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Horror film news, reviews, previews, commentary and more from two fans of the genre. Drop us a line if you'd like to see a review not currently on the site!
Wow. It's crazy to think already how this blog has influenced my life. Now seems a good time to take stock, and point out that because of this and my friendship with Mr B I have watched so many odd and varied horror films over the last 4 months. Do check out the reviews. Likewise because of it I have bought DVD's recently of Saw 5, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street and Ju-On: The Grudge 2 which I hope to watch and review over the coming weeks (or knowing me, months). Also the horror holiday of Halloween is coming up so I will probably end up doing some variation on the usual horror movie marathon (more on that at a later date). Similarly I'm pretty psyched for the DVD release of the film Drag Me To Hell, which I have on pre-order. I would like to thank everyone who is visiting the site, Mr B and I know you're out there and whilst he wishes to remain somewhat anonymous I offer heartfelt congrats on the milestone to him from me too, anyone else wishing to get in touch can find me on Facebookhere, Twitterhere or here. Do get in touch with thoughts, opinions, comments or anything regarding the horror genre. Finally to celebrate this landmark number, because everyone loves lists and because it feels like I'm occassionally too negative here are the films I do genuinely love, my considered and much mulled over personal top ten horror films of all time, in reverse order:
10. The Evil Dead
9. Night of The Living Dead (1968)
8. The Shining
7. Carrie
6. Profondo Rosso (Deep Red)
5. Psycho
4. Scream
3. Aliens
2. Ju-On: The Grudge
1. Halloween (1978)
I fully expect controversy for what wasn't included, rather than what was. For the record just missing out on making the grade were such diverse films as The Birds, Scream 2, American Psycho, and the original Texas Chain-Saw Massacre. Likewise some of the films mentioned above might have made it in had they been fresher in my mind or after a considered re-watch (particularly Nightmare).I now throw down the gauntlet to Mr B to share his list, undoubtedly very different, to compare tastes and because it's a great way to judge a person's area of fondness for the genre. Look forward to seeing it and you over the next hundred...
Apologies all but Mr B and i actually watched this at my place almost 2 weeks ago I think, illness, work, and other life complications have eaten my time but indulge me if you will as I randomly attempt to splurge some coherent thoughts about this, a film which regular readers will know Mr B loves, and initiated a quest for amongst me and my family. The picture opens frankly slowly, there are some good but cliched pieces of visual creepy imagery, usually harking back to the stair tumble from the first Exorcist film (our first hint of how important that will be and one of very few early references to the earlier picture). Slight visual clues and tricks appear which are a bit confusing and jarring (at least for me), an atmosphere is created but non-fans or those slow on the filmic uptake may find it a tad frustrating. More criminal still is the lack of any real horror. Sure there are murders but at least two occur off screen and more is implied than shown, a shame for me but I know this is part of the charm for my esteemed colleague and I can see how that might be so even though I don't agree and was less forgiving of this. As things progress we end up almost in a straight police procedural for a while. Maybe it's necessary exposition, perhaps it's giving the actors some meaty stuff to play against outside a genre that may be seen as less worthy, whatever the case I found this to be the weakest part of the movie. Again though by comparison my viewing buddy was loving the set up and mood and even noticing things like little subtle shapes in the shadows and other eerie moments which were lost on me (I'm still not convinced these were intentional, at least in the one example he pointed out to me). Eventually we end up in the cell of the man claiming to be the Gemini killer (who was killed via execution years ago around the end of Regan's possession ordeal) but who looks, to our protagonist, exactly like The Exorcist's Father Damian Karras. This is where the film earns its status for me (and a visibly awed and transfixed Mr B). This first scene in that cell has since become one of my favourite in the genre, we have detailed horror dialogue and descriptions, excellent creepy dialogue and even two actors playing the same part which really shouldn't work but it's amazing how well it does and how completely captivated we are by the performances that we go with it. The two actors playing this unfortunate character deserve much kudos, (including reliable genre veteran and legend Brad Dourif) as well as our lead. As the plot goes much deeper into horror territory things vastly improve. We get a brilliantly realised, visually stylish surreal dream scene. There is much exploration of past events and lots is tied up. When we get to the obvious ending (the green-faced possession) which should seem trite and forced the imagery and depictions become truly memorable, disturbing and jarring but completely original, if horrific in the best, most thoughtful way. The final depiction of hell is one of the most powerful film images and will stay with you for a while. Overall a really slow burner which only kicks off half way through then gets excellent just as it finishes but with some great plotting (if over complicated), a few brilliant moments (look out for a crazy old lady ceiling walk), three top notch actors and one of the best endings I've seen in a while, I still can't see why Mr B raves QUITE so much about it as it's a little too plodding and does have flaws but still a very good, surprisingly original and hard working sequel.
Has it really been 10 years since The Blair Witch Project? Seems scary doesn't it? Scarier than anything presented in the film itself. First up let me say that I do not disagree with Mr Butterscotch per se, nor is this piece intended as any kind of rebuttal of his previous post, argument against it or anything like that, merely a different opinion from a different horror fan. Whilst I try and be subjective in my reviews this one will be more about what it means to me as I truly believe it's one of those "Marmite" films which will leave you feeling like either Mr B or myself do. If you haven't seen the film both are legitimate views, but I can't promise which side of the fence you'll be on. Let me also say that I think The Blair Witch Project is less an example of a great film, more a great marketing campaign. In this respect I'm reminded of The Exorcist, though that at least has a truly disturbing plot idea, great visual effects work, stand-out disgusting and shocking moments and is justifiably iconic (like that one shot in The Blair Witch Project which is shown above). It's this idea that was sold, of the film not being a film at all, which is admittedly ingenious and frustrating to a film geek, but gives the piece it's atmosphere and to an extent as a modern day filmic version of those old ghost stories told around the campfire it's quite good. I'll admit I got suckered in by this and on first watching the film I was too scared to watch past about an hour, expecting that the hype must meant something truly disturbing would hapen or be seen. Imagine my disappointment when I finished the film and just found it boring. I'm not usually one for extreme horror, don't get me wrong, but on rewwatches, divorced from cultural context, this is a poor effort. I commend the film for it's marketing, mostly the reason for it's success I feel, and for pioneering it's shooting style and new sub-genre, as Mr B touched upon. The problem is, divorcing it from this you are left with a piece where directions are already set, with no room for flair, acting that's abysmal except when it's natural and a good tale attempting to hold it all together, and coming off somewhat flimsy. The ending is genius, like most of the writing itself, with a truly great visual image, but not if you are expecting terror to make you scream. Effective chills, a good little ghost story and a trend setter but unforgivably dull for a horror movie, definitely worth catching for its effect and cultural context but not one you'll necessarily rave too much about. I can never forgive it also for unleashing the truly, indescribably dreadful sequel Blair Witch 2: Book of Shadows on the world. Now that one really isn't worth your time. As for the original, for me...
Hello again fear mongers. Mr B and I decided on an impromptu horror double bill when hanging out last night and now Im sharing the resulting thoughts, views and opinions with you faithful few frighteners. Stay tuned for a special piece on Texas Chain Saw Massacre (the remake) in a style you haven’t seen before but first our more traditional thoughts and my review of the first film we watched, Saw 2. I was surprised I talked Mr B into this but my excitable descriptions of pieces I recalled (I remembered quite digging this before) convinced him, so in the disc went, we munched on petrol station snacks, as has become the norm, and the logo’s played, much to Mr B’s approval, oh how things went downhill from there. The film opens with a trap in progress (SPOILER ALERT – If you haven’t seen Saw 2 and ever plan on coming to it fresh then stop reading right now!). This involves a hapless victim having to gouge out his eye to retrieve a key to a death “mask” laden with spikes which will snap shut on him in a few seconds. Supposedly this is his poetic justice for having used his peepers to spy on people as an informant. I’m not ashamed to say I still think this scene and trap are incredible, you truly feel for the guy and put yourself in that horrendous position, the first thing through my mind being that I couldnt do it, pondered every time I see him reach for the eyeball with a blade. This also struck me as quite clever, it’s misdirection in a sense since you’re expecing an Un Chien Andalou style eye slicing but it doesnt happen, you’re left reeling as a viewer, disgusted by the idea of it but wanting it to happen so the poor guy can free himself, it’s almost cathartic and relieving when the mask snaps shut, reminiscent of a scene in Mask of Satan, a reference for the hardcore horror fanatics. Mr B looked nonplussed here but his opinion wasnt shared so on we ploughed. We next launch into exposition setting up the cop characters, once Mr B had got over who both actors were (despite initial disbelief that it was Marky Mark Wahlberg’s brother and the chick from Starship Troopers) he concentrated, regretting it later but that’s to come. There was some hand wringing and excitement when we finally got to the meat of the story, meeting our protagonists all trapped in a house together. Lets deal with these sections of the film first... Most of the traps Mr B found ridiculous, and it has to be said they dont hold up to logical analysis or scrutiny. I forgive a lot due to the fact the people here were clearly never meant to leave the first room but as Mr B pointed out with regards to a different matter its human nature not to sit around when you think you’re dying. That said he did visibly flinch twice, something I have NEVER seen him do as a hardened horror nut, due to his dislike of needles in one case, I forget the second. It was during the more “police procedural” parts with Jigsaw and Detective Matthews that Mr B really expressed his distaste of what passed for a plot, completely disregarding the villains motivations and “logic”, its hard to disagree in part but I still find it cool at times in the series, and its not necessarily what they are about. In conclusion not as good as I rememebered but still a worthy effort, some effective moments of emotional affectation, good plot beats and twists for me, and a few great traps and gore moments. My personal score...
Hi again faithful fright fans. Hope I'm not treading on any toes here but Mr B's previous post spurred me to finding this (it wasn't easy) and I thought I would share it with you. I'll be honest I've been acutely aware of this movie for a while but it hadn't grabbed my interest, until now. It's good in a way to see Universal revisit the old horror classics of their monster mashing heyday but I'm still not convinced the character can be shocking or relevant enough for a world that seems to have moved on beyond this, plus some of the cliche elements seem ridiculously hokey, I can't be the only one who thought of scenes being almost humourous that have been so readily parodied (the curse, the gypsy woman, the moors etc). That said I wasn't aware until now that the writer is someone I greatly admire, one Andrew Kevin Walker, and the film does look good, also check out that cast (Benicio Del Toro, Emily Blunt, Anthony Hopkins and Hugo Weaving) all completely stepping up to the top of their game, if this preview is any indication. Yup, atmospheric and evocative with genuine emotion, thanks Mr B, the geek radar is definitely registering interest now. Check it out for yourselves...
