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Fright Night (1985) - Tom Holland

Fright Night is a really cool 80's movie that has tremendous re-watch value. I like how this movie is set in "The Real World" and things like Vampires, Werewolves, Mummies, and whatnot only exist in the "Movie world". The movie stars Chris Sarandon, Roddy McDowall, Steven Geofferys, William Ragsdale, and Amanda Bearse (Marcy D'Arcy from Married With Children) as the love interest and damsel in distress. The entire film has this whole John Hughes feel to it that makes it really fun to watch. You could really watch this movie back to back with something like Ferris Buller and be pretty content. 

The movie is about a boy that knows that his new neighbor is a vampire. He tries to get everyone around him to believe it but, of course, they don't. He knows that its only a matter of time before this blood sucker next door pays him a visit and he has to do something about it, and he enlists his girlfriend Amy, friend Evil Ed, and former vampire movie actor Peter Vincent to help him before its too late. 

The movie pulls themes from older vampire movies and incorporates them with a more contemporary teen overtone. The acting is what you would expect from any mid-eighties teen movie so the thing that really stands out here is the storyline. The story here is fantastic and makes for one hell of a film, however the movie is really tame on the blood and guts scale aside from a few choice scenes. The soundtrack is really awesome too featuring artists like J. Giles Band, Devo, Sparks, and Autograph. 

Aside from the ending of the movie, which I found just a bit confusing, I really enjoyed Fright Night and I wish that I could have seen it on the big screen. If you like vampire movies (not Twilight) then this is a must see; if you like quirky eighties teen movies then this is a must see. 

"Jerry Dandridge is vampire!"
  • The movie is being remade with Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, and Imogen Poots. It is slated for a 2011 release. 
  • Both Steven Geoffreys and Chris Sarandon spent over 20 hours combined having makeup applied
  • The movie spawned a sequel Fright Night 2, which has become a cult classic
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