Nightmare On Elm Street

[SouthsideX300]

This Franchise deserves its own thread!

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http://img124.imageshack.us/img124/9229/13ov6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[unity768]

While I'm not particularly a fan of the entire Franchise, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street is my favorite horror movie of all time. Though Wes Craven's New Nightmare and Dream Warriors (to a lesser extent) are solid sequels, nothing will match up to the first installment. And yes, I would enjoy seeing a remake because unlike some people, I think a remake has no effect on it's original take, just a diff interpretation..and if it sucks, it sucks. Ex - Rob Zombie's Halloween was poor, but I still think Carpenter's Halloween is masterpiece.

Best to Worst List
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
Dream Warriors
Dream Master
Freddy's Revenge
Dream Child
Freddy's Dead

[SouthsideX300]

Good points, and i agree with you on your list for the most part. I think Freddy's Revenge was the funniest.

[SnoBorderZero]

While I'm not particularly a fan of the entire Franchise, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street is my favorite horror movie of all time. Though Wes Craven's New Nightmare and Dream Warriors (to a lesser extent) are solid sequels, nothing will match up to the first installment. And yes, I would enjoy seeing a remake because unlike some people, I think a remake has no effect on it's original take, just a diff interpretation..and if it sucks, it sucks. Ex - Rob Zombie's Halloween was poor, but I still think Carpenter's Halloween is masterpiece.

Best to Worst List
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
Dream Warriors
Dream Master
Freddy's Revenge
Dream Child
Freddy's Dead

Wow, I 100% agree with your statement. The original is also my favorite horror movie of all time, and I agree that the only sequels that are worthwhile are Dream Warriors and Wes Craven's New Nightmare.

I also agree that Rob Zombie's Halloween was a disaster.

[SouthsideX300]

Who would you guys like to see recasted as freddy? Id love to robert englund to come back. But he's 61 and has said they should move on and recast Freddy. Not sure about Billy Bob.

[Nilade]

The dude that played Freak Show in Harold And Kuumar Go To White Castle.

[FranklinTard]

billy bob is a badass choice.

[SouthsideX300]

I think he could pull it off.

[DVDAVE]

I think it is a bad cast, but yet again I am biased as hell in this statement. I do not like remakes and no one can replace Robert Englund for me. And as far as the franchise I love the first and do not like any of the others.

[unity768]

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/images/2008/01/30/24308anightmareonelmstreetposters.jpg

Wes Craven proves himself to be one of the best filmmakers in horror cinema history with the timeless classic, A Nightmare on Elm Street. Likewise to John Carpenter's Halloween, Friday the 13th, Bob Clark's Black Christmas, and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Wes Craven's Elm Street is one of the best slasher films of all time. With a release date of 1984, Elm Street provided a breath of fresh air, with the regular movie-goer growing tired of the cliche hack and slash films that crowded the decade for so long.

The premise behind Nightmare is universally seen as the best premise for a horror film to ever hit the screens. A group of teenagers, living of course on the infamous Elm Street are continuously stalked in their dreams by the future icon Freddy Kreuger, the man with the knives for fingers. Here's where Elm Street sets itself apart. The creative idea of people being attacked in their dreams, ideally the humans most vulnerable state of mind is truly something to praise. Craven created something special here, and I hope as time goes by, viewers will learn to appreciate the idea that embodied this wonderful piece of work.

The first quarter of Elm Street is similar to another horror classic, Alfred Hitchcock' beloved Psycho. Likewise to Psycho, Nightmare tricks the viewer into thinking the character of Tina Grey would be the films focal point, whereas we learned quickly that this is not the case. This is yet another high point for Nightmare, because Craven chose wisely to center the film on a female whose not the damsel in distress, instead going with Nancy Thompson, one of my favorite female protagonists of all time.

Heather Langenkamp portrays Nancy, a strong minded teen who decides to endlessly take this dream monster, Freddy Krueger, head on. I love of movies with a likable lead, and Elm Street is certain of that. Great supporting work is provided by Amanda Wyss playing Tina Grey, Elm Street's Marion Crane if you will? John Saxon as Nancy's father and police officer was also solid along with Ronee Blakely as Nancy's alcoholic mother. Johnny Depp makes a solid debut playing Glenn, Nancy's loyal boyfriend and Nick Corri is also good as Tina's wild boyfriend Rod.

Moreover, Robert Englund essentially becomes Freddy Kreuger. The gentle stalking scenes in the boiler room, the pitch perfect charisma he brings, the terrifying laughs throughout his sweep of murders are all just fantastically executed by Englund. Anyone else who was given this role probably would've overacted the character's scenes but Englund is just pitch perfect as the dream demon Fred Krueger.

The direction by Craven here is uniformly excellent. We get some terrific shots of Krueger hiding throughout his boiler room, several dream shots that could have looked horribly cheesy given the budget of the film, that just worked perfectly. Craven's a genius, and though I haven't enjoyed everything hes ever made, he proves himself a legend with the great direction provided throughout.

Although I had minor issues regarding its conclusion, A Nightmare on Elm Street is personally my favorite horror movie of all time. Only a few films have been able to touch it throughout my life as a movie lover, but nothing will ever be able to claim the title of most creative horror in cinema history. The only thing left to say is see it! and if you already have, see it again!

10/10

[PlexMuno]

I'm really, really concerned about the remake. Freddy is just so iconic and so tied to Robert Englund. If you think about it, Jason, Michael Myers, Leatherface... their trademark looks were all really dependent on masks - masks that easily hid the actors behind them - and Freddy... that's all Englund. Freddy's whole character is all about Englund's face and personality.

[somedaygreat]

I also must say that I am THRILLED by the idea of a remake. I loved all of the movies, except New Nightmare (which was only okay) and Freddy Vs. Jason. Nightmare on Elm Street was the quintessential horror film of my childhood. I've seen all these movies more times than I can count. I remember seeing commercials for The Final Nightmare on TV when I was younger, but I knew my parents wouldn't take me to see it.

When I was five, Freddy was my imaginary friend, and would push me on the swings when I was on the playground. (Yep. I'm a weird one).

Anyway, I don't see why Robert Englund couldn't reprise his role; his being 61 makes no difference considering the amount of makeup he would be wearing. Unless he has a hunchback now, I don't see why not. It just wouldn't be the same without him.

I really don't like the idea of re-casting, but if the franchise sees a revival, and new sequels, this might be the best time to replace Englund. Personally, I think David Morse can plan an excellent villian, and acting-wise, would be a good choice, but I don't think his physique matches up very well. Billy Bob Thornton, might be a good fit for the role, but I personally don't think he's right for it, nor do I think he's that good of an actor.

Michael K. Harris, the guy who played the Sandman in Sleepstalker would be PERFECT for the role. He has a VERY creepy voice, and I seem to remember that he had a similar build to Englund; regardless, he'd be an excellent choice. I think he would be a good fit for the role, as I'd prefer a relatively obscure actor in lieu of someone big-name like B.B. Thornton. After all, this is a remake of a horror classic; you don't need a big-name actor to carry it. Not to mention that Harris is a good choice, because they could probably easily bring him on board for any future sequels. That's my thought on it.

[Cheetara101]

I'm really, really concerned about the remake. Freddy is just so iconic and so tied to Robert Englund. If you think about it, Jason, Michael Myers, Leatherface... their trademark looks were all really dependent on masks - masks that easily hid the actors behind them - and Freddy... that's all Englund. Freddy's whole character is all about Englund's face and personality.

I agree with you a 100%. I can't imagine anyone else ---besides Robert Englund playing the role of "Freddy Krueger". I love the character. I've actually had nightmares about Freddy. In my dreams, it wasn't Robert Englund it was something much more sinister/evil. Now I'm popping pills like Xanax and Risperdal to help me cope with psychotic dreams and psychotic thoughts. LOL Recommended by my psychiatrist. :eek:

[rockinred]

Nooo...they are remaking it? I say if it ain't broke...don't fix it! #1, #3, and the New Nightmare remain to be my favs from those nightmarish series. :)

[BVFF]

Nooo...they are remaking it? I say if it ain't broke...don't fix it! #1, #3, and the New Nightmare remain to be my favs from those nightmarish series. :)

I agree. There is no one like Robert Englund. He IS Freddy!

[sb24]

im happy with a remake/reboot, whatever gets me another kruger flick. i dont think a remake takes anything away from what the earlier films have done, it can be decent. i was a bit shocked to hear billy bob's name floating around as kruger, but i get whats trying to be done..then when i really thought about it that much of england really didnt shine through as kruger as in the later films..theres a lot of dark shots..quick shots not a ton of lines compared to the later movies..which was the reason it was horrifying..so theres room for someone else to get a crack at it..but im sure if you told robert..hey we need you to be darker in this film..they have the technology now to really make what they wanted in 84. i would cast englund for sure..but either way im happy to see a freddy on the big screen again.

[Reel Boi]

I LOOOOVE this franchise of movies..they are sooo good! My fave parts is 1, 2, 3, 5, and New Nightmare. I have the boxset that comes with a big booklet and 3-D glasses and a bonus encylopedia disc..it's awesome however I think they could have done better with the cases and gave keep cases and not snaps but I still love it regardless. I'm kinda excited to see how they are gonna pull the remake/reboot off. I hope if Billy Bob is gonna be Freddy that he doesn't ruin it. He's a great actor I admit but I just can't imagine him as Freddy or any killer for that matter. But I know that nobody will ever replace Englund in my heart as Fred Krueger. GO FREDDY!

[Feenix]

If you want a better take on Freddy's Dead, go to imsdb.com. There's a script called A Nightmare On Elm Street: The Final Chapter penned by Rachel Talalay and Wes Craven himself. It needs tweaking, but is still better than Freddy's Dead.

[Don Hirsch]

This halloween i went to a midnight screening (a "screaming" they called it) of a Nightmare On Elm Street in a big Lowes theater. It was so great to see with a ton of people on a big screen.