I just re-read my Fright Night Review

So... I just re-read my Fright Night review and I still feel that I hit the nail on the head. The reboot of Fright Night was atrocious. Still pisses me off what a terrible job everyone involved did (Except for Chris Sarandon. He was and always shall remain one kick ass cool dude impervious to rebuke.). It also got me to thinking that a few years ago when the first murmurs of a reboot were being bounced around the internet, I myself came up with an idea for the movie. I thought it was a stupid idea (even then) to try to redo the same movie. Instead I thought it would be a real hoot to instead make a third Fright Night and to follow the story's natural timeline of what may have happened after Fright Night II. I'd be much more interested in seeing a present day Charley Brewster dealing yet again with vampires. Especially since so many years have passed, he would have most likely become 'comfortable' with life. Probably would have stopped avoiding darkened alleys and looking over his shoulder. I still giggle at the idea of getting to see the same old gang of characters being pulled back into the eerie world of sultry / scary vampires and goofy / terrifying werewolves!! (That's right, youngsters, check out FN2 for one of the all time coolest werewolves around!)

So without further adieu or anymore nostalgic rhetoric, here's my stellar idea for ... 

FRIGHT NIGHT III!!

Let's start out with a middle aged, divorced, 'working dad' Charlie Brewster with a couple kids. Say a teenage daughter and a pre-teen son who's inherited his dad's appetite for vampire literature. 

Charlie has hidden what transpired with both Jerry and Regine Dandrige when he was a teenager to protect his family. His son stumbles onto some questionable characters, believing them to be a cool, fringe group: maybe goths or vampire 'role players'. Charley's son is enamored of the new clique and wants to be a part of that world, believing it's just some role playing game similar to Vampire: The Masquerade.

Father Charlie finds out too late that his son has gotten drawn into the world of real life vampires. He starts to investigate and realizes that the head vamp is his old HS girlfriend Amy who was turned vamp by, IDK, maybe Gerry's cousin (LOL). She's come back to exact revenge on Charlie (through his son) for killing her immortal love Gerry before she even knew he was her soul mate.

Unfortunately Roddy McDowell (RIP) can't reprise the role of Peter Vincent. Maybe earlier in the story Charlie learns of the passing of Peter and it gets him thinking of all their vampire killing days. He could find through the course of the story that Amy killed Peter Vincent as part of her master plan to make Charlie suffer.

Now, I'd WATCH THAT MOVIE! Not only does this sound like a logical progression in the story, it also has the potential to be scary and fun. AND, it has a hint of the nostalgia that we love about the original two movies. I say it's of the utmost importance to keep with the theme and atmosphere of what made the original movies SO damned good. Bring back Ragsdale, bring back Bearse. And by God, bring back Sarandon!

Ball-less Vampires with Fang

Nevermind that I recommended seeing the Fright Night remake yesterday. I let one overzealous critic get my hopes up. My head is clear now and I realize that my initial assessment was right. Why try to redo something that was so good to begin with?

I'm a sculptor so let me use this analogy: The original Fright Night was like a sculpt of The David - it has all the right parts in the right places, everything is where it's supposed to be, it's whole. You could scrutinize it up close and see that each part is good and appropriate. You could also step back and find that all together it works and it is beautiful.

The Fright Night remake, instead of starting with a nice new block of marble, is some hybrid mutation of the original chunked up and reformed. The rebooters maybe chiseled off an arm and cemented it to the back, or sliced off the nose and glued it to a thigh. And the balls, well, they hacked those off and tossed them completely. So what you have when you take a step back and size up the remake is an ugly mess that is a little frightening (and not in a fun way), makes no sense and is ball-less.

After the show I was embarrassed to have worn my Fright Night t-shirt. I left the theater with my arms crossed over my chest. I won't pick apart who was the worst at what because everyone sucked. Farrell was a terrible Jerry Dandrige! Evil Ed sucked. Everything that made Charley Charley was gone in Yelchin's portrayal. Instead of being a innocent boy with steadfast convictions he was a wishy washy high school hero wannabe skeptical of that which he was up against. That sounds more like Peter Vincent's character! Even Charley's mom got a make over. No longer was she the clueless doting mother. Instead she was a wizened hip single mom too wary to fall to the (non existent) wiles of new neighbor Jerry Dandrige. Even new Jerry's house was innocuous and sterile. Remember how spooky original Jerry's house was, with all the old timey stuff and cobwebs and nooks -n- crannies? Nevermind that freakin' staircase! And what happened to Billy Cole, the subservient watchdog / bodyguard of Jerry's? He just got written out? I guess Jerry didn't need someone to watch his back while he sleeps the sleep of the undead since in this reboot Jerry doesn't seem to need to sleep during the day. Is the new Jerry taking queue's from the Twilight vampires now, he doesn't need to slumber during daylight hours? And forget about the special effects. I don't even want to go there because that would mean another 500 words just on how substandard the new CGI vampy effects are compared to the original. The reboot used state of the art effects to essentially try to recreate what the first movie did with masks and makeup, and FAILED.

I guess I did want to pick it apart.

This movie seemed like a metally diminished person watched the original Fright Night and incorrectly analyzed each character and then overemphasized his miscalculations when re-imagining the characters. For example, in the original I never got the feeling that Ed was an outcasted nerdy loaner / loser. He was just this creepy dude that you assumed would someday be in trouble with the law for something weird and scary. And as fate would have it, he indeed would end up doing illegal and highly scary, creepy things - only as a vampire. It always seemed like Ed's exclusion from social circles was his own doing. He didn't give a shit what anyone thought.

Same goes for the new Jerry. Where's the charisma? What happened to the sexy? They most definitely did not bring sexy back. ...Maybe they should have cast Justin Timberlake as Jerry. To sum up this heinous misrepresentation of one of cinema's coolest vampires, let me lay another analogy on you:

Farrell's Dandrige IS TO Sarandon's Dandrige AS high school drop out auto mechanic IS TO virile world traveler with a masters in antique collecting and ass kicking.

****SPOILER ALERT!****
As a matter of fact, the cameo of Chris Sarandon only served to highlight that he is STILL way cooler and more fitting as Jerry Dandrige. They should have chucked the cameo idea and just recast Sarandon as Dandrige. Let Farrell do the damned cameo.
****END - SPOILER ALERT!****


Overall I got the distinct feeling that director Craig Gillespie misunderstood the whole spirit of the original Fright Night. The original was unsettling and also whimsical. Frightening and hilarious. It understood what real horror movies are all about. It just got it. That's how you make a cult classic movie. Even the soundtrack played a pivotal role in making the original movie work. Brad Fiedel made magic with his Fright Night score. I can hear two or three cords from that creepy Fiedel Fright Night riff and I'm immediately inundated with memories of Charley Brewster sneaking about, blindly poking his nose into darkened corners and spooky places that are better left unexplored. Maybe the reboot works for a new generation of viewers, what with all the sexual remarks and wise-ass cracks. What I'm saying is that, sadly, Gillespie took a horror movie that happened to be about a teenager and turned it into a teen horror movie.

Please forget I recommended the Fright Night reboot so enthusiastically. Pretend I said Daybreakers.

Vampires with Fang

WELCOME ... TO ...
FRIGHT NIGHT

For real.

Hey you hopeless romantics, why not slough that doey eyed haze that you're in and go see the reboot of Fright Night? It opened this Friday and it's getting good reviews.

The original Fright Night was, is and may always remain my all time favorite vampire movie. Dare I say THE movie to spark my interest in all things vampy. I accidentally stumbled upon it one late weekend night when I was 15. It drew me in and engrossed me. It's scary but it doesn't take any cheap shots like the lame ass horror movies of today. Nothing is going to jump out at you (lame) and there's no disgusting sexual references to keep the pervs interested. It's the epitome of a good horror movie in the vain that was envisioned by the horror masters of yesteryear.

Along with all that classically enjoyable scariness is a heavy helping of humor. Fright Night is a funny movie. Peter Vincent, the aging B horror movie star turned late night movie host (played by the late great Roddy McDowall) easily sprinkles in campy humor.

Chris Sarandon as the sexy, mysterious and unnerving Jerry Dandrige will forever be the perfect virile vampire against which I shall judge every other fanged honey.

But the whole cast was great and memorable, as was the plot. I, being the fan that I am, had always intended to see (and was secretly excited about) the remake of Fright Night, starring Colin Farrell as Jerry Dandrige and David Tennant as the re-imagined Peter Vincent character. But what I didn't expect was that this new Fright Night would lovingly pay homage to the original in such a way that demands respect for both manifestations.

I don't just plan to dutifully go sit through the reboot just to be reminded of my favorite movie, I am going to dig up my Fright Night t-shirt and proudly go see a new generation pump fresh blood into the dusty carcass of one fine horror classic.

DreamWorks to Remake Fright Night

I know this has pretty much nothing to do with the Twilight Saga except for the fact that Fright Night is a vampire movie too.

As a matter of fact, Fright Night is one damn fine vampire movie. It's smart, it's funny and unlike anything that Twilight will serve up, it's briefly scary as hell. Chris Sarandon (yes, ex-hubby of Susan Sarandon) was the epitome of a virile, hunting vampire. As the vampire Jerry Dandrige he was sexy, alluring and frightening. And Charlie Brewster (William Ragsdale), the delightful protagonist, is as light and dismissible as his name suggests. He's just a regular horny teenager whose only preoccupations are the horror movies playing on the late night TV show 'Fright Night' hosted by a perfectly cowardly Peter Vincent (Roddy McDowell) and getting into his girlfriend Amy's pants (Amanda Bearse). Until he gets it into his mind that the neighbor who just moved in is a vampire.

If you haven't seen Fright Night, for Heaven's sake, go rent it. You obviously have some minor infatuation with vampires since you're reading a Twilight blog. I promise, you won't be disappointed. I consider Fright Night one of the all time best vampire movies ever made. Of course, I really appreciate the creepiness interspersed with comedy. Actually I should say the comedy interspersed with creepiness. And if you are feeling especially daring, rent Fright Night II while you're at it. It's just as good as the first one, and completely different. No rehashing there! Maybe you'll become a fan.

Now, the reason I've brought this up is because DreamWorks Entertainment has taken it upon themselves to remake Fright Night (story here). I'm perturbed by this. It annoys me that production companies are taking perfectly good movies, gnashing them up and regurging them just to turn a profit.

Occasionally remakes excite me because I can visualize how a revamping (no pun) would bring something new to them. But that's not the case with Fright Night. It's perfect the way it is. There's no elaborate CGI involved of course. It was made way before all that (1985). But the hard work put into the special effects are evident, a very good job for the times. And it fits seamlessly with the spirit of the movie. The acting is superb, no need for improvement there. That leaves me wondering if DreamWorks is trying to cash in on the increasing popularity of the vampire flick.

Chris Sarandon as Jerry Dandrige


You may not realize this, but there is now and always will be an undercurrent of vampire fanaticism going on in one form or another. Whether it's through literature, movies, music, folk lore enthusiasts or role players (Vampire: The Masquerade), vampires aren't going anywhere. But right now, thanks to Anne Rice, Stephenie Meyer, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton and a host of other vampire novelist, the popularity of the romantic vampire is cresting. This popularity will wane, probably all too soon for those of us who just love the vampire for the creature that he is, in any form.

For that reason alone, I can't totally oppose the remaking of Fright Night. All though in my mind Fright Night will always stand as a testament to what a well made vamp flick can be, I will of course be one of the first freaks in line to see DreamWork's reboot. Because ultimately, as long as all these attempts keep the heat and focus on the ever addictive vampire and the horror genre in general, I'm down with that.

Related reading: Vampire Guide

Sexy Fright Night Chris Sarandon Dance Scene

Hello fellow vamp lovers! I got to thinking about it and figured it couldn't be too hard to find the sexy Fright Night dance scene. Low and behold, youtube to the rescue!

Check it out:



That's what I was talking about. Yeah, it has a corniness factor, but it's HOT too!

HOT Memorable Vampire List!!

Here's an interesting list of movie and TV vamps as compiled by the folks at EW. Some of them are really hokey (Blackula? Lost Boys?). But I suppose because they are so recognizable, even as being hokey, proves that they deserve to make the list.

Edward's on it so that's basically the most important thing.

Here's their list:

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20234559_20234565_20153015,00.html234559_20234565_20153015,00.html

But for your viewing pleasure, I'm going to compile MY list of favorite vampires of all time. The one's who may my heart flutter and set my blood on fire!

Here goes:

1. Edward Cullen - Twilight

Edward Cullen, the fastest and definitely the most intriguing of all the Cullens. Dark and brooding, subtle and introspective, attentive and intellectual= 'sigh'... How can you not fall for a guy whose only goal of existence it to protect you. And nothing else matters more than being with you, even if that entails just watching you sleep. I think most romantic girls in their heart of hearts want that level of devotion, true devotion. And it's not crazy for us to want that because if ever an Edward Cullen really existed and put forth such effort, it would eagerly be reciprocated by any lucky girl. So, human guys; what's so frinkin' hard to figure out here?


3. Emmett Cullen - Twilight

Emmett Cullen, the beefy protector. All brawn, almost. He's happy go lucky and quick to fight. But he is also quick to love. A passionate character all around. No doubt about it, he'd be a fun date and always a treat to look at. He'd be a hit with the jock-lover types.

3. Jasper Cullen - Twilight

Ahh, Jasper. Jasper Cullen has that way about him that causes a slow burn within a girl. A southern gentleman with whom no bad guy would want to tangle. He seems the quiet strong type whose mother probably taught him to put a lady's needs before his own. Yes, Jasper is A-Okay with me. This guy is all kinds of mysterious. But I'll bet behind closed doors there's a depth of character so rich that any gal would blush to know. He seems like he is all about making a connection to his special someone. He wouldn't have to tell you he'll always protect you, he just would. Actions, not words. *SWOON*

4. Mick St. John - Moonlight

Mick would have placed numero uno on this list if the Cullen Boys hadn't nudged him out. But hey, placing right after the Cullen's isn't a bad spot. Okay, Mick is definitely a heart stopper for us *ahem* more seasoned vampire lovers. He's 30-ish and crazy handsome. He was the main character in the short lived CBS series 'Moonlight'. And from what I gathered, pretty much every person who watched the show LOVED it. But CBS had a hair up their arse (pardon my French) and canceled it after one season. Dumb move on CBS's part I think. It's like they had a personal vendetta against this show. Anyhow, I digress... My point is, Mick St. John had charisma, he was manly, gorgeous and interesting. A hot vamp who sleeps in the freezer. What's not to love?

5. Eric Northman - A Southern Vampire Series

Eric Northman is the hunky vampire bar owner in the Sookie Stackhouse series of books by Charlaine Harris. It was adapted for an HBO series called True Blood. Let me say that HBO has wholey ruined the book series by turning it into a lurid, campy debacle that resembles almost nothing of the books. But, before I knew that I was ticked at how poorly the show was cast. I'm not going to bore you with the details of how bad HBO screwed up the casting, but just wanted to warn you that they did so you'd understand why I'm going to post a picture of the guy they actually cast as Eric and the guy I would have liked seen cast.

Alright, Eric is a huge blond viking vampire centuries old. He's very manly, stands 6'4" and is subconsciously smitten with the book's heroine Sookie. He was made amnesiac by a witch once and stayed with Sookie for a while but now remembers none of that. It's a long story. But just let me say that the steamy scenes between Sookie and Eric were memorable to say the least. Bottom line: he's a powerful, virile tower of sexy. Rrrr.

HBO Casted:

This ugly guy

HBO SHOULD HAVE Cast:

Dolph Lundgren

6. Jerry Dandridge - Fright Night

Any vampire lovers old enough to remember the 1980's will place Jerry Dandridge on their favorite vamp list. He was a very proper, neat looking guy. His appeal wasn't immediately appreciated, it sort of crept up on you. But let me tell you, there is a dance scene between Jerry and Charlie Brewster's teenage girly-friend that takes place in a disco-tech (I know, I know. But it was the 80's!) that was nothing short of STEAMY. Charlie Brewster is Fright Night's protagonist who's trying to get rid of the vamp who lives next door to him (Jerry). But Jerry falls in love with Charlie's girl Amy and will do anything to have her. Fright Night is the perfect mix of scary, funny and fun so the hot-assed dance scene was out of the blue! Think sensual. If you've never seen Fright Night and/or can't imagine Jerry (Chris Sarandon) as crazy-sexy, rent it, you'll see!

7. Gary Oldman's Count Dracula - Dracula

I think Gary Oldman is sexy whatever he does but as Count Dracula? Forget about it! He is the best Dracula EVER, hands down. Bela Lugosi might as well step out into the sunlight, he was an egg headed nerd compared to Gary. And Gary's accent was accurate too. Bela sounded like he was hearing impaired instead of Transylvanian.

Gary's wardrobe was sexy and he had this deliberate slowness to his actions that made him seem very dangerous. Easy to see why Mina was so compelled.

8. Gerard Butler - Dracula 2000

Last but certainly not least is Gerard Butler as Dracula 2000. Personally I think Gerard Butler is one of the most inhumanly HOTTEST men on the face of the planet but ironically one of his least sexy roles was that of Dracula. I don't know, for me, he requires some sort of facial hair to reach his full hotty potential; be it chin and lip stubble, a mustache or goatee. It doesn't matter, just as long as he's not clean shaved (as he was in Dracula 2000). I mean, if he'd have been a vampire in 300, he probably would have topped this list (LOVED the pointy beard!). But even though he wasn't at his dreamy best in Dracula 2000, his overall manly juiciness earned him a spot on my fantasy fodder vampire list. Here's to you, you delicious Scottish rogue!

Remember, this & this is why we LOVE Gerard (see what I mean about the facial hair?!):