When Americans remake Asian and European thrillers and horror movies, the results are often predictably bad. Every once in a while you get an American version of a foreign classic, like The Ring, that understands what made that concept work. Typically, you get something like the American remakes of Martyrs, Inside, or Pulse. These tepid […]
Some movies just don’t need to be remade. Jaws, The Godfather, Goodfellas – these are just a few examples of movie that work every bit as well as they did upon release. Amongst the better horror movies of the 21st century, Austrian creepfest Goodnight Mommy wasn’t crying out for a remake either. Subtly unsettling, atmospheric, […]
Sometimes remakes aren’t a bad idea. Not all movies – regardless of how much they’re loved – ages well. Maybe the effects are too dated. Or perhaps the story hasn’t translated past the period in which it was released. Good ideas can also get lost in bad movies. And occasionally, a filmmaker comes along with […]
Later in 2022, Gary Dauberman’s (Annabelle Comes Home) highly anticipated Salem’s Lot remake arrives in theaters. Flying under the radar, the Firestarter remake quietly released in theaters and VOD platforms. Despite its relative lack of hype, this is a remake that makes some sense. On one hand, Stephen King’s novel boasts an interesting premise worthy […]
After over 40 years, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre remains among the most influential horror movies ever made. Tobe Hooper’s classic is the rare example of a movie that has lost none of its ability to shock with time. Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street – each of these movies owes some debt […]
Not every 80s slasher became a big franchise like Friday the 13th and A Nightmare on Elm Street. Some one-off’s, like Prom Night, My Bloody Valentine, and The House on Sorority Row, found new audiences during the 2000s remake craze. Other slashers lingered in obscurity with their small but devoted fanbases. Few slashers better embody […]
Jason Blum and his Blumhouse Productions sparked initial excitement when they announced a Black Christmas remake for 2019. Unfortunately, Black Christmas 2019’s early goodwill quickly gave way to criticism and divisive reactions. An early trailer seemed to give away a major twist – and departure from the original. Next, the MPAA assigned the remake a […]
Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead is one of the greatest horror movies of all time. If you grew up in the ‘80’s, there’s a good chance you saw it for the first time at a sleepover party. This is a cult classic whose reputation literally grew out of basements. Simply put, it’s a testament to […]