When a Stranger Calls
How Hollywood is cashing in off of horror remakes
I still recall it as if it happened only yesterday. It was a Saturday afternoon on October 31, 1981 to be exact, and a friend and I found a way to sneak in to see the debut screening of Halloween II.
That was my first horror “treat” and I credit this film for making me the classic horror buff I am. Horror films are a genre I deeply admire and I have followed them closely for the last 27 years.
My friend and I at the time were both only 11 years-old, so sneaking into an R-Rated movie without trying to get caught by the ushers was suspenseful in its own right and yet worth it at the same time as the hype was all about Michael Myers still being on the loose in the fictional town of Haddonfield, Illinois, USA.
There was no doubt about it: the film was a must see.
The theatre was packed that day and it seemed as though everyone there was on the edge of their seat: waiting in utter suspense of who Myers, a masked-psychotic-killer, would take as his next victim.
The film was a classic sequel to the first film, Halloween (1978), and was done with cinematic style — a true case in point to the originality of horror films being produced in and around this time frame.
It was films from the 1970s to early 1980s that certainly captured the imagination of millions of movie goers as they were ones considered ahead of their time. Those were the days of true horror classics, a unique movement in film indeed. Yes, those were the days where horror was in and films were considered clever both in the delivery of style and substance.
Fast forward to present and the landscape of horror films seems to be taking a disturbing direction however as many true horror fans would agree.
The trend these days is more about Hollywood turning to the past and producing remakes as opposed to making new, original releases. It’s no wonder that indie film in the UK, Canada and the USA is on the rise in the genre of horror. More people are craving creative ideas and many are getting tired of remakes. My viewpoint is being echoed by many who are fed Hollywood films in Canada and the UK, and around the world for that matter. Check out all the horror movie blogs on the web these days and many are reporting that remakes are the ultimate “sin.” Yes, Hollywood is now being accused of plagiarism to a large degree – a naughty deed, but they’re getting away with it and making the big bucks. Remakes of horror films have generated well over $1-Billion for big movie companies in Hollywood over the last eight years, according to Dimension Films.
What’s even more troubling is that the remakes are not being hailed up to par as their originals. Ask any true classic horror movie fan, there’s does not seem to be any “tricks” nor “treats” in remakes. Some may disagree and rightfully so.
It makes one wonder if Hollywood has run out of spooky ideas for the silver screen. One can only assume that this is now a reality where good horror has turned bad.
Rob Zombie is one director who decided to remake Halloween (2007) which was launched only a year ago and is a good example of why not to tamper with an innovative masterpiece. Indeed, Zombie tried to make a name for himself and redo a gem. But in the end he failed miserably.
The original movie made by the legendary film-maker John Carpenter was praised for its exceptional first-person camera perspectives, ordinary suburban like settings which connected with a modern day audience, in-depth character development and an intense build up to the finale of the film where Myers goes on his killing spree. Zombie’s version on the other hand was more about constant violence, nudity, sensational special effects and a complete distortion of the film’s original plot.
The same holds true with the remake When a Stranger Calls (2006). The original movie that came out in 1979 was coveted with suspense and one was never sure which direction the film would go next. This approach in film making seemed to be the real strength of horror films of the past.
The problem with the remake of this film was that it gave away the moment of suspense from the original by revealing the source of the calls in the trailers (previews), and also the fact that the film was not at all as scary as the original; it was dull and dry and the camera work did not prove anything unique nor did it ignite and sense of real suspense. The problem with the remake arguably stems from the fact that the writers and directors attempted a re-write of original plot, which only made it weak. I applaud the 1979 movie where Curt Duncan (Tony Beckley) wasn’t just a mysterious super-powered lunatic — which is exactly the way they made the villain out to be in the version that was launched at movie theatres two years ago.
The list of remakes as of recent only seems to continue. In looking at the reproduction of The Amityville Horror (2006), one can only question its intention. The entire film is identical to the original both from a plot and character standpoint. Aside from the fact that some new scenes were added and peppered with some modern special effects, one can only wonder the purpose of remaking a film that never needed to be touched in the first place. The original that came out in 1979 is still far scarier and intense than the remake, and most horror fans would agree with this claim. I still recall too seeing the original film a few years later after if was re-launched in the theatre and vividly recall how scared out of my mind I was after watching it. Yes, it was another film I managed to sneak myself into at such a young age. Still to this day, I get the chills watching it.
While I personally still like viewing Halloween and Halloween II, as well as Friday the 13th (1980s) and Friday the 13th Part II (1981), I must admit, the ongoing sequels got boring quick and the quality of productions and story lines seemed to die completely. In fact if anything, the number of follow-up movies for both memorable films almost made them comical and detracted from them being scary classics that they were intended to be. I mean how can Jason Takes Manhattan (1989) resonate with anyone who appreciated the story line and suspense of young boy, Jason Voorhees, who drowned at Camp Chrystal Lake and is out to seek revenge on camp counselors in the first two parts?
The movie Scream — its first two parts — was also a gem, but the remakes that are going on and on seem to hinder the suspense and are more like a comedy now.
Now don’t get me wrong, Hollywood has produced some terrific horror films in the last decade. I use the word “some” sparingly however. The Blair Witch Project (1999) is one of them and one I truly admire and applaud its theatrical-fictional approach of three film students trapped in the woods and at the mercy of the legendary Blair Witch, an entire experience they caught on video which almost seemed real in every sense. Most, if not all, horror fans would agree with me. This one was an original masterpiece, but nothing really this good has been released since and I hesitate to say that anything like this will come along for a long time.
The funny thing as well is that there are so many remakes coming out these days, no one really knows the difference. The Ring (2002) and Mirrors (2008), while they seem gems and originals, they are also remakes; that is, ideas taken from others and their film markets.
In the next year or so, believe it or not, Hollywood is set to launch another series of redoing classic films. Slated out in the next two years will be remakes of The Exorcist (1973) and The Shining (1980), among others.
While ideas for horror films seem scarce, I do think the approach now for writers, directors and movie production companies is to cash in on ideas that have been done before. Certainly, Hollywood is making millions off of remakes, but really I think if there is one thing horror film fans want is new ideas; something that will make the hair stand up on the back of their necks. Those days however seem to be gone and the real cash cow and vested interest in Hollywood today is about redoing something that has already been done. Horror films and remakes have far too much violence in them these days. The oldies sure had their share of violence, but far less than the ones being made today. Still, in all, the classics were far more suspenseful and always left things for the imagination of the audience.
What needs to be done now is for a venue for independent horror film makers to showcase their work. Esteemed universities, like The University of Reading, UK, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and New York University (NYU), are pumping out solid directors and writers – but they need their work shown more to audiences, especially since these three universities produce top notch horror film makers.
It’s time, in my view, to end all the remakes. It’s time to tout more new, independent movie directors who have a passion for horror/suspense type films and see what they have to offer. More originality, the better, one which I am sure audiences will admire.
I recently purchased the DVD of Halloween II and will make a point of watching it this Halloween. There’s no doubt about it, it will be sort of reliving my past, in a way. Then again, do I really have any choice?
On Halloween, if you are looking for a real “treat,” then check out the classics and rent them, or attend screenings or original classic films.
Sure, call me old, but one thing is for sure: they don’t make them like they used to.
Paul W. Fitzgerald is currently earning his PhD in Film, Theatre and Television Studies at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom (UK). He is also the President and CEO of Salt & Pepper Media Inc.
