YNMS: the IT remake

Chris here. We may not be the most horror movie focused here at The Film Experience, but some new films do get our curiosity whether it's because of strong reviews, exciting new filmmakers, or the revamp of known properties. This week we got a first look at long-developing remake of Stephen King's evil clown epic It. Apologies to any of our readers who fear clowns.

While It's early-90s miniseries lives in the infamy and closely-held sanctity of shared childhood nightmares, I'd wager that here is an example of story worth retelling. Tim Curry's original Pennywise may be one of our greatest and most terrifying horror performances, but if you rewatch now, everything around him doesn't really measure up. Perhaps it's time to do justice to the massive novel beyond its demonic villain while our fondness for King sees another pop culture resurgence.

Take a look at the trailer and we'll run down the Yes No Maybe So as we peek through our hands after the jump...

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Thoughts I Had... First Look at "The Book of Henry"

Chris here with a first official image. Let's try not to hold Jurassic World's flatness against director Colin Trevorrow. While he may be the current whipping boy for the internet's derision at indie directors making the abrupt transition into franchise entertainments, his debut Safety Not Guaranteed had the charms and spunk to hint at a career making heartwarming fare. And wouldn't you know, that's exactly what he's got planned for this fall's The Book of Henry.

The family drama opens this September curiously right after the Toronto Film Festival wraps up. Here's the first image from the film, featuring child stars Jaeden Leiberher (St Vincent) and Jacob Tremblay (Room):

Some thoughts:

• Jaeden Leiberher is still holding on to those Midnight Special goggles?
• Colin Trevorrow is slated to direct Star Wars: Episode IX, which makes notorious uberfan Tremblay just one degree removed from the franchise. It's been said ad nauseum, but I must restate: the world is a cruel place indeed if he can't be in Star Wars. Come on, Trevorrow, be a pal!
• Naomi Watts plays both boys' mother. Her recent track record of screen mothers has ranged from Oscar nominated (The Impossible) to shaky (Demolition) to ghastly (the Divergent series). Where will this one land?
• The plot promises "a boy genius". Which of these two is the brainy one?
• For all of Jurassic World's faults, it's strongest asset was the brother relationship at its heart. Trevorrow's got two natural talents here, so maybe there could be great chemistry.

Consider me excited to give Trevorrow another shot with something on a smaller scale. What do you think of the first look at The Book of Henry?

Berlin: "Midnight Special" with Michael Shannon & Kirsten Dunst

Amir Soltani is covering the Berlin International Film Festival for The Film Experience this year, our first time at Berlinale!. Tonight Jeff Nichol's follow up to Mud.

With Shotgun Stories, Take Shelter and Mud, Jeff Nichols has become one of the most intriguing, and divisive, American directors working today. His latest film, the unclassifiable Midnight Special, will no doubt continue the same trajectory. Starring his favourite actor Michael Shannon, along with Joel Edgerton and Kirsten Dunst, this religious fable in the mold of science fiction is a crowd-pleaser that, despite a crucial directorial misstep, delivers a thoroughly riveting experience.

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