alihandemiral
The Town That Dreaded Sundown has its fair share of clichés, but that doesn't make it a bad film. It is probably the most "progressive" remake in the history of cinema, because it acknowledges the original 1970s film and the events that led to the film , and uses them as a pivotal part of the storyline in a manner that has never been done before. The writing, as i mentioned before, has some horror clichés in it, but the progressive way that the original film has been remade makes up for it right away after the first 15 minutes.Gomez-Rejon's directing has almost no flaws, he is superb in what I assume his feauture film debut, the use of light is extremely captivating, I guess we should thank the cinematographer as well as Gomez-Rejon for that. This film is a must-watch for the lovers of the genre and especially for the fans of the original film. I bet it would be a huge film if Blumhouse Productions was as highly valued as it is today back in 2014.
SashaDarko
It's based on the original movie with same title, which itself is based on true events. Three layers of meta or so, since the characters here know and watch the 1976 movie, with the killer repeating the scenes. Unlike the 1976 movie, this one feels much more engaging and fresh - not just because of the intriguing story which keeps you on the edge guessing who is the killer, but also because of the visuals. It has some creative camera work which greatly adds to the overall atmosphere. The director from Spain was the right choice, because in case with some American horror director they most likely would make yet another boring by-the-book reboot. The main heroine is a way too lightheaded and naive though.7.5/10
a_chinn
The list of grindhouse horror classics that were rebooted and worked well is pretty short ("The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" and "The Hills Have Eyes" are two that did work), and this one mostly works and had a clever twist on not simply being a remake or reboot. The premise here is that 65 years after the masked serial killer in Texarkana went on his killing spree, a new copycat killer is now recreating the murders from the 1970s Charles B. Pierce grindhouse film version of the actual murders. This film boasts a producer, director, and writer from the American Horror Story team, so you would expect something clever and this film does deliver. I think I was most excited when this film brought the Pierce film into the story as a major plot point, including creating a creepy fictional son of Pierce played by AHS regular Denis O'Hare, making the film rather meta. Also appearing in the film are Veronica Cartwright, Anthony Anderson, Gary Cole, Edward Herrmann, Ed Lauter, and even Danielle Harris if you look fast. Overall, this was a clever reboot that although it's not as scary or creepy as I'd have hoped, is smart and never boring.
Tom Dooley
I never expect too much from horrors however, this has a certain stylish élan that raise it above the crowd. Set in Texarkana some 65 years after the town was devastated by a serial killer who only struck his victims at night – this was the Phantom or 'The Moonlight Killer. Since the making of a controversial film depicting the crimes the events have become more notorious. Then on the anniversary of his first killings he comes back... mwah etc.Only this time The Phantom wants a certain victim to tell the truth about what really happened all those years ago or he will keep on killing the hapless inhabitants. Problem is no one actually does know what really happened so how to stop him? Now this is surprisingly good. The blood and gore is there but not a splatter fest, nor is it 'torture porn', it gets the point (forgive the pun) across that being killed is far from being a red letter day.Maybe a mild plot spoiler later on!!It is all well acted with some performances that stand up to be noticed – like Travis Tope ('Boardwalk Empire') playing Nick and Anthony Anderson playing the fabulously named 'Lone Wolf Morales'. It also has high production values that are only let down by – what I felt – was a pretty lame ending. It did try so not a huge disappointment. This is one where the journey is the value and the final destination not all it promised in the brochure – despite that I would still recommend this well made and entreating film. You may never look at a sensor motion light in the same way again though.
AD
