On behalf of James who is not with us today due to his religious beliefs... Or lack of perhaps!

Last night, after what has literally been years, the official press release for the upcoming 9th 'Halloween' film was posted online. Film maker/rock star Rob Zombie ('House of 1,000 Corpses,' 'The Devil's Rejects') is set to both write and direct the film, which is set for a October '07 release by Dimension Films.

"I have been a huge, huge fan of John Carpenter's original film since its release," says Zombie. "So when Bob Weinstein approached me about this, I jumped at the chance to join forces with Dimension Films on this amazing project."

Since the release of the last sequel, 'Halloween: Resurrection,' in 2002, many rumours have surfaced on the net about what direction the next movie would take. Would it be a sequel, a prequel or... the 'dreaded' remake? At this stage, nobody is real sure about what direction Rob Zombie's 'Halloween' will take. However, the most logical idea is that it will be a re-imagining of the original film with a prequel element added to the mix.

'Halloween' is, without a doubt, a classic of the genre. Does it need a remake? I say yes.

The "trouble" with the franchise began in 1998 when Dimension, after the success of their 1996 slasher, 'Scream,' fast tracked a 'Halloween' to be out in time for the original film's 20th anniversary. The result was 'Halloween H20: Twenty Years Later.' The film featured the return of Jamie Lee Curtis, starring once again as Laurie Strode, who hadn't been in the series since 1981's 'Halloween II.' However, the film came under fire from "hard core" fans of the franchise who were angry about the film ignoring the events of the last 3 sequels and, in theory, starting from scratch. The film pretty much tied up the storyline, with Laurie killing Michael once and for all. Damn, no more franchise. But this is Hollywood, right?

Cut to 4 years later, and 'Halloween: Resurrection' is released. Michael Myers is, infact, still alive... I won't try to explain how. He just is! Jamie Lee Curtis returned to play Laurie, one final time. Michael killed her for crying out loud (in what is the best scene in the movie). Most fans didn't like this movie at all, saying it was "too hip" and that the whole plot was pretty ridiculous. Another major reason for hating this movie is Busta Rhymes. 'Nuff said. The movie ends with Michael "dead", only to have his eyes open at the very end, with a kinda funny high pitched scream to go along with it. Even though it didn't perform as well as 'H20,' it was confirmed that 'Halloween 9' was in the works.

So, why do I think it needs a remake... of some degree? The series is mess. First off, we have 2 separate storylines. Second, Jamie Lee Curtis won't return. Period. Donald Pleasence (R.I.P.) can't return. Period. These are, pretty much, the characters that hold the movies together. The good guys. The man guy can't have it that easy, can he? Thirdly, where can a ninth sequel go? 'Halloween: Poppin' Busta's Ass, Yo!' Erm, I'm fine.

I hope that Rob Zombie pulls off a creepy, suspenseful movie that will do the original movie justice.

Happy Sixth of the Sixth, two-thousand and six!