News

5 Remakes That Surpassed The Originals

Published

7 years ago

January 3, 2017

In most cases, remakes are bad. They’re either too close to the original, like the 1998 Psycho remake, or just bad in general, like Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. But every now and then we get a great remake, most of the time because the directors changed the movie in just the right way, or because they put their heart and soul into the movie. These, in my opinion, are those remakes.

The Town That Dreaded Sundown (1976/2014)

When The Town That Dreaded Sundown was released in 2014 I didn’t even know it was a remake. It just felt like an interesting movie. What I got was a self referential throwback to the slasher movies of yesteryear.

Instead of giving us a simple remake, telling the same story set in 2014, with the same things happening, they decided to pay homage to the original movie and even show scenes from it. The movie is based on a true story that was made into the 1970s movie, and that movie is watched in the remake. Now, many years later, the killer seems to have come back.

The original wasn’t bad, it was alright. It’s just nothing special, forgettable. It came shortly after Halloween, basically a rip-off. Instead of a Shatner mask they got the killer a bag over his head. The remake not only was an enjoyable movie, it also made me want to see the original. And that’s why it made the list.

The Hills Have Eyes (1977/2006)

Both movies are actually quite similar, eventually telling the same story: A family with their van accidentally ends up in the desert with no contact to the outside world, and then evil incestuous hillbillies attack.

The original was cheaply made, with bad acting throughout. It was still a good movie because its director: was horror legend Wes Craven. Alexandre Aja, one of the more recent masters of horror, is the director of the remake. He put quality in this movie, and while the characters were still stereotypical, at least the acting was much better.

Also, just a technical advantage, the remake looks much cleaner because of the higher production quality, and it looks more realistic because of better special effects.

The Thing (1951/1982)

Remake vs Original The Thing

No, I’m not writing about the 2011 remake/prequel. John Carpenter’s The Thing is a remake of The Thing from Another World from 1951.

They are both set in the arctic, on a station with scientists. In both versions they are attacked by an alien being. In the original, that alien is a plant-like being. The remake is … different. The titular thing is basically a transformer, can turn into animals and humans, which adds a new layer to this movie.

The original is black and white, a little slow and misogynistic. The remake is fast paced, different and has some of the greatest special effects in movie history. And that’s why it’s better than the original.

Dracula (1931/1958)

Remake vs Original Dracula

There have been lots of adaptions of Dracula. I’ll be comparing two of the most famous ones, who are both only called Dracula (or Horror of Dracula, depending where you live).

Dracula starring Bela Lugosi is one of my favorite movies of all time. But let’s be real, it’s a little slow and feels like they were filming a stage play. On the other hand, we get Dracula, starring one of the greatest actors of all time, Christopher Lee, and his adversary is Peter Cushing. Both give this movie gravitas.

Also, what Hammer studios added to the classic story is blood and sex. They don’t care about taboos. That’s what makes the remake better than the original Dracula. Of course, if we put Nosferatu in, that beats them both just because of Max Schreck as Count Orlok.

The Ring (1998/2002)

Remake vs Original Ring

This is probably my most controversial pick on this list. Both Ringu and The Ring are well loved by horror fans. Also this is the only remake that has nothing to do with age or time. It’s about culture.

Both are pretty much the same story. A scary video tape goes around. If you watch it you get a call, and someone tells you you’ll die in 7 days.

As with The Hills Have Eyes, the remake had a much bigger production value. The original is cheap, but the story turns it up a notch. The remake has the same story, but has a much higher budget. And for western audiences, the remake feels more natural, because of cultural differences. Last but not least, the evil video just feels scarier in the remake.

If you liked this list of remakes, check out

8 Horror Remakes that Kicked Ass

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

17 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

News

Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

18 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

'Civil War' Review: Is It Worth Watching?

Movies

’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

**Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes**

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.