{"id":69841,"date":"2021-02-25T12:42:41","date_gmt":"2021-02-25T19:42:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69841"},"modified":"2021-02-25T20:52:39","modified_gmt":"2021-02-26T03:52:39","slug":"fright-night-1985","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69841","title":{"rendered":"Fright Night (1985)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I have a vampire living next door to me &#8212; and he&#8217;s going to kill me if I don&#8217;t protect myself.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster-192x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"192\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-69817\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster-192x300.png 192w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster-655x1024.png 655w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster-82x128.png 82w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster-173x270.png 173w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Poster.png 721w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 192px) 100vw, 192px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nA teenager (William Ragsdale) who is convinced that a pair of vampires (Chris Sarandon and Jonathan Stark) have moved in next door struggles to get his girlfriend (Amanda Bearse) and annoying best friend (Stephen Geoffreys) to believe him. They humor him by going to visit the &#8220;vampire-killing&#8221; host (Roddy McDowall) of a TV show known as &#8220;Fright Night&#8221;, asking McDowall to convince Ragsdale that his fears are unfounded &#8212; but are they?\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres, Themes, Actors, and Directors:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Horror Films<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;No One Believes Me!&#8221;<\/li>\n<li>Roddy McDowall Films<\/li>\n<li>Vampires<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nThis affectionate homage to Hammer Studios&#8217; horror films of the &#8217;50s, &#8217;60s, and &#8217;70s starts off on a somewhat corny note, but builds to an appropriately gruesome conclusion. Sarandon is sexy, seductive, and scary in the lead villainous role, perfectly cast as a sultry vampire who can easily charm his way through life; it&#8217;s not hard to see how\/why: <\/p>\n<p>(MINOR SPOILER ALERT)<\/p>\n<p>&#8230; both Geoffreys and Bearse ultimately fall under his spell. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Bearse-Geoffreys.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Much less convincing is McDowall, who displays only a couple of different expressions throughout the film, seemingly stuck in a perpetual state of shock and disgust (and his terrible hairpiece is awfully distracting): <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69851\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-McDowall.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To the film&#8217;s credit, it&#8217;s highly atmospheric, and features a number of pretty spectacular special effects for the time. It was followed by a sequel, a remake, and a sequel to the remake, and has maintained a small cult following &#8212; but it isn&#8217;t must-see viewing for all film fanatics. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Chris Sarandon as Jerry<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69845\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Sarandon.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Atmospheric cinematography<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69848\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography2.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69844\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Cinematography.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine special effects and make-up<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69843\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Special-Effects.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-1024x437.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"273\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-69847\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-1024x437.png 1024w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-300x128.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-128x55.png 128w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-768x328.png 768w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup-604x258.png 604w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Fright-Night-Makeup.png 1125w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nNo, though it&#8217;s worth a look if you&#8217;re curious. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0089175\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rogerebert.com\/reviews\/fright-night-1985\">Roger Ebert Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/films\/2000\/11\/01\/fright_night_1985_dvd_review.shtml\">BBC Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I have a vampire living next door to me &#8212; and he&#8217;s going to kill me if I don&#8217;t protect myself.&#8221; Synopsis: A teenager (William Ragsdale) who is convinced that a pair of vampires (Chris Sarandon and Jonathan Stark) have moved in next door struggles to get his girlfriend (Amanda Bearse) and annoying best friend (Stephen Geoffreys) to believe him. They humor him by going to visit the &#8220;vampire-killing&#8221; host (Roddy McDowall) of a TV show known as &#8220;Fright Night&#8221;,&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=69841\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-69841","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69841","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69841"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69841\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":69861,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69841\/revisions\/69861"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69841"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69841"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69841"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}