After 10 years of waiting, and having suffered Wes Craven's trashy "My Soul To Take," we, as an audience, have patiently waited for another "Scream" movie. The last film, 2000's "Scream 3," was at times entertaining, but ultimately a letdown. Now, "Scream 4" hits theaters with Wes Craven back in the director's chair and Kevin Williamson at the helm with the script, and...let's just start by saying that the 4th film in the infamous franchise gives you plenty to scream about.
On tour for her biography titled "Out of Darkness," Sidney Prescott returns to her hometown of Woodsboro nearly 15 years after the original Ghostface massacre. Gale Weathers and Dewey Riley, Sid's longtime pals, are married, with Dewey as the Woodsboro sheriff and Gale in writers block. Also welcoming her is Jill Roberts, Sidney's cousin, and her friends at good old Woodsboro High. However, Sidney's stay isn't entirely welcome, and it's made damn clear when murders start up again that are patterning the original "Stab," the movie based on the original Woodsboro murders. And since the disreputable batch of sequels have hopefully come to an end, the Ghostface killer has plans to remake the original movie. New decade, new rules.
"Scream 3" disappointed me and many others because it resorted to the average horror cliches instead of mocking them, which the first 2 did so entertainingly. Thankfully, Kevin Williamson wrote a script that is fresh and true to the original "Scream" while also keeping up to date with the current audience that have been raised on remakes and reimaginings. Apparently, Williamson has a lot to say about the new wave of horror films. I don't mind remakes as long as they don't copy or insult the original film. But Williamson has no problem making fun of them. His script is more snarky, hip, and funny than ever before while still being quite scary. Williamson's unbelievable knowledge of the genre continues to astound me.
Of course, knowing that it's a sequel, "Scream 4" must not hold back on the gore as much as not holding back on the satirical elements. And I'm glad to say that it's easily the bloodiest, most violent sequel, perhaps, in the series. Craven and Williamson know what their audience want to see, and the R-rating is well-deserved.
Now, let's talk about the cast. Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courtney Cox are a joy to see again in the roles they originated. Arquette and Cox, especially, have some very good scenes together that, at times, show their true love for each other right before their real-life marriage ended. Gale and Dewey haven't changed a bit. And now that her character is all grown up, Neve Campbell gives us a Sidney that is tougher, smarter, and more frightened than ever before.
The new kids on the chopping block are also very notable. Emma Roberts has certainly matured since her days on Nickelodeon's "Unfabulous," and she gives her best performance yet, guaranteeing that she can make it as a great actress. Hayden Panetierre is also a highlight as Kirby, a cool chick who happens to be a closeted horror movie freak.
Other people that are worth noting are Rory Culkin and Erik Knudsen as hilarious reflections of Jamie Kennedy's Randy from the first film, Alison Brie as Sidney's conniving publicist, Marley Shelton as awkward deputy Judy Hicks, and Anthony Anderson and Adam Brody as a funny pair of cops. Oh, and let's not forget surprise cameos from Anna Paquin and Kristen Bell.
Altogether, the film never wanders too far into parody and doesn't wind up making fun of itself, like "Scary Movie." The script is to die for, the horror movie references are killer(pun intended), the opening is fantastic(be proud, Drew Barrymore), the cast is stellar, the kills are wonderful, and as for the twist...it's rational and surprising. Trust me. You will never see it coming. "Scream 4" instantly makes up for "Scream 3," and after basically every slasher film has gotten the redux, it's a welcome entry in the genre that is sure to have newcomers hurrying onto Netflix and renting the first three. It's the scariest, goriest, funniest, and most suspenseful "Scream" since the original! "What's your favorite scary movie?"
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
I Spit On Your Grave: Revenge Is Sweet
Jennifer Hills is a woman who travels down Mockingbird Trail and rents a cabin for a few months to work on a novel. While the locals are certainly weird, they come off harmless...at first. One night, Jennifer is at home when several freaky hick townies break into the cabin, relentlessy threatening her, torturing her, and soon enough, horribly assaulting her. After she is gang-raped, she is left for dead while the locals clean up the mess. What they don't know is that Jennifer really isn't dead. She soon gathers her strength and returns with a vengeance. She is going to make these men pay, in the roughest, torturous, most brutal ways possible.
Meir Zarchi's 1978 exploitation flick "Day of the Woman"(more well-known as "I Spit On Your Grave") is one of the most notorious horror titles of the century. Critics despise it mostly for its rumored unwatchable rape scene that is said to last for quite a while, making it all the more painful. The movie's criticism is ignored while the more it is talked about, the more people watch it.
It is surprising to say that I haven't seen the original "I Spit On Your Grave," and I've found it more safe that way. And I certainly didn't rush to see the remake, mostly because it was unrated(which is usually the kiss of death for any film). I waited for the DVD. When I finally saw it, I quickly decided that it's certainly not a movie for everyone. Some will find the violent nature of the film to be too much for them while others will find it a powerful and brutal exercise in justified revenge. I am on the positive side.
I know what you're thinking? How can a movie in which a girl is raped for an extensive amount of time be entertaining? Well, the rape scene in "I Spit On Your Grave" is definitely no picnic. It's less subtle and more brutal than the one in the remake of Wes Craven's "The Last House on the Left," but it's not as long as it is reputed to be, unlike the original.
However, as harsh to watch as it is, there is a feeling of hope for Jennifer right from the start. The rape scene only eggs our protagonist and the audience to get back at the villains and deliver some major justice. The movie promises that, and it's a promise kept.
From what I've heard, in the original, Jennifer takes revenge on her violators by actually seducing them, which, next to the assault scenes, probably set off more angry arguments than that of "The Last House on the Left." The revenge scenes in the remake are fun while they are still pretty disturbing and near unwatchable because Jennifer doesn't come back the same person she was before, and as she tortures the men brutally, her sense of humor is macabre and nifty as she spouts out lines like "I thought you were an ass man"(let's not talk about that scene) or "You like to watch, don't you?" as she tortures the film fanatic of the rapists while filming his death with his own camera. Her revenge is a magnificent one.
The movie is held together not as much by director Steven R. Monroe as it is held together by its cast. Jeff Branson, Rodney Eastman, and Daniel Franzese are especially noteable for their performances as Johnny, Andy, and Stanley, as well as Chad Lindberg as the retarded Matthew, who is painfully forced into being the first to rape Jennifer.
Let's talk about our heroine. Jennifer Hills is played by newcomer Sarah Butler. There is a negative side to her performance but also a very positive side. Butler looks a little too young to be playing a professional writer, which does take away a tiny amount of believability. However, she has a lot of guts to play a role like this. She stretches so far out of her comfort zone in order to film the rape scene, which is never easy for any actor or actress to do if they are doing such a scene. Also, she portrays Jennifer's revenge as oddly realistic and it is never cartoonish. Even though her casting was a slight miss-step, Butler pulls through and gives an amazing performance.
I said it before, and I'll say it again. "I Spit On Your Grave" is not for everyone. I'm not saying that rape is a good thing, but the movie lends a feeling of female empowerment and strength to the character of Jennifer Hills, making her revenge all the more sweeter than any we've seen in a while. The torture scenes are just as gut-wrenching for us as the characters, but in a way, every one of us has a side that wants to be scared and repulsed, which is probably one thing that makes horror so popular. Some movies can be fun, others can't. "I Spit On Your Grave" is a weird mixture of both. Call me crazy, but this Day of the Woman was a day well-spent.
Meir Zarchi's 1978 exploitation flick "Day of the Woman"(more well-known as "I Spit On Your Grave") is one of the most notorious horror titles of the century. Critics despise it mostly for its rumored unwatchable rape scene that is said to last for quite a while, making it all the more painful. The movie's criticism is ignored while the more it is talked about, the more people watch it.
It is surprising to say that I haven't seen the original "I Spit On Your Grave," and I've found it more safe that way. And I certainly didn't rush to see the remake, mostly because it was unrated(which is usually the kiss of death for any film). I waited for the DVD. When I finally saw it, I quickly decided that it's certainly not a movie for everyone. Some will find the violent nature of the film to be too much for them while others will find it a powerful and brutal exercise in justified revenge. I am on the positive side.
I know what you're thinking? How can a movie in which a girl is raped for an extensive amount of time be entertaining? Well, the rape scene in "I Spit On Your Grave" is definitely no picnic. It's less subtle and more brutal than the one in the remake of Wes Craven's "The Last House on the Left," but it's not as long as it is reputed to be, unlike the original.
However, as harsh to watch as it is, there is a feeling of hope for Jennifer right from the start. The rape scene only eggs our protagonist and the audience to get back at the villains and deliver some major justice. The movie promises that, and it's a promise kept.
From what I've heard, in the original, Jennifer takes revenge on her violators by actually seducing them, which, next to the assault scenes, probably set off more angry arguments than that of "The Last House on the Left." The revenge scenes in the remake are fun while they are still pretty disturbing and near unwatchable because Jennifer doesn't come back the same person she was before, and as she tortures the men brutally, her sense of humor is macabre and nifty as she spouts out lines like "I thought you were an ass man"(let's not talk about that scene) or "You like to watch, don't you?" as she tortures the film fanatic of the rapists while filming his death with his own camera. Her revenge is a magnificent one.
The movie is held together not as much by director Steven R. Monroe as it is held together by its cast. Jeff Branson, Rodney Eastman, and Daniel Franzese are especially noteable for their performances as Johnny, Andy, and Stanley, as well as Chad Lindberg as the retarded Matthew, who is painfully forced into being the first to rape Jennifer.
Let's talk about our heroine. Jennifer Hills is played by newcomer Sarah Butler. There is a negative side to her performance but also a very positive side. Butler looks a little too young to be playing a professional writer, which does take away a tiny amount of believability. However, she has a lot of guts to play a role like this. She stretches so far out of her comfort zone in order to film the rape scene, which is never easy for any actor or actress to do if they are doing such a scene. Also, she portrays Jennifer's revenge as oddly realistic and it is never cartoonish. Even though her casting was a slight miss-step, Butler pulls through and gives an amazing performance.
I said it before, and I'll say it again. "I Spit On Your Grave" is not for everyone. I'm not saying that rape is a good thing, but the movie lends a feeling of female empowerment and strength to the character of Jennifer Hills, making her revenge all the more sweeter than any we've seen in a while. The torture scenes are just as gut-wrenching for us as the characters, but in a way, every one of us has a side that wants to be scared and repulsed, which is probably one thing that makes horror so popular. Some movies can be fun, others can't. "I Spit On Your Grave" is a weird mixture of both. Call me crazy, but this Day of the Woman was a day well-spent.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Best Horror Sequels!
They usually say that sequels are never as good as the original. But there are certainly some of them that have lived up to their predecessor. These are some of them.
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)- Even more sleepless nights are guaranteed with this sequel to the smash hit. More cameras, more suspense, more scares. It's the best sequel in ages.
Halloween II (1981)- Of course, it's not the first. But Rick Rosenthal's sequel to John Carpenter's 1978 classic gets the job done. Picking up right where the first film left off, Michael Myers is shot and continues to roam Haddonfield. While Dr. Loomis goes on looking for The Shape, Laurie Strode is taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. The bad news is that Michael has followed her there, and kills off anyone who gets in the way. "Halloween II" is still pretty scary and entertaining to this day, thanks to some nicely executed kills, once again good performances by Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, well-done chase scenes, and an awesome boob shot. Leave your logic at the door, and enjoy.
Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)- After the success of the first "F13," a sequel was inevitable. And "Friday the 13th Part 2" fits the criteria for a good follow-up. After the events of the first, a new camp is set up not too far away from Camp Crystal Lake. You know what that means. A new batch of nubile counselors to pick off. But Mama Voorhees isn't the killer here. Nope. It's her son, Jason! Before the hockey mask, our friendly neighborhood mama's boy sported a potato sack over his head as he killed the teens, which is an effective and creepy visage. Like a good slasher sequel should do, "F13P2" ups the ante: more gore, more sex, and more suspense. It has aged well.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)- Once Freddy had completely lost his touch, Wes Craven brought him back to terrifying life in this movie within a movie that says a lot about the horror audience. With everyone playing themselves(Heather Langenkamp gives a DYNAMITE! performance), Freddy is examined as more than just a fictional slasher movie villain. Robert Englund delivers the best performance since Part 3. There's nothing funny about Freddy in this one.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)- Including such famous stars as Patricia Arquette, Laurence Fischburne, and Priscilla Pointer, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3" manages to stay scary while also being really funny, thanks to the always stellar performance of Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. You get good dreams with this one.
Psycho II (1983)- Say that there's a sequel to "Psycho" and people think you're absolutely nuts to watch it. But, no! "Psycho II" is great! Norman Bates returns to his run-down motel and his house on the hill after 22 years of mental confinement. He has tried very much to forget Mother, but with Lila Loomis taunting Norman constantly, and a new friend named Mary staying at the Bates Motel, Mother's coming back and she isn't very happy with her son. Slightly gorier than the original, Part 2is great fun, with a flawless performance by Anthony Perkins and a surprisingly non-cliched story. "Psycho II" is a wonderful sequel. Don't worry, Norman. Mother's proud.
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)- Not exactly the final chapter, but this 4th installment in the "Friday the 13th" franchise has just as much gore, nudity, and atmosphere as Part 2. As always, each movie symbolizes AIDS in the 1980's. You have sex, than forget about your parents. This is Jason's form of punishment.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)- Before Pinhead and his Cenobite buddies failed at the rest of the sequels and disappeared into oblivion, the first sequel to Clive Barker's sensual, disgusting, and entertaining masterpiece does extraordinarily well, with a story equally as intelligent as the original, more violence, and truly nightmarish imagery. "Hellbound" nails it. Pun intended.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1931)- I'll tell you the truth. I was more of a "Dracula" person than a "Frankenstein" person. Don't get me wrong. "Frankenstein" is a good film. But I just didn't love it as much as "Dracula." Then, "The Bride of Frankenstein" came along, and it is, in every way, better than the original. It's heartbreaking, scary, and very entertaining. Not the best sequel, for me, but certainly one of the best.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)- After 10 years, and the laughably bad and non-related "Halloween III," this was a welcome return, thanks to Donald Pleasence, our two appealing female leads(Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell), a genuine eerieness, and a wonderful embracing of the Halloween holiday.
Scream 2 (1997)- "What's your favorite scary movie?" Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson teamed up again for this sequel that is equally as good as the first. It's smarter, gorier, funnier, and more entertaining. Here's hoping that "Scream 4" will do just as well as "Scream 3."
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)- Even more sleepless nights are guaranteed with this sequel to the smash hit. More cameras, more suspense, more scares. It's the best sequel in ages.
Halloween II (1981)- Of course, it's not the first. But Rick Rosenthal's sequel to John Carpenter's 1978 classic gets the job done. Picking up right where the first film left off, Michael Myers is shot and continues to roam Haddonfield. While Dr. Loomis goes on looking for The Shape, Laurie Strode is taken to the nearby hospital for treatment. The bad news is that Michael has followed her there, and kills off anyone who gets in the way. "Halloween II" is still pretty scary and entertaining to this day, thanks to some nicely executed kills, once again good performances by Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence, well-done chase scenes, and an awesome boob shot. Leave your logic at the door, and enjoy.
Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)- After the success of the first "F13," a sequel was inevitable. And "Friday the 13th Part 2" fits the criteria for a good follow-up. After the events of the first, a new camp is set up not too far away from Camp Crystal Lake. You know what that means. A new batch of nubile counselors to pick off. But Mama Voorhees isn't the killer here. Nope. It's her son, Jason! Before the hockey mask, our friendly neighborhood mama's boy sported a potato sack over his head as he killed the teens, which is an effective and creepy visage. Like a good slasher sequel should do, "F13P2" ups the ante: more gore, more sex, and more suspense. It has aged well.
Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994)- Once Freddy had completely lost his touch, Wes Craven brought him back to terrifying life in this movie within a movie that says a lot about the horror audience. With everyone playing themselves(Heather Langenkamp gives a DYNAMITE! performance), Freddy is examined as more than just a fictional slasher movie villain. Robert Englund delivers the best performance since Part 3. There's nothing funny about Freddy in this one.
A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)- Including such famous stars as Patricia Arquette, Laurence Fischburne, and Priscilla Pointer, "A Nightmare on Elm Street 3" manages to stay scary while also being really funny, thanks to the always stellar performance of Robert Englund as Freddy Krueger. You get good dreams with this one.
Psycho II (1983)- Say that there's a sequel to "Psycho" and people think you're absolutely nuts to watch it. But, no! "Psycho II" is great! Norman Bates returns to his run-down motel and his house on the hill after 22 years of mental confinement. He has tried very much to forget Mother, but with Lila Loomis taunting Norman constantly, and a new friend named Mary staying at the Bates Motel, Mother's coming back and she isn't very happy with her son. Slightly gorier than the original, Part 2is great fun, with a flawless performance by Anthony Perkins and a surprisingly non-cliched story. "Psycho II" is a wonderful sequel. Don't worry, Norman. Mother's proud.
Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter (1984)- Not exactly the final chapter, but this 4th installment in the "Friday the 13th" franchise has just as much gore, nudity, and atmosphere as Part 2. As always, each movie symbolizes AIDS in the 1980's. You have sex, than forget about your parents. This is Jason's form of punishment.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)- Before Pinhead and his Cenobite buddies failed at the rest of the sequels and disappeared into oblivion, the first sequel to Clive Barker's sensual, disgusting, and entertaining masterpiece does extraordinarily well, with a story equally as intelligent as the original, more violence, and truly nightmarish imagery. "Hellbound" nails it. Pun intended.
The Bride of Frankenstein (1931)- I'll tell you the truth. I was more of a "Dracula" person than a "Frankenstein" person. Don't get me wrong. "Frankenstein" is a good film. But I just didn't love it as much as "Dracula." Then, "The Bride of Frankenstein" came along, and it is, in every way, better than the original. It's heartbreaking, scary, and very entertaining. Not the best sequel, for me, but certainly one of the best.
Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)- After 10 years, and the laughably bad and non-related "Halloween III," this was a welcome return, thanks to Donald Pleasence, our two appealing female leads(Danielle Harris and Ellie Cornell), a genuine eerieness, and a wonderful embracing of the Halloween holiday.
Scream 2 (1997)- "What's your favorite scary movie?" Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson teamed up again for this sequel that is equally as good as the first. It's smarter, gorier, funnier, and more entertaining. Here's hoping that "Scream 4" will do just as well as "Scream 3."
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Best Horror of 2010!
Sorry if I'm a little late on this. 2010 was a big year for horror, good and bad. This is my list of the best scary movies of 2010.
Black Swan (2010)- Director Darren Aronosfsky's psychological horror film about a ballerina on the edge of sanity tops #1 this year, thanks to Natalie Portman's Oscar-worthy performance, and some truly disturbing moments of paranoia, sexuality and shock. Some don't see "Black Swan" as a horror movie, but compare it with the likes of "Repulsion" and "Suspiria," and it very well is.
Let Me In (2010)- Young Owen is an outcast that is constantly bullied at school. One day, his life changes when he meets the new girl next door, Abby. She's an odd character, not showing any reaction to the cold weather, not wearing shoes, and her "father" always going out on errands. Owen and Abby form a tender and sweet relationship that ultimately becomes a nightmare when Owen finds out who she really is. An American remake of "Let The Right One In," Matt Reeves finishes 2010 with the be-all-end-all of vampire movies.
Splice (2010)- "Frankenstein" meets "The Fly" in Vincenzo Natali's sci-fi horror film about two geneticists that splice two genes together and get a female creature that is only partially human. Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley work very well together, and the idea that we're not too far away from this type of science helps to make "Splice" a movie that David Cronenberg would be proud of.
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)- "Paranormal Activity" was a box-office success thanks to a wonderful marketing campaign and lots of scares. The sequel, "Paranormal Activity 2," doesn't demand audiences to see it. However, Tod Williams' film equals the original. It's very creepy, it doesn't look like the cast is acting, and the build-up is fantastic. The house doesn't consist of just one camera, but six, and therefore, you are on the edge of your seat with suspense. Sounds like "PA2" offers up more sleepless nights than its predecessor. The best sequel since "Aliens?" It's possible.
The Crazies (2010)- Breck Eisner's remake of Romero's 1973 film is better than the original. It's super-scary, and the messages on bio-terrorism and fear of disease gets to you more than anything about the film. "The Crazies" is good enough to drive you insane.
Shutter Island (2010)- Directed by Martin Scorsese("Taxi Driver," "Casino," and "Raging Bull"), "Shutter Island" stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two federal marshals that visit a creepy asylum where a patient has supposedly escaped. As the marshals delve deeper into the history and the hospital's treatments, their fate does not look pretty. Obviously inspired by David Lynch("Blue Velvet") and Stanley Kubrick("The Shining"), "Shutter Island" is very atmospheric and nightmarish, and it has an A-list cast, including: Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Max Von Sydow, Michelle Williams, and Jackie Earle Haley. "Shutter Island" will stay with you long after you've watched it.
Piranha 3D (2010)- Once in a while, a horror movie comes along that doesn't take itself seriously, and its only purpose is to entertain. "Piranha 3D" knows what it is, and it is a fun popcorn flick that offers up something for everyone: Lots of gore, gratuitous nudity, cheesy acting from big-name stars, and large carnivorous fish. What more could you ask for?
Frozen (2010)- Basically "Open Water" on a ski-lift, "Frozen" is director Adam Green's("Hatchet") biggest surprise yet. Three kids on vacation at a ski-lodge decide to go for one last ride down the hill. Suddenly, the lodge shuts down, and they are stuck on the lift. How long can they survive? Can they find any way of getting off the lift without breaking a bone or being attacked by ferocious wolves? Unbearable suspense and major "ouch!" moments make "Frozen" a winner!
The Last Exorcism (2010)- Let's just nickname this one "The Linda Blair Witch Project" and say that for a PG-13 horror film, it scares the living daylights out of you.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)- One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, he's better than before. Jackie Earle Haley brings back the fearsome side of Freddy Krueger that was lost in the sequels. And with the idea of micro-naps, staying awake is that much harder for the Elm Street teens, and you never know when somebody is asleep or not. A sorely underrated remake.
The Wolfman (2010)- That's right. "The Wolfman" makes my list of the best horror of 2010. Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving shine, and the gory kills are great. This film is not like "Van Helsing"(Thank god!), and it is done so much in the spirit of a good, old-fashioned monster movie. "The Wolfman" made me howl at the moon with glee!
The Human Centipede: First Sequence (2010)- I have no clue why I'm doing this. It's definitely not a pleasant film to watch, and the acting isn't all that, but it's so bizarre, disturbing, and surprisingly original. It won't appeal to everyone, that's for sure. And I most likely will never watch it again. But I suppose fans of midnight movies will find some schlocky entertainment value in "The Human Centipede."
Black Swan (2010)- Director Darren Aronosfsky's psychological horror film about a ballerina on the edge of sanity tops #1 this year, thanks to Natalie Portman's Oscar-worthy performance, and some truly disturbing moments of paranoia, sexuality and shock. Some don't see "Black Swan" as a horror movie, but compare it with the likes of "Repulsion" and "Suspiria," and it very well is.
Let Me In (2010)- Young Owen is an outcast that is constantly bullied at school. One day, his life changes when he meets the new girl next door, Abby. She's an odd character, not showing any reaction to the cold weather, not wearing shoes, and her "father" always going out on errands. Owen and Abby form a tender and sweet relationship that ultimately becomes a nightmare when Owen finds out who she really is. An American remake of "Let The Right One In," Matt Reeves finishes 2010 with the be-all-end-all of vampire movies.
Splice (2010)- "Frankenstein" meets "The Fly" in Vincenzo Natali's sci-fi horror film about two geneticists that splice two genes together and get a female creature that is only partially human. Adrien Brody and Sarah Polley work very well together, and the idea that we're not too far away from this type of science helps to make "Splice" a movie that David Cronenberg would be proud of.
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)- "Paranormal Activity" was a box-office success thanks to a wonderful marketing campaign and lots of scares. The sequel, "Paranormal Activity 2," doesn't demand audiences to see it. However, Tod Williams' film equals the original. It's very creepy, it doesn't look like the cast is acting, and the build-up is fantastic. The house doesn't consist of just one camera, but six, and therefore, you are on the edge of your seat with suspense. Sounds like "PA2" offers up more sleepless nights than its predecessor. The best sequel since "Aliens?" It's possible.
The Crazies (2010)- Breck Eisner's remake of Romero's 1973 film is better than the original. It's super-scary, and the messages on bio-terrorism and fear of disease gets to you more than anything about the film. "The Crazies" is good enough to drive you insane.
Shutter Island (2010)- Directed by Martin Scorsese("Taxi Driver," "Casino," and "Raging Bull"), "Shutter Island" stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo as two federal marshals that visit a creepy asylum where a patient has supposedly escaped. As the marshals delve deeper into the history and the hospital's treatments, their fate does not look pretty. Obviously inspired by David Lynch("Blue Velvet") and Stanley Kubrick("The Shining"), "Shutter Island" is very atmospheric and nightmarish, and it has an A-list cast, including: Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Max Von Sydow, Michelle Williams, and Jackie Earle Haley. "Shutter Island" will stay with you long after you've watched it.
Piranha 3D (2010)- Once in a while, a horror movie comes along that doesn't take itself seriously, and its only purpose is to entertain. "Piranha 3D" knows what it is, and it is a fun popcorn flick that offers up something for everyone: Lots of gore, gratuitous nudity, cheesy acting from big-name stars, and large carnivorous fish. What more could you ask for?
Frozen (2010)- Basically "Open Water" on a ski-lift, "Frozen" is director Adam Green's("Hatchet") biggest surprise yet. Three kids on vacation at a ski-lodge decide to go for one last ride down the hill. Suddenly, the lodge shuts down, and they are stuck on the lift. How long can they survive? Can they find any way of getting off the lift without breaking a bone or being attacked by ferocious wolves? Unbearable suspense and major "ouch!" moments make "Frozen" a winner!
The Last Exorcism (2010)- Let's just nickname this one "The Linda Blair Witch Project" and say that for a PG-13 horror film, it scares the living daylights out of you.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)- One, two, Freddy's coming for you. Three, four, he's better than before. Jackie Earle Haley brings back the fearsome side of Freddy Krueger that was lost in the sequels. And with the idea of micro-naps, staying awake is that much harder for the Elm Street teens, and you never know when somebody is asleep or not. A sorely underrated remake.
The Wolfman (2010)- That's right. "The Wolfman" makes my list of the best horror of 2010. Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving shine, and the gory kills are great. This film is not like "Van Helsing"(Thank god!), and it is done so much in the spirit of a good, old-fashioned monster movie. "The Wolfman" made me howl at the moon with glee!
The Human Centipede: First Sequence (2010)- I have no clue why I'm doing this. It's definitely not a pleasant film to watch, and the acting isn't all that, but it's so bizarre, disturbing, and surprisingly original. It won't appeal to everyone, that's for sure. And I most likely will never watch it again. But I suppose fans of midnight movies will find some schlocky entertainment value in "The Human Centipede."
Sunday, January 30, 2011
The Legend of Hell House
To this day, Robert Wise's "The Haunting" reigns supreme as the definitive haunted house movie. It has paved the way for such memorable classics as "The Innocents," "Burnt Offerings," and "The Others." However, not many people seem to remember a 1973 flick that came out months before "The Exorcist," a film called "The Legend of Hell House."
Dr. Lionel Barrett is a physicist who is hired by an old man named Rudolph Deutsch to find the answer to one question: Is there life after death? This isn't particularly his job, but since he is getting paid 100,000 bucks, he is glad to take it. But he isn't all for the choice of area in which he'll be studying the subject assigned to him: the Belasco House, aka Hell House.
Known to many as the "Mount Everest of haunted houses," Barrett takes the job, and brings with him three people: Ann, his wife, Florence Tanner, a mental medium, and Benjamin Fischer, the one and only survivor of the previous experiments in Hell House. The owner of the house, Emeric Belasco, was a madman, a sadist obsessed with everything shockingly violent, ranging from cannibalism to murderous alcoholism. So, if any house in England is truly haunted, it's quite obvious that this would be it. And once the team is inside the house, the supernatural occurrences start right away. Lionel, Ann, Florence, and Ben will find out that the Belasco mansion is truly a Hell House.
"The Legend of Hell House" was scripted by Richard Matheson, who wrote the novel that inspired the film as well as "I Am Legend," "Duel," and "The Box." I have read "Hell House" and while the movie follows the book very closely, it is not nearly as graphic or disturbing as the novel. That is totally understandable. If Matheson included everything from the novel, the film would have been X-rated.
While the movie doesn't include all of the sexuality and the violence of the book, it manages to be a very effective ghost story. Like "The Haunting," "Hell House" chooses to abandon most special effects and terrify the viewer through the imagination. No ghosts are seen here, but there's plenty of activity. Matheson has weaved a story that lets your imagination go wild, and I personally think it is his best novel.
The thing that is most fascinating about this haunted house is that one way it haunts the occupants is by digging into what gets to them most. Lionel's wife, Ann, is sexually repressed, and when she expects love from her husband, he turns away, and Ann exhibits her activeness in one of the creepiest sleepwalking scenes ever filmed.
When we first enter the Belasco House, we know instantly that we should turn away and never come back. But our mind tells us not to and to go in to find the answers to the supernatural phenomena that occurred there.
The cast is well-chosen. Clive Revill is good as the non-believing Lionel, as well as Gayle Hunnicutt as Ann. But Pamela Franklin(of "The Innocents," and "And Soon the Darkness") and Roddy McDowall("Fright Night," and "Planet of the Apes") give the best performances here as Florence and Benjamin, who firmly believe that the house is haunted.
Direction went to John Hough, who had directed "Escape to Witch Mountain" and several episodes of "The Avengers." Hough knows that what you don't see is scarier than what you do see, and proves himself worthy as a horror film director.
The ending is sort of a letdown, but the rest of the movie remains flawless. It's not as great as "The Haunting," but it is a worthy follow-up that is atmospheric, eerie, and shocking, and pushes the boundaries beyond what we think a haunted house movie really is. Never does it come off as campy, and if "The Legend of Hell House" doesn't give you the creeps, than you don't know what horror is.
Dr. Lionel Barrett is a physicist who is hired by an old man named Rudolph Deutsch to find the answer to one question: Is there life after death? This isn't particularly his job, but since he is getting paid 100,000 bucks, he is glad to take it. But he isn't all for the choice of area in which he'll be studying the subject assigned to him: the Belasco House, aka Hell House.
Known to many as the "Mount Everest of haunted houses," Barrett takes the job, and brings with him three people: Ann, his wife, Florence Tanner, a mental medium, and Benjamin Fischer, the one and only survivor of the previous experiments in Hell House. The owner of the house, Emeric Belasco, was a madman, a sadist obsessed with everything shockingly violent, ranging from cannibalism to murderous alcoholism. So, if any house in England is truly haunted, it's quite obvious that this would be it. And once the team is inside the house, the supernatural occurrences start right away. Lionel, Ann, Florence, and Ben will find out that the Belasco mansion is truly a Hell House.
"The Legend of Hell House" was scripted by Richard Matheson, who wrote the novel that inspired the film as well as "I Am Legend," "Duel," and "The Box." I have read "Hell House" and while the movie follows the book very closely, it is not nearly as graphic or disturbing as the novel. That is totally understandable. If Matheson included everything from the novel, the film would have been X-rated.
While the movie doesn't include all of the sexuality and the violence of the book, it manages to be a very effective ghost story. Like "The Haunting," "Hell House" chooses to abandon most special effects and terrify the viewer through the imagination. No ghosts are seen here, but there's plenty of activity. Matheson has weaved a story that lets your imagination go wild, and I personally think it is his best novel.
The thing that is most fascinating about this haunted house is that one way it haunts the occupants is by digging into what gets to them most. Lionel's wife, Ann, is sexually repressed, and when she expects love from her husband, he turns away, and Ann exhibits her activeness in one of the creepiest sleepwalking scenes ever filmed.
When we first enter the Belasco House, we know instantly that we should turn away and never come back. But our mind tells us not to and to go in to find the answers to the supernatural phenomena that occurred there.
The cast is well-chosen. Clive Revill is good as the non-believing Lionel, as well as Gayle Hunnicutt as Ann. But Pamela Franklin(of "The Innocents," and "And Soon the Darkness") and Roddy McDowall("Fright Night," and "Planet of the Apes") give the best performances here as Florence and Benjamin, who firmly believe that the house is haunted.
Direction went to John Hough, who had directed "Escape to Witch Mountain" and several episodes of "The Avengers." Hough knows that what you don't see is scarier than what you do see, and proves himself worthy as a horror film director.
The ending is sort of a letdown, but the rest of the movie remains flawless. It's not as great as "The Haunting," but it is a worthy follow-up that is atmospheric, eerie, and shocking, and pushes the boundaries beyond what we think a haunted house movie really is. Never does it come off as campy, and if "The Legend of Hell House" doesn't give you the creeps, than you don't know what horror is.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Good, Old-Fashioned, Black And White Horror!
Sometimes, we need to take a break from the more recent horror movies of our time. If you're a real fan of the genre, check out this piece on some of the greatest black and white horror films of all time.
1) Carnival of Souls (1962)- Herk Harvey directed this tale of a woman named Mary Henry, who gets into a car accident with her friends after a failed drag race. She survives the accident, and doesn't remember anything. A while after the accident occurred, Mary leaves her town and heads over to an area where she will take the job of a church organist. Soon, she begins to experience hallucinations and see ghostly apparitions that constantly haunt her. "Carnival of Souls" is certainly a B-movie. The acting is just so bad it's good. However, as B-grade as it is, there is just something about it. The atmosphere is tremendous and inescapable, and there are moments of undeniable creepiness, especially when we see that creepy man with the wide eyes that is haunting Mary Henry. The acting isn't all that, but if you're looking for something that is ambiguous and strange, you've found it here.
2) The Phantom of the Opera (1925)- Lon Chaney shines in this silent film adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel about a deformed figure that demands love from the opera singer that he is obsessed with. Chaney doesn't need to speak for this movie. It's all about his body language and facial expressions. He can project any emotion instantly, making him a genious performer. And the face revelation scene is still one of the most haunting and shocking moments in horror cinema. It's a classic tale and an equally classic movie.
3) Nosferatu (1922)- Before the suave and lovesick Dracula, there was this movie. Directed by F.W. Murnau, "Nosferatu" is basically "Dracula" under a different name(Murnau was almost sued for not getting the film rights for Stoker's novel from his widowed wife), but through the power of suggestion and atmosphere, it is a triumphant horror film. Realtor Knock hires his best man Hutter to travel to Transylvania to sell a house to the mysterious Count Orlok. Leaving his wife, Ellen, behind, Hutter takes the trip and finds himself caught up in a horrific and vampiric nightmare. Easily one of the ugliest and creepiest vampires on film, Max Schreck's Orlok is a performance that will creep you out even after the film is finished. You don't want this guy knocking on your door.
4) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)- Another German expressionist horror film that has to be seen to be believed.
5) The House on Haunted Hill (1959)- Aided by the performance of Vincent Price and the showmanship of horror master William Castle, "The House on Haunted Hill" is classic B-movie fun about a millionaire who chooses a couple of people to spend the night in a supposedly haunted mansion. Whoever survives gets 100, 000 smackers. It's one of Price's best performances and the movie oozes with love for the genre.
6) Dracula (1931)- Don't need to say much about this Universal must, only that it's the movie that made Bela Lugosi a hit in the horror genre.
7) Frankenstein (1931)- Mary Shelley's novel about the creation of monsters is turned into one of the most iconic horror films ever made, thanks to the casting of Boris Karloff as the monster. "IT'S ALIVE!!!"
8) Cat People (1942)- A black and white horror film that, if you pay close attention, is all about sexual repression. Bosnia native Irena falls in love with everyman Oliver Reed in New York. The bad news is that if she becomes sexually excited, the creature inside of her will take over and attack! The Val Lewton productions were all about suggestion. There are no transformation scenes, but plenty of terror!
9) Night of the Living Dead (1968)- People locked in farmhouse. Hungry, flesh-eating ghouls attack. George Romero's film is simple, but the jaded aficionado will find it most effective due to the controversial social commentary littered throughout the movie.
10) Repulsion (1965)- "Black Swan" is obviously inspired by this Roman Polanski-directed psychological chiller about a sexually repressed woman that stays alone in her apartment for days, and slowly goes over the edge of sanity. It's weird, bizarre, frightening, and definitely one of the biggest "WTF?" films of the 60's.
1) Carnival of Souls (1962)- Herk Harvey directed this tale of a woman named Mary Henry, who gets into a car accident with her friends after a failed drag race. She survives the accident, and doesn't remember anything. A while after the accident occurred, Mary leaves her town and heads over to an area where she will take the job of a church organist. Soon, she begins to experience hallucinations and see ghostly apparitions that constantly haunt her. "Carnival of Souls" is certainly a B-movie. The acting is just so bad it's good. However, as B-grade as it is, there is just something about it. The atmosphere is tremendous and inescapable, and there are moments of undeniable creepiness, especially when we see that creepy man with the wide eyes that is haunting Mary Henry. The acting isn't all that, but if you're looking for something that is ambiguous and strange, you've found it here.
2) The Phantom of the Opera (1925)- Lon Chaney shines in this silent film adaptation of Gaston Leroux's novel about a deformed figure that demands love from the opera singer that he is obsessed with. Chaney doesn't need to speak for this movie. It's all about his body language and facial expressions. He can project any emotion instantly, making him a genious performer. And the face revelation scene is still one of the most haunting and shocking moments in horror cinema. It's a classic tale and an equally classic movie.
3) Nosferatu (1922)- Before the suave and lovesick Dracula, there was this movie. Directed by F.W. Murnau, "Nosferatu" is basically "Dracula" under a different name(Murnau was almost sued for not getting the film rights for Stoker's novel from his widowed wife), but through the power of suggestion and atmosphere, it is a triumphant horror film. Realtor Knock hires his best man Hutter to travel to Transylvania to sell a house to the mysterious Count Orlok. Leaving his wife, Ellen, behind, Hutter takes the trip and finds himself caught up in a horrific and vampiric nightmare. Easily one of the ugliest and creepiest vampires on film, Max Schreck's Orlok is a performance that will creep you out even after the film is finished. You don't want this guy knocking on your door.
4) The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)- Another German expressionist horror film that has to be seen to be believed.
5) The House on Haunted Hill (1959)- Aided by the performance of Vincent Price and the showmanship of horror master William Castle, "The House on Haunted Hill" is classic B-movie fun about a millionaire who chooses a couple of people to spend the night in a supposedly haunted mansion. Whoever survives gets 100, 000 smackers. It's one of Price's best performances and the movie oozes with love for the genre.
6) Dracula (1931)- Don't need to say much about this Universal must, only that it's the movie that made Bela Lugosi a hit in the horror genre.
7) Frankenstein (1931)- Mary Shelley's novel about the creation of monsters is turned into one of the most iconic horror films ever made, thanks to the casting of Boris Karloff as the monster. "IT'S ALIVE!!!"
8) Cat People (1942)- A black and white horror film that, if you pay close attention, is all about sexual repression. Bosnia native Irena falls in love with everyman Oliver Reed in New York. The bad news is that if she becomes sexually excited, the creature inside of her will take over and attack! The Val Lewton productions were all about suggestion. There are no transformation scenes, but plenty of terror!
9) Night of the Living Dead (1968)- People locked in farmhouse. Hungry, flesh-eating ghouls attack. George Romero's film is simple, but the jaded aficionado will find it most effective due to the controversial social commentary littered throughout the movie.
10) Repulsion (1965)- "Black Swan" is obviously inspired by this Roman Polanski-directed psychological chiller about a sexually repressed woman that stays alone in her apartment for days, and slowly goes over the edge of sanity. It's weird, bizarre, frightening, and definitely one of the biggest "WTF?" films of the 60's.
Friday, January 7, 2011
The Last Exorcism: A Big, Super-Creepy Surprise!
After seeing "Paranormal Activity," I decided to take a break from the "found footage" horror film. That's right. I decided to skip "The Last Exorcism" when it was in theaters. However, the critical praise poured in and the hype started to build. So, I finally watched the film on DVD. And I gotta say, I was so surprised.
Reverend Cotton Marcus is an evangelist minister. He's done his fair share of exorcisms, but he sees them as a bunch of bull. Cotton gets a letter to come down to another part of Louisiana to perform an exorcism. He accepts, and decides to bring a camera crew with him to film the footage of what is to be his last exorcism. Enter the farm of the Sweetzer family: Religious father Lewis, his weird and rude son Caleb, and his sweet 16 year old daughter, Nell. Nell is the one that is supposedly possessed and could be the one killing the livestock. Cotton sees Nell's actions, and he dismisses them as the behavior of an insane, abused young girl. But what if he's wrong?
We've had plenty of possession flicks, ranging from the profane and disturbing classic "The Exorcist" to the recently well-done court drama/horror film "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Going into this one, the audience gets a feel that they've seen this before. How wrong they were. "The Last Exorcism" is a possession flick, but it's so much more well-done than you'd expect it to be. And it's scarier too.
After such movies as "The Blair Witch Project," "Quarantine," and "Paranormal Activity," "The Last Exorcism" does follow the "found footage" formula like those before it. Like Oren Peli, director Daniel Stamm has a keen and sensational visual eye, offering up a healthy dose of suspense, terrifying "BOO!" moments, and the gut-wrenchingly violent and frightening behavior of Nell Sweetzer.
Screenwriters Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland have written a script that avoids the classic horror movie clichés and pulls out all the stops. Once the story gets going, there's no stopping it. Nell's actions start off strange and grow increasingly more horrific as the movie goes on. I don't know if Hitchcock was a fan of demonic horror, but he would be proud with the story Botko and Gurland have weaved.
Next to the "found footage" concept, what elevates "The Last Exorcism" above others is its music. Usually, in order to achieve the raw "home camera" feel, there is never any music in a horror film like this. However, Nathan Barr composes some truly creepy music that gets under your skin as equally as the movie does.
A mostly unknown cast of actors give performances to remember, especially Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell as Cotton and Nell. Sure, Cotton has faith, but he doesn't believe in the devil. The character could have come off as extremely obnoxious. But Fabian gives the role a fantastic third dimension that allows you to care about Cotton. Bell's portrayal of Nell Sweetzer is absolutely unbelievable. Like Jennifer Carpenter in "Emily Rose," playing a possessed teen is not easy. Bell gives the role all of the layers it needs to look real. She is sweet when she has to be, and the same goes for when she's pure evil. Also, Nell's body-cracking movements don't come off as CGI. It looks like Bell is doing all the work, making her performance just as good.
During the movie, I chose not to compare it to "Paranormal Activity," and it works better that way. "The Last Exorcism" and Oren Peli's film equal each other out. This film doesn't offer up a slow build up, and just sends you on a roller coaster ride unlike any other. "The Last Exorcism" is one of the best nail-biters of 2010, and call me crazy, but it comes pretty close to being the "Exorcist" of our generation. It is incredibly scary, and for a PG-13 horror movie, it gets away with a lot of stuff. It will stay with you long after you've left the theater or turned off your DVD player, and it will leave you with questions. Was God anywhere when needed? Was Nell really possessed or just crazy? You'll soon find out. And I don't care what anybody says. The ending is a stunner!
Reverend Cotton Marcus is an evangelist minister. He's done his fair share of exorcisms, but he sees them as a bunch of bull. Cotton gets a letter to come down to another part of Louisiana to perform an exorcism. He accepts, and decides to bring a camera crew with him to film the footage of what is to be his last exorcism. Enter the farm of the Sweetzer family: Religious father Lewis, his weird and rude son Caleb, and his sweet 16 year old daughter, Nell. Nell is the one that is supposedly possessed and could be the one killing the livestock. Cotton sees Nell's actions, and he dismisses them as the behavior of an insane, abused young girl. But what if he's wrong?
We've had plenty of possession flicks, ranging from the profane and disturbing classic "The Exorcist" to the recently well-done court drama/horror film "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Going into this one, the audience gets a feel that they've seen this before. How wrong they were. "The Last Exorcism" is a possession flick, but it's so much more well-done than you'd expect it to be. And it's scarier too.
After such movies as "The Blair Witch Project," "Quarantine," and "Paranormal Activity," "The Last Exorcism" does follow the "found footage" formula like those before it. Like Oren Peli, director Daniel Stamm has a keen and sensational visual eye, offering up a healthy dose of suspense, terrifying "BOO!" moments, and the gut-wrenchingly violent and frightening behavior of Nell Sweetzer.
Screenwriters Huck Botko and Andrew Gurland have written a script that avoids the classic horror movie clichés and pulls out all the stops. Once the story gets going, there's no stopping it. Nell's actions start off strange and grow increasingly more horrific as the movie goes on. I don't know if Hitchcock was a fan of demonic horror, but he would be proud with the story Botko and Gurland have weaved.
Next to the "found footage" concept, what elevates "The Last Exorcism" above others is its music. Usually, in order to achieve the raw "home camera" feel, there is never any music in a horror film like this. However, Nathan Barr composes some truly creepy music that gets under your skin as equally as the movie does.
A mostly unknown cast of actors give performances to remember, especially Patrick Fabian and Ashley Bell as Cotton and Nell. Sure, Cotton has faith, but he doesn't believe in the devil. The character could have come off as extremely obnoxious. But Fabian gives the role a fantastic third dimension that allows you to care about Cotton. Bell's portrayal of Nell Sweetzer is absolutely unbelievable. Like Jennifer Carpenter in "Emily Rose," playing a possessed teen is not easy. Bell gives the role all of the layers it needs to look real. She is sweet when she has to be, and the same goes for when she's pure evil. Also, Nell's body-cracking movements don't come off as CGI. It looks like Bell is doing all the work, making her performance just as good.
During the movie, I chose not to compare it to "Paranormal Activity," and it works better that way. "The Last Exorcism" and Oren Peli's film equal each other out. This film doesn't offer up a slow build up, and just sends you on a roller coaster ride unlike any other. "The Last Exorcism" is one of the best nail-biters of 2010, and call me crazy, but it comes pretty close to being the "Exorcist" of our generation. It is incredibly scary, and for a PG-13 horror movie, it gets away with a lot of stuff. It will stay with you long after you've left the theater or turned off your DVD player, and it will leave you with questions. Was God anywhere when needed? Was Nell really possessed or just crazy? You'll soon find out. And I don't care what anybody says. The ending is a stunner!
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