Carrie Trailer

There will come a time when horror remakes are bold enough to state that that is what they are. Until then, we have the likes of Carrie, which is of course based on the acclaimed novel by Stephen King and the well regarded Brian De Palma big screen version need not be mentioned here (nor the less well remembered 1999 sequel Carrie 2: The Rage which I still reckon should have been called Carrie 2: Carrie On Regardless).

This isn't something I'd say often, but I don't think the idea of remaking Carrie is completely redundant. The themes of adolescence and coming of age are timeless and De Palma's version has dated horrendously in some areas. It's still a classic of the genre, but an updated version isn't going to change that.

The core moments from the previous adaptation are all here and well displayed in the trailer (Prom, crazy mother, awkward communal showers, but now with added camera phones), with all of the effects given the requisite Hollywood makeover needed for 2013. The trailer does recall the attention given to Let Me In, another remake that starred Chloe Moretz in a central role.

Sissy Spacek is a tough act to follow, but I think that Chloe Moretz is a great screen presence and Julianne Moore looks to have nailed the role occupied by Piper Laurie in the original. The trailer does give away a little too much about the ending, but then "socially awkward teenager goes to prom" doesn't really get the crowds in; revenge fuelled shit fits do.

Directed by Boy's Don't Cry's Kimberley Peirce, Carrie arrives in cinemas at the end of November.

Slacker Cinema's Big Birthday Bonanza!!

Woohoo! It's Slacker Cinema's first birthday! Well, technically it was last Friday, but I decided to give myself a well earned week off. Join me now as I take a look back at my big year of film blogging, pointing out the fun times we've had and the often unforgivable errors I've made...

LET ME IN Blu-Ray review

Based on the Swedish novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist (not to mention the original film version by Tomas Alfredson, Let The Right One In), Let Me In is an interesting spin on the vampire myth. Watch the trailer and read my review, next...

Obscurity Files #27 - The Pallbearer

With Let Me In out in cinemas from today, I thought I'd take a look at director Matt Reeves' debut. Today it's the David Schwimmer vehicle, The Pallbearer.

More after the jump...

Let The Right Cover Win

The release of Let The Right One In's remake Let Me In is now imminent, so we've been treated to the inevitable re-release of the original film on DVD. Why a film that only got released on DVD 14 months ago needs a re-release, I don't know. Well actually, of course I know.

The blood letting scene depicted on the cover definitely happened in the original film, but it's not exactly the first image I think of from the swedish vampire movie. This cover doesn't look like any of the marketing materials used for the original, but what it does look a bit like is the posters for the new one. I can just see it now...

"Hey Ma! We dont hav to go see that nuw vampire film at the sinemer. HMV hav got it fur a fiva!"

This release strategy happens all the time, recent examples being the original Clash Of The Titans and Inglorious Bastards (correct spelling) suddenly appearing on shelves when the new version is at the cinemas. You may think I'm being a bit cynical about the timing but trust me, I work in entertainment retail. They want stupid people to think it's the new one.

In a way, I'm all for this. I don't mind the existence of the remake, but the more people who watch the original, the better. I was a fan of the original film, and from what I've heard the remake is pretty good too, but I'll report on how they compare once they new version is released in cinemas in a couple of weeks. For now, I do like some of the things that they've done with this cover, in particular the quote from Empire...

Yep, last year. And just in case you're wondering what these guys think of the new version, they've put a bloody great sticker on the box to let you know.

Let The Poster Campaign Begin

There's been some fuss over the remake of Let The Right One In. Did it really need remaking? Is it really acceptable to pander to audiences who can't be bothered to read subtitles? The makers of the remake Let Me In have said that they're taking it back to the source material and putting their own spin on things, but there's no way they can avoid comparisons with the Swedish original. I thought I'd take a look at the poster campaigns to see how they compare...

More after the jump...

SLACKER trailer review

Trailers are an important tool in building buzz and anticipation for films. A good trailer can sell a bad movie, a bad trailer can kill a good movie. Here we try and tell the difference between the two and pick out the most anticipated new films.

More after the jump...