New Nightmare

[Luris Blear]

There was a lot to like storywise, but Craven was turning into a complete wimp by then. If you can sit through the DVD commentary, he admitted that his studio was worried about the meager gore/visual effects.

The studio, for once, was brighter than the artistic vision. There were only so many times you could put up with the following situation:

Character on screen
Claw moves
Character does something comical
Claw moves faster
Cut to next scene, where some unimportant character announces the death.

The death of Freddy looked absolutely awful, too.

Still, this is a flick that you need to watch after getting older. That's when it crawls under your skin. Craven had some nice touches in the story -- he just forgot to temper them with the full horror effect.

[Knight]

Craven never was any good as an actual director anyway. He has no distinct style or does anything artistically that sets him apart from other hacks like Tobe Hooper. He had a good idea with the original 'Nightmare', ran with it and it turned out fairly well because it was original. But every dog does in fact has it's day. The rest of his 'work' speaks for itself.

[ASoron0424]

I think you both put it well. It was a good movie, had a lot going for it, but in the end it's easy to say that its value as a horror movie is only equaled by its remaining potential.

[Red]

I think some people hit solid points in the reasoning behind calling Craven a would be hack. I see no actual style with his work either. Nevertheless, I would say half of his films are entertaining. Sure most of it isnt anything worth praising from an artistic POV.

However in the end, the tastes for everyone are different. Some people like to be entertained. Some people like to be hit with something thought provoking and original through and through. Some people want both of the above aspects. With Craven, I've always used the glass half full/empty logic. I find most of his work entertaining, nevertheless that doesnt mean it was anything to write home about from a filmmaking POV.

[TeenHorror1983Returns]

It was a breath of fresh air in the series but many people can take or leave it. I'm a fan of the original so seeing Heather Langenkamp back on screenn was a draw for me. The whole blurring of reality and horror franchise worked for me as well. I think as a one of it works but if they ever make another freddie franchsie flick it should address the previous entries.

[Detective John Kimble]

New Nightmare was easily one of the best entries of the series and one of the most brilliant films ever made by Wes Craven. A genious in his own right putting together so many hit films over 3 decades.

Compared to a hack like Carpenter whose whole career is a glorified wheel of fortune with everything falling right into place. Except when it didnt, his films fell flat on their asses.

Top 5 Horror directors current or past.

1. Romero
2. Craven
3. Anderson
4. Cunningham
5. Carpenter

[Misfit]

wait you call carpenter a hack but he is in your top 5?

[Detective John Kimble]

He created an icon, that much I can concur with.

The rest of his films are hit and miss, especially the ones without any Debra Hill influence.

EDIT: What he really needed was to work with Arnie once or twice.

[skybrick]

The only hack around here is you.

I have a lot of respect for Predator and Termanator but since you rolled around here, I have a little less liking of the man.

God I hope thats not Paul Anderson
Only thing he has done good is Event Horizan.

[Luris Blear]

I like Troma movies and no one else does (no, really).

Hm. I just taped Cannibal! off of pay per view on Saturday and have three other Troma movies bought from the store. I also love Lloyd Kaufman's nonfiction. (I would honestly cite his books on film making as a huge influence on my songwriting. It no doubt explains a lot.)

[Red]

Compared to a hack like Carpenter whose whole career is a glorified wheel of fortune with everything falling right into place. Except when it didnt, his films fell flat on their asses.

I wouldnt say Halloween is my favorite series. But eh, Carpenter has made his fair share of quality films. Certainly not a hack by any means IMO.

[ALMOST HUMAN]

This is one of the best sequels.

[BASSI]

I Loved it New Nigthmare
This Should been Third on3
2,4,5 and 6 should never been made!

[da Gay]

i thought this film was amazing! one of the best sequels

[IM_UndeaD]

loved new nightmare , freddy seemed more menacing and dark , and it had heather back

[Doc Awesome]

New Nightmare is my favorite of the series. Actually besides this one the first one is the only other one I care for. The others are pretty lame to me.

[BloodThirsty]

I liked that it brought back the serious tone of the first film, and would probably place it right behind the first film in terms of quality.

Would agree with that. It was a lot more creepy than other sequels IMO.

[strtfghtr]

New Nightmare rocked, genuinely creepy...gave Freddy his terror back that he lost in the 2nd film.

Nightmare series:
1
New Nightmare
3
4
5
2
6

[cmurdur]

It goes to show you how bad the series had gotten that Craven had to go to another movie universe to make a good Freddy film.

[Grendel]

Anyone here like this movie and think it's way better then Freddy's Dead?

Not exactly a high bar to clear, yo...