Hammer Resurrected / Let Me In / Woman in Black

[Ross Gowland]

I can see it now:

[Jeremy Phillips]

Basing the first on 'a story by Susan Hill' didn't quite result in a horror masterpiece now did it?

Says you. I really enjoyed it, and the box office figures speak for themselves. People went looking for a scary ghost story and got one. What were you expecting?

And I would bet the farm, right here and right now, that the sequel will simply underline the law of diminishing returns.

And makes an even bigger profit.

Yeah, how DARE they make a film that's successful. I don't know how they can sleep at night. By the way, I'd love to borrow your future-predicting machine, so that I too can crow "I TOLD YOU SO" when the second film falls marginally short of the first, whi.

[John Hodson]

Says you. I really enjoyed it, and the box office figures speak for themselves. People went looking for a scary ghost story and got one. What were you expecting?

Something that had the verve and scare value of the stage play? The 16 year old girls in the audience seemed to *really* enjoy it, so on that level it was a *tremendous* hit ("...box office figures speak for themselves". Yes. Yes they do) But it was a bit shite, quite dull, with a frankly laughable and truly appalling ending. Oh, and it wasn't the least bit 'scary'. Basic error.

Says me.

Yeah, how DARE they make a film that's successful. I don't know how they can sleep at night. By the way, I'd love to borrow your future-predicting machine, so that I too can crow "I TOLD YOU SO" when the second film falls marginally short of the first, whi.

I think it's *fantastic* that Hammer has made profit; I hope they do it again. But if you'd have taken the trouble to read the thread before jumping in here and making assumptions you'd know that, wouldn't you?

You'd also know that quite a few here feel it failed as a film, but are buoyed by it's success. Because we all love Hammer.

[Jeremy Phillips]

So you want Hammer to continue to operate, even if it's churning out films you don't like?

[John Hodson]

Yes, of course. Why wouldn't I?

Bloody hell, if I magically consigned to bankruptcy every film studio which made a film I didn't like, there would be no film industry.

I quite enjoyed Wake Wood, and down the line they may come up with something more that suits me. The high point of WIB was seeing the blood red logo splash across the screen. I wish them well for thrills past and, fingers crossed (thanks to profits from a film I didn't like, and it's progeny for which I have little hope) to come.

Plus, it keeps the legacy alive, and (as has long been the case) not simply resting entombed waiting for dawn...

[Andrew F]

Well said, John. I wasn't personally keen on The Woman In Black, but it was great to see Hammer enjoying success with it - and frankly, nice to see a horror film that wasn't aimed at the grotesque, gory exploitation end of the market, which is exactly the kind of thing that turns me right off the genre.

[alyd]

Well said, John. I wasn't personally keen on The Woman In Black, but it was great to see Hammer enjoying success with it - and frankly, nice to see a horror film that wasn't aimed at the grotesque, gory exploitation end of the market, which is exactly the kind of thing that turns me right off the genre.

I quite agree, I had in mind that perhaps down the line there was the potential for something really great from them. I think there have been some truly excellent non rape/gore/torture porn horror films in recent years and Hammer's mission statement above sounds right up my (dimly lit) street. Though I think their Burberry example was perhaps a more thorny analogy than they might have bargained for

[flyingsaucer]

nice to see a horror film that wasn't aimed at the grotesque, gory exploitation end of the market, which is exactly the kind of thing that turns me right off the genre.

And is exactly the kind of thing that Hammer made their name doing!

[rosiethedog]

I didn't think The Woman In Black was much cop, but I'm glad Hammer are up for making more films. And not for any 'Ah, Hammer, it reminds me of eating crumpets at my gran's house in 1978' nostalgia factor either, but because there's a chance they could do something quite inventive.

Lose the close-ups of dolls, though.

[Peter Smith]

All film companies only exist to make profitable films. The fact that the old Hammer studio made lots of films that people really enjoy for lots of different reasons is a plus, but they only made films to make money - not to benefit mankind. If the new Hammer wants to follow the same route - and accidentally turns out a really good film sometimes - that's just fine by me.

[Andrew F]

And is exactly the kind of thing that Hammer made their name doing!

Good point, though there's obviously a difference between the things Hammer did back in the 60s and 70s and what modern exponents of that kind of thing are doing. To modern eyes, many Hammers do seem a bit tame. And to be honest, that's the way I like it.

[David S.]

Good point, though there's obviously a difference between the things Hammer did back in the 60s and 70s and what modern exponents of that kind of thing are doing. To modern eyes, many Hammers do seem a bit tame. And to be honest, that's the way I like it.

At the time, though, films like Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula were considered to have blasted apart the boundaries concerning graphic violence and sexuality, and were lambasted by critics as disgusting, degrading, revolting and tasteless!

[flyingsaucer]

At the time, though, films like Curse of Frankenstein and Dracula were considered to have blasted apart the boundaries concerning graphic violence and sexuality, and were lambasted by critics as disgusting, degrading, revolting and tasteless!

exactly.

However, I do have a problem imagining 50 years from now where kids see the like of saw/hostel/human centipede and laugh at the cheesy effects, snore at the structure and titter at the hammy acting. Will that happen?

[Peter Smith]

Decided to catch up with Beyond The Rave last night - Hammer's first official foray into film production since its rebirth. Have to say I didn't hate it anything like as much as I thought I would. Watching all 21 web episodes back to back doesn't really make it work as a film - the pacing and structure just don't allow it to build and flow as a single experience - but it had some nice touches here and there, and one or two memorable images. The Pete Tong soundtrack was great (Tenebrae notwithstanding) and some of the performances were okay (the young lead being the weakest of the bunch unfortunately) even if the characters all remained pretty thinly drawn. I was left with the impression that there were some nice ideas in there that could have made for an interesting film, had they chosen to go down that route. As it is, it's just a curious, but fairly minor addition to the Hammer back catalogue.

[rickcurz]

I watched the first episode of Beyond the Rave (2007) when it first was on line, but didn't like what I saw so didn't watch any more. Perhaps I ought to get the DVD and watch the lot. I loved Wake Wood (2009), but wasn't too impressed with what I saw of The Resident (2010) and I have yet to see my BR of Let the Right One In (2008) so refuse to watch Let Me In (2010) until I have done so. My wife suprised me today by buying me as an impromptu pressie The Woman in Black (2011) so will check that out over the next few days.

What do others think of these modern Hammers?