Sorority Row

Plot - When five sorority girls inadvertently cause the murder of one of their sisters in a prank gone wrong, they agree to keep the matter to themselves and never speak of it again so they can get on with their lives. This proves easier said than done when, after graduation, a mysterious killer goes after the five of them and anyone who knows their secret.

Directed by Stewart Hendler and starring Jamie Chung, Rumer Willis, Caroline D'Amore, Margo Harshman and Audrina Patridge. This is a remake of the 1983 film The House on Sorority Row.

'Nother Friday the 13th, 'Nother Remake

New take on The Last House on the Left is actually worthwhile!

It doesn't bother me when new directors update a classic--or not-so-classic--horror movie, but what does bother me is when they sacrifice novel ideas and character progress for a cinematic cash-cow or perhaps a timely release date. Such was the case of a recent remake of the dusty Friday the 13th franchise, which did little to enhance the cult following of the movie's villain, in the midst of a convenient Friday the 13th premiere. Fortunately, this year's second consecutive Friday the 13th offered something much more acceptable, and it too, was another Hollywood remake.

Director Dennis Iliadis borrowed the bulk of Wes Craven's scandalous 1972 horror feature The Last House on the Left, which he also scripted, but plot aside, Iliadis' rehatch is visually advanced, and it arouses more emotion than most other films in its class. John & Emma Collingwood (played copacetically by Tony Goldwyn and Monica Potter) are the well-off parents of swimming prodigy Mari (played by TV and teen movie beauty Sara Paxton), all of whom leave the city to vacation at their gracious lake house, a year after the death of their son. Soon after their arrival, Mari strands her folks at the house and borrows the vehicle to visit friend Paige (Superbad's Martha MacIsaac) in town.

Paige freely flaunts with havoc, as it seems, and gets the pair entwined with a group of savage felons. Television vet Garret Dillahunt (Deadwood, ER) leads the pack as Krug, who's son Justin (Unbreakable's Spencer Treat Clark) innocently travels with the trio (also made up of Aaron Paul and Riki Lindhome), but refuses to conform. They kill off Paige and leave Mari to die, and then happen to take refuge at the Collingwood's lakeside residence. When a barely-alive Mari finds her way home and her parents realize that their sinister house guests are responsible for their daughter's rape and indignities, they seek merciless vengeance.

The Last House on the Left evokes various sentiments in its 110 minutes, from absolute revulsion during a rape scene, to utter rapture when the Collingwood's redefine vigilante justice. And that's all we can ask from a film, to stimulate our emotions and keep us awake for the ride...to remind us why we go to the movies in the first place. Now don't get me wrong, a classic this movie is not, but it is clear that this revamp is superior to its 37-year-old master, and one that had me begging for more bloody retribution than ever before!

3/5 stars
Emil Tiedemann

Wild Things to be Unleashed

To the left (click to enlarge) is the first poster released for Where the Wild Things Are. Which was a children’s picture book published in 1963. The book is about the imaginary adventures of a young boy named Max, who is punished for “making mischief” by being sent to his room without supper. Max wears a distinctive wolf suit during his adventures and encounters various mythical creatures, the wild things. While the book is only ten sentences long, it is regarded as a classic of American illustrated children’s literature.

Many times in the past has the book been adapted or attempted to being adapted. Starting in 1973 with an animated version directed by Gene Deitch. In 1983, Walt Disney Pictures was set to produce a CGI version of the book, but never got production off the ground. Randall Woolf created a ballet version for the American Repertory Ballet in 1997, which subsequently toured the United States. A musical emerged in 2004 from a Chicago based group, Emerald City Theatre Company. 2006 saw a commemorative stamp depicting a Wild Thing in a series of “Favourite Children’s Book Animals”.

Fast forward to October 16th, 2009 and you will find yourself sitting in theatres. That is right; Where the Wild Things Are is being adapted for the big screen. Directed by Spike Jonze and written by Dave Eggers, the film stars Catherine Keener, Max Records, James Gandolfini, Angus Sampson, Forest Whitaker, Lauren Ambrose, Catherine O’Hare and Paul Dano. The film will combine live action, suitmation, animatronics and CGI.

New in News...

'Darth Vader' falls ill, Cloverfield 2 in works, Kelly Clarkson hits #1, David Cronenberg honoured

The bodybuilder who played Darth Vader in the 1977 cult classic Stars Wars film, David Prowse, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer. The 73-year-old part-time actor underwent radiation treatment at the Royal Morsten Hospital in London for the last two months, and claims that he is feeling "fantastic." Prowse has also had small parts in Casino Royale (1967), A Clockwork Orange (1971), and Vampire Circus (1972).

Following months of speculation, mega producer J.J. Abrams (Alias, Star Trek remake) has confirmed that he is working on a sequel to the 2008 thriller Cloverfield, which grossed $170 million worldwide last year. "We're actually working on an idea right now," Abrams announced at the 2009 WonderCon in San Francisco. He continued, "If you're going to do something, it should be because you're really inspired to do it."

For the second time in her career, inaugural American Idol champ Kelly Clarkson finds herself atop the Billboard Top 200 albums chart, with her fourth effort All I Ever Wanted (RCA), which sold 255,000 copies its first week out. Clarkson, 26, worked closely on the record with OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder, who co-produced the set and co-penned five of its 17 tracks. The first single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," also hit No.1.

Consul general Jerome Cauchard will host an April 1st ceremony in Toronto to honour Canadian director David Cronenberg with France's Legion d'honneur, the highest distinction in the French nation. Also known as the Medal of Knight to the French National Order of the Legion of Honor, the prestigious accolade recognizes Cronenberg's film work with the French culture. His movies include Videodrome (1983), The Fly (1986), Crash (1996), and Eastern Promises (2007).

Natasha Richardson Dies In New York Hospital

Tony-winning stage and film actress Natasha Richardson has succumb to unspecific injuries she sustained during a skiing accident two days ago at a Quebec resort. The wife and mother of two was just 45.

"[Husband] Liam Neeson, his sons, and the entire family are shocked and devastated by the tragic death of their beloved Natasha," affirmed a statement issued by Neeson's publicist earlier this evening. "They are profoundly grateful for the support, love and prayers of everyone, and ask for privacy during this very difficult time."

The initial fall on a training ski trail seemed minor, as Richardson turned down medical advice, only to end up in a Montreal hospital. She was then transferred to a facility in New York, where she was pronounced brain dead and then deceased, with Neeson at her side.

The Mont Tremblant Ski Resort, located 80 miles outside Montreal, also issued a statement: "She did not show any visible sign of injury, but the ski patrol followed strict procedures and brought her back to the bottom of the slope and insisted she should see a doctor."

Richardson was part of a dynasty of award-winning movie and stage actors, including mother Vanessa Redgrave, father Tony Richardson, grandfather Michael Redgrave, aunt Lynn Redgrave, sister Joely Richardson, and husband Neeson. The late actress' work included films Nell (1994), The Parent Trap (1998), and Maid in Manhattan (2002), and stage productions Anna Christie (1993), Cabaret (1998), and A Streetcar Named Desire (2005). Her final film was a 2008 teen comedy titled Wild Child.

Actress Richardson Seriously Injured in Quebec

After what seemed like a minor tumble at a Quebec ski resort, 45-year-old British actress Natasha Richardson was hospitalized in Montreal for possible brain damage. On Monday, Richardson was skiing on the "beginner's" hill at the Station Mont Tremblant, about 80 miles northwest of Montreal, and was training without a helmet and under the supervision of a professional instructor.

Richardson seemed fine after her fall and twice refused medical attention in order to rest in her hotel room. When her discomfort failed to improve, Richardson--who has been married to actor Liam Neeson since 1994--was admitted to Montreal's Hospital du Sacre-Coeur, before transferring to a hospital in New York on Tuesday. The condition of the mother of two has flucturated according to the source, some claiming that Richardson may even have suffered permanent brain damage.

Richardson is best-known for roles in movies like The Handmaid's Tale (1990), Nell (1994/ with Neeson), The Parent Trap (1998), and Maid in Manhattan (2002/ with Neeson), and won a 1998 Tony Award for her work in Broadway's Cabaret. Her mother is Oscar & Tony-winning legend Vanessa Redgrave, and her late father Tony Richardson is an Oscar-winning movie director and producer, who had succumb to AIDS in 1991. Neeson left the Toronto set of the Chloe movie he is in the middle of filming to be with his wife of 15 years.