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Viewed, 6654x, Last Updated 2007-02-20
One of the horror genre's best-known and most celebrated directors, Wes Craven has been widely credited with reinventing the teen horror movie. Initially gaining fame and notoriety for his Nightmare on Elm Street series in the 1980s, Craven enjoyed a second wave of popularity in the 1990s with his phenomenally successful Scream series, which spoofed the teen horror genre even as they revived it. The films kicked off a trend in teen horror films, inspiring any number of imitators that, for the most part, failed to live up to Craven's own work.
A product of a strict Baptist upbringing in Cleveland, OH, Craven received a B.A. in Psychology and Education from Wheaton College and earned an M.A. in Philosophy from Johns Hopkins University. After teaching humanities for awhile, Craven plunged into filmmaking as a production assistant and editor for several "B" companies. He made his directorial debut with Last House on the Left (1972), a gruesome little effort that, to put it mildly, affected different people in different ways. Some viewers found this repellently staged "revenge for rape" story profound, citing the fact that Craven based the movie on Ingmar Bergman's Virgin Spring; others, including such mainstream commentators as Leonard Maltin, have condemned Last House on the Left as utter excrement. No matter how one felt about Craven, however, one could not deny his power to manipulate his audience. This power was further evidenced with The Hills Have Eyes (1977), which again met with radically divided opinions -- and made a fortune.
With Swamp Thing (1982), Craven graduated to big budgets, and also revealed a gift for comedy. Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) was an equally effective blend of gore and grim humor which spawned several sequels and served to introduce the world to Freddy Krueger, vengeful specter par excellence. The popularity of the film and its sequels established Craven as a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood, although he was only directly involved with two of the six sequels. In 1994, he directed Wes Craven's New Nightmare, a Pirandellian affair in which he and Nightmare cast regulars Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, and John Saxon played "themselves" -- as did Freddy Kruger!
Two years later, Craven experienced another milestone in his career with Scream. The success of the film and its numerous imitators effectively established Craven as a hot mainstream commodity, and he followed the film with the equally successful (though not as critically praised) Scream 2 the following year. In 1999, he effected a radical departure from the genre with The Music of the Heart, a sentimental drama that starred Meryl Streep as violin teacher who brings music to the lives of children in Spanish Harlem. The film was quickly dismissed by audiences and critics alike, and, in 2000, Craven returned to more familiar territory with Scream 3, the latest in his in saga of hip, ironic terror.
Craven has occasionally curbed his stomach-churning tendencies (though not his willingness to run viewers through an emotional wringer) with his television work, including selected episodes of the Twilight Zone revival of the mid-'80s. In 1989, Craven produced a sitcom, The People Next Door, about a cartoonist who had the ability to imagine his drawings into existence.
Filmography: 25/8, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Body Bags, Cursed, Deadly Blessing, Going to Pieces, Inside Deep Throat, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, Last House on the Left (1972), Music of the Heart, Red Eye, Scary Movie 4, Scream, Scream 2, Scream 3, Scream 4, Shocker, Swamp Thing, The Fear, The Hills Have Eyes (1977), The Hills Have Eyes Part 2, The People Under the Stairs, The Serpent and the Rainbow, Vampire in Brooklyn, Wes Cravens New Nightmare,
Latest Wes Craven News, Opinion & Discussion:
Kristen Bell, Anna Paquin Join SCREAM 4
Dimension Films emailed today to confirm that Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell will appear in the upcoming SCREAM 4, which is currently shooting...
Below you can checkout some set footage for Wes Cravens SCREAM 4 which is currently shooting in the Michigan. In Scream 4 Neve Campbell, David A... Hayden Panettiere, Rory Culkin Join Scream 4 Cast
Earlier today we told you that Emma Roberts had joined the cast of Scream 4 and now from HorrorMovies.ca comes word that the cast has expanded again. ... New Poster for Wes Cravens Scream 4
Below you can checkout a brand new poster for Wes Cravens SCREAM 4 which is currently shooting in the Michigan. In Scream 4 Neve Campbell, David... Complete List of 50+ Upcoming Horror Remakes
Horror remakes are definitely the hot new trend in Hollywood and I had no idea just how many remakes were being planned until I sat down and drew up a... Wes Craven's SCREAM 4 Poster
Below you can checkout the new poster for SCREAM 4. Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courteney Cox Arquette will be reprising their roles... Samuel Bayer Interview, Nightmare on Elm Street
Samuel Bayer, the acclaimed commercial and music video director, makes his feature film debut with “A Nightmare on Elm Street” directing f... Jackie Earle Haley & Cast Interview Nightmare on Elm Street
Nancy, Kris, Quentin, Jesse and Dean all live on Elm Street. At night, they're all having the same dream--of the same man, wearing a tattered red an... Wes Craven Announces Scream 4, Original Cast To Return
Dimension Films is putting the finishing touches on its 2011 slate which focuses on continuing its most successful franchises. The first project... Top 10 Truly Disturbing Films
I have watched thousands of movies throughout my life and I am one of those folks who enjoys films from every single genre but in particular films tha... Exclusive Interview: Laeta Kalogridis, Shutter Island
Laeta Kalogridis is a talented writer and producer who is very much in demand these days. She has the distinction of working with two of America&rsquo... He-Man, Barbies, Sweet Valley Twins, TheDudes Weekend Movie News Roundup
Welcome to your weekend round up of movie news, where I sweep up the crumbs of what we missed during the week, and if it's something I think is a st... Neve Campbell Still wants Scream 4 Role
As you all know The Weinsteins are rebooting the Scream Franchise with three new films. As of now Courtney Cox and David Arquette are signed... Scream 4 Casting Confirmations: Courtney Cox to Return
The Scream franchise is a big one and a fan favorite. They have made over $300million at the box office and as you know SCREAM 4 has been in the works... Last call: Signed Wes Craven Last House on The Left Poster!
Last call on winning a Signed Last House on the Left poster. We will be picking the winner tomorrow ! We have a signed poster up for grabs. This poste... Garret Dillahunt Interview, Last House on the Left
MoviesOnline sat down with Garret Dillahunt to talk about his new film, The Last House on the Left, directed by Dennis Iliadis and produced by masters... Last House on the Left New TV Spot
Below you can checkout a spiffy new TV spot for Wes Cravens upcoming Last House on The Left Remake. Also be sure to read our Wes Craven Interview ... Wes Craven Interview, Last House on the Left
We ask Wes Craven if bad people hurt someone you love, how far would you go to hurt them back?! MoviesOnline sat down recently with producer Wes Crave... Win Signed Wes Craven Last House on The Left Poster!
We have a signed poster up for grabs. This poster is signed by Wes Craven and Sara Paxton, as well as the rest of the cast. Masters of horror Wes Crav... Kristen Stewart & Aaron Stanford Interview, The Cake Eaters
MoviesOnline sat down with Kristen Stewart and Aaron Stanford to talk about their new film, The Cake Eaters! The Cake Eaters is a light-hear... Sara Paxton Interview, Last House on the Left
Masters of horror Wes Craven and Sean Cunningham revisit their landmark film that launched Craven's directing career and influenced decades of horror ... Last House on the Left Remake Poster
Below you can checkout the new poster for the upcoming remake of Wes Cravens Last House on the Left from STYD. Masters of horror Wes Craven and Sean C... Release Date: Last House on the Left Remake
Wes Cravens Last House on the Left has set its release date and it will be March 13th. For all you horror fans you know that this is a remake of the c... Patrick Lussier Interview, My Bloody Valentine 3-D
MoviesOnline sat down with director and editor Patrick Lussier and screenwriters Todd Farmer and Zane Smith to talk about their new movie, My Bloody... Jaime King Interview, My Bloody Valentine 3d
A long buried nightmare returns to haunt a small town when one of horror’s most terrifying tales comes to life in a way it has never been seen b... Last House on the Left Remake Trailer
Below you can checkout the new trailer for Last House on the Left which Wes Craven was nice enough to let us know about! Masters of horror Wes Cr... Photos: Last House On the Left Remake
You know.. we really need another remake. This go around we have 3 photos for the upcoming Last House on the Left for you all. Masters of horror ... 2008 Festival of Fear Line Up
Rue Morgue, Canada’s distinguished horror magazine, and Hobby Star Entertainment are proud to bring back the RUE MORGUE FESTIVAL OF FEAR - Natio... Fear Festival 2008 Lineup
Every year we have covered the Festival Of Fear and this year the 2008 Line Up has been announced. So without to much hub-bub here is the list of who ... Goldwyn & Potter Join Last House Remake
The Last House on the Left remake has been on the table for quite some time and it sounds like they are finally moving forward with it. The film is be... Interview: George Romero
MoviesOnline sat down today with George Romero to talk about his new movie, “Diary of the Dead,” in which the master of horror returns t... Wes Craven Directing 25/8
Recently there was rumor going around that Wes Craven's next project was going to be a film called "25/8". Today Variety confirmed that bit of news an... Pulse on STARZ Tonight at 9pm
PULSE is a unique film. One that I enjoyed. Although billed as a horror movie its more an apocalyptic thriller. It will be airing on STARZ Saturda... Come to the GrindHouse!
Two of the most renowned filmmakers go back to back with GRINDHOUSE, a double dose packed to the gills with guns and guts. The unprecedented p... Rose McGowan Interview, GrindHouse
MoviesOnline recently sat down with Rose McGowan to talk about her new movie, Grindhouse, a double dose from long time collaborators Robert Rodrig... Daniella Alonso talks Hills Have Eyes 2
HorrorMovies.ca has followed up their interview with Wes Craven by sitting down with the very attractive lead Daniella Alsonso to talk ab... Wes Craven Video Interview Hills Have Eyes 2
We have posted a 5 minute video interview with Wes Craven for your viewing pleasure. All you fans of this horror icon will no doubt enjoy... New Hills Have Eyes 2 Clips
Fox just gave us almost 60minutes worth of video goodies for Hills Have Eyes 2. The sequel to the 2006 horror re-make, "The Hills Have Ey... Two New Hills Have Eyes 2 Clips
FoxAtomic just gave us two new clips for the upcoming Hills Have Eyes 2. The sequel to the 2006 horror re-make, "The Hills Have Eyes" whi... Mutants vs National Guard in Hills Have Eyes 2
From the minute Weisz and the production team joined forces, they knew that the primary key to the entire production would be creating a palpable,...
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