Classic horror movies like the top-grossing Poltergeist original movie remain in movie watchers' subconscious long after the film has hit theaters, spawning several sequels and now, the Poltergeist remake.
The film, which makes its theatrical release this May, has Sam Raimi and Gil Kenan as filmmaker and director, respectively. It'll be interesting to see how the Poltergeist remake will update some elements of the original movie, like the television that's used by spirits to communicate with the living. Raimi's film credits include "Spiderman" and "The Grudge." His other big claim to horror fame is the remake of "The Evil Dead."
One of the most memorable portrayals in the original movie shown in the early 1980s was the role tackled by young Heather O'Rourke. Unfortunately, Heather passed away due to illness in February 1988, just before filming of Poltergeist III was completed. Heather's death, as well as those of three other "Poltergeist" cast members, had been linked to a possible "curse" that came with the films.
The eerie story that Director Gil Kenan shared was that the house that the production crew rented for shooting of the Poltergeist remake was haunted by a spirit. There were also other "disturbing occurrences" on the set.
The Poltergeist remake cast members include Sam Rockwell as the father and Rosemarie DeWitt as the parents; Jared Harris as the paranormal investigator; Kennedi Clements, Saxon Sharbino & Kyle Catlett as the Bowens kids; Lana Pryce, and Jane Adams. The remake has been described as unsettlingly scary, particularly in the first few scenes.
A remake of the well-crafted original movie often falls short of people's expectations, but Director Gil Kenan has created a family-friendly flick that's creepy -- "on its own terms." The central plot of a child being held captive by malevolent spirits has been retained in the remake, and as with the original, there are effects to underscore the menacing paranormal occurrences.
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