Fright Night (2011):
What's it about?
Remake of the beloved 1980s horror comedy about nerdy teen Charley who discovers a vampire master named Jerry has moved in next door.
Who would I recognise in it?
Colin Farrell, David Tennant, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, Toni Collette, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Dave Franco.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
The original wasn't perfect, and I only saw it for the first time fairly recently, so I missed any 'formative years' or 'original 80s release' charm, however it was good fun. Similarly, the remake isn't perfect by any stretch of the imagination - the second act goes a bit listless, and the pacing is curious - however it remains a good slab of fun. Farrell and Tennant gleefully chew the scenery (the latter as theatrical magician Peter Vincent, updated from the original's horror film star and late night movie marathon host), and there are nice touches littered throughout (e.g. looking up how to pick a lock on the internet as you're doing it). Die hard fans of the original will no doubt feel this update's a bit redundant, and while it doesn't stray too far from the original's path, there are enough modernising tweaks to give it a pass in the end. Not brilliant, but not terrible either. Oh, and try not to enthusiastically tap your feet to "99 Problems" by Hugo during the end credits - I dare you. On the border between Good and Alright.
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Planet of the Apes:
What's it about?
The iconic 1968 original (not the derided Tim Burton remake) starring Charlton 'my shirt is still off' Heston, as one of three astronauts who crash land on a strange planet populated by a society of intelligent apes, who lord over mute, cave-man-like humans.
Who would I recognise in it?
Charlton Heston ... and some folks underneath lots of money make-up.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Birthed in the tumultuous 1960s where massive socio-political changes were happening in America - most notably the Civil Rights Movement, and the Vietnam War - Planet of the Apes brings political smarts to what could otherwise have been a silly action sci-fi flick. Examining the clash of science with religion, as well as the horrific notion of second class citizens, the script (packed full of iconic lines) crackles with wit and condemnation for the ills of then-modern-day America as it struggled to push forward in the march for equality. Beautifully shot, complimenting the timelessness of the script, it is quite rightly regarded as a true classic. Shame I knew what the twist ending was years before I ever saw it (but then anyone who watches The Simpson's, or Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, or any one of a vast number of TV shows or movies would already know it). Great.
30 Minutes Or Less:
What's it about?
From Ruben 'Zombieland' Fleischer, re-teaming with Jesse Eisenberg, comes this sharp-tongued comedy about a pizza guy who ends up with a bomb strapped to his chest so two greedy morons can force him to rob a bank, so they have enough money to pay a hitman to kill off one of their fathers (who's rich).
Who would I recognise in it?
Jesse Eisenberg, Aziz Ansari, Danny McBride, Fred Ward, Nick Swardson, Michael Pena.
Great/Good/Alright/Shite?
Nowhere near as fun as Zombieland, nor as well characterised, or paced, this effort smacks a bit of a decent basic idea that has suffered from poor execution. Intermittently chucklesome, it falls frustratingly flat for the most part, with characters you can neither truly be bothered rooting for, or find any lasting entertainment in their mean streaks ... and Aziz Ansari (as-seen in Funny People as annoying stand-up comic "Raaaaaaaandy") will quite possibly wind you up with his half-entertaining/half-grating performance. Disappointing and forgettable, when all is said and done - only alright, with a slight whiff of the nearby shite about it.
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