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

[dreamdead]

Rewatched Cronenberg's The Fly. In some ways it's wonderful with how compact the storytelling is, just jumping right into Goldblum's scientist and Davis's attraction to his discovery and not laboring that relationship for half an hour, as most films today would. That said, some of their attraction skirts implausibility a little too much as it needs parsed just a bit more in spots. The initial love scene comes off without the pathos since their relationship isn't quite justified. Cronenberg's better in exploring the bodily repercussions of the pregnancy and Goldblum's gradual disintegration. The unease that's achieved in the dream sequence remains gutwrenching, and many of the effects still hold up remarkably, with only the final fly looking mechanical.

Overall, I probably overrated the film a bit when I first watched it, but it remains solid generally.

[Spun Lepton]

The Fly was one of Cronenberg's few attempts at mainstream cinema and I thought he did a fantastic job. Keep in mind, though, that I'm biased, since Videodrome is one of my favorite movies.

[Irish]

In some ways it's wonderful with how compact the storytelling is, just jumping right into Goldblum's scientist and Davis's attraction to his discovery and not laboring that relationship for half an hour, as most films today would. That said, some of their attraction skirts implausibility a little too much as it needs parsed just a bit more in spots. The initial love scene comes off without the pathos since their relationship isn't quite justified.

So wait, you liked the way the movie jumped into the romance, but didn't find that romance plausible?

I haven't seen it in awhile, but from memory, the first two-thirds of the movie are all about the leads. The last third is an over the top Cronenberg body horror fest. I didn't think the two parts really meshed together well, but it's still a good movie. (At least, the two parts are successful in and of themselves, even though they don't really form a cohesive whole).

Thinking about it now, it's probably one of the best of the 1980s. A rare remake that took its goofball subject seriously all the way through. It might be up there with Alien and The Thing in terms of effectiveness. I just wish it bridged the gap between nerd love and gross out a little better.

Of course ... it's no Videodrome, but then nothing is. Videodrome is in a class by itself. I just saw that for the first time about two months ago and good God ... What an incredible fucking movie. Paired it up with a first time viewing of Repo Man, which made for a world class weekend of movie watching.

[dreamdead]

So wait, you liked the way the movie jumped into the romance, but didn't find that romance plausible?

I haven't seen it in awhile, but from memory, the first two-thirds of the movie are all about the leads. The last third is an over the top Cronenberg body horror fest. I didn't think the two parts really meshed together well, but it's still a good movie. (At least, the two parts are successful in and of themselves, even though they don't really form a cohesive whole).

Thinking about it now, it's probably one of the best of the 1980s. A rare remake that took its goofball subject seriously all the way through. It might be up there with Alien and The Thing in terms of effectiveness. I just wish it bridged the gap between nerd love and gross out a little better.

Of course ... it's no Videodrome, but then nothing is. Videodrome is in a class by itself. I just saw that for the first time about two months ago and good God ... What an incredible fucking movie. Paired it up with a first time viewing of Repo Man, which made for a world class weekend of movie watching.

More that I liked how the story jumped into Goldblum's belief in his project and didn't belabor an initial discovery and process; similarly, the film's opening scene pairs Goldblum and Davis together at the scientific expo. It's a clever bit of concision and shorthand precisely because it skirts a more conventional opening thirty minutes of tracking these two separate narratives--instead, every arc of the film is contrasted against the ease with which these two characters bond. Yet, despite all that, Cronenberg is almost a little too eager to close the circle of attraction by having them sleep together on their second or third encounter with each other. While Goldblum's character likely can't do any better, Davis's is already seen struggling against a former beau and so the idea that she'd slide so easily into another quick relationship seems undeveloped.

I do treasure how seriously The Fly treats its themes. These are committed actors and committed direction throughout--and I agree that the last third feels less connected overall. The random arm-breaking in the bar, and the floozy who seems indifferent to that display of unnatural power (plus, no return to whether or not he could have impregnated her?), feels less connected, and the film relies more on action film tropes in the last third. Davis only pops up to tell Goldblum to stop after he's vomited bile on whathisface's hand and foot--said character recovering enough to slow the teleportation--Davis being initially unable to pull the trigger until she in fact does. It's a bit more cliche-ridden.

I prefer Dead Ringers , which explores similar themes but has a less transparent final act.

[megladon8]

Jen and I thought Trollhunter was great fun.

Incredibly well paced, and had some great, tense moments.

Hans (the hunter) was a charismatic and likable lead.

Fun movie.

[Dukefrukem]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AaaoMfbx0o#t=24

[Spun Lepton]

Jug Face is a pretty ambitious low-budget film that attempts the integrate the audience into a labyrinthian mythology by way of an insider. That in itself is a pretty tough sell, and they do it with a moderate amount of success. But the film seriously trips up any time THE PIT is shown or mentioned.

An isolated group of hillbillies worships a pit that can heal, but also requires an occasional sacrifice. There is some kind of conscious force living in (?) the pit that chooses who the sacrifices will be by sending visions to a mentally handicapped man who then create a clay jug face of the intented sacrifice. Phew. When Ada discovers she's the next jug face, she hides the jug. The pit is not happy, of course.

The pit itself is as mundane as mundane can get. It is quite literally a 6-foot-deep hole dug in the mud. The most unnerving thing it does is gurgle, and no heavily-filtered-overhead-spinning shot of the pit can change that. It could have been virtually anything else, still remained ultra-low budget, and had a stronger impact on the viewer. A hillbilly shrine in a shack. A malformed tree stump. Some kind of foreboding rock formation. I dunno. I'm just not sold on THE PIT because it seems so artificial. I also had to chuckle any time a character talked about THE PIT as if it were a holy being, e.g, "I swear on THE PIT, I ain't lyin'!" It sounds silly and undermines all suspense and tension and it's mentioned frequently enough to make me a little sad by the end.

On the upside, the acting was solid. I've learned that I'm much more open to Larry Fessenden the actor than I am to Larry Fessenden the writer/director. The script stumbled a few times, but the dialog sounded natural. The story is really nothing new and does occasionally veer into cliche -- which makes this doubly-frustrating when everything else is trying SO HARD to be original.

All in all, an interesting attempt at something extremely small yet ambitious, but not much more.

5/10

[MadMan]

Spun watches these modern horror movies that I never hear about until he reviews them here. Then I want to see them just so I can actually comment properly.

[Irish]

Wait, Jug gets 5/10 but Xtro got 6/10? Hmmm, what's up with that Lepton?

:P

[Dead & Messed Up]

More that I liked how the story jumped into Goldblum's belief in his project and didn't belabor an initial discovery and process; similarly, the film's opening scene pairs Goldblum and Davis together at the scientific expo. It's a clever bit of concision and shorthand precisely because it skirts a more conventional opening thirty minutes of tracking these two separate narratives--instead, every arc of the film is contrasted against the ease with which these two characters bond. Yet, despite all that, Cronenberg is almost a little too eager to close the circle of attraction by having them sleep together on their second or third encounter with each other. While Goldblum's character likely can't do any better, Davis's is already seen struggling against a former beau and so the idea that she'd slide so easily into another quick relationship seems undeveloped.

In her scene that leads to sex, Davis seems to be coy about the situation; there's little suggestion that it's love so much as a dalliance. I find it completely plausible, and I wonder if there's also a subcurrent of her jumping to another guy to increase her distance to Stathis. "I've moved on, look at this guy I've got now" and so on. That said, her interest in Seth seems genuine, if not full-blown by that point. I don't think it necessarily closes a circle.

Completely agree about the opening concision. It's clever how Brundle's essentially laying all the pipe the story needs and doing it to impress a girl. The opening is superficially about him demonstrating a world-changing invention but mostly about him trying to get a girl back to his place.


I do treasure how seriously The Fly treats its themes. These are committed actors and committed direction throughout--and I agree that the last third feels less connected overall. The random arm-breaking in the bar, and the floozy who seems indifferent to that display of unnatural power (plus, no return to whether or not he could have impregnated her?), feels less connected, and the film relies more on action film tropes in the last third. Davis only pops up to tell Goldblum to stop after he's vomited bile on whathisface's hand and foot--said character recovering enough to slow the teleportation--Davis being initially unable to pull the trigger until she in fact does. It's a bit more cliche-ridden.

I prefer Dead Ringers , which explores similar themes but has a less transparent final act.

That question about the floozy is a good one, re: possible pregnancy. The random arm-breaking doesn't seem incidental. In the first scene, he asserts to Ronnie that he's the best man in the room. She buys it and comes back with him. He's trying to once again prove that he's the best man in the room, but it's a pale imitation, him relying on animal strength instead of his personality, him contracting a drunk bimbo instead of a Geena Davis.

I agree that the climax offers a couple of cliches, but I think that the groundwork leading up to them makes them work really well and reminds us of why they're cliches to begin with. In particular, Stathis's slow transformation from a William Atherton sleaze into a truly sad and lonely man who really cares for Ronnie into a borderline heroic. Him saving the day feels completely earned. Her spontaneously jumping in is more contrived, for sure.

Davis pulling the plug, so to speak, feels like the only possible conclusion to the arc of the story. And her hesitation makes complete sense. When Brundleflypod puts the gun to his head, he's reminding her that there's still some Seth in that monstrosity. Of course that would make her hesitate. And I'm not terribly clear on how that's a cliche. How many films end with a woman hesitating before putting a shotgun to the man she loved?

[Spun Lepton]

Wait, Jug gets 5/10 but Xtro got 6/10? Hmmm, what's up with that Lepton?

:P

Xtro was 1980s exploitation. I grew up on that shit, so I'm biased.

[Rowland]

No, you're right. Jug is okay, Xtro is fantastic.

[Dukefrukem]

http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Infographic_6_20_14.jpg

[megladon8]

Goes to show why horror films are always in demand - it's a consistently safe bet that they will profit (and very well).

[Spun Lepton]

Low-budget genre pictures build studios.

[MadMan]

I was just thinking about how I love both comedies and horror films and yet each genre gets bashed a lot.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Goes to show why horror films are always in demand - it's a consistently safe bet that they will profit (and very well).

Yep. The sad converse of that is that literally everybody makes low-budget shitty horror films because they're such a safe bet, and it's up to the fans to sift through the mess.

Also, graphic must've been made before World War Z.

[megladon8]

Final Exam was wretched. Its reputation as some undervalued 80s Classic is dumbfounding.

Boring, incoherent, and features a scene played for laughs in such poor taste I was shocked.

[Irish]

http://vimeo.com/95303442

Uhhhhh .... New Rob Zombie shooting this fall?

[Spun Lepton]

Looks like the video was taken down, Irish.

[Irish]

Bummer. I just watched it like 20 minutes ago. Hm. Try here:

http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/76810/rob-zombie-confirms-31-halloween-set-original-horror-movie

Also, a poster:

http://i.imgur.com/w4Ig0Pb.jpg

[Spun Lepton]

Welp, looks like I'm watching Superbeasto tonight ...

[Irish]

Ha, right? It was one of the more interesting things in that teaser. Never saw footage of it until today.

[Skitch]

I just watched a recent Netflix add called Gothic. 80s cult flick about Lord Byron starring Gabriel Byrne and Julian Sands. I think it melted my brain.

[Spun Lepton]

I just watched a recent Netflix add called Gothic. 80s cult flick about Lord Byron starring Gabriel Byrne and Julian Sands. I think it melted my brain.

I rented that Back Inna Day and I remember wanting to punch somebody when it was over.

[MadMan]

I just watched a recent Netflix add called Gothic. 80s cult flick about Lord Byron starring Gabriel Byrne and Julian Sands. I think it melted my brain.Sounds awesome to me. I'll check it out.

[Dukefrukem]

Just in case anyone missed it

http://matchcut.artboiled.com/showthread.php?5507-Almost-Human-(Joe-Begos)

[Irish]

Stephen King mini series ranked, in the NY Observer:

http://observer.com/2014/06/stephen-king-miniseries-ranked/

[Dead & Messed Up]

Stephen King mini series ranked, in the NY Observer:

http://observer.com/2014/06/stephen-king-miniseries-ranked/

The guy hasn't watched 'em all, but he ranks them anyway? WTF?

If he bothered, he'd know that a few of them are actually good.

[Irish]

Huh?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Huh?

Golden Years: "???"
Rose Red: "Believed to be the worst of the King miniseries." (believed by whom?)
Sometimes They Come Back: "Apparently it wasn’t painfully bad." (why say that if you've seen it?)

The way he words the descriptions in general, including using the royal "we" and discussing 'salem's Lot the book instead of the Hooper mini-series, makes it sound like he didn't watch them all.

[MadMan]

Are the two mini-series adaptions of 'Salems Lot any good? I love the book dearly.

[Spun Lepton]

Are the two mini-series adaptions of 'Salems Lot any good? I love the book dearly.

Eh.

[MadMan]

Eh is never a good thing.

[Skitch]

I remember liking the Tobe Hooper Salems Lot a fair bit.

[Spun Lepton]

I remember liking the Tobe Hooper Salems Lot a fair bit.

How long ago did you see it last?

[Skitch]

How long ago did you see it last?

Quite a while, admittedly lol

[Spun Lepton]

Quite a while, admittedly lol

It terrified me as a kid. I watched it again as an adult and it's didn't quite hold up. Mind you, I think I may have watched an edited-down version of the original mini-series. I'm not sure the entire mini-series is available.

[Irish]

Anyone seen Wolf Creek 2 yet? Or planning on Deliver Us From Evil next week?

[megladon8]

Anyone seen Wolf Creek 2 yet? Or planning on Deliver Us From Evil next week?


I'm very anxious for Delivery Us From Evil. Scott Derrickson has shown some real talent in the horror genre.

Check out Hellraiser: Inferno. It was the first of the DTV Hellraiser flicks, but IMO is actually the second best film in the whole series (next to the original).

[Irish]

Check out Hellraiser: Inferno. It was the first of the DTV Hellraiser flicks, but IMO is actually the second best film in the whole series (next to the original).

Fuck, really? Never would have checked that out -- thanks for the tip.

(I love the original film, but stopped after the sequel. Too many people told me the bulk of the franchise kinda sorta sucked)

Edit: Feel the same way about Deliver Us. Can't keep my expectations from being high.

[Skitch]

It terrified me as a kid. I watched it again as an adult and it's didn't quite hold up. Mind you, I think I may have watched an edited-down version of the original mini-series. I'm not sure the entire mini-series is available.

My buddy had never seen it, so after reading the book, he watched both original and remake a couple weeks ago. He said the Tobe Hooper version was sweet. So I hold out hope. I cant for the life of me find my copy. Mustve traded it in.

[Irish]

Seen this?

The Nest -- a new, short film from David Cronenberg (NSFW!):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp8IU1PcThQ

[Spun Lepton]

Well ... that was frustrating. Seemed like it was going somewhere and then it went nowhere. Did I miss something?

[Scar]

I think I've got wolf Creek 2 available to watch. I might check it out after I work in the garage for a bit tomorrow.

[Irish]

Inferno was a lot of fun, but fuck you Meg because now I need to go back and rewatch the first two Hellraiser movies. ;)

[megladon8]

Inferno was a lot of fun, but fuck you Meg because now I need to go back and rewatch the first two Hellraiser movies. ;)

Yeah, I thought it was pretty impressive, especially considering its origins.

At this point Dimension wasn't actually hiring writers for Hellraiser flicks. They were just taking generic scripts and slapping Pinhead in them.

So couple that with its budget and DTV distribution, and I thought Derrickson did a pretty great job.

[Irish]

Yeah, I thought it was pretty impressive, especially considering its origins.

At this point Dimension wasn't actually hiring writers for Hellraiser flicks. They were just taking generic scripts and slapping Pinhead in them.

So couple that with its budget and DTV distribution, and I thought Derrickson did a pretty great job.

Likewise. I enjoyed how it incorporated the horror elements seamlessly. There was a decent story (and mystery) at play and the Cenobites fit right into it. Some rough edges, but the script had a lot of ambition and it was the perfect viewing for a Saturday night. I have to thank you for the rec.

(Also, I finally saw my "top 20" movie from your list last night and it was fucking amaaaaaaazing. Write up in your thread soon.)

[Irish]

Speaking of which, any readers of Clive Barker around? I'm browsing iBooks and considering either The Hellbound Heart or Imajica. What's good, what should I avoid?

[Grouchy]

Speaking of which, any readers of Clive Barker around? I'm browsing iBooks and considering either The Hellbound Heart or Imajica. What's good, what should I avoid?
I read Hellbound Heart. Can't say I disliked it, but I was a bit underwhelmed by it which is probably why I didn't follow up on it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Speaking of which, any readers of Clive Barker around? I'm browsing iBooks and considering either The Hellbound Heart or Imajica. What's good, what should I avoid?

I've read all the Books of Blood, The Damnation Game, and The Thief of Always. The latter two were decent, but Books of Blood is frankly one of the towering achievements of modern horror. I think D Davis is fond of Imajica.

[Irish]

I read Hellbound Heart. Can't say I disliked it, but I was a bit underwhelmed by it which is probably why I didn't follow up on it.

I've read all the Books of Blood, The Damnation Game, and The Thief of Always. The latter two were decent, but Books of Blood is frankly one of the towering achievements of modern horror. I think D Davis is fond of Imajica.

Grouch, who do you like better? I'm a noob when it comes to horror fiction outside of King and Poe.

Damu, can't thank you enough for the heads up. Books of Blood looks excellent. Interesting (and exciting to see) that a lot of movies were made from his shorts.

Anyway -- last 3 nights, 5 different indie stores. None of em had a horror section, and what books they carried were extremely limited. I understand that they lack space but man, otoh I don't get that at all. How do you run a bookshop and not carry names like Barker and King?!

I am now in the weird position of resenting these people for giving HUGE amounts of space to mysteries and true crime and remaindered junk. Meanwhile, they shove Richard Matheson and HP Lovecraft in with Science Fiction and Fantasy (wth?).

[Skitch]

Hey guys, finally getting Nightbreed restored director's cut. (http://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/nightbreed-the-directors-cut-coming-in-october-from-scream-factory-253) I've never seen the movie, but am well aware of the story behind it. Can't wait to give this a spin.

[Dukefrukem]

Hey guys, finally getting Nightbreed restored director's cut. (http://www.joblo.com/horror-movies/news/nightbreed-the-directors-cut-coming-in-october-from-scream-factory-253) I've never seen the movie, but am well aware of the story behind it. Can't wait to give this a spin.

One of the most underwhelming movies I've ever watched after insane hype.

Here is a remaster you should be excited for:

http://s3.amazonaws.com/criterion-production/release_boxshots/4263-b19526d80886549d802edcb4da93a4 f5/712_DF_box_348x490_original.jp g

[Grouchy]

Grouch, who do you like better? I'm a noob when it comes to horror fiction outside of King and Poe.
Well, I'm a huge King and Lovecraft fan. Poe too, of course.

Outside of that, I think I'm also a bit of a noob... I'd like to read some Ramsey Campbell at some point.

[Spun Lepton]

If you're looking for different authors, check out Robert R. McCammon. I don't know whether he's still writing, but he wrote a bunch of terrific horror novels in the mid-late 80s. The two I'd most strongly suggest are Swan Song and Stinger.

[Irish]

Outside of that, I think I'm also a bit of a noob... I'd like to read some Ramsey Campbell at some point.

Strange -- well, strange to me, I guess -- you're the second person to mention Ramsey Campbell to me in the last twenty-four hours. Never heard name before just now. I'm currently on the hunt for his novella "The Pretence."



If you're looking for different authors, check out Robert R. McCammon. I don't know whether he's still writing, but he wrote a bunch of terrific horror novels in the mid-late 80s. The two I'd most strongly suggest are Swan Song and Stinger.

Whoa, now this guy looks cool. Added. "Stinger" to my list. Thanks much for the rec; I never would have picked him up otherwise (holy shit, mass paperback cheesy covers).

[Spun Lepton]

If you're in the mood for off-the-wall insanity that's sorta-kinda horror-ish ... check out Joe R. Lansdale's The Drive-In (http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Drive-In-Joe-Lansdale/dp/098022604X/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2/184-1245826-0430464?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TPWQKDHGGJTJQZB246G).

[Irish]

If you're in the mood for off-the-wall insanity that's sorta-kinda horror-ish ... check out Joe R. Lansdale's The Drive-In (http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Drive-In-Joe-Lansdale/dp/098022604X/ref=pd_sim_sbs_b_2/184-1245826-0430464?ie=UTF8&refRID=0TPWQKDHGGJTJQZB246G).

Added! That one looks like fun. Thanks for the rec!

[Irish]

In other news, has anyone seen 13 Sins with Ron Perlman? Came out earlier this year. Someone just suggested it to me.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2059171/

[Irish]

Went to a store specializing in sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. Picked up Carrie, The Hellbound Heart and Books of Blood, plus a new collection from Ted Chiang.

They only had a couple of titles from Joe R Lansdale and Ramsey Campbell and that McCammon guy, but nothing anybody recommended to so I stayed away.

Got up to the register & the owner pulled Books of Blood out of the pile and held it up and said, "This is an amazing book." And then we had a short conversation about Barker's work (mostly one sided, as I'm largely ignorant in this area). Very fun.

I was going to finish Hellbound Heart first and the move on but goddamn if the first graf of the first story in Books of Blood isn't compelling. I really dig Barker's prose.

[megladon8]

Irish, I've been reading oodles of small press horror over the last year. I can give you some of the best titles I've found if you want?

[Irish]

Fuck yea, Meg! I'd love that, thanks!

[megladon8]

Fuck yea, Meg! I'd love that, thanks!

Well first off let me recommend the author Kealan Patrick Burke.

Freaking beautiful writing, an incredible command of the language. He writes beautiful horror stories.
He's also a stand up guy - I've chatted with him countless times. All he cares about is writing and his love for it. That is, he could probably have some big contract now, but he doesn't want it because he wants to write what he loves, which he knows won't sell.

I'll compile a list for you. We should find a title to read together sometime!

[Irish]

Well first off let me recommend the author Kealan Patrick Burke.

Any particular title to start with? (Browsing Amzn, Kin looks interesting …)


I'll compile a list for you. We should find a title to read together sometime!

Thanks, man! That sounds great -- and yeah, reading something together would be fun.

[Skitch]

Whats the consensus on Wolf Creek 2? I thought the first one was a steaming pile of meh but I've been talked into the second.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Oh, FYI Irish, some of the Books were given different names in the USA. Volume IV is The Inhuman Condition, V is In the Flesh, and VI is Cabal.

Just in case you cotton to it.

[Grouchy]

Strange -- well, strange to me, I guess -- you're the second person to mention Ramsey Campbell to me in the last twenty-four hours. Never heard name before just now. I'm currently on the hunt for his novella "The Pretence."
I saw two movies based on his books. Regardless of their quality as movies, they had some pretty original and dark premises.

[Rowland]

Whats the consensus on Wolf Creek 2? I thought the first one was a steaming pile of meh but I've been talked into the second.I'll probably check it out soon. The only consensus I've noticed is that fans of the original seem largely unified in considering it a disappointment, so if you didn't care much for the original, maybe you'll have the opposite reaction.

[Irish]

In other news, has anyone seen 13 Sins with Ron Perlman? Came out earlier this year. Someone just suggested it to me.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2059171/

Yeah, I've seen it. Did you like Cheap Thrills? Because this one has a similar premise. Of the two, I think 13 Sins is better, but just by a hair. Sins explores the premise more fully and has a darker, more subversive style of humor. Neither one is really worth seeking out, though.

[Irish]

Whats the consensus on Wolf Creek 2? I thought the first one was a steaming pile of meh but I've been talked into the second.

I'm waiting for Scar to come back with a report on that one. I loved the first one and am desperately afraid the sequel will be a let down (as they almost always are).

[Scar]

I'm waiting for Scar to come back with a report on that one. I loved the first one and am desperately afraid the sequel will be a let down (as they almost always are).
Sorry Irish, next week at the earliest. Spent the holiday up north, and all this week I'll be traveling for work and won't be home until next Sunday.

[Dukefrukem]

I didn't mean to post that in here.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Jack Arnold's Tarantula giant spider movie is not very good.

[Dukefrukem]

Ha

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jooler/List_of_films_by_gory_death_sc ene

[Rowland]

You know what isn't half bad? Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest. It's better than the lousy original, and it has effects work by Screaming Mad George!

[Dukefrukem]

It's always funny to me when sequels like that end up being better than the original. How many horror movies can say that? Hmm.

[MadMan]

I enjoy Chiller TV's lists that they post. A recent good one is their collection of horror anthologies: http://www.chillertv.com/friday13/13-great-horror-anthologies

[Irish]

Is anyone watching The Strain on F/X?

[Scar]

Number8 said it was craptacular. I think I read the first two books.

[Skitch]

I hated Cujo.

[Raiders]

I hated Cujo.

Really? It's not great, but in the pantheon of King adaptations, it is among the best. Nicely efficient and sufficiently nasty.

[Morris Schæffer]

Jack Arnold's Tarantula giant spider movie is not very good.

It messed me up when I accidentally watched it aged, oh, around 10-11.

[Skitch]

Really? It's not great, but in the pantheon of King adaptations, it is among the best. Nicely efficient and sufficiently nasty.

It just did nothing for me and I hated all the characters. Maybe if my first viewing had been before 2014 I'd be more forgiving.

[Irish]

Warning: Some goober is making a prequel to THE SHINING.

In the event that you hear prequel news, the best course is to place your hands over your ears, take cover under your desk, close your eyes and await further instruction.

That is all. Good luck! And may we all remain ignorant of this "movie" for a long time to come.

[megladon8]

Too quick to write it off. I'll wait to see how it all goes.

I've been caught off guard many-a-time by remakes, sequels and prequels that should have been terrible.

[Irish]

Toss out some titles? I can think of, maybe, one or two.

A Shining prequel just sounds ... So pointless.

[MadMan]

I don't really trust prequels these days. I blame George Lucas.

Also Cujo (1983) is freaky and near great. It made me scared of dogs and I love dogs.

Right now I'm watching The Stand miniseries on Netflix. Its cheesy and they were forced to cut out large parts of the book but the cast is great and I'm still entertained.

PS: 17,000th post. And it was used in this thread. Cool.

[Skitch]

A Shining prequel just sounds ... So pointless.
I would agree, but there is nothing to lose unless youre an investor. I do not believe other films affect a great film. If a sequel remake prequel sucks, meh, I have to original. Doesn't effect me one bit. And who knows, maybe its cool.

[Scar]

Watched some of Wolf Creek 2 today. The opening scene is full of wonderful tension, and later Mick is treated basically like a slasher villain. Fell asleep, but that wasn't a fault of the film, I was flat out exhausted. Should be able to revisit this weekend.

[megladon8]

Toss out some titles? I can think of, maybe, one or two.

A Shining prequel just sounds ... So pointless.


This time last year I would have said a Shining sequel was pointless, but "Doctor Sleep" turned out great.

Sequels/prequels/remakes that were great (off the top of my head, so it's all over the place):

Solaris (2002 / Soderbergh) - one of my all time favorites, and actually better than Tarkovsky's original.

28 Weeks Later (2007 / Fresnadillo) - better than Boyle's original; better cast, set pieces and thematics.

Fright Night (2011 / Gillespie) - seriously astounded by how good this was, when every instinct I had when it was announced was "stay away!". Farrell is phenomenal as Jerry, and it modernizes the original film's themes of male sexual awakening.

The Exorcist III (1990 / William Peter Blatty) - some (*cough*Raiders*cough*) see this as superior to the original. I don't go quite that far, but this is one underseen and undervalued horror flick if there ever was one. Seriously creepy, well acted, written and directed.

Halloween and H2 (2007 / 2009 / Rob Zombie) - it took me some time to warm up to Zombie's vision in the first, but the second is flat out awesome. Imaginative, stylish. I loved that he avoided the "typical" Halloween sequel formula, right down to the torn mask and bearded Michael. It's probably the most original thing to come out of the series since Carpenter's original.

Paranormal Activity 2 and 3 (2010 / 2011) - the first two sequels to the hit indie horror are surprisingly good. Introducing a few new tricks into the mix and developing actual lore for the Paranormal Activity universe, they were above being shameless cash-ins. It's more than I can say for the later sequels, but these first two were good stuff.

True Grit (2010 / Coen Bros.) - better than the original.


A couple of them are non-horror, but I tried to stay with mostly horror and fairly recent.

Many (if not all) of the above should have, for all intents and purposes, been terrible. But they were great!

[Irish]

@Skitch - Largely, I agree. But I do think there is something to lose. Sequels carry an opportunity cost, both for the people involved and the fans.

@Meg - My list would look a little different from yours. I don't have an issue with remakes as much as sequels. Sequels seem so creatively bankrupt. Prequels are mostly bullshit, the movie of last resort when the film's original ending doesn't allow for a direct sequel. I'm tired of producers of milkng increasingly outdated horror movies for material. I almost don't care if it's considered "good" by most. I mean, I got a kick out of The Evil Dead remake even though the movie itself is a trifle, totally forgettable, and largely meaningless. Culturally the entire genre seems permanently stuck in the 80s. That won't shift as long as fans keep flocking to see the same old same old over and over and over again.

Also, anything around The Shining has a whole different set of problems, but I guess that's another discussion.

PS -- guess I will also have to hunt down a copy of Exorcist III. You haven't steered me wrong yet!

@Scar - Holy shit, you're killing me over here dude!!!

[Dead & Messed Up]

I would agree, but there is nothing to lose unless youre an investor. I do not believe other films affect a great film. If a sequel remake prequel sucks, meh, I have to original. Doesn't effect me one bit. And who knows, maybe its cool.

Yeah, every time I'm ready to completely write off the broad subset of "uninspired" or "pointless" horror-derivatives, something like last year's Maniac comes along and surprises me.

[Scar]

Get a copy of Exorcist III. Its a good little flick, not in the same league as the original, but still good.

[Scar]

I'm a fan of Zombie's Halloween movies as well. Loved the first one immediately. The second one took a couple viewings for me to appreciate, but I like it more than the first.

[Scar]

Wolf Creek 2

A mixed bag of emotions / moods throughout the entire film. Two scenes stand out that are full of tension, while two scenes stand out as a tonal shift in the film where the music used treat the violence as light hearted. One had me just shaking my head, while the second resulted in a grin and a chuckle. Topped off with a tense dose of what some would call 'torture porn' near the end.

Its worth checking out.

Aweem away, aweem away, aweem away....

[Irish]

I assume one doesn't need to see Exorcist II (is there an Exorcist II? There must be) in order to understand III?

I liked Zombie's Halloween, more or less. The first forty five minutes were brilliant and feel most like a Zombie film. At least he tried to approach the material from a different angle and deliver a new interpretation. The rest of it is much less interesting because it rigidly follows a template laid down by Carpenter (and every subsequent slasher film). It struck me as another Rob Zombie thing that was heavy on promise but didn't quite live up to its potential.

@Scar - Nice! Thanks for the update. Compared to the original Wolf Creek, better or worse? Or more of the same? (I dunno why I'm hedging so much about this film, but I am).

[Scar]

Exorcist II is regarded as one of the worst sequels in the history of cinema. III does not acknowledge it.

The first Wolf Creek is a better movie, while the second is more violent.

Just watch the damn thing :p

[Irish]

Just watch the damn thing :p

:D

[Scar]

If I had to prioritize, I'd say watch Exorcist II first. The ending stinks of rewrites, but overall its a good flick.

[Irish]

Wait, you mean III, right? Or is there another reason it watch the worst sequel in the history of cinema?

[Scar]

Wait, you mean III, right? Or is there another reason it watch the worst sequel in the history of cinema?
Whoops, yeah #3.

I've been tempted to get bombed and watch two. Made it about fifteen minutes in sober.

[Irish]

Whoops, yeah #3.

Ok, cool. Thanks!


I've been tempted to get bombed and watch two. Made it about fifteen minutes in sober.

:lol:

[Scar]

And , to clarify further: Prioritize Exorcist 3 over Wolf Creek 2.

[Skitch]

I didn't care for WC2 all that much, but I liked it better than the first.

[MadMan]

The Witches (1966) was disappointing. I might be finally getting burned out on Hammer Films although perhaps its just me realizing that they were at their best when Fisher was at the reins.

[megladon8]

Oh! Another "this shouldn't have been this good" remake was The Crazies from a couple years back.

That one was great.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Oh! Another "this shouldn't have been this good" remake was The Crazies from a couple years back.

That one was great.

Yeah. I mean, it wasn't great, but it was solid, and I thought it improved on Romero's literally scattershot original. That car wash scene was a hoot, and Joe Anderson did great work as the slow-turning sheriff.

[MadMan]

You mean slow turning deputy :P

And The Crazies remake was almost near great. I'm glad I saw it in theaters.

[Dukefrukem]

This time last year I would have said a Shining sequel was pointless, but "Doctor Sleep" turned out great.

Sequels/prequels/remakes that were great (off the top of my head, so it's all over the place):

Solaris (2002 / Soderbergh) - one of my all time favorites, and actually better than Tarkovsky's original.

28 Weeks Later (2007 / Fresnadillo) - better than Boyle's original; better cast, set pieces and thematics.

Fright Night (2011 / Gillespie) - seriously astounded by how good this was, when every instinct I had when it was announced was "stay away!". Farrell is phenomenal as Jerry, and it modernizes the original film's themes of male sexual awakening.

The Exorcist III (1990 / William Peter Blatty) - some (*cough*Raiders*cough*) see this as superior to the original. I don't go quite that far, but this is one underseen and undervalued horror flick if there ever was one. Seriously creepy, well acted, written and directed.

Halloween and H2 (2007 / 2009 / Rob Zombie) - it took me some time to warm up to Zombie's vision in the first, but the second is flat out awesome. Imaginative, stylish. I loved that he avoided the "typical" Halloween sequel formula, right down to the torn mask and bearded Michael. It's probably the most original thing to come out of the series since Carpenter's original.

Paranormal Activity 2 and 3 (2010 / 2011) - the first two sequels to the hit indie horror are surprisingly good. Introducing a few new tricks into the mix and developing actual lore for the Paranormal Activity universe, they were above being shameless cash-ins. It's more than I can say for the later sequels, but these first two were good stuff.

True Grit (2010 / Coen Bros.) - better than the original.


A couple of them are non-horror, but I tried to stay with mostly horror and fairly recent.

Many (if not all) of the above should have, for all intents and purposes, been terrible. But they were great!

The only thing I disagree with above is the 28 Weeks is better than 28 Days. (Aside from a fantastic opening sequence)

[Skitch]

Has anyone watched The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh? I've got 15 minutes left and its crawled so far under my skin I'm gonna have to watch a Disney cartoon to make my goosebumps settle. So far its an excellent gem in the rough. Amazing use of limited resources. I hope they dont blow the ending.

[Rowland]

Has anyone watched The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh? I've got 15 minutes left and its crawled so far under my skin I'm gonna have to watch a Disney cartoon to make my goosebumps settle. So far its an excellent gem in the rough. Amazing use of limited resources. I hope they dont blow the ending.I was on the fence about it, ultimately leaning backwards because of reasons I don't remember very well besides the art direction looking too busy and fussy, the lame CGI that feels like it belongs to a different film, and something about the ending.

[D_Davis]

Get a copy of Exorcist III. Its a good little flick, not in the same league as the original, but still good.

I'd love to see Blatty's original cut, but it sadly doesn't exist in any form.

Such a shame.

[D_Davis]

Romero has two movies that are better in remake form:

The Crazies and Dawn of the Dead.

[Spun Lepton]

Romero has two movies that are better in remake form:

Dawn of the Dead.

:evil:

[megladon8]

Deadly Eyes was bad, but I giggled every time I saw the giant rats (which were wiener dogs dressed up in rat costumes). They were adorable instead of terrifying.

It was also painful watching the interview with Lisa Langlois included on the DVD. She's kind of delusional about the importance of her own career, and while she smiles and laughs about it, it's readily apparent that she's still very bitter about losing the role of Sarah Connor.

[Dukefrukem]

:evil:

I dont like to admit it either but it's much better than the original.

[Spun Lepton]

I dont like to admit it either but it's much better than the original.

Maybe in Bizarro World ...

[megladon8]

They both have their merits. I prefer the pace and crazy stylistics of the original, but the remake is certainly good.

[Skitch]

I dont like to admit it either but it's much better than the original.
Agreed. Besides, Day is the best of the original three.

[Scar]

I'll agree on Day being the best of the original three. I always get drawn back to it.

[Irish]

Gentleman, let's get down to brass tacks:

- The first ten minutes of the Dawn remake are amazing. The rest .. Not so much. It's Zack Snyder, FFS!
- The Crazies remake is good, but c'mon. It's The Crazies. That was already a low bar.
- The last 30 minutes of Day are amazing. The rest ... Not so much.

I will continue to believe that Romero gets waaaaaaay to much credit as a filmmaker. Night and Dawn feel like flukes compared to the rest of his stuff.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The Dawn remake is more than acceptable, especially the director's cut, but I so much prefer the original. I continue to dislike Day. Romero had a brief burst of genius with the (sort-of) one-two-three of Night, Martin, and Dawn. Oh yeah, and Knightriders and Creepshow are pretty rad too. And I enjoy Land. I would never make the argument that he's a well-rounded filmmaker (and he's inarguably gotten worse, as most directors do), but I adore the fuck-the-man indie energy of his early films.

[MadMan]

I love Romero and his work. Still need to see Knightriders and Land.

Also this week I'm beginning to finalize my Horrorfest 2014 list. So far I've settled on film franchises as my theme for this year. Instant Viewing has some quality choices that I haven't seen yet either. I doubt I'm going to be watching as many as I did last year though.

[Dukefrukem]

We should start by breaking down the FACT that Night, is the best of the trilogy before moving forward.

[Peng]

I prefer the Dawn remake too, but I need to give the original a rewatch. I liked its themes and story, but the execution feels weird and scare-free.

Night is among my favorite movies.

[Raiders]

I will continue to believe that Romero gets waaaaaaay to much credit as a filmmaker. Night and Dawn feel like flukes compared to the rest of his stuff.

Have you seen Martin? Easily bests any of the Dead films. Actually really like Knightriders too. Overlooked gem, that one.

Then again, I love both Day and Land of the Dead as well. I think he's a very smart filmmaker who sometimes likes the wrong idea way too much.

[Spun Lepton]

http://i.imgur.com/WOmOfwY.gif

[Irish]

Have you seen Martin? Easily bests any of the Dead films. Actually really like Knightriders too. Overlooked gem, that one.

I haven't, but I will check Martin out. Agree on Knights. While it's not overlooked, I also love Creepshow.

I'm not the fan of Land that you are. My beef with Romero is that he tends to toss out a great ideas and then do almost nothing with them (eg: Bub in Day). Land felt that way in spades. Lots going on, but the action felt limp and the picture flat. Unlike his other zombi pics, he really shoved the social comment in the audiences' face. It was like a Carpenter movie without the wit or inventiveness or subversive humor.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I prefer the Dawn remake too, but I need to give the original a rewatch. I liked its themes and story, but the execution feels weird and scare-free.

Night is among my favorite movies.

Oh hey.

[MadMan]

Match-cut is getting some new blood lately. Awesome.

Oh and Night is slightly better than Day.

[Dukefrukem]

http://cdn.bloody-disgusting.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/leprechaun-origins_reveal-image-clean.jpg

[Peng]

Oh hey.

hey.

[Irish]

Sam Raimi announced the creation of an Evil Dead tv show today, starring Bruce Campbell:

http://rue-morgue.com/2014/07/sdcc-breaking-news-sam-raimi-announces-the-last-of-us-film-evil-dead-tv/

[Dukefrukem]

WTF?

[Irish]

That was my reaction too.

I dunno how they're gonna do it week over week. Ash seems like the kinda character where a little goes a long way.

[Dukefrukem]

Why wait so long too? Bruce isn't exactly that young anymore.

[D_Davis]

I can't even remember the last time I cared about a new Sam Raimi project.

[D_Davis]

Can we all agree that Land of the Dead is one of the worst films ever made?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Can we all agree that Land of the Dead is one of the worst films ever made?

No.

[Irish]

Can we all agree that Land of the Dead is one of the worst films ever made?

"Aye"
"Seconded"
"The ayes have it. Land of the Dead is now officially the worst film ever made, according to Match Cut."

Smack the gavel, D, and make it official.

Kinda want to hear back from Raiders so he can tell us what he found so compelling about it

[Spun Lepton]

I think I've repeated my opinions on Romero enough in my life. I'm starting to get tired of it.

Dawn of the Dead was the movie that got me interested in horror. Therefore, I love it better than the others in the series. Night, Dawn, and Day are all worthwhile and I've seen each two-dozen times. Creepshow also holds a special place just because it's so unique, fun, funny, and inventive. Land is a lesser entry in the series, but it's watchable and it has some fun moments.

Much of Romero's work is, sadly, sub-par. Bruiser springs to mind. And those last two Dead movies, Diary and Survival are awful. Or so I've heard about Diary. I haven't seen it. Survival was awful.

I've been thinking about revisiting his late-80s stuff. I remember Monkey Shines being all right, but it's been too long to say for sure. I remember being unimpressed by The Dark Half. Romero's half of Two Evil Eyes is the better half, too.

And I still have yet to finish Martin. It seems events continue to conspire against me seeing it. I've rented it a few times w/o success. One day ... maybe.

[MadMan]

I liked Diary but Survival was decent at best.

[Dukefrukem]

Diary was tolerable but borderline miserable. Survival is his worst by far. Land I can watch because I like the journey. I also like Simon Baker- he makes it worth watching. The zombies doing human things I ignore mostly. It's really a human film with zombies in the background.

So let the MC ranking system work.

Night > Dawn >>> Day > Land >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Diary>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Survival.

So yes, each film he makes gets progressively worse and worse. Diary would probably have got more attention if it didn't come out after Cloverfield even though (I believe) production of Diary started before production of Cloverfield.

[Skitch]

Land is an interesting anomaly, but I quite Romero Dead films after that.

[Peng]

Night >>> Day>> Dawn >= Land

Never get the praise for Martin. Unless the extremely amateurish quality of everything (except the ok script) is the point?

[Raiders]

Never get the praise for Martin. Unless the extremely amateurish quality of everything (except the ok script) is the point?

Um, no? In what way is it more amateurish than say, Night of the Living Dead?

I will say that compared to pretty much all of Romero's other films, it isn't really much of a horror film. More of a sad, awkward drama with some clumsy and macabre vampirism. Martin is more of a confused, tortured serial rapist who conflates his own situation with the "romanticized" black-and-white classic vampire lore.

[MadMan]

My old review of Martin, which at one point cracked my Top 20 Horror Films List on Jumpscare/The Axis:

http://www.liveforfilms.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/martin3.jpg

Really this film is vastly underrated, and is overshadowed by Romero's more well know, although better, first three "Dead" films. I also think this movie contains many notable themes and is perhaps the most unique vampire movie ever. We don't get a conventional vampire tale here, not only because its Romero at the helm but also due to the fact that Martin really isn't a vampire. He sure acts like one, drinking blood (using a razor to retrieve his precious liquid), and wandering through life aimlessly. If anything Martin really is just a confused and alienated teen, separated from a world that doesn't understand him and pretty much detached from reality.

So its his misfortunate to fall into the clutches of his religious fanatic cousin, a man who has no knowledge of psychology and who is instantly hateful and distrustful of Martin, refusing to offer him help. Amongst the crumbling ruins of Pittsburgh a strange tale unfolds, as Romero uses the city's urban decay to reflect the mental and moral decay that dwells within the film's title character, resulting in someone who should really be in a mental institute instead of being allowed to roam the city's streets.

Despite the fact that I could see the film's tragic ending coming a mile away, I was fascinated deeply by this film. Especially since at the time I was just a sophomore in college, about to transfer to a four year school and uncertain about my future. I still really am, and thus "Martin" sort of speaks to me-I can sort of emphasize with his search for meaning in life, even if (of course) I don't share his blood thirst. Also I really dig the film's surreal black and white flashbacks, which only feed into the theme of Martin's fragile grasp on truth, and what is false and tangibly real.

[Rowland]

Survival wasn't very conventionally good, but I found it charming, whereas Diary was just lousy... or at least so I thought at the time. Who knows, a revisit might change my mind, people change.

Of the Romero films I haven't seen, I'm most interested in Monkey Shines, Knightriders, and The Crazies. Season of the Witch/Jack's Wife/Hungry Wives is his most undervalued.


Romero's half of Two Evil Eyes is the better half, too.http://onemansblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/inconceivable.jpg

[MadMan]

Look Romero's The Crazies is solid/good, but the remake is better in many ways.

[Irish]

By curious coincidence, Spun, Scream Factory is about to release a bunch of Romero's stuff on blu-ray, including Monkey Shines.

[Skitch]

By curious coincidence, Spun, Scream Factory is about to release a bunch of Romero's stuff on blu-ray, including Monkey Shines.
New Years Evil too!

[Spun Lepton]

By curious coincidence, Spun, Scream Factory is about to release a bunch of Romero's stuff on blu-ray, including Monkey Shines.

:D

[Spun Lepton]

Look Romero's The Crazies is solid/good, but the remake is better in many ways.

Oh, I suppose I didn't mention my take on this. Romero's The Crazies = dull and plodding. Remake = exciting and well-made.

[Spun Lepton]

Survival wasn't very conventionally good, but I found it charming, whereas Diary was just lousy... or at least so I thought at the time. Who knows, a revisit might change my mind, people change.

Of the Romero films I haven't seen, I'm most interested in Monkey Shines, Knightriders, and The Crazies. Season of the Witch/Jack's Wife/Hungry Wives is his most undervalued.

http://onemansblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/inconceivable.jpg

The mere fact that I can remember the ending to his story quite vividly, while completely forgetting the entirety of Argento's is telling, I think.

[megladon8]

I've pre-ordered almost every Scream Factory release coming out over the next 3 months.

These guys are amazing.

[D_Davis]

Are they like the new Anchor Bay of the early '00s?

[Dukefrukem]

HEre are the next few releases.

86. Lake Placid July 8, 2014
87 Deadly Eyes July 15, 2014
88 Ginger Snaps July 22, 2014
89 Phantom of the Paradise August 5, 2014
90 Without Warning August 5, 2014
91 Motel Hell August 12, 2014
92 Leviathan August 19, 2014
93 The Legend of Hell House August 26, 2014
94 Pumpkinhead September 9, 2014
95 The Battery September 16, 2014
96 Halloween All being released on September 23, 2014
97 Halloween II
98 Halloween III: Season of the Witch
99 Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers
100 Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers
101 Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers
102 Halloween H20: 20 Years Later
103 Halloween: Resurrection
104 Halloween
105 Halloween II
106 Nightbreed: The Director's Cut September 30, 2014
107 Hemlock Grove: The Complete First Season October 7, 2014
108 Tales from the Crypt October 14, 2014
109 Vault of Horror -N/A
110 Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings October 21, 2014
111 The Squad October 21, 2014

[megladon8]

Are they like the new Anchor Bay of the early '00s?

Pretty much. Beautiful transfers, great extras, awesome packaging.

I love that most if the covers are reversible - you can have the new artwork, or flip it and your BluRay cover is now the original poster.

[Irish]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9VfvUVrlgs

Carpenter, Cronenberg, Landis. Interviewed by Mick Garris, circa 1982.

[Rowland]

108 Tales from the Crypt October 14, 2014
109 Vault of Horror -N/ATwo of my favorite horror anthologies, packaged together. Oh yes, it WILL be mine. I hope they eventually release From Beyond the Grave.

[Spun Lepton]

I will watch that Nightbreed Director's Cut. I saw that in the theater and even then I knew it had been edited all to hell.

[Irish]

Opinions on Stakeland?

[Spun Lepton]

Opinions on Stakeland?

Didn't like it. Suffered from Moronic Character Syndrome.

[Rowland]

Opinions on Stakeland?I thought it was pretty bad, but I'd be willing to give it another go after really liking Mickle's following film, We Are What We Are. I recall the lead being a charisma vacuum burdened with broodingly existential narration that he couldn't sell, lost within a sea of broadly and unconvincingly sketched post-apocalyptic cliches. Most of all, I remember rolling my eyes a lot, thinking that it was just really lame. The long take with the helicopter was a genuinely successful moment however, and some of the effects work and atmosphere keep it watchable.

[MadMan]

My review: http://wp.me/pRBID-1rQ

[Irish]

Shoulda listened to you guys. I struggled to get through that. Only stuck with it because, after We Are What We Are and Cold in July, I trusted Mickle.

But this movie is just a slog. Rowland was right on with everything he said. It's like they wanted to do an action horror thing and lacked the budget. The staging of all the mini-set pieces is just terrible. The story is unimaginative. The characters thinly drawn. The VO tries to cover up gaps in the plot, and communicates things we should be seeing on screen, not hearing on the soundtrack. Awful.

[Dukefrukem]

Opinions on Stakeland?

I liked it enough to buy it. The ending is a bit mushy but overall I love the tone.

I think we had a thread for it here somewhere.

[Irish]

I liked it enough to buy it. The ending is a bit mushy but overall I love the tone.

What about it hit for you?

[Dukefrukem]

What about it hit for you?

Well we hadn't seen very many modern vampire movies when this came out. Daybreakers was another I kinda liked.

My thoughts in the thread (http://matchcut.artboiled.com/showthread.php?3460-Stake-Land&p=365819&viewfull=1#post365819).


I liked this. I agree with Rowland's point that it does not work as a horror too well but it's more of a journey on the same page as Monsters was- with more character interaction, more action and more at stake (pun intended). The archetype drama is done poorly, but it's not really about the obvious climax in the end, and more about Martin which ties the opening monologue with a relativity satisfying conclusion. I love this shot too.

[Irish]

Gotcha. I think it makes for tough viewing now. This movie came out a year after The Road and the same year that The Walking Dead debuted. It feels redundant and unnecessary, especially as it has no new angles on the material. (One of the more curious aspects were the "vampires," who more or less functioned as Crazies/Zombies/Ragers).

Although: I do think it's interesting that all three of Mickle's movies center around family, family relationships, and the very idea of family.

[MadMan]

Well I'm now that guy who loved Zombie (1979). Its not better than Dawn (78) but I dug the ending and I liked the mix of nightmares and gore.

[Spun Lepton]

I love Fulci's Zombie. It's probably Fulci's most solid production from that era.

[MadMan]

One of my favorite moments in the film was when the shark and the zombie fought. Only Fulci could get away with a scene that is utterly ridiculous yet also highly entertaining.

My planned Horrorfest 2014 complete list (I've already viewed the first two):

1. Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci)-Zombies
2. Phantasm II (1988, Don Coscarell)-Supernatural
3. A Field In England (2013, Ben Wheatley)-Crazy People

Netflix Instant Viewing Films:

1. Phantoms (1998, Joe Chappelle)-Creature Feature
2. The Ninth Gate (1999, Roman Polanski)-Satanic
3. Red State (2011, Kevin Smith)-Rednecks
4. Sharknado (2013, Anthony C. Ferrante)-Creature Feature
5. V/H/S/2 (2013, Simon Barrett, Jason Eisener, Gareth Evans, Gregg Hale, Eduardo Sanchez, Timo Tjahjanto, Adam Wingard)-Anthology
6. Ravenous (1999, Antonia Bird)-Crazy People
7. Below (2002, David Twohy)-Ghosts
8. Wishmaster (1997, Robert Kurtzman)-Supernatural
9. Grabbers (2012, Jon Wright)-Aliens
10. Candyman (1992, Bernard Rose)-Slasher
11. The Keep (1983, Michael Mann)-Supernatural
12. Humanoids From The Deep (1980, Barbara Peeters)-Creature Feature
13. Black Sabbath (1964, Mario Bava)-Anthology
14. Visiting Hours (1982, Jean-Calude Lord)-Slasher
15. Dust Devil (1992, Richard Stanley)-Slasher
16. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920, John S. Robertson)-Creature Feature
17. Night of the Living Dead (1990, Tom Savini)-Instant Viewing-Zombies
18. Event Horizon (1997, Paul W.S. Anderson)-Instant Viewing-WTF

The Franchises:

Listed are only ones that I have not seen yet. I might think of more later. I’ve viewed most of the Halloween series and all of the Friday the 13th films so they will not be featured.

1. A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989, Stephen Hopkins)
2. Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991, Rachel Talalay)
3. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994, Wes Craven)
4. Child’s Play (1988, Tom Holland)
5. Child’s Play 2 (1990, John Lafia)
6. Child’s Play 3 (1991, Jack Bender)
7. Bride of Chucky (1998, Ronny Yu)
8. Seed of Chucky (2004, Don Mancini)
9. Curse of Chucky (2013, Don Mancini)
10. Halloween: Resurrection (2002, Rick Rosenthal)
11. Psycho II (1983, Richard Franklin)
12. Psycho III (1986, Anthony Perkins)
13. Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990, Mick Garris)
14. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986, Tobe Hooper)
15. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990, Jeff Burr)
16. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994, Kim Henkel)
17. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003, Marcus Nispel)
18. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013, John Luessenhop)
19. Critters 3 (1991, Kristine Peterson)
20. Critters 4 (1992, Rupert Harvey)

[Spun Lepton]

*cracks knuckles*

1. Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci)-Zombies -- 7/10
2. Phantasm II (1988, Don Coscarell)-Supernatural -- 6/10
3. A Field In England (2013, Ben Wheatley)-Crazy People -- n/a

Netflix Instant Viewing Films:

1. Phantoms (1998, Joe Chappelle)-Creature Feature -- 1/10 (you will regret this)
2. The Ninth Gate (1999, Roman Polanski)-Satanic -- 5/10
3. Red State (2011, Kevin Smith)-Rednecks -- 7/10
4. Sharknado (2013, Anthony C. Ferrante)-Creature Feature -- 4/10
5. V/H/S/2 (2013, Simon Barrett, Jason Eisener, Gareth Evans, Gregg Hale, Eduardo Sanchez, Timo Tjahjanto, Adam Wingard)-Anthology -- 7/10
6. Ravenous (1999, Antonia Bird)-Crazy People -- 8/10
7. Below (2002, David Twohy)-Ghosts -- 7/10
8. Wishmaster (1997, Robert Kurtzman)-Supernatural 4/10
9. Grabbers (2012, Jon Wright)-Aliens -- 7/10
10. Candyman (1992, Bernard Rose)-Slasher -- 7/10
11. The Keep (1983, Michael Mann)-Supernatural -- 4/10
12. Humanoids From The Deep (1980, Barbara Peeters)-Creature Feature -- 5/10 (a bad-enough-to-be-entertaining rating)
13. Black Sabbath (1964, Mario Bava)-Anthology -- 7/10
14. Visiting Hours (1982, Jean-Calude Lord)-Slasher -- n/a
15. Dust Devil (1992, Richard Stanley)-Slasher -- 3/10 (been a long time)
16. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920, John S. Robertson)-Creature Feature -- n/a :|
17. Night of the Living Dead (1990, Tom Savini)-Instant Viewing-Zombies -- 7/10
18. Event Horizon (1997, Paul W.S. Anderson)-Instant Viewing-WTF -- 5/10

The Franchises:

Listed are only ones that I have not seen yet. I might think of more later. I’ve viewed most of the Halloween series and all of the Friday the 13th films so they will not be featured.

1. A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989, Stephen Hopkins) -- 3/10
2. Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991, Rachel Talalay) -- 3/10
3. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994, Wes Craven) -- 7/10
4. Child’s Play (1988, Tom Holland) -- 7/10
5. Child’s Play 2 (1990, John Lafia) -- 5/10
6. Child’s Play 3 (1991, Jack Bender) -- n/a
7. Bride of Chucky (1998, Ronny Yu) -- 6/10
8. Seed of Chucky (2004, Don Mancini) -- 3/10
9. Curse of Chucky (2013, Don Mancini) -- n/a
10. Halloween: Resurrection (2002, Rick Rosenthal) -- n/a
11. Psycho II (1983, Richard Franklin) -- 6/10 (been a long time)
12. Psycho III (1986, Anthony Perkins) -- n/a
13. Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990, Mick Garris) -- n/a, but if it's Garris, it won't be good
14. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986, Tobe Hooper) -- 8/10 (best movie on this list!!)
15. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990, Jeff Burr) -- n/a
16. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994, Kim Henkel) -- n/a
17. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003, Marcus Nispel) -- n/a
18. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013, John Luessenhop) -- n/a
19. Critters 3 (1991, Kristine Peterson) -- n/a
20. Critters 4 (1992, Rupert Harvey) -- n/a

[Spun Lepton]

Now you got me wanting to quote Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and from where I sit there just ain't enough damn dogs!"

"Small businessman always, always, always gets it in the ass."

[Skitch]

I guess I have to counterpoint Spun on a few...:)

1. Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci)-Zombies - 8/10

Netflix Instant Viewing Films:

1. Phantoms (1998, Joe Chappelle)-Creature Feature - 7/10 really fun ideas on a meager budget
2. The Ninth Gate (1999, Roman Polanski)-Satanic - 10/10 Polanski's best imo
3. Red State (2011, Kevin Smith)-Rednecks - 7/10
5. V/H/S/2 (2013,) - 7/10 some hit big, some miss
6. Ravenous (1999, Antonia Bird)-Crazy People - 8/10 great score
7. Below (2002, David Twohy)-Ghosts - 7.5/10 great atmosphere
8. Wishmaster (1997, Robert Kurtzman)-Supernatural - 5/10 bizarro
9. Grabbers (2012, Jon Wright)-Aliens - 7/10 totally fun
11. The Keep (1983, Michael Mann)-Supernatural - 7/10 looooove weirdo 80s movies
17. Night of the Living Dead (1990, Tom Savini)-Instant Viewing-Zombies - 5.5/10 its soooo 1990
18. Event Horizon (1997, Paul W.S. Anderson)-Instant Viewing-WTF - 7.5/10 still hope to see his DC someday

[Dead & Messed Up]

1. Zombie (1979, Lucio Fulci) - C
2. Phantasm II (1988, Don Coscarell) - B-
3. A Field In England (2013, Ben Wheatley) - C

Netflix Instant Viewing Films:

1. Phantoms (1998, Joe Chappelle) - C-
2. The Ninth Gate (1999, Roman Polanski) - never seen
3. Red State (2011, Kevin Smith) - B
4. Sharknado (2013, Anthony C. Ferrante) - D+
5. V/H/S/2 (2013, many) - B+ (B-, C, B, A+, B-)
6. Ravenous (1999, Antonia Bird) - never seen
7. Below (2002, David Twohy) - B
8. Wishmaster (1997, Robert Kurtzman) - never seen
9. Grabbers (2012, Jon Wright) - B
10. Candyman (1992, Bernard Rose) - B+
11. The Keep (1983, Michael Mann)-Supernatural - C-
12. Humanoids From The Deep (1980, Barbara Peeters) - never seen
13. Black Sabbath (1964, Mario Bava) - B+
14. Visiting Hours (1982, Jean-Calude Lord) - never seen
15. Dust Devil (1992, Richard Stanley) - never seen
16. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920, John S. Robertson) - B-
17. Night of the Living Dead (1990, Tom Savini) - C-
18. Event Horizon (1997, Paul W.S. Anderson) - C-

The Franchises:

1. A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child (1989, Stephen Hopkins) - never bothered.
2. Freddy’s Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991, Rachel Talalay) - never bothered.
3. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994, Wes Craven) - B+
4. Child’s Play (1988, Tom Holland) - B
5. Child’s Play 2 (1990, John Lafia) - C+
6. Child’s Play 3 (1991, Jack Bender) - C-
7. Bride of Chucky (1998, Ronny Yu) - C+
8. Seed of Chucky (2004, Don Mancini) - never bothered.
9. Curse of Chucky (2013, Don Mancini) - never bothered.
10. Halloween: Resurrection (2002, Rick Rosenthal) - D+
11. Psycho II (1983, Richard Franklin) - never bothered.
12. Psycho III (1986, Anthony Perkins) - never bothered.
13. Psycho IV: The Beginning (1990, Mick Garris) - never bothered.
14. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986, Tobe Hooper) - C-
15. Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990, Jeff Burr) - never bothered.
16. Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994, Kim Henkel) - never bothered.
17. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003, Marcus Nispel) - D+
18. Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013, John Luessenhop) - never bothered.
19. Critters 3 (1991, Kristine Peterson) - never bothered.
20. Critters 4 (1992, Rupert Harvey) - never bothered.

[Skitch]

Dude...go watch Ninth Gate and Ravenous right now.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Dude...go watch Ninth Gate and Ravenous right now.

Make me.

http://www.multiplemayhemmamma.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/kid-sticking-out-his-tongue.jpg

[Spun Lepton]

The C- for TCM2 hurts my heart DaMU. And if this were a television drama, I would add another "It hurts my heart," at the end of that statement, because that's how much it hurts my heart.

[Scar]

The C- for TCM2 hurts my heart DaMU. And if this were a television drama, I would add another "It hurts my heart," at the end of that statement, because that's how much it hurts my heart.

I try, I really do try to enjoy TCM2. I just end up feeling MEH at the end. Good start, but, it just doesn't work for me. Don't worry, I'll try again.

[Dead & Messed Up]

The C- for TCM2 hurts my heart DaMU. And if this were a television drama, I would add another "It hurts my heart," at the end of that statement, because that's how much it hurts my heart.

It warms my heart that we agree on essentially 95% of the movies on that list.

[Spun Lepton]

I suppose my suggestion that TCM2 is the spiritual sibling of Evil Dead 2 has no impact on these opinions.

[Spun Lepton]

It warms my heart that we agree on essentially 95% of the movies on that list.

You really should see Ravenous.

[D_Davis]

Now you got me wanting to quote Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.

"It's a dog eat dog world, and from where I sit there just ain't enough damn dogs!"

"Small businessman always, always, always gets it in the ass."

"You got that last slaughter on tape, you play it on the radio!"

Fucking rad movie.

One of the best sequels ever. Better than the original. It's just a crazy damn movie. Love it.

[D_Davis]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy8hh1IDD80

[Spun Lepton]

Skinny Puppy was my band when I was in my 20s. I am well familiar with thier use of the TCM samples. :D

They live on fear. They live on fear! They live on fear!! They live on fear!

[D_Davis]

Skinny Puppy was my band when I was in my 20s. I am well familiar with thier use of the TCM samples. :D

They live on fear. They live on fear! They live on fear!! They live on fear!

I discovered a lot of horror films because of industrial music, including TCM2.

[MadMan]

Thanks guys for the ratings.

[megladon8]

The Revenant was a curious thing - extremely low budget, interesting take on the vampire mythos. The director clearly has some visual flair, and there are some very impressive long takes. Also some clever and subtly hilarious dialogue.

However it completely unravels in the third act, with an ending that is flat-out terrible and sours anything decent that came before it.

"The dark gift? The dark gift. The dark gift. The. Dark. Gift. The dark gift! The dark...gift. The dark gift? The dark gift. The dark gift."

[megladon8]

Watching Monster Man for the first time in nearly a decade.

Jesus, this is one of the most misogynistic movies I've seen in recent memory.

[Irish]

Any opinions on The Stepfather? (the 80s thing with a Terry O'Quinn)

I've been curious about this one for years & years & just got the disc from Netflix.

[Irish]

Some kook made a working replica of the assault rifle from Aliens

Video: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/05/02/aliens-m41a-conversion-shoots-real-bullets/

[MadMan]

The Stepfather (1987) is pretty good. Nice and creepy.

[Scar]

Some kook made a working replica of the assault rifle from Aliens

Video: http://www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2014/05/02/aliens-m41a-conversion-shoots-real-bullets/
But its in 9mm. Xenomorph laughs at 9mm.

[Raiders]

Any opinions on The Stepfather? (the 80s thing with a Terry O'Quinn)

I've been curious about this one for years & years & just got the disc from Netflix.

It's terrific stuff. O'Quinn is great and while the film has some cheese and stock stuff in it, the central character is very well defined and drawn, creepy and scarily purposed. Nicely subversive of the Reagan-era family ideal.

[Skitch]

On deck...Sorcerer, theatrical cuts of Zombie's Halloween (I've only seen bloated directors cut) and his Halloween 2 (which I'm told is worlds better in cut form, I've not seen either.)

[megladon8]

We're going to try out the 80s "pre-cursor to Predator", Without Warning - starring Jack Palance, David Caruso and Martin Landau!

[megladon8]

Getting hammered on pink champagne and watching Phantom of the Paradise for the first time.

[megladon8]

This movie is wonderful.

[MadMan]

Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed (1969) was a really good movie despite the fact that I didn't care about the young couple who are forced by the evil Baron into a dangerous experiment with horrible consequences. I actually liked that they went back to the murderous evil Baron that was present in the first movie, although this version was the darkest one and did terrible things. As usual Hammer Studios sticks the ending, although by that point they were starting to repeat themselves.

[EvilShoe]

http://www.avclub.com/article/modern-horror-movies-get-retro-vhs-covers-208549

[MadMan]

I really miss VHS covers.

[MadMan]

BTW after this weekend I'll finally have finished the ANOES series. So before I watch A New Nightmare, ratings! Out of 100:

ANOES (1984)-85
Freddy's Revenge (1985)-73
The Dream Warriors (1987)-83
The Dream Master (1988)-75
The Dream Child (1989)-78
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)-30
Remake (2010)-85

Overall I find the series to be fairly consistent, which is both good and bad. I'm not as in love with the original as most are, and I was surprised that the 5th installment was actually solid. Part 6 was just all kinds of awful. I saw the remake at a midnight show and parts actually freaked me out-and after viewing Parts 4 and 5 I just realized that the remake had the dinner from both those films at the beginning, which is a nice touch.

[Dukefrukem]

BTW after this weekend I'll finally have finished the ANOES series. So before I watch A New Nightmare, ratings! Out of 100:

ANOES (1984)-85
Freddy's Revenge (1985)-73
The Dream Warriors (1987)-83
The Dream Master (1988)-75
The Dream Child (1989)-78
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)-30
Remake (2010)-85

Overall I find the series to be fairly consistent, which is both good and bad. I'm not as in love with the original as most are, and I was surprised that the 5th installment was actually solid. Part 6 was just all kinds of awful. I saw the remake at a midnight show and parts actually freaked me out-and after viewing Parts 4 and 5 I just realized that the remake had the dinner from both those films at the beginning, which is a nice touch.

I don't think I've ever seen you rate a movie that low before.

I watched all of these back in 2010, but I didn't record my ratings, but I also remember giving a favorable grade to the remake. They had a little bit of misdirection going in that movie which I liked.

[megladon8]

Jen and I watched The Legend of Hell House last night. I thought I'd seen it before, but evidently I hadn't.

A very creepy and effective little haunted house story. Great cast of characters, and some wonderful cinematography. I loved the skewed angles and use of fish eye lenses to evoke the twisted perversions of the house without actually showing "ghosts". It was very unsettling.

[D_Davis]

http://www.avclub.com/article/modern-horror-movies-get-retro-vhs-covers-208549

Those are awesome.

[D_Davis]

BTW after this weekend I'll finally have finished the ANOES series. So before I watch A New Nightmare, ratings! Out of 100:

ANOES (1984)-85
Freddy's Revenge (1985)-73
The Dream Warriors (1987)-83
The Dream Master (1988)-75
The Dream Child (1989)-78
Freddy's Dead: The Final Nightmare (1991)-30
Remake (2010)-85

Overall I find the series to be fairly consistent, which is both good and bad. I'm not as in love with the original as most are, and I was surprised that the 5th installment was actually solid. Part 6 was just all kinds of awful. I saw the remake at a midnight show and parts actually freaked me out-and after viewing Parts 4 and 5 I just realized that the remake had the dinner from both those films at the beginning, which is a nice touch.

Nice! I highly recommend the nearly-4-hour documentary on Netflix about the series. It's awesome.

Renny Harlin talks about how A Chinese Ghost Story and other HK supernatural films were a big inspiration for him and the crew when they were making The Dream Master, and with that context I think the film works a little better - at least it's odd tone make more sense.

[megladon8]

Except for your rating of the remake as not only good but on equal grounds with the original, I really like your list, MadMan. LOVE The Dream Warriors and The Dream Master, and they both have some wonderfully weird moments.

I always thought the girl turning into a cockroach was super gross.

As for the remake, I thought it was awful. The only interesting thing they did (turning the franchise on its head by making us question Freddy's guilt, making it a much more potent revenge story) they ended up undoing.

[Irish]

Midnight Meat Train. Clive Barker.

Thoughts? Opinions? Story or film.

[MadMan]

I don't think I've ever seen you rate a movie that low before.

I watched all of these back in 2010, but I didn't record my ratings, but I also remember giving a favorable grade to the remake. They had a little bit of misdirection going in that movie which I liked.I've given plenty of movies zeros. In fact I have a list somewhere of the worst movies I've ever seen. Just never bothered to post it here.

The remake's bit of misdirection was nice. I liked that it was a modern day twist on the somewhat by now tired slasher genre. Especially the fact that you could fall asleep without warning.


Nice! I highly recommend the nearly-4-hour documentary on Netflix about the series. It's awesome.

Renny Harlin talks about how A Chinese Ghost Story and other HK supernatural films were a big inspiration for him and the crew when they were making The Dream Master, and with that context I think the film works a little better - at least it's odd tone make more sense.Oh yeah I have to watch that documentary at some point. 4 hours is really long though. And that's cool about Harlin and his inspiration, which now that I've heard of I now want to see it.


Except for your rating of the remake as not only good but on equal grounds with the original, I really like your list, MadMan. LOVE The Dream Warriors and The Dream Master, and they both have some wonderfully weird moments.

I always thought the girl turning into a cockroach was super gross.

As for the remake, I thought it was awful. The only interesting thing they did (turning the franchise on its head by making us question Freddy's guilt, making it a much more potent revenge story) they ended up undoing.

The girl turning into a bug was indeed disturbing. And I still liked that they made us wonder about Freddy overall, despite what you say being true.

BTW I think that Freddy vs. Jason is the best film from both franchises if it does indeed count.

Irish I have not seen Midnight Meat Train, although I do want to. Maybe I should read the story its based on first however.

[Skitch]

Midnight Meat Train was a blast.

[Dukefrukem]

Midnight Meat Train. Clive Barker.

Thoughts? Opinions? Story or film.

Love this movie.

[megladon8]

I loved Barker's story but thought the movie was cringe worthy.

[Spun Lepton]

Midnight Meat Train. Clive Barker.

Thoughts? Opinions? Story or film.

Film is bad. Did not like.

[Dukefrukem]

Hahahahahaha anyone ever see Moontrap (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097911/reference)?

[Spun Lepton]

Hahahahahaha anyone ever see Moontrap (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097911/reference)?

Saw it waaaaay back when it first hit VHS. Barely remember anything about it, except all of the scenes in the vacuum were completely silent. Which was cool, I guess.

[Dukefrukem]

Saw it waaaaay back when it first hit VHS. Barely remember anything about it, except all of the scenes in the vacuum were completely silent. Which was cool, I guess.

I just watched it and it's classic low budget 80s nonsense. I guess they're making a sequel due out next year.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Closed-captioning the original Night of the Living Dead for work, and it's amazing how much I still get sucked into it. Just got a part I've probably seen 20 or so times - the scene when the truck explodes and Cooper betrays Ben by running away. I had to hold in a verbal "Ohhhhh" when Ben breaks through and gives Cooper that death-glare.

It's still stunning to me how progressive the film is in terms of the narrative risks it takes. I can't imagine being someone who grew up on those '50s drive-in classics where plucky teenagers save the day in their hot rods... and then see the teenagers in this film get burnt the fuck alive and served up as a smorgasbord for semi-nude corpses.

[MadMan]

The Ben angry I'm gonna kill this cracka stare is one of my favorite parts.

[Dead & Messed Up]

"Enjoyed" Eden Lake as an efficient and truly harrowing piece of Deliverance-style escalating brutality, and sometimes insightful look at peer pressure and bullying, but it's certainly a movie I'd never want to watch again, and I agree with people on this forum regarding its discomforting politics - and has anybody commented on the Indian kid trying to assimilate only to find himself...

cruelly burned alive?

I don't know if that's intentional, but it certainly felt like a statement on distrust of immigrants.

Anyway, I thought the last ten minutes were pretty superfluous and took things in a less compelling direction. Had the film remained focused on the ringleader psychopath as the sole source of violence, I would've bought it, especially since the third act hints at the group dissolving into distrust and skepticism - that would've provided more than enough story meat and psychological interest to satisfy me.

[megladon8]

Saw Halloween: Resurrection for the first time the other night. Painful. Awful. Embarrassing stuff. How was this directed by the same guy who did the more-than-decent Halloween 2?

If I had a time machine, I would love to go back to 1978 and show John Carpenter the footage of Busta Rhymes kung fu kicking Michael Myers through a window on a reality webcast. I don't know if he would laugh or cry. Or take all footage of his original masterpiece and burn it.

We also watched The Curse of Michael Myers (aka Halloween 6), both the up-to-now unseen Producer's Cut and the original Theatrical. The Producer's cut is HUGELY superior. It actually feels like a different movie. The opening is much longer, with more set up for the events that come later. It actually has fewer kills (and less gory ones), but the movie itself is so much smoother moving, and has much better music.

It's still not particularly great, but I strongly recommend fans of the series watch the two cuts back-to-back. It's a really cool experience and the drastic changes are incredible.

Then last night we watched H20. It's not great, but it was a much better ending to the series than the aforementioned abysmal Resurrection.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Captioning a movie called Slew Hampshire. A piece of bullshit exploitative nonsense. I had enough trouble dealing with the

arbitrary and ultimately meaningless scene where a quivering man is orally and anally raped simultaneously by two New England hicks up until he bites off the penis

and now I'm trying to get through a sequence that peaked with

a backwoods caveman type cutting open the stomach of a victim in early pregnancy, pulling out her second-term fetus, and chewing on it

and now I just really want to pack it in and never watch another scary movie again. Like, ever.

I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow, but Jesus Christ, I just hate people sometimes. I really do.

[Winston*]

This is a really fun New Zealand horror comedy to check out, along with What We do in the Shadows, when it's available where people live.

http://images.fandango.com/MDCsite/images/featured/201403/housebound-poster-sxsw.jpg

[Dead & Messed Up]

Started blogging about my 15 favorite working horror directors, it being October and all.

First one up is James Watkins, director of Eden Lake and The Woman in Black. (http://horrorfilms101.blogspot.com/2014/10/halloween-our-best-directors-15-james.html)

[Dead & Messed Up]

EDIT: Split this post off into its own thread. Good.

[MadMan]

BTW I thought that Ravenous was good fun. And that A New Nightmare was along with FVJ the best one in the Freddy series. Right now I'm watching Big Ass Spider on Netflix.

[Grouchy]

Has anyone seen the movie Coherence? Damn. Best mindfuck I've seen in a good while. Just an impressive effort.

[Dukefrukem]

Has anyone seen the movie Coherence? Damn. Best mindfuck I've seen in a good while. Just an impressive effort.

Added to queue.

[Rowland]

Thinking about making this into its own thread. Thoughts?It's probably more likely to be noticed around here.

I'm not a fan of Watkins, but his films are technical marvels. Kudos on the Bogliano thoughts, I've seen the same films and a short of his that you have, and agree regarding the intriguing tonal play he employs to disorientating effect.

[Pop Trash]

Saw Halloween: Resurrection for the first time the other night. Painful. Awful. Embarrassing stuff. How was this directed by the same guy who did the more-than-decent Halloween 2?

If I had a time machine, I would love to go back to 1978 and show John Carpenter the footage of Busta Rhymes kung fu kicking Michael Myers through a window on a reality webcast. I don't know if he would laugh or cry. Or take all footage of his original masterpiece and burn it.

We also watched The Curse of Michael Myers (aka Halloween 6), both the up-to-now unseen Producer's Cut and the original Theatrical. The Producer's cut is HUGELY superior. It actually feels like a different movie. The opening is much longer, with more set up for the events that come later. It actually has fewer kills (and less gory ones), but the movie itself is so much smoother moving, and has much better music.

It's still not particularly great, but I strongly recommend fans of the series watch the two cuts back-to-back. It's a really cool experience and the drastic changes are incredible.

Then last night we watched H20. It's not great, but it was a much better ending to the series than the aforementioned abysmal Resurrection.

You need to read this:

http://thedissolve.com/features/by-the-numbers/777-all-10-halloween-movies-in-charts-and-percentages/

I haven't seen it since it came out but I have fond memories of H2O. Certainly the best cast since the first one: Michelle Williams, JGL, of course Paul Rudd was in Part 6 and that one supposedly sucked.

[Dukefrukem]

Re-watching the entire series-

Probably in the minority when I say Halloween is mediocre at best. I realize it was a first in the slasher genre, but I think Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm St. took the concept and did it much better. The dialog is shotty, the screenplay mundane- the two biggest praises I can give are the score and Carpenters use of rail-cams. We never feel the true terror of Michael- at least not in this movie.

[Kurosawa Fan]

Re-watching the entire series-

Probably in the minority when I say Halloween is mediocre at best. I realize it was a first in the slasher genre, but I think Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm St. took the concept and did it much better. The dialog is shotty, the screenplay mundane- the two biggest praises I can give are the score and Carpenters use of rail-cams. We never feel the true terror of Michael- at least not in this movie.

This might be the wrongest post I've ever read on any iteration of this site.

[Raiders]

This might be the wrongest post I've ever read on any iteration of this site.

Yeah, particularly with respect to F13... I mean that is the definition of shoddy filmmaking. I do like that duke admits he is "probably" in the minority with that post.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Duke.

Duke, Duke, Duke.

Beautiful, silly Duke...

Duke.

[Winston*]

My laugh-filled cinema viewing last year of the film would suggest he is not in the minority.

[Peng]

Some older films don't play well to modern crowd. I'm glad I saw Psycho first alone, because it ruined the mood a bit when I saw it next in film class, and people laughed to the two kill scenes. (To be fair, they are pretty engaged outsides of that, especially during Marion's getaway.

[Dukefrukem]

There's a bunch of scenes that irk me- the opening with Michael killing his sister and the pysdo freeze frame with the camera panning back- Michael "escape", every scene with 30+ year old actors playing high schoolers, the scene when JLC is talking to the kids in the house and Michael "sneaked" up on them.

As it stands alone, the movie does very little to build terror when we don't really know terror other than what the doctor is telling us.

And boy oh boy, every scene with dialog and JLC had me wincing. I get it, it's her debut, but Jesus act a little.

Halloween 2 is no better.

Other than having THE BEST SET OF BREASTS EVER TO GRACE THE SILVER SCREEN, and the step up in gore, the rest of the script is a mess. I've never heard of a hospital with a staff of 2 and a patient of 1. I also find it hilarious at the end of the movie, they put her into another ambulance, presumably to take her to another hospital that actually has doctors on staff.

[Dukefrukem]

Yeah, particularly with respect to F13... I mean that is the definition of shoddy filmmaking. I do like that duke admits he is "probably" in the minority with that post.

I'd watch F13 100 times over Halloween. More terror. More death. Clever twist. More satisfying ending.

[Scar]

Duke, watch the F13 remake for an exquisite pair. And I'm not talking about the fake set that shows up in the opening reel.

[D_Davis]

Zombie's Halloween > Carpenter's Halloween

Zombie turns Michael into a truly evil and menacing presence.

[Dukefrukem]

Duke, watch the F13 remake for an exquisite pair. And I'm not talking about the fake set that shows up in the opening reel.

I've seen it, and I still think Halloween 2's are better. Although Freddy vs Jason has a great set too.

[Dukefrukem]

Zombie's Halloween > Carpenter's Halloween

Zombie turns Michael into a truly evil and menacing presence.

This.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Zombie's Halloween > Carpenter's Halloween

Zombie turns Michael into a truly evil and menacing presence.

http://www.makesmesmile.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/mugatu.jpg

[D_Davis]

Allow me to edit:

Zombie's Halloween >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Carpenter's Halloween

[MadMan]

*Walks into thread. Sees posts about Halloween. Walks back out*

[Scar]

I've seen it, and I still think Halloween 2's are better. Although Freddy vs Jason has a great set too.
There were real boobs in FvJ?

[Scar]

I thoroughly enjoy Carpenter's Halloween. With that said, I think I've watched Zombie's two more.

[Dukefrukem]

There were real boobs in FvJ?

No. Good call.