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

[Spun Lepton]

I'm with Rowland on this one. I really enjoy The Fog.

[megladon8]

What the fuck? Are you implying that's a boring movie?

Define "fun". Or, better yet, don't.


Not implying. I'm saying it's a boring movie.

[Grouchy]

Not implying. I'm saying it's a boring movie.
Oh, man.

It's like you're purposefully trying to be wrong.

[Winston*]

The Fog > Escape from New York

[megladon8]

Oh, man.

It's like you're purposefully trying to be wrong.


Nah, it's pretty boring.

Takes forever for anything of any value to happen, and when it does it's done with the intensity of lighting a match.

[Grouchy]

Nah, it's pretty boring.

Takes forever for anything of any value to happen, and when it does it's done with the intensity of lighting a match.

R.I.P. Attention Span
1910-2009

[Spun Lepton]

R.I.P. Attention Span
1910-2009

Damn, Meg. 99 years and counting. No wonder you get bored so easily.

/zing!
:D

[Bosco B Thug]

The only Carpenter film that I've seen that I'd call "bad" is In the Mouth of Madness. All his other films have something to offer, despite shortcomings.


Gotta disagree here. I found The Fog to be a boring mess of a movie. Similar to Escape From New York.

You guys can get really hard on some of his films. :) I don't love The Fog, but I don't understand anyone calling it a "bad movie"... or boring. On the other hand, I could see how someone could find Escape from New York boring, and I like the film a lot, more than The Fog.

You all have to admit very little actually happens in the movie. It's a rather talky movie, Snake has very little control over the film's plot developments, and the action is very very low-key. The first major set-piece is the arena fight, and that (purposefully) fizzles for the "Escape" part of the film, which is pretty much the final stretch of the movie.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Huh. In the Mouth of Madness is one of my favorites by Carpenter, primarily because I'm a real Lovecraft hound and it's a delightful pastiche.

And I'd side with Meg on Escape from New York. Plissken's a real character, and some of the dialogue is pretty fun ("You're the duke A number one!"), but it's too damn slow.

[Grouchy]

You all have to admit very little actually happens in the movie. It's a rather talky movie, Snake has very little control over the film's plot developments, and the action is very very low-key. The first major set-piece is the arena fight, and that (purposefully) fizzles for the "Escape" part of the film, which is pretty much the final stretch of the movie.
See, I acknowledge all this, but it doesn't really detract from the film being great. I think the low-key action is mostly due to the budget, but it fits perfectly with the film's world. I'm a sucker for apocalyptic future, I'll admit that much.

As for Snake having little control over the plot, I think that's part of the story's natural development. He only gets his say at the end when he boycotts the president's speech.

I'd like to see the sequel right now, see how it compares. Never seen it, and it has Pam Grier.

[Dukefrukem]

I'd like to see the sequel right now, see how it compares. Never seen it, and it has Pam Grier.

It's god awful. I can sum up the ridiculousness in one sentence.

Snake surfing a wave parallel to a car for him to jump on the back of it.

The highlight of the movie is Bruce Campbell.

[D_Davis]

Vampires is hardcore. James Woods in it is hardcore. The cigars he smokes are hardcore.

It's a wonderful movie. Much, much better than Ghosts of Mars, which isn't all that bad either.

Vampires is fantastic. Love that movie.

[Qrazy]

I'd like to see the sequel right now, see how it compares. Never seen it, and it has Pam Grier.

It's not very good but it's worth seeing and despite it's inanity it has a badass ending.

Also put me on the Escape from New York is top 5 Carpenter bandwagon.

[Rowland]

Escape From L.A is one of Carpenter's more mischievous films, skewering its namesake in a most befittingly satirical manner with any number of incisive, hysterically wrought gags that borders on anarchic, right up until its overwhelmingly hopeless/hopeful climax. It's also the best made, most Carpenter-feeling film of his '90s output.

[Qrazy]

Escape From L.A is one of Carpenter's more mischievous films, skewering its namesake in a most befittingly satirical manner with any number of incisive, hysterically wrought gags that borders on anarchic, right up until its overwhelmingly hopeless/hopeful climax. It's also the best made, most Carpenter-feeling film of his '90s output.

Which is to say, it's not very well made at all.

[Dukefrukem]

Which is to say, it's not very well made at all.

No. No it is not.

[Raiders]

Also, I'm going to be a bit of an iconoclast by posting some rather positive thoughts for the original, apparently underestimated When a Stranger Calls. Seems to me the biggest mistake people have made when evaluating it is to anticipate a slasher, when it proves itself a rather subversive social statement gussied up in horror trappings.

Indeed. Terrific film and one I would love to watch again.

I will also side with the "pro" camp for In the Mouth of Madness. Easily my favorite from his '90s offerings. In fact, it is probably the only thing he's made since They Live that inspires much more than a shrug from me. I do want to re-watch Escape from L.A. though.

[Bosco B Thug]

See, I acknowledge all this, but it doesn't really detract from the film being great. I think the low-key action is mostly due to the budget, but it fits perfectly with the film's world. Absolutely. I remember thinking during EfNY that it's was one of Carpenter's most elegant films.


As for Snake having little control over the plot, I think that's part of the story's natural development. He only gets his say at the end when he boycotts the president's speech. Yeah, it's one of the film's most interesting aspects. For an action hero, the film had a surprising number of moments where we get to see Snake absolutely bewildered, absolutely fatigued, lamenting himself an "asshole," etc. and a total passive in the workings of the New York around him.


I'd like to see the sequel right now, see how it compares. Never seen it, and it has Pam Grier. It's Carpenter on conventional-action-movie mode, but even then of course it's better than a conventional action movie because it's Carpenter.

It's really wild, though, and there are vintage Carpenter moments of restraint and elegance mixed in there.

[megladon8]

I still think his MoH episode "Cigarette Burns" is one of the best things he's done since The Thing.

[Dukefrukem]

LOL yes!

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7639/lolproenf.jpg

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/5581/lol2ijg.jpg

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1954/lol3l.jpg

[Dead & Messed Up]

I still think his MoH episode "Cigarette Burns" is one of the best things he's done since The Thing.

Funnily, "Pro-Life" is probably the worst thing he's done since The Thing.

[Raiders]

Duke, is there an explanation behind those pictures?

[Dukefrukem]

Duke, is there an explanation behind those pictures?

A little bit. (http://www.match-cut.org/showthread.php?p=181350#post18 1350)

[Scar]

Escape from New York is alright, but I prefer Escape from L.A, which I love.

I fucking HATE Ghosts of Mars.

I fucking LOVE Vampires.

[Spun Lepton]

Funnily, "Pro-Life" is probably the worst thing he's done since The Thing.

Worse than Ghosts of Mars? I mean, admittedly, it's not a good episode, but I don't know if he's topped Ghosts of Mars. I felt embarrassed for him through that entire movie. :)

[Dead & Messed Up]

Worse than Ghosts of Mars? I mean, admittedly, it's not a good episode, but I don't know if he's topped Ghosts of Mars. I felt embarrassed for him through that entire movie. :)

I kinda sorta like Ghosts of Mars.

:|

[Raiders]

Y'all are lucky Sven hasn't stopped by. I believe Ghosts of Mars is his favorite Carpenter film.

[Rowland]

Y'all are lucky Sven hasn't stopped by. I believe Ghosts of Mars is his favorite Carpenter film.Yep, just like how Jamaica Inn and Topaz are two of his three favorite Hitchcock films, should his consensus ratings be taken at face value.

[megladon8]

Funnily, "Pro-Life" is probably the worst thing he's done since The Thing.


More like the worst thing he's done that I have seen.

God, that episode was absolutely dreadful.

[megladon8]

I kinda sorta like Ghosts of Mars.

:|



As do I. And I feel no need to spoiler tag it.

The Doom movie should have been more along those lines and less...whatever the hell they were going for with that godawful movie.

Plus, hearing Pam Grier shout "who goes there?" while clad in leather and holding a huge gun was just...so awesome.

[Spun Lepton]

I kinda sorta like Ghosts of Mars.

:|

D'OH!

[Dead & Messed Up]

More like the worst thing he's done that I have seen.

God, that episode was absolutely dreadful.

That disparity between the two is so goddamn huge, it's surreal. Apparently the male "abortion," whatever the hell that actually was, was studio-mandated, and I suspect the entire notion of having an "edgy" story about a topical subject was likely a marching order in the wake of Homecoming's unexpected success.

[Bosco B Thug]

I'm telling myself I should really catch up on Masters of Horror Season 2 after enjoying Season 1 so much, but damn, I watched Tobe Hooper's The Damned Thing and Dario Argento's Pelts and I thought they were both just absolute trash.

And I liked both their Season 1 episodes, both definitely not the most popular Season 1 episodes.

Not surprising to hear Carpenter's Season 2 is also a drop-off after the excellent Cigarette Burns, which I'd love to re-watch right now...

[Spun Lepton]

That disparity between the two is so goddamn huge, it's surreal. Apparently the male "abortion," whatever the hell that actually was, was studio-mandated, and I suspect the entire notion of having an "edgy" story about a topical subject was likely a marching order in the wake of Homecoming's unexpected success.

Are you talking about that squiggly thing that dropped out from between her legs, or the bigger, cheaper looking monster?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Are you talking about that squiggly thing that dropped out from between her legs, or the bigger, cheaper looking monster?

No, there's a scene where Perlman, like, shoves a suction tube between a dude's legs. I wasn't sure if it went up the butt or pierced the flesh, but either way, I was having none of it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I'm telling myself I should really catch up on Masters of Horror Season 2 after enjoying Season 1 so much, but damn, I watched Tobe Hooper's The Damned Thing and Dario Argento's Pelts and I thought they were both just absolute trash.

And I liked both their Season 1 episodes, both definitely not the most popular Season 1 episodes.

Not surprising to hear Carpenter's Season 2 is also a drop-off after the excellent Cigarette Burns, which I'd love to re-watch right now...

I say watch Family, The Black Cat, and maybe Sounds Like for the audio, and then call it a day for Season 2.

[Bosco B Thug]

I say watch Family, The Black Cat, and maybe Sounds Like for the audio, and then call it a day for Season 2.
So sad...

[Rowland]

Gordon's The Black Cat is very worthwhile, and probably an improvement over his already halfway-decent Season 1 episode.

And yes, Pelts was retarded. All it had going for it was the hilariously pornographic gore and an ethereal Goblin score.

[Spun Lepton]

I say watch Family, The Black Cat, and maybe Sounds Like for the audio, and then call it a day for Season 2.

Yup. Family and Sounds Like were the only two in Season 2 that I could really recommend. Pelts is so gratuitously gory I can't help but cackle at it, but no, it's not very good, either.

Oh, wait, Pick Me Up was pretty fun, if a little goofy. Was that Season 1 or 2? Larry Cohen goodness, there.

DaMU, I just barely remember the scene you described. Suppose that's a real statement on the quality of the episode, eh?

[Bosco B Thug]

Gordon's The Black Cat is very worthwhile, and probably an improvement over his already halfway-decent Season 1 episode.

And yes, Pelts was retarded. All it had going for it was the hilariously pornographic gore and an ethereal Goblin score.
That's good. I didn't really like Dreams from the Witch House.

[Winston*]

I think William Malone's one in the first season was the best one I saw. Carpenter's was good too.

[Rowland]

That's good. I didn't really like Dreams from the Witch House.I thought it was amusing in a cheesy way, whereas The Black Cat actually works, with one moment in particular that really rattled me good.

[Bosco B Thug]

I thought it was amusing in a cheesy way, whereas The Black Cat actually works, with one moment in particular that really rattled me good. Gordon's episode was probably pretty solid, but it's the one that has stuck with me the least.

Oh, wait, Pick Me Up was pretty fun, if a little goofy. Was that Season 1 or 2? Larry Cohen goodness, there. Season 1.


Ad hoc MOH evaluation (somewhat listed in order of my rankings):

LOVE: Cigarette Burns, Deer Woman, Chocolate, Incident on and Off a Mountain Road, Sick Girl
INTERESTING BUT...: Dance of the Dead, Imprint, Jenifer
FUN: Homecoming, The Fair-Haired Child, Pick Me Up
MEH: Dreams in the Witch-House
UGH: Pelts, The Damned Thing

[Spun Lepton]

I thought it was amusing in a cheesy way, whereas The Black Cat actually works, with one moment in particular that really rattled me good.

The whole episode was undermined by the man-faced rat. Scary concept -- rodents with human faces -- but not scary upon execution. I was impressed at how dark the ending was, however.

[Spun Lepton]

Gordon's episode was probably pretty solid, but it's the one that has stuck with me the least.
Season 1.


Ad hoc MOH evaluation (sort of ranked):

LOVE: Cigarette Burns, Deer Woman, Chocolate, Incident on and Off a Mountain Road, Sick Girl
SOMEWHAT LIKE: Dance of the Dead
PRETTY GOOD: Imprint, Jenifer,
FUN: Homecoming, The Fair-Haired Child, Pick Me Up
MEH: Dreams in the Witch-House
UGH: Pelts, The Damned Thing

Wow, it sounds like you deftly avoided the worst episodes of both seasons, Haeckel's Tale and The V Word.

Since we're rating:

Season 1:
BEST: Cigarette Burns
GOOD: Incident On and Off a Mountain Road, Fair-Haired Child, Sick Girl, Pick Me Up.
OKAY: Dreams of the Witch House, Imprint, Homecoming, Deer Woman, Jenifer.
EMBARRASSING: Haeckel's Tale

Season 2:
BEST: Family.
GOOD: Sounds Like, Right to Die
SILLY BUT FUN: We All Scream for Ice Cream, The Washingtonians
BAD BUT FUN: Pelts
JUST BAD: Pro-Life, Valerie on the Stairs, The Damned Thing
EMBARRASSING: The V Word

[Bosco B Thug]

Wow, it sounds like you deftly avoided the worst episodes of both seasons, Haeckel's Tale and The V Word. Good, good. Yes, I have been avoiding Haeckel's Tale, due to the word.

[Rowland]

Speaking of these horror anthologies, did anyone catch that short-lived Fear Itself series from last year? I heard that one was overly mediocre but had its moments, particularly the Fessenden episode.

[Raiders]

LOVE: Chocolate

Er, what? I found this downright painful. Mick Garris just needs to stay away from the director's chair. He takes what could be a glorious film in the hands of someone like De Palma and makes it so rote and unaesthetic that I was bored and completely uninterested.

[Bosco B Thug]

Speaking of these horror anthologies, did anyone catch that short-lived Fear Itself series from last year? I heard that one was overly mediocre but had its moments, particularly the Fessenden episode. I saw a few episodes, and yeah, it's pretty mediocre. Stuart Gordon gets away with the most, Brad Anderson's is okay with Eric Roberts in the lead, John Landis' is vanilla bland, and surprisingly I thought Fessenden's episode was actually pretty bad.


Er, what? I found this downright painful. Mick Garris just needs to stay away from the director's chair. He takes what could be a glorious film in the hands of someone like De Palma and makes it so rote and unaesthetic that I was bored and completely uninterested. Yeah, okay, I'm sure it's not as good as I want to remember it... It went against all my auteurist principles to claim to love something by Mick Garris... but I just remember having a lot of fun with it. Maybe it was the premise, or the sexy femme, or Henry Thomas not being Steven Weber, but I really enjoyed it for some reason.

[Raiders]

Henry Thomas not being Steven Weber

Which would be a mark against Thomas as Weber is awesome.

[Bosco B Thug]

Which would be a mark against Thomas as Weber is awesome. Has it been I've not been seeing him in the right things, then? Okay then, I meant, "Henry Thomas not being Steven Weber, continuing his streak strutting around (his true talent un-utilized) in yet another awful Mick Garris project."

EDIT: PAUSE, I google definition'd "milquetoast" and no, that's not what I was going for. AMENDED (hastily).

[Dead & Messed Up]

I got through three episodes of Fear Itself during its initial run: "The Sacrifice" (okay), "Spooked" (eh), and "Family Man" (solid).

Later on, I saw five minutes of "In Sickness and Health" and figured out the twist, so I didn't bother. And "Eater" was damn good.

[Raiders]

Has it been I've not been seeing him in the right things, then? Okay then, I meant, "Henry Thomas not being Steven Weber, continuing his streak milquetoasting it up (his true talent un-utilized) in yet another awful Mick Garris project."

Well, I did think he was great in Jenifer, but I guess you would disagree. I guess my love mainly comes from the TV series "Wings" and "Studio 60."

[Bosco B Thug]

I got through three episodes of Fear Itself during its initial run: "The Sacrifice" (okay), "Spooked" (eh), and "Family Man" (solid).

Later on, I saw five minutes of "In Sickness and Health" and figured out the twist, so I didn't bother. And "Eater" was damn good.
For everyone's reference, "Spooked" is Brad Anderson's, "In Sickness and Health" is Landis', and "Eater" is Gordon's. "Eater" was fun, yeah.

[megladon8]

Season One...

"Incident On and Off a Mountain Road" (Coscarelli) - 7
"Dreams in the Witch-House" (Gordon) - 6
"Jenifer" (Argento) - 6
"Chocolate" (Garris) - 5
"Cigarette Burns" (Carpenter) - 8.5
"The Fair-Haired Child" (Malone) - 7.5


Season Two...

"Pro-Life" (Carpenter) - 3
"Right to Die" (Schmidt) - 6.5

[Bosco B Thug]

Well, I did think he was great in Jenifer, but I guess you would disagree. I guess my love mainly comes from the TV series "Wings" and "Studio 60."
Yeah, haven't seen those television shows. And yes, "Jenifer" didn't turn me around on him, although I'm sure he was fine in that. The Shining and Desperation must've ruined him for me.

[Raiders]

Alright, I'm calling it first. I'm creating a thread where I go through both seasons of MoH in order and review each episode.

Now I just need to figure out if it belongs in GD or the TV forum.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Alright, I'm calling it first. I'm creating a thread where I go through both seasons of MoH in order and review each episode.

Now I just need to figure out if it belongs in GD or the TV forum.

GD. They were shot on 35 mm and are "features," if short ones.

[Grouchy]

Excellent
Imprint

Good
Incidents On and Off A Mountain Road
Jenifer
Cigarette Burns

Ok
Dreams in the Witch-House

Bad
Chocolate
Dance of the Dead
Homecoming
Deer Woman

[D_Davis]

Incidents On and Off A Mountain Road, is my favorite. It's a great short story as well.

[Rowland]

I didn't think Incidents On and Off a Mountain Road was anything special. I mean, it was competent, but I dunno... what did it have going for it? The only others from the first season I've seen are Jenifer and Dreams in the Witch House, my favorite of the three being Argento's offering. Cigarette Burns and Imprint are the two I'm most interested in seeking out.

[Rowland]

Since my rented out copy of In the Mouth of Madness is faulty, I rewatched Escape from LA instead. While I still don't think it's as engrossingly atmospheric or cool as the original, as an auteurist statement, it's more coherent and, in the end, bracing in its absolute nihilism. I'm tempted to consider it an addendum to his Apocalypse trilogy, which is all the more plausible after In the Mouth of Madness ended with its protagonist watching the film he had just starred in projected in a theater, laughing hysterically as the apocalypse occurred around him, followed directly by Carpenter succumbing to remake duties for a picture he had no heart in.

[Raiders]

Surprised there hasn't been any buzz whatsoever around here for Twohy's new film, Perfect Getaway. Sure it looks pretty standard, but I can't be alone in thinking Twohy is at least an interesting genre voice. I have particularly fond memories of Below, though I haven't seen it in years.

[Spun Lepton]

Surprised there hasn't been any buzz whatsoever around here for Twohy's new film, Perfect Getaway. Sure it looks pretty standard, but I can't be alone in thinking Twohy is at least an interesting genre voice. I have particularly fond memories of Below, though I haven't seen it in years.

I'm mildly interested, I'll probably rent it.

[megladon8]

Surprised there hasn't been any buzz whatsoever around here for Twohy's new film, Perfect Getaway. Sure it looks pretty standard, but I can't be alone in thinking Twohy is at least an interesting genre voice. I have particularly fond memories of Below, though I haven't seen it in years.


I had fond memories of it as well.

I rewatched it a few weeks ago, and it has not aged well. Terrible effects, terrible dialogue, some awful supporting performances. It's just not very good.

I still adore Pitch Black, though.

[Philosophe_rouge]

I saw Trick' R' Treat, I was surprised at how good it was. It uses so many classic horror conventions in very creative and original ways. It's balance of comedy and humour is perfect, as is the juggling of multiple storylines, which is usually a cinematic structure I don't particularly like. I'd like to see it again to really get my thoughts straight, but I do recommend it.

[Raiders]

I recommend Twohy's The Arrival as well. Certainly an interesting alien "invasion" film and one that never really stops with its ideas. It is a surprisingly intelligent film that uses it effects lightly and smartly.

[Bosco B Thug]

I've been Google translating French reviews of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's book this morning for some reason - French title Mon effroyable histoire du cinéma - and Kurosawa apparently loves the crazy opinion.

Gleaned from bad translations, so take with grain of salt, but:

- He apparently loves Escape from L.A., calls it the best film of 1996.
- He defends Carpenter's Village of the Damned (don't know to what extent), too, and calls Halloween "minor" and "banal"
- He take down a peg The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes, and... The Birds. I don't know if I can forgive him for that.
- Hand-in-hand with above, they throw some potshots at De Palma, though they like Raising Cain
- From "Midnight Eye" review, he criticizes Dawn of the Dead and "prefers Fulci's Zombi"
- They recommend the obscure Burnt Offerings and Dead & Buried
- They link Vampyr and The Funhouse somehow.

[MacGuffin]

- He take down a peg The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes, and... The Birds. I don't know if I can forgive him for that.

I haven't seen the original The Hills Have Eyes, but I can see why he might not be fond of The Exorcist and The Birds. Unlike his cinema, they're not exactly subtle.

[Dukefrukem]

I haven't seen the original The Hills Have Eyes, but I can see why he might not be fond of The Exorcist and The Birds. Unlike his cinema, they're not exactly subtle.

THe remake of Hills Have Eyes is much better than the original. Quality work from all around.

[MacGuffin]

THe remake of Hills Have Eyes is much better than the original. Quality work from all around.

It's okay, but again, it's not a very subtle horror movie — not that it needs to be. I don't hold it at all in the same regard as High Tension, which does an amazing job at generating suspense through montage and some seriously dour landscapes. The Hills Have Eyes seems to rely on more of the cheap jump scares, which only work so many times before the movie hasn't much else to lean on.

[Ezee E]

Yeah, I thought Pitch Black was alright, and everything else is bad to forgotten, but I'm going to see The Perfect Getaway. Maybe it was just the right thing for Twohy to do, instead of another sci-fi flick.

By the way, I remember Below having one of the best loglines I've ever read.

[Bosco B Thug]

I haven't seen the original The Hills Have Eyes, but I can see why he might not be fond of The Exorcist and The Birds. Unlike his cinema, they're not exactly subtle. The Exorcist, yeah, but The Birds... Don't mean to get into it, but what makes The Birds such the best movie ever made - speaking objectively here - are, like, the subtlest things ever.

The Hills Have Eyes (original) is pretty basic, but it's memorable for what it is.

[MacGuffin]

The Exorcist, yeah, but The Birds... Don't mean to get into it, but what makes The Birds such the best movie ever made - speaking objectively here - are, like, the subtlest things ever.

The Hills Have Eyes (original) is pretty basic, but it's memorable for what it is.

I understand that there are subtly placed themes, but The Birds, Hitchcock movies, and most of American Classical filmmaking aren't exactly subtle in terms of acting and mise en scène. (Tippi Hedren in a phone booth with crows flying around attack people everywhere subtle?)

[Bosco B Thug]

I understand that there are subtly placed themes, but The Birds, Hitchcock movies, and most of American Classical filmmaking aren't exactly subtle in terms of acting and mise en scène. Alright, I can accept this.

Oh yeah, from the translations, I think I picked up that it's Hitchcock's incredibly precise "formalism" that puts Kurosawa off.

[MacGuffin]

Alright, I can accept this.

I do want to clarify that I don't believe by any means that movies have to be subtle to be good, but I think I prefer the subtler horror movies.

[Dukefrukem]

It's okay, but again, it's not a very subtle horror movie — not that it needs to be. I don't hold it at all in the same regard as High Tension, which does an amazing job at generating suspense through montage and some seriously dour landscapes. The Hills Have Eyes seems to rely on more of the cheap jump scares, which only work so many times before the movie hasn't much else to lean on.

Actually, the Hills Have Eyes is an in your face American-pride-and-justice-don't-fuck-with-my-family-or-i-will-stab-you-with-the-dull-side-of-axe-movie.

[MacGuffin]

- From "Midnight Eye" review, he criticizes Dawn of the Dead and "prefers Fulci's Zombi"

I missed this, but definitely, and I can see why he'd prefer it (although I like Romero's Dawn of the Dead, but not as much as Day of the Dead).

[D_Davis]

I've been Google translating French reviews of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's book this morning for some reason - French title Mon effroyable histoire du cinéma - and Kurosawa apparently loves the crazy opinion.

Gleaned from bad translations, so take with grain of salt, but:

- He apparently loves Escape from L.A., calls it the best film of 1996.
- He defends Carpenter's Village of the Damned (don't know to what extent), too, and calls Halloween "minor" and "banal"
- He take down a peg The Exorcist, The Hills Have Eyes, and... The Birds. I don't know if I can forgive him for that.
- Hand-in-hand with above, they throw some potshots at De Palma, though they like Raising Cain
- From "Midnight Eye" review, he criticizes Dawn of the Dead and "prefers Fulci's Zombi"
- They recommend the obscure Burnt Offerings and Dead & Buried
- They link Vampyr and The Funhouse somehow.

Sounds like he'd fit in well here at Match Cut.

[Bosco B Thug]

I missed this, but definitely, and I can see why he'd prefer it (although I like Romero's Dawn of the Dead, but not as much as Day of the Dead). I'm getting the sense that Kurosawa is into the "nightmarishly nonsensical/abstract" sort of thing (which explains his love for Tobe Hooper), although I can't reconcile that with the Zombi love (which admittedly is just a vague memory in my mind).


Sounds like he'd fit in well here at Match Cut. Aw, I know!

[Derek]

although I can't reconcile that with the Zombi love (which admittedly is just a vague memory in my mind).

Yes, it's absolute garbage.

[Bosco B Thug]

Yes, it's absolute garbage.
Oh, I've little doubt.

[Spun Lepton]

Gleaned from bad translations, so take with grain of salt, but:

- He defends Carpenter's Village of the Damned (don't know to what extent), too, and calls Halloween "minor" and "banal"
- From "Midnight Eye" review, he criticizes Dawn of the Dead and "prefers Fulci's Zombi"
- They recommend the obscure ... Dead & Buried


Échec.

[Rowland]

- He apparently loves Escape from L.A., calls it the best film of 1996.
Haha, the ending for the movie is pure Kurosawa.

[Rowland]

I was disappointed when revisiting Phenomena with my girlfriend last year, so I watched it again tonight hoping that my viewing circumstances last time played a large part in my reaction, but nope, it remains Argento's dullest, schlockiest, ugliest pre-90's effort. In fact, while Trauma and Mother of Tears contain no set pieces as indelible as the spectacular prologue or the balls-out last act of Phenomena, they are both less prone to the pseudo-ethereal somnambulism that plagues large portions of the latter's running time. The locations, score (besides that dreadful '80s metal), integrity exuded by Pleasance, and sheer gonzo mania of Phenomena's best moments are all that keep it on the positive end of the scale for me.

[megladon8]

I feel the same, Rowland. I was not much of a fan of Phenomena. Not to say I all-out disliked it, but there are about a half dozen other Argento films I'd take over it any day.

[Rowland]

Since my rental store's copy of In the Mouth of Madness was DOA, I'm marching on with another viewing of Vampires, which I found mediocre at the time but find myself recollecting with fonder memories than I anticipated, so here's hoping that's a positive sign.

Also rented Lord of Illusions, which will be a first viewing.

And Dumbo.

[Rowland]

I recommend Twohy's The Arrival as well. Certainly an interesting alien "invasion" film and one that never really stops with its ideas. It is a surprisingly intelligent film that uses it effects lightly and smartly.I missed this post, but yeah, I'll second the recommendation. In fact, while I'm hardly a huge Twohy fan, The Arrival is my favorite of his I've seen (maybe I'll rent Below), slightly edging out Pitch Black. I'll wind up seeing A Perfect Getaway eventually I'm sure.

[Rowland]

Hey, so John Carpenter's Vampires, while still no great shakes, was a lot cooler than I remembered, with all-around solid craftsmanship, entirely practical effects, bracing political incorrectness, hard-boiled dialogue chewed to the hilt, and an admirably minimalist B-movie narrative merging vampire and western tropes into an agreeably modest stew of cheap thrills. Would the studios theatrically release something like this now? It's so retro, which is by all means a compliment.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Haven't watched Vampires since my copy of it disappeared, but I really liked it a lot. I remember having a few nitpicky complaints about it, but liking it overall. It was fun.

I wish I could remember why I disliked In the Mouth of Madness. I didn't hate it by any means, but it didn't make any freaking sense to me. When I see it again I'll try and note what it was that bugged the hell out of me.

I saw The Living Dead Girl. There is a good movie in there somewhere, but it was somehow lost in all of the beautiful scenery. It's gory, there's nudity, it has plenty of atmosphere, but it still seems empty, almost boring. There's too much dead space in the movie, and the supporting actors are dreadful and pointless.

It's an interesting take on the vampire genre, but I wish it had been handled better.

[Dukefrukem]

http://s2.buzzfeed.com/static/imagebuzz/web02/2009/2/16/12/slaughter-online-watch-movie-slaughter-23667-1234804941-25.jpg


A young woman looks to escape her abusive life by moving to her family's farm near Atlanta. Unfortunately, she learns her place of supposed comfort offers more terrifying forms of abuse

I watched the second movie in the 8 Films to Die For 3 box; Slaughter. It's the second movie in the box that I've watched but I've noticed that both movies take a considerably long time to get going AND they both are considerablly well made compared to the 16 other movies in the past sets. This is a good thing. The story is intentionally misleading, which allows for a few surprises, but the bad news is they are very unrealistic. There's also an injection of Saw that makes very little sense other than a scene that foreshadows it earlier in the film. I am surprised at the large jump in quality in these new films compared to the previous. The acting isn't what hurts this movie. It's the over-desire to try and shock the audience. And then of course you have the "based on true events tag".

[Bosco B Thug]

I'm pretty sure Assault on Precinct 13 has to be John Carpenter's best film.



Sorry Strange Circus lovers, I didn't really like it. Which is hard to say, due to it's strong sense for poignancy, the both innovative and graceful camerawork, or its elegant Demme-like extreme close-ups, used assuredly in belief of their being the ultimate cinematic method for registration of characters' interiority.

I don't know. It was good. But for me, it was emotional without being stimulating, beautifully made but not really dynamic, thematically hefty but not thematically nimble.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm pretty sure Assault on Precinct 13 has to be John Carpenter's best film.

You'd probably be in the minority.

[Rowland]

You'd probably be in the minority.I find that to be the popular consensus in the online critical community.

[Bosco B Thug]

Assault on Precinct 13 has the same technical robustness of Halloween and The Thing but with more dramatic focus. It even rivals Prince of Darkness in structural ambition. Carpenter's visual treatment of gangs and guns is as bracing as ever, and his visual treatment of his characters inside the station is as warm as ever.

[Raiders]

You'd probably be in the minority.

Count me in the minority as well then.

[The Mike]

AoP13 is definitely great. Second best Carpenter, still in my top 50.

Watching Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II right now. Better than the original? Definitely. Good? Probably not.

[Grouchy]

Yeah, Precinct 13 is the best "people with guns" movie I've ever seen. I'd even be tempted to say action movie as a whole. Not unusual at all if someone considers their favorite Carpenter.

Too bad you didn't dig Strange Circus. At least you admit the skills on display.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Assault is pretty awesome, but I do prefer the precision of craft in Halloween, the unrelenting tension of The Thing, and the pastiche-y charm of In the Mouth of Madness. I also love me some Starman and Big Trouble in Little China.

Come to think of it, Carpenter's made a lot of good movies...

[Spun Lepton]

Count me in the minority as well then.

*chalks Raiders up for the minority*

All right, we have two. Can we get three?

:P

[Scar]

*chalks Raiders up for the minority*

All right, we have two. Can we get three?

:P

Don't look at me.

The Thing ist am besten.

[Rowland]

Barker's Lord of Illusions was mucho lame, with an immediately predictable narrative arc drawn out to two tedious hours, without many mitigating factors beyond some solid direction, expectedly gruesome effects, a few moderately engaging set pieces, and a noirish tone that, while underfed and unconvincing, has its superficial charms. Whatever subtext Barker was striving to impart here is beyond me however, the performances are lackluster, the writing is generic, and the pacing plods, most of the film spent on a detective story for which we already know the answers and developing relationships that are never persuasive. While the latest adaptation of Barker's writing was itself a failure as a whole, with many of the criticisms I've leveled at Lord of Illusions being equally applicable, Kitamura's tricked-out slasher nonsense in Midnight Meat Train was certainly more entertaining than this. Hellraiser is no masterpiece, but it's far superior to either of these, while Candyman may be the best adaptation yet of Barker's writing.

[Bosco B Thug]

*chalks Raiders up for the minority*

All right, we have two. Can we get three?

:P I suppose I do feel as if I am to some degree betraying the horror loving community.


Barker's Lord of Illusions was mucho lame, with an immediately predictable narrative arc drawn out to two tedious hours, without many mitigating factors beyond some solid direction, expectedly gruesome effects, a few moderately engaging set pieces, and a noirish tone that, while underfed and unconvincing, has its superficial charms. Whatever subtext Barker was striving to impart here is beyond me however, the performances are lackluster, the writing is generic, and the pacing plods, most of the film spent on a detective story for which we already know the answers and developing relationships that are never persuasive. While the latest adaptation of Barker's writing was itself a failure as a whole, with many of the criticisms I've leveled at Lord of Illusions being equally applicable, Kitamura's tricked-out slasher nonsense in Midnight Meat Train was certainly more entertaining than this. Hellraiser is no masterpiece, but it's far superior to either of these, while Candyman may be the best adaptation yet of Barker's writing. Yeah, didn't like this very much when I saw it. Hellraiser needs a re-watch, but Candyman's pretty untouchable in the spot you mention right now.

[Rowland]

Am I humorless? (http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/07/13/get-treevenge-at-home/)

Apparently this has been a huge hit on the horror circuit. As a minute-and-a-half faux-trailer (somewhere between one-ninth and one-tenth its current length), comprised of the best bits and judiciously edited into a slick package, it may have worked, but in this form, I found its over-affectedly broad tone, smirky caricaturing, and pandering one-upmanship thoroughly obnoxious.

[Bosco B Thug]

Am I humorless? (http://www.horrorsquad.com/2009/07/13/get-treevenge-at-home/) Nah, it's pretty worthless. Not much funny about it. Stay for the thoughtless gore FX, completely check out mentally with the baby killing. Aw, the makers like horror movies, though, because they used the Cannibal Holocaust theme at the beginning.

[megladon8]

The thing is, I think the Treevenge concept could be freaking brilliant.

It just ended up sucking (apparently, since I haven't seen it).

Rowland, I'd be interested in your thoughts on Murder Party. Check it out sometime if you get the chance.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Barker's Lord of Illusions was mucho lame, with an immediately predictable narrative arc drawn out to two tedious hours, without many mitigating factors beyond some solid direction, expectedly gruesome effects, a few moderately engaging set pieces, and a noirish tone that, while underfed and unconvincing, has its superficial charms. Whatever subtext Barker was striving to impart here is beyond me however, the performances are lackluster, the writing is generic, and the pacing plods, most of the film spent on a detective story for which we already know the answers and developing relationships that are never persuasive. While the latest adaptation of Barker's writing was itself a failure as a whole, with many of the criticisms I've leveled at Lord of Illusions being equally applicable, Kitamura's tricked-out slasher nonsense in Midnight Meat Train was certainly more entertaining than this. Hellraiser is no masterpiece, but it's far superior to either of these, while Candyman may be the best adaptation yet of Barker's writing.

Indeed. The short story that inspired the film is a well-paced little tale but also had little "to it," save its stylish fusion of noir and fantasy. Not surprisingly, that's the most interesting part of the otherwise disposable feature.

Candyman is certainly the best-made Barker film, with Virginia Madsen's strong performance and the haunting score by Phillip Glass.

[Raiders]

Guess I'm the only one who ventured out for Twohy's latest. It's pretty superbly crafted overall and I think I was reminded most, as the advertising would lead, of the trick Wes Craven's superior Red Eye pulled. Twohy, as always, is a pretty perfect mood-setter, and here he has as much fun as he has had in any of his films. The whole plot sort of seems like a bit of meta game-playing, so purposefully abstruse and winking at the audience--the running cell phone picture gag is so overdone it's hilarious, not to mention the way the story introduces the other characters as kind of an A or B option without showing the obvious C. The professions/past of the main male characters? A screenwriter, an ex-con and a special forces op (who conviently "cannot be killed" according to another character). The finale becomes pretty damn rote, but then again the whole film essentially seems to be playing with every trick sitting on the table. I had a great time.

[Rowland]

It just ended up sucking (apparently, since I haven't seen it).
Lots of people think it's awesome, and it's only about 12+ minutes long before credits. *shrug* Just watch it, maybe you'll feel differently.

[Bosco B Thug]

Lots of people think it's awesome, and it's only about 12+ minutes long before credits. *shrug* Just watch it, maybe you'll feel differently. And, if you're a gorehound, you do get what you came for. Too bad you have to sit through an interminable 2/3rds to get to it and the film retains its lame humor throughout, but the trees do get their revenge in a big way that I'll admit to being satisfied by.

[Rowland]

but the trees do get their revenge in a big way that I'll admit to being satisfied by.You could argue that the first 2/3rds amp you up for the climax by making you desperately want to see everyone die, but I don't think that's a reasonable justification. All I really took away from it was the murder involving the couple being intertwined by the tree branch, which was admittedly pretty nifty.

[Bosco B Thug]

You could argue that the first 2/3rds amp you up for the climax by making you desperately want to see everyone die, but I don't think that's a reasonable justification. All I really took away from it was the murder involving the couple being intertwined by the tree branch, which was admittedly pretty nifty.
Not reasonable at all. If there was anything I hated most about this short, it was their insistence on a tree Holocaust drama at the beginning. And that annoying talking sound the trees made.

[Grouchy]

Wel, I liked it. Liked the tree voices, too.

[Rowland]

Wel, I liked it. Liked the tree voices, too.They sounded like Jawas to me.

[Sycophant]

Oh God, this Kurosawa interview/book. I am envious of all French persons.

[D_Davis]

Guess I'm the only one who ventured out for Twohy's latest. It's pretty superbly crafted overall and I think I was reminded most, as the advertising would lead, of the trick Wes Craven's superior Red Eye pulled. Twohy, as always, is a pretty perfect mood-setter, and here he has as much fun as he has had in any of his films. The whole plot sort of seems like a bit of meta game-playing, so purposefully abstruse and winking at the audience--the running cell phone picture gag is so overdone it's hilarious, not to mention the way the story introduces the other characters as kind of an A or B option without showing the obvious C. The professions/past of the main male characters? A screenwriter, an ex-con and a special forces op (who conviently "cannot be killed" according to another character). The finale becomes pretty damn rote, but then again the whole film essentially seems to be playing with every trick sitting on the table. I had a great time.

Nice. I want to check it out. And thanks for reminding me of Red Eye. I really liked that film when I saw it at the theater, and I want to revisit it.

[MacGuffin]

Oh God, this Kurosawa interview/book. I am envious of all French persons.

How's Charisma? I rented it out from the library.

[Sycophant]

How's Charisma? I rented it out from the library.

I liked it, though it seems weaker to me than most his films. It's probably his weirdest film.

[Bosco B Thug]

Oh God, this Kurosawa interview/book. I am envious of all French persons. I'm tempted to just import myself a copy, just to have it. Find a nice French girl to read it to me.


How's Charisma? I rented it out from the library. I like Charisma. It's sort of a warm-up for Doppelganger, and it's not a horror film, so I think you'll like it. ;) Kurosawa's somewhat affected style is less smooth and more lightweight here, but it's more awesomely convoluted allegory from him.

[MacGuffin]

I like Charisma. It's sort of a warm-up for Doppelganger, and it's not a horror film, so I think you'll like it. ;) Kurosawa's somewhat affected style is less smooth and more lightweight here, but it's more awesomely convoluted allegory from him.

Is it normal to want to watch all of his movies I have seen over with fear of having missed something before?

[Bosco B Thug]

Is it normal to want to watch all of his movies I have seen over with fear of having missed something before?
Ummm. As in you think his films need a 2nd viewing to fully grasp, or films you didn't think too much of you feel you probably missed some quality-boat on? I'm only aware of your Seance non-enthusiasm. You liked Cure, right?

[MacGuffin]

Ummm. As in you think his films need a 2nd viewing to fully grasp, or films you didn't think too much of you feel you probably missed some quality-boat on? I'm only aware of your Seance non-enthusiasm. You liked Cure, right?

Cure - 7
Séance - 5
Bright Future - 8
Doppelganger - 9
Pulse - 6

I think his movies need at least two viewings to fully grasp, as you say. I feel like Cure is probably more worthy of an 8.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I didn't watch Charisma, but passed it along to relatives who absolutely hated it. For a while there any recommend I gave was met with a suspicious glare and the question "Is it about a tree?!!!" They really hated it.

My Kurosawa ratings:

Cure - 8.5
Kairo - 9
Seance - 8
Doppelganger - 5

I have to watch Doppelganger one more time, and I haven't watched my copy of Retribution yet.

[Bosco B Thug]

I didn't watch Charisma, but passed it along to relatives who absolutely hated it. For a while there any recommend I gave was met with a suspicious glare and the question "Is it about a tree?!!!" They really hated it. Yeah, and it tends to be most comprehensible when the movie's talking about the tree, so that reaction makes sense.


Nyeeeeh...

Ghosts of Mars > Vampires

Sure Vampires has more of Carpenter's elegant flourishes and striking imagery (most of which involve framing Sheryl Lee), but Ghosts of Mars is just way more interesting and punchy and, what the hell, pretty equal in formal idiosyncrasy - even if GoM's fugliness is undebatable. Vampires' final 15 or so minutes (everything after the ceremony is foiled) were just laughable and ended the film on a low note.

[Rowland]

I'm afraid I can't echo Raiders' praise for Twohy's latest, which no doubt has its worthy qualities, but in the end proves itself far less legitimately crafty, tonally coherent, or dramatically satisfying than my cautious optimism had hoped for. Twohy's constantly foregrounded pretensions of genre deconstruction came off as faintly arrogant as well, which casts a particularly unflattering light over late-film developments, and his abuse of the flashback as a screenwriting crutch in one particular instance is remarkably ungainly.

[D_Davis]

Romero tweets!

http://twitter.com/officialromero

[Pop Trash]

I rewatched the original The Wicker Man to see if it was still awesome. Yup, still awesome.

[Pop Trash]

I should also note that I attempted to watch The Exorcist II and couldn't finish it. What I saw was both boring and does the worst thing a sequel can do: keep referring to the previous movie so the viewer wonders why they are even watching the sequel instead of the original. It's like the movie kept telling me "hey remember in the first movie when this happened, then this happened and this happened. Wasn't that cool? Why are you watching the sequel when you could be watching the superior original movie again you moron?" Linda Blair's acting was pretty bad in this as well, but man she filled out in between the first film and this one. Like hubba hubba :P

[jenniferofthejungle]

I watched the American remakes of One Missed Call and Shutter.

I got what I deserved. :sad:

[Dukefrukem]

I watched the American remakes of One Missed Call and Shutter.

I got what I deserved. :sad:

story of my life!

[D_Davis]

I should also note that I attempted to watch The Exorcist II and couldn't finish it. What I saw was both boring and does the worst thing a sequel can do: keep referring to the previous movie so the viewer wonders why they are even watching the sequel instead of the original. It's like the movie kept telling me "hey remember in the first movie when this happened, then this happened and this happened. Wasn't that cool? Why are you watching the sequel when you could be watching the superior original movie again you moron?" Linda Blair's acting was pretty bad in this as well, but man she filled out in between the first film and this one. Like hubba hubba :P


It's a terrible movie. The 3rd however is awesome. My favorite of the bunch.

[The Mike]

Spending time at the theater this weekend = :D

A Perfect Getaway was exactly my kind of thriller. It's definitely in the Phone Booth/Cellular/Red Eye vein of over-the-top, unashamed ballsyness. The twist teeters on the line between ridiculous and genius, but after some explaining it makes a lot of sense. Also, there was a lot of self-referential movie in-jokes which push the boundaries of cute, but they never put me over the edge either.

The cast was excellent. Timothy Olyphant continues to become one of my favorite actors, Steve Zahn was as good as ever, and Milla did Milla. The second female lead, Kiele Sanchez, was also fantastic. Oh, and the guy that's gonna play Thor was effective in a side role, and left me slightly more confident in that project.

It's a shame this one's gonna get lost in the summer shuffle, because it's far better than a lot of the things making bank lately. I can't wait to see it again.

And before that, there was District 9. Me likey.

[Pop Trash]

It's a terrible movie. The 3rd however is awesome. My favorite of the bunch.

While nothing can knock the first one from being tops for me, (it's probably my favorite horror film of all time so...yeah) you are correct in that the third one is very underrated. It would make my top ten movies of 1990 for sure.

Come to think of it, it's odd it took me so long to watch the second one since I love the first and third ones. But now I know why.

[D_Davis]

\
Come to think of it, it's odd it took me so long to watch the second one since I love the first and third ones. But now I know why.

Yeah, and Blatty had nothing to do with part 2. His "sequel" to the Exorcist is The Ninth Configuration - it's the second part of his Trilogy of Faith. That book is one of the very best I've ever read, and the movie is incredible. Legion, (The Exorcist III) is also an incredible book. Blatty did a very good job of adapting and directing the movie.

[Dukefrukem]

Wow. Saw Orphan this weekend. What an incredibly underrated thriller!! The actress that plays Esther (Isabelle Fuhrman) is amazing! Furthermore of the "twist" at the end. Anyone else catch this?

I also watched 30 Days of Night. It's a personal favorite of mine, even if the ending is very dry and thoughtless. I love the look of the vampires.

[megladon8]

I know the twist at th eend of Orphan and it sounds like one of the most hilariously retarded things ever.

[Dukefrukem]

I know the twist at th eend of Orphan and it sounds like one of the most hilariousl retarded things ever.

It's neither.

[Kurosawa Fan]

I know the twist at th eend of Orphan and it sounds like one of the most hilariously retarded things ever.

Yeah, I heard about it from a friend, and I laughed my ass off. On paper it sounds like one of the most ridiculous twists ever.

[Bosco B Thug]

I rewatched the original The Wicker Man to see if it was still awesome. Yup, still awesome. The Wicker Man is the best. It's such a perfect little concept of a movie, very simple and well-executed.


My thoughts on Lifeforce: Was I actually duped the first time into thinking any of that actually made sense?

I still like the film a lot - there's a lot of style and meticulousness and adeptness there in its craft - but it just doesn't make any sense or come to any enlightened thematic points. It's action-film nature keeps Hooper from giving us sparkling emotional grace notes and instead displays his lack of talent in "cool action." It's weird seeing him implement his artful lighting on scenes of cheesy zombie rampages. Hooper shines when he's making mood pieces, and you see him trying to do that with this film, but his shortcomings just show when he's going with the flow of a plot, as he is here.

On the plus side, the film adopts a very prim British-like rhythm, which works very well, and it's often very funny, and still entertaining as hell.

The film's just nonsense, though, really.

[D_Davis]

Mathilda May (http://www.carlsagansghost.com/albums/mathilda.mp3)

Good movie.

[Bosco B Thug]

Mathilda May (http://www.carlsagansghost.com/albums/mathilda.mp3)

Good movie. You introduced me to this song before. :)

It's definitely a good movie.

[D_Davis]

You introduced me to this song before. :)

It's definitely a good movie.

Ah...sorry :)

I've been meaning to rewatch it. It's definitely a nostalgia film for me. I remember it being much better than it probably is, and part of me wants to keep it like that. However, I also know that there are some really neat parts in the film. The atmosphere is especially thick.

[Bosco B Thug]

Ah...sorry :)

I've been meaning to rewatch it. It's definitely a nostalgia film for me. I remember it being much better than it probably is, and part of me wants to keep it like that. However, I also know that there are some really neat parts in the film. The atmosphere is especially thick. Well, it is good, and it's good for three things: atmosphere, neat parts, and Mathilda May. So, no need to protect it from yourself.

Well... nevermind, do what you think's best. :D

[BuffaloWilder]

My thoughts on Orphan:



what the fuck haha wait seriously

[Dead & Messed Up]

Owen Gleiberman's top twenty horror pictures since 1990 (http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20284496_20284497_20295591, 00.html)...

01. Audition
02. The Silence of the Lambs
03. The Blair Witch Project
04. Scream
05. 28 Weeks Later
06. What Lies Beneath
07. The Sixth Sense
08. Drag Me to Hell
09. Alien 3
10. Ringu
11. Planet Terror
12. From Hell
13. Misery
14. Hostel Part II
15. Shaun of the Dead
16. The Descent
17. The Kingdom
18. Event Horizon
19. Darkman
20. Dead/Alive

A curious list, though I guess it isn't without its merits. Gleiberman's also written a few essays (on TCM (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/06/texas-chainsaw-massacre-horror/) and Psycho (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/04/psycho-the-horror-movie-that-changed-the-genre/)), but they seem useless, the writings of a man who's seen just enough horror to write about it, not enough to be seriously considered.

Most frustrating is his contention that Psycho is the film that changed cinematic/horror history. His contention that this was the first film to put the monster inside a man's head (the "grandest stunt in movie history")...seems to purposefully ignore earlier pictures like The Cat and the Canary, The Old Dark House, The Leopard Man, and Diaboliques.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I was watching my VHS copy of Night of the Creeps the other day and I think there will be a lot of disappointed people when the DVD is released on October 27th. The buildup for this movie is so strong I don't think the actual movie itself could live up to all of the internet hype.

Yes, there has been hype, especially at RT and other horror forums. I love the B&W flashbacks, Tom Atkins is awesome and it has some great lines, (lots of cheese, too) but it isn't the best thing ever. It feels like 3 different movies put together. I like it a lot and think it's great fun, but I think the uninitiated will find it a bit disappointing.

[Spun Lepton]

Owen Gleiberman's top twenty horror pictures since 1990 (http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20284496_20284497_20295591, 00.html)...

01. Audition
02. The Silence of the Lambs
03. The Blair Witch Project
04. Scream
05. 28 Weeks Later
06. What Lies Beneath
07. The Sixth Sense
08. Drag Me to Hell
09. Alien 3
10. Ringu
11. Planet Terror
12. From Hell
13. Misery
14. Hostel Part II
15. Shaun of the Dead
16. The Descent
17. The Kingdom
18. Event Horizon
19. Darkman
20. Dead/Alive

A curious list, though I guess it isn't without its merits. Gleiberman's also written a few essays (on TCM (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/06/texas-chainsaw-massacre-horror/) and Psycho (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/04/psycho-the-horror-movie-that-changed-the-genre/)), but they seem useless, the writings of a man who's seen just enough horror to write about it, not enough to be seriously considered.

Most frustrating is his contention that Psycho is the film that changed cinematic/horror history. His contention that this was the first film to put the monster inside a man's head (the "grandest stunt in movie history")...seems to purposefully ignore earlier pictures like The Cat and the Canary, The Old Dark House, The Leopard Man, and Diaboliques.

Alien 3, Darkman, 28 Weeks Later ... and no mention of The Mist? This guy is Entertainment Failure ... uh ... Weekly. Or something... uh ... his list sucks!!

[jenniferofthejungle]

Maybe I'm nitpicky, but since when has Darkman been considered a horror film?

Alien 3? Sci-fi

What Lies Beneath is awful.

I don't consider Misery a horror film either.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I was watching my VHS copy of Night of the Creeps the other day and I think there will be a lot of disappointed people when the DVD is released on October 27th. The buildup for this movie is so strong I don't think the actual movie itself could live up to all of the internet hype.

It says something about a fanbase when a film like Night of the Creeps is hyped.

Just saying is all.

But yeah, you're right, it's got some great stuff, but it's mostly just good.

[Spun Lepton]

I re-watched Night of the Creeps recently, and yeah, nostialgia has been very kind to it. That said, it's still a fun flick with a few inspired moments of comedy, mostly revolving around Tom Atkins. The DVD will be worth having if they use the original ending, rather than that shitty dog ending.

[The Mike]

Owen Gleiberman's top twenty horror pictures since 1990 (http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20284496_20284497_20295591, 00.html)...

I'll bite, just so there's a list without Hostel II....

20. Waxwork II: Lost in Time
19. Scream 2
18. Splinter
17. Session 9
16. Nightbreed
15. Slither
14. Rogue
13. Drag Me to Hell
12. Bubba Ho-Tep
11. The Frighteners
10. 28 Days Later...
9. Mimic
8. Shaun of the Dead
7. Sleepy Hollow
6. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
5. Dog Soldiers
4. The Mist
3. From Dusk Till Dawn
2. Candyman
1. Army of Darkness

[REC] will be on this list once I rewatch it, and I'm sure there are others I left off wrongly. But the top 8 are definitely my top 8.

[megladon8]

1.) American Psycho
2.) The Mist
3.) Session 9
4.) [REC]
5.) The Descent
6.) Drag Me to Hell
7.) Pulse (Kurosawa)
8.) Cronos
9.) 28 Weeks Later
10.) Exorcist III
11.) Marebito
12.) Shaun of the Dead
13.) A Tale of Two Sisters
14.) Dog Soldiers
15.) House of 1,000 Corpses
16.) Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust
17.) Sleepy Hollow
18.) Dead Alive
19.) The Call of Cthulhu
20.) The Blair Witch Project

HM: The Others



I had a hell of a time with some of these, because there are several on there that I wouldn't - myself - consider to be true horror. Even American Psycho I consider to be a black comedy, but since it contains some strong horror elements I included it. And its my #1 :cool: Unfortunately the hypocrite in me took over and there were several I didn't include simply because they strayed too far from being horror - Versus, Fido, Blade II, and several others.

But yeah, my list would look something like that, I guess.

[jenniferofthejungle]

My Top 20 of the last 20

I'll probably edit as I remember movies later on. I'm also not ranking them because I am cool like that.

The Descent
Session 9
Slither
Behind the Mask: The Rise and Fall of Leslie Vernon
A Tale of Two Sisters
Kairo
Dog Soldiers
The Mist
Sleepy Hollow
The Devil's Backbone
The Orphanage
[REC]
Dead Alive
The Blair Witch Project
The Others
Wolf Creek
Let the Right One In
Scream
Ringu
Frailty

[Dead & Messed Up]

I'll bite, just so there's a list without Hostel II....

20. Waxwork II: Lost in Time
19. Scream 2
18. Splinter
17. Session 9
16. Nightbreed
15. Slither
14. Rogue
13. Drag Me to Hell
12. Bubba Ho-Tep
11. The Frighteners
10. 28 Days Later...
9. Mimic
8. Shaun of the Dead
7. Sleepy Hollow
6. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon
5. Dog Soldiers
4. The Mist
3. From Dusk Till Dawn
2. Candyman
1. Army of Darkness

[REC] will be on this list once I rewatch it, and I'm sure there are others I left off wrongly. But the top 8 are definitely my top 8.

Yeah, I had to leave off a bevy of highly entertaining films, but I'd wager this is a more accurate picture than the Gleib's.

01. Cemetery Man
02. Pulse
03. The Silence of the Lambs
04. Shaun of the Dead
05. The Mist
06. The Descent
07. Dead/Alive
08. Session 9
09. Audition
10. Misery
11. Let the Right One In
12. Scream
13. Battle Royale
14. 28 Days Later
15. Frailty
16. Sleepy Hollow
17. Habit
18. Candyman
19. Drag Me to Hell
20. Three Extremes

[jenniferofthejungle]

Jim, you plucked Frailty right out of my head :D


Revisted May lately? Would it have been an HM?

[Dead & Messed Up]

Jim, you plucked Frailty right out of my head :D

Revisted May lately? Would it have been an HM?

I have not, but it would be.

[The Mike]

Habit's a cool choice. I was most considering Fessenden's Wendigo, but Last Winter and it were close.

[Pop Trash]

18. Drag Me to Hell
19. Candyman
20. Three Extremes
21. Drag Me to Hell

So good you had to put it on twice!

[BuffaloWilder]

But seriously, what was up with Orphan. That was just ridiculous.

[The Mike]

But seriously, what was up with Orphan. That was just ridiculous.

My guess is it was something Oprah came up with in a drunken stupor, and one of her handlers gave it a title that mixed up her name and added an n and released it to prevent anyone from thinking she's not the most worthwhile person alive.

[The Mike]

BTW, I just saw BOSCH from CHUD in a Burger King commercial. :eek:

[BuffaloWilder]

My guess is it was something Oprah came up with in a drunken stupor, and one of her handlers gave it a title that mixed up her name and added an n and released it to prevent anyone from thinking she's not the most worthwhile person alive.

I love how

when they tried to make the girl look older, all they did was put some darker makeup on her face.

THE CALL IS COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE

[Pop Trash]

1. The Kingdom
2. Misery
3. Scream
4. The Blair Witch Project
5. The Exorcist 3
6. Dead Alive
7. The Sixth Sense
8. From Dusk Till Dawn
9. 28 Days/Weeks Later
10. The Descent
11. Drag Me to Hell
12. Let the Right One In
13. American Psycho
14. Audition
15. The Devil's Backbone
16. Wes Craven's New Nightmare
17. Freddy vs. Jason

Something like that. Some of the ones people are listing I don't seem more like horror hybrids (or something) than true horror IMO. As much as I love Silence of the Lambs (for instance), it seems more like a police procedural or thriller as much as a horror movie.

[Bosco B Thug]

Owen Gleiberman's top twenty horror pictures since 1990 (http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20284496_20284497_20295591, 00.html)...

04. Scream
05. 28 Weeks Later
06. What Lies Beneath
07. The Sixth Sense
08. Drag Me to Hell
09. Alien 3

11. Planet Terror
12. From Hell
13. Misery
14. Hostel Part II Man, look at those strings of mediocrity.

Well, I haven't seen From Hell, but I pretend I do for effect.


I was watching my VHS copy of Night of the Creeps the other day and I think there will be a lot of disappointed people when the DVD is released on October 27th. The buildup for this movie is so strong I don't think the actual movie itself could live up to all of the internet hype. Yeah... this sounds about right. I watched the film recently, sometime last fall, and yeah, it's not that good...

[D_Davis]

There is nothing, absolutely nothing mediocre about Scream.

[megladon8]

From Hell is bloody fantastic.

[Pop Trash]

Man, look at those strings of mediocrity.


:rolleyes: Perhaps you just don't like horror movies that much?

[Dead & Messed Up]

There is nothing, absolutely nothing mediocre about Scream.

Agreed. It's a superlative slasher, ingenious in its sarcastic spirit and uncommonly elegant in its creation and execution of suspense set-pieces.

[D_Davis]

Agreed. It's a superlative slasher, ingenious in its sarcastic spirit and uncommonly elegant in its creation and execution of suspense set-pieces.

It is a film often wrongly vilified for the spawn of mediocrity it birthed. It's like blaming Halloween for the onslaught of bad '80s horror. And yes, I did just compared Scream to Halloween. Scream is incredible. Just look at how it incorporated the cell phone into the genre. It's one of the first movies to use that then budding piece of technology in such an important manner. And that's just one facet of its brilliance. Just as Halloween ushered in the post-Vietnam era of horror cinema, Scream, it could be argued, ushered in the post-modern era.

[Dead & Messed Up]

It is a film often wrongly vilified for the spawn of mediocrity it birthed. It's like blaming Halloween for the onslaught of bad '80s horror. And yes, I did just compared Scream to Halloween. Scream is incredible. Just look at how it incorporated the cell phone into the genre. It's one of the first movies to use that then budding piece of technology in such an important manner. And that's just one facet of its brilliance. Just as Halloween ushered in the post-Vietnam era of horror cinema, Scream, it could be argued, ushered in the post-modern era.

Although In the Mouth of Madness, New Nightmare, and even Candyman seemed to predict this trend, with their emphasis on the connection between fictional horror and real-world nightmares, certainly none of them hit the public consciousness like Scream.

I generally consider it the penultimate slasher that matters, Behind the Mask being a fitting capstone for the sub-genre.

Oh, and the opening is among the best horror sequences ever constructed. Ever.

[Bosco B Thug]

:rolleyes: Perhaps you just don't like horror movies that much? You got me.

Oh, and the opening is among the best horror sequences ever constructed. Ever. The opening scene is very, very good, definitely.

I somewhat like Scream. The premise is ingenious, and it does have things to say about youth and violence, but the film is overruled by jokes, flat drama, and the ensuing tomfoolery which goes against the horror of the first scene.

[Qrazy]

I'm with Bosco. Historical importance aside, Scream as a film unto itself, not really that great imo.

[D_Davis]

Oh, and the opening is among the best horror sequences ever constructed. Ever.

Yep. It's the Raiders of the Lost Arc of horror.

[Spun Lepton]

Since everybody else is doing it ...


1. Ringu
2. The Devil's Backbone
3. Shaun of the Dead
4. Seven
5. The Mist
6. The Sixth Sense
7. The Frighteners
8. Slither
9. Ravenous
10. Army of Darkness
11. Let the Right One In
12. From Dusk 'Til Dawn
13. The Descent
14. Session 9
15. Final Destination
16. 28 Days Later
17. High Tension
18. Tremors
19. Audition
20. Tales From the Crypt: Demon Knight

[Rowland]

Some I've really enjoyed that I haven't seen on a list yet:

Tetsuo: The Iron Man
Jacob's Ladder
Cube
Dagon
Soft for Digging
Wendigo
The Ring
Dark Water (Nakata)
Dumplings
Joshua
Strange Circus
Rogue
Martyrs

[Ezee E]

Yeah, Scream is one of my favorites in all of film. Easily makes my top five in horror.

[Raiders]

1. Pulse
2. Wolf Creek
3. 28 Weeks Later
4. The Addiction
5. The Last Winter
6. Cure
7. The Reflecting Skin
8. A Tale of Two Sisters
9. Dead Alive
10. Shaun of the Dead
11. Seance
12. The Quiet Family
13. Wendigo
14. 28 Days Later
15. The Devil's Backbone
16. Bug
17. Cemetery Man
18. Candyman
19. Boy Meets Girl (1994)
20. eXistenZ

[Dukefrukem]

Owen Gleiberman's top twenty horror pictures since 1990 (http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20284496_20284497_20295591, 00.html)...

01. Audition
02. The Silence of the Lambs
03. The Blair Witch Project
04. Scream
05. 28 Weeks Later
06. What Lies Beneath
07. The Sixth Sense
08. Drag Me to Hell
09. Alien 3
10. Ringu
11. Planet Terror
12. From Hell
13. Misery
14. Hostel Part II
15. Shaun of the Dead
16. The Descent
17. The Kingdom
18. Event Horizon
19. Darkman
20. Dead/Alive

A curious list, though I guess it isn't without its merits. Gleiberman's also written a few essays (on TCM (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/06/texas-chainsaw-massacre-horror/) and Psycho (http://popwatch.ew.com/2009/08/04/psycho-the-horror-movie-that-changed-the-genre/)), but they seem useless, the writings of a man who's seen just enough horror to write about it, not enough to be seriously considered.

Most frustrating is his contention that Psycho is the film that changed cinematic/horror history. His contention that this was the first film to put the monster inside a man's head (the "grandest stunt in movie history")...seems to purposefully ignore earlier pictures like The Cat and the Canary, The Old Dark House, The Leopard Man, and Diaboliques.

I'm happy to see The Blair Witch Project at 3. It deserves it. Maybe even 2. The descent is way too high on the list.

[Dukefrukem]

Oh and my top 20 since 1990;

1. the Decent
2. Martyrs
3. High Tension
4. Drag Me to Hell
5. Slither
6. Dawn of the Dead
7. The Frighteners
8. Army of Darkness
9. the Mist
10. Shaun of the Dead
11. Scream
12. Dumplings/3 Extremes
13. Wolf Creek
14. Ringu
15. Let the Right One In
16. Signs
17. 28 Days Later
18. Blair Witch Project
19. A Tale of Two Sisters
20. Pulse

Honorable Mentions;
Phantoms
Devils Rejects
Creep
Dead Birds
the first 45 minutes of House of 1000 Corpses

[Philosophe_rouge]

My attempt at a list. I purposefully ommited Se7en and Silence of the Lambs


1. Trouble Every Day
2. Let the Right One In
3. Drag me to Hell
4. Trick’ R’ Treat
5. Ginger Snaps
6. Strange Circus
7. The Descent
8. The Others
9. The Last House on the Left
10. Audition
11. The Mist
12. Ils
13. The Sixth Sense
14. The Blair Witch Project
15. Shaun of the Dead
16. Suicide Club
17. Jacob's Ladder
18. Pontypool
19. [rec]
20. Scream

[Eleven]

28 Days Later...
Audition
Cemetery Man
Cronos
Cure
Dead Alive
The Descent
Drag Me to Hell
Frailty
Let the Right One In
Little Otik
The Mist
Pulse
The Rapture (I think it counts)
Scream
Shaun of the Dead
The Sixth Sense
Slither
Stuck
Trouble Every Day

Something like that.

EDIT: And #21 is New Nightmare.

[Dukefrukem]

28 Days Later...
Audition
Cemetery Man
Cronos
Cure
Dead Alive
The Descent
Drag Me to Hell
Frailty
Let the Right One In
Little Otik
The Mist
Pulse
The Rapture (I think it counts)
Scream
Shaun of the Dead
The Sixth Sense
Slither
Stuck
Trouble Every Day

Something like that.

EDIT: And #21 is New Nightmare.

Damn it. I forgot New Nightmare!

[megladon8]

Horror really is an underrated genre in my books.

There have been some true masterpieces, both classic and modern.

Even each subgenre of horror features some incredible works.

[Rowland]

Not list-worthy, but worth checking out:

Exte: Hair Extensions
Inside
Mother of Tears
The Lost
The Broken
Vacancy
The Abandoned
Reincarnation
The Woods
Silent Hill
Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
Retribution
Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed
Jeepers Creepers 2
Ju-On: The Grudge 2
Dark Water (Salles)
Mimic: Sentinel
The Dark
House of Wax
Mindhunters
Ringu 2
Event Horizon
The Stendhal Syndrome
Ticks
Tremors 2: Aftershocks
Bram Stoker's Dracula

[megladon8]

Rowland, rep for reminding me that I wanted to see Exte.

It was one I went looking for countless times in NYC, but could never remember the title. I just remembered that it was an Asian horror about hair extensions, and no one (store clerks) could help me figure out what it was.

Thanks dude!

[Raiders]

Mindhunters


There is no level on which this movie is worth checking out.

[Cult]

Rowland, rep for reminding me that I wanted to see Exte.

It's very good, and Ren Osugi's performance is hilariously perfect. As much as I like his more ambitious, thoughtful work, I'd also like to see Sion Sono do more stuff like this.

[Rowland]

There is no level on which this movie is worth checking out.Sure there is. It's one of the most delightfully ludicrous schlock-thrillers of the '00s. Impossible to take seriously as what is essentially a Ten Little Indians imitation, but consistently inventive in its retarded way, and always delivered with deliriously stylized, breathlessly paced panache by Harlin.

[Rowland]

Thanks dude!You're welcome.

Have you seen any of Sono's other films?

[megladon8]

You're welcome.

Have you seen any of Sono's other films?


No, I haven't.

I've been tempted to check out Suicide Club several times, but it was always a case of "I found something else I'd rather see".

[Rowland]

No, I haven't.

I've been tempted to check out Suicide Club several times, but it was always a case of "I found something else I'd rather see".Suicide Club and Strange Circus are very good, and certainly worth seeking out. Just don't go into them (or Exte) anticipating a traditional horror film. He riffs on the genre in all sorts of bold, unorthodox ways with all three.

[Raiders]

Sure there is. It's one of the most delightfully ludicrous schlock-thrillers of the '00s. Impossible to take seriously as what is essentially a Ten Little Indians imitation, but consistently inventive in its retarded way, and always delivered with deliriously stylized, breathlessly paced panache by Harlin.

I saw none of this "panache." The film is all whiz-bang crudeness and the so-called criminal profiling laughably simple-minded and inane (characters are reduced to the most superficial of traits). There isn't a single inventive quality to the film, taking its style from the TV-montage school and its plot from Christie and a host of other whodunit thrillers. Perhaps its greatest flaw though it the complete waste of Val Kilmer who I have no doubt could have at least spiced this up better than the supremely milquetoast cast (only Miller, for his hilariously awful accent and LL Cool J, by being himself, stand out).

[Eleven]

Right back atcha:



12. Dumplings/3 Extremes
13. Wolf Creek
Devils Rejects


Thanks for reminding me to see 3 Extremes (or at that segment of it), but the other two are scary, uncompromising honorable mentions.

[Bosco B Thug]

Opera is some ridiculously awesome stuff. Blah blah blah the usual, it's far from profound, it's dramatically non-existent and typically dry Argento, the subtext or meta-commentary on high art and sadomasochism is pretty basic etc. etc., but Argento sure knows how to make a freaky, exciting, sweeping, and most importantly visually witty and/or disturbing film.

Argento sure can do a funky opening credit sequence.

[Dukefrukem]

Right back atcha:



Thanks for reminding me to see 3 Extremes (or at that segment of it), but the other two are scary, uncompromising honorable mentions.

I have a fondness of Wolf Creek. The cinematography alone makes it on my list.

[megladon8]

Opera is some ridiculously awesome stuff. Blah blah blah the usual, it's far from profound, it's dramatically non-existent and typically dry Argento, the subtext or meta-commentary on high art and sadomasochism is pretty basic etc. etc., but Argento sure knows how to make a freaky, exciting, sweeping, and most importantly visually witty and/or disturbing film.

Argento sure can do a funky opening credit sequence.


Heck yeah. This is a great one. I believe it's Raiders' favorite Argento film, actually.

I'd rank it around 3 or 4 in my Argento favorites.

I really wish Argento could better adapt to modern filmmaking techniques and aesthetic.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Exte was literally my #21. I'm happy to see it getting love.

[megladon8]

Exte was literally my #21. I'm happy to see it getting love.


Your love of Trick 'R' Treat has me really wanting to see it.

And Trouble Every Day is one I'd never heard of, actually. Doesn't seem to easy to get a hold of, either.

[Spun Lepton]

Some I've really enjoyed that I haven't seen on a list yet:

Wendigo

This would be on my "DVDs to Stomp On" list.

[megladon8]

I love Wendigo and The Last Winter.

Not enough to make my list, but they're both great.

[Spun Lepton]

I love Wendigo and The Last Winter.

Not enough to make my list, but they're both great.

I haven't seen Last Winter. Wendigo was my pick for a movie with friends one evening, and I still haven't heard the end of it. I apologized profusely on the way home, but they were having none of it. Just a slow and boring, no-budget clunker with pretentious aspirations.

[megladon8]

I haven't seen Last Winter. Wendigo was my pick for a movie with friends one evening, and I still haven't heard the end of it. I apologized profusely on the way home, but they were having none of it. Just a slow and boring, no-budget clunker with pretentious aspirations.


I can see this situation certainly making you hate it. I've had that happen many times - movies I otherwise would have liked getting tarnished because of the people I watched it with.

Happened when I watched The Royal Tenenbaums with my parents. They absolutely loathed it and were very vocal about that, so because of the crappy experience I kind of hated the movie. But upon rewatches I grew to adore it, and now it's in my top 20 of all time.

If you want my advice, I say you should rent The Last Winter and watch it by yourself. If you like it, try renting Wendigo and giving it another shot.

Both movies deal with a lot of the same themes but in very different ways, and with very different outcomes.

[Philosophe_rouge]

Your love of Trick 'R' Treat has me really wanting to see it.

And Trouble Every Day is one I'd never heard of, actually. Doesn't seem to easy to get a hold of, either.

Yea, unfortunately I had to obtain it illegally. It's a very disturbing and loosely drawn horror by Claire Denis about intimacy and some obsure "disease", that makes people consume each other. A strange kind of living zombie-ism. The mood and atmosphere is extremely heavy, it's a very sad film.

[Eleven]

Yea, unfortunately I had to obtain it illegally. It's a very disturbing and loosely drawn horror by Claire Denis about intimacy and some obsure "disease", that makes people consume each other. A strange kind of living zombie-ism. The mood and atmosphere is extremely heavy, it's a very sad film.

*looks at sig*

Hmm, I may have started something of a trend here.

[Bosco B Thug]

I really wish Argento could better adapt to modern filmmaking techniques and aesthetic. It's kind of amazing how drastically he hasn't. He did it so effortlessly in his heyday, it doesn't seem like age would do anything.

He's just stopped feeling as if he's got to prove anything. Booo. (I've only seen Mother of Tears of his recent work)

[Philosophe_rouge]

*looks at sig*

Hmm, I may have started something of a trend here.

Yea, but you get no credit. Such is life :P

[Eleven]

Yea, but you get no credit. Such is life :P

Speng's already told me he got it from me. And I got it from Ed Gonzalez. The circle of life continues.

EDIT: Eh, not circle. More like virus. The virus of life.

[Raiders]

Just a slow and boring, no-budget clunker with pretentious aspirations.

... or a small and quietly haunting tale of the effects of an uninhabited imagination and isolation seen through the eyes of a young boy, culminating in a disturbing climax that recalls the effects of the id monster from Forbidden Planet.

[Winston*]

I just thought Wendigo was amateurishly made. The Last Winter's better but it goes to crap in the third act. Hate that ending.

[Spun Lepton]

... or a small and quietly haunting tale of the effects of an uninhabited imagination and isolation seen through the eyes of a young boy, culminating in a disturbing climax that recalls the effects of the id monster from Forbidden Planet.

The "distubing climax" had me trying to politely not laugh my ass off in the theater.

[Spun Lepton]

If you want my advice, I say you should rent The Last Winter and watch it by yourself. If you like it, try renting Wendigo and giving it another shot.

Last Winter is in my Netflix queue, and it's going to have to be pretty amazing to overcome my bias against Fessenden.

[Dead & Messed Up]

... or a small and quietly haunting tale of the effects of an uninhabited imagination and isolation seen through the eyes of a young boy, culminating in a disturbing climax that recalls the effects of the id monster from Forbidden Planet.

The only thing I found disturbing about the climax was the poorly-done effects that minimized what was, up to then, a spare style that hinted rather than blared. Oddly, Last Winter duplicated the same problem to a T.

For that reason, I find Habit his most successful feature overall.

[Scar]

Not a fan of Last Winter. Ham fisted global warming with a horrid third act.

[Raiders]

Yeah, the effects don't really bother me. Particularly since I think the film justifies itself as being the creation of the mind based on a small wooden figurine.

In general though, I look past effects and budget for the purpose of the images.

[megladon8]

In general though, I look past effects and budget for the purpose of the images.


I'd agree with this unless the poor effects/low budget hamper the quality of the overall image.

Larry Cohen has some images that would have been quite striking in Q: The Winged Serpent, but the creature effects which would have looked out of date 40 years prior coupled with some terrible compositing make it hard to see these images as anything particularly special.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Yeah, the effects don't really bother me. Particularly since I think the film justifies itself as being the creation of the mind based on a small wooden figurine.

In general though, I look past effects and budget for the purpose of the images.

I tend not to, because I first and foremost try to engage films on a personal/emotional level, and if the effects hamper my involvement, then I get irritated. It's only on subsequent viewings that I do anything that could be considered "analysis."

[Grouchy]

My list would go:

1. May
2. Let the Right One In
3. Braindead / Dead Alive
4. The Descent
5. Audition
6. Shaun of the Dead
7. Strange Circus
8. Bubba Ho-Tep
9. Dog Soldiers
10. Masters of Horror: Imprint

11. Cronos
12. The Devil's Rejects
13. The Mist
14. Ringu
15. [Rec]
16. Dagon
17. In the Mouth of Madness
18. Films To Keep You Awake: Baby's Room
19. Nightmare Detective
20. Lost Highway

Weird that I included two TV series, but they're both definitively worth it.

Exte is a lot of fun. Crazy stuff and the villain is a riot. I'm still pissed I missed Sion Sono's Love Exposure at the last film festival.

[Cult]

Not a fan of Last Winter. Ham fisted global warming with a horrid third act.

Naah, it was good! I kept having the feeling that I should probably be watching The Thing instead, though. I really need to see that.

I would make a list, but I kind of have a list phobia these past few years. Everytime I look at an old one, I wonder what I was thinking. My opinions change so much, and I have to watch almost everything twice these days. I'll just say Kairo, Audition, and [REC] would be on there, no question.

[Spun Lepton]

I'm going to have to go beat myself up for forgetting to include Dead Alive in my Top 20 list. I've seen that movie so many times, I can't believe I forgot about it.

I almost expect [REC] and Drag Me to Hell to make the list, once I see them.

[Dukefrukem]

My list would go:

1. May
2. Let the Right One In
3. Braindead / Dead Alive
4. The Descent
5. Audition
6. Shaun of the Dead
7. Strange Circus
8. Bubba Ho-Tep
9. Dog Soldiers
10. Masters of Horror: Imprint

11. Cronos
12. The Devil's Rejects
13. The Mist
14. Ringu
15. [Rec]
16. Dagon
17. In the Mouth of Madness
18. Films To Keep You Awake: Baby's Room
19. Nightmare Detective
20. Lost Highway

Weird that I included two TV series, but they're both definitively worth it.

Exte is a lot of fun. Crazy stuff and the villain is a riot. I'm still pissed I missed Sion Sono's Love Exposure at the last film festival.

The fact that you have May at the top of your list makes me want to see it more than ever now.

[Grouchy]

The fact that you have May at the top of your list makes me want to see it more than ever now.
Not enough good can be said about that wonderful movie.

[Scar]

Naah, it was good! I kept having the feeling that I should probably be watching The Thing instead, though. I really need to see that.

I would make a list, but I kind of have a list phobia these past few years. Everytime I look at an old one, I wonder what I was thinking. My opinions change so much, and I have to watch almost everything twice these days. I'll just say Kairo, Audition, and [REC] would be on there, no question.

You MUST see The Thing.

Great, now I'm itching to watch The Thing....

:P

[The Mike]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Anyone who's seen number one, come laugh with me please. :lol:

[Raiders]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Huh. A friend of mine has raved about Who Can Kill a Child? for years.

[Spun Lepton]

You MUST see The Thing.

:eek:

This is my reaction whenever anybody tells me they haven't seen The Thing.

[Yxklyx]

Not enough good can be said about that wonderful movie.

Another vote for May. Very good - makes my top ten from that year and I'm not much of a horror buff. Another movie I liked a lot which is similar in some ways is Habit.

[Spun Lepton]

May was good, but I wouldn't go very far beyond that, personally.

[D_Davis]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Anyone who's seen number one, come laugh with me please. :lol:

I own it on VHS and DVD...

Why? I don't know. You'd've thought I would've learned my lesson with the VHS, right?

[megladon8]

God, I hate Eli Roth.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Anyone who's seen number one, come laugh with me please. :lol:

:lol:

It's pretty awful.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Anyone who's seen number one, come laugh with me please. :lol:


He is a special kind of retard, Mike.



God, I hate Eli Roth.

I do, too. I had to watch that clip on mute. I don't think I'll make it through Inglorious Basterds.



May was good, but I wouldn't go very far beyond that, personally.

I liked it even less than you did. In all honesty I'd have to give it one more shot to be sure, but it really was not a movie I enjoyed the first time around. The ending reminded me of Pieces. Not a good thing.

[jenniferofthejungle]

I own it on VHS and DVD...

Why? I don't know. You'd've thought I would've learned my lesson with the VHS, right?

It could have been a totally different movie on DVD. You never know until you buy it!

[D_Davis]

It could have been a totally different movie on DVD. You never know until you buy it!

It's true. Although my VHS has a better picture than that crappy $5 Diamond Video DVD.

Still thought - lots of good nudity. ;)

[Pop Trash]

Who Can Kill a Child?, which I've never heard of, does sound interesting. Like some kind of proto Children of the Corn.

[Scar]

It's true. Although my VHS has a better picture than that crappy $5 Diamond Video DVD.

Still thought - lots of good nudity. ;)

And I'm guessing thats good 'ol back in the day nudity with real boobies....

[jenniferofthejungle]

And I'm guessing thats good 'ol back in the day nudity with real boobies....

I'll answer for him--they did look real to me. :lol: Not one giant set of rock-hard melons in the bunch.

[Scar]

I'll answer for him--they did look real to me. :lol: Not one giant set of rock-hard melons in the bunch.

I don't trust tits that I could chip a tooth on.

[The Mike]

Rewatched Waxwork and Waxwork II today. I have no understanding why these movies aren't more respected in the horror community. They aren't quite Evil Dead/Evil Dead 2 or Gremlins/Gremlins 2 quality, but anyone with a love for the genre and campiness NEEDS to see these, if only for the spot on reimaginings of so many genre staples.

Widescreen DVDs need to come soon.

[jenniferofthejungle]

Waxwork is flawed, but fun. I love the set pieces and little stories more than the main story in the movie.

Waxwork 2 is poo, Mike.

[Dukefrukem]

Eli Roth's Five Favorite Films (http://www.cinematical.com/2009/08/20/eli-roths-top-5-freaky-flicks/)

Anyone who's seen number one, come laugh with me please. :lol:

the fact that he has Hannibal Holocaust on there is enough for me. What a tool.

[D_Davis]

I don't really mind Eli Roth at all, and his list seemed pretty good for a guy who loves his horror schlocky. He's always reminded me of a Troma filmmaker, and I can easily see many of those films showing up a Troma best of list.

[megladon8]

Re-watched Dead & Breakfast which is fun for the most part. Some of the songs are fun, some are painful and obnoxious. Ditto for the film's sense of humor - it needed to cut out all the lame attempts at "Three Stooges"-esque slapstick humor.

Briskly paced with a killer deadpan-sarcasm performance by Jeremy Sisto and some great gore sequences. I also just really liked the overall premise.

Has severe problems, but I give it a passing grade because overall I just had too much fun to dislike it.

[Dead & Messed Up]

I thought Dead and Breakfast, Undead or Alive, and Undead were all equally terrible. Terrible stuff.

Awful.

[megladon8]

I thought Dead and Breakfast, Undead or Alive, and Undead were all equally terrible. Terrible stuff.

Awful.


Don't know why you brought up those other two.

Haven't seen Undead or Alive, but Undead was terrible, yes.

[Dead & Messed Up]

Don't know why you brought up those other two.

Haven't seen Undead or Alive, but Undead was terrible, yes.

Part of a semi-recent spate of awful zombie "comedies."

[megladon8]

Part of a semi-recent spate of awful zombie "comedies."


What did you hate so much about Dead & Breakfast?

It's certainly very, very heavily flawed, but having seen it three times now I can't see anything there that would make someone loathe it so passionately.

[D_Davis]

I enjoyed Dead & Breakfast, but I didn't like Undead at all.

[Dead & Messed Up]

What did you hate so much about Dead & Breakfast?

It's certainly very, very heavily flawed, but having seen it three times now I can't see anything there that would make someone loathe it so passionately.

It was mostly when, a third of the way through, it turned another movie where survivors scream at each other whilst shotgunning zombies. The addition of comedy that irritated me from the very beginning hurt even more.

[Spun Lepton]

I thought Undead was all right, although the one guy overused "fuck" so much it started to become grating. They needed to reel that guy in some. It was pretty impressive what special effects they accomplished with their own home computers.

[megladon8]

It was mostly when, a third of the way through, it turned another movie where survivors scream at each other whilst shotgunning zombies. The addition of comedy that irritated me from the very beginning hurt even more.


See, this is what I was getting at, and maybe you felt the same way. The slapstick comedy was absolutely horrid. The jock-guy slipping and sliding on the floor covered in blood, the incompetent police officer falling down the stairs to land on a corpse. Those bits were awful.

However, there were some very funny bits, mostly from Jeremy Sisto. His incredibly bitter sarcasm was a highlight for me.

Funny how Jeffrey Dean Morgan was actually one of the poorer parts of the movie.

And I thought the make-shift shotguns were actually kind of neat.