HORROR 2010 – THE BODY COUNT SO FAR
With the remake of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010) soon leaving the box office to make way for the summer blockbusters and the impending release of the most anticipated horror film of the summer SPLICE just around the corner it’s time to take a look at the horror films thus far released in 2010. The box office info was obtained from the website of Box Office Mojo (www.boxofficemojo.com).
1. SHUTTER ISLAND ($127.6 million) – This Martin Scorsese back to terrifying form after a long hiatus since his remake of CAPE FEAR. Although this film had trouble finally making it to the big screen after several changes in release dates, the long delays did not hamper the success of the film and it is, in fact, one of the highlights of 2010 whether horror film or not.
2. THE WOLFMAN ($62 million) – This film was plagued with all types of problems from the moment it was announced to be in production to its final release and although it had a healthy opening weekend subsequent weeks proved that there was little audience for this overblown remake. It was all action and no heart. Now that the film is being released in a longer version on DVD there is hope that audiences will finally be able to see the film in a more complete form.
3. A NIGHTMARE OF ELM STREET (approx. $60.6 million) – Although this remake has been one of the most profitable in recent years it also boasts one of the worst reactions by fans. It’s steep attendance drop from week 1 to week 2 of release was a disaster giving the film one of the worst second week percentage drops of any other film this year. It seems that fans were not inspired by this timid remake.
4. LEGION ($40.2 million) – This action-religious-horror film left many scratching their heads as it was neither a true horror film and neither a true action film. It had its successful moments but these were few and far in between leaving many genre fans just waiting for it to hit DVD rather than waste the time at the box office.
5. THE CRAZIES ($39.1 million) – A remake that fans actually liked. Although the film only did mediocre business fans enjoyed the update of George A. Romero’s original infectious disease tail. This update was suspenseful and effective on many levels and was different enough from the original to not be openly compared.
6. DAYBREAKERS ($30.1 million) – One of my favorites of the year that did not translate into huge box office success. This was more an intelligent action film when fans were looking for a horror film (especially after being assaulted by the likes of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON last year). This film also had release troubles and it didn’t help that it was over shadowed but the juggernaut that was AVATAR. This is still one of the best horror films of the year as well as one of the best vampire films in the last few years (this coming from someone who doesn’t particularly like vampire films).
7. REPO MEN ($13.8 million) – Some may ask why I include this sci-fi hybrid on this list but let’s not discredit this highly violent film that documents the horrors of a future in which a repo man can rip the heart out of a still living human being. This is a horror film if there ever is one plus it’s interesting to compare this film with the similarly themed REPO: THE GENETIC OPERA from last year.
8. HUMAN CENTIPEDE (FIRST SEQUENCE) ($115,186) – Although it’s only had a limited release, this film has had a polarizing effect of audiences everywhere (including those who were lucky enough to see it while it was in film festivals). Critics either love or loathe this film which is mark of some of the best indie horror films. Any film that can divide an audience as much as this one is good in my book.
9. AFTER.LIFE ($108, 595) – This ghost story boasts an incredible cast from an all new voice in horror as this was the director’s debut film. Despite the limited release the film got very good reviews and there is hope that when the film finally reaches DVD that it will find its audience.
10. BEST WORST MOVIE ($31,208) – Who said that documentary films had to suck? This documentary of the legacy of the infamous TROLL 2 has gotten great reviews from audiences at film festivals everywhere and it’s a miracle that the film was even given a limited theatrical release. Despite this I’m assured that the film will find an audience just like the original film it is based on.
There have been several other horror films released theatrically in 2010 but Box Office Mojo does not always track all the limited release films. Despite this info 2010 has been a very limited year thus far for the horror genre and there is hope that things will change once we get into the end of summer (when horror films are more plentiful).
CITY GARDEN - "The Old Woman & The Park"
On the set of the short film "A Gift"
Showing posts with label Freddy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Freddy. Show all posts
Saturday, May 29, 2010
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET: The Franchise!
With the latest addition in American remakes of classic horror cinema – A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), just hitting theaters, I thought now would be a good time to take a look back at the entire franchise and see how well it stands up today.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)
Still a quintessential horror film by one of today’s most successful horror directors Wes Craven. This is the film that “built” New Line Cinema as it was the company’s first major substantial success story. This film holds up very well even by today’s standards due to its innovative story and cinematography. It also holds up well due to its lack of humor (which would over shadow much of the rest of the series) and its many elements of suspense. One of the things that make this film so successful is Craven’s use of suspense to terrify the audience rather than pure gore (although the film does boast some very bloody scenes).
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (1985)
Not the most liked of the series but it is one of the few that holds up well because it’s main purpose is still to frighten and scare the audience so the imagery is still very powerful despite the departures in story that may hamper the film. The film also lacks the humor of subsequent films allowing this film to remain in the category of horror. Although some of the acting is borderline adequate (most of the young stars never go on to do anything else substantial), the film is filled with atmosphere and a great production design and style that can be traced in many of the subsequent sequels.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: THE DREAM WARRIORS (1987)
One of the strongest of the sequels not just in terms of story and theme, but production design, cinematography, special fx, and casting. This is by far one of the best of the sequels. Despite the fact that all elements of horror and suspense to the character of Freddy is gone, the film makes up for it in strides in so many other ways. This is good and bad as the humor displayed in this film from the Freddy character would demystify the character in future installments. This film would also force subsequent films to rely on the “dream death” as a means to tell the story rather than come up with an actual story to hinge each of the films on.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER (1988)
Trying to take the franchise into a new era, this film first kills off the remaining “Elm Street children” before expanding Freddy’s playground. With the exception of the character who transforms into a cockroach this film is pretty forgettable. It has its moments of entertainment but the film tries too hard to add more insight on the dream world and how it is controlled and how it functions. This is a major flaw of not only this film but later films as well.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (1989)
The series was running out of ideas by the time this film came around. With only a few Freddy kills (none of which are interesting) this is the most timid of the franchise. The one thing that this film does get right is the production design, tone, and atmosphere. Despite the lame death scenes this film is dark not only in atmosphere but story as well which is the film’s only saving grace. The franchise is at a low point but it gets even lower with –
FREDDY’S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE (`1991)
By far the worst film in the series. By the time this film was released there was only one place left for the series to go and that was 100% “camp.” Besides the Wizard of Oz and Nintendo riffs this is the most unwatchable of the series (unless of course you like camp). This film isn’t even worth watching for the 3-D ending. I love Yaphet Kotto and Lisa Zane but neither of these two actors could save this mess. This is one film that should have gone straight to video.
Wes Craven’s NEW NIGHTMARE (1994)
By far the best sequel in the franchise. Original creator Wes Craven returns to bring an all new nightmare to the screen by mixing film fiction with reality and myth & folklore. It’s one of the most creative films not only of the franchise but of Craven’s career. Despite the many suspenseful aspects of the film, the film’s only flaw lies in the fact that it tries to erase the memory of all the other sequels that came before it (but can’t).
FREDDY VS. JASON (2003)
Who knew that a match up between two of the greatest icons of horror cinema would be this much fun! Despite the borderline camp elements of the film, there is enough violence and good humor to make this one of the best films in the series based on the entertainment value alone. I was actually hoping for a sequel but this would never be (unless of course you read the graphic novel Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash, which adds the Evil Dead franchise to the mix).
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010)
This timid remake has a pacing problem and no style of its own as it takes a page from the book of remakes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) and Friday the 13th (2009). The film never finds its own heartbeat and seems like too much of a retread of the original. The origin of Freddy (although very interesting) bogs down the film with unnecessary info and none of the characters are all that interesting making for a very dull film.
Despite my misgivings for the A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), there are many whom this film was their first exposure to the franchise and thus is something of a highlight to the genre. This film is no Freddy’s Dead, so there are several good qualities to recommend (none seem to come to mind just yet) and first timers to the franchise will relish J. Earl’s performance as the iconic Fred Kruger (one of the film’s only high points).
Despite your opinion of the new film or any of the previous films the Nightmare franchise has had an immense effect on the horror genre past, present, and now into the future.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (1984)
Still a quintessential horror film by one of today’s most successful horror directors Wes Craven. This is the film that “built” New Line Cinema as it was the company’s first major substantial success story. This film holds up very well even by today’s standards due to its innovative story and cinematography. It also holds up well due to its lack of humor (which would over shadow much of the rest of the series) and its many elements of suspense. One of the things that make this film so successful is Craven’s use of suspense to terrify the audience rather than pure gore (although the film does boast some very bloody scenes).
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 2: FREDDY’S REVENGE (1985)
Not the most liked of the series but it is one of the few that holds up well because it’s main purpose is still to frighten and scare the audience so the imagery is still very powerful despite the departures in story that may hamper the film. The film also lacks the humor of subsequent films allowing this film to remain in the category of horror. Although some of the acting is borderline adequate (most of the young stars never go on to do anything else substantial), the film is filled with atmosphere and a great production design and style that can be traced in many of the subsequent sequels.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: THE DREAM WARRIORS (1987)
One of the strongest of the sequels not just in terms of story and theme, but production design, cinematography, special fx, and casting. This is by far one of the best of the sequels. Despite the fact that all elements of horror and suspense to the character of Freddy is gone, the film makes up for it in strides in so many other ways. This is good and bad as the humor displayed in this film from the Freddy character would demystify the character in future installments. This film would also force subsequent films to rely on the “dream death” as a means to tell the story rather than come up with an actual story to hinge each of the films on.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 4: THE DREAM MASTER (1988)
Trying to take the franchise into a new era, this film first kills off the remaining “Elm Street children” before expanding Freddy’s playground. With the exception of the character who transforms into a cockroach this film is pretty forgettable. It has its moments of entertainment but the film tries too hard to add more insight on the dream world and how it is controlled and how it functions. This is a major flaw of not only this film but later films as well.
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 5: THE DREAM CHILD (1989)
The series was running out of ideas by the time this film came around. With only a few Freddy kills (none of which are interesting) this is the most timid of the franchise. The one thing that this film does get right is the production design, tone, and atmosphere. Despite the lame death scenes this film is dark not only in atmosphere but story as well which is the film’s only saving grace. The franchise is at a low point but it gets even lower with –
FREDDY’S DEAD: THE FINAL NIGHTMARE (`1991)
By far the worst film in the series. By the time this film was released there was only one place left for the series to go and that was 100% “camp.” Besides the Wizard of Oz and Nintendo riffs this is the most unwatchable of the series (unless of course you like camp). This film isn’t even worth watching for the 3-D ending. I love Yaphet Kotto and Lisa Zane but neither of these two actors could save this mess. This is one film that should have gone straight to video.
Wes Craven’s NEW NIGHTMARE (1994)
By far the best sequel in the franchise. Original creator Wes Craven returns to bring an all new nightmare to the screen by mixing film fiction with reality and myth & folklore. It’s one of the most creative films not only of the franchise but of Craven’s career. Despite the many suspenseful aspects of the film, the film’s only flaw lies in the fact that it tries to erase the memory of all the other sequels that came before it (but can’t).
FREDDY VS. JASON (2003)
Who knew that a match up between two of the greatest icons of horror cinema would be this much fun! Despite the borderline camp elements of the film, there is enough violence and good humor to make this one of the best films in the series based on the entertainment value alone. I was actually hoping for a sequel but this would never be (unless of course you read the graphic novel Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash, which adds the Evil Dead franchise to the mix).
A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET (2010)
This timid remake has a pacing problem and no style of its own as it takes a page from the book of remakes The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) and Friday the 13th (2009). The film never finds its own heartbeat and seems like too much of a retread of the original. The origin of Freddy (although very interesting) bogs down the film with unnecessary info and none of the characters are all that interesting making for a very dull film.
Despite my misgivings for the A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010), there are many whom this film was their first exposure to the franchise and thus is something of a highlight to the genre. This film is no Freddy’s Dead, so there are several good qualities to recommend (none seem to come to mind just yet) and first timers to the franchise will relish J. Earl’s performance as the iconic Fred Kruger (one of the film’s only high points).
Despite your opinion of the new film or any of the previous films the Nightmare franchise has had an immense effect on the horror genre past, present, and now into the future.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Graphic Novel Review: FEDDY VS. JASON VS. ASH
The most anticipated sequel to a horror film never made it to the big screen but instead was relegated to the four color world of comics. After the huge success of the film Freddy Vs. Jason there was takes about a sequel, the most talked about being the proposed Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash story that would combine the two kings of the slasher genre with that of the hero of The Evil Dead and Army of Darkness films. This never fully materialized (for various reasons) but the treatment for that proposed film was the outline for this six issue limited series that makes up the graphic novel. Published by Dynamite Entertainment and Wildstorm the story of Freddy Vs. Jason Vs. Ash is one that every fan of any of the series would have loved to have seen as a film.
The story begins after the events in the Freddy Vs. Jason movie where Freddy finds himself trapped in the mind of Jason. Freddy’s only hope of getting out is through the help of the Necronomicon, The Book of the Dead which currently resides in the old Voorhees home (as witnessed in Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday). At this same time S-Mart is opening a new Super S-Mart on the former stomping grounds of Camp Crystal Lake and Ash is on hand to help the store get in shape before the grand opening. Ash, being the hunter of deadites that he is, believes that he is being lured there by the Book of the Dead for some nefarious reasons. It is not long before Ash encounters what’s left of some of Jason’s victims and he believes it is his destiny to rid the world of Jason (whom he thinks is a deadite). It doesn’t take long before Ash realizes that Jason is only the tool of a greater evil, Freddy, who with the Book of the Dead will be able to meld the dream world and the real world together so that he will have total reign. In true Army of Darkness fashion, Ash will blunder and kill anything and everything that gets in his way from destroying the Book of the Dead once and for all.
One of the reasons why this story works so well is the care with the story (Story by Jeff Katz & Script by James A. Kuhoric) and art (by Jason Craig) given to book which references all three film franchises both in terms of story and visuals. For The Evil Dead fans there are a lot of visual nods to The Evil Dead II, which just allow the comedy to flow. Surprisingly, Freddy is wisely not seen as the comic element in the story (although he does have his moments) but instead he is the grand mastermind behind an elaborate plot that’s more complex then anything seen in his films. Jason is given plenty of room to kill…well, just about everybody as this series has more blood flowing then any of the films (thank the heavens). This is definitely a Hard-R rated comic with plenty of surprises by the end.
Having only read a handful of the various comic book series based on these characters now being released by Dynamite Entertainment and Wildstorm it was a relief to know that I didn’t have to have read any of those series to enjoy this story. In fact, you don’t really need to have seen the film Freddy Vs. Jason as the series gives a quick recap of the events of the film for those readers just familiar with the characters.
This is one of the few books I think should have been made into a film but if all I have is this graphic novel then I’m not really going to complain any more.
The story begins after the events in the Freddy Vs. Jason movie where Freddy finds himself trapped in the mind of Jason. Freddy’s only hope of getting out is through the help of the Necronomicon, The Book of the Dead which currently resides in the old Voorhees home (as witnessed in Jason Goes To Hell: The Final Friday). At this same time S-Mart is opening a new Super S-Mart on the former stomping grounds of Camp Crystal Lake and Ash is on hand to help the store get in shape before the grand opening. Ash, being the hunter of deadites that he is, believes that he is being lured there by the Book of the Dead for some nefarious reasons. It is not long before Ash encounters what’s left of some of Jason’s victims and he believes it is his destiny to rid the world of Jason (whom he thinks is a deadite). It doesn’t take long before Ash realizes that Jason is only the tool of a greater evil, Freddy, who with the Book of the Dead will be able to meld the dream world and the real world together so that he will have total reign. In true Army of Darkness fashion, Ash will blunder and kill anything and everything that gets in his way from destroying the Book of the Dead once and for all.
One of the reasons why this story works so well is the care with the story (Story by Jeff Katz & Script by James A. Kuhoric) and art (by Jason Craig) given to book which references all three film franchises both in terms of story and visuals. For The Evil Dead fans there are a lot of visual nods to The Evil Dead II, which just allow the comedy to flow. Surprisingly, Freddy is wisely not seen as the comic element in the story (although he does have his moments) but instead he is the grand mastermind behind an elaborate plot that’s more complex then anything seen in his films. Jason is given plenty of room to kill…well, just about everybody as this series has more blood flowing then any of the films (thank the heavens). This is definitely a Hard-R rated comic with plenty of surprises by the end.
Having only read a handful of the various comic book series based on these characters now being released by Dynamite Entertainment and Wildstorm it was a relief to know that I didn’t have to have read any of those series to enjoy this story. In fact, you don’t really need to have seen the film Freddy Vs. Jason as the series gives a quick recap of the events of the film for those readers just familiar with the characters.
This is one of the few books I think should have been made into a film but if all I have is this graphic novel then I’m not really going to complain any more.
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