall, Tennat’s performance adds a level of dark comedy to the film. David Tennant does a wonderful job of making the role of Peter Vincent, Vampire Hunter, his own. In this version, he is a stage magician with his own show at the Hard Rock Café Hotel. 

Charley comes to suspect that his new neighbor might be a vampire after Ed, his former best friend, points out to Charley that several students have gone missing recently. After trying to prove his point, Evil Ed is tracked down by the vampire in question, Jerry, who turns Ed into one of his vampire minions. Charley explores Jerry's house and discovers a girl that Jerry had brought home one night is tied up in a secret room. Charley is able to get her outside but she burns to dust when the daylight touches her skin. Charley then turns to a famed Vegas act featuring a self claimed Vampire Killer, the magician Peter Vincent. Peter dismisses Charley after he asks for help. The next night Jerry attacks Charley's house, and Charley, his mom, and his girlfriend Amy barely escape the assault. While asking Peter for help again, Charley, Peter, and Amy are attacked by Ed and Jerry. Ed is killed off but Jerry takes advantage when Charley and Amy are separated, biting her and turning her into a vampire. Peter finally agrees to help and the two take a brave, final stand as they take on Jerry in his own house.

Psycho (1998)

If there was ever a film that was never needed to be made, then the 1998 remake of "Pyscho" is the ultimate example of that. It is almost an exact frame by frame remake of the classic Alfred Hitchcock film which merely uses a different cast and appears in color. Even the music from the original movie is reused. The new cast, with Vince Vaughn in the role of Norman Bates, just doesn't deliver or exceed the performances from the first movie. If anything, both Vince Vaughn and Anne Heche fall vastly short from the stellar performances of Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh. The script doesn't sound real and comes across as hokey in this day and age, especially during the last scene where they psychologist is explaining Norman's mental state. The film was both a commercial and critical bomb. Just watch the original!

The Wolfman (2010)

The 2010 remake of "The Wolfman" will not be remembered as fondly as the original. It may not contain the awkward forwardness of Don Chaney Jr's character towards the the women in the film, it may use state-of-the-art special effects and make-up (which won an Academy Award), and it may indeed star the usually amazing Anthony Hopkins, but somehow this film still comes up short. Benicio del Toro does look a bit like Don Chaney Jr in this film but I don't think that he was a good fit for the role. It's difficult to care for his character or for the other characters that directly interact with him. Anthony Hopkins doesn't fully own his character in the same way that he owned Van Helsing in "Bram Stoker's Dracula". And Emily Blunt's role just feels too forced, not by anything that she does herself, but just by being there for no other reason than as a story device. The ending is different and somewhat satisfying but it isn't enough to save the movie. The strongest part of this production is the performance delivered by Hugo Weaving, which really doesn't come as much of a surprise; it's a shame that he enters the film so far into it. An uncredited and brief appearance by Max von Sydow is a pleasant surprise.

The world renown Shakespearean actor Lawrence Talbot returns to his childhood home of Blackmoor, England after he receives news that his brother has been violently killed. Lawrence has an uneasy reunion with his father, Sir John Talbot, who still resides at his grade estate with his assistant Singh and his brother's grieving fiancee Gwen Conliffe. Being back at his old home causes Lawrence emotional distress, including dreaming flashbacks of his mother's suicide and his former mental issues. Lawrence tries to find out what happened to his brother on his own and while visiting a gypsy camp near-by, he is attacked and mauled by a wolf-like beast. With Gwen's help, Lawrence is nursed back to health incredibly fast which makes the locals very uneasy. When Inspector Aberline arrives in town to investigate a recent string of murders, he comes to suspect the odd acting Lawrence. Unfortunately the timing is right for Lawrence to change in to the Wolf, and discovering that his father is one and has locked himself away, Lawrence falls under the power of the beast and goes out into the night to kill. The next morning, Aberline arrests Lawrence and brings him back to London where he is admitted to the haunting asylum that he spent his childhood after his mother died. With vengeance in his heart and a hatred for his father, will Lawrence be able to control the Beast within when the full moon rises once more?

Dawn of the Dead (2004)

The 2004 remake of the classic "Dawn of the Dead" was Zack Snyder's smashing debut as a director and was a critical success. The two films have several glaring differences and because of this, they both stand out as exceptional films in their own ways. The beginning of the remake begins calmly and shifts into a non-stop adrenaline rush at a drop of a dime, showing how quickly the zombie apocalypse can spread through a typical suburban neighborhood. The remake has a larger cast which provides additional victims for the zombies throughout the film. The remake does not have a nomadic bike gang that raids the mall, instead it chooses to show the survivors making a break to a possibly even more secure location. And the zombies run, fast! Some die hard fans hate any film that features zombies running but I don't mind; if they can show vampires walking in the sun then movies can have zombies that run if they want to.

Ana is having a bad day. Her husband is bitten by the adorable neighbor girl who has all of a sudden become ravenous, and then her husband starts acting the same way, slobbering and clawing at Ana with a crazed look in his eyes. She makes it outside and sees that the entire neighbor is under siege as neighbor attacks neighbor with violent abandon. It's a zombie apocalypse and Ana is standing right in the middle of it all!

After driving away, crashing, and then being saved by a police officer, Ana and a group of other survivors hide themselves from the chaos inside the local super mall....only to be taken prisoner by the three security guards who work there. They manage to escape and turn the tables on the guards, then slowly fortify the mall and clear it of any excess zombies. More survivors come, a few of them turn and are killed in due process, and Kenneth the cop befriends a sharp shooting survivor trapped across the street. The survivors comes to realize that the mall will become there tomb if they don't act, so they modify two utility vehicles and try to make it to a boat in the harbor, with plans to sail away to a nice secluded island, where there surely aren't any zombies....

The Crazies (2010)

The 2010 remake of "The Crazies" is a more enjoyable and creepier version than the original. There are several reasons why this movie is an overall stronger film and the main reason is because this version focuses solely on a group of survivors who are trying to escape the town; trying to follow both the residents and the military broke the tension too much, having to keep track of several characters rather than a small handful. The talent of the actors is higher, the budget is heftier, and the suspense and pacing are kept tight. This version also shows the survivors having to defend themselves from their "crazy" neighbors who only want to kill.

David is the local sheriff of the small town of Ogden, Iowa. During a local baseball game, a local resident comes stumbling into the field with a shotgun in his hands. David asks then orders the man to drop his gun and is forced to kill him when the man raises the weapon at him. This is the first of many such occurrences that David and his deputy Russell begin to notice happening around town. The two soon find a military aircraft that had crashed in a nearby swamp, and that it's payload has been introduced to the town's drinking water, contaminating it. Within hours of the discovery the military happen to show up and place the town under martial law and take all of the residents into quarantine at the high school. The camp is overrun with "crazies" and David and his wife Judy escape with the help of Russel and a teen named Becca. They spend the rest of the night trying to hide form both the military who are now shooting anyone who might look infected on sight as well as trying to survive the onslaught of assaults from their former neighbors.

Author's Note - New Releases

Movie studios appear to be in high gear at the moment, producing some memorable solid horror films over the past two years. I might not personally enjoy each one but I can see how other people will; high production values, excellent casting, and sequels and remakes that deserved to be made. It’s an exciting time to go to the movie theaters or eagerly wait for the DVD release of the movies that are coming our way!

A Taste of Things to Come