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

[Rowland]

Some examples of Mortal Kombat's cheesy awesomeness:

Cage vs. Scorpion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXxyeWs6fo8)
Lui Kang vs. Reptile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xo95h5tOOI&feature=related)

The soundtrack is still badass.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Some examples of Mortal Kombat's cheesy awesomeness:

Cage vs. Scorpion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXxyeWs6fo8)
Lui Kang vs. Reptile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xo95h5tOOI&feature=related)

The soundtrack is still badass.

Action I can follow = always welcome. Also, my dad enjoys this movie, and his favorite part is when Johnny's "greatest fan" picture flies out at the end of that fight. He always chuckles when he sees that.

[Raiders]

Yeah, Mortal Kombat was pretty rad. I'm surprised to hear of Anderson's shaky-cam usage in Death Race. His often clear-eyed, panoramic view of violence in Afterlife was one of the film's greatest strengths.

[Rowland]

Yeah, Mortal Kombat was pretty rad. I'm surprised to hear of Anderson's shaky-cam usage in Death Race. His often clear-eyed, panoramic view of violence in Afterlife was one of the film's greatest strengths.Hmm, I tried looking for an example and found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQN4KTpHF2g), which really isn't too bad. Maybe I remember it being worse than it was, but in the theater it struck me as too much.

Is that sequence reflective of the movie as a whole Bosco?

[Bosco B Thug]

Hmm, I tried looking for an example and found this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQN4KTpHF2g), which really isn't too bad. Maybe I remember it being worse than it was, but in the theater it struck me as too much.

Is that sequence reflective of the movie as a whole Bosco? Umm, yes..... especially when the car is doing somersaults in the air. The jittery camera when filming actors is annoyingly uber-generic, but the important thing is that flaming car is really flying in the air.

It directs itself. Ergo I enjoyed it more than Event Horizon, which had Paul Anderson choreographing scaaary wrestling matches between Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill.

[Winston*]

Loved Death Race.

[Scar]

Loved Death Race.

Its great, especially if you're on the road a lot.

[MadMan]

Some examples of Mortal Kombat's cheesy awesomeness:

Cage vs. Scorpion (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXxyeWs6fo8)
Lui Kang vs. Reptile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Xo95h5tOOI&feature=related)

The soundtrack is still badass.Those fights are amazing. And yes the techo soundtrack for Mortal Kombat, the title theme included, is pretty badass. Too bad the sequel was utter crap.

[Rowland]

Has anyone around here seen And Soon the Darkness? It's the directorial debut of Robert Fuest, who seems known primarily for the baroque Dr. Phibes films and the underrated Devil's Rain. Well, I was really on the fence with this one, because the first act is an almost-masterpiece of brooding atmosphere, climaxing with a murder sequence that is haunting for its oppressive silence and stillness. It all snowballs downhill from there unfortunately, thanks to a lousily plotted script that has many fine ideas executed in a contrived fashion, devolving into a tedious cat-and-mouse sequence (pretty much the entire third act in fact) that is skillfully staged but woefully lacking in suspense or sense, culminating in a reveal that is both predictable and a cheat. The second to last shot is a stunner though, but yeah, I had to settle with a mixed **½ even after the first thirty minutes had me convinced I was watching a lost classic. It's a shame this guy's career had to tank after only a few films, because he obviously had some serious genre chops.

[Bosco B Thug]

Has anyone around here seen And Soon the Darkness? It's the directorial debut of Robert Fuest, who seems known primarily for the baroque Dr. Phibes films and the underrated Devil's Rain. Well, I was really on the fence with this one, because the first act is an almost-masterpiece of brooding atmosphere, climaxing with a murder sequence that is haunting for its oppressive silence and stillness. It all snowballs downhill from there unfortunately, thanks to a lousily plotted script that has many fine ideas executed in a contrived fashion, devolving into a tedious cat-and-mouse sequence (pretty much the entire third act in fact) that is skillfully staged but woefully lacking in suspense or sense, culminating in a reveal that is both predictable and a cheat. The second to last shot is stunner though, but yeah, I had to settle with a mixed **½ even after the first thirty minutes had me convinced I was watching a lost classic. It's a shame this guy's career had to tank after only a few films, because he obviously had some serious genre chops. Nope, but the Phibes films have lots of panache, and there's a remake of And Soon the Darkness you can now enjoy starring Amber Heard and Odette Yustman, which has continually caused me some cognitive dissonance when reading about it because it sounds more like Turistas than a remake of an old British film.

[elixir]

What's the best horror movie for those who typically avoid the genre? Not because I'm scared, but because that genre just doesn't appeal to me as much as others (and I think lots of the current mainstream crop is, well, crap; sorry if that offends anyone).

[megladon8]

What's the best horror movie for those who typically avoid the genre? Not because I'm scared, but because that genre just doesn't appeal to me as much as others (and I think lots of the current mainstream crop is, well, crap; sorry if that offends anyone).


Well what subject matter appeals to you?

Psychological ghost stories? Check out Session 9, The Changeling ('80s film with George C. Scott), or the original version of The Haunting. Also just about anything from Kiyoshi Kurosawa, particularly Pulse and Cure.

Monster movies? Creature From the Black Lagoon, the 1925 silent version of The Phantom of the Opera, or if you want some low-brow, low-budget SyFy goodness, check out Abominable which is a remake of Rear Window replacing Raymond Burr with the abominable snowman.

Serial killer / slasher films? The original Halloween and Black Christmas, Bava's Blood and Black Lace, or Argento's Deep Red should fit the bill.

Zombies? Romero's original trilogy are must-sees. Return of the Living Dead is hilarious and frightening. And the criminally underseen Let Sleeping Corpses Lie ranks among the very best in my opinion.

Gothic horror? Check out Bava's Black Sunday, the delightfully weird Abominable Dr. Phibes (which was a direct inspiration for the concept behind Saw), or another great Bava, Kill, Baby, Kill!.


There's great stuff to be found in every sub-genre of horror, just depends what subject you're interested in to begin with.

If you can narrow down your tastes for me a bit, I may be able to help you a bit more.

[elixir]

Horror is perhaps the popular genre I've explore the least (along with the Western). So I don't really know my tastes. I haven't ever really seen a zombie movie. I know I saw one of the Halloween sequels once, but I can't recall which (a more recent one). I saw Saw 2, and hated it. Does Cloverfield count as a monster movie? I didn't like that, but if that doesn't count, then I hvaen't seen anyone.

I have a desire to explore nearly all types of movies cinema have to offer, and considering how deficient I was in this area, I was just wondering where to start (according to imdb horror top 50, the "horror" movies I've seen are Psycho, Alien, Rosemary's Baby, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari...and, very strangely, Picnic at Hanging Rock). The mention of "psychological" intrigues me (I like a good psychological thriller)...sorry I couldn't help narrow it down really. Thanks so much for that response though.

[Russ]

elixir, you would be well-served to start with the canonical greats that your research reveals (Alien, Halloween, etc.); see the iconic ones first, then branch out. I think Rosemary's Baby and maybe Audition might be good places for you to start, as well.

[elixir]

elixir, you would be well-served to start with the canonical greats that your research reveals (Alien, Halloween, etc.); see the iconic ones first, then branch out. I think Rosemary's Baby and maybe Audition might be good places for you to start, as well.

I've seen Rosemary's Baby and Alien. Not the other two though (except some random sequel of Halloween, not the original).

ETA: Thought Rosemary's Baby was great, but didn't care much for Alien.

[Pip]

What's the best horror movie for those who typically avoid the genre? Not because I'm scared, but because that genre just doesn't appeal to me as much as others (and I think lots of the current mainstream crop is, well, crap; sorry if that offends anyone).

Suspiria!

[Rowland]

How about classics like Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Mamoulian), Murders in the Rue Morgue, Mystery of the Wax Museum, The Black Cat, and the entire Lewton collection.

[megladon8]

I second Rowland's suggestion of the Lewton collection.

That's one of my favorite DVD box sets.

[megladon8]

Oh, and Eyes Without a Face.

Check that one out if you haven't already.

And Carnival of Souls.

[elixir]

Thanks guys. Some of these have been on my InstantQueue for awhile, actually, so I can get to at least some pretty easily.

[Raiders]

I think Kiyoshi Kurosawa's films would be good tries. They are horror films but at the same time, very stark and emotional under the surface. In particular, Pulse, is one of the most dynamic, powerful and moving films I have ever seen. Cure and Seance are also very exquisite. You do have to be prepared as his films do not move logically along a clear narrative path but much more on instinct and emotion. Still, for a non-horror-enthusiast I think they would provide a rather unique and intriguing example of the genre.

I would second the Val Lewton films as well for the old school atmospheric horror, patricularly The Seventh Victim, I Walk With a Zombie and The Leopard Man.

I'm not sure how versed you are in silent film, but you may even want to go back and watch some of the German Expressionist films such as Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Golem or Nosferatu. If you love well-composed horror images, but not the often silly dialogue, these are some great choices.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Peeping Tom! Vampyr! Diaboliques! The Old Dark House! Dead of Night! Cemetery Man! Kwaidan!

Sorry. I get excited.

[Spun Lepton]

Thanks guys. Some of these have been on my InstantQueue for awhile, actually, so I can get to at least some pretty easily.

Session 9 springs to mind. I think it's in Netflix Instant.

[megladon8]

If all else fails, see Killer Klowns From Outer Space.

[elixir]

I think Kiyoshi Kurosawa's films would be good tries. They are horror films but at the same time, very stark and emotional under the surface. In particular, Pulse, is one of the most dynamic, powerful and moving films I have ever seen. Cure and Seance are also very exquisite. You do have to be prepared as his films do not move logically along a clear narrative path but much more on instinct and emotion. Still, for a non-horror-enthusiast I think they would provide a rather unique and intriguing example of the genre.

I would second the Val Lewton films as well for the old school atmospheric horror, patricularly The Seventh Victim, I Walk With a Zombie and The Leopard Man.

I'm not sure how versed you are in silent film, but you may even want to go back and watch some of the German Expressionist films such as Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, The Golem or Nosferatu. If you love well-composed horror images, but not the often silly dialogue, these are some great choices.

Thanks. I've seen Cabinet, which I liked, but didn't love. I'm still behind when it comes to silent film, though I've been seeing more and more, and it's at the point where I don't need to remind myself it's a silent film--it clicks more now, if that makes sense.

[Grouchy]

I would say:

Dead Ringers
Eraserhead
Halloween
Let the Right One In
May
The Night of the Hunter
Suspiria
The Tenant
The Shining
The Thing
Videodrome
Night of the Living Dead
Repulsion
Dawn of the Dead (1978)
Braindead
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
Cemetery Man
Freaks
The Descent
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, of course)
Audition
The Host
Who Can Kill A Child?

Those are some of my personal favorites that you haven't mentioned seeing.

[Dukefrukem]

I watched Slither and Feast tonight. It was a good night.

[Spun Lepton]

I watched Slither and Feast tonight. It was a good night.

Slither is fantastic. It's a shame it didn't do better at the box office, but it's also quite ... gooey and gross ... not many people find that entertaining.

[Rowland]

The Wolfman (2010) > The Wolf Man (1941)

[Scar]

The Wolfman (2010) > The Wolf Man (1941)

The 2010 film has grown on me something fierce.

[megladon8]

I almost have to agree.

I was never too hot on the original. I think it's one of the weaker of the original Universal monster movies.


Creature From the Black Lagoon all the way, baby.

[MadMan]

The Wolfman (2010) > The Wolf Man (1941)I'll have to check out the remake, but I think the original is really quite good.

Creature From the Black Lagoon is my favorite, but its not even the best of the Universal Monster movies. Frankenstein FTW. Also The Mummy (1932) is underrated, actually, and features another fine Boris Karlof performance.

[Dukefrukem]

The Wolfman (2010) > The Wolf Man (1941)

more Wolfman support!!!!

[Rowland]

more Wolfman support!!!!Nothing new. I was one of like three people who yayed The Wolfman in the 2010 New Release thread for months. I wrote of it in that thread:

"As horror-themed remakes are concerned, watching the curiously overrated Piranha 3D the other day, with its sardonic satire, strained pseudo-camp, and joyless meting out of money shots, made me look back fondly at the comparatively straight-played schlock and spirited flamboyance of The Wolfman, which isn't particularly good (my Yay is barely that), but I've decided in retrospect that its modest delights have lingered enough to justify my similarly modest support."

Also in this thread:

"The Wolfman is stupid, and not really accomplished or memorable in any particular way, but it has a feverish flamboyance in its best moments that is rather infectious, the old-school effects are gratifying, and the actors are clearly having fun with the material."

*shrug* I'd watch it again over the stodgy original.

[Rowland]

Anyone familiar with Tombs of the Blind Dead? It seems to have a strong cult reputation, but I dunno... it was pretty lame.

[Rowland]

And how about the gay-themed slasher Hellbent? Pretty awesome. This is one I hope someone has seen and dug. It's a shame though about the abysmal DVD, and given its mediocre reception, I'm not going to hold my breath for a better release any time soon.

[Spun Lepton]

Anyone familiar with Tombs of the Blind Dead? It seems to have a strong cult reputation, but I dunno... it was pretty lame.

No, you are the one who is lame!!

[Russ]

And how about the gay-themed slasher Hellbent? Pretty awesome. This is one I hope someone has seen and dug. It's a shame though about the abysmal DVD, and given its mediocre reception, I'm not going to hold my breath for a better release any time soon.
Yeah, turned out to be a little better that I was expecting. Contrary to most reviews, I actually like the fact that we never know (or learn) anything about the killer.

[Dukefrukem]

Oh man, you guys gotta watch this trailer. Looks great.

Some Guy Who Kills People (http://rue-morgue.com/blog/archives/2011/02/23/some-guy-who-kills-people/)

[Bosco B Thug]

And how about the gay-themed slasher Hellbent? Pretty awesome. This is one I hope someone has seen and dug. It's a shame though about the abysmal DVD, and given its mediocre reception, I'm not going to hold my breath for a better release any time soon.

HellBent (Etheredge-Ouzts, 2005) ***½ No way. Three and a half? Holy crap.

*denies homophobia having any part in my astonishment, but really, niche filmmaking, it usually sucks*

[megladon8]

And how about the gay-themed slasher Hellbent? Pretty awesome. This is one I hope someone has seen and dug. It's a shame though about the abysmal DVD, and given its mediocre reception, I'm not going to hold my breath for a better release any time soon.


If I'm thinking of the right movie (which some Google-ing shows I am) this is the same company that produced the gay-themed Cthulhu, which DaMU championed, got me to see, and I love too.

It was pretty clever in how it worked the gay aspect into the Cthulhu mythos without it screaming "THIS IS A GAY MOVIE!"

It's based on "The Shadow Over Innsmouth", and is quite a good retelling of the story.

It also has a rather haunting ambiguous ending.

[Rowland]

No way. Three and a half? Holy crap.

*denies homophobia having any part in my astonishment, but really, niche filmmaking, it usually sucks*Yeah, my expectations were mixed but I gave it a shot primarily on the basis of raves from Chaw and Gonzalez (initially intending to cover it for my Horror thread last October), and was relieved to discover that it really delivers as a first-rate slasher and as queer cinema, dignifying its characters and their traumas with a greater respect than is often anticipated from either genre. Hey, Chaw even compares the film favorably with Tobe Hooper's Funhouse, so there's that too. ;)

[Bosco B Thug]

Yeah, my expectations were mixed but I gave it a shot primarily on the basis of raves from Chaw and Gonzalez (initially intending to cover it for my Horror thread last October), and was relieved to discover that it really delivers as a first-rate slasher and as queer cinema, dignifying its characters and their traumas with a greater respect than is often anticipated from either genre. Hey, Chaw even compares the film favorably with Tobe Hooper's Funhouse, so there's that too. ;)
Damn right favorably. Anyway, I will see this (and Cthulhu).

[megladon8]

Watched Cthulhu again last night.

Aside from two spotty performances (one of them being Tori Spelling so, like, surprise surprise there, right?) it's pretty freakin' great.

Utterly haunting.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Watched Cthulhu again last night.

Aside from two spotty performances (one of them being Tori Spelling so, like, surprise surprise there, right?) it's pretty freakin' great.

Utterly haunting.

Goddamnit. I know what I'm falling asleep to tonight.

...

Side-note: I posted a list of my top ten horrors of the fifties on my blog.


The Bad Seed (Mervyn LeRoy, 1956)
- - - -
The story's stage origins result in most of the horror here being implied, rather than shown, but that increases the tension and claustrophobia. Christine Penmark (Nancy Kelly) suspects her heavenly daughter may be hiding a hellish secret, and that secret ties in to the identity of Christine's mother. The idea of serial killing as something hereditary feels hoary, but the film is as lean and mean as its little antagonist; Patty McCormack gives one of the most impressive child performances in horror-film history (see also: Matt O'Leary in Frailty, Eun Seo-Woo in Phone).

A Bucket of Blood (Roger Corman, 1959)
- - - -
A pitch-black satire of beatnik identity. A Bucket of Blood stars Dick Miller as a dummy so desperate for the esteem of proto-hippies like Maxwell H. Brock (Julian Burton, hilarious) that he kills people and casts them in clay - the resulting statues impress local crowds with their uncanny accuracy. Sure, the story's a lift from Mystery at the Wax Museum, but the movie moves at a brisk eighty minutes, features a lot of laughs, and shows Dick Miller's particular blend of endearing and idiotic. Corman would repeat the formula a year later with Little Shop of Horrors.

The Creature From the Black Lagoon (Jack Arnold, 1954)
- - - -
Creature functions as both an adventure in machismo, akin to Jaws, and classic Universal Horror, with its terrific monster effects and Ricou Browning's graceful underwater performance. Like Frankenstein's monster and the Mummy, the Creature is a weary soul, desperate for a bride not out of any reproductive need, but more out of loneliness. Jack Arnold also directed the thoughtful sci-fi thriller It Came From Outer Space and the awesome Matheson adaptation The Incredible Shrinking Man, which makes him some sort of genre God.

Curse of the Demon (Jacques Tourneur, 1957)
- - - -
Jacques Tourneur (Cat People, The Leopard Man) essentially recaps everything he learned with Val Lewton back in the forties. Curse of the Demon (Night of the Demon outside the USA) centers on cult leader Julian Karswell, who threatens skeptical detective John Holden with a three-day curse that will end with a horrific demon killing him. The monster that bookends the film doesn't quite convince, but, thankfully, every other piece of the film furthers the grim atmosphere; moments as small as a sudden windstorm thrum with buried possibility.

Les Diaboliques (Henri-Georges Clouzot, 1955)
- - - -
Is it a horror or a thriller? I'm not sure, but whenever I'm not sure, I include it. The film emphasizes mystery, bathes its story in deep shadows and expressionistic lighting, features an eerie story that keeps us wondering about the limits of death, and its ending features one of the great "final shocks" of horror. Henri-Georges Clouzot made plenty of thrillers in his day, but Diaboliques is the only one that feels nightmarish. Side-note: the authors of the original story, Pierre Boileau and Thomas Narcejac, wrote the stories that became Vertigo and Eyes Without a Face.

Horror of Dracula (Terrence Fisher, 1958)
- - - -
One of the coolest things to watch, in the fifties and sixties, is the wedding of gore and the Gothic. Corman didn't push this stateside until his Poe films in the early sixties, leaving it to Hammer auteur Terrence Fisher to make icons like Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, and Dracula feel transgressive again. His efforts with the former two are laudable, but Horror of Dracula works best. Christopher Lee gives a spry, sexualized performance, Peter Cushing's Van Helsing is equally energetic, and those two performances give the film a real energy and personality.

I Bury the Living (Albert Band, 1958)
- - - -
Director Albert Band (father of Z-movie kingpin Charles Band) directed this spooky chiller. Shortly: a man plugs black pins into a cemetery map, and then he grows worried when the owners of those plots fall down dead. Just what the hell is going on here? The answer may surprise you. A minor influence on later "fantastic" horror pictures like The Haunting and Seance on a Wet Afternoon, I Bury the Living offers plenty of ghostly mood without ever committing fully to the supernatural...which only adds to the discomfort.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Don Siegel, 1956)
- - - -
Arguably the best horror film of the fifties, the best science-fiction film of the fifties...frankly, it's one of the towers of genre film. Kevin McCarthy stars as a doctor in a small town where people aren't quite acting like themselves. While he tries to uncover the source, the illness grows, and the solution proves terrifying in its simplicity. Since its release, the film's been re-made three times and turned into a cultural touchstone, and while it's cited as a critique of the Red Scare, the film's fear of unchecked groupthink is universally and eternally applicable.

Them! (Gordon Douglas, 1954)
- - - -
The film ends poorly, with some guy praising God's mercy, despite the fact that ants have perverted His creation by (a) mutating to enormous size and (b) murdering countless people. It's a fault similar to to the cornball ending of War of the Worlds, where "God, in his infinite wisdom" saw fit to repel evil aliens with microbes rather than just avoid the evil aliens thing altogether. But I digress. Here, we can appreciate the great suspense of the project, which consists mostly of smaller hints (a mute girl, sugar) and unsettling sound effects (the ants' chattering). Stars James Whitmore, a million years from Shawshank Prison.

The Thing From Another World (Christian Nyby, 1953)
- - - -
John Carpenter honored author Joseph Campbell's vision, but this film transplants the eerie Antarctic locations and circumstances into a more upbeat, patriotic story; the result is still fun as hell. Granted, the monster (a vampire carrot), doesn't feel too threatening once we see it clearly (as is the case with Them!), but you wouldn't know that from the first hour, which builds and builds and builds. Some claim that producer Howard Hawks directed this more than Christian Nyby. Suffice to say, whoever directed did a damn good job.

I was wondering what other people thought of fifties horror. Uneven? Interesting? What are your favorites?

[D_Davis]

Anyone familiar with Tombs of the Blind Dead? It seems to have a strong cult reputation, but I dunno... it was pretty lame.


Terrible films. Utterly dull and lifeless, even for Italian undead films.

[Raiders]

I was wondering what other people thought of fifties horror. Uneven? Interesting? What are your favorites?

Pretty great for the most part, though I think most is more sci-fi horror than straight, classic horror. It Came from Outer Space (also by Jack Arnold, king of 50s sci-fi and horror) is a film I love, but it ain't much of a horror film at all.

One of the best of the decade is less than 8 minutes long. The freaky, surreal (and animated!) Tell-Tale Heart. James Mason's narration is superb.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4s9V8aQu4c (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4s9V8aQu4c)

[Spun Lepton]

Terrible films. Utterly dull and lifeless, even for Italian undead films.

No, you are the one who is lame!!

//dead horse

//also, Spanish, not Italian

[D_Davis]

//also, Spanish, not Italian

d'oh! Thanks.

[D_Davis]

It Came from Outer Space[/I]

This movie is mega-awesome.

[Russ]

An overlooked classic of sorts, of 50's horror (psychological horror, but still horror) is John Parker's only film, Dementia (later cut and re-released with narration by Ed McMahon as Daughter of Darkness). It's a noir-ish, dialogue-free (utilizing only diegetic sound) excerise in style and atmosphere, with some lovely and spooky black and white cinematography. Fans of low-budget, stylish horror (think Carnival of Souls) should be all over this one.

[Spun Lepton]

For the record, Return of the Blind Dead is basically the same story as Tombs, but told better. As long as you can deal with the woman whose eyebrows are drawn on with a Sharpie and the rather ... Deus Ex Machina ending.

I agree that Tombs does drag at times. The zombie puppets are very menacing and very creepily done. One of my favorite zombie designs. I haven't watched it in years, though, and can barely remember the ending.

[Dukefrukem]

Live action trailer featuring Cthulhu

YjKKptsL33I

[Spun Lepton]

I'll also pipe in as a dissenting opinion of Cthulhu. I thought the story was confused and scattershot.

[megladon8]

The commentary for Cthulhu is really kind of sad.

It's the director and the writer, and almost all they talk about is how much they hate the movie. How nothing came together the way they had hoped or envisioned it.

Some of my favorite scenes and shots were ones that they singled out and said how awful they were.

The screenwriter comes right out and says he had no idea what he was doing, that he had written way too many locations into the story, and that coupled with the terrible production made the film a mess.

Man...what a bummer that was.

I still love the movie to bits, but damn, I almost want to find a way to contact these guys and say "you know what? You're wrong - it's a great movie, and I'd be proud."

[Mr. Pink]

Pretty great for the most part, though I think most is more sci-fi horror than straight, classic horror. It Came from Outer Space (also by Jack Arnold, king of 50s sci-fi and horror) is a film I love, but it ain't much of a horror film at all.



Saw this in 3-D several years back at a film festival. One of my all-time favorite movie-going experiences I've ever had.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The commentary for Cthulhu is really kind of sad.

It's the director and the writer, and almost all they talk about is how much they hate the movie. How nothing came together the way they had hoped or envisioned it.

Some of my favorite scenes and shots were ones that they singled out and said how awful they were.

The screenwriter comes right out and says he had no idea what he was doing, that he had written way too many locations into the story, and that coupled with the terrible production made the film a mess.

Man...what a bummer that was.

I still love the movie to bits, but damn, I almost want to find a way to contact these guys and say "you know what? You're wrong - it's a great movie, and I'd be proud."

Yeah, I turned it off about fifteen minutes in. They were talking about how they were bummed out by the editing in one scene, and while I saw how they clearly compromised a longer take by intercutting some shot/reverses, the editing felt natural to me. And all those lovely settings give the film a sense of openness and scope that many indie horror films don't have.

[Mr. Pink]

Saw Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren) last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. Minor issues aside, it was pretty fun. It's basically like a fake National Geographic documentary done Blair Witch-style. If you don't go into it expecting much more than that, you shouldn't be disappointed. Recommended. Probably 7/10.

I don't want to say much about it until more people around here have seen it, since it would be easy to give too much away.

[kuehnepips]

Is Tucker & Dale vs Evil really so funny?

[Spun Lepton]

Saw Troll Hunter (Trolljegeren) last night and enjoyed it quite a bit. Minor issues aside, it was pretty fun. It's basically like a fake National Geographic documentary done Blair Witch-style. If you don't go into it expecting much more than that, you shouldn't be disappointed. Recommended. Probably 7/10.

I don't want to say much about it until more people around here have seen it, since it would be easy to give too much away.

I really want to see this.

[Dukefrukem]

I want to see Troll Hunter too. That trailer had me hooked. I posted it a few pages back. (where do you hide 100 ft troll??)

[Rowland]

My Bloody Valentine ('81) - A mundane slasher that makes up to some degree for its lack of formal finesse with a compellingly atmospheric portrait of its small-town milieu that exudes a certain authenticity and integrity. The suspense set pieces are a mixed bag, but generally solid by the standard '80s slasher template. The characters aren't very engaging however, nor is the mystery behind the identity of the killer and his/her ultimately arbitrary reveal, while the potential subtext of rural malaise introduced in the first half is sadly lost in the shuffle.

The Black Cat (Demons 6) - Uber-hack Luigi Cozzi follows up his work as a second-unit director for Argento's The Black Cat segment for the Edgar Allen Poe tribute Two Evil Eyes with "The Black Cat," which in fact has nothing to do with the Poe tale but is rather, as co-written by former Argento muse/Suspiria-co-scribe Daria Nicolodi, envisioned as no-less than an unofficial Mother of Tears film, complete with gel lighting overload and a reprise of Goblin's Suspiria theme! This however is a meta-text, infused with sardonic satire of the Italian film industry and Argento himself (Nicolodi had just come off a nasty break-up with the man), only without much in the way of artistry or coherence, coming off instead as crude and opportunistic, albeit compulsively watchable as such, especially if you're a fan of absurdly schlocky and tasteless Italian trash-horror. The climax in particular is pricelessly hysterical nonsense that has to be seen to be believed. By no means good, but kinda fascinating in its surreal badness, and certainly never dull, it's available on Netflix Instant Watch should any brave souls be interested.

[Spun Lepton]

The Black Cat (Demons 6) <...> By no means good, but kinda fascinating in its surreal badness, and certainly never dull, it's available on Netflix Instant Watch should any brave souls be interested.

Queued.

[MadMan]

50s sci-fi/horror is all kinds of awesome. My favorite of the bunch is The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, which just reminds me how sad it is that Kevin McCarthy passed away last year.

[megladon8]

Them! is surprisingly great, too.

And, of course, Forbidden Planet.

[Mr. Pink]

Is Tucker & Dale vs Evil really so funny?

It's got some pretty good laughs, sure. It's not that funny, but it's pretty good still. The premise is insanely unique, but ultimately it ends up being fairly predictable and standard. It leaves a little to be desired in it's execution, but I did see an unfinished version. Overall, the premise alone makes it worth a watch for people interested, but, aside from that, it's nothing you haven't seen before. Again, though, that premise is killer. They have to take certain liberties to keep it going, but I liked it well enough.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Them! is surprisingly great, too.

And, of course, Forbidden Planet.

Oh yeah, Forbidden Planet's awesome. Some amazing effects (still impressive), and great acting from Walter Pidgeon. Robby rules.

[Rowland]

Possession
An American Werewolf in London
Dead and Buried
Looker
Full Moon High
Strange Behavior
The Burning
The Entity
Wolfen
The Prowler

All from 1981. Any thoughts?

[Mr. Pink]

Possession
An American Werewolf in London
Dead and Buried
Looker
Full Moon High
Strange Behavior
The Burning
The Entity
Wolfen
The Prowler

All from 1981. Any thoughts?

Possession -- Haven't seen it, but want to.
An American Werewolf in London -- Uneven but still a classic.
Dead and Buried -- Forgettable but others seem to enjoy it.
Looker -- What the hell is that?
Full Moon High -- Want to see it.
Strange Behavior -- Underrated.
The Burning -- Decent enough slasher with Jason Alexander.
The Entity -- Lost interest in it partway through.
Wolfen -- Not much interest in this, but I might see it someday.
The Prowler -- Good enough.


Ranked:

Werewolf in London
Strange Behavior
The Burning
The Prowler
Dead and Buried
The Entity

[Rowland]

Looker -- What the hell is that?http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/looker/

Sounds kinda neat to me, and I liked Westworld.

[Bosco B Thug]

People love Possession and Zulawski around here. Haven't seen it, though.

Wolfen I'd mildly recommend. Michael "Woodstock" Wadleigh directs the schlocky horror side of it like a schlocky horror director, but around that, it's got a good helping of artsy flourishes and intriguing social commentary. And it is effective as a moody horror film. 6.5.

Yeah, The Burning is pretty good, if only for being atmospheric and straight-faced and taking divergences from slasher formula, to good effect. 4-5-ish.

The Prowler was one of my first slasher flicks. Mostly forgotten it. Seemed pretty dreary from memory.

The rest:
An American Werewolf in London - 8
Dead and Buried - 5.5 (I enjoy director Sherman, though, he has style, between this and Poltergeist III)

[Mr. Pink]

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/looker/

Sounds kinda neat to me, and I liked Westworld.

Yeah, Westworld is pretty sweet.

[MadMan]

I love An American Werewolf in London, of course. The only other film I've seen from the bunch is The Burning, which is an entertaining and decently made slasher flick. My short thoughts:

http://www.gunaxin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/the-burning-killer.jpg

As far as slashers go, this one is fairly standard-and yet, due to some well done kills, a decent sense of pacing, and a great deal of entertainment thrown in, its passable and better than some of the slasher sub-genre's offerings. Plus you have Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens playing teenagers when the former looks too old to really do so, and its amusing to view them in action before they become more famous. Oh and of course Harvey Weinstein helped write the movie, so really its important in terms of having helped launch several notable people's careers, which is cool I guess.

What happens in the movie isn't really important: some stupid kids play a prank, set a dude on fire, guy survives and comes back to wreck his terrible brand of violent, gory vengeance. The movie actually starts out slow, and for a while all we get is some boobs and kids playing pranks. The killer stalks and sneaks around, waiting to strike while showing off his horribly disfigured and burned face. I will say that the movie's opener, with a stupid corner getting his just deserts, was the highlight of the movie's first half.

Many fans of the movie note the awesome kills, namely the hilarious and rather blood filled raft massacre, which came as a bit of surprise to me when it probably shouldn't have had. There's more boobs, death by clippers, and an epic battle to the death between hero and evil sadistic villain that works actually quite well. Despite the lack of real suspense with a few exceptions, and the high level of dumb thrown in (all slashers have it, otherwise there would be a lack of victims), this is worth viewing if you enjoy this sort of thing (I suppose I do to a degree). I'm glad there wasn't a sequel. 75

[Spun Lepton]

As far as slashers go, this one is fairly standard-and yet, due to some well done kills, a decent sense of pacing, and a great deal of entertainment thrown in, its passable and better than some of the slasher sub-genre's offerings. Plus you have Jason Alexander and Fisher Stevens playing teenagers when the former looks too old to really do so, and its amusing to view them in action before they become more famous. Oh and of course Harvey Weinstein helped write the movie, so really its important in terms of having helped launch several notable people's careers, which is cool I guess.


Did you see the R-rated cut or the unrated cut?

[Rowland]

(I enjoy director Sherman, though, he has style, between this and Poltergeist III)Yeah, a large part of the reason I'm interested in Dead and Buried is because of the great Raw Meat.

[megladon8]

I'm really anxious to see Raw Meat because I hear Donald Pleasance gives the performance of his career, and that he and Christopher Lee have great rapport.

But I wasn't too impressed with Dead & Buried. Probably the greatest part of the movie was seeing the hottie red-head from Prince of Darkness liberally showing off her boobies.

[Spun Lepton]

The ONLY good part of Raw Meat is Pleasance's performance.

Dead and Buried collapses under the weight of its "twist."

[Dead & Messed Up]

I'm really anxious to see Raw Meat because I hear Donald Pleasance gives the performance of his career, and that he and Christopher Lee have great rapport.

But I wasn't too impressed with Dead & Buried. Probably the greatest part of the movie was seeing the hottie red-head from Prince of Darkness liberally showing off her boobies.

::queues up Dead & Buried::

Seriously, though, you guys, Veronica Cartwright just walked past me a little bit ago, walked to the elevator, and then my UPM had to point out to me who she was, and then I realized, and then I started freaking out and saying, "Oh my God, she's so awesome!" and then she poked her head around the corner, cause the elevator hadn't come yet.

:eek:

[megladon8]

Lisa Blount (hottie from Prince of Darkness) just died in October, actually.

[Bosco B Thug]

::queues up Dead & Buried::

Seriously, though, you guys, Veronica Cartwright just walked past me a little bit ago, walked to the elevator, and then my UPM had to point out to me who she was, and then I realized, and then I started freaking out and saying, "Oh my God, she's so awesome!" and then she poked her head around the corner, cause the elevator hadn't come yet.

:eek: omgomgomg and the hookup happened just like that, right?

Seriously, though, she is awesome.

[Dead & Messed Up]

omgomgomg and the hookup happened just like that, right?

Let's just say that I was in the Cartwright place at the Cartwright time.

Sex.

[megladon8]

Did you get her to call you "DaMU" ("damn you")?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Did you get her to call you "DaMU" ("damn you")?

Yeah, and at the end, I made the alien noise from Body Snatchers.

[megladon8]

Yeah, and at the end, I made the alien noise from Body Snatchers.


Well, I suppose there isn't much else you could say in just 30 seconds.

HEY-YOOOOOO!!!

[Dead & Messed Up]

Well, I suppose there isn't much else you could say in just 30 seconds.

You give me too much credit.

:|

20.

[Scar]

Did you tear her up like in Alien?Oh, I'm going to hell.

[MadMan]

Did you see the R-rated cut or the unrated cut?I rented the anniversary DVD edition that was more recently released from my local library.

:lol: to the rest of this page.

[megladon8]

Poster for the new Ti West film, The Innkeepers.

I am excite.


http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/9918/exclinnkeepersbig.jpg

[Russ]

News from Spain: The Sitges Festival And Director Angel Sala Charged With Exhibition Of Child Pornography For Screening A SERBIAN FILM.

Link (http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/03/the-sitges-festival-and-director-angel-sala-charged-with-exhibition-of-child-pornography-for-screeni.php)

Ridiculous charges.

[Boner M]

Anyone here seen Lake Mungo? Creepy-ass flick; more a meditation on grief using supernatural film tropes rather than a flat-out horror film, but I can see a lot of people here digging it. Lays on the Twin Peaks references a little too flick ('bout a recently deceased small-town teen girl, surname's Palmer) but I still found it really affecting.

Apparently it's getting a remake this year, and though it's almost certain to be crap, I can easily see it being improved upon if handled correctly.

[D_Davis]

News from Spain: The Sitges Festival And Director Angel Sala Charged With Exhibition Of Child Pornography For Screening A SERBIAN FILM.

Link (http://twitchfilm.com/news/2011/03/the-sitges-festival-and-director-angel-sala-charged-with-exhibition-of-child-pornography-for-screeni.php)

Ridiculous charges.

It was bound to happen sooner or later.

[Dukefrukem]

http://rue-morgue.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/insidious_poster.jpg

[MadMan]

Isn't that the same kid from The Omen? Probably not, but they both look familiar. Creepy kid with weirdo haircut and blank expression on his face....

[Dukefrukem]

I want to know why the SI is red.

[MadMan]

"IS" must be really sinister, or somethin'....

[Spun Lepton]

I want to know why the SI is red.

Isn't that ... "YES" ... in Spanish!??? (*cue eerie music*)

[Dukefrukem]

Isn't that ... "YES" ... in Spanish!??? (*cue eerie music*)

I thought of that. Does it take place in Mexico?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Is that Justin Beiber?

[EyesWideOpen]

They had a pretty long trailer for Insidious last time I was at the theater. It looked like the film was nothing but jump scares.

"It's not your house that's haunted, it's your son!!!!!!!!!!!"

[eternity]

The commercials for Insidious are awful. Why does it seem like new distribution startups always seem to flub it with commercial voiceovers?

[Boner M]

There're many jump scares in Insidious, but commendably, there aren't any false-alarm jump scares.

I reviewed it here (http://sydneyfilmhappenings.blogspot. com/2010/09/tiff-john-carpenters-ward-and-james.html), and writer/co-star Leigh Whannell registered under his GF's account to spew some vitriol toward me. Ahh, Hollywood insecurity.

[MadMan]

Is that Justin Beiber?Demonic Justin Bieber>Regular Justin Bieber.

[megladon8]

Is that Justin Beiber?


SI

[Bosco B Thug]

I want to know why the SI is red.
That decides it. This will be awful.

[Dukefrukem]

Well the trailer explains the IS thing...

"Insidious is everywhere"

E1YbOMDI59k

[Spun Lepton]

There're many jump scares in Insidious, but commendably, there aren't any false-alarm jump scares.

I reviewed it here (http://sydneyfilmhappenings.blogspot. com/2010/09/tiff-john-carpenters-ward-and-james.html), and writer/co-star Leigh Whannell registered under his GF's account to spew some vitriol toward me. Ahh, Hollywood insecurity.

LOL @ "The Further."

[Dukefrukem]

There're many jump scares in Insidious, but commendably, there aren't any false-alarm jump scares.

I reviewed it here (http://sydneyfilmhappenings.blogspot. com/2010/09/tiff-john-carpenters-ward-and-james.html), and writer/co-star Leigh Whannell registered under his GF's account to spew some vitriol toward me. Ahh, Hollywood insecurity.

That's a riot.

Following you on Google now.

[Bosco B Thug]

Well the trailer explains the IS thing...

"Insidious is everywhere"

E1YbOMDI59k
"A stupid film is only as stupid as it's marketing." Or the vice versa, whatever it is the wise men say.

Anyway, that looks bad.

[Dukefrukem]

I don't even know what that slogan means... "Insidious IS Insidious" Is the kid named Insidious?

[Bosco B Thug]

I don't even know what that slogan means... "Insidious IS Insidious" Is the kid named Insidious?
:lol: Omg yes. Why didn't I mention that? It's infuriatingly idiotic. I figured they want us to see "Insidious is everywhere," as you mentioned, but even THAT makes no sense and says no one involved in the making of this movie has even got a high school degree.

Yes I enjoy setting up the makers of Saw for failure.

[Bosco B Thug]

Also, this is supposed to be a throwback to "classical" haunted house films (classical meaning Poltergeist meaning modern special-effect roller coasters), yet Poltergeist is a beautiful-looking film, and this looks f*king ugly.

[Rowland]

Strange Behavior -- Underrated.Yep. I'm surprised this hasn't developed into more of a cult item. I wrote some thoughts in the FDT thread.

[Spun Lepton]

LOL @ "The Further"

LOOK OUT, HE'S CAUGHT IN ... (*uhhh...*) THE ... (*um*) FURTHER!!!

The Nothing in Neverending Story was a scarier name.

[Bosco B Thug]

LOL @ "The Further"

LOOK OUT, HE'S CAUGHT IN ... (*uhhh...*) THE ... (*um*) FURTHER!!!

The Nothing in Neverending Story was a scarier name.
It's the place where adjectives go and become nouns, and distances become slightly more annoying to walk.

[megladon8]

I've had to re-read Leigh Whannell's comments on Boner's review a few times.

That's just unreal.

And really, really pathetic.

[Dukefrukem]

I've had to re-read Leigh Whannell's comments on Boner's review a few times.

That's just unreal.

And really, really pathetic.

:lol: I read it 5 or 6 times too. It's almost too good to be true. Good as in pathetic like you said...

[megladon8]

:lol: I read it 5 or 6 times too. It's almost too good to be true. Good as in pathetic like you said...


Yeah, I dunno, I just can't imagine someone taking so much offense to criticism of their work, when they've made a career out of releasing their work in fairly wide terms all over the world.

Not everyone is going to like what you do, whether you're Leigh Whannell or Akira Kurosawa.

Boner didn't say anything at all offensive or mean-spirited to or about Whannell. And even if he had, it would still have been in very poor taste to react that way.

And let's not even get into how pathetic it is that he did it under someone else's name. Like, dude, come on, if you're going to say something with some vitriol, the least you can do is use your own name.

[Dukefrukem]

Ian, how did you know it was him btw?

[Boner M]

Ian, how did you know it was him btw?
'Girl Domestic' links to the blog of Corbett Tuck, who is Whannell's GF. The "you know it's me" kinda gives it away. 'I used to be an amateur film critic' refers to his stint as the IN-YO-FACE film reviewer for the Australian youth program Recovery. His segment was actually pretty valuable to me at the time; I discovered lots of horror gems from him.

bMIrsPg3xc4

[Boner M]

Basket Case - One of those low-budget sui generis thingies where the primary virtues are collateral; like the shitty, badly-mixed synth score, onlookers obviously noticing someone running across the street during a tracking shot, and just how much the entire non-pro cast seem uncomfortable inhabiting their own skin. I dug it.

[Russ]

Because of the criminal action against Angel Sala and the Sitges Film Festival, the U.S. distributors for A Serbian Film have decided to release an edited version of the controversial shocker, on May 13th.

Ah, good ole censorship.

http://www.brutalashell.com/2011/03/a-serbian-film-to-be-released-in-edited-format-in-us-as-result-of-angel-sala-sitges-film-festival-lawsuit/

[Dead & Messed Up]

Yeah, I dunno, I just can't imagine someone taking so much offense to criticism of their work, when they've made a career out of releasing their work in fairly wide terms all over the world.

The film business attracts egotism, and it fosters egotism. Stars and filmmakers can make millions and attract a broad and diverse audience, but they frequently take stock in what any random joe blow will think of their work. Being surrounded constantly by people who pamper and praise them endlessly only adds to the need for validation. One has to be tremendously confident to not worry about such things.

I guess that people like Whannell could also avoid the Internet, but, with modern culture the way it is now, that's probably getting tougher and tougher.

[Mr. Pink]

Yep. I'm surprised this hasn't developed into more of a cult item. I wrote some thoughts in the FDT thread.

Yeah, you were pretty spot on. A similar movie I like a little better (also from 1981) is Bloody Birthday. Another effective, slightly flawed gem. It's got great poster art, too.

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTY2Mzg3NTY0OF5BMl5BanBnXk FtZTcwMjk4MDYyMQ@@._V1._SX216_ SY323_.jpg

http://www.movieposter.com/posters/archive/main/17/A70-8552

[Raiders]

I'm loving the buzz coming out of SXSW for West's The Innkeepers. Mostly positive, but even the negatives (too slow, builds up to little) have me excited.

[Rowland]

Also, I'm pleased to read such a positive piece for Insidious by Michael Koresky, who some may recall for his blistering Hostel II review from Reverse Shot a few years back.

http://www.filmlinc.com/film-comment/article/insidious

[Rowland]

I'm loving the buzz coming out of SXSW for West's The Innkeepers. Mostly positive, but even the negatives (too slow, builds up to little) have me excited.Where are you reading the buzz at, I'd like to take a look as well. I was just thinking about The Roost the other night, I must have liked it more than I initially gave it credit for.

[Raiders]

Where are you reading the buzz at, I'd like to take a look as well. I was just thinking about The Roost the other night, I must have liked it more than I initially gave it credit for.

Just Google'd it. There's a bunch of blogs and genre-centered sites, as well as indiewire and such, with reviews posted.

[megladon8]

Yeah, I posted the poster on the last page.

I'm looking forward to it. Very much.

I really like Ti West.

[Bosco B Thug]

Also, I'm pleased to read such a positive piece for Insidious by Michael Koresky, who some may recall for his blistering Hostel II review from Reverse Shot a few years back.

http://www.filmlinc.com/film-comment/article/insidious Roth is so much better than Saw.

But I have been wanting to give Wan and Dead Silence a shot.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Also, I'm pleased to read such a positive piece for Insidious by Michael Koresky, who some may recall for his blistering Hostel II review from Reverse Shot a few years back.

http://www.filmlinc.com/film-comment/article/insidious

James Wan comes off as an intelligent, likable fellow. And now I'm a lot more curious about Insidious (and Dead Silence). Also, I went back and re-read Koresky's takedown of Hostel Part II. That man is frigging smart.

[Rowland]

James Wan comes off as an intelligent, likable fellow. I've been rooting for the guy since listening to the Saw commentary, during which he spent much of the time griping about how many sequences he'd wanted to evoke De Palma or Argento but couldn't shoot properly, having to throw away most of his storyboards, because of time/budgetary constraints. Dead Silence was mediocre, but probably superior to Saw in terms of technique.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Found a really cool fan-made trailer for Carpenter's The Thing (http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/02/22/the-thing/) at Art of the Title Sequence (http://www.artofthetitle.com/), so I blogged about it (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com).

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_jrLqJwVM8/TYE8KeADR8I/AAAAAAAAALM/5GcWA15gVxo/s1600/Thing3-1.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3pYsugVpDqc/TYFFPEZItGI/AAAAAAAAALc/aDQH-9ZSNuk/s1600/Thing3-5.jpg

The quality here reminds me of that fan-made Walking Dead trailer that's so much better than the actual credits.

[Dukefrukem]

Found a really cool fan-made trailer for Carpenter's The Thing (http://www.artofthetitle.com/2010/02/22/the-thing/) at Art of the Title Sequence (http://www.artofthetitle.com/), so I blogged about it (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com).

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-f_jrLqJwVM8/TYE8KeADR8I/AAAAAAAAALM/5GcWA15gVxo/s1600/Thing3-1.jpg

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-3pYsugVpDqc/TYFFPEZItGI/AAAAAAAAALc/aDQH-9ZSNuk/s1600/Thing3-5.jpg

The quality here reminds me of that fan-made Walking Dead trailer that's so much better than the actual credits.

Fraking sweet.

Also, Who else has a blog I don't know about?? That's two I've found this week on MC. I just started my very first a few days ago. http://dukefrukem.blogspot.com/ Follow me plzz. <3

[MadMan]

An American Werewolf in London>>>The Beyond :P

[Rowland]

An American Werewolf in London>>>The Beyond :PThe Beyond doesn't have uzi-wielding nazi werewolves, I'll grant you that. Both are very good.

[Spun Lepton]

"It was the eyes! *GASP* Eyes! *GURGLE* EYES! EYES! *GASP WHEEZE* eyes ..."

I love The Beyond. But, American Werewolf walks all over it.

[Rowland]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tngWMToWtCc/SJ945Vi9M4I/AAAAAAAAFW0/9NHecvz2KWI/s1600/Peter%2BBark.png

:eek:

[D_Davis]

An American Werewolf in London>>>The Beyond :P

Was that ever in question?

Once is a bona fide classic, the other is a turd.

Just about everything else ever made > The Beyond

[D_Davis]

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_tngWMToWtCc/SJ945Vi9M4I/AAAAAAAAFW0/9NHecvz2KWI/s1600/Peter%2BBark.png

:eek:

http://www.genrebusters.com/images/burial3.jpg

[Derek]

http://www.genrebusters.com/images/burial3.jpg

Ahhh, so The Beyond is the movie where that kid sucks at his mom's breast before biting it off, right?

[Rowland]

Ahhh, so The Beyond is the movie where that kid sucks at his mom's breast before biting it off, right?No, that would be Burial Ground, from the autuer behind Strip Nude For Your Killer (which is actually decent).

[D_Davis]

Yeah, Burial Ground. It's almost Troll 2 good/bad.

[Boner M]

The Beyond rocks. I think I still have my bootleg VHS that I skipped school to make a trip into the city to buy. *wistful*

[D_Davis]

The Beyond rocks. I think I still have my bootleg VHS that I skipped school to make a trip into the city to buy. *wistful*

I did a similar thing for a copy of The Young Poisoner's Handbook, Night of the Creeps and Cemetery Man. Drove about an hour to a video store that was going out of business. We had heard that they had a good horror section, complete with some bootlegs and hard to find foreign stuff. They did.

[Dukefrukem]

I was bored to tears with The Beyond. Don't tell me it was a slow burn either... nothing ends up burning!

[D_Davis]

I was bored to tears with The Beyond. Don't tell me it was a slow burn either... nothing ends up burning!

It's a slow burning turd.

[Rowland]

Yeah, Burial Ground. It's almost Troll 2 good/bad.It's very lousy, but I liked its somewhat novel, almost Buñuelian, take on the genre, albeit in sub-Fulci-at-his-worst fashion. It also doesn't mess around, getting to all the flesh-bearing-and-tearing before the 10-minute mark, which is always a plus in shit like this.

[D_Davis]

It's very lousy, but I liked its somewhat novel, almost Buñuelian, take on the genre, albeit in sub-Fulci-at-his-worst fashion. It also doesn't mess around, getting to all the flesh-bearing-and-tearing before the 10-minute mark, which is always a plus in shit like this.

It's one of those movies that, while watching it, you have to remind yourself that actual people spent money and time to make it happen.

[Bosco B Thug]

For every stunning imagery and ace prologue, The Beyond has really misjudged tarantula effects and dithering zombie movie final act.

[Mr. Pink]

Regardless of what people say about The Beyond, I'd still argue it has one of the best final sequences of any horror movie, comparable to The Thing, which is probably my single favorite. The ending to The Beyond is not too far behind, though.

[D_Davis]

Regardless of what people say about The Beyond, I'd still argue it has one of the best final sequences of any horror movie, comparable to The Thing, which is probably my single favorite. The ending to The Beyond is not too far behind, though.

The best part is the very, very end.

[Spun Lepton]

The Beyond has really misjudged tarantula effects...


:lol:

Understatement of the year.

[Rowland]

For every stunning imagery and ace prologue, The Beyond has really misjudged tarantula effects and dithering zombie movie final act.Oh certainly, there are plenty of ludicrous, even inept elements to The Beyond, but I find they somehow largely contribute to its dementedly (quoting Boner) sui generis indelibility. Unlike the same year's House by the Cemetery, which has its moments but is on the whole a rudderless chore to endure.

[D_Davis]

It's fatal flaw is that it is criminally dull - a total flatliner. There are zero moments of genuine tension, drama, terror, or fear, and its not quite inept or audacious enough to be hilarious and entertaining like Troll 2 or a Polonia Brothers film. It never crosses the line into so-bad-it's-good territory; it's just bad, and that's the worst kind of movie.

[Rowland]

It's fatal flaw is that it is criminally dull - a total flatliner. There are zero moments of genuine tension, drama, terror, or fear, and its not quite inept or audacious enough to be hilarious and entertaining like Troll 2 or a Polonia Brothers film.It perhaps lacks the qualities of successful narrative storytelling, but I find it riveting as a metaphysical dreamscape of surreal imagery and "nauseous moods and textures," to quote one particularly apt description I've read. Further, I'd argue that it qualifies as Fulci's most nakedly lyrical auteurist statement in his conceptualization of Hell as an outpouring of the irrational amidst a "sea of darkness," going so far as to validate his obsessive motif of eyeball mutilation through the thematic foregrounding of blindness.

[Bosco B Thug]

:lol:

Understatement of the year. It's interesting how the absolute badness is what confirms the occurrence of misjudging.


Oh certainly, there are plenty of ludicrous, even inept elements to The Beyond, but I find they somehow largely contribute to its dementedly (quoting Boner) sui generis indelibility. Unlike the same year's House by the Cemetery, which has its moments but is on the whole a rudderless chore to endure.
The Beyond does have an indelible atmosphere and nightmare poetry, and I don't think it's a bore. But I can see how objectively it is kind of a narrative bore, because it's so random and anarchically plotted. House by the Cemetary at least has the whole slasher movie conventionality.

[D_Davis]

It perhaps lacks the qualities of successful narrative storytelling, but I find it riveting as a metaphysical dreamscape of surreal imagery and "nauseous moods and textures," to quote one particularly apt description I've read. Further, I'd argue that it qualifies as Fulci's most nakedly lyrical auteurist statement in his conceptualization of Hell as an outpouring of the irrational amidst a "sea of darkness," going so far as to validate his obsessive motif of eyeball mutilation through the thematic foregrounding of blindness.

I could entertain the argument of evaluating it as a tone poem, or something along those lines.

And yes, I will admit that the final images of the film contain some great imagery.

[megladon8]

I like The Beyond and House by the Cemetery, but neither would get more than, say, a 7 from me.

And they're the best Fulci has to offer (from what I've seen so far).

When it comes to Italian horror, I'll take Argento and/or Bava over Fulci any day of the week.

[Spun Lepton]

It perhaps lacks the qualities of successful narrative storytelling, but I find it riveting as a metaphysical dreamscape of surreal imagery and "nauseous moods and textures," to quote one particularly apt description I've read. Further, I'd argue that it qualifies as Fulci's most nakedly lyrical auteurist statement in his conceptualization of Hell as an outpouring of the irrational amidst a "sea of darkness," going so far as to validate his obsessive motif of eyeball mutilation through the thematic foregrounding of blindness.

Nailed it.

The Beyond has a masterful sense of dread and atmosphere, evoked by excellent sound design and photography. On the other hand, the script mires in schlocky dialogue and clunky storytelling. The lingering shots on bad gore up the schlock-meter, too. But, Rowland, as you said, the conceptual "outpouring of the irrational" DOES work in its favor, even if it never touches the lyrical quality of similar fever-dream movies, like Suspiria.

It occupies a strange place for me, where I can laugh at its schlocky gusto, but also admire its striking design. I watch it every few years.

I've shown it to numerous people over the years, and everybody's reaction has been, "WTF DID I JUST WATCH?!" I've had it put a couple people to sleep, too, so D is certainly not alone in his opinion. :lol:

[Spun Lepton]

I also enjoy House by the Cemetery, but disagree that it's his 2nd best. God damn it, I just realized I'm about to make a list. I'M SORRY! I admit, I have not seen nearly everything the man directed, mostly just his early-80s stuff. Looking at his resume on IMDb ... he made quite a bit!!

I'll give many of these the same ratings, but I'll list them starting with my favorites.

City of the Living Dead -- Successfully evokes Rowland's, "outpouring of the irrational" to a slightly greater degree than The Beyond. I don't believe the ending is what Fulci had in mind, despite what he said in later interviews. Also mired in total schlock. 7/10

The Beyond -- See my previous post. 7/10

House by the Cemetery -- I must admit a slight crush for Catriona MacColl. She could SCREAM like nobody's business, and its her presence in this that makes it for me. The woman playing Bob's voice is nothing short of constant irritation, which makes Bob's scenes a bit of a chore to sit through. Has a stronger narrative than either City or Beyond and a surprisingly ambiguous ending. 6/10

New York Ripper -- This is something I never recommend to anybody. Where The Beyond was lyrical, this was sleazy. But, still schlocky as get-out. Mostly memorable for the killer who quacks like a duck. Oh, and the razor slicing the eyeball was a rather disturbing shot. 5/10

Never Torture a Duckling -- Pretty unmemorable stuff, dull. I may owe it a revisit, but that won't happen any time soon. 4/10

Manhattan Baby -- So, so, SO boring. 3/10

Demonia -- Avoid this at all costs. I bought it used for $10 and I couldn't even finish it. Ungodly boring and repetitive. 1/10

[Mr. Pink]

Where would you rank Zombie?

[Raiders]

I would rank Zombie tops, just ahead of House by the Cemetery.

Oh, and those are the only two Fulci films I have seen and both were such enormous piles of shit that ranking them actually caused my brain discomfort.

[Derek]

I would rank Zombie tops, just ahead of House by the Cemetery.

Oh, and those are the only two Fulci films I have seen and both were such enormous piles of shit that ranking them actually caused my brain discomfort.

Phew, you scared me for a second there with that first part. Zombie is such a pile of shit, I'm not sure I can bring myself to give Fulci another shot.

[Spun Lepton]

Where would you rank Zombie?

Wow, can't believe I forgot to rank Zombie. 7/10, above House by the Cemetery.

[Rowland]

Don't Torture a Duckling ***½
The Beyond ***½
City of the Living Dead ***
Zombie ***
The New York Ripper ***
Four of the Apocalypse **½
Perversion Story **
House by the Cemetery *½

I have his The Black Cat on my queue for my 1981 project.

[Dukefrukem]

Watched the Beyond last night. Some great practical effects, but I can't help but notice similarities with John Carpenter's the Thing.

[Rowland]

I managed to watch about half of Fulci's The Black Cat last night, and so far it's much better than I feared it'd be given its nonexistent reputation and Walter Chaw's pan (http://filmfreakcentral.net/dvdreviews/blackcat.htm). I'm looking forward to hopefully finding time for the rest of it tonight.

[KK2.0]

i've only watched Fulci's City of the Living Dead, it was fun. I remember reading about the scene where a girl pukes her guts out, and the actress had to gobble a bunch of lamb intestines. Awesome.

but i like to call it by the italian name "paura nella citta dei morti viventi' sounds much cooler.

[megladon8]

Love the new avatar, Rowland!

[Rowland]

Thanks, Meg. I happened across the image while browsing some horror blog and was immediately inspired to avatarize it.

[MadMan]

I must admit I have no idea what its from, but it sure looks cool.

Also Rowland I'd say that if I go by my rating scale of 100 v. the **** scale, I'd probably give The Burning a ** 1/2 rating as well (I believe it gets a 74 or 75 from me, but I'd have to check again). Sure its a really cheesy movie, but as I noted on a previous page it sure has its moments. One of the better Friday the 13th knockoffs in the 80s. I hear many similar slasher movies in the 80s are utterly terrible, though (A Nightmare on Elm Street not being a knockoff, but rather an original concept).

[Rowland]

I must admit I have no idea what its from, but it sure looks cool.That would be Deep Red.

Also Rowland I'd say that if I go by my rating scale of 100 v. the **** scale, I'd probably give The Burning a ** 1/2 rating as well (I believe it gets a 74 or 75 from me, but I'd have to check again). Sure its a really cheesy movie, but as I noted on a previous page it sure has its moments. One of the better Friday the 13th knockoffs in the 80s.I'll post some thoughts soon, I have a backlog of capsule reviews to write.
(A Nightmare on Elm Street not being a knockoff, but rather an original concept).Thank you for clarifying. :P

[MadMan]

Hey you're welcome ;)

PS: I think that TCM actually showed Raw Meat at some point this month, but I usually go drinking on Friday nights so I missed it. Bummer. I'll just have to watch it via Netflix. Also Rowland you should continue that one horror thread of yours.

[Dukefrukem]

I just won a free copy of the Resident on DVD from Rue Morgue.

Trailer below

ixZMHng9kFU

[D_Davis]

Bloody Disgusting & AMC Theatres Team for Horror Distribuition (http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/bloody-disgusting-amc-theatres-team-for-horror-distribuition/)

[Sycophant]

Bloody Disgusting & AMC Theatres Team for Horror Distribuition (http://www.firstshowing.net/2011/bloody-disgusting-amc-theatres-team-for-horror-distribuition/)

I'm excited someone will be bringing Sono's Cold Fish to the US,but I find the name Bloody Disgusting so incredibly icky, I basically want nothing to do with them. Horror film culture makes me uncomfortable.

[D_Davis]

I need to see Cold Fish. Heard great things.

[megladon8]

I'm excited someone will be bringing Sono's Cold Fish to the US,but I find the name Bloody Disgusting so incredibly icky, I basically want nothing to do with them. Horror film culture makes me uncomfortable.


:|

[Boner M]

:|
Indeed; esp. since Cold Fish is one of the ickier films (viscerally as well as morally & ideologically) in recent memory.

[MadMan]

I actually enjoy Bloody Disgusting, even their forums (although some of their users seem to be the IMDB.com type). I should post there more considering over the past couple of years I've up my horror viewing levels.

[Dead & Messed Up]

:|

You gotta admit, there's a contingent of horror fandom that's stupid and childish, and I'm of the opinion that Bloody-Disgusting (just read the name) targets that group.

[Sycophant]

You gotta admit, there's a contingent of horror fandom that's stupid and childish, and I'm of the opinion that Bloody-Disgusting (just read the name) targets that group.

Exactly what I meant.

[megladon8]

You gotta admit, there's a contingent of horror fandom that's stupid and childish, and I'm of the opinion that Bloody-Disgusting (just read the name) targets that group.


Yeah, I'm not arguing with that.

[Dukefrukem]

I actually enjoy Bloody Disgusting, even their forums (although some of their users seem to be the IMDB.com type). I should post there more considering over the past couple of years I've up my horror viewing levels.

I love their forums. It's how I discovered Eden Lake, Martyrs and Hatchet. I never visit them anymore though because it's blocked at work.

[Mr. Pink]

Saw The Mutilator (1985) the other night. I have a definite soft spot for '80s slasher movies, but this was disappointing. The setting (beach-side condo) was unique, and the fx were really good, but the writing and acting was so laughably bad that it ruined pretty much any promise this one had. In combination, the writing and acting were so terrible that even basic exchanges between characters were incredibly awkward. Sad, 'cause this could've been a stand-out example of enjoyable slashers from the era. 4/10.

It's not on DVD, and the VHS can cost $30+ on ebay, but it's on youtube for anyone interested.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I am the best kind of horror fan.

[MadMan]

I am the best kind of horror fan.Yes rouge, yes you are.


I love their forums. It's how I discovered Eden Lake, Martyrs and Hatchet. I never visit them anymore though because it's blocked at work.I should probably post there more often. My current username there is taken from Soylent Green.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Where are you reading the buzz at, I'd like to take a look as well. I was just thinking about The Roost the other night, I must have liked it more than I initially gave it credit for.

I watched this yesterday and enjoyed it quite a bit. Slight, but undeniably fun, and well-crafted. I posted a review of it on my blog, but it's just a blurb:


An auspicious debut from director Ti West, The Roost focuses on its suspense, with every other element in the film providing support. The nominal plot - a flock of bats holds a revivifying pathogen - offers barely enough action to justify the eighty minutes of film, but West shows a keen sense of restraint and mood, both key to elevating this film from dumb creature feature into legitimate entertainment. His shots linger, his characters search, and the emphasis lies on unseen threats hidden in dark corners. Also helpful: understated performances by the lead actors, who play to the reality of their situation. Clunky meta-moments involving a midnight movie host (Tom Noonan) do little except inflate the film to feature length, and some of the dialogue feels half-baked, but West's confident style outpaces his mistakes, rendering The Roost an admirable, chilling diversion.

More interesting, I noticed what I perceived to be a lot of borrowed images from The Evil Dead. I'll spoiler them here, since they hold late-film information:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-x6yoxXr4w/TaIpZ1Zz4wI/AAAAAAAAANA/yzSko-EEGIs/s1600/RoostDeadMoon.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nK5p98C0aew/TaIpX1nVLDI/AAAAAAAAAMw/-F8Shgikddc/s1600/RoostDeadBridge.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UicOb8aJKKY/TaIpY5FW9BI/AAAAAAAAAM4/ZlQ4rnFmPlE/s1600/RoostDeadDown.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n4OSTbjXdlY/TaIt60xfe4I/AAAAAAAAANE/VobQVaDfg8Y/s1600/RoostDeadDoor.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gxCy6pZxMAY/TaIpXE4EpHI/AAAAAAAAAMs/AMRpZZBFX1o/s1600/RoostDeadBattle.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-35tIKtaMxs0/TaIpYcLyKiI/AAAAAAAAAM0/w_ePtlJo5cQ/s1600/RoostDeadCellar.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--HzDve6p8Tk/TaIpZuKqoqI/AAAAAAAAAM8/bUHyRqb237M/s1600/RoostDeadDutch.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T6JgVO0wyB4/TaIt7YZhChI/AAAAAAAAANI/DMWT0-tJ-nE/s1600/RoostDeadShock.jpg

[balmakboor]

I paid tribute to Lumet today by watching Running on Empty for the first time in quite a few years. Loved it more than ever. The scenes between Phoenix and Plimpton are so touching. I don't know which tears came from which, their scenes together, the loss of Lumet, or the loss of Phoenix.

[elixir]

I paid tribute to Lumet today by watching Running on Empty for the first time in quite a few years. Loved it more than ever. The scenes between Phoenix and Plimpton are so touching. I don't know which tears came from which, their scenes together, the loss of Lumet, or the loss of Phoenix.

It's a horror film? :P

[Bosco B Thug]

Bless the Child. Bleeegh. One of those pictures made to be forgotten. So depressing.

But I was happy to come out of it most impressed with Angela Bettis's supporting performance.

[MadMan]

I'm going back through the Scream series to properly prepare for the 4th installment. I'll do some proper write ups after I'm finished, but for now the first one is the best, the second one the most hilarious, and the third one isn't really scary-it comes off as more of a merely decent thriller, at best. I especially want to view Scream 3 again because I'm still unsure how it really fits into the series' overall mythology. And I plan on seeing Scream 4 in theaters this weekend. I love watching horror movies on the big screen.

[Dukefrukem]

http://blastr.com/assets_c/2011/01/CabinintheWoodsPoster-thumb-400x619-55584.jpeg

[Rowland]

Ugh.

[Spun Lepton]

I hate that poster and I hope the movie fails.

[Dukefrukem]

Well according to that poster, this movie came out over a year ago.

[Spun Lepton]

Well according to that poster, this movie came out over a year ago.

I hated that poster. I hoped that movie failed.

[MadMan]

Say what? That's a bad title, although the poster isn't too terrible.

As for 2011, the only horror movies (Scream 4 aside, which I've already seen) I'm eagerly expecting are Rubber, Stake Land, and the Fright Night remake. I think Ti West's new movie comes out too, but I've never seen any of his movies, so I'm not sure what to think of that one just yet.

[MadMan]

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_mvQeTAdw31E/TK_MTcHWj_I/AAAAAAAABQM/IofIhH-CY8M/s1600/dont-open-the-window2.jpg

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie (1973) was a rather good, well made and at times creepy British zombie movie. One that actually improved as it went along, and the last act is really fantastic and quite gory. I loved the ending, as its ironic, nasty, and actually a tad funny and meaningful. While the political commentary seems a bit forced, it still works, as well as the movie's 50s style condemination of science bringing about terrible monsters.
That final shot though almost screamed sequel, but I guess that never happened, which is too bad. I wouldn't have minded seeing another movie, one that built on this film's 70s style B-movie trappings. For a low budget film, the main cast was actually really good, too, although it took a while for me to actually give a damn about them. I guess that when it comes to horror movies the critique about lack of character development is often valid, although I don't particularly prize it considering how much I love the genre anyways.

PS: Damnit I had another thought, but I lost it. Oh well.

[Dukefrukem]

Anyone want to see a most impressive, deleted scene from event horizon?


http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s36/Dukefrukem/Movie%20%20Misc/event-horizon-deleted-scene-o.gif

[MadMan]

Part of the clip was seizure inducing. Still gotta see that movie, though.

Finally remembered what I was going to say about Let Sleeping Corpses Lie. Unlike, Rabid, which came out 3-4 years after wards, the authority figures in Corpses don't take the threat seriously and don't even believe there are zombies about. Which I found to be interesting, and more realistic although granted in Rabid, the outbreak became really obvious early on and numerous people were witnessing what was happening.

[Ivan Drago]

That. Was. AWESOME.

[megladon8]

Let Sleeping Corpses Lie is, in my opinion, one of the best zombie films ever. It ranks alongside Night of the Living Dead and the original Dawn of the Dead.

It's also the first zombie movie I've seen in years that effectively creeped me out.

[Spun Lepton]

I caught Let Sleeping Corpses Lie years ago on bootleg. It was hyped up soooo much that I was really disappointed. Now that it's on Netflix Instant, I should give it a second chance.

[Dukefrukem]

Part of the clip was seizure inducing. Still gotta see that movie, though.


You haven't seen Event Horizon? Do it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

You haven't seen Event Horizon? Do it.

Nah, not really necessary.

[megladon8]

I caught Let Sleeping Corpses Lie years ago on bootleg. It was hyped up soooo much that I was really disappointed. Now that it's on Netflix Instant, I should give it a second chance.


Who was it hyped up by?

I thought it was pretty much unheard of except for fans of White Zombie.

[Scar]

Nah, not really necessary.


Its.... ok. And, besides, 'ol Mad has 1.2 million movies on his need to watch list.

[MadMan]

Its.... ok. And, besides, 'ol Mad has 1.2 million movies on his need to watch list.More like 50 million, but yeah I'll get to Even Horizon, eventually.

As far as 70s zombie movies go, I'd take Rabid over ....Corpses. And of course Dawn of the Dead is the best of the bunch. Haven't seen Zombie, but I hear that one's awful.

[Spun Lepton]

More like 50 million, but yeah I'll get to Even Horizon, eventually.

As far as 70s zombie movies go, I'd take Rabid over ....Corpses. And of course Dawn of the Dead is the best of the bunch. Haven't seen Zombie, but I hear that one's awful.

Fucli's Zombie?! No way. It's pure cheesy awesomeness. It starts a little slow, but picks up when the zombies start trolling the island.

[Spun Lepton]

Who was it hyped up by?

I thought it was pretty much unheard of except for fans of White Zombie.

God, must I show my age? The alt.horror newsgroup, way back in the day. People there were loco over it. Alt.horror was also responsible for introducing me to the Italian horror masters, Bava, Argento, Fulci, Bava Jr., etc.

I purchased a whole pile of bootleg tapes through the then-relatively-unheard-of Internet. The tapes were a legal gray-area, since the uncensored versions of the movies had no distributors in the States at the time. Let Sleeping Corpses Lie was one of them, although my copy was titled, The Living Dead at the Manchester Morgue. I've often wondered if I'd gotten a censored copy, because it wasn't incredibly gory.

[Chac Mool]

What did everyone think about "The Cave"?

I expected little, but got some beautiful cave diving footage, surprisingly non-sucky acting, and decent creature design.

It's no "Descent", but it's not half bad.

[Dead & Messed Up]

What did everyone think about "The Cave"?

I expected little, but got some beautiful cave diving footage, surprisingly non-sucky acting, and decent creature design.

It's no "Descent", but it's not half bad.

That was my exact reaction. If one believes time is worth killing rather than seizing, one could do considerably worse than killing time with the flick.

[megladon8]

Duke - quite a long time ago you posted a trailer to an upcoming horror film that was almost like The Blair Witch Project meets Bigfoot.

Do you remember the one I'm talking about?

I cannot for the life of me remember the title of the movie, and I've been searching the thread but just cannot find it.

[Mr. Pink]

Duke - quite a long time ago you posted a trailer to an upcoming horror film that was almost like The Blair Witch Project meets Bigfoot.

Do you remember the one I'm talking about?

I cannot for the life of me remember the title of the movie, and I've been searching the thread but just cannot find it.

The Troll Hunter, right?

[megladon8]

The Troll Hunter, right?

No, this is an American one.

And it was (if I remember correctly) Bigfoot, or at least some kind of forest ape creature. It wasn't nearly as big as the trolls in Troll Hunter.

[Dukefrukem]

kMt8pNn7Ux0

[MadMan]

Hah, that was great. Makes me want a Trick 'r' Treat sequel, though. Sam is one of the more unique and awesome horror characters to come around for some time. Seasons Greetings is a good, nasty, wonderfully ironic short film featuring him, too.

[Dukefrukem]

He's apparently working on one.

[megladon8]

Duke - quite a long time ago you posted a trailer to an upcoming horror film that was almost like The Blair Witch Project meets Bigfoot.

Do you remember the one I'm talking about?

I cannot for the life of me remember the title of the movie, and I've been searching the thread but just cannot find it.


Duke? Care to chime in here?

Do you recall the movie I'm talking about?

[Dukefrukem]

Duke? Care to chime in here?

Do you recall the movie I'm talking about?

Totally missed your post (I guess it'snot that shocking since I have a bad habit of skimming previous posts and postings stuff that people post right above my posts...)... anyway

Yeh I believe it was called.. Troll Hunter

TLEo7H9tqSM

[megladon8]

No, that's not it.

It was an ape in the woods. Filmed like Blair Witch Project.

An indie American movie.

[Dukefrukem]

No, that's not it.

It was an ape in the woods. Filmed like Blair Witch Project.

An indie American movie.

Oooooooooo

http://www.evidencethefilm.com/

KuhC95fR1Yg

[megladon8]

Yes, that's it! Rep for you.

What the hell happened with that movie?

[Rowland]

So Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing is actually pretty nifty, considering its nonexistent reputation. I don't give his directorial chops enough credit, he can be a pretty solid filmmaker when firing on all cylinders.

[Spun Lepton]

So Wes Craven's Deadly Blessing is actually pretty nifty, considering its nonexistent reputation. I don't give his directorial chops enough credit, he can be a pretty solid filmmaker when firing on all cylinders.

So, once a decade.

[MadMan]

Craven's not a great director by any means, but I still enjoy many of his movies. The only one of his I won't touch with a ten foot pole though is Cursed, which looked and sounded awful. I'll take the critics word on that one.

[megladon8]

Craven's a hack and a half.

He's had like, two (maybe three) decent movies.

He's like King Midas for horror movies. Everything he touches turns to shit.

[D_Davis]

Craven's a hack and a half.

He's had like, two (maybe three) decent movies.

He's like King Midas for horror movies. Everything he touches turns to shit.

Last House on the Left
The Hills Have Eyes
Deadly Blessing
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Serpent and the Rainbow
New Nightmare
Scream
Red Eye

I like all of the above. Definitely not the work of a hack.

[megladon8]

Last House on the Left - one of the worst movies I've ever seen
The Hills Have Eyes - crap
Deadly Blessing - haven't seen
A Nightmare on Elm Street - brilliant
The Serpent and the Rainbow - very 'meh'; has not aged well at all
New Nightmare - see above
Scream - meh
Red Eye - crap

I like all of the above. Definitely not the work of a hack.


1 in 8 isn't a very good ratio.

[Scar]

Nightmare, New Nightmare, and Scream are great in my book.

[megladon8]

Nightmare, New Nightmare, and Scream are great in my book.


New Nightmare would be frickin' brilliant if it had:

a) better writing and dialogue
b) not had that annoying kid
c) more consistent pacing
d) NOT HAD THAT F***ING ANNOYING KID

[Scar]

You knockin' Miko?

They could've done far, far, far worse for a child actor.

[megladon8]

You knockin' Miko?

They could've done far, far, far worse for a child actor.


http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/358/jakelloyd2.jpg

[Kurosawa Fan]

You knockin' Miko?

They could've done far, far, far worse for a child actor.

I think he's one of the strengths of the film. For a child actor his age, I thought he was fantastic.

[megladon8]

I think he's one of the strengths of the film. For a child actor his age, I thought he was fantastic.


Are you for serious?

[Kurosawa Fan]

Are you for serious?

Absolutely. That's a very demanding role for someone under the age of ten. I thought he pulled it off very well. I've never understood the criticism he receives from horror fans.

[D_Davis]

1 in 8 isn't a very good ratio.

Last House on the Left
The Hills Have Eyes
Deadly Blessing
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The Serpent and the Rainbow
New Nightmare
Scream
Red Eye

I like all of the above. Definitely not the work of a hack.

[Spun Lepton]

Wes Craven movies that I admire:
A Nightmare on Elm Street
The People Under the Stairs
Scream

Wes Craven movies I tolerate:
New Nightmare
The Serpent and the Rainbow

Wes Craven movie that I actively HATE:
Last House on the Left

Wes Craven movie that I think he made while on crack:
Deadly Friend

Wes Craven movies that don't even land in my radar any more:
Everything else.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Nightmare, New Nightmare, and Scream are great in my book.

Yep, and I like a number of his other films.

A Nightmare on Elm Street
Scream
Wes Craven's New Nightmare
The People Under the Stairs
Scream 2
The Serpent and the Rainbow
Red Eye
Scream 3

Ones I didn't like:

Shocker
The Hills Have Eyes
The Last House on the Left

Clearly I've made an effort to avoid his more embarrassing films, but check it: I think I'm going to watch Swamp Thing tonight.

[Raiders]

Shocker is underrated. I really like Last House on the Left. I prefer New Nightmare to the original. The People Under the Stairs is mostly crap but its got some intriguing elements. Red Eye is expertly made.

Swamp Thing is irredeemably awful. Among the ten or fifteen worst films I have ever seen.

[Mr. Pink]

I thought his segment from Paris, Je T'Aime was easily the best of the bunch.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Shocker is underrated. I really like Last House on the Left. I prefer New Nightmare to the original. The People Under the Stairs is mostly crap but its got some intriguing elements. Red Eye is expertly made.

Swamp Thing is irredeemably awful. Among the ten or fifteen worst films I have ever seen.

Huh. I didn't think it awful. Mediocre, bland, dull, with occasional moments of grace or transcendent goofiness (especially in the final reel, with the Thing fighting one of the most hilariously un-threatening villains I've ever seen), and an overall spirit that appeals to my taste, since Craven's gunning for a Frankenstein's monster / Phantom of the Opera angle. Although I feel like that angle was handled substantially better in films like Darkman and Re-Animator.

[MadMan]

Last House on the Left-Very good
The Hills Have Eyes-I plan on seeing this hopefully soon
Deadly Blessing-Not sure what I will think of that one
A Nightmare on Elm Street-Very good
The Serpent and the Rainbow-Decent, and I enjoyed it
New Nightmare-Will get this after I go through the rest of the series in order
Scream-The best one I've viewed from him so far. Not to mention the rest of the series save for Scream 3, which was merely decent at best, is quite good.
Red Eye-I bet I'll like this one. A lot.

I saw most of Swamp Thing on TV once, and I don't even remember most of it aside from the ending with the whole battle sequence that was really campy.

[Scar]

Scream 2 was great as well, but Scream 3 makes Baby Jesus cry, especially the last act.

[MadMan]

Even though I've seen Scream 3 twice, I'm still unsure why the hell they had to change the overall mythology of the series quite a bit. It just didn't make much sense. Scream 3 had a lot of potential, but they took the parody/comedy aspect way too far, and I'm pretty sure that Craven and Willimson could have developed a much better story. Which is why I'm glad it actually took 11 years for them to make Scream 4, and it showed in the rather good finished product.

[Dukefrukem]

Paranormal Activity 3 (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/graveencounters/)

[Dukefrukem]

WHINk-ojfkM

[MadMan]

http://moonwolves.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/deathline3.jpg

Considering that both are considered cult classics, its really no surprise that a couple weeks back TCM showed Strange Behavior and Raw Meat back to back. Thanks to Rowland I heard of both, and I think both get the same rating. Now Raw Meat has some rather obvious allegorical references, and the movie could have gone a bit further with some of its political/social commentary. At the same time, that would detract from the fact that its a fairly solid, creepy film that smartly utilizes violence and gore that results in the audience getting moments that are rather shocking, and thus have an effect on the viewer.

Elements of the main cannibal's behavior almost reminded me of Texas Chainsaw Massacre, and thus I wonder if Tobe Hooper wasn't a bit influenced by this movie. Only one jump scare is even used, which is a good thing, especially since that moment actually freaked me out quite a bit. I loved how many scenes were not underscored by music, as the tunnels are rather creepy. The drip drip sounds and the echoing footsteps would be enough to drive anyone down there crazy, and I'm glad there isn't anything to ruin such moments.

Having also recently seen Let Sleeping Corpses Lie, with its keystone cops, I have to wonder if it was in fact 70s horror that established the eventual cliche of "The police are powerless to deal or handle some incredible evil they've never seen before." Donald Pleasance, who sadly later became type casted, gives his character a funny and grumpy persona that has a rather oddly calm manner, considering that he's dealing with a murderous underground dweller running amok. I'm not even sure why Christopher Lee is in this movie, as he only has one scene and doesn't even do much. Perhaps he was on contract for the studio, which was common in those days with many famous horror movie actors.

Despite some of its notable faults (I think the film could have been a bit scarier, and they could have pushed the envelope more), this is one is a hidden gem. I'm glad that Netflix had it on Instant Viewing, as the transfer looked good (although on full screen it was a bit blurry), and this movie is another reason to love 70s horror. Its a unique gem, original and worthy of note, and another reason why 70s horror is the best: the 80s would have turned this into a dumb slasher movie, and the 60s wouldn't have gone far enough. 82

[Raiders]

I know it's from 1982, but I kind of hope Rowland tries out The Dorm That Dripped Blood, 'cuz it was bloody terrible, but he may find the ineptitude rather charming (it does have a small faithful following too) and if anyone can find substance in this, I am betting it is him.

It's on Blu-ray fer crissakes.