Sangre, cuchillos, y tetas --- Horror Film Discussion

[D_Davis]

I see Netflix is streaming The Descent: Part 2. Yay or nay?

It's OK. Nothing great, but not terrible either.

[Ezee E]

I see Netflix is streaming The Descent: Part 2. Yay or nay?
Basically just an exact retread, but with worse performers, and more emphasis on the crawlies.

There's a good portion near the end, but that doesn't really justify watching it.

The very end is even dumber.

[D_Davis]

The very end is even dumber.

Yeah - the twist is just STOOPID.

However, I don't regret watching it.

[MadMan]

Von Trier has apparently stated that with Antchrist he tried and failed to make a horror movie. If that wasn't a horror movie, then what the hell is a horror movie? Great film, really, one that's deserving of a lengthy review that I will pen over the holiday break, even though what I have to say has probably already been stated before. Naturally it goes beyond a standard horror film, but when the final act startles, disturbs, and disgusts you and makes one flash back to the best of Cronenberg's nastiest 70s and 80s movies, then yes you are viewing a horror movie.

[Morris Schæffer]

I saw Dante's The Howling yesterday. Bar some impressive transformation scenes towards the end, I wasn't all that impressed by it. Uninteresting characters, drab visual style, not a great deal of scary material.

Anyone seen it?

[Spun Lepton]

I saw Dante's The Howling yesterday. Bar some impressive transformation scenes towards the end, I wasn't all that impressed by it. Uninteresting characters, drab visual style, not a great deal of scary material.

Anyone seen it?

Yes, and I agree. Aside from some impressive transformation effects, it was pretty goofy.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I saw Dante's The Howling yesterday. Bar some impressive transformation scenes towards the end, I wasn't all that impressed by it. Uninteresting characters, drab visual style, not a great deal of scary material.

Anyone seen it?

Totally agree. In fact, I outright dislike it. I found it to be a pretty dull experience.

[Scar]

Totally agree. In fact, I outright dislike it. I found it to be a pretty dull experience.

Word.

[MadMan]

I really dig The Howling, cheesiness and weird creepy werewolf transformations and all. But then I'm a rather decent fan of Dante's work.

[Irish]

I saw Dante's The Howling yesterday. Bar some impressive transformation scenes towards the end, I wasn't all that impressed by it. Uninteresting characters, drab visual style, not a great deal of scary material.

I enjoy it, but it is a mixed bag. Dante never settles on whether he wants to go for scares or gore or laughs, up to an including the final shot in the film.

[megladon8]

Hammer's 1964 thriller Nightmare was great.

Beautiful black and white photography, and a tense atmosphere throughout. It's truly creepy at times, too, including the very eerie opening sequence.

It trumps Paranoiac - my previous favorite Hammer psychological thriller - in just about every way.

Very impressive.

[Raiders]

Dante is awesome, but yeah, The Howling is just about the weakest film he made.

I'm disappointed his most recent film, The Hole, never really picked up any US distribution. Guess I'll have to wait for DVD.

[megladon8]

I loved The Howling.

[Eleven]

Dante is awesome, but yeah, The Howling is just about the weakest film he made.

I'm disappointed his most recent film, The Hole, never really picked up any US distribution. Guess I'll have to wait for DVD.

I saw it through more technological and less reputable means, and it's a delightful mix of his kids-friendly fare (esp. the brotherly dynamics of Matinee and a touch of the grotesque suburban fantasy of his Twilight Zone segment) with the tongue-and-cheek horror of Gremlins. Funny Dick Miller cameo. Beware if you have a clown phobia, though.

When I met him a few months ago during a showing of Matinee, he said that despite great audiences at film festivals around the world, he seems to be the only victim of an anti-3D backlash. I actually forgot to ask him what he thought of the remake of his first movie, Pirahna, being in 3D. But he hopes to release The Hole on DVD really soon.

[Raiders]

When I met him a few months ago during a showing of Matinee, he said that despite great audiences at film festivals around the world, he seems to be the only victim of an anti-3D backlash. I actually forgot to ask him what he thought of the remake of his first movie, Pirahna, being in 3D. But he hopes to release The Hole on DVD really soon.

No paragraph on this site has made me more jealous. Meeting Dante, at a screening of his most awesomest film no less??? I hate you.

[Eleven]

No paragraph on this site has made me more jealous. Meeting Dante, at a screening of his most awesomest film no less??? I hate you.

I keep seeing your avatar and biting my tongue. Here, you can at least paste a pic of your head over mine:

http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/3598/medantecropped.png

He also signed my copy of Rosenbaum's Essential Cinema where Matinee is among his 1000 favorite films.

[MadMan]

I saw it through more technological and less reputable means, and it's a delightful mix of his kids-friendly fare (esp. the brotherly dynamics of Matinee and a touch of the grotesque suburban fantasy of his Twilight Zone segment) with the tongue-and-cheek horror of Gremlins. Funny Dick Miller cameo. Beware if you have a clown phobia, though.

When I met him a few months ago during a showing of Matinee, he said that despite great audiences at film festivals around the world, he seems to be the only victim of an anti-3D backlash. I actually forgot to ask him what he thought of the remake of his first movie, Pirahna, being in 3D. But he hopes to release The Hole on DVD really soon.Eleven you lucky bastard. I'd love to meet Dante and get him to sign my copy of Gremlins.

And Matinee is one of the handful of movies from him that I haven't seen yet. I didn't know he directed another movie-I would like to check that one out.

[Dukefrukem]

In the Mouth of Madness - Carpenter's 3rd best film??? Love the practical effects. First Carpenter film to really creep me out since the Thing.

The scene where John and Linda both get out of the car and is twisted and walking like a spider was fantastic.

[Spun Lepton]

In the Mouth of Madness - Carpenter's 3rd best film??? Love the practical effects. First Carpenter film to really creep me out since the Thing.

The scene where John and Linda both get out of the car and is twisted and walking like a spider was fantastic.

3rd best? Come on, seriously?? Probably closer to 6th ...

[Dukefrukem]

3rd best? Come on, seriously?? Probably closer to 6th ...

Sorry 4th. I got a little excited.

1. The Thing
2. Halloween.
3. Big Trouble Little China
4. Mouth of Madness!

[Spun Lepton]

1. The Thing
2. Halloween.
3. Big Trouble in Little China
4. They Live
5. Starman
6. Prince of Darkness
7. Mouth of Madness

I guess I would put it at about 7.

I was never a big fan of Escape from N.Y., to be honest, but it's been quite a while since I've seen it.

:P

[Dukefrukem]

1. The Thing
2. Halloween.
3. Big Trouble in Little China
4. They Live
5. Starman
6. Prince of Darkness
7. Mouth of Madness

I guess I would put it at about 7.

I was never a big fan of Escape from N.Y., to be honest, but it's been quite a while since I've seen it.

:P
I forgot about They Live (even though it has a ridiculously high grade in my sig)...

I'll reorder them when I'm done with his filmography.

[Russ]

Haven't you seen Assault on Precinct 13? That would rank pretty high on my list of Carpenter films.

[Spun Lepton]

Haven't you seen Assault on Precinct 13? That would rank pretty high on my list of Carpenter films.

I have. I was disappointed. I haven't bothered with the remake.

[megladon8]

1.) Halloween
2.) The Thing
3.) Prince of Darkness
4.) MoH: Cigarette Burns
5.) In the Mouth of Madness
6.) They Live
7.) The Fog
8.) They Live
9.) Vampires
10.) Escape From New York
11.) Ghosts of Mars
12.) Big Trouble in Little China
13.) MoH: Pro-Life


2 and 3 could almost be tied.

[MadMan]

For me its currently (and all of these are just the ones I've viewed):

1. Halloween
2. The Thing
3. Assault on Precinct 13
4. In The Mouth of Madness
5. Escape From New York
6. Big Trouble in Little China
7. Price of Darkness
8. They Live
9. The Fog

[Rowland]

4.) MoH: Cigarette Burns
Crazy. But then, I seem to be alone around these parts for finding this episode really mediocre.

[Dukefrukem]

Haven't you seen Assault on Precinct 13? That would rank pretty high on my list of Carpenter films.

That's next on my list.

Anyone know where you can see the Ward? Did that get a limited release?

[Raiders]

1. Assault on Precinct 13
2. The Thing
3. Prince of Darkness
4. Halloween
5. They Live
6. In the Mouth of Madness
7. Starman
8. Big Trouble in Little China
9. Escape from L.A.
10. Vampires
11. Dark Star
12. The Fog
13. Escape from New York
14. Masters of Horror: Cigarette Burns
15. Village of the Damned
16. Ghosts of Mars
17. Masters of Horror: Pro-Life

Only the last three are bad. A lot of mediocre stuff though, but at his best in the 70s and 80s, damn he was awesome.

I desperately need to see Christine. I know multiple people who consider it his best film.

[Russ]

1. Assault on Precinct 13
2. The Thing
3. Prince of Darkness
4. Halloween
5. They Live
6. In the Mouth of Madness
7. Starman
8. Big Trouble in Little China
9. Escape from L.A.
10. Vampires
11. Dark Star
12. The Fog
13. Escape from New York
14. Masters of Horror: Cigarette Burns
15. Village of the Damned
16. Ghosts of Mars
17. Masters of Horror: Pro-Life

Only the last three are bad. A lot of mediocre stuff though, but at his best in the 70s and 80s, damn he was awesome.

I desperately need to see Christine. I know multiple people who consider it his best film.
Christine is definitely one of his best.

I am a bit surprised that you think L.A. is the better of the two Escape from films.

[Scar]

Christine is definitely one of his best.

I am a bit surprised that you think L.A. is the better of the two Escape from films.

He's not the only one who prefers L.A. to N.Y.

[Bosco B Thug]

Crazy. But then, I seem to be alone around these parts for finding this episode really mediocre. Relative to the average quality of Masters of Horror episodes, it's top drawer. It has to be the most sophisticated of the bunch (possible exception of Miike's). I thought there was quite a bit of Carpenter elegance in there, amidst the MoH cheese and geek.

I'm always interested in what people think of Christine. It's an odd duck film in his career and I always have trouble placing it. I like it a lot, and place it towards the top whenever I feel dry and ironic is more valuable than brooding and passionate.

Really didn't find much to love about Vampires, so if someone can help me with that. Ghosts of Mars and Escape from L.A., though, are so awesome in their own way.

[megladon8]

To the Devil...a Daughter, the last horror film to come out of the legendary Hammer studios during its "golden era" (this was released in 1976), was quite disappointing.

The first third made it seem like it could be a chilling film about Satanism and kind of an antithesis to The Devil Rides Out. But then it just plods along, quite boring and uneventful until the final 20 minutes or so when all of the chasing and confrontation occurs, followed by one of the most anti-climactic endings I've seen in a while.

Richard Widmark really seemed to just go through the motions here. He didn't do much at all with the role. And neither did Christopher Lee, which I found particularly surprising when reading about how it's apparently "his most chilling performance".

The infamous underage nudity of Nastassja Kinski also seemed kind of harmless, particularly when compared to other content in the film which I would have deemed much more potentially offensive. There's a fairly graphic orgy scene, as well as a dream sequence in which Kinski moans with pleasure as a blood-soaked demon baby crawls up inside her.

It really was the anti-climactic ending that killed it, though. It just...ends. It was building to a colossal confrontation between Widmark and Lee, but that never happens.

Very disappointing.

[Bosco B Thug]

To the Devil...a Daughter, the last horror film to come out of the legendary Hammer studios during its "golden era" (this was released in 1976), was quite disappointing.

The first third made it seem like it could be a chilling film about Satanism and kind of an antithesis to The Devil Rides Out. But then it just plods along, quite boring and uneventful until the final 20 minutes or so when all of the chasing and confrontation occurs, followed by one of the most anti-climactic endings I've seen in a while.

Richard Widmark really seemed to just go through the motions here. He didn't do much at all with the role. And neither did Christopher Lee, which I found particularly surprising when reading about how it's apparently "his most chilling performance".

The infamous underage nudity of Nastassja Kinski also seemed kind of harmless, particularly when compared to other content in the film which I would have deemed much more potentially offensive. There's a fairly graphic orgy scene, as well as a dream sequence in which Kinski moans with pleasure as a blood-soaked demon baby crawls up inside her.

It really was the anti-climactic ending that killed it, though. It just...ends. It was building to a colossal confrontation between Widmark and Lee, but that never happens.

Very disappointing.
Took me a while to remember I saw this one, and just this year. That says something. But I thought it wasn't bad, although yes, the climax/showdown really really sucked.

[balmakboor]

Finally got around to the original Last House on the Left today and I thought it was great. It wasn't anything like what I was expecting. I wasn't prepared for all the humor and unusual musical selections. I wasn't expecting something so skillfully shot and surpisingly well acted. I wasn't ready for something so smart. Chock another one up for Robin Wood, one of its most passionate defenders.

[megladon8]

Took me a while to remember I saw this one, and just this year. That says something. But I thought it wasn't bad, although yes, the climax/showdown really really sucked.


I never knew your average, garden-variety rock was so good for dispelling the forces of darkness.

[megladon8]

Hammer's The Revenge of Frankenstein is the direct sequel to the original, The Curse of Frankenstein, and because of some weird copyright disputes is only available in a one-off DVD by Columbia.

And wow, it's really good. Really really good. Even better than the first one, methinks.

Rather than there being a grotesque monster, the "creature" is actually just a regular looking guy with a few scars from the surgery. But the tragedy inherent to his character is really well written and carried out.

The whole film is incredibly well written, and I like that they didn't try to overwrite some explanation regarding how this film is possible after the ending of the first.

Very good stuff, and a very pleasant surprise.

[MacGuffin]

Weren't you going to make a Hammer thread a while back?

[megladon8]

Weren't you going to make a Hammer thread a while back?


Eh...don't know that there's really enough interest.

I already have one thread that only I post in (http://match-cut.org/showthread.php?t=3199) anyways.

I think a Hammer thread would garner more interest in a strictly horror related forum.

[MacGuffin]

Eh...don't know that there's really enough interest.

I suppose you're right. I've just noticed that you post thoughts about Hammer movies a lot, so wouldn't it be neat to slap a few pictures with these thoughts and index them somewhere?

[Bosco B Thug]

Finally got around to the original Last House on the Left today and I thought it was great. It wasn't anything like what I was expecting. I wasn't prepared for all the humor and unusual musical selections. I wasn't expecting something so skillfully shot and surpisingly well acted. I wasn't ready for something so smart. Chock another one up for Robin Wood, one of its most passionate defenders. Yeah, it's very blatantly ironical and flamboyant. Of course pretentiousness doesn't mean that it's not stupid, but I'm with you and am always surprised by how many people find the movie worthless (not to say I can't conceive how the film conceivably is an often stupid-seeming film... although I for one can't help but think back on the chicken stuff fondly).


I never knew your average, garden-variety rock was so good for dispelling the forces of darkness. I couldn't get over that crappy saturation/coloration effect they employed. The Dunwich Horror does a similar psychadelic thing to represent evil forces and it similarly fails horribly.

[Bosco B Thug]

Picnic at Hanging Rock is a really beautiful, enticing, profound-minded movie. It's problems are a lot like Session 9's, though, a similar-in-kind "thoughtful horror movie," in that its horror movie affects are just a bit too concocted and overwrought, such that whenever it tries to increase your pulse or creep you out, it begins to border on hoary. And there's a surprising amount of chintziness in Picnic at Hanging Rock. Still, a film to appreciate for its half of beautiful subtleties.

[megladon8]

The Gorgon is quite a good Hammer offering, with an interesting battle of science vs. religion at the forefront, and two of Cushing and Lee's less typical characters and performances.

As with most Hammer films it's a bit of a slow burn, where we have the initial horror at the beginning, followed by an hour of build up and then 15-20 minutes of horror to finish the film.

This happens to be a pattern I really like. It worked especially well here, as we never really see the monster until the final few minutes. Up until then we always see her in shadow or muddled reflection. It gave a great, eerie feel to her presence.

It's also a lush, beautifully colourful movie.

Highly recommended!

[MadMan]

TCM showed that movie one time, but I had to go to class so I wasn't able to watch it. Anything with Cushing and Lee together can't be all bad. Most of the time, those movies are awesome.

Right now I'm watching Fuci's The Beyond on TCM. This movie has laugh inducing moments, bad FX even by cheap low budget standards, and scenes that don't make any goddamn sense. Much of it, title sequence included, feels as if he's trying really hard to rip off Argento while failing miserably. I've viewed far worse horror movies, but the sad thing is that it doesn't even succeed at being bad, just really mediocre/boring awful. Regardless, I feel that I should see it all the way through-I've gotten this far.

[Mr. Pink]

Saw the sequel to Hatchet. More of the same, and wont convert anyone who didn't like the original, but I enjoyed it for what it was. Tony Todd gets a more prominent role, and the little girl from Halloween 4 & 5 takes over the lead actress position. It's borderline, but it's high-energy, quick pacing and loads of gore ultimately win me over, much like the original.




Right now I'm watching Fuci's The Beyond on TCM. This movie has laugh inducing moments, bad FX even by cheap low budget standards, and scenes that don't make any goddamn sense. Much of it, title sequence included, feels as if he's trying really hard to rip off Argento while failing miserably. I've viewed far worse horror movies, but the sad thing is that it doesn't even succeed at being bad, just really mediocre/boring awful. Regardless, I feel that I should see it all the way through-I've gotten this far.

All I can say to this is there's a reason why it was airing on a channel with "classic movies" in the title.

[Spun Lepton]

Right now I'm watching Fuci's The Beyond on TCM. This movie has laugh inducing moments, bad FX even by cheap low budget standards, and scenes that don't make any goddamn sense. Much of it, title sequence included, feels as if he's trying really hard to rip off Argento while failing miserably. I've viewed far worse horror movies, but the sad thing is that it doesn't even succeed at being bad, just really mediocre/boring awful. Regardless, I feel that I should see it all the way through-I've gotten this far.

The Beyond is anything but mediocre. It revels in its badness, and it's awesome in that respect. Extremely entertaining, IMO. The dialogue is almost constantly cheesy-bad, with lines like, "The eyes! EYES! (*gasp choke*) Eyes ..." and "You have carte blanche, but not a blank check!" The gore is over-the-top, sometimes well-done, sometimes terrible. The face-eating spiders, for example, are hilariously bad, while Joe the Plumber getting his eyeball poked out by that demon hand kinda works.

And, yet, despite all of this, there are still some effective moments. Fulci's cinematography and production design are actually quite striking.

Fulci compared the movie to a dream. It's illogical and it has a very loose story. It's difficult to tell if this was his intention going into the production, or if he simply said that to save face afterward. Regardless, it's a ton of fun. Something I watch every couple of years.

[MadMan]

I'm sorry, but despite the good production values and visuals, it does not fall into "So bad its good" category. I salute TCM for showing it, as I finally got a view a Fuci movie, but the bad moments outweign the rather over the top, outlandish ending. With zombies, no less, and the survivors ending up in hell, or going insane, or vanishing off to somewhere...

[Mr. Pink]

And don't forget the music. That shit is awesome.

[Spun Lepton]

And don't forget the music. That shit is awesome.

True! One of my favorite soundtracks, to be honest.

[Mr. Pink]

I'm sorry, but despite the good production values and visuals, it does not fall into "So bad its good" category. I salute TCM for showing it, as I finally got a view a Fuci movie, but the bad moments outweign the rather over the top, outlandish ending. With zombies, no less, and the survivors ending up in hell, or going insane, or vanishing off to somewhere...

No, you're right. It doesn't fall into the so-bad-it's-good category. It falls under the fucking-awesome category.


On a side note, I showed someone a double-feature of Zombie and The Beyond. They liked Zombie, but not The Beyond. I don't hang out with that person anymore.

[MadMan]

I tried to watch Zombie, and after 15 minutes I lost interest and quit. Maybe some other time.

Yes I did like the soundtrack, which built up the atmosphere but was really cool. Regardless, all The Beyond left me with was the impression that Fuci is a poor man's Argento.

[megladon8]

Clearly the best moment in The Beyond is when a gun is loaded by dropping a shell down the barrel.

That was fucking masterful.

[Scar]

Clearly the best moment in The Beyond is when a gun is loaded by dropping a shell down the barrel.

That was fucking masterful.

*blink*

[Spun Lepton]

*blink*

Haven't you seen it, Scar? I'll have to bring it over if you haven't.

When they were shooting the scene, Warbeck did one take where he loaded the gun incorrectly. Fulci thought it was hilarious and left it in. It's brief, but it's there. The movie doesn't make a whole lot of sense anyway, so it fits right in.

[megladon8]

I went into Survival of the Dead with very low expectations, but at least some hope of quality there. Both Jen and I actually liked Diary of the Dead and thought that this could be a similar case of the movie being pretty much panned, but us still enjoying it a bit.

But no, there were absolutely no redeeming qualities in this piss-poor production. It made Romero's writing in previous Dead movies look incredible, and same goes for the acting, direction...hell, everything.

It was awful. And what the fuck was with all the terrible accents???


Predators was neither great nor terrible. It shall, from this day forth, be known as Mehdators.

[MadMan]

:lol:

Well he was fairly fast at loading the gun to shoot them undead mofos. The last act finally let me know why TCM double billed it with Night of the Living Dead (1968).

[MadMan]

I went into Survival of the Dead with very low expectations, but at least some hope of quality there. Both Jen and I actually liked Diary of the Dead and thought that this could be a similar case of the movie being pretty much panned, but us still enjoying it a bit.

But no, there were absolutely no redeeming qualities in this piss-poor production. It made Romero's writing in previous Dead movies look incredible, and same goes for the acting, direction...hell, everything.

It was awful. And what the fuck was with all the terrible accents???


Predators was neither great nor terrible. It shall, from this day forth, be known as Mehdators.Survival of the Dead's acting is bad, but the movie is still rather funny and there are some enjoyable moments. So its decent. Predators is rock solid, although I don't think its better than Predator 2 now that I think about it. Regardless, I'm glad it exists to make us forget that AVP and AVP 2 were even made.

[Scar]

Haven't you seen it, Scar? I'll have to bring it over if you haven't.

When they were shooting the scene, Warbeck did one take where he loaded the gun incorrectly. Fulci thought it was hilarious and left it in. It's brief, but it's there. The movie doesn't make a whole lot of sense anyway, so it fits right in.

Nah, I don't think I've seen it. I've seen Zombi, and thought it was alright. Loved the eyeball scene, of course.

Sounds like it'll be a whiskey night when we watch that one. Well, at least for me.

[Scar]

Survival of the Dead's acting is bad, but the movie is still rather funny and there are some enjoyable moments. So its decent. Predators is rock solid, although I don't think its better than Predator 2 now that I think about it. Regardless, I'm glad it exists to make us forget that AVP and AVP 2 were even made.

Predators takes homage to the level of sheer laziness.

[megladon8]

Predators takes homage to the level of sheer laziness.


Agreed.

I found the use of "Long Tall Sally" during the end credits was pretty telling of the philosophy the filmmakers had for the whole movie - "hey, people will like this, because they'll remember it from the first movie!"

The biggest shame to me was that it was fairly competently made. The action scenes were well shot, it had some neat effects, and the overall concept was something they could have done a lot more with.

But that's the biggest problem right there - they just didn't do enough. They were too busy jerking off all the people who grew up loving the original that they forgot to make something original of their own.

[Spun Lepton]

Help me create a drinking game for The Beyond.

1 Drink (Choose 1)
Gore
"Eye" or "Eyes" are spoken or shown in extreme close-up.
(Need more!)

2 Drinks (Choose 1)
"Eibon" is said or shown
"Schweick" is said or shown.
(More!)

3 Drinks (Everybody participates.)
Eye gore

5 Drinks (Choose 2)
Do Not Entry
Loading the gun wrong
"Carte blanche, but not a blank check!"
(More!!!)

Any suggestions?

[megladon8]

So I kind of liked The Wolfman. A fair bit, actually.

It was quite beautiful for one. The cinematography, set design, costumes and make-up made for one very good looking movie.

I also thought it was a very interesting twist on the "curse" aspect. It reminded me quite a bit of the great Greek tragedies.

In fact, in that aspect of it, it's quite a bit like Ang Lee's Hulk (except much less expressionistic, of course). Wow, the more I think about it, the more I realize it was pretty much a horror-ized version of that film.

I was also surprised by how gory it was.

I thought it was good.

[Ezee E]

Yeah, it certainly had some good technical quality going for it. Didn't like much else, except for the scene in the train which was deleted in the theaters.

[Dukefrukem]

So I kind of liked The Wolfman. A fair bit, actually.

It was quite beautiful for one. The cinematography, set design, costumes and make-up made for one very good looking movie.

I also thought it was a very interesting twist on the "curse" aspect. It reminded me quite a bit of the great Greek tragedies.

In fact, in that aspect of it, it's quite a bit like Ang Lee's Hulk (except much less expressionistic, of course). Wow, the more I think about it, the more I realize it was pretty much a horror-ized version of that film.

I was also surprised by how gory it was.

I thought it was good.

Nice! Finally another supporter!

[Scar]

Nice! Finally another supporter!

First time I watched it, I didn't much care for it. However, it has definitely grown on me.

[MacGuffin]

Frozen is just great. I wasn't really prepared for how balls-to-the-wall intense it was going to be, so right now I feel fairly comfortable in saying it's one of the tensest films I've seen in a while and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It has some amateurish flourishes—too many cuts during dialogue and loud, inappropriate music mostly. But it's also a movie that has rare beauty in it for a film of this type--I was especially moved by a scene where one character recounts meeting one of the other characters in first grade, set to a shot depicting the epic snow-covered mountains that have control over our characters. It's very well-written, surprisingly so (sure there are moments that lack realism, but nothing too bad), and properly placed exposition allows Green to work with characters that feel real and sympathetic, making Frozen that much more dreadful to watch.

Goddamn tho, super-glad someone survived that movie. Too bad the other two had to die, but I guess even one survival is slightly unrealistic/a miracle.

[Spun Lepton]

Introduced a fellow horror fanatic to Lucio Fulci last night, with City of the Living Dead. He said he liked it, but he had hoped it would be gorier. Looks like I'll be watching The Beyond a few times over the next couple months, heh.

[MacGuffin]

Introduced a fellow horror fanatic to Lucio Fulci last night, with City of the Living Dead. He said he liked it, but he had hoped it would be gorier. Looks like I'll be watching The Beyond a few times over the next couple months, heh.

Great movies!

[Mr. Pink]

Introduced a fellow horror fanatic to Lucio Fulci last night, with City of the Living Dead. He said he liked it, but he had hoped it would be gorier. Looks like I'll be watching The Beyond a few times over the next couple months, heh.

Man . . .

. . .someone throwing up their intestines was good enough for me.



Help me create a drinking game for The Beyond.

I suck at drinking game ideas, but I'd say the only thing the list is missing is something with the soundtrack.

[Dukefrukem]

I remember The Beyond being slow until the last few minutes.

[Rowland]

City of the Living Dead > The Beyond

[D_Davis]

Everything else every made > City of the Living Dead > The Beyond

[Dukefrukem]

I think you're missing some >>s in there DD

[Spun Lepton]

Everything else every made > City of the Living Dead > The Beyond

Hyperbole will make the Earth explode.

[Dukefrukem]

http://www.evidencethefilm.com/

Trailer here too (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/22638)

Looks like a gorilla

[megladon8]

Holy crap, that looks pretty cool. Thanks for posting that, Duke, I'd never even heard of it before.

[Dukefrukem]

Welcome :) You know me and horror.. I'll keep posting interesting stuff.

[Mr. Pink]

People that like The Beyond > People that don't like The Beyond > People who use greater than/less than symbols


Kidding . . . a little bit.

[megladon8]

I like The Beyond a lot, but I'm also in the "Fulci was kind of terrible" camp.

[D_Davis]

Every other person who ever made or was in a movie > Fulci

[Mr. Pink]

Harsh.

[MacGuffin]

I will never understand the Fulci hate. Indifference, even dislike, sure. But hate? The guy clearly has style and puts a lot of personal flourishes into his work.

[D_Davis]

I find his films dull and uninteresting, which are two of my least favorite kinds of films.

[Dukefrukem]

I like The Beyond a lot, but I'm also in the "Fulci was kind of terrible" camp.

I like The Beyond a tiny bit, but I'm also in the "Fulci was kind of terrible" camp.

[Dukefrukem]

Every other person who ever made or was in a movie > Fulci

I LOLed.

It's also something Madman would say. :P

[D_Davis]

I LOLed.

It's also something Madman would say. :P

Heh.

[Spun Lepton]

Every other person who ever made or was in a movie > Fulci

Gotcha. Drag Me To Hell > The Beyond.

[Dukefrukem]

Gotcha. Drag Me To Hell > The Beyond.

Well that goes without saying.

[D_Davis]

Gotcha. Drag Me To Hell > The Beyond.

I agree with this.

[Spun Lepton]

Well that goes without saying.

You don't realize it, but D's head exploded when I posted that.

[Spun Lepton]

I agree with this.

CURSE YOU D!! CUURRRSSSEEE YOOOOUUUUUU!! (*falls off cliff*)

[D_Davis]

Drag Me to Hell was not dull or uninteresting. I just didn't like it, a lot. For my money, there is no worse sin than when a film is dull and uninteresting. All of Fulci's films that I've seen are complete flat liners, one-note, static drones of dullness. They are not tense or scary, they are not suspenseful or exciting, they carry no dramatic weight, and they tend to feel about ten times longer than they actually are.

[Spun Lepton]

Drag Me to Hell was not dull or uninteresting. I just didn't like it, a lot. For my money, there is no worse sin than when a film is dull and uninteresting. All of Fulci's films that I've seen are complete flat liners, one-note, static drones of dullness. They are not tense or scary, they are not suspenseful or exciting, they carry no dramatic weight, and they tend to feel about ten times longer than they actually are.

Taking potshots at Fulci is like kicking an old person with a walker. It's easy, and it might be a little fun, but nobody's impressed because he's an easy target.

[D_Davis]

I promise you that I'm not trying to impress anyone, nor am I having any fun.

[MacGuffin]

Actually, I can definitely see accusations of misogyny toward Fulci and his movies (and it's for this reason that I don't particularly care for The New York Ripper), but for me the tone of his movies is so indelible and distinctive.

[Mr. Pink]

http://i31.tinypic.com/34qnrsz.jpg

[MacGuffin]

Jeez, I had no idea Fulci directed a White Fang adaption. I need to see that.

[Mr. Pink]

Jeez, I had no idea Fulci directed a White Fang adaption. I need to see that.

In case you're wondering if he toned down the gore for a PG rating . . . he didn't.

[Grouchy]

I need to see that ASAP.

[Bosco B Thug]

In case you're wondering if he toned down the gore for a PG rating . . . he didn't. If only he directed the Disney version with Ethan Hawke I watched as a kid. Commendations for having seen Lucio Fulci's White Fang, by the way.

Altered States was pretty good. I liked what I saw from Ken Russell, of which this is my first film, even if he also has a certain flatness to him, probably not helped by a 1-2-3 plotted sort of screenplay that cycles its thematic points over and over in a generic sci-fi/horror yarn structure, without ever really expanding them. "High-end" critics Fernando Croce and Nick Schager sink their jaded, snappier-than-thou teeth into Russell's mainstream venture, so I turned to Roger Ebert's surprising rave for my after-viewing insights. A passionate film, just doesn't take us anywhere. The ending, with its odd choice of effects, surprisingly works.

[MadMan]

My short, rather scattered write up for Altered States (which gets an 87 and is a rather good movie):


Until I finally viewed this movie, I wasn't sure that what I had rented was a horror movie. However, it can be considered as such due to the fact that it fits into the category of "Body horror," a sub genre perfected by David Cronenberg. A man who's work I've sadly explored very little of. What this movie also proves is that the mind can be a very frightening place.

Expounding on that is the really freaky, strange and beyond insane nightmarish drug induced hallucanating trips that William Hurt goes on during this movie. Some of them are quite awe inspiring, but most of them result in rather stark and nightmarish moments that were really quite creepy. The movie even goes beyond the realm of sanity when Hurt's character ends up becoming a primal creature of sorts. And then he goes on the rampage in old school monster movie fashion.

Anyways, this film is also highly sexual in many aspects. The nudity and sexual tension kind of serve their purpose, and in a way the supposed "power of love" adds the main characters in their march back to normality. I like that this film is highly science based, and that aside from some rather outlandish scenes it is highly realistic. For those seeking a rather intelligent type of horror flick, and a sort of mind blowing experience, I recommend this one. I really want to read the book soon.

PS: Since that viewing, I've seen more of Cronenberg's work. I think I'm up to 6 films, actually.

[Grouchy]

A passionate film, just doesn't take us anywhere.
This is pretty much my take on it. It's great for a number of reasons, specially the trips, but ultimately the story doesn't amount to anything coherent.

[Bosco B Thug]

I like that this film is highly science based, and that aside from some rather outlandish scenes it is highly realistic. I actually was struck by how the film throws you into this world of super serious, super committed, socially in-breeding elite science-heads. All the words coming out of their mouths and the sounds of pompousness became a kind of component to the film. :lol:

William Hurt was good.


This is pretty much my take on it. It's great for a number of reasons, specially the trips, but ultimately the story doesn't amount to anything coherent. Yeah, if anything, the trips were adequately freaky. Hurt's sweaty, ecstasy-lit mug is prime shock cut material.

[Spun Lepton]

http://i.imgur.com/EQ1sv.jpg

I had that poster on my bedroom wall when I was 13. I didn't know it at the time, but the poster was the best thing going for this one. I didn't learn that until about half-an-hour ago. Thank you Netflix Instant.

The Puttermans are a swinging couple with all the technology 1986 had to offer. Their own satellite dish. A remote control that plugs into the wall. A jacuzzi. Mom and dad leave for the night to find another couple to swing with. Grampa and the irritatingly bad child actor are left at home and come face to face with a monster that beams in through their satellite dish.

The monster eats gramps, the kid locks himself in the bomb shelter. (!986!) The parents and their swinging couple come home and, surprise surprise, they're lunchmeat. Then sister and Young Uncle Rico come home and calm the monster for a while, buying the film some time, stretching out the story in a comical but entirely non-interesting way.

The tone of the whole project is very light, the color scheme is vibrant, the lighting is bright and flat like a Mick Garris TV movie. :D But, the story itself is relatively dark.

It was a major mistake having a kid in the lead. He was terrible. Uncle Rico's wig was distracting. There's no blood, people melt into lumpy green puddles and the monster slurps them up. Plenty of sex talk, but no nudity. I don't recall a whole lot of swearing, either. I think they might've been aiming for PG-13 and were slapped with an R.

Either way, it's really not worth your time. The tone and the subject just aren't a very good mix. The monster looks like a giant puppet head mounted on a large dolly. The lead kid is abysmal. There's maybe one or two gags that got a laugh out of me, but everything else is pretty bland. The ending is a downer that goes completely against the tone of the movie, and yes, it's pretty much what you expect.

I can't believe I'm spoiling this.

The kid gets eaten. The End. It's even in the goddamn trailer.

3/10

TRAILER
gUD0jgnoS-8

IF YOU LIKE PUNISHMENT
33rvgA1-IOQ

[MadMan]

That appears to be one of those movies you watch while drinking. Just so you can laugh at how bad it is, and poke fun at the film's awful qualities.

[Dukefrukem]

I've been wanting to see that movie for years. That and Popcorn.

[Dukefrukem]

Holy shit. This (http://www.taintmovie.com/) is a trailer for a movie called Taint and it's... well... I don' t know how to describe it other than NSFW....

[Spun Lepton]

Holy shit. This (http://www.taintmovie.com/) is a trailer for a movie called Taint and it's... well... I don' t know how to describe it other than NSFW....

My neighbor went to the Minnesota Underground Film Festival and met the director. He got me a DVD copy. (*sshh*) :lol: Haven't watched it, yet.

[megladon8]

I don't know how the hell it happened, but Orphan was actually kind of good.

This is one of those times when I feel like the universe should collapse on itself or something. Every trailer, clip and piece of press about this film made it seem that there was NO WAY IN HELL this was anything but terrible.

I mean, it wasn't GREAT or anything, but it was actually kind of OK.

Weird.

[Grouchy]

No, meg, actually, Orphan was terrible in every way. Couldn't even finish it and I was looking forward to the midget twist.

[megladon8]

Nah, it was actually kind of semi-decent. Certainly not great by any stretch of the word, but I was expecting something even worse than the wretched Case 39, and what I got was a fairly competent thriller with some really interesting cinematography.

[MacGuffin]

Jean Rollin died. (http://www.fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2901:rip-jean-rollin&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167) Fascination is easily one of the best, most eeriest and sensual horror films I've ever seen and from the few others I've seen from him, I'm happy to report that his dreary, lethargic style carries on throughout his other films. R.I.P.

[Mr. Pink]

Dear Mr. Gacy -- Based on the non-fiction book "The Last Victim" (an excellent read), the movie follows a young college student who corresponded with Gacy, and gets more than he expected, culminating in a visit to see Gacy in jail. The kid pretends to be someone he isn't in the letters, (gay and vulnerable), which sparks Gacy's interest in him. William Forsythe gives a great performance as Gacy, but the movie stumbles towards the end, resulting in a decent but flawed adaptation of the book. The visit to see Gacy was much more intense in the book from what I remember, and the movie didn't seem nearly as effective, but it's an okay watch. It's from the producer of Monster, so it's possible I got my hopes up a little too much. 5/10

Finally saw Salo, too. For all the perverted, disgusting things I'd heard/read about it, I wasn't expecting it to be so well-made. Very impressive stuff. 8/10

Now I need to go watch something not so depressing.

[Dukefrukem]

Nah, it was actually kind of semi-decent. Certainly not great by any stretch of the word, but I was expecting something even worse than the wretched Case 39, and what I got was a fairly competent thriller with some really interesting cinematography.

I thought it was an effective thriller too. :) My support you have.

[KK2.0]

Terrorvision is sort of iconic 80's trash, i haven't watched it again since but i remember having a laugh with it.


Holy shit. This (http://www.taintmovie.com/) is a trailer for a movie called Taint and it's... well... I don' t know how to describe it other than NSFW....

looks like a troma movie, for better or worse

[Spun Lepton]

Can't say I was overly impressed by Paranormal Activity. The acting was pretty good, obviously mostly improv. The look and sound were both top-notch for what they were doing. Some good suspense and I could see how it could freak out a lot of people.

I just have a problem with the way the story hinges on the husband being a total fucking imbecile. I've met some stupid people in my life, but I would never think any of them would be stupid enough to antagonize something that is obviously very powerful and dangerous.

Idiot Husband: "Should I do XYZ?"
Everybody: "Doing XYZ is a very bad idea, don't do XYZ."
*Ghost becomes more powerful.*
Idiot Husband: "I think I'm gonna do XYZ."
Everybody: "WHATEVER YOU DO, DO NOT DO XYZ!!"
*Ghost starts to seem threatening.*
Idiot Husband: "I should definitely do XYZ."
Everybody: "LOOK YOU FUCKING MORON, DO NOT DO XYZ!!!"
*Idiot Husband does XYZ.*

:|

The Human Centipede had me laughing in its first few minutes, but it quickly became an exercise in tedium. It offers us nothing new or surprising or exciting beyond its initial premise. You've seen the preview? Congrats, you've seen all the most shocking, interesting, and funny moments in the movie.

Six can't decide who the lead should be. At first it's Ashley, or Crystal, or Brittany, or whatever the fuck the one vapid chick's name was, like it matters. Once Act 2 starts, the focus has to turn to Dr. Heiter and the screaming Japanese guy at the front of the centipede because Brittany and Ashley become the middle and back parts. You can't throw much dramatic weight around when you can't speak or move, eh?

Once the centipede is constructed, the story meanders for 30 minutes or so before Act 3, with Dr. Heiter screaming orders at the centipede, the Japanese man screaming pleas and vague threats in Japanese, and the women in the middle and back whimpering, crying, and holding hands. No surprises, no twists or turns. Infrequent moments showing the psychological effects of being the human centipede are surface-only.

The end seems like it remained there from draft 1. What do you think will happen to the human centipede at the end? Correct! What do you think will happen to Dr. Heiter? Correct!! Granted, there's a cruel flourish to the centipede's fate that did nothing to add or enhance the experience aside from discouraging me from seeing the inevitable sequel.

(Screaming in Japanese) "Oh, god!! I have to shit!! I'm so sorry!!"
"Yes!! YES!!! FEED HER! FEEEEED HEEEERRRR!!"

:rolleyes:

[Dukefrukem]

Spun I bet you would have had a different experience if you saw it at theaters. It's one of the few movies where a theater experience can change your perception of a movie.

I do agree the tension is lost and pacing slows once the centipede is created. At that point it becomes a shock factor movie. I'd still recommend it for people.

[Dukefrukem]

Been a long time since I've watched the Blob (1988)... The practical effects are great. Does the blob have the best death scene ever? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZrcB_8VzB0)

[Dukefrukem]

GF1mt86Gmd0

[Dukefrukem]

UZf_s_aimtQ

[Spun Lepton]

Attempted (this is the key word here) to watch the remake of Night of the Demons, starring Edward Furlong and Shannon Elizabeth. Netflix Instant. The original is a fun piece of nostalgic trash, it's not a very good movie, either ... but it's head-and-shoulders above this bore.

I made it maybe 20 minutes into the 2nd act before turning it off. Furlong phones it in, or maybe he just sucks. Elizabeth appears to be enjoying herself, but she's not particularly great. The majority of the first act is filler, long lingering moments of people getting wasted and making out, barely a story to tell. At the turn of the 2nd act, half the cast is dead or demonized, so we're left with three annoying characters running in circles and screaming, while piss-poor "demons" scream and leap out of the shadows at them.

No rating because I didn't finish, but consider it 0/10 from me.

Avoid.

[Spun Lepton]

Apparently Michael Mann's original cut for The Keep was close to three hours long. And that explains why the 90 minute version feels extremely rushed. It takes its time to get going and it ramps up nicely, but the last 30 to 40 minutes turns frantic and unfocused. It's obvious that major story arcs are missing. One scene shows two characters getting along all right, but with a little animosity. Then, the story ignores them for 20 minutes. Then we come back to them and they're shooting each other.

And who the hell thought Tangerine Dream should do the soundtrack? God-freaking-awful. Occasionally the music was so obnoxious that I could focus on nothing but. Let's see, we need a good suspenseful soundtrack ... let's use SYNTHESIZER DISCO. Cripes. The scene where the Nazis are pulling out the big stone stopper, is supposed to be tense and suspenseful, but here we have Tangerine Dream's soundtrack dancing happily in the background, "Bow pah-chicka-chicka-bow-bow-BOW! Pah-chicka-chicka-bow-bow-BOW!"

Blecch. Bring on the 3-hour cut and maybe I'll give it a better rating. That soundtrack, though, woof. Dunno if I could handle three hours of that garbage.

3/10

[D_Davis]

I love the soundtrack for The Keep. One of my favorites.

[Spun Lepton]

I love the soundtrack for The Keep. One of my favorites.

D, I AM DISAPPOINT.

Seriously, it wasn't Tangerine Dream themselves. It was how poorly they fit the material.

[D_Davis]

D, I AM DISAPPOINT.

Heh.... :D

[D_Davis]

I do really want to see Mann's original cut.

I am, generally, a fan of TD's film scores. I think they add an original otherworldly feel to the films they are in. For instance, Legend is a far superior film with TD's synth score, and it loses a lot of atmosphere with the newly-restored orchestral score.

But yeah - I really dig the marriage of audio and video in The Keep. It's anachronistic for sure, and it adds a really bizarre atmosphere.

2_9z9Tv7f9I

It's all very '80s in execution, and totally a relic of its time.

[Qrazy]

I hate Mann's pre-Mohicans style. Thief semi-succeeds on Caan alone.

[Spun Lepton]

I went into Saw VI having only seen parts I through III.

Funny how convoluted the story has become by this point. Filtering out the bland behind-the-scenes drama between Detective Bad Guy and Jigsaw's Wife, (Jigsaw had a WIFE?!?), it was all right ... until the twist. The trials of Jerkface Insurance Guy were brutal and fun in a morbid way, even if a couple of the traps were ridiculous. (The hold-your-breath one was particularly goofy.)

But, the final act throws thematic elements out the window in favor of SHOCKING GORE. It plays out like an afterthought, or like studio tinkering. What's doubly frustrating about it is how little they would have had to change in order for their twist ending to actually WORK. They could've had their cake and eaten it, too. It could've had the twist, been extremely gruesome, and fit the rest of the story perfectly, but no ...

*le sigh*

3/10

[Mr. Pink]

Watched Summer Camp Nightmare last weekend, and really enjoyed it. A bunch of kids revolt against their camp counselors after one of them gets a little too carried away after reading Thoreau's Civil Disobedience and things quickly get out of hand. Decent performances and some classic moments made this a fun watch. 7/10 (it's on youtube with a respectable transfer, btw).

Also saw The Town That Dreaded Sundown. It was okay, though I had pretty high expectations for it. A killer terrorizes a small town a-la-a Son of Sam, and some backwoods cops try to put an end to the madness. The parts with the killer were really well done, but the cop stuff detracts from the movie overall, I thought. I was hoping for more, but it was still fairly decent. 6-7/10 (also on youtube).

[Rowland]

Just a heads-up, the full-length cut of Fruit Chan's amazing Dumplings is available on Netflix Instant Watch.

[Dukefrukem]

No way! Fuckin sweet Rowland thx.

[MadMan]

Last night I was flipping through and on This! TV there was some random slasher movie called "Shredder" about a bunch of snow boarders stalked by a mysterious killer. What I saw was really quite terrible, heh.

And I also noticed today that Dumplings was on Instant View. Netflix has been awesome at offering up a good many horror movies on IV.

[Dukefrukem]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/86/Burrowersposter08.jpg/220px-Burrowersposter08.jpg

I watched the Burrowers last night... first movie I watched on my Sony Dash. Neat movie. I just wish the creatures were designed more threatening. I feel like these things would be slow as hell, and you could hear them coming from miles away. How would they ever sneak up on a sleeping victim. The movie is focused more about human threats rather than the monsters, which adds another dimension to the movie. I liked it.

[Rowland]

About two-thirds of the way through Fulci's notorious The New York Ripper, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how well-crafted and provocative it is, given its reputation.

[Spun Lepton]

About two-thirds of the way through Fulci's notorious The New York Ripper, and I'm pleasantly surprised by how well-crafted and provocative it is, given its reputation.

QUAAAAAAAACK quackquackquack!!

[Dukefrukem]

You guys are gonna LOVE this. (http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/frozen/)

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/6162/frozenb.jpg


Frozen was really good, but damn it was painful.

I never want to see it again.



Frozen is just great. I wasn't really prepared for how balls-to-the-wall intense it was going to be, so right now I feel fairly comfortable in saying it's one of the tensest films I've seen in a while and I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. It has some amateurish flourishes—too many cuts during dialogue and loud, inappropriate music mostly. But it's also a movie that has rare beauty in it for a film of this type--I was especially moved by a scene where one character recounts meeting one of the other characters in first grade, set to a shot depicting the epic snow-covered mountains that have control over our characters. It's very well-written, surprisingly so (sure there are moments that lack realism, but nothing too bad), and properly placed exposition allows Green to work with characters that feel real and sympathetic, making Frozen that much more dreadful to watch.

Goddamn tho, super-glad someone survived that movie. Too bad the other two had to die, but I guess even one survival is slightly unrealistic/a miracle.

Just finished it. I hated the first 15 minutes of this movie. Wicked cheese in the dialog but they really turned on their B+ game when the panic set in.

I think about all these scenarios every time I go skiing. I've never seen a chairlift go that high though. (Esp on the East Cost) This was an entertaining watch.

Also, no wolves over here.. Coyotes sure, but they're small.

[Ezee E]

Watching Frozen and it's hard to forgive the movie for bad logistics, such as the girl keeping her hand on a metal handle for the entire night. Surely, it'd have been too cold for her to keep it there. Meh.

I'll forgive the logistics of wolves being located in a ski area just for the sake of movieland but...

Long sequence on pissing oneself... Followed by long discussions of love while both being frostbitten, and more then likely going into hypothermic directions.

Just silly all around.

[soitgoes...]

Watching Frozen and it's hard to forgive the movie for bad logistics, such as the girl keeping her hand on a metal handle for the entire night. Surely, it'd have been too cold for her to keep it there. Meh.

I'll forgive the logistics of wolves being located in a ski area just for the sake of movieland but...

Long sequence on pissing oneself... Followed by long discussions of love while both being frostbitten, and more then likely going into hypothermic directions.

Just silly all around.Thank you.

[MacGuffin]

I often wonder why people question the logistics of a lot of horror movies, especially when in this film they serve not to frighten you directly, but to reinforce the sense of dread. If anything, I'd complain about the bad acting and cheap music.

[soitgoes...]

If anything, I'd complain about the bad acting and cheap music.Thank you.

[Scar]

I certainly was not a fan of Hungry, Hungry Wolves.

[D_Davis]

A little late, but WTF.

http://www.mondomovie.com/serbian.jpg

[Rowland]

such as the girl keeping her hand on a metal handle for the entire night. Surely, it'd have been too cold for her to keep it there. Meh.
I just presumed her hand found its way there while she was asleep, and she'd probably lost the feeling in most of her body by that point.

I thought the acting was fine as well, especially given the initially unlikable nature of the characters, but I'll grant the overbearing music.

[Boner M]

I would've tried to break off one of the metal pieces of the chairlift and used it to slide down the cable.

Also, the jump scene was more wincing for me than the climax of 127 Hours, despite (or perhaps because of???) being more fake.

FWIW, 2010's 'tight spot' pantheon: Buried > 127 Hours > Frozen > Devil.

[Rowland]

Also, the jump scene was more wincing for me than the climax of 127 Hours, despite (or perhaps because of???) being more fake.I found the scene of Ralston cutting through his arm to be surprisingly timid because it aestheticized the sequence to such a degree. In retrospect, all I recall about it was the wailing screech as he tried cutting through the tendon and stylized close-ups of his face contorting as dorky visions of his future son encouraged him on. The Frozen sequence comparatively had a blunt directness that made it easier to believe in.

[soitgoes...]

Should some of that be spoilered? I haven't seen 127 Hours to know, but I just learned something I didn't know about the film that makes me think I shouldn't have read that.

[Rowland]

Should some of that be spoilered? I haven't seen 127 Hours to know, but I just learned something I didn't know about the film that makes me think I shouldn't have read that.Hmm, it didn't seem as much like a spoiler when I typed it out as it does now. I mean, it's nothing major, but still, you're right, sorry.

[soitgoes...]

Hmm, it didn't seem as much like a spoiler when I typed it out as it does now. I mean, it's nothing major, but still, you're right, sorry.It's no biggie. I'll drink a bunch tonight and forget anything ever happened. :)

[Ezee E]

Well, I gave the bad acting a pass since I don't think it was ever in theaters, so I knew what to expect there. Guess I should've expected it all around, but it got decent praise here.

[Dukefrukem]

I often wonder why people question the logistics of a lot of horror movies, especially when in this film they serve not to frighten you directly, but to reinforce the sense of dread. If anything, I'd complain about the bad acting and cheap music.

Great point. Logistics in horror movies needs to be ignored. Otherwise EVERY scenario would result in someone using their iPhone to text the police for a rescue. Unless of course they're all using the iPhone on AT&T.

Please see exhibit A:

XIZVcRccCx0

[soitgoes...]

Great point. Logistics in horror movies needs to be ignored. Otherwise EVERY scenario would result in someone using their iPhone to text the police for a rescue. Unless of course they're all using the iPhone on AT&T.

Please see exhibit A:
So lazy writing should be ignored because it's a horror movie?

[Dukefrukem]

So lazy writing should be ignored because it's a horror movie?

I just posted an example of why we can't assume the obvious in certain situations. EVERYONE has a cell phone today. To be put in a situation where you would be unable to use the cell phone is close to impossible.

The example of the girls arm on the cold rail was brought up. Why is it so hard to imagine when she fell asleep her hand hit the rail? Because we would think the cold rail would wake her up? I wake up sometimes in my bed with my arm under my body and blood is completely cut off causing my arm to be numb. How come I didn't wake up?

[soitgoes...]

I just posted an example of why we can't assume the obvious in certain situations. EVERYONE has a cell phone today. To be put in a situation where you would be unable to use the cell phone is close to impossible.If a horror film is grounded in reality, and I haven't had a dropped call in 3 years, shouldn't I question the "dropped call cliche?"


The example of the girls arm on the cold rail was brought up. Why is it so hard to imagine when she fell asleep her hand hit the rail? Because we would think the cold rail would wake her up? I wake up sometimes in my bed with my arm under my body and blood is completely cut off causing my arm to be numb. How come I didn't wake up?If you are cold, your hands are in your pockets. If you fall asleep, they aren't coming out of what is warm. Her knit cap would be better served pulled down over her face especially if her face is freezing off. (Or on your more exposed hand!!!) Oh yeah, what about her hood. Useless item that is. That long hair tied back might be of use too. Cuddling for warmth, forget about it. Peeing your pants in sub-zero temps isn't too bright either. When the characters do multiple stupid things, why should I forgive one action that on its own might be dismissed?

In life, real life, if someone were to make these mistakes we'd call them idiots. In a horror film grounded in reality all is forgiven because it scares us.

[Dukefrukem]

I think we see things differently. The girl was obviously scared of the idea of being on a chairlift in the first place as we saw in the first time they were going up. We can't assume what we'd do in a situation because we don't fall into that category.

So peeing in your pants, again, isn't too out there given her original fears. If they had their faces wrapped up for the whole movie, we wouldn't be able to hear a damn thing they'd say. Of course when I go skiing I always wrap up. I think everyone does. I wouldn't call them idiots. I'd call them being in situation where they are fearing their live. They probably wouldn't be arguing about who's responsible for their friends death either.

[Ezee E]

No problem with her not wrapping up. I couldn't find my good gloves yesterday, so I just went with my leather ones, and I only wear a beanie on my head, nothing more (besides the goggles).

But yes, the body in that situation wouldn't allow the hand to be removed from her jacket. Whatever, the excessively long pee scene is still bothersome, especially when the next scene is a scene that ponders philosophy/lost love when both are obviously in a hypothermic state. No. Just no.

[D_Davis]

I think it's important to determine if the film is a piece of realism, firmly grounded in out reality, or is is using things as allegory and metaphor to be more of a modern parable.

I think that many horror films fall into the later category, even if they aren't fantastical. They aren't trying to accurately depict real life scary situations, but they are, instead, using heightened, slightly exagerated real life scary situations to create a sense of fear.

There are certain tropes and conventions used in mythological story telling, and the horror genre is no different.

[Dukefrukem]

Gut Trailer (http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/gut/trailer)

Makes it seem like there's very little dialog in this movie....but I'm intrigued.

[Spun Lepton]

Holy shit. This (http://www.taintmovie.com/) is a trailer for a movie called Taint and it's... well... I don' t know how to describe it other than NSFW....

The Taint

I am not going to put this in my ratings below, 'cuz I'm still not sure what kind of rating to give it. It's about an hour long and it's really not "about" much of anything. Bad chemical is leaked into the water, which makes all the men in the world turn into misogynist killers with their dicks hanging out. No, seriously, that's the entire story.

Lots of moments where women are being "jizzed" on, but it sprays out like it's coming from a firehose. Lots of women being gruesomely murdered. The mix of CG and practical effects is actually quite surprising.

It's supposed to be funny. It has a few moments.

Overall, it's pretty flat, though. It maintains a pace that keeps you watching. The colors are mostly bright and vivid. Some of the actors are playing characters who are supposed to be older than they are. None of the characters are very memorable, none are anything beyond their appearances. I don't even recall all of them being named. I think all these things were decisions rather than unintentional shortcomings. All of the acting is terrible.

The "hero" of the story, in the end, goes on a shooting spree, blasting off the dicks of numerous men. I found it comical because it appeared to be the same practical "exploding-dick" effect for everybody. You see at least half-a-dozen of them exploding.

Scar should avoid this movie else he'll go on a rampage.

[Dukefrukem]

So you're saying I will probably like it?

[megladon8]

Zombieland was okay. Nothing special, really. Had some laughs, some neat ideas. Didn't do anything that will leave me remembering it for years to come.

[Scar]

Zombieland was okay. Nothing special, really. Had some laughs, some neat ideas. Didn't do anything that will leave me remembering it for years to come.

I said one time that Zombieland is the Whopper to Shaun of the Dead's Filet Mignon.

[megladon8]

I said one time that Zombieland is the Whopper to Shaun of the Dead's Filet Mignon.


:lol:

That's a perfect analogy, actually.

[D_Davis]

Gut Trailer (http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/gut/trailer)

Makes it seem like there's very little dialog in this movie....but I'm intrigued.

That looks kind of great. Reminds me of how I felt after watching A Serbian Film.

[MadMan]

Zombieland-91
Shaun of the Dead-95

I think they are both awesome, really. And quite different, considering that Zombieland is a straight zombie comedy while Shaun was spoofing the genre.

[Dukefrukem]

Zombieland-91
Shaun of the Dead-95

I think they are both awesome, really. And quite different, considering that Zombieland is a straight zombie comedy while Shaun was spoofing the genre.

I don't think Zombieland is on the same level as SotD. I enjoyed them both, but the humor in Zombieland is more static and obvious (with the exception of the best scene that is not to be spoken about without spoiler tags). I would probably put SotD in the 90s and ZL in the 80s somewhere. Zombieland's ending is horrendous while SotD's ending is quite funny.

[Dukefrukem]

I found something I dislike with John Carpenter's the Thing over the weekend. (Which i didn't think was possible)

I think the opening scene can be completely removed the movie. It's not necessary and already gives the audience a preconceived idea on what to expect.

[Mr. Pink]

Reminds me of how I felt after watching A Serbian Film.

Finally saw this. Disgusting and hard to watch, sure, but still quite amazing. I give it a solid 8/10.

[Russ]

Finally saw this. Disgusting and hard to watch, sure, but still quite amazing. I give it a solid 8/10.
Excellent. At first, I felt very reserved in my recommendation, due to the subject matter. Whatever. It really is a very good film. I still have a hard time classifying it as a horror movie, though. And you certainly can't classify it as an "erotic" thriller. Psychological thriller seems to be the most appropriate.

Did you see the unrated version, or the UK one with about 4 minutes cut?

[Mr. Pink]

Excellent. At first, I felt very reserved in my recommendation, due to the subject matter. Whatever. It really is a very good film. I still have a hard time classifying it as a horror movie, though. And you certainly can't classify it as an "erotic" thriller. Psychological thriller seems to be the most appropriate.

Did you see the unrated version, or the UK one with about 4 minutes cut?

Damn. I'm not sure which version it was. Imdb has it at 104, and the cut version at 95. The one I saw was in the middle at about 100 minutes. Do you know what the differences between the cut and uncut versions are?

Yeah, I thought this was really good. Usually, a movie like this I'd only be able to stomach once, but I'd probably buy this one. One of, if not the most, well made movies of its kind.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I found something I dislike with John Carpenter's the Thing over the weekend. (Which i didn't think was possible)

I think the opening scene can be completely removed the movie. It's not necessary and already gives the audience a preconceived idea on what to expect.

Also, the characters are dull.

:pritch:

[Russ]

Damn. I'm not sure which version it was. Imdb has it at 104, and the cut version at 95. The one I saw was in the middle at about 100 minutes. Do you know what the differences between the cut and uncut versions are?
I think the IMDb listing at 104 is mistaken. The 100 minute one that you saw is the uncut one. What was cut out was pretty much any explicit scenes involving any underage participant. Also, the scene involving

suffocation by prosthetic device.
I think that was mostly excised.

Only four of us here have admitted to seeing this so far (you, myself, DDavis and Philosophe_Rouge). Three of us are thumbs up.

[D_Davis]

I would classify ASF as horror before 99% of the stuff most people think of when they think of horror.

But then again, that's the problem with genre, ain't it?

I mean, can we really say that I Know What You Did Last Summer and A Serbian Film are part of the same genre? I guess we can, at the most basic level.

ASF is working on the same level as something written by Thomas Ligotti, or an old splatter-punk story from John Shirley. It's similar in many ways to the independent horror press, more so than it is to any modern cinematic movement.

Some friends of mine always joke around about this movie - two of them just had babies. They say they never want to watch it because it sounds stupid, and gross just to be gross. I always tell them the same thing: you should see it because it's a damn good movie; it's really well made, and it has a point. However, HOWEVER, I don't want them to watch it because of my recommendation.

I actually deleted it off of my HD because I never want to be the reason why someone sees this. I don't want to give this to someone. I don't want people to associate me with the film. It's kind of like how Crispin Glover will never put What is It? on DVD, because he wants to limit how people watch the film, and he wants to be there when people do so he can talk to them about.

[megladon8]

You know what's still great?

Slither.

[MadMan]

Also, the characters are dull.

:pritch:I'LLL KEEEEEEL YOO0OOOOUUUUU!!!

[Dukefrukem]

Also, the characters are dull.

:pritch:

I'll admit. There's 1 dull character... out of 12

[Dukefrukem]

You know what's still great?

Slither.

True statement.

[megladon8]

Watching The Last Exorcism a second time made me like it slightly more, but I still see it as a heavily flawed film whose greatest attribute is a very intriguing lead character.

Cotton Marcus' crisis of faith may be the most interesting since Father Damien Karras. While his actions make him look like kind of a scumbag, the look behind those actions - when we have Cotton and his family speaking as if in interview - provide some real depth and remove the stark, black-and-white assessment we initially make with regards to his exorcism "business".

I also took much less issue with the ending this second time around. It was actually strange to me, upon seeing at again, that I had remembered the ending with such disappointment and even outright hatred. Frankly, the ending works.

There are some inconsistencies in characters and plot, and the pacing seems a bit off in the latter half of the film.

But overall, I liked it. At least, I liked it significantly more than when I saw it in the theatre.

It's also one of the few "found footage" horror films I've seen lately where this presentation was not so much a gimmick, but was intrinsic to the story and the film's purpose.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Some friends of mine always joke around about this movie - two of them just had babies. They say they never want to watch it because it sounds stupid, and gross just to be gross. I always tell them the same thing: you should see it because it's a damn good movie; it's really well made, and it has a point. However, HOWEVER, I don't want them to watch it because of my recommendation.

Yeah, I've heard some about the movie up to now, so I just Wiki'd the plot synopsis, and, uh, okay. It may be a good, even great, film in how it depicts what it depicts, but what it depicts sounds like someone I don't want to ever watch, ever. I thought Martyrs went too far, and this seems to multiply that film's cruelty three or four times over.

I'm also a bit thrown by your comparison to Thomas Ligotti. Granted, I've only read Teatro Grottesco, but that collection seemed more about distant horror, horror that came from insinuations and sordid histories and unseen superiors.

It's probably unwise of me to pursue this too much, since I haven't seen the film, but I just want to understand.

[D_Davis]

I'm also a bit thrown by your comparison to Thomas Ligotti. Granted, I've only read Teatro Grottesco, but that collection seemed more about distant horror, horror that came from insinuations and sordid histories and unseen superiors.


The comparison is not one of theme or subject matter, but of impact. Ligotti is the only author of horror who has ever scared me. I've lost sleep from reading some of his stories. His stories have gravitas, and substance - they are affecting. A Serbian Film is similar in those areas; it is a horror film that packs a real punch; it is actually horrifying. It's real.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The comparison is not one of theme or subject matter, but of impact. Ligotti is the only author of horror who has ever scared me. I've lost sleep from reading some of his stories. His stories have gravitas, and substance - they are affecting. A Serbian Film is similar in those areas; it is a horror film that packs a real punch; it is actually horrifying. It's real.

Ah. I now understand what it was you were speaking of.

[Russ]

To build on Davis' thoughts: the viewing of this film is a bit of a catch-22: the maximum impact is achieved by going into it cold (I had heard very little about the content when I saw it). However a lot of folks, like you, have read the Wiki synopsis, and have already formed opinions based on reading that capsule.

Plus, if you have any friends who are unfamiliar with it, you certainly can't "recommend" it to them, as they could possibly become ex-friends because of it. It's a very, very difficult film to deal with for these reasons, as well as the more intrinsic ones.

[MacGuffin]

o3lUAZLB4JY

The plot of this new Lucky McKee movie doesn't sound too bad and I wasn't a fan of May back when I saw it. I'd see it again.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Lucky McKee's Response (http://fangoria.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3301:lucky-mckee-responds-to-woman-hater&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=167)

[Dead & Messed Up]

To build on Davis' thoughts: the viewing of this film is a bit of a catch-22: the maximum impact is achieved by going into it cold (I had heard very little about the content when I saw it). However a lot of folks, like you, have read the Wiki synopsis, and have already formed opinions based on reading that capsule.

I went cold into Martyrs, and I turned it off after forty minutes. I fast-forwarded through the last half hour. Nothing I saw made me want to return to it. I have a big problem handling cruelty on-screen. It's my kryptonite. It's the one thing I can't handle in a horror film. After reading the synopsis, the film really feels like something I wouldn't want to watch, and I'm glad I didn't blind-view it.

[Russ]

I understand completely. If you even suspect that the subject matter is something that you don't want to be subjected to then certainly, it should be avoided. At all costs.

[Mr. Pink]

The thing about A Serbian Film (as with any other movie like it) is that it's all about context. Without context, I'd never want to see a movie like that based on the wikipedia entry, either. But it's set up so well that it puts most other vile, depraved movies to absolute shame.

I've seen far less disturbing movies fail completely because they aren't set up properly, but this one does it perfectly. Sure, you're going to want to turn away, but you're too drawn in by the story at that point to do that.

I never wanted to see a movie about a bunch of junkies shooting dope, only to have it turn out horribly for them, but in context, Requiem For A Dream is awesome.

[Scar]

You'd probably have to load me up on valium to get me to watch A Serbian Film w/o raging.

[D_Davis]

To build on Davis' thoughts: the viewing of this film is a bit of a catch-22: the maximum impact is achieved by going into it cold (I had heard very little about the content when I saw it). However a lot of folks, like you, have read the Wiki synopsis, and have already formed opinions based on reading that capsule.

Plus, if you have any friends who are unfamiliar with it, you certainly can't "recommend" it to them, as they could possibly become ex-friends because of it. It's a very, very difficult film to deal with for these reasons, as well as the more intrinsic ones.

I knew nothing about the film except that it was really harsh and brutal, and a very brief plot synopses; ex-porn star gets drawn back into the porn industry to make one final film.

[D_Davis]

The thing about A Serbian Film (as with any other movie like it) is that it's all about context. Without context, I'd never want to see a movie like that based on the wikipedia entry, either. But it's set up so well that it puts most other vile, depraved movies to absolute shame.

I've seen far less disturbing movies fail completely because they aren't set up properly, but this one does it perfectly. Sure, you're going to want to turn away, but you're too drawn in by the story at that point to do that.

I never wanted to see a movie about a bunch of junkies shooting dope, only to have it turn out horribly for them, but in context, Requiem For A Dream is awesome.

You're totally right. In other movies you can joke around about the sick shit.

Awe man, she got her head ripped off!
Oh man, that dude just plowed through those zombies with a lawnmover!
That Asia chick's eye ball was hanging out! Crazy!

And then other people who haven't seen the film will think that you just watched some kind of crazy, entertaining, but kind of gross horror movie.

But if you something like that with A Serbian Film...holy shit. People are going to think you're a twisted, sick fuck. And I know I'm not. I was not entertained by ASF. I didn't want to share my viewing experience with anyone.

[megladon8]

Seriously, all this talk about A Serbian Film and how incredibly brutal it is feels like I've stepped in a time machine back to 2005 when Hostel came out.

The way it's been built up here, there is no way humanly possible that it could be as brutally disturbing and horrific as it's being made out to be.

I already feel like it's going to feel tame compared to what I'm expecting in my mind.

[D_Davis]

I already feel like it's going to feel tame compared to what I'm expecting in my mind.

You won't. But then again, that's not the point. It's not Hostel.

[megladon8]

You won't. But then again, that's not the point. It's not Hostel.


Yeah but I'm getting flashbacks to Martyrs already.

Yeah, Martyrs was messed up. Disturbing, for sure. But the talk on MatchCut made it sound like the movie reached a level of disturbing that, upon watching it, creates a singularity and causes your brain to eat itself.

[Mr. Pink]

Yeah but I'm getting flashbacks to Martyrs already.

Yeah, Martyrs was messed up. Disturbing, for sure. But the talk on MatchCut made it sound like the movie reached a level of disturbing that, upon watching it, creates a singularity and causes your brain to eat itself.

I don't think it'll be any more gruesome/brutal/disturbing than what most people around here have already seen. It's a good movie, but it's not very pleasant to watch.

It's not even incredibly graphic, but it is disturbing.

[D_Davis]

It's not even incredibly graphic, but it is disturbing.

That's true.

[Mr. Pink]

I didn't want to share my viewing experience with anyone.

I did, and then realized halfway through explaining what it was about that I probably shouldn't have.

[megladon8]

Is it a good movie to lend a friend for their first date with a pretty girl?

[D_Davis]

Is it a good movie to lend a friend for their first date with a pretty girl?

Oh for sure.

[Megiddo]

I think the opening scene can be completely removed the movie. It's not necessary and already gives the audience a preconceived idea on what to expect.

I'm going to have to vehemently disagree with this. The opening scene completely sets up the sense of isolation that the movie just wouldn't work nearly as well without. If anything I thought it should be longer.


You're totally right. In other movies you can joke around about the sick shit.

Awe man, she got her head ripped off!
Oh man, that dude just plowed through those zombies with a lawnmover!
That Asia chick's eye ball was hanging out! Crazy!

And then other people who haven't seen the film will think that you just watched some kind of crazy, entertaining, but kind of gross horror movie.

But if you something like that with A Serbian Film...holy shit. People are going to think you're a twisted, sick fuck. And I know I'm not. I was not entertained by ASF. I didn't want to share my viewing experience with anyone.

I thought A Serbian Film was somewhere in between. While it did have some legitimately disturbing scenes, there were others that I just couldn't take seriously and which had me in fits of laughter.

The skull fucking and "NEWBORN PORN!" for instance
Perhaps I'm just one of these twisted, sick fucks.

[Dead & Messed Up]

You're totally right. In other movies you can joke around about the sick shit.

Awe man, she got her head ripped off!
Oh man, that dude just plowed through those zombies with a lawnmover!
That Asia chick's eye ball was hanging out! Crazy!

And then other people who haven't seen the film will think that you just watched some kind of crazy, entertaining, but kind of gross horror movie.

But if you something like that with A Serbian Film...holy shit. People are going to think you're a twisted, sick fuck. And I know I'm not. I was not entertained by ASF. I didn't want to share my viewing experience with anyone.

I see what you're saying here, in regard to gore as support structure for something deeper, but I don't think you can really group Hostel with Dead/Alive, since the former takes its violence much more seriously and utilizes it toward a purpose beyond "Whoa, gross-out, crazy!" The clear purpose of Hostel is to subvert notions of consequence-free exploitation, and, however crude one might find its methods, I find that goal admirable. It's a theme that actually runs through Martyrs and, if I'm understanding the film's premise correctly, A Serbian Film as well.

[Dukefrukem]

I went cold into Martyrs, and I turned it off after forty minutes. I fast-forwarded through the last half hour. Nothing I saw made me want to return to it. I have a big problem handling cruelty on-screen. It's my kryptonite. It's the one thing I can't handle in a horror film. After reading the synopsis, the film really feels like something I wouldn't want to watch, and I'm glad I didn't blind-view it.

Blind view it? Isn't that how anyone watches a movie? Do you always fastfward through movies and be spoiled of what's a head? or did you just do it because of your kryptonite?

[Dukefrukem]

I'm going to have to vehemently disagree with this. The opening scene completely sets up the sense of isolation that the movie just wouldn't work nearly as well without. If anything I thought it should be longer.



It's only about 30 seconds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai1T3KMRMpg&feature=player_detailpage#t=73 s)... What more would you have wanted? I want to be guessing what's going on. I don't want it told immediately that it's from outterspace. You find that out mid way through the movie anyway.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Blind view it? Isn't that how anyone watches a movie? Do you always fastfward through movies and be spoiled of what's a head? or did you just do it because of your kryptonite?

Blind-view = watching with no prior knowledge of story. I fast-forwarded because I wanted to see when the unending violence would stop.

[Dukefrukem]

I guess I can't relate to that.

[D_Davis]

there were others that I just couldn't take seriously and which had me in fits of laughter.

The skull fucking and "NEWBORN PORN!" for instance
Perhaps I'm just one of these twisted, sick fucks.

Yeah, I didn't laugh at all during these parts - during the second one you mentioned I covered closed my eyes and covered my ears.

[D_Davis]

I see what you're saying here, in regard to gore as support structure for something deeper, but I don't think you can really group Hostel with Dead/Alive, since the former takes its violence much more seriously and utilizes it toward a purpose beyond "Whoa, gross-out, crazy!" The clear purpose of Hostel is to subvert notions of consequence-free exploitation, and, however crude one might find its methods, I find that goal admirable. It's a theme that actually runs through Martyrs and, if I'm understanding the film's premise correctly, A Serbian Film as well.

I hear ya, and I agree.

[Megiddo]

It's only about 30 seconds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ai1T3KMRMpg&feature=player_detailpage#t=73 s)... What more would you have wanted? I want to be guessing what's going on. I don't want it told immediately that it's from outterspace. You find that out mid way through the movie anyway.

Ah, that's my mistake. I forgot about that scene and thought you were talking about the helicopter chasing the dog (I should really watch it again) which I've frequently had to defend in the past.

[Bosco B Thug]

Witchboard - Hey, this is actually a pretty respectable, pretty involving "serious" horror movie, from the director of Night of the Demons but not in the same cheesy vein. Stupid, but shockingly attentive of intelligence and logic in its characters. Not good, but not bad, and not trying to be bad. Refreshing.

The end sucks though!! Grr.

[Scar]

Watched Jacob's Ladder and In The Mouth of Madness yesterday. Jacob's Ladder was alright, wasn't a huge fan of Madness, although the 'blue' scene was hilarious.

[Scar]

Oh, and I watched Angel Heart, too. That was a good one. DeNiro and Rourke were great.

[megladon8]

Oh, and I watched Angel Heart, too. That was a good one. DeNiro and Rourke were great.


I've wanted to see this for a while.

The book it's based on - "Falling Angel" - was quite good, but not nearly as frightening as its reputation would lead you to believe.

[MadMan]

Having seen In the Mouth of Madness last year, I'll defend it as being a great film. Plus the ending is really something creepy yet hilarious.

Right now I'm watching Alien. I've viewed it now countless times (partly on cable, twice on DVD) and its still amazing. The film never gets old, and the scares are a smart combo of jump scare frights and incredibly moments of eeire isolation. Its also inspired me to try and create a possibly Top 50 horror movies list, especially since I revamped my Top 20 after last Halloween.

[Dukefrukem]

Watched Jacob's Ladder and In The Mouth of Madness yesterday. Jacob's Ladder was alright, wasn't a huge fan of Madness, although the 'blue' scene was hilarious.

In The Mouth of Madness is fantastic. I want more Sam Neil in horror.

[Dukefrukem]

If you guys get a chance, watch this short (http://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/23252) on BD. It's pretty neat.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Movie%20Posters/exist.jpg

[Megiddo]

If you guys get a chance, watch this short on BD. It's pretty neat.

The acting and effects are a step above similar stuff on youtube but it's nothing special. Judging from the guy's other stuff on BD he seems enamored with his own pointless effects and I have some serious doubts how well a feature length would turn out.

[D_Davis]

That was cool, Duke. Yall know I love this DIY shit, and it's even cooler to see how the price of entry has allowed for indie stuff to look really neat as well.

[MadMan]

Aspects of Lost Highway were straight out of a smartly made horror movie. Not to mention the fact that Robert Blake's makeup made him appear really creepy and weird, which I'm sure is what Lynch was going for. The scenes with the videotape footage actually reminded me of how Carpenter used video camera footage to great effect for the nightmare sequences in Prince of Darkness.

[Dukefrukem]

Want to see this... now. (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi192256281/)

[soitgoes...]

Want to see this... now. (http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi192256281/)
The director made a couple short films that are apparently set before this one or at the very least use the killer Santa theme. I might check them out today. The whole premise seems amusing.

1st Short (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei69bYwwCvc)

2nd Short (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkyqODDF-LU&feature=related)

[megladon8]

Reading about the production of The Mist is really interesting.

It's cool how collaborative Darabont is, taking suggestions and ideas from cast and crew all through the production.

Apparently there was actually a scene at the beginning of the script in which we see one of the young military officers accidentally opening the dimensional portal that allowed the mist and the creatures to come through into our world.

Andre Braugher casually mentioned to Darabont that he felt this showed a little too much, and that it would be much more frightening if it was left at least a little bit ambiguous.


Darabont seems like a cool chap. The type I'd probably dig working with if I were in that business.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Reading about the production of The Mist is really interesting.

It's cool how collaborative Darabont is, taking suggestions and ideas from cast and crew all through the production.

Apparently there was actually a scene at the beginning of the script in which we see one of the young military officers accidentally opening the dimensional portal that allowed the mist and the creatures to come through into our world.

Andre Braugher casually mentioned to Darabont that he felt this showed a little too much, and that it would be much more frightening if it was left at least a little bit ambiguous.


Darabont seems like a cool chap. The type I'd probably dig working with if I were in that business.

I'm still surprised that Darabont considered that sequence. I think it's so much more effective the way it's presented through Sam Witwer's character (and the context - phew!).

Andre Braugher seems like a cool chap too. He convinced Marcia Gay Harden to take her role by selling the film as an acting showcase. I'm glad he did, because I thought both of them did great work. Outsized, sure, but perfectly suited to the film.

[megladon8]

Here's a question about the ending of The Mist. Jen and I talked about this last night...

Would David be facing criminal charges for what he did at the end? I mean...would that be considered "murder"? Would the ridiculous circumstances they were in at the time negate the potential murder charge?

I mean, regardless, I'm pretty sure he killed himself the first chance he got.

[Pip]

I think I'll live over here now!

Has anybody seen the black & white version of The Mist? I thought the special effects looked a lot better desaturated.

[megladon8]

I think I'll live over here now!

Has anybody seen the black & white version of The Mist? I thought the special effects looked a lot better desaturated.


Agreed! I thought it was overall a much cooler experience in black and white. It really brings to the forefront how Darabont envisioned the film as a throwback to the '50s sci-fi/horror films of the Harryhausen era.

[Dukefrukem]

Black and White version of the Mist?? Show me!!

[megladon8]

Black and White version of the Mist?? Show me!!


It's on the 2nd disc of the DVD.

[Winston*]

If you turn down the colour on your TV, you can have a black and white version of any movie.

[Dukefrukem]

If you turn down the colour on your TV, you can have a black and white version of any movie.

:lol: Touche

[Scar]

It's on the 2nd disc of the DVD.

Its on the Bluray, too.

Very nice.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Here's a question about the ending of The Mist. Jen and I talked about this last night...

Would David be facing criminal charges for what he did at the end? I mean...would that be considered "murder"? Would the ridiculous circumstances they were in at the time negate the potential murder charge?

I mean, regardless, I'm pretty sure he killed himself the first chance he got.

I figure that if he didn't kill himself, he probably mentally shut down. Like, his brain's got a permanent blue screen of death. But I doubt anyone would charge him. I figure his lawyer could successfully push the "Lovecraftian Monstrosity Destroyed All Notions of Salvation" Defense.

[megladon8]

I figure that if he didn't kill himself, he probably mentally shut down. Like, his brain's got a permanent blue screen of death. But I doubt anyone would charge him. I figure his lawyer could successfully push the "Lovecraftian Monstrosity Destroyed All Notions of Salvation" Defense.


See that's what I think too.

Jen insists, though, that he would be charged with the murder of those people. Whether or not the jury acquits him is another issue, but that the charges WOULD be placed.

Personally, I agree with you - they would take into account the fact that this situation was absurd for anyone to even consider, and he was really not "murdering" them, at least in the morally repugnant/legal sense.

[Dead & Messed Up]

See that's what I think too.

Jen insists, though, that he would be charged with the murder of those people. Whether or not the jury acquits him is another issue, but that the charges WOULD be placed.

Personally, I agree with you - they would take into account the fact that this situation was absurd for anyone to even consider, and he was really not "murdering" them, at least in the morally repugnant/legal sense.

It would never come down to civilian trials. What the people went through was most comparable to war, and the military has its own tribunals.

[Dukefrukem]

Did anyone else think they gave up too early?

[MadMan]

Birdie you should have signed up here ages ago.

And for some reason I've kept putting off watching The Mist. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that the only version my library has is the regular copy in color, and I'd really rather just watch the black and white version instead because that sounds really freakin' cool.

Last night I viewed the I Spit On Your Grave remake. Considering that the original is a piece of shit and is utter trash, the remake doesn't have anywhere to go but up. Its actually not a bad film, although in some ways it retains the origin's moral depravity. Maybe I let some of that pass this time around because of better production values and much improved acting from the cast. Nah, I think its largely due to the remake actually taking the material seriously, and not having a character who dons a Gilligan hat and sings a happy tune before raping someone, which actually happened in the original. However the remake could have been even better if 1) The girl really died, and it was her ghost coming back for revenge, which would make more sense than her magically getting clothes and surviving out in the wild for a month after being raped multiple times.
2) She's really dead, but the group destroys themselves over guilt and paranoia, thus turning on one another. Had the director done this, it would have been a much better film.

Verdict: The remake gets an above average/okay/decent rating from me. The original is still the second worst movie I've ever seen.

[Rowland]

So, anyone have experience with those Leprechaun movies?

[Dukefrukem]

So, anyone have experience with those Leprechaun movies?

I saw the first one yeeeeeeeeeeears ago but don't remember much. I noticed Leprechaun 5 is streaming on netflix. So want to watch it.

[D_Davis]

So, anyone have experience with those Leprechaun movies?

I saw the first in the theater and fell asleep. I've also seen Leprechaun in the Hood, and Leprechaun in Space. Both are terrible, but somewhat fun with the right crowd.

[Spun Lepton]

So, anyone have experience with those Leprechaun movies?

Only seen the first. It's ridiculous.

[Dead & Messed Up]

So, anyone have experience with those Leprechaun movies?

Leprechaun 4: In Space is fun, and it doesn't require prior knowledge of earlier Leprechaun films.

[D_Davis]

Leprechaun 4: In Space is fun, and it doesn't require prior knowledge of earlier Leprechaun films.

I disagree. I think you'd miss out on the subtleties and nuance of Warwick Davis' performance. With each film he adds new layers of pathos to the character.

[Spun Lepton]

I disagree. I think you'd miss out on the subtleties and nuance of Warwick Davis' performance. With each film he adds new layers of pathos to the character.

Yeah, I don't know if the gravitas of "YOU TOOK ME GOLD!!" will be fully experienced if you hadn't seen the prior seven installments.

[D_Davis]

Well, you have to look at which word is being stressed in the phrase.

In the first film, Davis clearly states "You took me gold!" Here is placing the importance on himself, and not the character mind you. The entire series can be seen as a scathing expose on how little people are treated in Hollywood.

In the second film, he says "You took me gold!" I feel here the "You" in question is the audience; Davis is accusing the audience of exploiting his small stature.

However, in the Space and Hood movies, Davis has moved on from such lofty ideals, and says, "You took me gold!" With these films he lost sight of his original intentions, and completely sold out; he cares only about the money, and no longer views the franchises deeper themes and metaphors.

[megladon8]

Would you describe any of the films in the series as being "Brechtian"?

[D_Davis]

Would you describe any of the films in the series as being "Brechtian"?

I would describe all of them in such a way.

[Bosco B Thug]

Watched bits of Death Race on TV; degenerate, but it whetted an appetite. So I finally rented Event Horizon. I know it gets some passes (and tons of name-drop when Sunshine came out, so I figured it was something worth remembering), but maybe that's what made it so disappointing. Walter Chaw gets it right:


The shame of it is that there actually is some tension established in the picture's pressurized, diving-bell setting, but the early sense of the unknown and that tingling romance of atrocity-to-come are knocked down like tenpins as Anderson reaches, over and over, into his empty bag of tricks. Worse, the gore is sedate or obscured in barely-glimpsed jump-cuts for fear that its synthetic Hell is too intense, somehow, for an audience primed for abomination.

[Raiders]

My non-guilty love of Anderson's work on Resident Evil: Afterlife has left me wanting to watch some of his work again. I remember being somewhat impressed with much of Event Horizon; or rather impressed with the parts that didn't involve plot or dialogue... which is likely the running theme of Anderson's work.

[Bosco B Thug]

My non-guilty love of Anderson's work on Resident Evil: Afterlife has left me wanting to watch some of his work again. I remember being somewhat impressed with much of Event Horizon; or rather impressed with the parts that didn't involve plot or dialogue... which is likely the running theme of Anderson's work.
I'd like to assume he's gotten better (and I have seen those bits of Death Race). There was definitely too much talking and effort and anti-scariness in Event Horizon. While the way-too-jacked-up, zero-effort action films of today is PWSA's talents unleashed.

[Rowland]

See, I thought Death Race was marred by its action sequences being comprised almost entirely of "barely-glimpsed jump-cuts," which when coupled with all the shaky cam rendered them remarkably unsatisfying. The action in Resident Evil: Afterlife is comparatively "sedate," which I'll take over the shit from Death Race any day. I haven't seen Event Horizon in too long to comment at length, but I recall it being visually striking and surprisingly scary. His best movie is still Mortal Kombat.

[Rowland]

And yes, I mean it about Leprechaun in the Hood being pretty decent. The trick is to approach it not as a failed horror film, but as an intentionally funny specimen of gangsta hip-hop-flavored blaxsploitation that just so happens to feature a rapping, blunt-smoking, pimp daddy Leprechaun. Best of all, besides being funnier than anyone would have any right to expect from such a film, it's pretty well-written for what it is. Don't get me wrong, it's obviously no lost classic, but I turned it on as a lark while falling asleep last night and wound up enjoying it enough to stay up for the entire thing, so that's something.

[Rowland]

"Come closer, come closer, my fresh young lass,
Let me take a look at 'ya, before I tap your ass."

"Sit down, sit down, my healthy filly,
You're about to meet a club named billy."

"They say in the hood, you're never down,
Unless you have the courage to go downtown."

"I'll take it from you homie, you'll see,
'Cause you know the Lep, is the real OG."

[Bosco B Thug]

See, I thought Death Race was marred by its action sequences being comprised almost entirely of "barely-glimpsed jump-cuts," which when coupled with all the shaky cam rendered them remarkably unsatisfying. The action in Resident Evil: Afterlife is comparatively "sedate," which I'll take over the shit from Death Race any day. I haven't seen Event Horizon in too long to comment at length, but I recall it being visually striking and surprisingly scary. His best movie is still Mortal Kombat. Perhaps about Death Race. I just caught on the cursory spectacle of the races... armored cars and random monster semi-truck, sharp implements and explosions.

See, I can totally see Event Horizon being described as visually striking, and full of scary elements. It's just all put together badly. That's why I'll wager re-watches by anyone who likes it will definitely not be kind to it.