In the spirit of Creepshow, I give you "Trick 'r Treat". A series of short stories that are brilliantly intertwined.
The first is a story of a serial killer trying to live an everyday life while teaching his son the rules of the trade. Next we have a story of a young female werewolf on the eve of her first kill. Provoked by her sister, she succeeds. Then there is the story of a bus driver who kills the children he transports only to be haunted by them later in life. His story becomes the neighborhood urban legend. And last, there is the story of a husband who is obsessed with Halloween and his wife that couldn't care less. Needless to say, his wife is killed by the very creepy "spirit of Halloween". As was Creepshow in its time, Trick 'r Treat is a must see today. Happy Halloween.
Monday, October 26, 2009
I Hope Hell Never Comes Looking For Me
Clive Barker probably had no idea that his visions of hell would be so popular when he wrote "Hellraiser". It was Barker's first feature film and in my opinion the beginning of the most grotesque series of films to date.
The film opens with "Uncle Frank" buying the puzzle box, know as the Lament Configuration, in order to experience life's extreme pleasures and pains. Unfortunately for him he gets more than he asks for. He is ripped to pieces by the hooked chains that are meant to drag people to hell. Somehow Frank's soul escapes from the grasp of hell and is brought back to life when his half brother cuts his hand and spills some blood in the attic of the old family home. But Frank isn't in the clear just yet. It seems that hell has sent four bounty hunters, known as the Cenobites, to bring back what has escaped. The assumed leader of the Cenobites is the infamous "Pinhead", a character bent on making people understand all of the pleasures hell has to offer. Pinhead has since become an icon in the horror movie genre with staring roles in nine Hellraiser films and a remake of the 1987 original that's supposed to be released sometime in 2011. Until then, here is a reminder of what hell looked like in 1987.
The film opens with "Uncle Frank" buying the puzzle box, know as the Lament Configuration, in order to experience life's extreme pleasures and pains. Unfortunately for him he gets more than he asks for. He is ripped to pieces by the hooked chains that are meant to drag people to hell. Somehow Frank's soul escapes from the grasp of hell and is brought back to life when his half brother cuts his hand and spills some blood in the attic of the old family home. But Frank isn't in the clear just yet. It seems that hell has sent four bounty hunters, known as the Cenobites, to bring back what has escaped. The assumed leader of the Cenobites is the infamous "Pinhead", a character bent on making people understand all of the pleasures hell has to offer. Pinhead has since become an icon in the horror movie genre with staring roles in nine Hellraiser films and a remake of the 1987 original that's supposed to be released sometime in 2011. Until then, here is a reminder of what hell looked like in 1987.
The Descent
Six women, who at one point spent a lot of time exploring together, decide to reunite for a caving expedition. None of them had any idea that it would be their last. Neil Marshall gives us his view on adaptation and how people would react in desperate situations.
The story starts off very violently with the husband and child of the main character being killed in a car accident. A year later she meets up with hers friends to explore a remote cave. Shortly after entering the cave the women become trapped and begin to search for a way out. During their search they come in contact with a group of creatures that look like they were, at one time, human. What they are is a ravenous bunch that will do anything to survive. As the creatures are terrorizing them, the women are forced to confront their fears as well as their distrust for each other.
The story starts off very violently with the husband and child of the main character being killed in a car accident. A year later she meets up with hers friends to explore a remote cave. Shortly after entering the cave the women become trapped and begin to search for a way out. During their search they come in contact with a group of creatures that look like they were, at one time, human. What they are is a ravenous bunch that will do anything to survive. As the creatures are terrorizing them, the women are forced to confront their fears as well as their distrust for each other.
A New View On Torture
Eli Roth showed us, in great detail, what it might be like to torture another human being in "Hostel".
As an audience we were subjected to the very dark world of human trafficking and then subjected to the even darker world of Eli Roth's thoughts. I really have no urge to find out what a drill bit in the thigh feels like and it seems that every other idea of torture was brought to fruition in this film as well.
Hostel is a film about three backpackers in Amsterdam that are convinced to travel further into Eastern Europe to a hostel full of beautiful women that are very fond of American men. It's there that they meet two young women who show them around. Unknowingly the three are sold to a group of people that specialize in providing customers the opportunity to torture and kill a helpless victim. Here's where a movie that started out heavy with sexploitation ends heavy with human torture. After seeing this film I never want to stay in a hostel and I'm sure a lot of people have the same feeling. Check it out for yourself.
As an audience we were subjected to the very dark world of human trafficking and then subjected to the even darker world of Eli Roth's thoughts. I really have no urge to find out what a drill bit in the thigh feels like and it seems that every other idea of torture was brought to fruition in this film as well.
Hostel is a film about three backpackers in Amsterdam that are convinced to travel further into Eastern Europe to a hostel full of beautiful women that are very fond of American men. It's there that they meet two young women who show them around. Unknowingly the three are sold to a group of people that specialize in providing customers the opportunity to torture and kill a helpless victim. Here's where a movie that started out heavy with sexploitation ends heavy with human torture. After seeing this film I never want to stay in a hostel and I'm sure a lot of people have the same feeling. Check it out for yourself.
Poltergeist
Another Tobe Hooper great! Poltergeist is a story about a family that moves into a house that just happens to be built on an ancient Indian burial ground, of course.
My only problem with this story is that nothing happened to any of the other families living in the same community, I guess it had something to do with putting that swimming pool in the back yard.
Almost everything about this movie was creepy. There was Carol Anne, a little girl that talked to ghosts and ended up in some sort of limbo when she decided to talk to a television. Her older brother had a toy clown that came to life and attacked him from under his bed. A Tall Man just showed up at the house whistling in the rain to warn of bad things to come. And who could forget the tiny little lady who was supposed to clear the house of poltergeists. The haunting started out harmless and almost playful until one day things got very real! I guess the dead Indians couldn't stand any more desecration?
My only problem with this story is that nothing happened to any of the other families living in the same community, I guess it had something to do with putting that swimming pool in the back yard.
Almost everything about this movie was creepy. There was Carol Anne, a little girl that talked to ghosts and ended up in some sort of limbo when she decided to talk to a television. Her older brother had a toy clown that came to life and attacked him from under his bed. A Tall Man just showed up at the house whistling in the rain to warn of bad things to come. And who could forget the tiny little lady who was supposed to clear the house of poltergeists. The haunting started out harmless and almost playful until one day things got very real! I guess the dead Indians couldn't stand any more desecration?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Truly Terrorizing
In 1974 Tobe Hooper wrote a movie known as "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre". This movie gave birth to the idea of a group of people on a road trip that get caught up in really bad things. It was an idea that most people thought could happen to anyone which made the movie extremely scary. On top of that it was touted as being based on true events. It was, in fact, loosely based on the story of Ed Gein.
It's a story about a group of teenagers that are terrorized by a family of cannibalistic murderers in a rural town in Texas. Leatherface is the chainsaw wielding maniac that epitomizes terror. Many films have followed Chainsaw's lead, and some very well. Films like Hostel, Wolf Creek, and House of 1000 Corpses are just a few. Although these films are good none will ever top The Massacre
It's a story about a group of teenagers that are terrorized by a family of cannibalistic murderers in a rural town in Texas. Leatherface is the chainsaw wielding maniac that epitomizes terror. Many films have followed Chainsaw's lead, and some very well. Films like Hostel, Wolf Creek, and House of 1000 Corpses are just a few. Although these films are good none will ever top The Massacre
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Payback Is A Bitch
One of horror's greatest revenge stories. Directed by one of horror's greatest FX makeup artists, Stan Winston.
Ed Harley and his very young son run a small grocery store in Nevada. One day a group of young kids show up looking to have fun on their dirt bikes on their way to a cabin in the woods. One of the kids jumps a hill and accidentally kills Ed's son. The group takes off fearing they just might be in some real trouble. No kidding right? Anyhow, they make it to the cabin but in the mean time Ed has already gone to the local witch and conjured up "Pumpkinhead", a demon that cannot be stopped. It thrives on vengeance and killing, One by one Pumpkinhead picks off the young kids responsible for killing Ed's son but Ed is now plagued with visions of the killings because somehow he has a connection with Pumpkinhead. He realizes he's gone too far and must try to put a stop to the demon himself.
Ed Harley and his very young son run a small grocery store in Nevada. One day a group of young kids show up looking to have fun on their dirt bikes on their way to a cabin in the woods. One of the kids jumps a hill and accidentally kills Ed's son. The group takes off fearing they just might be in some real trouble. No kidding right? Anyhow, they make it to the cabin but in the mean time Ed has already gone to the local witch and conjured up "Pumpkinhead", a demon that cannot be stopped. It thrives on vengeance and killing, One by one Pumpkinhead picks off the young kids responsible for killing Ed's son but Ed is now plagued with visions of the killings because somehow he has a connection with Pumpkinhead. He realizes he's gone too far and must try to put a stop to the demon himself.
Why Won't You Just Stay Dead
Pet Sematary is definitely on my list of top scary movies. I think it has to do with that creepy fuckin kid. I love the story, an Indian burial ground that just happens to bring people, or just about anything, back to life. Albeit, in a zombie-like state. Guess you can't win 'em all.
Stephen King really wrote a winner here. The Creed's move into a new home that just happens to have a freeway in the front yard. First their cat gets killed by a passing truck and their neighbor, played by Fred Gwynne(Herman Munster), tells them about a cemetery that brings things back to life. The cat seemed a little angry that he just wasn't left dead. Next, the Creed's son wandered onto the freeway and was also killed, probably by the same god damned truck. So distraught by this the father took his son's body to the same cemetery and buried him hoping that he too would come back to life. He obviously didn't pay attention to the fact that the cat was pretty angry and didn't think his son would mind too much either.
Needless to say, the son did come back to life and he was indeed angry. So he did what any angry little zombie boy would do, he killed people. First it was the neighbor who told his father about this damned cemetery, that will put an end to anyone knowing about that cemetery. Next the boy killed his own mother but to his credit, he thought he was just playing. Then he went after his father. The father prevailed, of course. The little boy was dead again. And just when you thought Mr. Creed had learned from his mistakes he went and took his wife's body to the very same cemetery and buried her too. Jesus Christ, will this guy ever learn?
Stephen King really wrote a winner here. The Creed's move into a new home that just happens to have a freeway in the front yard. First their cat gets killed by a passing truck and their neighbor, played by Fred Gwynne(Herman Munster), tells them about a cemetery that brings things back to life. The cat seemed a little angry that he just wasn't left dead. Next, the Creed's son wandered onto the freeway and was also killed, probably by the same god damned truck. So distraught by this the father took his son's body to the same cemetery and buried him hoping that he too would come back to life. He obviously didn't pay attention to the fact that the cat was pretty angry and didn't think his son would mind too much either.
Needless to say, the son did come back to life and he was indeed angry. So he did what any angry little zombie boy would do, he killed people. First it was the neighbor who told his father about this damned cemetery, that will put an end to anyone knowing about that cemetery. Next the boy killed his own mother but to his credit, he thought he was just playing. Then he went after his father. The father prevailed, of course. The little boy was dead again. And just when you thought Mr. Creed had learned from his mistakes he went and took his wife's body to the very same cemetery and buried her too. Jesus Christ, will this guy ever learn?
Monday, October 19, 2009
30 Days of Bliss
Probably the best "dark" vampire film I've seen in a while, if not ever!
The events unfold in Barrow, Alaska where for one month out of the year there is no sunlight and most of the inhabitants leave for better weather. The catch is that once the last plane leaves there is no getting in or out of Barrow due to snow storms.
So now we have no sunlight for a month and a group of isolated people, trapped due to snow storms, in a town in the middle of no where. The only thing we're missing is the vampires. Oh wait, they've just arrived.
This story line is almost flawless and the vampires are amazing. They're not the type that change when provoked by blood, they're just vicious blood-sucking monsters all the time. They just kept coming and kept killing, nothing could stop them. The town had no idea what hit them. The killing scenes were violent and bloody and many.
I only had two problems with this movie. One, where did the vampires come from? They seemed to have rolled in on a boat, which they probably took over by killing everyone. Everyone except for one man that ended up being a decoy. God I love smart vampires! But I would have liked to get even a small back story. The other issue was the last battle. I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't seen it so I'll just say that he shouldn't have been killed that way. And none of the others jumped in after he died, some "gang" of vampires.
Other than those small issues I liked it, a lot. So here is the trailer to entice you into renting.
UPDATE: There are talks of a sequel to this movie but it might be a straight to DVD release. The title is "Dark Days", taken from the title of the graphic novel.
The events unfold in Barrow, Alaska where for one month out of the year there is no sunlight and most of the inhabitants leave for better weather. The catch is that once the last plane leaves there is no getting in or out of Barrow due to snow storms.
So now we have no sunlight for a month and a group of isolated people, trapped due to snow storms, in a town in the middle of no where. The only thing we're missing is the vampires. Oh wait, they've just arrived.
This story line is almost flawless and the vampires are amazing. They're not the type that change when provoked by blood, they're just vicious blood-sucking monsters all the time. They just kept coming and kept killing, nothing could stop them. The town had no idea what hit them. The killing scenes were violent and bloody and many.
I only had two problems with this movie. One, where did the vampires come from? They seemed to have rolled in on a boat, which they probably took over by killing everyone. Everyone except for one man that ended up being a decoy. God I love smart vampires! But I would have liked to get even a small back story. The other issue was the last battle. I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't seen it so I'll just say that he shouldn't have been killed that way. And none of the others jumped in after he died, some "gang" of vampires.
Other than those small issues I liked it, a lot. So here is the trailer to entice you into renting.
UPDATE: There are talks of a sequel to this movie but it might be a straight to DVD release. The title is "Dark Days", taken from the title of the graphic novel.
Glorified Bloodsuckers
Why on earth are vampires glorified so much in movies? They're supposed to be a gritty tribe of undead that prey on humans, not coexist with them. All of this recent obsession with "beautiful" vampires in Twilight is killing their image. Come on, vegetarian vampires. Sounds like bullshit to me.
They lurk in dark corners, haunt you in your dreams, seduce you with their eyes and then rip your fucking throat out. And you might be one of the lucky ones that gets turned, instead of dying. Enough of the Hollywood bullshit that's trying to attract a younger audience, lets keep up with the vampire flicks like "30 Days Of Night".
They lurk in dark corners, haunt you in your dreams, seduce you with their eyes and then rip your fucking throat out. And you might be one of the lucky ones that gets turned, instead of dying. Enough of the Hollywood bullshit that's trying to attract a younger audience, lets keep up with the vampire flicks like "30 Days Of Night".
A Great Man, No. But A Great Filmmaker Indeed
Even though there is so much controversy surrounding this man I feel a need to mention one of my favorite horror films from Roman Polanski.
"The Tenant" is a ghost story, and a good one at that. A file clerk, named Trelkovsky, moves into an apartment that the previous tenant killed herself in. The progression is slow as the new tenant tries to figure out what happened in his apartment before he got there. None of the buildings other tenants are willing to talk about it so he has to figure things out on his own. Oddly, the other tenants seem that they are trying to turn Trelkovsky into the previous tenant. Slowly, this causes Trelkovsky to fall into a sort of madness of his own.
As his own mind falls deeper into madness he feels the need to emulate the previous tenants last hours.
"The Tenant" is a ghost story, and a good one at that. A file clerk, named Trelkovsky, moves into an apartment that the previous tenant killed herself in. The progression is slow as the new tenant tries to figure out what happened in his apartment before he got there. None of the buildings other tenants are willing to talk about it so he has to figure things out on his own. Oddly, the other tenants seem that they are trying to turn Trelkovsky into the previous tenant. Slowly, this causes Trelkovsky to fall into a sort of madness of his own.
As his own mind falls deeper into madness he feels the need to emulate the previous tenants last hours.
Beaten To The Punch
Henry Krinkle has beaten me to the punch on a little movie called "Session 9". This is one of the best psychological horror movies you will ever see. And the scares are pretty damn good too. It stars a pre-CSI: Miami David Caruso, and is about an asbestos removal crew that is hired to do a job at an abandoned mental hospital. As the crew is scouting the hospital to set up they do what any person in their right mind would do, rummage through the abandoned shit! One of the crew comes across a set of audio tapes labeled session 1 through 9 and starts to listen to them. As the tapes unfold so does the movie. Ingenious!
It seems the hospital has a bit more to offer the crew than a paycheck. Do yourself a favor. Rent it, watch it, love it!
It seems the hospital has a bit more to offer the crew than a paycheck. Do yourself a favor. Rent it, watch it, love it!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Daybreakers
I saw this trailer a few weeks ago and I liked it a lot but then I forgot about it, which might not make for a very valid "go see" post but here ya go anyway.
I wouldn't so much call this a horror movie but it is about vampires and in some sense they are related. The movie is a vampire flick set in a future where vampires are the dominant species and humans are on the brink of extinction. Humans are being captured and farmed for their blood, a must to keep the species going. And where there is farming of blood there is someone looking to make money from that farming, Sam Neill. And that means there is some sort of rebel force looking to oppose that money making scoundrel, Willem Dafoe. And Ethan Hawke is the vampire hematologist caught in between. All of this futuristic blood farming sounds a lot like "Blade" to me but I'm okay with that.
Vampires are one of my greatest fascinations and I will see almost any vampire movie made, keep your eyes open for this one. It's scheduled to open January 8, 2010
I wouldn't so much call this a horror movie but it is about vampires and in some sense they are related. The movie is a vampire flick set in a future where vampires are the dominant species and humans are on the brink of extinction. Humans are being captured and farmed for their blood, a must to keep the species going. And where there is farming of blood there is someone looking to make money from that farming, Sam Neill. And that means there is some sort of rebel force looking to oppose that money making scoundrel, Willem Dafoe. And Ethan Hawke is the vampire hematologist caught in between. All of this futuristic blood farming sounds a lot like "Blade" to me but I'm okay with that.
Vampires are one of my greatest fascinations and I will see almost any vampire movie made, keep your eyes open for this one. It's scheduled to open January 8, 2010
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Everything Comes Full Circle
A chain letter that kills. Perfectly done! Within the first 10 minutes of The Ring you're already being scared and its totally unexpected. I feel like almost all movie goers are expecting a bit of a build-up.
Nope, not this time.
This is still one of my favorite scary movies to this day. Yes, even though it is a remake. The original is called "Ringu" and was written by the famed Takahshi Miike.
The idea that a girl "living" in a videotape is gonna kill anyone who watches it seemed a little far fetched at first but after watching the movie, in 2002 that is, I was very impressed. I loved how the viewer had to go along for the ride in order to find out what happened. The entire film was a puzzle and the writers saved the last piece for the very end. Great back story, I hate when you walk out of the theater wondering how things got to where they were. And great scares, the videotape itself was filled with some pretty damn disturbing things. My favorite part of the movie was how Samara, the dead girl, moved. That was some freaky shit!
Here is a little refresher. If you don't own it, buy it.
Nope, not this time.
This is still one of my favorite scary movies to this day. Yes, even though it is a remake. The original is called "Ringu" and was written by the famed Takahshi Miike.
The idea that a girl "living" in a videotape is gonna kill anyone who watches it seemed a little far fetched at first but after watching the movie, in 2002 that is, I was very impressed. I loved how the viewer had to go along for the ride in order to find out what happened. The entire film was a puzzle and the writers saved the last piece for the very end. Great back story, I hate when you walk out of the theater wondering how things got to where they were. And great scares, the videotape itself was filled with some pretty damn disturbing things. My favorite part of the movie was how Samara, the dead girl, moved. That was some freaky shit!
Here is a little refresher. If you don't own it, buy it.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
28 Days Too Long
Ok, so I was on IMDB the other day and......yes psychopathic serial killers with big knives do that sort of thing. Anyhow, I was on IMDB the other day and I stumbled across a bit of information that was kind of disturbing to me. I found out that they, they being Hollywood, are going to attempt to make another movie in the "28" series. The working title right now is "28 Months Later" although there are rumors that a different title may be chosen for the final cut. Everything at this point is still just an idea, nothing has been confirmed. Like Danny Boyle's return to direct the third of the series and where the film is supposed to be set. Some say France and others say Russia, I believe Boyle said he liked the idea of Russia.
My point is this. "28 Days Later" I loved! "28 Weeks Later" I think I could have done without. Might have been the director, might have been the fact that it seemed the second was just along for the ride on the coat tails of the first. The series has a great twist on the whole zombie thing. Instead of just coming back from the dead you're infected with a disease known as "the rage". What does this mean? I'll tell you. The "zombies" still have the same capabilities as a regular person minus the whole getting tired after a long run thing. They have the same strength and the same speed which make for a really fuckin exciting movie. How would you like to be chased by a zombie that wants to kill you and can run as fast if not faster than you!
The problem is, as with all sequels in a series, I'm skeptical. Very few movies have been able to pull of more than three sequels. Hell, that's what killed "Halloween", "Friday The 13th", and "A Nightmare On Elm Street". Actually, I think the only series that has done well at making more than three is "Saw". On the other hand, I'm excited! I mean, I love the concept and if it's done right no one will care that the second one sucked.
IMDB has it scheduled for a 2011 release, which means we won't get even a teaser trailer for a while. I'll be anxiously waiting 28 Months Later or what ever the hell you're gonna call yourself.
My point is this. "28 Days Later" I loved! "28 Weeks Later" I think I could have done without. Might have been the director, might have been the fact that it seemed the second was just along for the ride on the coat tails of the first. The series has a great twist on the whole zombie thing. Instead of just coming back from the dead you're infected with a disease known as "the rage". What does this mean? I'll tell you. The "zombies" still have the same capabilities as a regular person minus the whole getting tired after a long run thing. They have the same strength and the same speed which make for a really fuckin exciting movie. How would you like to be chased by a zombie that wants to kill you and can run as fast if not faster than you!
The problem is, as with all sequels in a series, I'm skeptical. Very few movies have been able to pull of more than three sequels. Hell, that's what killed "Halloween", "Friday The 13th", and "A Nightmare On Elm Street". Actually, I think the only series that has done well at making more than three is "Saw". On the other hand, I'm excited! I mean, I love the concept and if it's done right no one will care that the second one sucked.
IMDB has it scheduled for a 2011 release, which means we won't get even a teaser trailer for a while. I'll be anxiously waiting 28 Months Later or what ever the hell you're gonna call yourself.
Monday, October 12, 2009
George A. Romero
I was gonna try and come up with some kind of catchy title for this post but I couldn't do it. Mr. Romero doesn't need one. Credited as the creator of the modern zombie genre his first release was "Night of the Living Dead" in 1968. This film gave a face to the fascinating world of the brain eating walking dead. Night of the Living Dead was followed by both Dawn and Day of the Dead and have since become cult classics as well. Romero pioneered the way for literally hundreds of other film makers in the zombie genre. Without Romero we wouldn't have great zombie movies like 28 Days Later, Pet Sematary, and Re-Animator.
George started in the business doing short films and commercials. Oddly, the thing that persuaded Romero to do horror was an episode of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" that he was working on. Who would have thought that a man wearing a cardigan and a pair of house shoes could do such a thing. Romero and a few of his friends got together and started a production company called Image Ten Productions and with the money they all chipped in made the film we all know as Night of the Living Dead.
As the zombie king he has five released movies that are part of the "dead" series with a sixth, called "Survival of the Dead", on the way. And if you're a true Romero fan I'm sure you will be just as excited to see this one as you were when the credits rolled on Night of the Living Dead.
In 1999 Night of the Living Dead was inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress which, in my opinion, earned Romero the rights to the zombie crown!
"If one horror film hits, everyone says, "Let's go make a horror film!" It's the genre that never dies."
-George A. Romero
George started in the business doing short films and commercials. Oddly, the thing that persuaded Romero to do horror was an episode of "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" that he was working on. Who would have thought that a man wearing a cardigan and a pair of house shoes could do such a thing. Romero and a few of his friends got together and started a production company called Image Ten Productions and with the money they all chipped in made the film we all know as Night of the Living Dead.
As the zombie king he has five released movies that are part of the "dead" series with a sixth, called "Survival of the Dead", on the way. And if you're a true Romero fan I'm sure you will be just as excited to see this one as you were when the credits rolled on Night of the Living Dead.
In 1999 Night of the Living Dead was inducted into the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress which, in my opinion, earned Romero the rights to the zombie crown!
"If one horror film hits, everyone says, "Let's go make a horror film!" It's the genre that never dies."
-George A. Romero
Bugs or Bullshit? You Decide
As we all know trailers are very misleading, they tend to show the best parts of a movie just to draw an audience. In this case, I was duped again.
Bug is one of the most horrible movies ever made. And it's unfortunate because it started out with a great concept that slowly spiraled into the world of paranoia and then went nowhere. Although, I can't knock the director William Friedkin. He also did The Exorcist. I think Bug would have been a much better movie if it really involved bugs and there really were government experiments. But alas, it was a world of make believe.
Half way through the movie I had realized my time was being wasted but I'm not the kind of guy who walks out on a film. I guess I just had some kind of hope the movie would end better. In this case I think I was just stupid.
Bug is one of the most horrible movies ever made. And it's unfortunate because it started out with a great concept that slowly spiraled into the world of paranoia and then went nowhere. Although, I can't knock the director William Friedkin. He also did The Exorcist. I think Bug would have been a much better movie if it really involved bugs and there really were government experiments. But alas, it was a world of make believe.
Half way through the movie I had realized my time was being wasted but I'm not the kind of guy who walks out on a film. I guess I just had some kind of hope the movie would end better. In this case I think I was just stupid.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
I "Saw" this movie
This is a very successful movie franchise. It's got the scares, it's got the blood and guts and it's consistently released every October. For what these movies are I love 'em! It's a simple plot, or at least it seemed so in the first movie. One man trying to make people realize they need to be grateful for the lives they have instead of continuing to fuck them up. And he did so through an ever expanding portfolio of "traps". These traps are flipping genius, I have not been let down once! And it's hard to say I have a favorite because each and every one holds a special place in my heart. It's not so much that the movies are scary, it's the circumstances that the players are placed in that really makes your whole body tense up.
One of the creepiest things about the movie is "Billy", that little freaky god damned puppet on a tricycle. And his interaction is only at the beginning of the "game". Who ever thought that up deserves a hand shake from every person that walks past him/her on the street!
The other thing that caught me off guard was the use of a pig head as a disguise. AMAZING! When I saw that in the first movie I was blown away. It's amazing that something so simple in a horror movie could be so good. Keep it up!
Now we are on the cusp of the sixth installment of this series, October 23rd, and boy am I ever looking forward to it. This movie has a lot of buzz surrounding it. New traps, like the much talked about merry-go-round trap, and the rumored return of Cary Elwes as the new apprentice?? Based on internet speculation we're supposed to find out a lot about the beginnings of Jigsaw, after all the tag line for this film is "The game comes full circle". Can't friggin wait!!
Here is a trailer for Saw VI, I suggest you go back and watch all of the others before going to see the new one.
One of the creepiest things about the movie is "Billy", that little freaky god damned puppet on a tricycle. And his interaction is only at the beginning of the "game". Who ever thought that up deserves a hand shake from every person that walks past him/her on the street!
The other thing that caught me off guard was the use of a pig head as a disguise. AMAZING! When I saw that in the first movie I was blown away. It's amazing that something so simple in a horror movie could be so good. Keep it up!
Now we are on the cusp of the sixth installment of this series, October 23rd, and boy am I ever looking forward to it. This movie has a lot of buzz surrounding it. New traps, like the much talked about merry-go-round trap, and the rumored return of Cary Elwes as the new apprentice?? Based on internet speculation we're supposed to find out a lot about the beginnings of Jigsaw, after all the tag line for this film is "The game comes full circle". Can't friggin wait!!
Here is a trailer for Saw VI, I suggest you go back and watch all of the others before going to see the new one.
Where Have All The Haunted Houses Gone
How come there are no haunted houses in Los Angeles? It can't be true that the only thing L.A. has to offer is Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. A city so steeped in movies has got to be able to put on something better. Granted the theme this year is Saw, Michael Myers and My Bloody Valentine but come on, it's a family theme park, it can't be that damn scary.
I've checked everything I could find on the web and the only other thing that popped up that might be worth a shit is the "haunted" Queen Mary. A fucking cruise ship! Really? The thing is offering over night stays and dance clubs. On top of that, who wants to drive to Long Beach and then have to pay for admission and parking.
Oh, there was one other thing. The Old Town Haunt in Pasadena. It's supposed to be a haunted bank. Who knows, it's in Pasadena and it's only $22. Here's to hoping!
I've checked everything I could find on the web and the only other thing that popped up that might be worth a shit is the "haunted" Queen Mary. A fucking cruise ship! Really? The thing is offering over night stays and dance clubs. On top of that, who wants to drive to Long Beach and then have to pay for admission and parking.
Oh, there was one other thing. The Old Town Haunt in Pasadena. It's supposed to be a haunted bank. Who knows, it's in Pasadena and it's only $22. Here's to hoping!
Halloween Adventure, Where Are You?
So I was in South Florida recently to visit some family and my mother told me about this Halloween store she had been to recently. The way she explained it to me was so intriguing, you walk in the store and immediately life size zombies are crawling on the floor after you, scary music is playing to set the mood, and isles of Halloween horror are abound! She also told me about the back of the store where they keep the life size animatronic versions of the Bride of Frankenstein and Michael Myers, which were quite impressive for $250. All in all, though, I felt the store lacked a little of the Ol' Halloween Spirit. I mean come on, you have an entire year to plan for this sort of thing, do it right for Pete's sake!
The best Halloween store I've been to was in Manhattan, it's called Halloween Adventure. The place is jam packed with all sorts of Halloween goodies. Everything from cotton spider webs to movie quality prosthetics. And talk about ambiance! Scary music playing at a volume just loud enough to get under your skin, dark lighting, and hell, even the employees are dressed up to help out with the scares! The only thing this store was lacking was the life size animatronics, but everything else made up for that.
I only get one month out of the year to venture into these kinds of stores and even if I don't buy anything I want my experience to be worth the drive. So come on Halloween Adventure, move to L.A.!!
The best Halloween store I've been to was in Manhattan, it's called Halloween Adventure. The place is jam packed with all sorts of Halloween goodies. Everything from cotton spider webs to movie quality prosthetics. And talk about ambiance! Scary music playing at a volume just loud enough to get under your skin, dark lighting, and hell, even the employees are dressed up to help out with the scares! The only thing this store was lacking was the life size animatronics, but everything else made up for that.
I only get one month out of the year to venture into these kinds of stores and even if I don't buy anything I want my experience to be worth the drive. So come on Halloween Adventure, move to L.A.!!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Seventh Moon
This movie was released on DVD yesterday but I felt it appropriate to talk about it today. It's called "Seventh Moon" and it was written and directed by Eduardo Sanchez. For those that aren't familiar with Eduardo, he was the writer who came up with "The Blair Witch Project", another great film but also another post. Anyhow, it stars Amy Smart who does pretty well in horror movies. She died very beautifully in "Mirrors". The movie is about a ritual in another country that turns really bad for a couple on their honeymoon. The acting isn't really great but the scares are worth the purchase, or at least the rental fee.
The Thaw
From what I gather about the trailer this film is your basic creepy crawly movie. And hopefully a lot less campy. Val Kilmer is some kind scientist who, with the help of some younger ecology students, discovers a mammouth frozen in a polar ice cap. Later they relize they have discovered some kind of prehistoric parasite that starts to look for a new host. The group has to decide whether to quarentine themselves and die or let the parasite cause a global epidemic. Here is the trailer for your enjoyment.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Who you callin a "Psycho"?
It was 1960 and, Alfred Hitchcock, the most prolific horror movie director released a little black and white film called Psycho. Briefly, the movie was about a woman who stole money from a client of hers and went on the run. She made a stop at the Bates Motel and it was there she met the owner. His name was Norman and his mother ran his life, even though she was dead. Norman began to fall for this woman but his dead mother didn't like that too much. She wanted him to kill her! He tried to fight the urge to kill her but in the end Norman's mother won the battle.
This film changed the horror movie genre, it was considered the first "slasher" movie and it proved that to every viewer with the infamous shower scene. The film was shot almost backwards with the heroine getting killed less than half way through the film. It was deliberately shot with a low budget feel and long scenes with no dialogue. It was a totally different movie than the others that Hitchcock did. Gritty and momentous, it is by far one of the best movies of the slasher genre and a definite must see.
This film changed the horror movie genre, it was considered the first "slasher" movie and it proved that to every viewer with the infamous shower scene. The film was shot almost backwards with the heroine getting killed less than half way through the film. It was deliberately shot with a low budget feel and long scenes with no dialogue. It was a totally different movie than the others that Hitchcock did. Gritty and momentous, it is by far one of the best movies of the slasher genre and a definite must see.
Nostalgia
As we all know my favorite holiday is right around the corner and with that being said I think it's time we all take a little trip down memory lane with Michael Myers!
That's right, I'm talking about a little movie with the holiday's namesake. HALLOWEEN! There is no better concept for a slasher, it works every time. Friday the 13th, Silent Night Deadly Night, Black Christmas, Scream. They all were great and they all had one thing in common, a seemingly undefeatable villain wielding a large sharp weapon. And the one that most people were and are still afraid of is myself, Michael Myers.
I was just a regular kid living in Haddenfield, IL with two sisters and a mother that loved me. But I had an obsession. I wondered what things looked like dead. Those things started out as small things like animals and surely progressed to people. One night something inside of me wondered what my big sister would look like....dead. So I did it, I killed her.
I spent most of my time after that in a place called Smith's Grove, it made me angry. I couldn't stand being in that place and I had to get out. One night I decided I was gonna kill everyone in that place and escape and that's just what I did. I wanted to go back to Haddenfeild and find my other sister, Laurie, and kill her too. Nothing and no one was going to stand in my way! I found her but unfortunately for me she turned out to be much more resourceful than I had thought. She stabbed me in the fucking eye and pushed me off a balcony. When she looked away I got up and ran away and now instead of killing people I post my thoughts and opinions on this blog. It's a lot less physical for me and it's somewhat peaceful.
That's right, I'm talking about a little movie with the holiday's namesake. HALLOWEEN! There is no better concept for a slasher, it works every time. Friday the 13th, Silent Night Deadly Night, Black Christmas, Scream. They all were great and they all had one thing in common, a seemingly undefeatable villain wielding a large sharp weapon. And the one that most people were and are still afraid of is myself, Michael Myers.
I was just a regular kid living in Haddenfield, IL with two sisters and a mother that loved me. But I had an obsession. I wondered what things looked like dead. Those things started out as small things like animals and surely progressed to people. One night something inside of me wondered what my big sister would look like....dead. So I did it, I killed her.
I spent most of my time after that in a place called Smith's Grove, it made me angry. I couldn't stand being in that place and I had to get out. One night I decided I was gonna kill everyone in that place and escape and that's just what I did. I wanted to go back to Haddenfeild and find my other sister, Laurie, and kill her too. Nothing and no one was going to stand in my way! I found her but unfortunately for me she turned out to be much more resourceful than I had thought. She stabbed me in the fucking eye and pushed me off a balcony. When she looked away I got up and ran away and now instead of killing people I post my thoughts and opinions on this blog. It's a lot less physical for me and it's somewhat peaceful.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Let's Talk Werewolves
One of my favorite types of movies are werewolf movies. I don't know why, maybe it has to do with the fact that I used to chase my sisters around the house telling them I was gonna change into a werewolf just to scare them.
I can't help it, I just love them. And because of that I am extremely excited to see the new remake of "The Wolfman". It stars Benicio Del Toro, whom I love as well, and I think he'll do a great job in the role. Hopefully a much better job than Jack Nicholson did in 1994's "Wolf", that's supposed to be a joke.
I saw the trailer and without seeing the movie itself, I have to say, it looks amazing. I love that they do it as a period piece, although, I would love to see this done in modern day New York or some other metropolis.
Just in case you haven't seen it yet, here is the trailer...
I can't help it, I just love them. And because of that I am extremely excited to see the new remake of "The Wolfman". It stars Benicio Del Toro, whom I love as well, and I think he'll do a great job in the role. Hopefully a much better job than Jack Nicholson did in 1994's "Wolf", that's supposed to be a joke.
I saw the trailer and without seeing the movie itself, I have to say, it looks amazing. I love that they do it as a period piece, although, I would love to see this done in modern day New York or some other metropolis.
Just in case you haven't seen it yet, here is the trailer...
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Exorcist-The Best Horror Movie Ever??
Everyone thinks the best horror movie ever made is The Exorcist. Personally, I don't think so. I'm sure I'll get a lot of flack over this one and I hope I do!
Don't get me wrong, I think the movie was really good but to call it the best horror movie ever made is a strong assesment. I think the director's cut outdid the original cut by a mile. The addition of the extra footage gave the movie a little bit more of an edge. By far, one of the best scenes in the longer cut was the "spiderwalk" down the stairs. Not just a scary addition but extremely freaky as well!! I feel like the unfortunate thing for this movie was its release date. It was released alongside "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Omen" and both of these movies were more or less about the same thing, a very nice family that had a kid that was somehow possesed or affected by the devil. This same problem exists today, one movie is made with a great concept and unfortunately 3 or 4 others that are almost exactly the same thing are made right after. If you've seen one, you've seen 'em all.
All in all I think the movie was done really well, and most of the time I will watch it any time its on. I just can't side with the folks that say it's the best horror movie ever made, I'm still waiting for that one!
Don't get me wrong, I think the movie was really good but to call it the best horror movie ever made is a strong assesment. I think the director's cut outdid the original cut by a mile. The addition of the extra footage gave the movie a little bit more of an edge. By far, one of the best scenes in the longer cut was the "spiderwalk" down the stairs. Not just a scary addition but extremely freaky as well!! I feel like the unfortunate thing for this movie was its release date. It was released alongside "Rosemary's Baby" and "The Omen" and both of these movies were more or less about the same thing, a very nice family that had a kid that was somehow possesed or affected by the devil. This same problem exists today, one movie is made with a great concept and unfortunately 3 or 4 others that are almost exactly the same thing are made right after. If you've seen one, you've seen 'em all.
All in all I think the movie was done really well, and most of the time I will watch it any time its on. I just can't side with the folks that say it's the best horror movie ever made, I'm still waiting for that one!
Friday, October 2, 2009
October Bliss
October is the best month the Mayan's ever created. You know why? That's right. Halloween. No other time of the year can you dress up as anything you want and go door to door begging. Unless you're on Hollywood Boulevard of course.
The temperature drops, the leaves start to fall, and a whole slew of horror movies become available for viewing! It's funny, the rest of the year I spend all of my time worrying about how I'm gonna pay my bills but as soon as October hits I spend all of that time and money on horror movies. There are just way too many movies to see throughout the year, it feels like I spend the whole month trying to catch up. You've got the new releases, that apparently every distribution company wants out at the same time, you've got the movies that came out in the past few years that were just so good that you HAVE to see again, and of course you've got the classics and if you don't watch those again there's something wrong with you. Don't be like me, start watching all of you favorites on January 1st.
The temperature drops, the leaves start to fall, and a whole slew of horror movies become available for viewing! It's funny, the rest of the year I spend all of my time worrying about how I'm gonna pay my bills but as soon as October hits I spend all of that time and money on horror movies. There are just way too many movies to see throughout the year, it feels like I spend the whole month trying to catch up. You've got the new releases, that apparently every distribution company wants out at the same time, you've got the movies that came out in the past few years that were just so good that you HAVE to see again, and of course you've got the classics and if you don't watch those again there's something wrong with you. Don't be like me, start watching all of you favorites on January 1st.
Black and White in 2009
So we've got a new take on an old style.
This month in L.A., The House of Wolfman is playing at the Vista Theater on Sunset. It stars Ron Chaney (grandson of Lon Chaney Jr.) as Dr. Bela Reinhardt. It's a 40's style black and white shot in 2009. Same style of filming, same style of acting, and same style of bad-assery!!!
Oh, and we can't forget that it stars all of your favorite horror villains!
This month in L.A., The House of Wolfman is playing at the Vista Theater on Sunset. It stars Ron Chaney (grandson of Lon Chaney Jr.) as Dr. Bela Reinhardt. It's a 40's style black and white shot in 2009. Same style of filming, same style of acting, and same style of bad-assery!!!
Oh, and we can't forget that it stars all of your favorite horror villains!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Freddy and the Ghost
I have a friend named Henry Krinkle, you can visit him here whoishenrykrinkle.com, who recently introduced me to a movie called “Paranormal Activity”. If you haven’t seen it, do yourself a favor and go. It’s a low budget ghost story that was done AMAZINGLY well!! The movie drags at some points but it’s worth it.
Another film that I first saw via Henry is the remake of the classic “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. The trailer looks very promising despite the fact that it’s a Michael Bay film. He doesn’t have much horror under his belt but the one’s that he does have were better than okay. The only thing I’m concerned about is Jackie Earle Haley. He is an amazing actor, Little Children and All the Kings Men, but Robert Englund he is not. And Robert Englund will forever be Fred Krueger in my mind.
Horror Is Not Dead
I refuse to believe that the Horror genre has fallen into this “reality show” mentality that caters to the masses by releasing nothing but half-assed remakes of horror classics. Don’t get me wrong, some of these remakes have been done fairly well (i.e. The Amityville Horror) but most are just lame attempts at making more money off of an old idea.
First of all, these “horror classics” like Dawn of the Dead, are classics because of the way they were made when they were made. By remaking them with the idea that all of the special effects we have now will make them better is just plain silly. So stop it, just stop it! I’m sure some people are gonna disagree with me and it’s not that I think all remakes are shit I just wanna see more creativity going into the remakes. I know there are plenty of writers out there that are full of great ideas so come on Hollywood, lets give these guys a fuckin chance!
The idea of creating a character that is truly scary is still possible, it just hasn’t been done in quite a while. What happened? Who killed Michael Myers?
First of all, these “horror classics” like Dawn of the Dead, are classics because of the way they were made when they were made. By remaking them with the idea that all of the special effects we have now will make them better is just plain silly. So stop it, just stop it! I’m sure some people are gonna disagree with me and it’s not that I think all remakes are shit I just wanna see more creativity going into the remakes. I know there are plenty of writers out there that are full of great ideas so come on Hollywood, lets give these guys a fuckin chance!
The idea of creating a character that is truly scary is still possible, it just hasn’t been done in quite a while. What happened? Who killed Michael Myers?
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