Remains - review could have been N-iles better

Remains (2011)

An accident turns the world's population into flesh-eating zombies, meanwhile a handful of the survivors holdup in a small, seedy casino.

Remains (based on 'Steve Niles' graphic novel) has an interesting concept and some nice ideas including sleeping zombies. The backstreet lower end of Vegas setting add a visual, uneasy feel and the closing act and last thirty seconds stop it going to the grave.

This budgeted post-apocalyptic flick is commendably filmed by Colin Theys and is better than most productions of its kind, that said, it sadly falls short on delivery with pacing issues and uneven effects. In addition, it simply lacks the tension it should have due to inconsistencies across the whole offering.

Nevertheless, Remains is worth viewing if only out of interest and for the delightful and talented Evalena Marie.

REC 3 Genesis - Plenty to see here review

A wedding day is left ruined when the bride, groom, guests and staff have to survive a zombie-like attack.

Running parallel to its predecessors, Rec 3 Genesis follows the 'outbreak' during a wedding night. Director Paco Plaza's sequel although lighter in tone still has its fair share of jump scares, gore, poignant and heartbreaking lose moments. Finley edited Plaza's part 3 is compellingly shot at first in the style of first and second film however after the lengthy prologue it switches to a traditional film style with the soundtrack and score complimenting the the mood perfectly.

Here some of the 'infected' move at a slower pace, there's the obligatory blood spatter, deaths and outstanding special effects including a grizzly chainsaw scene.

Writers Luiso Berdejo, David Gallart and Plaza continue the sub-religious plot established in the other instalments including a nice touch where the rabid guests are unable to cross over hallowed ground.The supporting cast are mostly strong, notably is the bride Clara who is wonderfully portrayed by Leticia Dolera.

After all said and done, Genesis while removed slightly from the Rec and Rec 2 is a good fresh addition with a brave ending if even if a side piece companion of sorts to the originals.

Zombie Holocaust - "It was really bad back there" review

After a spate of cannibalism incidents in New York where an ancient symbol is left at the scenes of mutation a team of doctors disembark to remote island to investigate the source of the rituals origin.

With some effective gore from Claudio Battistelli and Roberto Pace - disembowelment, impalement, slit throats, eye gouging and machetes through the head to name a few Zombie Holocaust has its fair share of blood. That said, the little zombie make-up that is on display is poor, the action is sporadic with the adjoining scenes slow and tedious with a tension-less pace. Luckily Ian McCulloch is there to inject some life delivering some awfully great lines including: "This wouldn't have happened if everyone had obeyed orders and stayed in camp." "It was really bad back there." And "Something is wrong".

The sets from 1979's Zombie Flesh Eaters (Zombi 2) and some footage are reused. Along with McCulloch actor Dakar (Molotto) also appears from Zombi 2 only this time he has some more dialogue. Synonymous with these Italian films at the height of their popularity the lead actress, in this case the lovely Alexandra Delli Colli (Lori) takes off her clothes at every opportunity and Sherry Buchanan as Susan is also pleasant on the eye, has a pivotal shocking scene, but still it's typical Italian schlock, bad dubbing, editing and script etc as it moves from one scene to the next as the expedition's party are picked off one by one by the local cannibals. A handful of zombies show up midway through heavy breathing and do little else.

There's some good lighting, nice scenery and even a Scooby-Doo-like twist, to quote McCulloch's Peter, "worse than those cannibals." Even with the stunt dummy's arm falling off after the porter jumps from a window to director Marino Girolami's credit it's one of the technically better made of its kind but ultimately it's a forgettable and slow affair.

Exactly as the title suggests its a cash-in on both Fulci's great Zombie Flesh Eaters and Ruggero Deodato's Cannibal Holocaust (1980). Worth watching for McCulloch and Colli but it's simply painfully disappointing.

Takers - Mann it takes the heat (review)

A group of thieves take a job tipped by their recently released from jail former associate, but the heat is on with the police hot on their trail.

With some tippex and thinner this may well have been a proposed sequel to Michael Mann's 1995 hit Heat. It has a solid story with a cast of terrific actors and an above par supporting cast including Jay Hernandez and Chris Brown in a free-running spree. Leads include physical, quirky Hayden Christensen, Idris Elba and Paul Walker in a Chris Shiherlis/Val Kilmer type role who are all on form. Matt Dillon steals the show in another heat-alike role reminiscent of Al Pacino's Hanna. That said, Zoe Saldana's talents are completely wasted, reduced to simple eye candy.

Love or hate it, director John Luessenhop's and Michael Barrett's photography handheld camera look is frustrating, possibly better reserved for the action setups or a horror film as in Takers case it quickly becomes tiresome, Mann's Collateral (2004) it is not. 

There's some great sound design with the shootouts becoming semi-silent allowing certain sounds and cues to be heard. With a fistful of writers namely Peter Allen, Gabriel Casseus, Luessenhop and Avery Duff there's still some questionable character motives and actions, this aside it has slick costumes, cool music from Haslinger, great lighting and grand settings - as a simple heist film with interesting characters it works perfectly.

Nevertheless, the camera work takes you out of the moment, robbing Takers of any finesse and tension.

The Bay - Parasite Review

On the fourth of July a small American bay-side town is torn apart by a chain of events that are later covered up by the powers that be.

Nothing to do with Michael Bay, in the vein of endless supply of 'found footage' films Barry Levinson's The Bay is a hard hitting, perfectly executed, retrospective film made up of different footage after a parasitic outbreak.

Levinson's and Michael Wallach's story wears its social commentary firmly on it's sleeve - touching on (and not limited too) commercial greed, environmental rape, corrupt governments, nuclear and animal waste issues and the authorities inability to act in a crisis.

All the actors are naturalistic and the few special effects excellent. Reminiscent of the tone of Diary Of the Dead (2007) only more grounded and authentic. With a multitude of different types of filming styles The Bay somehow manages to hold your attention if only building up to and including one Paranormal Activity/Blair Witch-like scare. That said, it's not a horror per say, the story unfolds and is far more interesting and on a larger scope. The realism will certainly get under your skin as you discover what is causing the towns illness.

It maybe questionable why an acclaimed director like Levinson would want to do this style of flick as it's another shaky camera affair made-up of surveillance tapes, news reports, mobile phones and internet footage to name a few but to it's credit, and if you're into these type of films it's probably the best of its kind as it has something significant and relevant to say.

Cockneys vs Zombies - lovely jubbly innit.

Unlikely lad siblings with some help rob a bank only to find that London has been overrun by flesh eating zombies. As things go awry the brothers and their cousin set about to rescue their Grandfather trapped in an O.A.P's home.

For those familiar with the sub-genre there's some nice touches including the removed jaws of the dead stuck in a mans arm, a metal plate in a head preventing the undead being shot which cheekily play on the 'rules'. Although some CGI effects and gags falling short of the mark on occasion Cockneys vs Zombies is a fun ride from director/writer Matthias Hoene.

The Michelle Ryan's Katy has some of the best quips, Ryan has a good presence and steals the action scenes with Terry played by Rasmus Hardiker giving a memorable quirky Mickey Pearce-like (of Only Fools and Horses) performance. Ageing Alan Ford as Ray, Georgina Hale and Dudley Sutton are spot on while delightful veteran's Honor Blackman and Richard Briers (who has since passed away) don't seem to be as having as much fun on screen as the aforementioned. The supporting cast are great with a few familiar UK faces showing up.

When Cockney' is on form it's highly amusing. Sutton's Eric announcing "Those things are Vampires!" With a title that includes 'versus' you know what you're in for and to Hoene's credit it meets expectations- it's well made for the budget, in vain of Shaun of the Dead rather than a cheap rip off 'versus' film. Time, effort and thought went in to this and is on the screen to see.

James Moran and Lucas Roche's screenplay has some laugh-out memorable dialogue. Debatably some of the soundtrack songs seem misplaced but other than that and small faults aside it does what it says on the tin - and you can't say fairer than that.

Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning the ambiguity

Led by Luc Devereaux (Jean-Claude Van Damme) a cloned UniSol Andrew Scott (Dolph Lundgren) are now wanted by the government who will do anything to find them a wipe out their UniSol army for good.

Universal Soldier fans maybe left scratching their heads, however, sci-fi action fans looking for slick, stylish direction with hard hitting violence and a Philip K. Dick tone - in the vain of Impostor (2001) maybe impressed by director John Hyams offering.

While not a fun hammy 90s hit like it's original, this is smaller personal intentionally vague story adds another angle on UniSol. Reckoning may have benefited from being a stand alone low budget Dredd/Memento/Bourne-like film as it's so far removed to the original's feel.

This is actor/stuntman Scott Adkins film with very limited screen-time for Van Damme or Lundgren which isn't such a bad thing as their characters have become dismembered to those in the first outing. Nevertheless, Adkins as John carries it under Hyams games console shoot 'em up direction. While this film may not be Adkins Jason Statham 'star vehicle' it shows he's a convincing action man with some range of emotion to match as John goes on his hunt for Devereaux in some Apocalypse Now (1979) homage of sorts.

With excellent camerawork, lighting, stunts, ambiguous script, perfect moody atmosphere it's not a normal action film - and with nudity, blood and horror like gore it's not for the faint hearted either.

Don't expect a rehash or even the Universal Soldier you fell in love with and you may be surprised by this basic, dark, testosterone injected ride. Now somebody needs to remake 1987's cheese-fest Dead Prey with Adkins as the lead.

House at the End of the Street - Very Shue

Against the wishes of her mother, Elissa begins a relationship with a boy with a troubled past and a hidden secret.

Dubious misleading horror-esque trailer and marketing aside House at the End of the Street is a visually slick, gritty looking film by director Mark Tonderai but David Loucka's screenplay is basic, oddly Jonathan Mostow, yes thee great Mostow surprisingly offers a derivative story with little imagination or suspense.

Sadly not even the talents of the lovely and gracefully ageing Elisabeth Shue nor it's fresh lead Jennifer Lawrence can inject anything into this psychological paint-by-numbers thriller.

It's not that it's a bad film, it's very well made, but it doesn't define the genre - with others of it kind arguably being more satisfying. That said, it certainly may appeal to teens or newcomers to the genre.

To Mostow and Loucka's credit there is one good twist but no amount of gaffer tape or women sporting dirty vest tops and chiselled youngsters no matter how appealing they may be to some can lend a hand to this uneventful coming of age celluloid cliché.

Sinister - Horror Hawke review

Eager for another bestseller a writer moves his family to another town where a series of murders has taken place to research his next book. However, he uncovers something more terrifying than he can put to paper, namely Mr. Boogieman.

With a family hanging from a tree in the opening shot you know that Sinister is not pulling any punches. Rather than focusing on other worldly phantoms like Insidious (2010) (by the same producer Jason Blum), Sinister is more grounded even if still essentially a supernatural thriller. Thankfully, the now common place in horror found footage aspect is not focal in the traditional sense and is a product to move the intriguing premise forward.

Director Scott Derrickson along with writers Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill deliver an absorbing slow build up with the main flawed, borderline alcoholic character Ellison Oswalt (Ethan Hawke). Derrickson with director of photography Chris Norr give the film a innovative look, it's dark - very dark, with inky blacks, depth and shadows always on display. In all its boldly minimally lit going against convention creating some real ominous atmosphere. The production is tight and sharply edited by Frédéric Thoraval.

With all you'd want there's haunting moving images and figures, creepy super 8 footage, spooky photos, a series of snuff films, local snooping cops and a concerned wife to name few. Although part murder mystery, Sinister is full of horror. Clever directing and lighting allows the viewer to make discoveries at the same time as Hawke and the sound design and visuals present several effective jump scares.

Sinister's bonus is that it's well acted for the genre. Both Professor Jonas Vincent D'Onofrio and Fred Thompson as the Sheriff are natural and to Cargill and Derrickson's credit certainly character wise tries to go against predicable. The eerie Mr. Boogieman's appearance is limited and part of a larger mythology avoiding the need for a typical showdown which has been done to death in many horror films. There's not an annoying child actor in sight. I can't put my finger on it but Juliet Rylance while a good actress playing the down to earth wife and mother Tracy feels slightly out of place, possibly miscast. Notable is James Ransone as quirky concerned cop Deputy So-And-So. Hawke is on fine form - in what could have been stereotype writer going mad but plays it perfectly balanced and convincingly from the outset. He becomes desperate as the film becomes increasingly paranormal and the ancient demon reverence becomes prevalent. Debatably not since The Shining (1980) and Stir of Echoes (1999) has a male horror lead character been as interesting. You warm the guy despite his faults and you care about his fate.

As it unfolds clichés rear their heads, a child's drawings on a wall, ghosts and so on but it all done in a naturalistic fashion with outstanding special visual effects. Again the special effects are not just for effects sake and fit within the scenes. There's an especially creepy scene when Oswalt investigates the noises in his house armed with a baseball bat but cannot see the sounds origins.

It has a tight story and although the downbeat ending while well done leaves you a little empty. You feel there is going to be an inevitable sequel but you really wish they'd leave it neatly wrapped up. While Sinister's elements may not be entirely original it encompasses, combines and defines satisfyingly ideas that other horrors of it's kind have failed to do.

The Nightmare on Elm Street Series and Freddy's Outings (reviews)

Television series V's Willie made Robert Englund a familiar face, A Nightmare on Elm Street made Englund a iconic horror film star and Freddy Krueger a household name. Too this day adults who saw the original in their youth still can't bear to watch them again with fear of dying in their sleep with Freddy giving a smart one-liner before they bite the dust. 

It hard to believe that a novel idea spawned a Tales from the crypt like TV show (Freddy's Nightmares), it's own merchandise including those bobble heads would remain so captivating. The series has been resurrected and refined as many times as Freddy himself mainly in Dream Warriors, then a New Nightmare, cross over film Freddy Versus Jason and a 2010 remake (with out Englund). Here's a look at the roller-coaster ride that was the Nightmare on Elm Street films and more.

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Murdered serial killer Freddy Krueger appears in the teenagers of Elm Street dreams to exact revenge for their parents unlawful actions.

Made in 1984, it's inevitably dated slightly - only loosing it's edge due to imitations and sequels, nevertheless, it still retains much of its eerie factor and many of the effects still hold up today. (That said, Freddy's long arms segment are just as tacky and odd as they were back then.)

Heather Langenkamp's Nancy goes against the stereotype and look of usual damsels in distress lead and to director/writer Wes Craven's credit he's uses the Psycho (1963) casting ploy with Amanda Wyss as Tina. An unknown (at the time) Johnny Depp appears and veteran John Saxon give some weight to the film in an extended cameo, the rest of cast are above par for the stigmatized genre. Notable is Ronee Blakley as Marge Thompson Nancy's alcoholic mother.

There are many standout moments - the hand between Nancy's legs in the bath scene, the body bag in the corridor, the bloody ceiling and bed deaths, the shock ending and more, actually too many to mention. This coupled with Charles Bernstein's excellent and memorable score, sound design and creepy makeup effects is enough to deliver chills.

A Nightmare on Elm Street is a quintessential and defining horror that made a star of Robert England sowed the seeds for Freddy's pop icon status. Craven delivered a novel concept and villain which has been imitated many times since.

With an assortment of slasher, fantasy and horror - nightmare mixed with reality has never been quite equalled since.

A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985)

Freddy is back and possesses a young man to carry out his revenge on the teens of Elm St.

It's of it time, the Freddy's make-up is worthy of note and some of the effects though of their time deserve a nod of ingenuity credit.

Unfortunately the few good scenes directed by Jack Sholder are out weighed by an abundance of mediocre ones, a killer exploding bird, press-up on press-ups, Freddy running amok at a pool party to name a few. Writer David Chaskin presents some interesting idea's for example the temperature representing the heat form the boiler room, the homosexual edgy undercurrent and Freddy using Jesse Walsh as an instrument to carry out his killings. But they are never fully explored or slot in to the Freddy mythos that appeared to be laid down in the first by Wes Craven. You feel short changed from the outset even by the title as it's really not about Freddy Krueger wanting revenge it about Jesse Walsh's revenge.

The tone is warm, there's little suspense and at times it reeks of the mid 80s Brat pack stereotypes inside a kitsch horror. Meryl Streep look alike Sydney Walsh as Kerry gives a solid performance but sadly isn't given enough to do. Poor Robert Rusler's talent and character is wasted. Some characters feel frustratingly poorly written seemingly to change in a blink of an eye to suit the muddled motivations and storyline. Mark Patton plays Jesse Walsh the unsure oddball perfectly but the scenes, situations and dialogue are so campy that everything including the supporting cast no matter how cute or talented become laughable. To Sholder's credit the bus scenes which bookends the film are probably the most effective and well executed.

Revenge's success may be due to riding on the coat tails of the originality of its predecessor. If it were a B film parody it may have had some sort of cult allure but given budget and as successful as it was at the time in retrospect it really isn't that good. In fact it stinks.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987)

Departed serial killer Freddy Krueger returns to pick off the remaining teenagers of Elm Street who are housed in Westin Hills, a psychiatric hospital for the disturbed.

After the oddly toned second outing, Wes Craven and co-writer Bruce Wagner bring the dreamlike horror back to series with an interesting premise that reunites Heather Langenkamp (Nancy) and Robert Englund (Freddy Krueger) respectively. The catchy theme song "Dream Warriors", by heavy metal band Dokken is hard to shake off like Patricia Arquette's screams as Kristen Parker.

With a cast that includes the likes of Arquette (in a début role), Laurence Fishburne and John Saxon - director Chuck Russell dishes out some creepy and macabre visuals and the introduction of the otherworldly nun (Nan Martin) is a nice touch. Englund is on top form and has a stronger presence with a defined look. The return of Langenkamp gives part 3 some credibility, continuity and closure. Notable is the Jason and the Argonauts (1963) homage where the special effects that are expertly handled and the marionette puppet scene of Phillip played by Class of 1999 (1990) actor Bradley Gregg.

In this instalment there's plenty of social commentary in the Craven, Wagner, Frank Darabont and Russell screenplay that touches on the staffing of hospitals, parenting, drug usage and means of psychiatric therapy. While it has its cheesy comedic moments in relation to the sectioned aspirations it has a positive theme of team working which is not usually seen in horror films.

Yes, Dream Warriors is a series of kills linked together as with most horrors but it's the atmosphere and execution that gives it a lasting appeal. It's not often especially in the 80s' that sequels, certainly a third would deliver quality but to producer Robert Shaye's credit goes against the norm'.

It's subtle ghost, resurrection theme underpins the camaraderie storyline and while humorous at times with Freddy being less crucial its delivers a layered piece of entertainment with a peppering of horror.

Freddy is resurrected and sets about to murder the teens who destroyed him and collect their souls. However, the survivors of his last onslaught have the help of a gifted girl Alice Johnson.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988)

A year later hot on the heels on Dream Warriors comes A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. Opening with a cracking little theme song "Nightmare" sung by Tuesday Knight (who also plays Kristen Parker) with a fairly new director at the time, namely Renny Harlin, he delivers slick setups and visuals, very much reflective of MTV at it's peak.

While Patricia Arquette played Kristen intensely, her replacement Knight is sorely overlooked and dismissed due to continuity and aesthetic reasons, she plays Kris with as much conviction integrating her with normality, therefore the character is naturally different. Visionary day dreamer Alice Johnson becomes the new protagonist as the characters and returning actors from part three namely Joey (Rodney Eastman), Ronald (Ken Sagoes) quickly disappear. With Brooke Bundy as Mrs Parker putting in a brief appearance.

This 1988 sequel focuses very much on teenage shenanigans, issues and interests - cinema, karate, keeping fit, sex, drinking to name a few and possibly not in that order. There's music track after music track and it sometimes feels like the film is a platform to plug new bands of the time.

The ominous tone of the third is partly retained with Harlin injecting a little more stylised lighting and a faster pace into the proceedings. The real life scenes have natural looking lighting in contrast to the nightmare segments which are a mixed bag some effective and some no so (namely the invisible fight scene). The acting is good but sadly is let down by some of the supporting cast whom shall remain nameless, Jake the dog gives a better performance. There's some kills that are reminiscent of previous films that are arguably not as effective.

The special effects are again well executed, the practical effects simply outstanding - especially Freddy's Hellraiser-esque return and demise and the wince inducing gross cockroach transformation. Craig Safan's score is more electronic in keeping with new generation feel and compliments Harlin's style.

Englund in nurses drag is a blast, Freddy's laughs at many of his own quips and has a little more dialogue and more to do. The producers at this point certainly has realised that he owns the role, even if removing much of the fright factor - replacing it with a menacing playful edge. There's some nice ideas in William Kotzwinkle's story and the Brian Helgeland, Jim Wheat & Ken Wheat screenplay including Alice picking up the traits of the fallen, her being trapped in a film, the aged diner and the on loop gag.

Although actress Lisa Wilcox does a great job as Alice unfortunately Elm St 4 wants you to warm to yet another new heroine and annoyingly feels like an ad wanting you to go out and buy the soundtrack.

The Dream Master is a solid enough entry and has the one of the most satisfying endings and closures of the series. That's said, at times it all feels a little too forced and you can't but miss the simplicity of the first film.

A Nightmare on Elm Street: The Dream Child (1989)

Alice, after watching Freddy Krueger's return must protect her unborn child and save her University friends who at first are reluctant to believe in her boogeyman.

With an opening that mixes pigeonholed horror that the original steered away from with glimpses of the edginess that made the first so interesting A Nightmare on Elm Street The Dream Child (Part 5, the first to have the number in the title dropped) is an attractive looking yet forgettable sequel.

Danny Hassle (Danny) and Lisa Wilcox (Alice) return also her father features briefly in more soberer guise. Moving along possibly with the age of it viewers, here to a University setting The Dream Child has more of a mature sub text. Leslie Bohem's screenplay touches on the topical issues of anorexia, abortion, adoption and rape. However, we are introduced to yet another cast of stereotype character including a comic book kid, sporty girl and pretty girl.

Director Stephen Hopkins gives some well directed jump scares from the outset. Hopkins with cinematographer Peter Levy delivers a natural less stylised look in contrast to Harlin's vivid schemes. The odd macabre births, churches and sanatoriums with some modest practical and visual effects give way to Freddy's tension built return.

Here Alice's 'vision powers' allow the nightmare elements to happen at anytime braking the having to be a sleep rule. Although the tantalising element exploring how Freddy was conceived is strong - John Skipp, Craig Spector and Leslie Bohem's story languishes in muddle of wonderfully shot larger than life theatrical scenes.

In amongst the hooky concepts the 'Do unborn babies dream?' elements add some interest but turns in to an unsatisfying demon seed curve ball twist. The action orientated Twilight Zone meets Creep Show-like deaths are mere set pieces for rubbery looking Freddy to spurting out a few quips and it needlessly tries too hard. For example, the high concept Salvador Dali inspired staircase scene in the closing was better executed in the earlier family film The Labyrinth (1986).

To Hopkins credit the film for the most part looks great, with the sound design and Jay Ferguson's score just right. Nevertheless, with a symbolic closing and a 'happy ending' followed by some rapping over the credits you really appreciate how good Harlin's predecessor actually was.

Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)

Set 10 years from now - mysterious killings and suicides wipe-out the population of children and teens of Springwood, Ohio. With the adults experiencing mass psychosis there is evidence of one surviving teenager...

With a rock-track intro and sweeping Escape from New York styled title card (paraphrased above) Freddy's Dead The Final Nightmare distances its self even further from its origins and previous characters. With nods to the Twilight Zone and The Wizard of Oz with Freddy Krueger featuring as the witch with in the first five minutes you know this is more of nightmare adventure than a horror.

Some strong visual effects are sadly brought down by some less effective ones. Thankfully The Final Nightmare benefits from a 1080p makeover with the now redundant 3D segments looking balanced. Director and long-time Newline employee Rachel Talalay takes the helm with producer Rob Shay putting in a humorous cameo early doors. Although the tone seems inconsistent Talalay delivers and an array of tracking shots and thought-out compositions . There's more of a real dreamlike feel in some scenes but it delivers very few shocks or surprises. The twist and insight into Freddy's past- from a child, youth to adulthood makes The Final Nightmare of interest even if the scenes are only brief.

The acting is a lot better with the lead teens surprising good alongside the likes of Lisa Green and Yaphet Kotto as Doc. Tom Arnold and Roseanne Barr cameo as well as Alice Cooper as Mr. Underwood. In addition, Johnny Depp (who starred in the original and by now a big star) cameos and fans may feel it's a shame Depp didn't save this for the superior New Nightmare.

Brian May's (not of the band Queen) score has all the familiar cues you expect and gives the film much of the required chills in the unsurprising death set pieces. In a nice round up in the closing credits many of the actors from previous films appear in a Nightmare on Elm Street flashback scene compilation accompanied by Iggy Pop's 'Why Was I Born? (Freddy's Dead)' track.

Michael DeLuca's screenplay and Talalay's story tackles some serious issues, the effects of abuse, parenting and the like but this is brushed aside for the Freddy showman factor. Here Robert Englund while excellent as Krueger plays up DeLuca's comedy aspect, unfortunately the makeup on display while slickly done is again on the latex side and rubber looking. The climax delivers a little more blood and action then expected but the final effects take that edge away.

This 'final' instalment is more of the dreams of a 50's kid than nightmarish - it's a fun enough entry that gives a fitting yet abrupt end to the child killer. While respectably successful- in retrospect and like its predecessors you can't help but feel that producers pandered and delivered what the audience wanted at the time and not necessarily what they needed i.e a primordial creepy horror like the first.


 New Nightmare (1994)

The lead actors of the original Nightmare on Elm Street, on it's 10th Anniversary, are terrorized by a Freddy Kruger like entity that wants Heather Langenkamp and her son dead.

 The seemingly outrageous bloody opening is quickly defused as a fitting dream sequence and new ground is broken as we discover the actors are playing themselves. It appears to break the fourth wall with director Wes Craven, John Saxon and Robert Englund to name a few playing themselves. Of course this allows Langenkamp to return as herself after her Nancy character's death in the third. This non-conventional approach with a number of uneasy phone calls would become the precursor film within a film which appears in Craven's Scream series.

 While you'd expect most of the actors to be able to play themselves they do at times come across as awkward and uncomfortable. Thankfully the leads pull it off with ease namely Englund and Langenkamp. Faces from the original also cameo as themselves and a photo of Depp shows up in the background. Some scenes are a blast for fans with Englund playing himself as Freddy on a talk show. Of course Englund also plays Freddy the embodiment of an evil spirit with an expert indifference. This darker, scarier Freddy is probably what fans of the original wanted to see in the handful of sequels.

 There's irony on irony with producer Rob Shay inviting Langenkamp to come back and play Nancy one last time in a definitive nightmare. Writer/Director Craven delivers another novel idea with a tantalizing hook. There's a nice touch where reality merges with dreams and John Sax returns as his character Lt. Donald Thompson with Langenkamp calling him John and him unawares in turn calling her Nancy. The kill scenes pay homage to the original and even some of the sequels notably the Chase Porter car crash. With a strong supporting cast (mainly those ones who don't play themselves) including Miko Hughes as Dylan Porter Heather's on screen son gives a solid mixture of Poltergeist/Exorcist-like performance.

It may have benefited from a more natural looking production, less film-like to emphasis the realness in contrast to the movie world and Nightmare sequences. It's own high production values and Mark Irwin's great cinematography dilute the edginess. Craven's screenplay also injects a part actress character study there is an interesting subtext about fame and it trappings. A New Nightmare has all the kills one would expect with excellent make up and visual effect on display with Craven trying to out do himself with the accompanying music by J. Peter Robinson.

 The idea of uber Freddy character harassing the real life cast and crew doesn't tire with the entertaining and fitting premise. It's only a movie...or is it?

Freddy vs. Jason (2003) Thoughts on the Cross over to follow...

A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

A badly burnt gardener is killing teenagers in their dreams, however, their deaths are not just random as these children are all linked by their past and their parents secret.

Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer's screenplay is never brave enough to develop new ideas to inject into A Nightmare on Elm Street which is a shame as Watchmen and Shutter Island lead Jackie Earle Haley is excellent as Freddy Krueger, but is rarely on screen.

Where as unnecessary remakes The Amityville Horror: (2005), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) ,Halloween (2007) and Friday the 13th (2009) to name a few tried to elevate the original concepts and add further depth, director Samuel Bayer's Nightmare' fails to do either and this latest offering is no better than Robert Englund's last outing in 2003.

There a distinct lack of dreamlike quality for the most part. The lighting and sets are first-rate but the eerie, ominous atmosphere and build up of tension are missing. Just as there are glimmers, the return to the school, the parents decisions, Freddy's return as so on, it never gives enough weight to the exposition or execution to those new ideas and your left with a hollow feeling and a few cheap jump scares.

With limited screen-time Clancy Brown, of Highlander (1986), steals every scene with his presence. Sub-characters Kris (Katie Cassidy) and Dean (Kellan Lutz) are missed early on. The acting of the rest of the cast is adequate, with a teen cast of familiar faces including, Rooney Mara and Thomas Dekker,they are all too polished for the viewer to connect with them and feel any authentic fear. That said, Jackie Earle Haley limited time is welcomed and the Freddy makeup and costume is excellent, as too is the effective rework of the original music score.

Ultimately, A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010) adds nothing new, either as a re-imagining, an addition/reboot to the series or a remake of the original. Even as standalone horror film it falls short and fails to give you nightmares.