"Jacob's Ladder" is the latest good horror film to get an unnecessary remake.
They’re doing it again.
By “they,” of course, I mean Hollywood execs without one ounce of original thought, who sit in meetings pillaging old films to remake. The latest classic horror remake on the table is 1990’s “Jacob’s Ladder,” starring Tim Robbins as a Vietnam vet having very bad and demonic hallucinations.
Now, someone watching it today might not be as impressed but the creepy “shaking head” special effects of the creatures, but when the movie first came out, that had never been seen before. Of course, having Robbins on board and Adrian Lyne directing didn’t exactly hurt, either, but this somewhat lesser known film was very creepy and disturbing.
In other words, they got it right the first time around.
PLEASE explain to me how you can make this scene any scarier. And why you even feel you need to try to.
No actors have been attached yet, but “The Midnight Meat Train” screenwriter Jeff Buhler will be writing the remake.
I suppose this should be expected from the recent success of the “Evil Dead” remake. But that film put it’s own spin on the camp classic, playing it for straight horror. That won’t be possible this time around, so let’s hope they don’t get the “brilliant” idea to make it “funny.”
“Supernatural” fans, say it ain’t so! Writer Ben Edlund, who made his mark at the “Supernatural” franchise with such classics as “Wishful Thinking” and my all-time favorite episode, “The French Mistake,” is jumping over to “Supernatural” creator Eric Kripke’s new show, “Revolution.” Well, relatively new, as it is going on season 2. After a — shall we say — less than stellar debut season.
Actor Misha Collins dropped the bomb at the All Hell Breaks Loose “Supernatural” convention in Australia. After which, the howl of agony from “Supernatural” fans could be heard ’round the world. If you are having trouble placing “The French Mistake” episode, it’s the one where Sam and Dean find themselves transported to another dimension, where they are actors in a TV series… named Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.
With co-creator Ryan Murphy dishing about magic and witchcraft, and a setting that’s “seen true horror,” “American Horror Story” fans have pretty much figured out we’re going to Salem next fall. But has that inspired some craft fans to create their own promos, or are these the real deal? These are looking pretty convincing, not just in quality but style, mimicking that eclecetic creepy vibe we love so much.
So… what do you think? Real or not? Comment below!
Yeah, he couldn't hold a candle to Chris Sarandon in the original "Fright Night," but we'd still hit it.
After his role in the pointless remake of “Fright Night,” it looks like Colin Farrell is about to discover that working in horror is like the Hotel California — you can check in any time you like, but you can never leave. Seems Farrell is now attached to an upcoming supernatural thriller called “Solace,” according to a Deadline.com report Monday.
He’ll star alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, who has been playing Hannibal Lector since his Oscar role in “Silence of the Lambs,” and recently starred in “The Wolfman.”
Uh-huh… see what I mean?
Anyway, after lengthy development battles, the studio is moving forward with this story of a former doctor with psychic abilities who finds himself drawn into a serial killer case. But this is no ordinary psycho killer… oh, no. This is one of the psychic variety, as well.
Now that just can’t be good. You know they’ll be able to keep track of each other’s every move, even in dead zones for their cell phones.
The film will be directed by Afonso Poyart and is scheduled to begin production this May.
Ryan Murphy, mad genius behind the FX hit series “American Horror Story,” announced Saturday that he will be teaming with producer Jason Blum (“Paranormal Activity”) for a remake of the horror classic, “The Town That Dreaded Sundown.”
The pair previously collaborated on “The Normal Heart,” and have tapped “American Horror Story’s” Alfonso Gomez-Rejon to direct. According to Hollywood Reporter, Murphy announced the upcoming collaboration at a press conference following the premiere of the season finale of “American Horror Story: Asylum,” which airs this Wednesday on FX.
Murphy cited the original 1976 version of “The Town That Dreaded Sundown” as a childhood favorite. The movie was based on the events surrounding The Phantom Killer, who murdered five people on the border of Texas and Arkansas in the spring of 1946, but was never caught.
The film was far ahead of its time, being shot in a realistic, documentary style — a predecessor to later films that have adopted that same gritty feel. If you’re not a huge fan of horror films, don’t feel bad if the name isn’t familiar to you. But in horror geekdom, the film has been slyly referenced in more contemporary work, including a reference in Wes Craven’s “Scream” from film nerd Jamie Kennedy’s character, and even Jason Voorhees paid tribute with his mask in “Friday the 13th Part 2” which directly copied the mask the Phantom Killer wore.
Now, with the creator of one of TVs hottest series reviving the movie, expect a deluxe Blu-ray DVD edition of the original film to be released later this year.
“The Town That Dreaded Sundown” is scheduled to film this spring, but never fear “American Horror Story” fans, because Gomez-Rejon plans to come back to “American Horror Story” next season to serve as producer and direct every third episode.
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If you’re a diehard horror fan, the word “remake” makes your stomach turn, but if you are the casual viewer or have a stomach made of steel, the first images of the upcoming “Carrie” remake have been released. The film stars Chloe Grace Moretz in the title role and Julianne Moore as her wacko mother, which will hopefully redeem this needless remake to some degree.
I can feel the collective weary sigh of true horror fans everywhere.
The original features Sissy Spacek and Piper Laurie, both of which received Oscar nominations — for a horror film. Read that line again, folks — Spacek, Laurie, Oscar nominations, and horror all in the same sentence. Now add into the mix that the 1976 original was directed by Brian DePalma.
Yes, Brian freakin’ DePalma — the guy who also brought us “Dressed to Kill,” “Blowout,” “Scarface,” Femme Fatale”… okay, strike that last one, but with a record like that, we can forgive one bomb in the bunch. This is the director they feel needs the remake treatment.
Excuse me for moment while I go bang my head against a wall.
Of the infamous blood bath scene, Moretz told Entertainment Weekly “We only have, like, four chances to get it right. Because that stuff stains your hair.”
So, like, get it right on the first take, sister.
EW also reports this version will be “more modern and character-focused,” because the original certainly had no character development and was so action-driven.
The film is scheduled to be released on March 15, 2013.
