Fright Night (2011)
I’m going to go with 2 home run 80’s feeling movies this year! Although the remake bug is all over Hollywood, Fright Night was good ole 80’s vampire fun. The other film I am referring to is Super 8 (check out my review). After you get past the fact that Colin Ferrall is in the movie, it’s a great time! The nuances of films like “The Burbs” were very much part of the 80’s feel of this film. The CGI vampire faces were a little much, but I think because of the over the top nature of the film, it was allowed (though looked a lot like the 30 days of nights mouths). It’s very typical as suburban horror film goes, and with the comedic relief, it adds another dimension to the film. There is nothing genre defying in the film, but the acting was good, the script (minus Ferrall’s dialogue — and i’m not just saying that because I dislike him, his lines were very ambiguous as to who his character was supposed to be). Toni Collette was awesome (just like everything she is in!), and even friggin’ LISA LOEB was in the movie. That kind of guest star appearance is what made films in the 80’s so much fun, and the fact that they brought those prototypes to 2011 really makes me appreciate that filmmakers are trying something (even if it isn’t new, at least it’s a formula that I personally appreciate). I think these nostalgic paradigms are what draw me into the film, so tread carefully if those are elements of films that aren’t your cup of tea. Overall, I’d say it was a fun horror comedy that was well worth the money!
