Get Him To The Greek

I know there are those out there who liked this film and thought it was funny, well I am not one of them. As a big fan of Forgetting Sarah Marshall I really expected more from this spin-off, being so entertained the first time around by Russell Brand as Aldous Snow. This really fell flat, very few laughs, not enjoyable, certainly a real low point for comedy in 2010.

Robin Hood

I am a huge fan of Ridley Scott and I was pretty excited for this film, going in I did have expectations. What a huge let down, sure it was an origin story, but it just seemed to piss all over everything that had been done with Robin Hood in the past. The main character was not likable, there was no stealing from the rich and giving to the poor (one scene, big whoop) and it was incredibly boring. I struggled to stay awake through most of this film.

Clash Of The Titans

What a turd this turned out to be, it took me four sittings to finally sit through this entire film. Much like Robin Hood, I could not stay awake, there was no interest, terrible acting, a storyline I didn’t care about and well it was boring. This was excruciating to sit through, and thanks for the apology Sam.

A Nightmare On Elm Street

Trailers sure can be deceiving, see the trailer tricked me into thinking this would be good. Instead it was a horrible mess, and pretty much an insult to a franchise I adore. Jackie Earle Haley was fine, despite the Rorschach voice but everything else was terrible. Don’t even get me started on Rooney Mara and her inability to be interesting.

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

These films just get worse and worse, from the script to the acting, this is atrocious. I had hopes because David Slade was directing, but again much like New Moon this was uneventful and annoying. The characters seem to get worse, as do the actors playing them. This series sends out bad messages to the audience it is aimed at, I even for a moment thought Jacob was going to force himself on Bella (well more so than he did), and apparently that’s acceptable behaviour. Nope, pass!

Legion

The film which was the worst of the bunch, Legion. I hated everything about this movie, I was so excited to see this and I couldn’t believe the disappointment. There is just about nothing good about this film (aside from Kevin Durand), even the best of actors (Dennis Quaid) were beyond terrible. If I ever have to sit through this again, I’m stabbing my eyes out with a fork. This was easily one of the worst films to come out in the past 10 years.

Despite the fact that horror villain greats like Leatherface, Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees have all been repolished in recent remakes over the years, Freddy Krueger is the first villain whose persona was made infamous by an actor rather than a masked stuntman, which makes this news of a ‘new Freddy’ a harder pill to swallow for some.  Considering fans are still livid over Tuesday Knight replacing Patricia Arquette in A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 4, the acceptance of a new Freddy has become a gruelling task to achieve in the horror community.

However, there also happens to be many optimistic fans out there who think Jackie Earle Haley could breathe new life into the already defunct horror series.

So take out your rulers boils and ghouls! It’s time to see which Freddy has the biggest ginsu knive glove.

THE LOOK

One thing that is wildly different about the old and New Freddy is their equally grotesque faces.  Many fans of the series were left disappointed after seeing Jackie Earle Haley’s burnt face in the trailers as they were hoping his look would be more similar to Englund’s version of Freddy.  Although, Englund’s face is the more popular of the two, it is the new Freddy’s burnt face that looks far more disturbing of the two.  Haley’s face looks more like an actual burn victim with his distorted facial features.  Englund’s Freddy looked like he was suffering more from leprosy than burns as his eyes and other facial features seemed unscathed from the fire. WIN: NEW FREDDY

ACCENT

If you were like me after watching the spoiler-heavy trailer of the ANOES remake, you were probably asking yourself, ‘What the hell is up with that harsh trucker-like accent?” Freddy’s odd new voice sounds like a mix between Rusty Nail from the Joy Ride films and Christian Bale’s laughable voice in The Dark Knight. Unfortunately, Haley’s voice doesn’t induce as many chills and goose bumps as Englund’s deep and menacing voice did in the original ANOES years ago. The line, “This is God!” will forever be embedded in many horror-obsessed minds as one of the scariest quotes ever uttered in a horror film. WIN: OLD FREDDY

BACKSTORY

Despite the fact that Freddy Krueger has become a beloved horror icon, we sometimes forget that he was once a twisted monster who molested and butchered innocent children before he became the “anti-Mr. Sandman.”  In the pilot episode of Freddy’s Nightmares, (which was directed by Tobe Hooper) viewers were witness to how the parents of the murdered children on Elm Street got the courage to get the street justice they so rightfully deserved by burning Krueger alive.  Regrettably, the first trailer released of the ANOES remake suggest that Krueger may have been wrongfully accused which would make him the equivalent of a modern day Frankenstein rather than the terrifying monster that every parent should fear.  WIN: OLD FREDDY

PERSONALITY

We all love the original Freddy Krueger’s jokester personality, but let’s face it, his talent for cracking the most inappropriate jokes in every sequel neutered his once fearful traits displayed in the original ANOES and made viewers feel like there should be a two drink minimum to watch him onscreen.  Haley’s Freddy looks like he’s putting the “Grr” back into Krueger. The trailer implies that the new Freddy has a level of malevolence and rage that fans have not seen in the character since 1984. It’s about time viewers became fearful of Freddy again.  WIN: NEW FREDDY

SIZE

One of the most noticeable differences between the Freddys is definitely their sizes.  Robert Englund is considerably taller than Haley and that could definitely make fans weary of how scary Haley’s performance will be in the upcoming remake.  However, it is Englund himself that actually supports the vertically-challenged new Freddy when he was recently quoted for saying, “Jackie is not big and I think that Jackie’s size is gonna really work. One of the metaphors I’ve used for Freddy is a little rabid dog that just bites your ankle and holds on. I think Jackie brings that with his own physicality to the role.” Does size matter? Hard to say. WIN: TIE

The results are in and it looks like it’s a tie for who will be the ultimate champion in our nightmares. We all love Robert Englund and are sad to see that he will no longer haunt us in future nightmares or bitchslap Jason Voorhees in the face again, but fans should give Haley a chance to revive the series because he might surprise audience members just like Heath Ledger shocked sceptical viewers in The Dark Knight. See A Nightmare on Elm Street this Friday to see who will come out the victor.

So which Freddy are you rooting for? Comment below!

Arriving on April 30th, the anticipated Nightmare on Elm Street remake will hopefully terrify audiences. Today, we finally get a finished, close-up look on the new make-up for Freddy. The filmmakers claimed they wanted a more realistic look to Freddy’s burned face and it is clearly different than the Robert Englund Freddy make-up.

Jackie Earle Haley looks good in the trailer, and until we see him, the voice, the make-up in action, this picture gives us a solid look until we see it in theaters. What do you all think?

Source: SciFi Wire

Also, look for a separate Blu-ray release of the first film with Free Movie Cash for the upcoming remake, new commentaries, three new documentaries, alternate endings, and Ready Freddy Focus Points. This should be really cool. Look for our review when the disc comes out!

Source: DreadCentral/Blu-ray

Jon’s Top 5 Anticipated Films

5 – A Nightmare on Elm Street

The Nightmare on Elm Street series are my favorite slasher franchise, and after the initial shock of a Robert Englund-less Freddy, I began to think in a positive manner all of the cool things that a modern reboot could bring. I think Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen) could be a creepy S.O.B. and the dream sequences could be out-of-this-world. Now, after a semi-cool teaser trailer, my expectations leveled off, which might help in the long run. Lots to work on prior this film’s release, so I’ll be interested in seeing the final Freddy make-up, first and foremost, and then the dream scenes. Freddy’s back, get ready.

4 – Iron Man 2

I have no worries that this won’t disappoint. I’m more curious in seeing how the increased subplot in bringing in the Avengers will work. More Nick Fury and the first film appearance of Black Widow should be interesting, but how will it work in the film arc for Iron Man? Mickey Rourke looks bad-ass as the villain. I expect this to be huge.

3 – Clash of the Titans

I’m not selling out here folks. I realize that I’m stoked for two remakes of classic films, but an IMAX 3-D version of Clash? Amazing. Now, in my opinion, the original Clash of the Titans was a fun film, but a lesser Ray Harryhausen feature. His stop-motion FX top-notch, but overall, I prefer many others. Yes, it looks like a CG overload, but it also looks like a blast. The only thing to stop this cold, is what about the story. We shall see in March.

2 – Alice in Wonderland

Tim Burton directs Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter? ‘Nuff said. Bust out some pills, because this will be one insane trip down the rabbit hole.

1 – Inception

Christopher Nolan’s follow-up to the masterpiece known as The Dark Knight, is a curious mix of The Matrix and Dark City. But it’s Nolan, and knowing him, he won’t give away secrets in his trailers, so as cheesy as this sounds, expect the unexpected. In the trailer, there’s some amazing music, that I hope is the theme to the film. DiCaprio and Ellen Page should turn in solid performances, but it’s the intriguing notion of what Nolan said about the film: “a contemporary sci-fi action thriller set within the architecture of the mind”. Sold.

Donny’s Top 5 Anticipated Films

5 – Cop Out

I’m looking forward to seeing what Kevin Smith can do with a buddy cop flick. I’m a huge fan of Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan is pretty funny as well. Add that to the anticipation of seeing Smith direct a flick he didn’t write and I’m there on opening night.

4 – Piranha 3D

Alexandre Aja is an extremely talented director that isn’t afraid to spill a lot of the red stuff. With him behind this remake I’m actually stoked to see it. Also, seeing Richard Dreyfuss on screen in another killer fish movie is going to be priceless (even if the flick sucks).

3-  The Cabin in the Woods

Director Drew Goddard teamed up with Joss Whedon to write the script for this supposedly new take on an old horror movie theme. Should be lots of fun.

2 – Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Edgar Wright kicks ass! Edgar Wright adapting one of the coolest comics out there kicks even more ass! I’m there!

1 – The Expendables

Sylvester Stallone’s throwback to a time when action movie ruled the world is the flick I’m most excited to see this year. With a cast that is nothing short of amazing and a director that knows action, this could very well be the flick that resurrects the genre!

I think we could have extended this, as 2010 looks really solid. But what are your anticipated films for this new year? Feel free to leave a comment below, and keep it here all year long for news, reviews, and other surprises for 2010!

10 – I Was a Teenage Frankenstein

9 – Nightmare on Elm Street

8- Amittyville Horror (1979)

7 – I Spit on Your Grave!

6 – Curse of the Werewolf (1960)

5 – Maniac (1980)

4 – Alice Sweet Alice

3 – Friday the 13^th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan

2 – Happy Birthday to Me

1- Cannibal Holocaust

Feel free to comment below on your favorites, or email me at jon@killerfilm.com

Also, there’s talk of Superman making a cameo appearance. Take all of this with a grain of salt, but these are two bombshells, if it’s true! The film will star Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal, Adventureland) and is directed by Martin Campbell (Casino Royale). Sinestro recently was seen in the DCU animated film, Green Lantern: First Flight.

Is DC following Marvel? Either way, if this rumor is true, it just benefits us fans!

Source: Coming Soon

Avatar

Nightmare on Elm Street

Dead of Night

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World

Alice In Wonderland

Iron Man 2 (site is live but no updates as of yet)

Saw 6

Tron: Legacy

True Blood

2012

The Book of Eli

Where The Wild Things Are

Sherlock Holmes

Source: Bloody Disgusting

Let’s just hope we get a full image of the man in costume some time soon.

Source: Twitter

Instead, the remake has evolved into an original production called The Sacrifice. Not date or timetable was given, and it seems like right now, Friday the 13th 2 is their next project. We will see. Good news, is for now, this classic film is safe from the remake disease.

Source: JoBlo

They also go on saying that Platinum Dunes won’t be making an 3-D films anytime soon and will focus, if anything, on more inventive kills in the not-yet-greenlit sequel.

There is a August 13th, 2010 next year, so just maybe…

Source: Shocktillyoudrop

Do you notice something about the majority of those films I just mentioned? They’re all up for remakes.

Tinsel town is just in this craze. There is perhaps nothing we can do about it, other than turn our backs on them, which might be a good move on paper, but a disastrous movement if we do. There isn’t a horror director left that hasn’t had a film remade. John Carpenter has three, George Romero has at least four, so of course, and this cycle would hit Wes Craven, probably a candidate for the Horror’s big Three in the 1970′s and 1980′s. There’s nothing really wrong with that, except for when the person who’s films are being remade, is actively a part of it.

I’m sure, outside of Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane, every director wishes he could go back a tweak this or change that for the better, but at that time, with the money and technology, the best they could do was what the finish product became. Craven is not only allowing remakes of his films to happen, but is active in the production side of things. I think this is good…sort of. Why not take some interest in this and help out the filmmaker to give them the best shot at making a solid film. Case in point: Hills Have Eyes.

I don’t mind that, but what has caused grief with me is the fact that he is doing this multiple times. Has the recession hit him so hard that he is so willing to take a studio’s paycheck to remake his filmography? I hope not. Craven was one of our most innovative horror directors. His Freddy Kruger is one of our beloved villains, one I’m sure my grandchildren will be scared of.

Let’s take a look at what’s being circulated for remaking: The Shocker, where he claims technology will improve the film he wasn’t that pleased with in the first place, People Under the Stairs, the proposed Scream 4 is looking more like a series reboot, don’t forget about Nightmare on Elm Street, Platinum Dunes stars filming in one month, and today’s Last House on the Left joins Hills Have Eyes, and Hills Have Eyes 2 as already been remade. It doesn’t stop there. He was an executive producer for a Carnival of Souls remake in 1998 and he was recent heard talking about furthering the Dracula 2000 series in a reboot fashion. His only new idea is this 25/8 film. He is even talking about a Hills Have Eyes 3, that I won’t call original even though he never has done one from his original series.

The merits of these remakes will be reviewed when they come out. But I’m sure at first many of you at the beginning of this article thought, “so what if he wants to do a few, and make a few bucks. It’s smart.” After reading the last paragraph, do you still agree with me? The man directed 29 films, some of those are TV and other segments like his short in Paris, Je T’aime, but four have been remade so far, with many more in the works.

Why does this bothers me? He is a “Master of Horror”. His films are inventive, original, scary, and he’s done it multiple times. While a remake doesn’t erase the past film, it seems at this rate like he is trying to erase the past. I know Cursed was a disaster, Wes, so was Scream 3 and Vampire in Brooklyn. Red Eye was not a bad film, so you’re telling me you’re given up on us? I know the ending has been kind to our favorite horror directors’ careers. But Romero and Argento are making a come back with decent pictures, and sure, Hooper is gone and Carpenter is lazy, but buck the trend, sir.

Horror is in a desperate time for originality. We all know that, and while not all remakes are a bad thing, it hurts me to see one of the greats sell out.

One day, Wes Craven will remake Wes Craven, maybe sometime shortly after Music of the Heart is remade.

Agree or disagree? Comment below or email me at jon@killerfilm.com

Also, they announced a release date for Final Destination: Death Trip 3-D for August 14th, 2009. David R. Ellis will return to direct. He did the mean and nasty, but fun entry Final Destination 2.

Source: Dread Central

While the remake focused on a reboot, that took elements from the first four films of the franchse, this one will use the remake as a springboard into new territories. Was the ending of the remake a dream or a set-up for Part 2?

Platinum Dunes is gearing up for the new Nightmare on Elm Street remake, that starts very soon, but August 13th, 2010 is a likely date.

I would like more Mrs. Voorhees (probably to late for that) and I’m sure Donny would want it at the Camp! Please, go back to Killerfilm TV episode one for our thoughts. What would you all want from the sequel?

Source: Bloody-Disgusting