Fright Night

REVIEW
First-time writer-director Holland takes the Gothic out of vampire lore and plops it right down in the middle of the American suburbs. In this wonderfully toothsome twist on the "Boy Who Cried Wolf" story, a young teen desperately trys to convince people that his new neighbor is not the handsome ladykiller he seems to be -- except the part about "ladykiller," of course. He finally enlists the relunctant help of a washed-up TV horror show host (McDowall). Sarandon is exquisite as the vampire and Ragsdale lends an over-the-top urgency to the young ghoul-chaser. Geoffreys is particularly effective as Ragsdale's hapless cohort. (Sequel: Fright Night Pt 2)