4-Kane

In my humble opinion, Wes Craven's New Nightmare was a welcome surprise. Although it is the seventh installment in the Nightmare on Elm Street movie series, I like that it was designed as more of a standalone movie than an actual sequel. What sets it apart from other entries is that it takes place in the real world with Freddy Krueger terrorizing his creators. Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon return, albeit as themselves instead of their respective roles as Nancy Thompson and Donald Thompson. Wes Craven plays himself, too, while Robert Englund has a dual role as both himself and Freddy Krueger.

Freddy's physical appearance in New Nightmare is closer to what Craven originally had in mind. For example, Freddy now wore a trench coat and had an organic razor glove with the fingers resembling bones. Overall, he was now depicted as more menacing and less comical.

If Psycho made you afraid to take showers, and if Jaws made you afraid to go in the ocean, then A Nightmare on Elm Street will probably make you afraid to sleep.

The late Wes Craven delivered the goods with this iconic '80s horror movie, which introduced us to Johnny Depp in his first acting role as Glen. Heather Langenkamp was effective as Nancy Thompson, and John Saxon nailed it as Nancy's father Lt. Don Thompson. But most of all Robert Englund was and always will be the best Freddy Krueger. (No one could play the iconic undead killer better than Englund.)

Of course, A Nightmare on Elm Street was followed by multiple sequels and a 2010 remake, but it's hard to live up to the 1984 original.

Menace II Society is a gritty movie with more carnage than Boyz N the Hood. The 1993 urban drama focuses on Caine Lawson (Tyrin Turner), a young man who witnesses his friend, Kevin "O-Dog" Anderson (Larenz Tate), murder the owners of a local convenience store. Orphaned since childhood, Caine has been raised by his grandparents in Los Angeles.

Throughout the movie, Caine deals with life in the projects. As expected, it's a risky lifestyle with gang violence and trouble with the law. But those who care about him, including his grandfather try to convince him to change his ways, warning him that unless he does so he could end up in jail or dead.

But that's part of what Menace II Society effectively points out. It's not only a question of whether Caine will live or die, but whether he cares about his fate.

Menace II Society is violent and gripping, but I recommend seeing it.