Page 20 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • May 12, 2010 Remake aims to revive a horror franchise by Dennis Seuling Ever since the dismal, pointless re-make of “Psycho,” I haven’t understood Hollywood’s penchant for remaking horror classics. While the original 1984 “Nightmare on Elm Street” may not be in the same league as Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” it is certainly one of the best and most original horror films of the last 25 years. The newer film’s plot had it that, while dreaming, the dreamer could be killed by a nightmarish fellow named Freddy Krueger, whose trademarks are a brown fedora, striped sweater, and gloves fitted with razor-sharp blades. While people are awake, Freddy can’t hurt them, but once asleep, they are in his domain and are helplessly vulnerable. In the current edition, Jackie Earle Haley steps into the role of Freddy (Robert Englund played him in the original and several sequels). The film covers the same territory, but with embellishments that make it creepy in an uncomfortable, rather than frightening, way. Several teenagers (Rooney Mara, Kyle Gallner, Thomas Dekker, and Katie Cassidy) are all having unpleasant dreams in which they are tormented by a disfigured stalker bent on doing them in. When they awaken, they are safe, but the coincidence of so many having similar dreams impels Quentin (Gallner) and Nancy (Mara) to investigate their own pasts and to research dreams and sleep deprivation in the local library and online. Freddy Krueger (Jackie Earle Haley) haunts the dreams of a group of teenagers in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street.’ They discover that the clue to the fiend lies in a preschool they all attended and the school’s caretaker, a goodnatured guy named Freddy, whose outward congeniality masked darker behavior. Jackie Earle Haley, who played the tortured child molester in “Little Children,” has the ability to evoke pathos and empathy. Here, however, slathered in Freddy makeup, he is simply mouthing supposedly clever witticisms -- most of which fall flat -- as he goes after the teens, one by one, when they enter his world. In flashbacks, Freddy is shown before his disfigurement. In these scenes, most of them without dialogue, Haley does some solid acting. His ability to muster sympathy depends on his body language, facial expression, and the way he conveys emotion. The opening scene is the film’s best. Director Samuel Bayer builds suspense as we see a lone individual sitting in a booth in a dark, forbidding diner. His request for a second cup of coffee is ignored by a catatonic waitress. He calls out to her, but she just walks on. He follows her behind the counter, into the kitchen as the camera shows us things are not quite as they should be. Flames rise five feet from the grill, unsettling images replace the commonplace, and not a soul is in sight except for the waitress. The scene’s shocking nature sets the tone for the blood and mayhem that will follow. Bayer is at his best with the transitions between the real and sleep worlds. Computer technology helps tremendously in making these transitions instantaneous, complete with atmospheric set and lighting changes. Unfortunately, Freddy’s appearances don’t strike the terror they should. Maybe it’s because the character has become so familiar, and earlier films gave him more one-liners than David Letterman. This Freddy goes through the motions, but comes off more as a celebrity than an actual, terrifying character. Rated R for violence, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is merely OK as a horror film. It has good performances by the young, fairly unknown cast and some good scare set pieces, but it goes too far in providing Freddy’s history. The relationship between the teens, then in pre-school, and Freddy is given too much exposition. The film ventures down a dark path and veers from trying to scare the audience stylistically to repelling them with a tragic story. State Line 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah Open 24 Hours, 7 Days Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Diner - Restaurant 201-529-3353 Calling All Crafters and Antique Cars! Now Serving Cocktails, Espresso & Cappuccino $ 00 On $10.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 1 $ 00 VT On $20.00 and over. With this coupon only. One Coupon per table. 5:00 to 9:00 pm only. Off 2 Allendale Festival Day Saturday, October 2 10am - 4pm Sponsored by Allendale Chamber of Commerce Platinum Sponsor: The Allendale Community for Mature Living nd Be a part of the 18th Annual & Car Show VT Contact Adrienne at Jumbleiah Memorabilia 201-327-8411 or check the Chamber Website at www.allendalechamber.com