"The Gate is a MUST HAVE for all horror fans." - Steve "Uncle Creepy" Barton, Dread Central
Glen's parents are going out of town for the weekend and left his older sister, Alexandra, or "Al", in charge. While digging in a hole in the backyard, he and his best friend Terry find a geode. Terry brings a metal record over to listen to and the lyrics are based on something referred to as "The Dark Book". After consulting the words to the music, Terry is convinced that the hole in Glen's backyard is the gateway to Hell. He's right.
The Gate is a classic 1980's kid's horror film but it's much more intense one may be lead to believe. There were many times I forgot that I was watching a PG-13 movie. The best way to describe its content is The Monster Squad meets a tame Evil Dead. You'll laugh, you'll jump and maybe even scream, but most of all, you're '80s nostalgia fix will be fulfilled in a horrific way.
"The movie is well-made, with more effort placed on building tension than on creating bloody playoffs." - Jeffrey M. Anderson, Common Sense Media
Mandy Lane is a shy but popular outsider who draws the attention of every male at her high school. The only boy she can trust is her best friend Emmet. After Emmet causes a severe accident at a jock party, Mandy stops communicating with him. He tries to win her friendship back but fails miserably.
Mandy is invited to a weekend party out at a classmate's father's cattle ranch. After receiving permission from her aunt, she and the group drive out to the secluded property. While everyone is enjoying their freedom of being away from their parents, they don't seem to notice that people are missing. Soon the group finds out that there is in uninvited visitor taking out everyone in their path.
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006. Senator Entertainment purchased the film from The Weinstein Company but they declared bankruptcy shorty after. After 7 years, The Weinstein Company finally re-gained the rights to the movie and released it in select theaters this October. With a $750,000 budget, the film has already broke even with their international revenue.
Although I enjoyed this movie, it does have a few dull moments. After its opener the film dips into a great amount of suspense. The only problem is, the dialogue isn't entertaining and is more or less a bore. Once things pick back up it resembles the same type of Grindhouse filmmaking Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) created in the '70s. As All the Boys Love Mandy Lane concludes, you're left with a bunch of twists and large body count.
"It's a truly interesting slasher fest; in this one, the heroine gets to be both beauty and beast." - Ferran Smith Nehme, New York Post
Mary Mason is a medical student struggling to pay her student loans. She comes across an ad online for a strip club. When she goes to her interview, it is interrupted by an injured man. Since Mary listed her medical experience on her resume, the club owner Billy offers her $5,000 to save the man. She accepts the offer and returns home in distress.
The word gets out about Mary's medical procedure and she is approached by many people wanting surgical body modifications. Each client wants to express themselves in a different way and they believe she is the doctor to go to. In need of the money, Mary decides to go into the business full time.
Mary becomes financially stable and is invited to a surgeon party. At the gathering, she runs into one of her doctors from school. The doctor slips something into her drink and takes advantage of her. The next day Mary seeks her revenge utilizing her medical skills, but it doesn't stop there. The wrath of Mary has only begun.
American Mary starts out somewhat predictable but it will keep you entertained with twists and turns. I definitely recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the television show Nip/Tuck. There's obviously more horror elements involved here. Overall, I had a good time.
"V/H/S/2 is raw and rough-edged and rude. It is also, for the hardcore horror fan, at total blast." - Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald
V/H/S/2 is a horror anthology composed of short "found footage" segments that wrap around another story. In this sequel, Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett (You're Next, A Horrible Way to Die) return with their own individual shorts. Other filmmakers include Eduardo Sanchez and Greg Hale (The Blair Witch Project), Jason Eisener (Hobo with a Shotgun), and Timo Tjahjanto with Gareth Huw Evans.
Each segment has its own story and style of horror, representing a little something for everyone to enjoy. There's zombies, aliens, satanic cults and more. By providing these different elements of horror, it keeps the film consistently fresh and entertaining. Definitely one of the best in 2013.
"The Grudge is a decent horror diversion: barely a classic, but still pretty atmospheric and suspenseful in its own right." - Bill Gibron, DVDTalk.com
The Grudge is a US remake of the Japanese horror film Ju-on: The Grudge. Separated by only 2 years, both movies are directed by Takashi Shimizu. Sam Raimi (Evil Dead franchise, Spider-Man trilogy) also appears in the producing credits. Even though it did well in the box office, The Grudge received mostly negative reviews.
Tonight was honestly my first time watching this movie since I saw it in the theater, October of 2004. This time around I feel like I gained a little more appreciation for the film. I originally thought it was was boring and lacked a lot of structure. There are some pretty frightening moments but I find myself trying way too hard to give a shit about the characters.
To be fair, Buffy the Vampire Slayer veteran Sarah Michelle Gellar puts on a great performance. In fact, she is one of the only reasons I decided to give this one a shot again. It's hard to believe it was released almost 10 years ago. In that time I have decided that it is still a mediocre lightweight PG-13 supernatural horror flick, but when the scares are on, they're on.
"This is a strange, compelling horror film that is decidedly for the fans of the genre and not, definitely not, for the mainstream moviegoer." - Robin Clifford, Reeling Reviews
Calvaire, which translates to The Ordeal, is a Belgian psychological horror film directed by Fabrice Du Welz. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May of 2004 and had its US release in August of 2006. It received a lot of mixed reviews but like the critic above said, the film isn't for everyone.
Marc Stevens is a rising pop artist who makes money on the side singing at retirement homes. On his way to perform a Christmas special, he wreck his transportation. He is found by a man named Boris who rescues him and leads him to an inn. Once Marc arrives, it's all downhill from there.
This movie is filled with a lot of jaw dropping moments. I remember the first time I saw it, I had to rewind a certain scene over and over to make sure what was going on was in fact actually happening. There's a nice musical number featured in the film which can be briefly seen in the trailer. Calvaire screams October and I love it.
"Works in being a spooky and entertaining darkly comedic horror movie..." - Felix Vasquez Jr., Cinema Crazed
Army of Darkness is my least favorite installment of the Evil Dead trilogy. After multiple viewings I have finally decided that I just don't really care for this movie. This may come as a shock to most people seeing as it is highly respected in the horror genre. I'm not sure what exactly it is that I don't like but the majority of the film just bores me. The first two of the three films were almost flawless as they balanced the gore, humor, and scares perfectly. Army of Darkness isn't supposed to be taken seriously but I wonder what it would have been like if director Sam Raimi went that direction instead. There's nothing wrong with the comedy side of it but there are scenes where I feel like the slapstick stuff just gets out of hand. Bruce Campbell recently confirmed that Army of Darkness 2 is in the works. I'll go see it of course; it will be fun to see what the effects look like. Who knows, maybe in a few years I'll have a different opinion on this film but until then, I'll stick with TheEvil Dead and Evil Dead II. -CS
"A creep and often heartbreaking look at family and how it can empower good. And pure evil." - Felix Vasquez Jr, Cinema Crazed
I put off watching Mama for a while. After reading a lot of negative reviews from reliable sources, I just wasn't in a hurry to see it. When I first saw the trailer it seemed like it already showed the best scenes. Just in the last week I've seen a lot of people post about it, so I decided to check it out for myself. Mama is the story of two little girls who are abandoned in the woods by their father who murdered mother. The girls are left in a secluded cabin until they are found five years later. Their Uncle Lucas and his girlfriend offer to take care of them. Little do they know the girls aren't the ones they are welcoming into their lives. The film was much better than I was led to believe. There were a lot of scary moments and the first 30 minutes alone is enough to make you feel like you were hit by a truck. I am glad to say that I enjoyed Mama and definitely look forward to seeing it again. -CS
"Moore is terrifying as a guilt-addled true believer, and Moretz caresses her role when she gets the chance. And the hot topics do indeed remain hot." - Tom Long, Detroit News
I was incredibly stoked when I heard ChloëGrace Moretz was going to be playing the role of Carrie White in this remake of the 1976 horror classic, Carrie. Moretz is slowly making her way towards claiming her (rightful) throne as Scream Queen, with a resume that includes The Amityville Horror (2005), Dark Shadows, and Let Me In.
Moretz's performance in Let Me In (based on the Swedish vampire film Let The Right One In) is what put the 16-year-old on Hollywood's radar. After seeing this year's version of Carrie, I know for a fact that she will only continue to conquer the world from here. Chloë does an unbelievable job of emulating the same terrifying quirks Sissy Spacek worked into her performance in the original, and Julianne Moore also does an exceptional job of portraying Carrie's bible thumping, psychotic mother. Unfortunately, however, those things are the only highlights of this film.
Carrie (2013) doesn't really stray away from the original other than incorporating modern technology. As matter of fact, there are certain scenes that contain the exact same lines from Brian De Palma's version. Carrie's revenge on her peers is a little more graphic, but other than that, it's almost identical. Cheers to Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore, but I'd rather stick to 1976.
"The Dead Zone does what only a good supernatural thriller can do: make us forget it is supernatural." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Today marks the 30th anniversary of the 1983 horror thriller The Dead Zone. The film is adapted from the Stephen King novel with the same name and directed by David Cronenberg (Scanners, The Fly). The story follows Johnny Smith who is played by Christopher Walken. After a night out with his girlfriend, Johnny is involved in a serious accident and lands himself in a coma.
Smith wakes up 5 years later and finds out that his girlfriend is now married and has kids. During his recovery, Johnny learns that that he possesses psychic powers whenever he comes into physical contact with another human being. These powers give him the ability to predict and prevent disasterous events that involve whoever's hand he touches.
I really enjoyed watching this film for the first time today. As a big Stephen King fan, I am somewhat embarrassed that I just now seeing it. This is definitely one of Christopher Walken's top performances and a great King adaptation. My only complaint is the third act tends to drift away and not be as entertaining as the beginning. Overall it's still really good, just not Pet Sematary good :). -CS
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning is not exactly a good movie. I actually have a better time making fun of the characters than anything else. Returning from the original remake is R. Lee Ermey and he is full of one liners somewhat equivelent to Full Metal Jacket. This film is easy to hate but if you don't take seriously, it can be a lot of fun. There's a enough gore and a few scares to make up for the countless flaws that it has. The film takes place before the original and shows the audience how a man named Thomas became Leatherface. The problem is, the movie spends more time focusing on poorly developed characters that never really find their place. This prequel is nothing more than a more graphic chapter in the Chainsaw series. At the end of the day, it's nothing more than a subpar horror flick to pop on while having a few drinks and laughs with some friends. My advice: Just watch the 1974 original if you're looking for some real scares. -CS
"An unrelenting, gruesomely funny blood bath. I loved it!" - Peter Jackson, Director of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy
Since Rider Strong is getting married tomorrow, I figured it would be appropriate to watch Cabin Fever tonight. This is one I watch every October since it takes place during the Fall. The set is perfect and just makes me want to go camping.
A group of college friends head out to a cabin in the woods for a vacation. While they're out there one of the students gets sick. As the the sickness worsens, the student notices their flesh is deteriorating. The disease spreads and only gets worse as the rest of the crew discovers that it is contagious.
Cabin Fever is directed by Eli Roth. Roth also created the Hostel films and played "The Bear Jew" in Inglorious Bastards. He has definitely shown what he can do in the horror world but I think we've only seen the beginning. His upcoming movie, The Green Inferno, was inspired by the controversial 1980's film Cannibal Holocaust and is said to be quite the blood bath. Cabin Fever is no Sesame Street but it just might seem that way once Roth's latest is released.
"Intense, disorienting, unsettling, upsetting, polarizing - Martyrs is all these things but it is also intelligent, moving and strangely uplifting. If you want to be put through the wringer by a film, make it this one." - Anton Bitel, Film4
Martyrs opens with a child named Lucie running away from a slaughterhouse where she was imprisoned and abused. She makes her way to an orphanage, where she befriends a girl named Anna. Flash forward 15 years, Lucie seeks her revenge on those who caused her harm in her dark past. Her plans, however, go awry and she is left to clean up the mess with absolutely no clue what she's in for.
French horror films are extremely intense due to different censorship standards. Director Pascal Laguier, once said that all the major studios in France rejected Martyrs due to its graphic content. Eventually it was picked up by a television channel that also finances films called Canal +.
Martyrs knows exactly how to get under your skin, make you queasy, and go way beyond any other horror film I've seen. Just when you think it can't get any worse, it does. This film is obviously not for a lot of people. It received a 18+ rating in its region, but the French Society of Film Directors believe it deserves to be re-examined by the French Ministry of Culture.
"An effectively relentless gore-fest." - Bruce Diones, New Yorker
I don't consider Evil Dead (2013) a remake or a re-imagining. If anything, I think they should have named this film Evil Dead IV. It's an all new cast and a familiar story, but it is also just another chapter of the book of the dead. This time around, there's also a lot more blood.
Evil Dead (2013) contains everything any horror fan would want to see in a movie. It will make you laugh, scream, jump, and even have you cheering. The action, score, and gore is so extreme that it reminded me of a foreign horror film. It makes you wonder how hard they had to battle to dodge an NC-17 rating. When everything was all said and done, I left the theater with the biggest smile on my face.
"Kick ass, but in a very computer-in-the-90s kind of way." - Stefan Birgir Stefansson
Edward Furlong plays Michael Brower, a kid who loves horror movies and video games. His friend, Kyle, tells him about a new video game that has been released. The game is called Brainscan and it's described to be so realistic that it feels like the gamer is actually killing people. Michael buys the game and upon making his first "kill," he immediately feels the adrenaline rush that accompanies committing a murder.
Later Michael finds out on the news that the man he "killed" in Brainscan was actually murdered. The host of the game, Trickster, comes to life and tells Michael that he did, in fact, kill the man. Michael is instructed to finish the game because he must take care of a witness who saw him commit the crime.
Brainscan is like an R-rated episode of Are You Afraid of the Dark? in that the special effects and make-up are very similar and even the plot sounds like it should have been on Nickelodeon; a much darker Nickelodeon that is. Anyways, it reeks of '90s nostalgia and I'm all about that. I definitely recommend it for this month.
"Exactly the kind of unexpected delight one hopes for every time the lights go down." - Mary Olsen, L.A. Weekly
This 2002 indie slasher was made on just a $500,000 budget. It features a few known actors including Anna Faris (Scary Movie, Just Friends) and Jeremy Sisto (Clueless, Six Feet Under). The film did not do well at the box office but it generally received positive reviews from respectable critics. May has been a misfit ever since she was a child. Due to her lazy eye, she had a really hard time making friends. Now that she's an adult, May's only friend is still an encased doll her mom gave her. Still struggling to meet friends, she develops a hobby that helps her cope with her loneliness. Her motto is "if you can't find a friend, make one." May begins meeting new people and does exactly that. May is one of the most original horror films in the last 15 years. It opens doors to several phobias that one probably hasn't even thought of. The lead, Angela Bettis, is an incredible actress and without her performance, the movie wouldn't be nearly as creepy as it is. -CS
"First-time director Frank Marshall has long been Steven Spielberg's producer, and he's learned the master's lessons well." - David Ansen, Newsweek
A Venezuelan spider is brought to America, producing a new race of deadly spiders in a small California town. They quickly spread, killing everything and anything in their path. Jeff Daniels and John Goodman play the roles of our heroes, and together, they must protect their community.
Arachnophobia is a movie I saw when I was younger and all I could think of was seeing Harry Dunn as a family man. In all seriousness though, this is a great film to watch this time of year. The film does a great job of balancing humor and the scares; definitely recommended for the horror lightweights. It may have a PG-13 rating, but don't let that fool you - some of the the scariest moments in horror can be found in this 1990's seasonal favorite.
"The Fog is a ghost story with just the right balance of special effects artistry, menacing music and poetry." - Fredrick Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
A strange fog approaches a small coastal Californian town. As it passes it brings several ghosts of mariners who died in a shipwreck 100 years prior. For every hour the residents stay, the worse the violence and destruction gets. The town must find a way to defend themselves.
This 1980 classic is John Carpenter's first horror film to follow Halloween. He and Debra Hill teamed up once again to write another masterpiece. It may not have the same intensity as its predecessor or The Thing, but it still delivers. Carpenter's score also compliments the movie perfectly.
My favorite thing about The Fog is the lead character's radio show. The show goes on quite a bit throughout the film; so often that the movie itself starts to feel like it is a part of the broadcast. Just another John Carpenter gem.
"Polished and calculated, this is a nerve shattering fright fest bolstered by immaculate technique." - Drew Hunt, Chicago Reader
The Lords of Salem follows Heidi, a DJ at a radio station in Salem, Massachusetts. One day, Heidi receives what appears to be a promotional package with a band's album inside. Upon listening to said album, Heidi begins experiencing visions of witches accompanied by strange occurrences in her life that ultimately end up changing her forever.
Rob Zombie's films are not for everyone, I cannot stress that enough... Although I personally happen to love them. My only complaint about his movies is the dialogue, which I have mentioned in previous posts (House of 1000 Corpses, The Devils Rejects). Zombie's characters often tend to speak in fluent white trash. However, the more I've watched these movies, the more I understand the reasoning behind using such dialogue. I finally realized that the characters' interactions with one another in conversation and otherwise, are just part of the Zombie horror movie formula.
With all that being said, The Lords of Salem is actually Rob Zombie's first film where he does NOT use the trashy dialogue. In fact, I personally think that this is the best script he has ever written. The audience can easily get lost in the plot at times but I believe it is intended. I was also blown away by the visuals incorporated throughout the movie, as they have a Kubrick feel to them. These scenes are so beautifully bizarre and abstract, one might consider this an art film.
"Despite some cliched horror characters and tropes, The Purge is recommendable to those who like the short, sweet, and cathartic violent enjoyment of a solid thriller." - Kofi Outlaw, ScreenRant
It's 2022, crime and unemployment rates are at an all-time-low, and the United States has never been a better place live. This is all because the corrupt new government has established an annual 12 hour period where all criminal activity becomes legal; this "purge" allows murder, rape, and theft. It was created to release all the hatred and rage that is built up in each individual, thus lowering annual crime rates.
Ethan Hawke is James Sandin, a home security salesman who live in a wealthy community with his family. Because of the purge, his business has been extremely successful. He installed the majority of the security systems throughout his neighborhood, and obviously Mr. Sandin himself has his loved ones protected within his own household as well.
After a 7pm lockdown, the Sandins go about their regular nights as if they were staying in. Everything is going as planned until young Charlie lets a stranger into their home. The man disappears and hides from the family. Shortly after, a group of masked purge supporters approach the house. Their leader informs James that the man they are hiding in their home was their target. If the family does not give up the stranger, they will break into their home.
The Purge received a lot of negative reviews and was said that it did not live up to its hype. I honestly think those people were looking for a lot more than what they should have been expecting. Yes, the trailer sets it up to be a smart, futuristic home invasion thriller. Which it certainly is, but it's still a horror movie.
The replay value of The Purge is kind of weak but the first time around is absolutely entertaining. There are some cliche moments and predictable plot points but it will still have you glued to the screen. I went into it wanting a few jumps and grotesque visuals involving the masks. My wish was granted.
"Hooper and Spielberg hold our interest by observing the everyday rituals of this family so closely that, since the family seems real, the weird events take on a certain credibility by association." - Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Tobe Hooper (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) may have directed Poltergeist but this is not a Tobe Hooper film. At the time of this film's inception, writer/producer Steven Spielberg had a contract with Universal Studios to maintain, so he made an agreement to not direct any other films while working on E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. However, in an interview, he revealed that Hooper was not a "take-charge sort of guy" and thus, Spielberg had a lot of control over the set.
The Freelings live in the nice, quiet Californian suburb of Cuesta Verde. They are your typical middle class family of five, with a dog. After 5 year-old Carol Ann has a bizarre encounter with the family television set, strange things begin to happen around the house. Things quickly get out of control and the Freelings turn to a group of parapsychologists from UC Irvine to investigate their home.
Poltergeist is a classic, however, I feel like it's a little overrated. Sure the effects were great for its time and there are some scary moments, but at the end of the day I would rather be watching The Amityville Horror. After the halfway mark I slowly start losing interest in the characters as the horror formula becomes repetitive.
While I have my complaints about the movie, I still have positive things to say about it. I most certainly respect Spielberg for his vision and script; the man's creativity never ceases to amaze to me. Jerry Goldsmith provides an atmospheric score that enhances Poltergiest's most memorable moments. I definitely recommend the film to those who have not seen it. It may not be on my top list of horror films to watch, but it is absolutely worth seeing at least once.
"A creepy, neo-Hitchcock stalker drama, infused with uneasy twists and a slow-burning intensity. Check it out. Then check under your bed..." - Simon Crook, Empire Magazine
I first heard about Sleep Tight when it was being shown at the Chicago International Film Festival. When I was going through the horror section, it was the film that appealed to me the most. Regretfully I never made it out to see it. Once I was able to finally see it, I decided to just save it for one of my posts.
Jaume Balaguero directs this Spanish horror flick that appears to pay homage to 1960's classics Rosemary's Baby and Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho; the main character, apartment concierge Cesar, resembles Norman Bates a little bit. He's a lonely man who is cursed with the inability to be happy, and for the past few weeks he's had his eyes set on a resident named Clara.
While Cesar seems friendly, he also has a dark side. In the time that he's known Clara, he has been secretly harassing her through letters, text messages, and emails. For every unknown message she receives, Clara slowly starts mentally breaking down.
Clara has a boyfriend who is often away. While he is absent, Cesar sneaks into Clara's apartment to hide underneath her bed at night. As soon as she drifts off to sleep, Cesar injects her with a shot to make her remain in a deep sleep. While she lays completely still, he cuddles up next to her where he spends the remainder of the evening. Cesar's secret eventually gets out and he must find a way to keep from getting caught.
While Balaguero isn't necessarily breaking any new ground, I would still say that Sleep Tight is one of my favorite releases to come out in the last few years.
"Chucky fans should rejoice as [it] is clearly going to re-ignite the franchise for years to come. Chucky has never looked better..." - Brad Miska, Bloody Disgusting
I was very excited when I first heard that they were going to be continuing the Child's Play franchise. It had been a long time since we've heard of or seen Chucky and a reboot/reimagining/sequel/whatever was long overdue. My only hope was that they would take a different direction than the last couple installments; I can't fully express my opinion on Bride of Chucky or Seed of Chucky simply because I haven't seen them. However, just watching the trailers is enough for me.
I grew up watching the first three Chucky movies and as I have gotten older, I have noticed few things. Child's Play is so much darker than the rest of the franchise. Everything that followed the original used a substantial amount of dark humor in the writing. This could have been a good idea, but once each film concluded, I felt like the creators spent more time on Chucky's one liners instead of the horror in the each scene.
Curse of Chucky takes place 25 years after the original movie. The lead character, Nica, is a paraplegic who lives with her mother. A package containing a Good Guy doll randomly arrives in the mail one day. With no evidence or sign of who sent it, the mother and daughter set it aside. Later in the evening, Nica finds her mother dead on the bathroom floor.
Nica's sister, Jill and her family arrive to help with planning the funeral. Jill has a young daughter named Alice who finds Chucky and begins a friendship with him. As the film progresses, Chucky continues to terrorize the family. Eventually the story unfolds and connects with events that happened in the first movie.
While I appreciated how the creators decided to take Chucky back to his dark roots, Curse of Chucky just didn't do it for me. There are a few decent scenes and I liked how they tied the whole franchise together, but it just wasn't enough. The character development was so poor that I found it incredibly difficult to feel any remorse for the family. I recommend this movie for fans of the Child's Play franchise only because of its conclusion. However, I most likely won't be watching this again.
"One of the very few films that truly, terribly horrifies. A classic." - Widgett Walls, needcoffee.com
While I was watching The Changeling this afternoon, all I could think about was the saying, "they sure don't make movies like they used to." The film opens up with a shocking, traumatic event for the protagonist, New Yorker John Russell (George C. Scott). Heavily affected by the tragedy, he decides to move away from the Big Apple and into a Victorian mansion in the suburbs of Seattle. While John attempts to get his life back together, he begins to notice that he isn't alone in his new rental. Windows are shattering, doors are opening and slamming by themselves. Some thing has made it perfectly clear that Russell's presence is not welcome. As the story continues, John discovers more information on his unwelcome housemate, and a dark and twisted history of the former resident is revealed. While dealing with his own trauma, John is open to communicating with the ghost, in hopes of taking care of its unfinished business. Easier said than done. -CS
