April Fool's Day (1986)

Before I could shuffle into Shutter Island last night, I decided to take a jaunt down memory lane when I saw April Fool’s Day was on Showtime. In many ways it seems like yesterday when I first saw this film and I was amazed at how much better I felt about the film these years later!

Plot/ A group of eight college friends gather together at an island mansion belonging to heiress Muffy St. John to celebrate their final year of school. They soon discover that each has a hidden secret from their past which is revealed, and soon after, they turn up dead. Yet, are they dead? Or is it just part of some very real and cruel April Fool's jokes? The hostess, Muffy, is the only one who apparently knows what's going on. Then again, is it really her doing the killing?

I remember going to see this movie back in the 1980s as a teenager, I was excited by the way it looked in the pages of Fangoria only to be disheartened by how the cinematic adaptation differed from the articles. I soon learned exactly how common this would be within the horror genre. Today, looking back all of these years later, this film is really much more than I initially had thought. Yes, the film lacks gore and nudity, a couple of the staples of 80s slasher flicks. However, this may be one of the most well thought out movies of the era combining an interesting (not yet overdone) storyline with some outstanding acting, creating a very cool and intelligent horror film. What the movie lacks in gore, it more than makes up for it with characterization and mood, with an eerie soundtrack that is a perfect addition. This is one great film and one that I highly recommend.

April Fool's Day (2008)

After some debate, I decided to venture down the 2008 path once again. This time I chose April Fool's Day (2008), mostly because it seemed like a safe choice with my kids running around the house and a lower rating. While I am all for allowing my daughters to watch horror movies with me, and actually take pride in the fact that they can all name the killers from the classic slashers at ages 5 and 7, they are starting to become more aware of some of the aspects of films that may be a bit too much.

Plot/ In the débutant ball of the socialite Torrance Caldwell on April, 1st 2007, the millionaire Desiree Cartier dilutes a powerful drug in the champagne of her acquaintance, Milan Hastings, and her brother, Blaine Cartier, takes advantage of Milan. Desiree tapes the situation with a camcorder while her friends Torrance, Barbie and Peter Welling, Charles Lansford and Ryan snoop. However, Milan has a seizure and falls off the balcony immediately dying. The group goes to court, Blaine looses the control of the family's fortune which shifts to Desiree, but they are considered innocents and the death of Milan is considered a fatal prank. One year later, each one of them receive a letter mustering them up to Milan's grave. While gathered in the cemetery, they receive a package telling that each one of them will die until the person responsible for the death of Milan owns up. The new "April Fool's Day" revolves around a party given by two rich siblings for their friend. Tragedy strikes when a friend falls over a balcony and dies. One year later, the teens responsible for the accident become the targets of a twisted killer who begins hunting them down one by one.

This movie was definitely more of I Know What You Did Last Summer than April Fool's Day, a relief because I actually liked the original version. While not great, it definitey hit the arena they were searching for with the TV-14 rating. With that rating in mind, the death scenes are pretty tame, focussing more on the metal approach than actual gore. They were actually rather funny at times. The movie was definitely low key and children friendly, as it lacked gore, suspense, nudity and scares, making it a great afternoon flick for me to enjoy with my three daughters. The acting, directing and cinematography are choppy throughout and the storyline is rather predictable. All-in-all it could have been much better. In the end, if you are looking for something to watch with your kids as you draw them into the realm of horror movies, this is a geat choice. However, if you are searching for a serious remake of April Fool's Day or are craving a serious horror film, STAY AWAY!

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