To judge a film entirely by its synopsis, though not exactly foolhardy, is always a dicey proposition. So, no, I won’t call foul on promises that Kimberly Peirce‘s Carrie would differentiate itself from Brian De Palma‘s spin — maybe we’ll need a trailer to do so — but its official synopsis raises an eyebrow.

Well, maybe my heavy acquaintance with this tale is making it hard to get excited. Telekinetic girl is picked on; some try to help said telekinetic girl; this doesn’t go well; people die. It’s a great, creepy story with eternal themes that, amazingly, could still be refashioned for today’s teen climate — maybe they’ll do this, but I’m failing to see how Black Swan, of all films, plays an influence.

(Also: Does anyone else find it kind of funny that Carrie‘s climax — which, in the De Palma film, was a real shock — is so well-known that it can also be the “climax” of an official summary?.)

Read it below (via ScreenRant):

The quiet suburb of Chamberlain, Maine is home to the deeply religious and conservative Margaret White (Moore) and her daughter Carrie (Moretz). Carrie is a sweet but meek outcast whom Margaret has sheltered from society. Gym teacher Miss Desjardin (Greer) tries in vain to protect Carrie from local mean girls led by the popular and haughty Chris Hargenson (Portia Doubleday, Youth in Revolt), but only Chris’ best friend, Sue Snell (Gabriella Wilde, The Three Musketeers), regrets their actions. In an effort to make amends, Sue asks her boyfriend, high school heartthrob Tommy Ross (newcomer Ansel Elgort), to take Carrie to prom. Pushed to the limit by her peers at the dance, Carrie unleashes telekinetic havoc.

For something a little different but, nevertheless, a bit familiar, I refer to the pending follow-up to Gareth Edwards‘ Monsters, Monsters: The Dark Continent; it’s a sequel with some new blood and, if this update says anything, a couple of old ideas at its helm.

I initially thought this new installment would broaden the scale — as sequels do — but our first run-down of things makes it sound like a basic retool of Monsters, with the same location but a slight (though not necessarily huge) shift in basic plot. If they can deliver the same kind of results that made the first a minor hit, this may not be a bad thing.

Read it below (via STYD):

“Seven years on from the events of Monsters, and the ‘Infected Zones’ have spread worldwide. Humans have been knocked off the top of the food chain, with disparate communities struggling for survival. American soldiers are being sent abroad to protect US interests from the Monsters, but the war is far from being won.

Noah, a haunted soldier with several tours under his belt, is sent on a mission: an American soldier has gone rogue deep in the Infected Zone, and Noah must reach him and take him out. But when Noah’s unit and transport are destroyed, he finds himself with only a young and inexperienced cadet for company – the brother of the man Noah has been sent to kill.

The two soldiers must go on a life-altering journey through the dark heart of monster territory, accompanied by a young local woman to guide them. By the time the three of them reach their goal, they will have been forced to confront the fear that the true monsters on the planet may not be alien after all.”

Are you concerned about the repetitive nature of Carrie‘s summary? Does Monsters: The Dark Continent sound like a worthy follow-up?