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Description

“I have just been fired because nobody wants to see vampire killers anymore, or vampires either. Apparently, all they want to see are demented madmen running around in ski-masks, hacking up young virgins.”

Let’s move away from the schlock of smaller films and into the schlock of much bigger, more well-known movies: Fright night. This film is the work of Tom Holland (no, not that one), who has worked on several horror films and a lot of television shows in his life. Most notably are works such as “Child’s Play” in 1988, the Stephen King’s “The Langoliers” mini-series in 1995, and of course this film - which is his directorial debut. Outside that though I don’t consider his filmography something I’m deeply involved with, His best and most well-known works I’ve covered, but nothing from his more obscure credits or those on television.

Thankfully this film does have one thing I’m looking for, which is a rockin’ soundtrack. So with that thread of an excuse, let’s get on with it.

The story follows Charley Brewster, a normal teen with a girlfriend and an interest in horror. One night he spots two guys moving into the old house next to his, all while seeing them carry a coffin down to its basement. After which he sees women being brought to the house, only to later be reported dead in the news. Immediately Charley suspects that his neighbors are actually vampires, out to feast on human blood. Unable to get help from the authorities, and with the vampires aware of his suspicion, Charley has but one man to look to for help: Peter Vincent, an actor who plays a vampire killer in the show “Fright Night”.

Like yesterday’s pic, it’s pretty 80’s in tone. However unlike “Trick or Treat”, this is a proper film with a much higher quality all around. Acting is fantastic from every actor, even the purposefully annoying ones. The main cast bounce off each other entertainingly, with Charley being a fun hero to root on alongside his supporting cast/allies. He’s quick on the uptake, and while the film mocks his paranoia of his neighbors at first it’s not mean-spirited and isn’t focused for too long to be annoying. He quickly changes from someone who’s manic about vampires, to someone who’s willing to fight his hardest to defeat them, and it’s a fun progression. Aside from him there’s his girlfriend Amy and Ed who are a little annoying at first, but you grow to enjoy them. Ed in particular, as I thought he would be an awful character, but at the conclusion becomes someone you love to hate. The “vampire hunter” himself, Peter Vincent (performed wonderfully by the late Roddy McDowall of “Planet of the Apes” fame) is both a hilarious skeptic and a badass actual hunter of the undead. His has a believable transformation that is greatly done in this film, and grows alongside Charley. Lastly there are the villains, though really it’s all about Chris Sarandon as the vampiric Jerry Dandrige. Not appearing until a little later in the film’s runtime, he instantly becomes an awesome sight to behold. Wonderfully performed, every scene of his is able to make him intimidating, charismatic, or even hilarious. He’s an awesome villain, and I enjoyed his ever bit of screen-time.

The special effects are greatly done, especially the creature prosthetics whenever Jerry becomes his true vampiric form. The film has its own unique take on the vampire’s form, with gnarly teeth and crooked grins, the vampires are more like crazed monsters than the typical dark, gothic form. These great effects are done just as well for any monster in this film, and the effects overall reach their peak throughout the conclusion when the hunting truly begins. Cinematography is well done, with some moody night shots overcasted by mist or fog in some moments. Visually the film is well done, and the same can also be said for the sound. There’s some synths for the shocks and creeps in the film, building up to the scares nicely. However there’s also a good number of rock themes that play throughout much of the middle - the nightclub scene in this film has a really great track, which is something you definitely have to get right with this setting.

The story is well paced, and the build up is quick enough so that we can get more of the action. It doesn’t take long for Charley to find out his neighbors are vampires, and just as quickly they too discover him. It’s set up well within the opening 3rd of the film, and the rest is about Charley trying his hardest to either survive their coming attack or take the fight back to them. The final confrontation has a strong beginning and middle, and while the conclusion is awesome it does take several fake-outs before it finally reaches the end. That’s about the only real issue with this film, ignoring more minor gripes in storytelling.

This film is a classic for a reason, and so it’s no surprise that I highly recommend you see it. It along with “Child’s Play” are Tom Holland’s best cinematic works, and I hope you’ll check them out. While I’m not excited for the remake (which I’ve yet to see), I hope that when I eventually do cover it that it is about as fun at this film.

Description

“I have just been fired because nobody wants to see vampire killers anymore, or vampires either. Apparently, all they want to see are demented madmen running around in ski-masks, hacking up young virgins.”

Let’s move away from the schlock of smaller films and into the schlock of much bigger, more well-known movies: Fright night. This film is the work of Tom Holland (no, not that one), who has worked on several horror films and a lot of television shows in his life. Most notably are works such as “Child’s Play” in 1988, the Stephen King’s “The Langoliers” mini-series in 1995, and of course this film - which is his directorial debut. Outside that though I don’t consider his filmography something I’m deeply involved with, His best and most well-known works I’ve covered, but nothing from his more obscure credits or those on television.

Thankfully this film does have one thing I’m looking for, which is a rockin’ soundtrack. So with that thread of an excuse, let’s get on with it.

The story follows Charley Brewster, a normal teen with a girlfriend and an interest in horror. One night he spots two guys moving into the old house next to his, all while seeing them carry a coffin down to its basement. After which he sees women being brought to the house, only to later be reported dead in the news. Immediately Charley suspects that his neighbors are actually vampires, out to feast on human blood. Unable to get help from the authorities, and with the vampires aware of his suspicion, Charley has but one man to look to for help: Peter Vincent, an actor who plays a vampire killer in the show “Fright Night”.

Like yesterday’s pic, it’s pretty 80’s in tone. However unlike “Trick or Treat”, this is a proper film with a much higher quality all around. Acting is fantastic from every actor, even the purposefully annoying ones. The main cast bounce off each other entertainingly, with Charley being a fun hero to root on alongside his supporting cast/allies. He’s quick on the uptake, and while the film mocks his paranoia of his neighbors at first it’s not mean-spirited and isn’t focused for too long to be annoying. He quickly changes from someone who’s manic about vampires, to someone who’s willing to fight his hardest to defeat them, and it’s a fun progression. Aside from him there’s his girlfriend Amy and Ed who are a little annoying at first, but you grow to enjoy them. Ed in particular, as I thought he would be an awful character, but at the conclusion becomes someone you love to hate. The “vampire hunter” himself, Peter Vincent (performed wonderfully by the late Roddy McDowall of “Planet of the Apes” fame) is both a hilarious skeptic and a badass actual hunter of the undead. His has a believable transformation that is greatly done in this film, and grows alongside Charley. Lastly there are the villains, though really it’s all about Chris Sarandon as the vampiric Jerry Dandrige. Not appearing until a little later in the film’s runtime, he instantly becomes an awesome sight to behold. Wonderfully performed, every scene of his is able to make him intimidating, charismatic, or even hilarious. He’s an awesome villain, and I enjoyed his ever bit of screen-time.

The special effects are greatly done, especially the creature prosthetics whenever Jerry becomes his true vampiric form. The film has its own unique take on the vampire’s form, with gnarly teeth and crooked grins, the vampires are more like crazed monsters than the typical dark, gothic form. These great effects are done just as well for any monster in this film, and the effects overall reach their peak throughout the conclusion when the hunting truly begins. Cinematography is well done, with some moody night shots overcasted by mist or fog in some moments. Visually the film is well done, and the same can also be said for the sound. There’s some synths for the shocks and creeps in the film, building up to the scares nicely. However there’s also a good number of rock themes that play throughout much of the middle - the nightclub scene in this film has a really great track, which is something you definitely have to get right with this setting.

The story is well paced, and the build up is quick enough so that we can get more of the action. It doesn’t take long for Charley to find out his neighbors are vampires, and just as quickly they too discover him. It’s set up well within the opening 3rd of the film, and the rest is about Charley trying his hardest to either survive their coming attack or take the fight back to them. The final confrontation has a strong beginning and middle, and while the conclusion is awesome it does take several fake-outs before it finally reaches the end. That’s about the only real issue with this film, ignoring more minor gripes in storytelling.

This film is a classic for a reason, and so it’s no surprise that I highly recommend you see it. It along with “Child’s Play” are Tom Holland’s best cinematic works, and I hope you’ll check them out. While I’m not excited for the remake (which I’ve yet to see), I hope that when I eventually do cover it that it is about as fun at this film.