Tag: let me in

Blu Monday: February 1, 2011

Your Weekly Source for the Newest Releases to Blu-Ray

The late, great Blake Edwards’ 10 — starring Dudley Moore and Bo Derek — gets immortalized on Blu-Ray. Two films go from silver screen to Blu-Ray… Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr star in AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER; and Bette Davis stars in ALL ABOUT EVE, just in time for it’s 60th anniversary. Disney’s animated classic ALICE IN WONDERLAND comes out of the vault for a special 60th anniversary treatment. Sticking with the anniversary trend, HIGHLANDER reaches it’s 25th (tentatively) with a special gift set, boxed with HIGHLANDER 2. LET ME IN fills the role as this week’s primary horror release, with HATCHET 2 showing up to the party a day late. My indie Blu-Ray pick of the week goes to the indie sci-fi/drama MONSTERS, a low-budget film which made huge waves on the festival circuit, is being released as a special edition.

Blu-Ray for Tuesday, Feb. 1st, 2011

  1. Blake Edwards’ 10 (1979)
  2. AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER (1957)
  3. Walt Disney’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND: 60th Anniversary Edition
  4. ALL ABOUT EVE: 60th Anniversary Edition (1950)
  5. BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 (2010)
  6. BIG MAMA’S HOUSE 1 & 2
  7. BOYS DON’T CRY (1999)
  8. CHAIN LETTER (2010)
  9. CONVICTION (2010)
  10. HIGHLANDER: 25th Anniversary Gift Set
  11. LET ME IN (2010)
  12. MONSTERS: Special Edition (2010)
  13. NEVER LET ME GO (2010)
  14. NIGHT CATCHES US (2010)
  15. PLEASANTVILLE (1998)
  16. THE TILLMAN STORY (2010)
  17. WELCOME TO THE RILEYS (2010)
  18. A WOMAN, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP (2010)
  19. YOU’VE GOT MAIL (1998)

Blu-Ray for Wednesday, Feb. 2nd, 2011:

  1. HATCHET 2 (2010)

On the DVD platter this week is an eclectic mix spanning genres and eras. 11 HARROWHOUSE is a crime-comedy starring Charles Grodin, Candice Bergan and James Mason; BULLSHOT is a comedy set during WWI starring Alan Shearman and Billy Connolly; being re-released in the British gangster film THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY, starring Bob Hoskins and Helen Mirren; and Stanley Donen’s LUCKY LADY is a comedy about rum-running in the 1930’s, starring Gene Hackman, Liza Minnelli and Burt Reynolds. Going further back is a film noir called THE PROWLER and a pair of pre-code 30’s-era films. (For ya young’uns, that’s before men and women were required to sleep in separate beds on the big screen.) Three smaller films to consider are NEVER LET ME GO, a sci-fi/drama starring Carey Mulligan, Andrew Garfield and Keira Knightley; NIGHT CATCHES US, a drama set during the Black Panther movement of the 70’s starring Kerry Washington and Anthony Mackie; and WELCOME TO THE RILEYS, a drama about an older man who befriends a younger woman, starring James Gandolfini, Kristen Stewart and Melissa Leo. Finally, my indie DVD pick of the week is RHINELAND, a WWII drama by Chris Grega shot in the Saint Louis area.

DVD for Tuesday, Feb. 1st, 2011

  1. 11 HARROWHOUSE (1974)
  2. BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 (2010)
  3. BONDED BY BLOOD (2010)
  4. BULLSHOT (1983)
  5. CHAIN LETTER (2010)
  6. THE CLIENT LIST (2010)
  7. CONVICTION (2010)
  8. GIULIA DOESN’T DATE AT NIGHT (2009)
  9. LET ME IN (2010)
  10. THE LONG GOOD FRIDAY (1980)
  11. LUCKY LADY (1975)
  12. MEAN GIRLS 2 (2011)
  13. MONA LISA (1986)
  14. MONSTERS (2010)
  15. NEVER LET ME GO (2010)
  16. NIGHT CATCHES US (2010)
  17. Pre-Code Hollywood Double Feature: HELL HARBOR and JUNGLE BRIDE (1930/1933)
  18. THE PROWLER (1951)
  19. RHINELAND (2007)
  20. SHOPPING (1994)
  21. SKIN (2008)
  22. WELCOME TO THE RILEYS (2010)
  23. A WOMAN, A GUN AND A NOODLE SHOP (2010)

DVD for Wednesday, Feb. 2nd, 2011:

  1. HATCHET 2 (2010)

Review: LET ME IN

Vampires.  They have been a hot topic (no pun intended) the past few years.  With the unfortunate popularity of the Twilight film adaptations and television adaptation of the Sookie Stackhouse books from Charlene Harris in the HBO show True Blood, vampires seem to be the new popular villain – like zombies a few years back. Two years ago, I saw a Swedish film called Let the Right One In at the local film festival and fell in love with its rather subdued nature.  It was story about friendship and touched on the coming of age subject of love and interest in the opposite sex.  It was also a story about a young person needing blood to survive.  After the success of Let the Right One In, it was inevitable to remake the film for American audiences.  When I initially heard about the remake, I was up in arms.  I was mad.  I loved the original and new that the tone would more than likely not be duplicated.  However, Matt Reeves does bring some interesting things to the table.

If you are not familiar with the novel or its previous adaptation by director Tomas Alfredson, it is pretty by much the same in this American remake except the names have changed.  We are introduced to a socially awkward child named Owen (previously named Oskar) who is constantly bullied by his male classmates.  Shortly after the introduction of Owen, a young girl named Abby (previously named Eli) moves next door to Owen and a friendship forms.  Meanwhile, murders are occurring and one of them happened to be a former classmate – which is how Owen becomes aware to it.o  It is then learned that Abby needs blood to live and that these murders seem to have begun as soon as Abby and her father figure, played by Richard Jenkins, move in.

People who admire the quiet delivery of the previous adaptation might be put off by this film’s loud delivery.  However, I’m happy to say that the performances from the children in this remake and the direction by Matt Reeves are exceptional. There is one scene in the film that will have most movie geeks and maybe even general audiences talking about it after it is over.

Let Me In opens introduces a character, a detective, that was not in the original novel or it’s Swedish adaptation by director Tomas Alfredson who is played by Elias Koteas. My only issue with this was the fact the majority of this remake highlights and focuses on the children. Granted., that is the way it should be.  However, with this new version, you do not receive the same tragic feeling you received with the caretaker of the Abby character.  That is where the book and the original adaptation excel ahead of this film.  Koteas’ character is just there, just like Jenkins’ character which is unfortunate, but not that damaging to the overall film, as this is a story about Abby and Owen.

The film is beautifully shot and the direction is top notch.  The performances by Kodi Smit-McPhee & Chloe Moretz are what really carry the film.  Many people will mention the – soon to be infamous – car sequence, but don’t get the wrong idea that the film is full of visual gimmicks.  The drama is still there.  If you never saw Let the Right One In, this film is for you.  If you have seen it before, just know that you may or may not like this version better.  I saw it divide some fans at Fantastic Fest this year.

Win Passes To: LET ME IN

Vampires do have to be let in, you know. Hey, at least LET ME IN doesn’t make them sparkle! In honor of the new film, we are giving away passes to the screening on SEPTEMBER 30th at GRAVOIS BLUFFS, 7p.m.

OFFICIAL RULES:

1. You must be in the St. Louis Area on the day of the screening.

2. Fill out your name and email address below.

3. Answer the following question: If you were a vampire, who would you eat?

WINNERS WILL BE CHOSEN THROUGH A RANDOM DRAWING. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PASSES WILL NOT BE SUBSTITUTED OR EXCHANGED.

SYNOPSIS: Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl from Kick-Ass) stars as Abby, a secretive 12-year old girl, who moves next door to Owen (Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Road). Owen is a social outcast who is viciously bullied at school and in his loneliness, forms a profound bond with his new neighbor. Owen can’t help noticing that Abby is like no one he has ever met before. As a string of grisly murders occupy the town, Owen has to confront the reality that this seemingly innocent girl is really a savage vampire.



Watch The Brand New LET ME IN Trailer From Comic-Con

 

MTV has posted this new trailer for LET ME IN. Let the goosebump induced creepiness begin!

Synopsis:

Based on the acclaimed and award winning Swedish novel and film, “Låt den Rätte Komma In,” LET ME IN is the story of Owen, a twelve year old boy who is feeling increasingly isolated and alone. Enduring the bitter divorce between his parents, and being the target of relentless bullies at school, the friendless and helpless Owen secretly spends his time entertaining thoughts of revenge against his tormentors.

When a mysterious young girl and her father move into the complex, Owen finds an unlikely friend in Abby. There’s something different about Abby… she only ever seems to come out in the dark of night. But as the two get to know each other in the building playground, their friendship deepens, affording each of them the unconditional love and acceptance they crave.

When Owen finally learns just exactly what makes Abby so mysterious, their devotion and bond become unbreakable.

From Hammer and Overture Films, LET ME IN will be in theaters on October 1, 2010. Become a fan on Facebook and follow it on Twitter.

LET ME IN Trailer is Invited In

From writer and director Matt Reeves (CLOVERFIELD) comes this first trailer for the provocative, haunting LET ME IN, which stars the young actor Kodi Smit-McPhee and rising starlet Chloe Moretz (KICK-ASS) along with the accomplished veteran actor Richard Jenkins (THE VISITOR).

Synopsis:

Based on the acclaimed and award winning Swedish novel and film, “Låt den Rätte Komma In,” LET ME IN is the story of Owen, a twelve year old boy who is feeling increasingly isolated and alone. Enduring the bitter divorce between his parents, and being the target of relentless bullies at school, the friendless and helpless Owen secretly spends his time entertaining thoughts of revenge against his tormentors.

When a mysterious young girl and her father move into the complex, Owen finds an unlikely friend in Abby. There’s something different about Abby… she only ever seems to come out in the dark of night. But as the two get to know each other in the building playground, their friendship deepens, affording each of them the unconditional love and acceptance they crave.

When Owen finally learns just exactly what makes Abby so mysterious, their devotion and bond become unbreakable.

From Hammer and Overture Films, LET ME IN will be in theaters on October 1, 2010.

LET ME IN Gets a Teaser Poster

let me in poster

Matt Reeves’ new adaptation of LET ME IN has begun production, and, today, courtesy of the film’s Twitter page, we have this nice teaser poster to offer you for sticking out the winding road the film’s pre-production has taken.  Not sure where or when this poster is going to hit theater lobbies.  It very well could not at all.  With the American Film Market going on right now, this could just be something Overture Films cooked up for the marketers there.  I do, however, like the way they have incorporated a general idea of what the poster for LET THE RIGHT ONE IN gave us:

let the right one in poster

LET ME IN is set for release sometime in 2010.  Thanks to Arrow in the Head for pointing us in the right direction.

LET ME IN Begins Principal Photography

let me in header

It’s been a long and winding road for the US-based remake of LET THE RIGHT ONE IN.  We’ve had name changes, child auditions, and concept posters, but it was announced yesterday by Overture Films that production on LET ME IN, directed by Matt Reeves, had begun in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

For those of you who don’t know, LET ME IN tells the tale of a young boy, played by THE ROAD’s Kodi Smit-McPhee, who befriends a mysterious, young girl, played by (500) DAYS OF SUMMER’s Chloe Moretz, who turns out to be an aged vampire stuck forever in childhood.  Matt Reeves served as screenwriter, taking the task of adapting John Ajvide Lindqvist original novel rather than remaking the Swedish, filmed version of the story.

Says Simon Oakes, President and CEO of Hammer Films:

This project is very personal to Matt as it is to the many passionate fans of the original story.  The brilliance of that story deserves to be seen by audiences on a wide scale and we are excited that the pieces are in place to make that a reality.

Production is intended to run until January.  No release date has been set.

What do you think?  Are you still troubled by the thought of Hollywood remaking LET THE RIGHT ONE IN?  Were you ever?  Do you think Matt Reeves will do a satisfactory job bringing Lindqvist’s original novel to the big screen?  Give us your thoughts in the comment section below.

‘Let Me In’ Concept Posters

let me in header

The Matt Reeves-directed, Overture Films remake of ‘Let the Right One In’ doesn’t even have its two leads cast, yet, but that isn’t stopping the marketing train from chugging along.   The boys and girls over at SlashFilm have gotten their hands on these nice concept posters for the film.   These were evidently created as an early effort to help get the film sold in foreign markets. Continue reading ‘Let Me In’ Concept Posters

What Exactly is the ‘Let the Right One In’ Remake Called?

lettherightonein

I am now getting a headache thinking about this Matt Reeves-directed remake of ‘Let the Right One In’ and what the movie is going to be called.   We announced back in early March that the title would be shortened, and that the remake would be called ‘Let Me In.’   Then, shortly after that time, news came out that ‘Let Me In’ was another film entirely and that this remake would keep the original film’s full title.

Now, the pendulum has swung back the other way.   Reeves sat down with the LA Times earlier this week, and it was said in the article that the new film would, in fact, be called ‘Let Me In.’   Smoke began coming out of my ears, and 6 pencils were snapped in frustration.

Then, I read a little bit more.   Evidently, when the original 2004 novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist was released in the states, the publishers believed the title to be too long.   In the United States, the novel is called ‘Let Me In.’   It wasn’t until the original film was released that an updated version of the novel with the original title was released in the US.

let me in novel

This gives some clarity as to the direction Reeves is headed with his adaptation of the source material.   He has stated in interviews that he intends to “re-interpret” Lindqvist’s original novel as opposed to remaking the Swedish film.   Calling it ‘Let Me In’ just reiterates this fact.

So, evidently, the film is going to be called ‘Let Me In,’ but it isn’t as much of a sin as earlier believed.   ‘Let the Right One In’ is a better title, in my humble opinion.   It is more of a forewarning to someone about vampires, whereas ‘Let Me In’ sounds more like a command.

As far as more information goes with ‘Let Me In,’ Reeves says in the LA Times articles that he has no intentions of hurting the original film in the eyes of fans.

“I was just hooked.   I was so taken with the story and I had a very personal reaction. It reminded me a lot of my childhood, with the metaphor that the hard times of your pre-adolescent, early adolescent moment, that painful experience is a horror.”

“There’s definitely people who have a real bull’s-eye on the film, and I can understand because of people’s’ love of the [original] film that there’s this cynicism that I’ll come in and trash it, when in fact I have nothing but respect for the film. I’m so drawn to it for personal and not mercenary reasons, my feeling about it is if I didn’t feel a personal connection and feel it could be its own film, I wouldn’t be doing it. I hope people give us a chance.”

Reeves is currently finishing up the second draft on the film, which is now set in Reagan-era Colorado.   The film is scheduled for release in Fall of 2010.

Source: LA Times