HomeVideodrome: Audiences Unjustly Put Stake Through Heart of ‘Fright Night’ Remake
by Hunter DuesingIn this week’s HomeVideodrome podcast, Hunter is sick, Jim is having technical difficulties, but we somehow pull it off. Here we talk about the disappointment that was “Star Trek: The Motion Picture,” the surprisingly fun “Fright Night” remake, and the greatness of “Heavenly Creatures.” So head on over to The Film Thugs and give it a listen!
The remake of “Fright Night” didn’t deserve the quiet death it was met with at the box office.
The attempts at righteous indignation most remakes receive from movie fans seem to be giving most of them undeserved buzz. If a remake is bad, it’ll be eventually be nothing more than a footnote that comes up with the original is discussed, or worse, a curiosity item (example: “The Wicker Man” remake). If it’s good, then it’ll get a life of its own, and this remake is one of the few that deserves to have its own place, as this smart, funny take on Tom Holland’s eighties horror gem nicely parodies the trends going on in the vampire craze that has taken hold of movies and television today.
Written by “Buffy” scribe Marty Nixon, “Fright Night” stars Anton Yelchin as Charley Brewster, a high school kid and recovering geek who has just gotten a new next-door neighbor in his banal Nevada suburban neighborhood.
Said neighbor is a night-owl carpenter named Jerry (Colin Farrell), but Charley’s former pal, “Evil” Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse), believes Jerry is actually a vampire. Initially believing Ed’s imagination has gotten the best of him, Charley gets paranoid after a few bizarre encounters with Jerry, observing his unusual midnight snacking habits. Once Charley’s meddling causes Jerry to set his sights on him and his single mother (Toni Collette), Charley, along with his cute girlfiend Amy (Imogen Poots), soon seek the help a crass, Midori-swigging, Vegas Vampire-killer showman named Peter Vincent (David Tennant). They quickly find themselves going toe-to-toe with Jerry the vampire and his nest of bloodsucking minions down in the heart of suburbia.
The greatness behind the premise of “Fright Night” is the juxtaposition between the bland, suburban setting, and the gothic genre trappings we associate with vampire tales, which is why the protagonist seeking the help of a horror host in the original, and a Mindfreakish illusionist in the remake, is such a fun twist.
But while Holland’s original had a fond nostalgia for the era of horror hosts, the remake takes it in a different direction by having the Peter Vincent character embody everything that sucks about modern vampire pop-culture as a way of poking fun at it. Vincent’s Vegas show is oozing with the sexually infantile, vapid porno-goth attitude that infects vampire movies today, as his bare-chested, leather-bound persona battles buxom vampire brides with cheesy effects and douche-nozzle facial hair. Once Vincent is chugging Midori off-stage and peeling off his make-up and guyliner in his frightening low-rider leather pants, it’s a scream.
A movie can’t comment on vampire culture without putting a fun spin on the vampire itself. Farrell gives a much different take on Jerry the vampire than what Chris Sarandon did with the character in the original. Farrell’s Jerry is informed by the oversexed hunk-next-door vampire we see in stuff like “True Blood,” but Jerry’s vibe isn’t the sort of guy a lovelorn girl reading Anne Rice pines for like Bill Compton, so much as the vibe of a guy who would take one of those girls home after a few drinks at the bar and subsequently kick her out of bed and never call her again.
Except Jerry keeps her locked in a room for a few days for snacking purposes instead of sending her home. It makes the scene where Jerry publicly kidnaps Brewster’s gal at a nightclub frightening on a couple of levels. The surface level is obvious: his girlfriend is being attacked by the big bad bloodsucker. But it also reminds any guy of seeing that girl you like with a sleazy jerk you can’t stand. This is all thanks to Farrell’s impressive balancing act, being sleazy, menacing, and funny all at once.
Given the quality of this remake and its poor box office performance, I sincerely hope it finds its audience now that it’s available on video. While I’m a proponent of horror movies delivering the splattery goods in 3D, the lighting in “Fright Night” is too dark for it to really work when the blood and guts are flying at you. I’ve now seen the movie in both 3D and 2D, and I could see better when watching it in the latter format. The Blu-ray has your standard making-of docs, blooper reels, etc., along with a kinda boring Kid Cudi music video, and an unfunny fake Peter Vincent promo. The movie is fun, the extras are mostly fluff. I’d go with the standard Blu-ray.
Available on 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and Amazon Instant
Other Noteworthy Releases
Rise of the Planet of the Apes: While it’s not really saying much, this was the best of the big blockbusters we got this summer. Being a big fan of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise, I’m glad to see it finally get the reboot it deserves.
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and Amazon Instant
Kung Fu Panda 2: I like the idea of a movie where a panda punches things. Count me in.
Available on Blu-ray, DVD, a DVD special edition, and Amazon Instant
Kung Fu Panda Collection: In case you missed the first one, you can catch up in this slick little set.
Meet Me in St. Louis: This Vincente Minnelli classic starring Judy Garland gets the royal Blu-ray treatment from Warner Bros.
The Expendables – Extended Director’s Cut: Part of me is curious, part of me smells a useless double-dip. “The Expendables” was a creaky affair that was well below the recent standard Stallone set for himself with the one-two punch of “Rocky Balboa” and “Rambo.” The main problem with “The Expendables” was Stallone’s derivative directorial approach and the thin plotting. An extended cut can only remedy the latter complaint, but I’m not holding out much hope that it even does that.
Available on Blu-ray
Detective Dee & The Mystery of the Phantom Flame: The first Tsui Hark film in a good while to garner some serious positive buzz, so I’m anxious to see it.
Heavenly Creatures: The movie that made people start taking Peter Jackson seriously (even though “Dead Alive” was clearly the work of a mad genius). The talent of Kate Winslet was one of the great discoveries of this film, as well as Jackson’s display of range as a filmmaker in terms of the subjects he was willing to tackle.
Available on Blu-ray and Amazon Instant
Seven Chances: Kino upgrades their release of this Buster Keaton classic, the image of the Great Stone Face fleeing from an army of eager potential brides is one of the great treasures in Keaton’s body of work.
Velvet Goldmine: Todd Haynes’s David Bowie/Iggy Pop pastiche comes to Blu-ray. Between this movie, “Superstar,” and “I’m Not There,” Haynes has proven to be one of the most interesting directors out there when it comes to commenting on rock n’ roll through film, as he finds creative and effective ways to explore the subject, never resorting to cliched biopic formulas.
Available on Blu-ray
Tokyo Drifter: Criterion upgrades their release of Seijun Suzuki’s freewheeling seventies Yakuza flick.
Branded to Kill: Another Criterion upgrade of a Seijun Suzuki Yakuza movie. According to Criterion, Suzuki was fired by the studio after handing the completed film in, and the ensuing drama was apparently even more interesting than the film itself.
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31 Comments
For those who have not seen Heavenly Creatures, you are missing out on a great film. The debut of Kate Winslet and a superb job by Peter Jackson. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplay, based on a true story, with his wife.
The Fright Night remake was pretty decent, though I don't think I can no longer afford to buy it after spending an arm and a leg on the "limited edition" of the original version!
I've always kind of liked Star Trek: The Motion Picture, to be honest. I prefer the likes of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan for sheer entertainment, but the first film is the one that feels the most like the TV show out of the entire series. It's the only film that delves into a high sci-fi concept and explores the philosophical ramifications of that discovery – the sort of thing they would do routinely on Star Trek. Yeah, the film is over-long and glacially paced, but rewarding for those willing to give it their full attention. Robert Wise's DVD director's cut from a few years back is an improvement over the theatrical version, too.
I highly recommend Tokyo Drifter as well as some of the other Yakuza films too such as A Colt is My Passport and Youth of the Beast. I haven't seen Branded to Kill yet, but look forward to it. I only just saw my first Japanese films this year. http://www.retrohound.com/short-reviews-of-6-japa...
Are you talking about Marti Noxon, former Buffy producer and writer of Fright Night? Who's Marti Nixon? John Nolte made the same mistake.
Yeah a friend of mine pointed that out, painful typo.
As Mr. Keating from DPS would say:
"Ms. Poots. That's a rather unfortunate name."
I liked the SF concepts and philisophical ideas in STAR TREK – TMP, however one thing that is acceptable in a TV show that doesn't work in a feature film are static lead characters. This is why WRATH OF KHAN is ultimately the superior film…Kirk and Spock change as characters by the end, unlike here, where no one changes. STAR TREK – TMP is ultimately a two-hour episode of the show, it's an interesting film, but not necessarily a successful one. But I always admire an interesting failure.
You're right as far as the main crew goes. The one character who does change is Decker (Stephen Collins). After losing his command and the woman he loves, he chooses to sacrifice himself. So it's really his story when you break it down.
I think "interesting failure" is pretty close to the mark. Even so, ST: TMP is far from the worst of the film series, and for me would probably rank in the top half. Nothing beats Wrath of Khan, though.
I haven't seen the FRIGHT NIGHT remake so I can't comment on its quality. But given the unwelcome glut of horror remakes that infuriate fans of the original and are seldom any good in their own right, I would hardly call moviegoers' decision to pass on it justified.
I saw Expendables on Netflix and was not impressed: tired old plot with tired old actors. I much preferred RED: a fun plot with an older cast that seemed truly delighted to be making the film. Add to that an unbelievably complex "assassination" plot that came together with the panache of a Mission Impossible script.
I love the original 'Fright Night' not least for the wonderful role played by Roddy McDowell as the unforgettable Peter Vincent- Vampire Killer.This movie worked on so many levels and was a real tribute to all the old vampire movies of the past.
Fans were happy with it- and it stood the test of time. So WHY do a remake? THAT'S why the new film bombed so badly. Most people had no desire to see a great horror movie remade into a modern version with all its attendent PC baggage and dreck.
"The Expendables" was weighed down by the heft of it's cast. Personality overshadowed plot. "The Losers" was what "The Expendables" should have been, a thoroughly enjoyable popcorn flick. I'd recommend it over Stallone's prednisone bloated actioner. Still, "The Expendables" and it's sequel are must watch movies because of the cast. It's just too bad they couldn't execute a snappy plot.
Nolte said the same thing, and he had only positive things to say about it. Why don't you just give it a shot?
Yeah, but even the reactionary anti-remake groupthink can be wrong sometimes.
It would've been better if Decker was a more interesting character…Collins is such a bland presence. So is Persis Khambatta…the woman is cardboard in that movie.
Certainly not the worst of the TREK movies. What would be your favorites/least favorites?
"The remake of “Fright Night” didn’t deserve the quiet death it was met with at the box office."
Suffered the same fate as Conan did but I dont see any of the sites crying about the box office then. Double standard.
I'm not a big fan of the Next Generation Trek films, with the exception of First Contact, which is pretty good. Shatner's The Final Frontier is clearly the worst film in the entire series, and I'm less enthusiastic about The Voyage Home than many people seem to be. Too campy, really – with that film, the whole thing's being played for laughs.
Both Nicholas Meyer films are good, with Wrath of Khan being the best Star Trek ever, in my opinion. I also like the Abrams reboot. I'd put those plus First Contact above ST: TMP, but The Voyage Home, Search for Spock and the rest after it.
I'm not a big fan of the Next Generation Trek films, with the exception of First Contact, which is pretty good. Shatner's The Final Frontier is clearly the worst film in the entire series, and I'm less enthusiastic about The Voyage Home than many people seem to be. Too campy, really – with that film, the whole thing's being played for laughs.
Both Nicholas Meyer films are good, with Wrath of Khan being the best Star Trek ever, in my opinion. I also like the Abrams reboot. I'd put those plus First Contact above ST: TMP, but The Voyage Home, Search for Spock and the rest after it.
I'm in agreement regarding the Nicholas Meyer films, KHAN and UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY are the best. I recently bought the Blu-ray set and I havent seen SPOCK, VOYAGE, or FINAL FRONTIER since I was a kid, looking forward to seeing them again (even though I'm dreading FINAL FRONTIER). I never really cared for any of the TNG films except FIRST CONTACT. I loved what Abrams did with it in his reboot.
I liked CONAN a lot more than I thought I would: http://www.parcbench.com/2011/12/06/blu-ray-revie...
I saw this in the theater and I LOVED it!
I love vampires at the BAD GUYS; I love monster movies, and I love the retro feel of the story.
The problem is that horror genre fans have been shouted down by fanboys. Fright Night was one of the few remakes that not only was good but had real respect for the original. It's just too bad that the fanboys trashed it on every level and kept people away from a damned good movie.
This is why I'm doing going "THEY'RE REMAKING WHAT?! RABBLE RABBLE!" I'll just wait and see the movie. I'm as tired of Hollywood branding as the next guy, but if a remake is good, it's good. And FRIGHT NIGHT is good.
I didn't care for the Conan remake but will admit it was far from bad. Hopefully it'll find an audience on dvd or blu ray.
I wasn't bashing you Hunter, I was referencing a lot of other sites and reviewers who wrote the movie off the moment they found out it wasn't an Arnold remake. When it and almost every other movie released around the same tanked in terms of attendance they singled out Conan to be ridiculed for not making its budget back.
Total brainfart. Meant to say unjustified.
The problem with horror remakes now as opposed to the really good ones in the 80's like THE THING is that they don't really add anything. Scifi movies fom the 50's were black and white and cuoldn't show and gore or boobs so there was room for improvements. Nowadays the "reimaginings" as they're called not only don't up the ante they actually water down the original? And it's become so rampant the awe're getting remake of horror movies that were unoriginal and lame the first time around. Seriously, who the hell thought remaking PROM NIGHT was a good idea?
Oh I know, just sharing my thoughts on it
"…who the hell thought remaking PROM NIGHT was a good idea?"
Accountants with no imagination.
McDowell's performance was great. The scene where he faces up to being a fraud is fantastic and touching.
"I'm scared, Charlie"
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