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Into 'In'

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Attended the premiere of "Let Me In" on Monday night, which was a bit surreal as it was one of the hottest nights of the year and the after party at Napa Valley Grill included man-made snow to echo the freezing New Mexico setting of the film. In case you haven't been on the Internet in the last year, "Let Me In" is a remake of the acclaimed 2008 Norwegian movie "Let the Right One In," about a young girl who happens to be a vampire and the boy she befriends. The original has no shortage of fans taking umbrage at the very possibility that we Americans would dare to do another version of the story.

Look, I loved the original. But I just can't start foaming at the mouth over the idea of a remake, particularly when I've seen at least eight different versions of "Hamlet" in my lifetime. And I'm a little tired of people criticizing the new version before they even see it. I'm glad people feel passionate about the original but here's the truth--the remake is also quite good. And different enough that it doesn't feel like a retread. For starters, writer-director Matt Reeves ("Cloverfield") cast three amazing actors in the lead roles--Chloe Moretz (Hit Girl in "Kick-Ass"), Kodi Smit-McPhee (so good in "The Road"), and the incomparable Richard Jenkins (from too many movies to list.) 

Fact is, everyone I know who has seen "Let Me In" has really liked it--even if they loved the original. And the film is garnering great reviews--currently second only to "The Social Network" at Rotten Tomatoes. So I really hope people go to see it and judge for themselves. Then read my interview online here with Reeves, where he talks frankly about the backlash surrounding remakes--and why he understands it. 

--Jenelle Riley

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