Quite possibly the hottest fight never to be filmed.  Danni gives us the dream made penciled and colored reality.  Fright Shadows!!  (notice the little TARDIS on Peter Vincent’s belt)

Well Fangirls (and boys) would you like to see this movie?

Fright Night
Movie Review
By Jessica Dwyer
It’s no secret that I was going to enjoy at least one part of the remake of the 80’s classic Fright Night. David Tennant is one of my favorite actors and seeing him on a big screen playing a favorite character of mine was something I was looking forward to.

The Fright Night reboot was getting a lot of flak up to its release. And I was defending it. But there was always the doubt that the film could be bad. The lack of new scenes in the trailers was starting to worry me. Why wasn’t there more being released and even more publicity for the movie?
But I had faith as the saying goes. I’d seen enough and talked to enough people involved with the film to know how much work had been put into it. The team behind the film and the team in front of the camera were serious about this and brought some major talent to the project.
Was that faith repaid?

Absolutely.

For what was to some a b-grade vampire films remake, the movie makers involved were award winners and Hollywood’s A-list. They knew what made the original film so special. Screenwriter Marti Noxon took the story of the boy who cried vampire and updated it for today. The heart of Fright Night is still unstaked, so fans of the original don’t need to worry. In fact, this is one of the best examples of how to remake a film.

Noxon’s characters aren’t trying to recreate the roles that came before or those performances. They are their own interpretations of the characters. They’ve been updated to be more modern, but there’s also a darker overtone to the overall film in comparison to the original.

That no doubt is due greatly to Collin Farrell and his version of Jerry Dandrige, the vampire who moves next door to Charley Brewster. He’s not out to romance anyone or give Charley a choice forgetting what he’s seen. This vampire is pure predator. Farrell stalks across the screen, head slightly bowed and barely blinking as he looks around him for prey. He sniffs the air hungrily and keeps his victims in a self-made secret room of tiny locked cells in his house. He’s more Ted Bundy than anything else. He’s more sexual than charming. He’s sarcastic and creepy and not a nice guy. In short, he’s a killer vampire.

Gratuitous Collin Farrell in a wifebeater shot  

Anton Yelchin does a great job as Charley Brewster. This time around Charley is a nerd who’s morphed into a sort of jock. He’s popular and has the hottie girlfriend he never thought he’d have. Noxon’s script shows the stress of this new found status, of being the man in a household with a divorced mother and wanting to protect her. Charley has left behind his uncool friends for the cool kids and he’s struggling with that and the pressure of having a girl who he thinks he’s not worthy of. Enter into this the stress of having a creature of the night next door, and you see Charley realize he’s got to grow up fast. He’s dealt with seeing his father leave his responsibilities behind and he doesn’t want to follow that example.

Imogen Poots does a nice job as Amy as does Toni Collette as Jane, Charley’s mom. But the female characters aren’t given much to do even though Charley’s mother has more of an importance this time around. The two do get in some blows against the vampires which was a nice change. But the story really is (as the original was) about Charley and Peter Vincent both finding who they really are.

Imogen Poots and Anton Yelchin make a cute couple

Peter Vincent’s character is of course one of the biggest concerns to fans, with him being turned from horror movie host to a magician. David Tennant’s portrayal doesn’t disappoint though and he’s not trying to mimic in any way Roddy McDowall. The change of the character makes sense in the scheme of this remakes storyline. So don’t hold it against it.

This Peter Vincent has a lot more baggage and a drinking problem that he brings with him. He’s got a history and is an expert in the occult. Tennant’s foul mouthed and overt in his leather pants and fake tattoos. And he steals every scene he’s in either fighting with his assistant Ginger (who’s hilarious) or running away as the coward he is.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse does a great job with what time he is on screen as Evil Ed. But this is one of my few gripes with the film…and that is the beginning is rushed and Ed really should have had more screen time. I wanted more time with him because Ed is such a classic character and we could have used that background with the story.

Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Evil Ed, the vampire hunter 

Fright Night sort of just starts with the film expecting the audience to know what’s going on. Granted, fans of the original know the story and know it well. But everything is already in motion when the movie begins and it doesn’t really give you much more in the way of explanation.
I would have been okay for an additional ten minutes of film to give us some more backstory but the editing seems to have been heavy handed. That’s the biggest complaint I have and I think it may have had something to do with demands of making the movie fit that magic 1 hour and 45 minute running time that seems so popular. But in the grand scheme of things, the film succeeds on nearly all levels.

Fright Night has great acting, slick special effects, and some gorgeous visuals. There are two sequences that really stand out and that’s the car chase and the ending fight. Both of these are moments that show the thought that went into this movie.  And then there is the knock out of a scene with Jerry, Charley’s neighbor, and Charley’s attempt at a rescue.  This scene really speaks to the darker angle of the movie.

Director Craig Gillespie’s style really adds to the look of the film. He really knows how to get the pretty out of his movies. Props need to also go to KNB FX for some great vampires as well. They too know how to get the pretty out of the monsters.

Keep an eye out for Chris Sarandon, the original Jerry Dandrige in a neat little cameo role. It was a nice touch and nod to the first film. There are touches throughout the movie inspired by the first (Jerry still likes eating apples to clean his teeth.)

Fright Night is one of the best remakes to come along. This is really how you do it. You don’t try to recreate something that was already done well. You pay homage to it. You update it and make your own take on the story. Go out and see it and enjoy (the 3D is nice, but you don’t really need it.) Support real vampires. They don’t sparkle and all they want to do is eat your face.

(And because I have to, gratuitous David Tennant shot)

Here is the track name list for the Fright Night Soundtrack that’s being released on August 16th via Soundtrack-movie.com   I do like the title “That’s a mighty big cross” and “A terrible vampire name.”

Fright Night Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Music by Ramin Djawadi

1. Welcome To Fright Night 2. There’s A Lot Of Bad People Out There 3. Jerry’s Date 4. A Terrible Vampire Name 5. We Could Rock This Evil Thing Together 6. Is That A Stake? 7. 400 Years of Survival 8. How To Kill A Vampire 9. Just Hit Me 10. No House, No Invitation 11. That’s A Mighty Big Cross 12. Let’s Kill Something 13. Go Get the Authorities 14. I Can Hear You Breathe 15. I’m All Out Of Beer 16. A Garlicky Omelet 17. Enough With The Vampires 18. Gotta Light 19. Don’t Do Anything I Wouldn’t Do 20. Fright Night

Fright Night has a new clip that shows the difference between Jerry Dandridge and the romantic dandy’s that the vampires of today are.  Click here to check it out!

The studio seems to be realizing that David Tennant has a fanbase. The films official site has been updated with galleries and wallpapers, most of which are containing a lot of Peter Vincent.

Check it out by clicking here

And here’s one of the new images of Vincentasticness that you’ll find:

To our male readers I apologize. We need a bit of a Fangirl Moment.

The real sex symbol of Fright Night ladies and gents.

(thank you to Francene )

Empire Online posted new character banners for Fright Night. And I think I heard an ovary pop as I gazed upon Peter Vincent in regular Peter Vincent mode and Jerry Dandridge sporting a bloody chin and a wifebeater.

Notice these do say Sept 2nd, and may only be seen in the UK. I’m hopeful (as the title says) that these will be floating around Comicon as they are showing the film there.

In the mean time…Peter Vincent is magic.

DREAMWORKS PICTURES’ THROWS “FRIGHT NIGHT”

FAN FRENZY AT COMIC-CON 2011 WITH CAST APPEARANCES, PARTY AND ADVANCE SCREENING

Feeding Frenzy contest kicks off Friday, June 24th for chance to win prizes and trip to Comic-Con with admission to all “Fright Night” events

BURBANK, Calif. (June 24, 2011) —DreamWorks Studios is pleased to present a special insider look at its upcoming, 3D reimagining of the horror classic “Fright Night” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International Convention. On Friday, July 22, a panel presentation will be held in Hall H of the San Diego Convention Center. On the dais will be talent from the film, including Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Imogen Poots, director Craig Gillespie and screenwriter Marti Noxon. Activities also include a fan appreciation party as well as a screening in advance of the film’s opening in theaters on August 19th.

On Friday, June 24th, the film’s social media campaign; “The Fright Night Feeding Frenzy” kicks off with a chance to win a VIP trip for two to San Diego Comic-Con in partnership with Yahoo! Movies. The trip includes travel, accommodations and admittance to all “Fright Night” scheduled events. “The Fright Night Feeding Frenzy” encourages fans to use their social feeds on Facebook, Twitter and blogs to share movie content and check in to real world events to collect points. At the end of each week, the fan who has spread the frenzy the farthest wins a killer prize. Prizes are awarded weekly beginning July 1st through the film’s release on Friday, August 19th. More information about the “Fright Night” Feeding Frenzy and how to join can be found at: www.welcometofrightnight.com

ABOUT THE MOVIE:

Senior Charley Brewster (Anton Yelchin) finally has it all—he’s running with the popular crowd and dating the hottest girl in high school. In fact, he’s so cool he’s even dissing his best friend Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse). But trouble arrives when an intriguing stranger Jerry (Colin Farrell) moves in next door. He seems like a great guy at first, but there’s something not quite right— yet no one, including Charley’s mom (Toni Collette), seems to notice! After witnessing some very unusual activity, Charley comes to an unmistakable conclusion: Jerry is a vampire preying on his neighborhood. Unable to convince anyone that he’s telling the truth, Charley has to find a way to get rid of the monster himself in this Craig Gillespie-helmed revamp of the comedy-horror classic.

DreamWorks Pictures’ “Fright Night” is produced by Michael De Luca and Alison Rosenzweig, with screenplay written by Marti Noxon from a story by Tom Holland, based on the film “Fright Night,” written by Tom Holland. “Fright Night” opens in theaters on August 19, 2011.

About Comic-Con 2011:

Comic-Con International is a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to creating awareness of, and appreciation for, comics and related popular art forms, primarily through the presentation of conventions and events that celebrate the historic and ongoing contribution of comics to art and culture. This year’s annual San Diego convention runs July 21-24 at the San Diego Convention Center.

Thank you Bloody Disgusting for causing me to nearly have a heart attack.  This is one of the first new images (and official) of David Tennant as Peter Vincent.

For those that don’t remember, the trailer for Fright Night is going to be going live on Friday as well as be attached to Priest.

This shot is from it.  Keep in mind 3D….yes….3D of this…on a big screen..

@martinoxon marti noxon