Is it real or isn't it, the new 'Nightmare on Elm Street' - in theaters April 30, 2010 - will have you wondering

By Eunice Moseley

  

Based on a newspaper article about war damaged children who died because of the power of recurring dreams, Wes Craven wrote the original "A Nightmare on Elm Street" as a low-budget film in 1984. On Friday April 30, 2010 director Samuel Bayer, screenwriters Wesley Strick and Eric Heisserer, and Platinum Dunes Productions (Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller) provides a new twist to the story when Warner Bros. Films release the New Line Cinema presentation of "A Nightmare on Elm Street."

The film stars Academy Award nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen) as Freddy Krueger; Rooney Mara ("The Cleaner," "Law & Order: SUV") as Nancy; Kyle Gallner ("Smallville") as Quentin; Thomas Dekker ("Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") as Jesse; Kellan Lutz ("Twilight") as Dean, and Katie Cassidy ("Melrose Place") as Kris. Nancy, Kris, Quentin, Jesse and Dean live on Elm Street and are having the same frighten reoccurring dream of Freddy Krueger. Functioning on little to no sleep the last two remaining are determined to meet Freddy head-on.

"I am a big fan of the original," said Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley. "When I think of Freddy, I think of him (Robert Englund)."

Producer Brad Fuller said - about casting Jackie," we all felt if we are going to restart with Freddy we needed an iconic actor." Producer Andrew added, "We had one meeting with him, talked for one to two hours."

Jackie's version of Freddy Krueger is believable. Even though he has the same Freddy Krueger personality, sweater and hat Jackie still makes the role "his" because you do notice it's not Robert Engluud, but you still see Freddie Krueger. Director Sam Bayer did an excellent job making it seem as though it could be you (or me) with his dream locations and the staying true to real life. Even the script which explains why Freddy goes after kids and providing real life data on what sleep deprivation does to the body, tried to stay as true to life as possible.

"Sam knew exactly what he wanted," Rooney Mara said about the film's director. "Even to the most little thing."

Jackie added, "even the make-up with the burnt flesh hanging. Sam's direction is grounded in reality."

"A Nightmare on Elm Street" is rated R and hits theaters everywhere April 30, 2010. For more on the New Line Cinema film log onto www.NightmareonElmStreet.com.  (Photo Credit: Dale Robinette)

Urban Soul singer Leela James is back with a new project, ‘My Soul,' on Stax Records
Recently signed to Stax Records, a division of Concord Music Group, Urban Soul singer Leela James will release "My Soul" on May 25, 2010. She debuted on the music scene in 2005 with her debut "A Change is Gonna Come" and today she has niche a solid place in music's history books as one of the first Urban Soul singers. Her soulful way of singing is not as Hip-Hop as Mary J and not as traditional as Aretha Franklin, you get something in between that blows your mind away.

"They always talked about my gutsy soulful voice," Leela said when I talked about her vocal sound. "You don't hear yourself. I always wanted to know what they meant. I hear I have a big-momma voice!"

Big voice with a sweet heart is Leela James and she gives you her heart and soul on "My Soul." The first single off the new project is "Tell me you love me" which she co-wrote with the famous songwriting team Andrea Martin and Gordon Williams. It was produce by Gerrard Baker (Toni Braxton).

"I want to show a variety of (production) styles," James said. "I want to show my versatility Hip-Hop (flavored), R&B, throw-back soul..."

My favorites on the "My Soul" CD - that I find myself playing over and over again - are "I Ain't New to This," produced also by Baker, because of her gutsy message to the music industry; "Party all Night" has a lovely horn support and a club feel to it; "Mr. Incredible and Ms. Unforgettable" featuring Raheem DeVaughn is a hot duet; "Tell me you love me" has an incredible electric guitar solo at the end, and "It's Over" produce by the great songwriting Philly team Carvin & Ivan.

For more on the Los Angeles native log onto www.LeelaJames.com or to hear a little from the CD log onto her at www.myspace.com/leelajames.