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Orlando & The Freakshow

Rich Review: Comparing The Old And New “Road House” Movies

Author Richie Ortiz

Once Amazon announced the Road House reboot with Jake Gyllenhaal, I have to admit I was a bit skeptical. Rebooting a movie is a blessing and a curse. It’s a blessing because of the hype that surrounds that movie from all the past fans from the original. At the same point, it is a curse because of the high expectations that hype brings. It doesn’t matter how good you think that movie is, the final verdict comes from the OG fans and how well they believe it stands against the first.

After watching the new movie, I have to say, it’s as good as the first. Not only did it live up to the original for me, but dare I say it, I thought it was better. I still could not help but compare it to the Patrick Swayze version though. So here’s my review.

Similarities

Overall, the plot remains the same. Guy gets hired to be the new muscle at a bar that is riddled with bullies. Said guy fights a whole bunch of bad guys and falls in love with a nurse from the area along the way. The main character is still even named “Dalton”. The message of the movie is still that “no one ever wins in a fight”, but Amazon and director Doug Liman tell the story a bit differently.

Differences

The first difference was the occupations of the main character “Dalton”. Whereas the original version had Dalton working as some sort of bar rescue professional, the 2024 Dalton was roughing it and making ends meet fighting in underground street fights.
The next big difference was the location Dalton was sent to. The original sent Dalton to a club in Kansas City, but the new version sent Dalton somewhere we Floridians can relate to. A beach bar in the Keys. Now we all know how crazy those places can get.
Jake Gyllenhaal‘s “Dalton“ is given a bit more of a backstory in the 2024 version of Road House. A former UFC fighter with a dark past trying to redeem himself made the antagonist more empathetic, whereas Patrick Swayze’s “Dalton” was just some Mercedes-owning Casanova that knew kung fu. You didn’t really get much more than that other than his old friend Wade.
 In the old Road House, the death of Wade is ultimately the reason why Dalton goes on his killing spree at the end of the movie. In the new version, it’s because of a new relationship Dalton makes. Yeah, Dalton still gets his revenge on the local bullies, but there’s a huge difference in how these movies end. We are all for the Patrick Swayze ending where he lives happily ever after in Kansas City with his nurse, but the new version shows there really is no winning in fighting. Jake Gyllenhaal is forced to leave the keys and everything behind.
All in all, I think Amazon did a phenomenal job. The new Road House was able to tell its own story, but still somehow stayed true to the original. The fight scenes were exponentially better in the new Road House, but the original has a special place in all of our hearts. Let’s be real though, you can’t compete with Patrick Swayze!

4 Drive-In Movie Theaters You Need To Try Near Tampa

The best part about Florida is that it is pretty much an endless summer which makes it the perfect place to grab your date or family and watch a movie at one of the last remaining drive-in theaters near Tampa. Drive-in theaters bring back the simpler times of the past and give us the opportunity to experience one of the favorite American pastimes. 

Way back when in 1938 came the first ever drive-in theater to the state of Florida. Fast forward about 90 years, and Florida is one of the states with the last remaining drive-in theaters. This truly unique experience boomed in the ‘50s and ‘60s, but after the birth of the VCR and at home movies, we saw the rapid decline of American drive-ins. 

Florida has some of the best year round weather in the country and this is a leading factor as to why there are still 8 remaining drive-in theaters in Florida. Not only does Florida have some of most operational drive-in theaters, but there are more proposed drive-in projects in the works!

What Made Drive-in Theaters So Special?

Well, drive-in theaters were originally made to play family friendly movies where families could enjoy the movies from the comfort of their cars, no matter how loud their children were. They were designed to give families the experience of a theater without worrying about noise or distractions since you were in your own vehicle. 

Why Did Drive-in Theaters Start Closing Up Shop?

There are many reasons why beloved drive-in theaters across the country began to cut out the lights. Many blame it on the gas prices of the 70s and the rise of at home movies. Families started squishing into smaller vehicles making it easier to just stay home and watch from the comfort of their couch.

Luckily for us, there are still 8 drive-in movie theaters in Florida that we can enjoy anytime of the year! Here is our list of 4 drive-in theaters near Tampa.

  • Joy Lan Drive-In

    Joy Lan Drive-in played its first movie in 1950. It is located in Dade City, smack dab in the middle of Orlando and Tampa. It has room for about 300 cars and plays movies 7 nights a week. They mainly broadcast the audio through the FM radio, but do have some traditional drive-in speakers as well.

  • Ruskin Drive-in Theater

    Located in Ruskin, they call themselves “The Last Family Drive-in” and have been operational since 1952. Open throughout the year and remain family oriented by not showing any R rated films and alcohol is not permitted. Paying homage to the traditional ways of drive-in theaters, they only accept cash and offer very reasonable prices at just $7 for adults and $2 for kids!

  • Silver Moon Drive-in Theater & Swap Shop

    The Silver Moon Drive-in is located in Lakeland and is a twin screen theater. It has been operational since 1958 and uses the FM radio to broadcast, although they have some original speaker poles if you want the full experience.  You better get there early on the weekends or you will be turned away once they fill up! Admission is only $7 for adults and $3 for kids.

  • Ocala Drive-in

    Originally opening up in 1948, the Ocala Drive-in has gone through various owners and as of recent as 2011 they re-opened with renovations. The Ocala Drive-in is a 2 screen theater with lower prices than most at $6 for adults and $3 for kids. They do not allow outside food or drink so bring cash to help support the theater! They broadcast through FM radio and no alcohol is allowed on the premises.

Rich grew up in the Bronx, NY but moved to Tampa in 2006 to attend the University of Tampa. Even though he completed 4 years at the University for Sports Management, Ortiz realized his true passion for radio after taking a couple of classes to fulfill his communications minor and volunteering at UT's WUTT radio station as a sports director. Rich also worked at several clubs in Tampa as a host/promoter where he would meet and work alongside Davy Rolando, who would be the one who would help him get a job at WiLD 94.1. From there, Rich worked his way up from Promotions assistant to promotions coordinator, to eventually full-time on-air. Rich loves to write about his favorite Tampa food spots, concert reviews, and the WiLDest Florida man/woman stories.

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