By Aine

No one will ever be able to top Steve Railsback as Charles Manson, no matter how hard they try, but this kid is coming pretty damn close. Jeremy Davies, who usually plays a nervous dork, is super creepy/sexy in this TV movie remake of Helter Skelter. Why they’ve resorted to remaking television movies now is beyond me, but I’ll kindly step off my soap box for just a little while.

Clea Duvall is great in her typical role type as a nervous downcast girl. I love love love Clea, from The Faculty to HBO’s Carnivale, she’s just so yummy. I just wish she’d stop looking so sad all the time. The type cast Gods will get her soon I’m afraid.

Jeremy Davies as Manson, I never would have expected that to happen. You may remember him in his small role in Twister, and most memorably in the indie favorite, Million Dollar Hotel. I get the sense at times that he’s a bit over the top, but then again, Charlie Manson is a bit over the top himself. Again, no one will ever top Steve Railsback’s performance in the original, but I have to hand it to Jeremy Davies, he’s pretty good. He makes you understand the attraction that these girls felt towards Manson. Good to see Jeremy Davies playing a grown up for a change, this could do real good for him, especially within the horror genre.

I’m definitely down with all the giant orgies. Breaking into people’s house and putting their kitchen chairs on the table and turning the paintings upside down almost looks like fun, not that I condone that sort of thing, but it could still be a pretty good time.

There are a few laughably bad moments, especially the wig-clad moron they got to play Roman Polansky, and pretty much all the wigs really. After another murder there’s a touching moment when everyone refers to Charlie as dad and they all laugh. I LOVE it; makes me feel all warm and fuzzy.

The verdict? I still miss Steve Railsback, he’s the king of super kookie serial killers. All of his courtroom scenes were sorely missed, as they were the height of his over the top performance. But I have to admit, I like the fact that this new one has more of the actual interaction between Charlie and his family in it, and Jeremy Davies is definitely a sexier type of Manson. Ok, I liked it, so sue me. I just hope it doesn’t start a trend in TV movie remakes, though the new Salem’s Lot is coming soon…jeesh.