Since everyone is Spiderman crazy,

lets talk about Halloween. Rob Zombie has directed a "re-imaging" of the classic 1978 John Carpenter film, Halloween. I have written about this previously here.

The film has a release date of August 31st, 2007 and I find myself highly anxious for its release. The reasons I have already alluded to in my previous article, Halloween remains my favorite film of all time, Carpenter is one of my favorite directors, and Rob Zombie has directed two solid horror films. However, I just discovered some news that makes the anticipation even greater.

An adult Danielle Harris, the cute-as-a-button little girl who portrayed "Jamie Lloyd" in Halloween 4 and 5 (1988, 1989), is starring in the Zombie film as "Annie Brackett." I have made a side by side reference of then-and-now for you of Danielle Harris. (See below). Annie Brackett is, of course, Laurie Strode's best friend from the original Halloween film. She was portrayed in the original film by Nancy Loomis, who also starred in Carpenter's "Assault on Precinct 13," "The Fog," and "Halloween 3."



This, as you might imagine, is incredible news for die hard Halloween fans. Danielle Harris was offered the part of Jamie Lloyd in Halloween 6 (1995), a film that depicts an older Jamie Lloyd meeting her doom at the hands of Michael Myers via some farm equipment. Harris was not happy with her "death scene" and a contract could never be worked out. So, a substitute Jamie Lloyd was put into place, much to the anger of Halloween fans who had come to adore the "real" Jamie Lloyd (aka Danielle Harris). Harris actually ended up being correct, the death scene of Jamie Lloyd in Halloween 6 is one of the worst in the entire series. Anyway, this is so sweet that Harris will finally, after all these years, be able to return to the Halloween franchise, playing a role that was very prominent in the first film. (Annie Brackett was the first girl to get killed in the original film when Myers hid in the backseat of her station wagon. She sang the annoyingly catchy tune "Oh Paul, I give you all. I can no longer stall.")

At this point you have reached the inner depths of The Beast's Lair. If you are still reading, then you must at least have some partial interest or knowledge in the Halloween franchise. Therefore, lets continue.

Two other points of interest should be made. 1) Malcolm McDowell is playing the role of Dr. Loomis. I do not envy this man. Dr. Sam Loomis (nod to Hitchcock's Psycho) is one of the greatest film characters of all time, brilliantly portrayed by the late great Donald Pleasence in the 1978 film. McDowell has starred in some B Horror films, including "Island of the Dead," but most people will know him from his involvement in the highly controversial movie, "A Clockwork Orange." Watching another actor perform the character of Dr. Sam Loomis will be very, very difficult. 2) Danny Trejo, one of the busiest actors in Hollywood, also has a part in the film. Danny Trejo has a special place in my heart for being the driver in the life-changing Michael Mann movie, "Heat." (1995) In that movie, his name was simply "Trejo."