Movie Review: "A Nightmare on Elm Street"

Seen on: April 30, 2010

The players: Director: Samuel Bayer, Writers: Eric Heisserer, Wesley Strick, Cast: Jackie Earle Haley, Kyle Gallner, Rooney Mara, Katie Cassidy, Thomas Dekker

Facts of interest: Produced by Michael Bay.

The plot: Freddy Krueger returns to haunt a bunch of youngsters in their sleep. Meanwhile, they try to stay awake.

Our thoughts: With “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” New Line Cinema has created an unnecessary horror remake that desperately tries to use plenty of cheap scares and the popularity of a classic movie character to keep cinemagoers entertained for a dreadful 95 minutes. To tell you the truth, there is absolutely no need for this film to exist, and I doubt it will be around for long.  At least I hope it won’t.

Click to read more ...

New pics from 'Nightmare on Elm Street' remake

Warner Bros. just released three new photos from Samuel Bayer's upcoming horror remake "A Nightmare on Elm Street," which will make its way to theaters April 30, 2010. Check them out above and below.

Jackie Earle Haley plays Freddy Krueger, the ruthless killer who sneaks into people's dreams and kills them while they're sleeping. Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker and Kellan Lutz co-star.

A first trailer debuted back in September, and although it failed ot impress me, I admit I am quite excited to see Haley take over this role. He's just the right guy to play Krueger. See the trailer here.

Click to read more ...

Lynn Collins, Jeremy Piven board 'Waska'

Thomas Dekker, Lynn Collins, Jeremy Piven and Kate Walsh are all part of the cast for Gaby Dellal's upcoming drama "Waska," and Mira Sorvino, Elizabeth McGovern and Joseph Morgan are also on board.

The Hollywood Reporter says the film is based on a novel by Leslie Schwartz and focuses on a young father who's in for some big trouble after his 3-year-old son freezes to death during a fishing trip.

Dekker plays the lead, while Collins plays his ex-wife. Piven portrays a prosecutor going after the father. Catherine Trieschmann wrote the screenplay for the film, which is shooting now.

Click to read more ...

About that new 'Fame' trailer...

While the teaser trailer for Kevin Tancharoen's upcoming "Fame" remake (it opens Sept. 25, 2009) didn't really show us much, this new feature preview offers viewers a first good look at the characters and central story line.

We've seen quite a few musicals heading our way on the big screen during the past years, and while some delivered the goods, others kind of fell flat. At this stage I obviously don't know where to place "Fame," but judging by this trailer, it all already looks a tad too familiar.

Sure, the energetic music definitely won me over, but all the drama going on around it is already starting to bug me a little. I'm all for stories about a bunch of kids dreaming big and tackling the challenges they face on the road to success, but you can do all that without too much melodrama and monotony.

But hey, this is still only a trailer, and appearances can indeed be deceiving. "Fame" stars Charles S. Dutton, Kelsey Grammer, Megan Mullally, Bebe Neuwirth, Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.

Click to read more ...

Daily news dose: 'Green Lantern' to shoot in Sydney; Patrick Wilson to star in 'Morning Glory'

Here's your dose of film news for April 16, 2009:

• Patrick Wilson is the latest to join Harrison Ford, Rachel McAdams, Diane Keaton and Jeff Goldblum in Roger Michell's comedy "Morning Glory." McAdams will star as a TV news producer who struggles to rescue a morning show by taking control of its difficult anchors (Ford and Keaton). Wilson plays McAdams' romantic partner. (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Catherine Keener has boarded "Percy Jackson," starring alongside Uma Thurman, Pierce Brosnan, Logan Lerman, Kevin McKidd, Melina Kanakaredes and Sean Bean. The story follows Poseidon's 12-year-old half-human son Percy, who sets out to save his mother and prevent a war between gods in modern America. Chris Columbus will direct. (THR)

• Warner's "Green Lantern" will shoot at Fox Studios Australia in Sydney, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Martin Campbell will direct the project from a script by Greg Berlanti and Michael Green. The film's budget is currently set at $150 million. The production of the film will apparently create 500 jobs. Sweet.

• Thomas Dekker, whose credits include "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles," is in talks to star as a swim team jock in New Line Cinema's "A Nightmare on Elm Street" reboot, according to ShockTillYouDrop. Jackie Earle Haley and Kyle Gallner star in the horror project, which Samuel Bayer is directing.

‘Fame’ remake finds cast

The cast is quickly growing for MGM’s remake of Alan Parker’s 1980 musical “Fame,” and here are the latest additions, according to the Hollywood Reporter:

Kristy Flores, Paul Iacono, Paul McGill, Naturi Naughton, Kay Panabaker, Kherington Payne, Collins Pennie, Walter Perez and Anna Maria Perez de Tagle.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard any of these names. Also on board is Thomas Dekker of television’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles.” Debbie Allen, who starred in the original, is rumored to take on a cameo.

Just like the first film, the remake will focus on young performers trying either to get in or survive the school year at the prestigious High School for the Performing Arts in New York.

Kevin Tancharoen is directing the film, which was written by Allison Burnett and Aline Brosh McKenna. The trade says the project will start shooting later this year on a budget of $25 million.

Parker’s original musical won two Academy Awards in 1981: best original score and best original song.

Thomas Dekker in for ‘Fame’

Another musical is set for a remake. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Alan Parker’s 1980 Oscar-winning “Fame” is the next one in line to receive a big-screen update, with Thomas Dekker attached to star in the lead role.

Dekker, who can be seen in television’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” would play Marco, a working-class kid trying everything possible to get into a prestigious New York high school for the arts.

Kevin Tancharoen is directing the film, which was written by Allison Burnett and Aline Brosh McKenna. The trade says the project will be produced on $25 million.

Parker’s original musical won two Academy Awards in 1981: best original score and best original song.

Dekker has appeared in several TV shows, including “7th Heaven” and “Heroes.” He also wrote, directed and starred in “Whore,” an indie drama with Megan Fox that will open later this October.