Is Ghostface Dead for Good?

It is no secret my love for horror films and the Scream franchise in particular.  Going to the midnight showing of Scream 4 and watching Ghostface terrorize a new group of teens, as well as some franchise favorites, may be my movie-going experience of 2011.  That experience may take on a bit more nostalgic importance now that Scream 4 appears to be the last installment of the current franchise.

As far as modern horror films, particularly as far as sequels and slashers go, Scream 4 was a cut above the rest.  Arguably the best Scream film since the original (though Rotten Tomatoes suggests Scream 2 is superior), Scream 4 revitalized the self-aware and all but replaced the panned Scream 3.  However, money talks in Hollywood and Scream 4‘s poor box office showing thus far has left the future of Scream 5 about as promising as one of Ghostface’s victims.  Rumor is that Dimension plans on ending the Scream franchise here, for the moment.

Well I guess that answers that one.

 For a franchise that reveled in being “meta” and depending on its irony to keep the viewer engaged, it is being dealt a bit of irony itself.  The disappointing revenue from this latest Scream film support the trend that horror remakes have a much higher rate of success than franchise sequels, suggesting that if we do see Ghostface again on-screen it will be in the form of a remake.  Isn’t this exactly what Scream 4 was trying to avoid by mocking the current craze?

If there is, in fact, no Scream 5 in the future, let’s hope that the Weinsteins and Dimension let the franchise rest without a reboot.

Weekend Film Recommendation: Creepshow (1982)

Quality horror anthologies are a rarity, so when they do come along they often resonate with the audience create a cult-like following.  Some of the more well known anthology films include: Black Sabbath (1963), Tales from the Crypt (1972), Campfire Tales (1997), and most recently Trick ‘r Treat (2007).  However, perhaps the gold standard for this subgenre is Creepshow (1982).

However, this image clearly suggests it's "Tales from the Hood"

Written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, the behind the camera credentials of Creepshow speaks for itself.  However, there are a few recognizable names on-screen as well.  Hal Holbrook, Leslie Nielsen, Ed Harris, Ted Danson, and Stephen King (yes, same one) all star in five different tales of terror inspired by the E.C. Comics of the ’50s. 

If anyone reading this has seen any of the previously mentioned anthologies they would know that these films are as much about their campiness as they are scares.  Creepshow is no different, but the attention to detail and the quality of work by those on and off screen seperate it from lesser attempts.  Romero’s touch captures the comic book style and the script, though droll as King’s work can sometimes be, fits the tone.

Initially the film may have delivered some scares alongside the camp, but nearly thirty years of aged effects have tamed the film’s shock value to some degree.  Regardless, Creepshow still holds up as a high quality, fun horror anthology that should be seen by any fan of the genre.

TAKE TWO: Scream 4 (2011)

Scream 4

Rated: R

Starring: Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox, David Arquette, Hayden Panetierre

Director: Wes Craven

Pac’s Take:  The day finally came, after all the anticipation and build-up leading to the Scream 4, I can’t say I was disappointed.  Scream 4 picks up 10 years after the events of Scream 3 with Sidney Prescott returning to Woodsboro on a book tour for her new self help book “Out of Darkness”.  Expectedly, upon her arriving in Woodsboro, the Ghostface Killer returns and the bodies start to pile up.  Among them is a new crop of teens who revel in the infamy of their town and celebrate the anniversary of the Woodsboro massacre with a “Stabathon”, a movie marathon of the “Stab” films based on the events of the actual Scream films (a film within a film).  Now it is up to throwbacks Gale (Courtney Cox), Dewey (David Arquette), and Sidney (Neve Campbell) as well as Woodsboro’s new teens to survive and track down the identity of Ghostface.

I can’t say that someone who hasn’t seen the first three Scream films won’t enjoy this movie, but as a die hard fan of the franchise I can say that I felt this film was written for me, and others like me.  Most of its brilliance is in the film’s ability to recapture moments and emotions from the first film and reboot them into this film.  While Scream 4 is a sequel and not a reboot, it’s self-awareness and satire of the horror genre, particularly the reboot craze, allowed it to blend the two forms of franchise installments almost effortlessly.  This film was a lot like Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, where Craven’s intention was to return the franchise to its original state by being self-satire. 

Thank God Scream didn't get to this point first

Not unlike any other Scream film, Scream 4 had its flaws.  A lot of the critical reviews I read before the film indicated that the film was overlong, and at 108 minutes I completely disagree.  The pacing of the film was great but I felt like there were 15, or so, minutes missing from the film.  While the characters were developed to the point the audience was able to connect and care (some more than others), some of the relationships between the characters seemed to be lacking.  Since a certain character’s death in Scream 2, the franchise has suffered from this, never being able to recapture the charisma he/she brought to the screen (though Hayden Panetierre’s character Kirby comes close).  Some of that missing fifteen minutes was lost in the kill scenes as well. One thing most sequels always forget is the concept of quality over quantity.  Sure the absence of drawn out chases and killings made the film a bit more realistic, but a lot of the suspense is lost by removing the dramatic irony of the audience seeing the killer stalk its victims.  

If I'm the killer I'm definitely stalking these two

What Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson created with Scream 4 was a love letter to themselves and the throwback slashers, as well as a big middle finger to the modern horror genre (particularly the Saw franchise).  Also, Scream 4 seems to acknowledge the below-average to mediocrity of Scream 3, something I particularly enjoyed in hindsight.  Scream 4 seems more like the concluding chapter of the original trilogy much more than Scream 3 ever did, and in a way (being Kevin Williamson’s third effort in the franchise) it is.  In time, I think Scream 4 will stand out as the best sequel in the franchise, second only to the original.  If you’re a fan of the Scream films be sure to see Scream 4 in theaters.

• Characters: B
• Cinematography: B+
• Directing: B+
• Plot: A-
• Performances: B
• Script: A-
• OVERALL: B+

Chris’ Take: There are a lot of people recently who have decided that the theater experience is not worth it anymore. With all the new advancements in Video On Demand and Home Theater Entertainment, combined with the rise in ticket prices, people seem to be more inclined to wait for Netflix, or just pay the $5 a couple of weeks after the movie comes out to enjoy film without the ever present distractions and talkative jerks in the theater. I for one, still enjoy going to the theater, mainly because I am impatient to see new films, but also, if the crowd is right for the type of film, they can add something to the experience as well, and there is a sense of community. That’s how I felt last night as I sat in the packed theater for the newest installment in the Scream franchise. Slasher films don’t require the type of thought or attention span that a “good” horror film requires, and I think that’s why all the buzz going on in the theater didn’t bother me.  It really felt more like a communal gathering that brought back the nostalgia of the experience of watching the first film. It was just plain fun.

I think critics’ reactions to this film will be based on their expectations. Scream is a horror movie, that isn’t a horror movie. That’s what was so fresh about the first one, it was parody and serious slasher film combined into one;  in the same vein (but not quite on the same level) as Shaun of the Dead. Scream 4 returns that freshness to the slasher genre, even if it does it in a self-referential and predictable way.

Hmmm...it's a movie within a movie.

Kevin Williamson’s script was really the backbone of the film. While it wasn’t anything deep or super intelligent, it seemed like he took care in making sure that it didn’t feel like a lackadaisical sequel that was forced into production. Wes Craven only seemed to build on that, using his skill behind the camera to make the scares come to life. Craven’s last written effort, My Soul to Take, made him sound disconnected from the younger audience, and I’m glad that he wasn’t the one to pen the Scream sequel. Williamson kept the playfully gory tone consistent with that of the first two films, and fortunately polished up the tarnish left by the third one.

While the acting was only mediocre, it fit the film. I don’t think anyone has come to expect Oscar Winning performances from horror films, just that the actors at least try, and they did that. I thought that the younger talent in the film, the new faces in Scream, were more interesting and charismatic than the returning cast of Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette, who just seemed to deliver their lines to get their paycheck.

I thought the pacing of the film was perfect. The slasher scenes came fast and frequent, but they never felt like overkill, and they managed to keep the tension consistent. I actually thought they improved some of the slasher scenes as well. In some of the other films, the chase scenes seemed to drag on and became more and more ridiculous. This time, they were shortened and that made them a little bit more realistic, even if the characters still have the combined intelligence of a 1st grader.

Actually, I think even 1st Graders would be smart enough to follow the buddy system if a killer is on the loose.

I cannot say that this film was spectacular, but it was certainly entertaining and very enjoyable. Like I said earlier, I think the vibe in the audience really said a lot about it as well. A midnight showing is usually comprised of die hard fans, and there was no one that seemed disappointed. However, I think for anyone else who isn’t in on the self-referential humor, it would probably seem mediocre at best. Since I am in the former crowd, I thought it felt like Kevin Williamson had taken a look at what slasher films had become in the last ten years, shook his head saying, “Come on guys, really?” then knocked out a killer script in an awesome fit of spite.

• Characters: B
• Cinematography: B
• Directing: B
• Plot: B+
• Performances: B
• Script: A-
• OVERALL: B

Weekend Film Recommendation: The Thing (1982)

Back in the late ’70s and early ’80s, John Carpenter established himself as one of the best filmmakers Hollywood had to offer, especially in the horror genre.  While he had success outside of the genre with films such as Assault on Precinct 13 and Escape from New York, among others; it was his mastery of suspense that made him a star.  After Halloween and The Fog, Carpenter’s next project in horror would be a remake of 1951’s The Thing from Another World.

The Thing focuses on a group of scientists in the Antarctic and how they handle being confronted with an alien organism that is capable of inhabiting the bodies of others.  Those infected by the thing do not know they are infected and their bodies become a sort of dormant host to the organism until it is ready to attack another victim.  It is up to the members of the crew to identify who among them is infected and how to isolate and protect themselves until they can escape.

Insert Charlie Sheen joke here

Much like he did for Halloween, a lot of the horror that Carpenter brings to life is through paranoia and suspense.  While The Thing did feature disturbing visual effects through make-up and special effects, the aspect of the film that allows it to stand the test of time is the relationship the audience establishes with the characters.  Though one obviously can’t identify with scenario played out on-screen, it is certainly easy to imagine the tension and suspicion the characters were going through, as well as the anxiety of not being able to trust their friends and coming to grips with their own mortality.

That's What we were going for too... BUT IN 3D!

The thing is not just one of the best alien invasion movies of all time, but also one of the best horror movies of all time.  With 2011 being the year of the remake, an adaptation of The Thing, will be released later this year starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. the World) and Eric Christian Olsen (Not Another Teen Movie, Fired Up!).  However, even if you are excited about the remake, as I am, do yourself a favor and see the original; it is likely to be a far superior film from one of the masters of horror.

To add this to your Netflix Instant Queue, click here.

Top 15 Alien Invasion Movies

To celebrate the release of Battle: Los Angeles releasing in theaters today, we’ve decided to take a look back at some of the best alien invasion movies ever released.  Ranging from horror to action to even comedy, these fifteen films (we couldn’t limit it to just 10) represent the best that hollywood has to offer when it comes to alien invasion.

15. Signs (2002)

Kicking things off on this list is M. Night Shyamalan’s last halfway decent film. Certainly not any great achievement in film, or the alien invasion genre, but it was effective and better than a lot of other efforts. What was different about this film than others on this list, is that it brought a sense of claustrophobia to the alien invasion, making the characters’ world smaller and smaller until it seems like there is no way out. Most invasion flicks try to show devastation on a massive scale, but Shyamalan smartly sticks to making this a very character driven story and pulls it off for the most part.

By character driven, I mean it drove its lead actors to eventually go insane.

14. The Faculty (1998)

Mixing alien invasion with 1990’s teen slasher, The Faculty is a very underrated and often overlooked movie when talking about the teen slasher.  Written by Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer) and directed by Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk ’til Dawn, Sin City), The Faculty is a well written and well-directed horror film with a unique and entertaining concept, Despite the genre and the incredibly cliche movie poster.

This film’s story is enhanced by a cast littered with current future stars of its time including: Josh Hartnett, Jordana Brewster, Clea DuVall, Salma Hayek, Famke Jannsen, Christopher McDonald, Usher Raymond, Jon Stewart, and Elijah Wood.  As an added bonus for those of you watching the film as a repeated viewing; see how many Terminator franchise references you can pick up on, there are quite a few.

Pictured: Dr. Edward Furlong

13. The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951)

Sci-fi seems to work best when it fights the system. While this film is not very subtle about it, in the 1950’s it took a lot of grit to criticize society. In 1951, The Day the Earth Stood Still brought a new tent pole for the science fiction genre, even if now its special effects look like they would be fodder for Mystery Science Theater 3000.

Subtlety wasn't invented until the 1960s

To me, this was like the Citizen Kane of science fiction, great in its time, changing the genre forever, but it still has its flaws in story and acting. The updated version fails to have the effect that the original did, even with spectacular special effects, because its overt environmental message is no longer considered cool or subversive; all the guts that made the first one so great were removed.

12. Killer Klowns from Outer Space (1988)

B-movie entertainment at its best, Killer Klowns… is a 1988 horror film that follows a town as they are being invaded by aliens disguised as clowns.  This film never deviates from its identity and is humorous and entertaining the entire way through.  Killer Klowns from Outer Space has develop a cult following over the past 20+ years and rightfully so.  Despite being a product of the 1980s and having a paltry 2 million dollar budget, the film has more camp in its story than it does in effects, and the costumes are actually quite terrifying, especially if you are afraid of clowns.

Good luck sleeping tonight

11. War of the Worlds (2005)

This version of the classic H.G. Wells story made the list because even if there is almost no depth to it, Stephen Spielberg sure knows how to make an exciting film. Sure, Tom Cruise is not convincing as a guy that works on the docks.

Hey guys, after we are done this back breaking work maybe we could head down to the local bar establishment and get some glasses of beer.

Ok, Dakota Fanning is annoying as hell and I would have been content to watch the aliens eviscerate her into an ashy mist, but man this movie looks cool. While normally excessive use of special effects means that something gets lost in the story, Spielberg still was able to make the story cohesive, even if it wasn’t anything spectacular.

10. Monsters (2010)

The alien invasion in Monsters is more of just a backdrop for the rest of the film.  The aliens are barely seen on-screen and are nothing more than a device that drives the plot.  This film focuses almost solely on its two main characters and their relationship as they travel through an infected zone in Mexico back to the United States.  The success of this film is driven by the two lead actors and the chemistry they have as their on-screen relationship develops.  A disappointment if you are expecting an epic invasion piece or a horror film as the title may suggest; but the cinematography and delivery of this film’s story is incredibly impressive considering the paltry budget that constrained it.

(If you want more on Monsters, check out the Weekend Film Recommendation from March 4, 2011.)

9. War of the Worlds (1953)

War of the Worlds banked a lot of its success off the popular trend of alien films in the 1950’s. What makes it better than the other films in that era is that it really tried to set itself apart from the others by breaking away from the stereotypes (i.e. saucer shaped UFOs and garishly clad aliens) to really bring a sinister new look to the alien invasion film.

Well...sinister for 1953.

The film, for as good as they could in 1953, really developed one of the first epic-scale productions of its time. Writer and Director, Barre Lyndon and Byron Haskin, took some creative liberties with the story, but they made sure they were good ones, which only added to the mystique of this famous story.

8. District 9 (2009)

While there is some debate as to whether this truly is an “alien invasion” film, you can make arguments on either side, but there are enough elements to include it in this list. Completed on a very modest budget, Neill Blomkamp burst onto the cinema industry with a sci-fi masterpiece. His special effects were superb for such a low-budget and gave the film a very real feel. Plus, as mentioned earlier, it used the sci-fi genre as a platform for a subversive message, just subtly enough that it didn’t get in the way of the story. Blomkamp also benefitted from a great performance by Sharlto Copley as the protagonist and all those elements combined to garner a Best Picture nomination in 2010.

7. Mars Attacks (1996)

One of the two pure comedy/satires on this list, taste dictates which of the two is more deserving of the higher ranking.  Less popular and far less acclaimed (51% on Rotten Tomatoes as opposed to 91%), Mars Attacks is the sleeper of the two.  Tim Burton’s most underappreciated work, probably because it doesn’t look at all like a Tim Burton movie, this film is laugh out loud funny all the way through.  Aside from Tim Burton, Mars Attacks features an incredible ensemble cast featuring:  Glenn Close, Annette Benning, Pierce Brosnan, Danny Devito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Tom Jones (yes that Tom Jones), Jim Brown (yes that Jim Brown), Natalie Portman, Pam Grier, Ray J (yes that Ray J), Christina Applegate, Lukas Haas, Jack Black, and Jack Nicholson.

And possibly an uncredited Johnny Depp

6. Men in Black (1997)

Men in Black parodied a lot of the films already mentioned in this list and featured the great comedic chemistry of loudmouth Will Smith and deadpan Tommy Lee Jones. The film was a box office and critical success, spawning a disastrous sequel and another sequel coming soon. What it lacks in suspense, it makes up for with witty one liners and delightful sight gags, and it still manages to pay homage to some of the sci-fi greats. The gadgets and special effects used were pretty cool as well and made for several toys that every kid wanted for Christmas.

5. Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

The 1978 remake of the 1956 classic, this version updates the classic with more chilling suspense and a stellar cast.  Donald Sutherland is the headliner here but there are plenty of other names and faces you might recognize including Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy, Veronica Cartwright, and Robert Duvall in an uncredited role.  Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a chilling horror film about alien pods invading and taking over the human race creating drones devoid of emotion.  Not only known for its horror and unforgettable closing sequence, …Body Snatchers provides both humor and satire giving the film added depth.

4. Independence Day (1996)

This has become the film that immediately comes to mind when someone thinks of an alien invasion film. Utter devastation, iconic and ominous imagery, cheesy one liners and speeches that will be parodied for years to come.

Bill Pullman, the most inspiring and reckless president of all time.

While by no means a “great” film, it encompasses all the elements people look for when they go to a summer blockbuster. Roland Emerich somehow knew how to make everything work and use static characters in a good way to create a film that is just plain fun.

3. Superman II (1980)

Superman II may seem out-of-place on this list, but it certainly is worthy of ranking #3 among the best alien invasion movies of all time.  The follow-up to Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie, this film follows Clark Kent/Superman as he grapples with his immortality and falling in love for Lois Lane.  Meanwhile, three Kryptonian villains led by General Zod (the alien invaders) escape from the Phantom Zone and come to Earth looking both to rule and to destroy Kal-El.

Featuring Christopher Reeve as Superman, Gene Hackman as Lex Luthor, and Terence Stamp as General Zod, Superman II is considered by many to be the best superhero movie ever made and the best film Richard Donner never made.  The Richard Lester credited theatrical version is the easiest to find and is a good film, but Superman II really belongs to Richard Donner and Mario Puzo.  If you can track down the Richard Donner cut released to DVD in 2006.

The Superman movie Richard Lester actually directed

2. Predator (1987)

The predator is an alien invader/warrior inhabiting the Central American jungle, that is until Arnold comes along.  Almost 25 years after this movie was released, the predator is now a staple in American pop-culture with the film spawning 4 franchise sequels (Predator 2, Alien vs. Predator, AVP: Requiem, and Predators).  None of those films come close to the original that blends both action/adventure with horror and suspense to create one of the best alien invasion movies ever.  Arnold delivers better in this film than any other mainly because he doesn’t ham it up with one-liners or cheap jokes, and an identifiable supporting cast including Carl Weathers (Rocky) and Jesse Ventura rounds out the action mix.

1. The Thing (1982)

John Carpenter is horror genius and this film is one of his best, and coincidentally tops the list of best alien invasion films. It does not accomplish this through devastating large cities or cool technology, it does it through disturbing make up and sheer cut-the-tension-with-a-knife paranoia. While this was not the original, but a remake, it certainly took the premise and ran with it. He combines the elements of sci-fi and horror so effectively that it leaves the viewer in awe. The ending, which I will not spoil, still leaves the audience left with the feeling of dread hanging over their heads and weighing heavy upon them. If you haven’t seen it is definitely worth a viewing…or two.

More than half of these movies are currently available on Netflix Instant (click on each title to add to your instant queue):

• The Day the Earth Stood Still
• Killer Klowns from Outer Space
• Monsters
• District 9
• Mars Attacks
• Invasion of the Body Snatchers
• Superman II (theatrical version)
• The Thing
• Bonus: Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Top 10 Religious Horror Films

Today marks the release of a film that both writers of this blog included on their Ten Most Anticipated Films of 2011 list. To commemorate the release of The Rite, starring Anthony Hopkins and Colin O’Donoghue, we’ve decided to compile a list of our top ten religious horror films.  It is yet to be seen if The Rite has the merit to crack this list, but if after seeing it you feel compelled (by Christ or otherwise) to seek out similar films we’re her to help you out.

End of Days (1999)

You would never expect a religious horror top ten to include Arnold Schwarzenegger and there may have been a few other films we could have chosen for #10 on our list, but despite his starring role in this film, End of Days is an entertaining blend of action and horror.   As the millennium is ending Satan (Gabriel Byrne) comes to NYC to find himself a bride, because everyone needs a new year’s kiss.

And to forever curse the NY Mets

The only man who can stop him is a cleverly named Jericho Cane (Schwarzenegger), an ex-cop who no longer believes in God due to the murder of his family.  If Cane can keep Satan from scoring until the millennium, then the world is saved – if not, it’s the end of days.  It’s what you would expect from an Arnold film, glaring themes and motifs, lots of violence, and of course one-liners like “You’re a choir boy compared to me, A CHOIR BOY!” 

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

This is one of those films that barely made the list, but is certainly worthy of note. The film received mixed reviews, but really brought a new twist to the genre. The Exorcism of Emily Rose is based on true events and is one part exorcism film, and one part courtroom drama. The two of these mix well and are supported by strong performances by Laura Linney, Tom Wilkinson, and a young Jennifer Carpenter.

I still contest that the characters she plays are possessed by the Devil.

It had been a long time since new life had been breathed into an exorcism film, and this was like a breath of fresh air. It has its faults, particularly with pacing, and the fact that it doesn’t conjure up a whole lot of scares, but the scares it does provide and the questions it raises, stick with you long after the film is finished.

The Prophecy (1995)

Whenever someone mentions this film about a war between the angels, Christopher Walken is immediately brought up and how great his usual detached and off-kilter performance is. But, on top of that, the film effectively delivers a compelling religious tale about angels and demons steeped in biblical lore. Walken is great, but Viggo Mortenson, who plays Lucifer, surprisingly delivers one of his more interesting performances. Many people have tried to capture a war between the angels on a much larger scale:

And failed.

But somehow, this B-Movie format seems to out-class bigger productions. The film spawned several sequels, which were nowhere close to this caliber, and most went straight to movie hell: direct-to-video.

The Devil’s Advocate (1997)

Some could argue that this is merely a thriller, but there are several horrific elements present within the film. For one, there is Mary Ann’s (Charlize Theron) descent into madness, several times demons reveal themselves, gruesome murders, and Keanu Reeves trying to have a southern accent. There are several references to the famous epic poem Paradise Lost by John Milton and they weave themselves in to create the overarching premise for the story. Al Pacino is at his eccentric and yelling best, charismatic and slimy. 

This was actually just Al Pacino's reaction to what his career looks like after this movie.

I suppose he was just doing that to counter Reeves’ inability, but overall it had a great story and was disturbingly beautiful at times.

Children of the Corn (1984)

Any film that becomes parody on an episode of South Park (The Wacky Molestation Adventure) has at least reached cult status, and at the very least warrants a viewing.  Based on the short story by Stephen King, Children of the Corn follows a young couple as they go to the town of Gatlin to report a murder.  Shortly after arriving they soon discover the town is void of adults as the children have murdered every adult in the town, forming a religious cult led by a boy preacher named Isaac.  If you believe that nothing is scarier than deserted, run down mid-west and Texan towns, imagine them all populated with ginger children wanting to sacrifice you.

Absolutely Terrifying

Children of the Corn spawned four sequels but none of them come even close to the original, and though this film is now over 25 years old and the final sequence is very dated graphically, the rest of the film still holds up and delivers the chills.

 

Se7en (1995)

This was the second film on the list that could easily qualify as something other than religious horror. But, like The Devil’s Advocate, there are several elements of horror to be found within the film.   The film opens with a grisly death of a rather obese man, and burned such a terrifying image into my head that it makes it difficult to watch The Biggest Loser.

I never want to eat again.

But, it doesn’t stop there, every murder that occurs there is a new and innovative way for someone to die that just doesn’t go away. Add to all that Kevin Spacey’s eerie performance as a man who clearly didn’t understand the Biblical concept of loving your enemies, and the shocker of an ending, you have not only one of the best horror thriller films, but one of the best films in the last 20 years.

The Omen (1976):

When his wife has a stillborn child, the American ambassador to Italy,Robert Thorn (Gregory Peck), is encouraged by a priest to instead take an orphan child as his mother died in childbirth.  Without telling his wife, Robert agrees.  Several years later they relocate to London and Robert starts to believe that his son is the literally the spawn of Satan and he soon comes face to face with a biblical prophecy.

Though it was remade in 2006 starring Liev Shreiber and Julia Stiles, the original holds up much better due to its gothic rather than glossy feel.  Like Halloween, which was released two years later, a lot of the terror comes from what is not shown on-screen and left up to the viewer to put together themselves. 

Stigmata (1999)

The second film on this list to feature Gabriel Byrne, this time as a catholic priest who’s role at the vatican is to investigate devout miracles.  He is sent to Pittsburgh to speak to a woman named Frankie (Patricia Arquette), an atheist who supposedly is showing signs of stigmata, the physical wounds Christ endured during the crucifixion.  At first Father Andrew (Byrne) is skeptical but quickly comes to realize that there is much more to her affliction than meets the eye.  Torn between helping her and his duty to the Catholic church, Andrew starts to question the beliefs of his religion and consider the implications this occurence may have.

Like Se7en and The Devil’s Advocate, Stigmata greys the line between horror and thriller.  While ripe with religion and even possession like many exorcism films, Stigmata’s primary focus isn’t to terrorize its audience but rather to force them to question their beliefs in God and religion.  Still, there are enough horrific images and themes in this film that it more than qualifies for this list.

Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Directed by Roman Polanski, Rosemary’s Baby chronicles a young couple’s move to Manhattan.  The husband, Guy (John Cassavetes) is an aspiring actor and he and his wife Rosemary move into a gothic Manhattan apartment despite warnings of strange occurences within the building.  After Rosemary and Guy befriend Roman and Minnie Castavet, and Guy begins to spend more and more time with them, Rosemary begins to have strange dreams and become suspect of those around her.  After becoming pregnant with Guy’s child, Rosemary’s paranoia grows until she concludes that her neighbors and even her husband are a group of witches who have a plan for her soon to be born child.

Keep it as far away from Roman Polanski as possible

I’ve been told that this movie is much more terrifying for women to watch than men, and given the nature of the content I don’t doubt it.  Despite that claim, Rosemary’s Baby is a chilling tale full of tension as the Rosemary’s paranoia grows and ultimately comes to a climax.  Though the film is now over 40 years old, its reliance on story for the horror rather than visual shock and awe allow it to maintain its value over time.  Mia Farrow delivers a fantastic performance and was nominated for a Golden Globe upon its release, and her counterpart Ruth Gordon won an Oscar for her portrayal as Minnie.  Not many horror films can boast Academy Awards…

The Exorcist (1973)

There was almost no way that this film couldn’t be #1 on this list. It is the best and most shocking religious horror film. It was the first horror film to get nominated for Best Picture and so scary and disturbingly innovative that televangelist Billy Graham swore that there was a demon living in the celluloid reels. What is not great about this film? The performances are strong, the production was incredible and fraught with drama, and the look of the film is iconic and unsettling. William Friedkin did a great job creating unsettling moments outside of the exorcism, deliberately placing unexplained disturbing images throughout the film to create unrest in the viewer. This is the film that every exorcism film tries to match, but none of them come close. Not only is it the best religious horror film, but there are strong arguments that could claim that this is the best horror film ever.

 Click here for some awesome Exorcist Trivia!

What Do All Horror Movies from 1996-2002 Have in Common?

By Brian “Pac” Sostak

Okay, maybe not all horror movies, but a pretty large sampling of them.  There is one distinct characteristic so common among horror movies during this 7 year time frame (and a few outliers) that it is hard to go unnoticed.  No matter the success of the film, the director attached to it, whether it went straight to DVD or was released in theaters with a multimillion dollar marketing campaign, all of these films boast one uncanny similarity…

Jennifer Love Hewitt?

… the movie poster.   Despite the immense amount of horror movies that hit theaters from 1996-2003 and the variety in quality and marketing budget, it seems that all of these films hired the same graphic artist to design the movie poster despite the fact he only had one trick.  Here’s how it is done:

1. Start with a completely black background
2. Add a large picture of a mysterious figure, face, or set piece that represents the title of the film or drives the plot*
3. Insert some contrasting color to make the above figure stand out (preferably red, orange, or blue)
4. Place 3 or more heads of the stars of the film (in a V formation if possible)**  
5. Insert the title and other text of the film including: The cast names, the sequel number, catchphrase or high-praise review

*May be substituted for small picture of the killer if #4 is the primary focus of the poster
** Boobs are an extension of the head (especially if the head belongs to the above mentioned Jennifer Love Hewitt)

Let’s take a look one of the most popular and acclaimed horror franchises during this time period, and one that started in the seminal year of this case-study, Scream.

 All three posters include the five necessary steps for the 96-02 horror movie poster.  Notice how the head/figure in the background focuses on the character’s eyes, this is important – always focus on the eyes when using a large head.  Scream and Scream 3 chose a blueish white to contrast the black background, while Scream 2 was rebellious and used red.  Also important to note: not only do the three posters include 3+ heads but they are also placed in V formations.  Scream 3 went as far as to say “screw it” and used the same V formation as Scream 2 with Nev Campbell, David Arquette, and Courtney Cox Arquette in the same locations.  Though Scream  was the first slasher film to use this poster template, it certainly was not the last.  Take a look at these other popular slasher films from the same 7 years.

Chose a small image of the killer instead of a large head. And don't forget JLH's boobs.

Notice how the killer rounds out the V formation in the first poster, that's called innovative foreshadowing

No Halloween film outside of 1996-2002 used this format

The Halloween films also used a distinct vertical V formation rarely seen on other movie posters.  This poster template was not reserved solely for slasher films, it would become a staple for other popular sub-genres as well including Supernatural Horror.  Like these films:

The format was so successful they brought it back in 2006 for FD3

Pretty sure they used the same photo of Josh Hartnett for both posters

Affleck was the bomb in "Phantoms".

 Little known fact about Dracula 2000, the graphic artist was so pressed for time that he was unable to shoot a photo of the Dracula from the movie, instead he cropped in an image from The Crow.  Other sub-genres of horror saw the success these films had because of their innovative poster design and decided to get in on the mix, some of those sub-genres include:

Haunted House

Religious

 

Creepy Farm Kids

And Science Fiction Horror

 Science fiction horror faced an interesting dilemma with their movie posters, one they had to uniquely overcome.  Often times, these sci-fi horror movies only boasted two “billable” stars.  Their solution:

Screw it, let's just use 2 heads

I know, Jason X and Bride of Chucky are more slashers than sci-fi, but one took place in space and the other is about the transfer of souls so it kinda counts.  In the case of Jason X, there was no billable star so they created the illusion of Jason’s head as 2 separate heads, officially making the poster the most well crafted part of the entire project.

Still one sub-genre remains in the ever popular horror culture that cannot be overlooked, though these films were rare they still deserve to use this template for its poster.  I’m talking of course about comedy/horror.

Terrifying and Funny

Now I know what you’re thinking, “Home Alone 3 is not a horror movie”, but let’s compare it to another horror film already mentioned on this list Halloween: Resurrection.  In both films a group of annoying and unsuspecting men and women break into a house to basically mess sh*t up.  When the home’s tenant discovers that his house has been infiltrated he designs a variety of elaborate traps to capture and/or kill the home invaders.  Once the “guests” become aware of the tenants occupancy they shift their focus from messing sh*t up to capturing/killing the tenant back, most likely to no avail (because we need more sequels!).  There are really only two differences between these two films – Home Alone 3 is a family movie and therefore shows no on-screen violence or murder (off-screen, who knows), and Halloween: Resurrection portrays Michael Myers as the antagonist even though he is perfectly within his rights to kill all those who trespassed on his property.

Just Ask Clint Eastwood

The Alien Prequel is Dead, Instead We Get This

Brian “Pac” Sostak

Those of you that frequent this site know that one of, if not my most anticipated movie for 2012 was the Alien prequel that will be directed by Ridley Scott.  Alien is one of my favorite films of all time and Scott has tantalized me with rumors for his new film so frequently that I can escape the whirlwind of excitement.  First rumors of one of my favorite actresses, Natalie Portman, joining the cast popped up on my computer screen, and most recently speculation that Charlize Theron would be joining the cast in one of four major roles.  Today, however, will be the final time (most likely) that I will be able to write about this film, because today we mourn its death.

It makes no sense, there wasn't even an awning in its direction

 But from its ashes rises the phoenix, or rather Prometheus, an original concept that still contains enough Alien DNA to be recognizable to loyal fans of the series.  Opting for an “original” film as opposed to continuing the Alien franchise increases the speculation that 20th Century Fox and Scott are looking to spark a new franchise, early last year Scott hinted at a two film arc to the Alien franchise that branched out into new mythology.  Not much else has changed in regard to the film, it will still be shot in 3D utilizing the RED Epic cameras and the crew will still remain intact.

Want more?  Prometheus also has an official release date: March 9, 2012 meaning we have just over a year til this film hits theaters.  Still want more?  Okay, it is no longer a rumor that Noomi Rapace will starring in the film, it is confirmed.  Confirmation of Rapace leaves 3 major roles yet to be filled, and one of those is still available for Charlize Theron. However, with the schedules of Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman conflicting, it is likely that Theron will have to choose between the roles.  Unfortunately, Snow White and the Huntsman offers the role of a villain, as opposed to a supporting role to Rapace, so speculation may be that Theron will not be joining the cast.

Which leaves us to our final bit of news/rumors as to who will fill out the cast.  If Theron opts to turn down the role, Angelina Jolie may be next in line.  Other names floating around the film have been Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds), Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha), and Gemm Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans).  While I’m not excited about the possibility of joining the cast, and don’t have an opinion on Yeoh, Micheal Fassbender seems like a good fit and Gemma Arterton is one of my favorite actresses on the rise.  Theron, Fassbender, and Arterton…

Are you serious?! YAYYYYY!

How do you feel about the new direction 20th Century Fox and Ridley Scott are taking with this film?  Who would you like to see cast alongside Noomi Rapace?  Do you wanna go to the midnight showing with me in March?

*** Trailer Time***: full Scre4m trailer hits the web

By Brian “Pac” Sostak

A new full length trailer for the upcoming sequel and first installment of a new trilogy to the Scream franchise has hit the web and has gotten the attention of one blogger.  Scre4m (or Scream 4) is one of my most anticipated movies of 2011 and that anticipation is bubbling over after seeing this new trailer.  There was some polarizing feelings between Chris and I about Scre4m after I convinced him to go see the incredibly awful My Soul to Take.  While I believe a Kevin Williamson (Scream, I Know What You Did Last Summer) penned script, more structured formula, and previous success will provide Craven with enough support to deliver a great new horror flick (something he’s failed to do since the last time Scream had an even-numbered sequel), Chris is still skeptical. 

Continuing to play on the satire of the modern horror genre, the newest installment to Scream seems to hit on all the new crazes.  Perhaps the highlight of the trailer, and signs that Scre4m won’t lose sight of the charm that made the first franchise excel, is a humorous rant by Hayden Panettiere about the excess of remakes in today’s horror industry.  Of course my opinion and endorsement can only go so far so check out the trailer below and tell us what you think.

Synopsis from IMDB: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.

Trailer:

Pac’s 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2011

It is finally 2011, and now that we’ve looked back on the films that made up 2010 it is time to look forward to those that will be hitting theaters in 2011.  Earlier today, Chris outlined his most anticipated films of 2011 and I planned on bringing mine to the site tomorrow.  However, because of the diversity between our lists, I have decided to drop the curtain on my rankings today.  So without further ado, here are my 10 most anticipated films of 2011 (with a few honorable mentions).

10. Your Highness

Release Date: April 8, 2011

Starring: Natalie Portman, Danny McBride, James Franco, Zooey Deschanel

Synopsis from IMDB:  When Prince Fabious’s bride is kidnapped, he goes on a quest to rescue her… accompanied by his lazy useless brother Thadeous.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  The last two directorial works from David Gordon Green have been pretty damn funny (East Bound and Down, Pineapple Express) so I think there is a pretty good shot at least one of his films in 2011 is a hit.  Considering the other film on his slate is The Sitter (“homage” to Adventures in Babysitting), I’ll put my money on this one.  James Franco and Danny McBride have proven their comedic worth and Natalie Portman is at the peak of her popularity, if nothing else we’ll get a few good laughs and some on-screen eye candy.

9.  The Rite

Release Date: 28 January, 2011

Starring: Anthony Hopkins

Director: Mikael Hafstrom

Synopsis from IMDB: An American priest travels to Italy to study at an exorcism school.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  I think that Anthony Hopkins making The Wolfman may be beneficial to this film because it could lower the expectations a little bit.  This is the last we’ll see of Hopkins before Thor this summer so hopefully he can help his box office draw a little for that film as well.  I’m a sucker for religious horror and even though the exorcism theme has become a little trite, hopefully The Rite can bring it a fresh perspective.

8. The Hangover Part II

Release Date: May 26, 2011

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis and Ed Helms

Director: Todd Phillips

Synopsis from IMDB: N/A

Trailer: No Trailer Available

Pac’s Take: Arguably the funniest movie from 2009 returns for a sequel; and while the details have been behind the project have been very hush-hush, I think this is a good thing.  A good portion of the humor behind this film is the shock-value it produces and, unless the trailer reveals too much, there should be plenty of it in the sequel.  I am also a strong supporter of the replacement of Mel Gibson with Liam Neeson and the rumored presidential cameo should also be quite hilarious.

7. Fright Night

Release Date: August 19, 2011

Starrring: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell and David Tennant

Director: Craig Gillespie

Synopsis from IMDB:  A remake of the comedy-horror picture about a teenager who discovers his new next-door neighbor is a vampire.

Trailer: Trailer from 1985 original

Pac’s Take:  This will probably be the worst film to come out on this list, but sometimes I can be a sucker for remakes from my childhood.  Fright Night was a fantastic movie in the eighties and they have a pretty solid cast in place, though I’m not the biggest fan of Ferrell I think he can do well in this role.  The original was rated R and had some pretty mature themes so I hope they don’t water it down to draw in a larger demographic, I won’t get my hopes up though.

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2

Release Date: 15 July, 2011

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes

Director: David Yates

Synopsis from IMDB: The end begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione go back to Hogwarts to find and destroy Voldemorts final horcruxes, but when Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take:  The 2nd of two films that Chris and I both have on our lists, and I don’t have it as highly ranked as he does.  Though I am very excited to see this, I just recently got into the Harry Potter series and saw it for more than just a film adaptation of a popular children’s saga.  I’m sure this film will deliver and be one of the highest grossing efforts this year, the others on this list just appeal to me a bit more.

5.  The Thing

Release Date: October 14, 2011

Starring: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Eric Christian Olsen and Joel Edgerton

Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr.

Synopsis from IMDB: At an Antarctica research site, the discovery of an alien craft leads to a confrontation between graduate student Kate Lloyd and scientist Dr. Sander Halvorson. While Dr. Halvorson keeps to his research, Kate partners with Sam Carter, a helicopter pilot, to pursue the alien life form.

Trailer: 1982 Trailer

Pac’s Take:  This film falls into the same realm as Fright Night, a new take on an old classic that is very much up in the air in terms of its quality.  While Fright Night is a direct remake of the original, The Thing is a prequel to the 1982 horror thriller from John Carpenter (Halloween),  and in a lot of circles is considered the greatest horror movie ever made.  The Thing (2011) doesn’t boast the cast that Fright Night does, nor does it have a director with any recognizable films under his belt so my expectations are a little low.  But hey, John Carpenter’s The Thing was a remake of a ’50s film so why can’t this prequel follow in its success?

4. The Rum Diary

Release Date: 2011 (exact date unknown)

Starring: Johnny Depp, Amber Heard and Giovanni Ribisi

Director: Bruce Robinson

Plot Synopsis from IMDB: Paul Kemp is a freelance journalist who finds himself at a critical turning point in his life while writing for a run-down newspaper in the Caribbean. Paul is challenged on many levels as he tries to carve out a more secure niche for himself amidst a group of lost souls all bent on self-destruction.

Trailer: No Trailer Available

Pac’s Take:  Remember the last movie adapted from a Hunter S. Thompson book that starred Johnny Depp?  I’m still not convinced that this film will actually come out in 2011 since I’ve been hearing rumors about this film’s release about as long as I’ve heard about Sin City 2.  However, the film is now in post-production and another film long in limbo (The Tree of Life) is hitting theaters in 2011, so here’s to hoping that this film appears in cinemas as well.

3.  Scream 4

Release Date: April 15, 2011

Starring: Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette

Director: Wes Craven

Plot Synopsis from IMDB: Ten years have passed, and Sidney Prescott, who has put herself back together thanks in part to her writing, is visited by the Ghostface Killer.

Trailer:

Pac’s Take: After sitting through My Soul to Take last year I became a little wary about how Scream 4 will turn out, but I am confident that Wes Craven will treat his crown jewel with a little more respect than he did that film.  Not to mention he has Kevin Williamson returning to write and a pretty stellar cast to work with.  In my first post on this site I named the original Scream number 3 on my top ten horror movies of all time so I hold this franchise pretty close to my heart.  I hope the fourth installment can jump-start a new trilogy as good as its predecessor.

2.  Captain America: The First Avenger

Release Date: July 22, 2011

Starring: Chris Evans, Hugo Weaving and Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Joe Johnston

Plot Synopsis from IMDB: After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending America’s ideals.

Trailer: Trailer Not Available

Pac’s Take: It may be hard for studios to find a weekend in 2011 or 2012 to fit in the release of their superhero movie without having to compete with another.  After a slow year for these films in 2010, the next two years will be delivering the masked men in droves (The Green Hornet, Green Lantern, Thor, X-Men: First Class, The Dark Knight Rises, Man of Steel, The Avengers).  While the two DC films coming out in 2012 definitely top my list, the hero I’m most excited about on-screen for 2011 is Captain America.  This film’s noirish look is exactly what I was hoping to see when news of this film was first released, and they even cast the perfect villain (Hugo Weaving as Red Skull).  While Thor looks more like a bridge to The Avengers, I think Captain America will stand strongly on its own.

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Release Date: December 21, 2011

Starring: Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara and Stellan Skarsgård

Director: David Fincher

Plot Synopsis from IMDB: A journalist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing — or dead — for forty years by a young female hacker.

Trailer: No Trailer Available

Pac’s Take: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first of a trilogy of films to be made in Denmark based of the books of Stieg Larsson.  In 2011 they will be brought to America in the form of an adaptation of the first installment by none other than David Fincher.  So far in his career, David Fincher can do no wrong;  my least favorite Fincher film is Panic Room and I even catch myself watching that every time I see it on cable.  Last year’s The Social Network is an Academy Award nominee shoe-in for Best Picture and with the success this film had overseas it is sure to be a hit here.  Also, after Niels Arden Oplev, director of the foreign version, heavily criticised the remake (see my reaction here), I can’t wait to see this film gross substantially higher numbers and critical acclaim.  My only reservation is the titular character will be played by Rooney Mara, we saw her in A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Social Network this past year and she has yet to impress me; hopefully she can wow me in December.

Honorable Mentions:  The Green Hornet, Sucker Punch, X-Men: First Class, Green Lantern, Cowboys and Aliens

Pac’s Best/Worst Films of 2010

Yesterday Chris posted his best and worst films of 2010, I decided to give you a day to mull it over, argue amongst friends, leave comments, and/or whatever it is you do.  Today I give you my list of the ten best and ten worst movies of 2010.  Keep in mind, as with Chris’s lists, that these are only the films that I have seen.  We are just fans like you and have to seek out our own means of viewing these films so it was impossible to see every film we would have liked to in 2010 (as well as those we’re forced to or stumble into).  As a bonus though, I’ve included the ten films I wish I would have seen in 2010 both because some of my films overlap Chris’s and I wanted to add something more and because I don’t want anyone saying “how could you have put (blank) over (blank)?” when I didn’t see (blank).

I want to end on a high note so here are my 10 least favorite films from the past year:

10. Let Me In

Right off the bat I’m going with a film that might make most people discredit the rest of my list, it was included in Chris’s 10 best films and it got great reviews, and there are definitely other films I could have put here instead (see honorable mentions) .  Let Me In was saved by great performances from wonderful young actors (and the always enjoyable Richard Jenkins) but the over-the-top cinematography and slow pace ruined any chance of me enjoying this film.  The film was shot way too tight and I spent more time deciphering what I was seeing on-screen and not enough time immersing myself in the film.  I’m a believer that you need to see a film twice to truly gauge its quality (which I haven’t done yet) but for now it remains on my ten least favorite.

9. Alice In Wonderland

Most all Hollywood couples part ways, so why too can’t the “bromances” between actor and director?  Maybe it is time for Tim Burton to move on from Johnny Depp the same way Scorcese moved on from DeNiro to DiCaprio.  I wasn’t able to see this film in 3D (which I heard was disappointing anyway), but none the less the film boasted some great visuals – and nothing else.  Burton’s story of Alice returning to Wonderland lacked substance and character and attempted to disguise it with the awe of visual appeal.  I wasn’t even able to finish this film (meaning it comes in #9 despite me not seeing the infamous dance sequence), and that almost never happens.

8. Leap Year

It is no secret that I am not a fan of the romantic comedy genre (as evidenced here), but I am always willing to give the newest one a shot given the appropriate company.  While most RomComs have ridiculous premises and over-the-top love stories, Leap Year attempted to top them all with its ridiculous premise about a girl who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on Leap Year only to fall in love along the way.  Amy Adams needs to take cues from actresses like Charlize Theron, you have way too much talent to be wasting it on Romantic Comedies.  If I have to see this film once every four years, it’d be too often.

7. Valentine’s Day

When a movie tries to bank off the success of another film in any other method other than a direct sequel (and many times even that doesn’t work), it is almost destined for failure.  Valentine’s Day clearly tried to use the formula of He’s Just Not That Into You, and take it one step further by including a holiday premise sure to draw in couples to the theater.  Unfortunately, they overlooked the one thing about HJNTIY that actually made it an enjoyable film to watch, a good story.  Valentine’s Day just grabbed as many billable actors as possible, cut them their check and let them check out as they filmed this abomination because they knew the names would be enough to turn a profit.  Hopefully when next years sequel, New Year’s Eve comes to theaters we’ll be a little bit wiser (probably not).

6. My Soul to Take

If Chris gives me credit for convincing him to see The Social Network, then I must too take blame for dragging him to this.  While he and most others would rank this higher on their list of least favorite films of 2010, I saw brief glimpses of what makes Wes Craven the premiere name in the horror genre.  The film lacked so many things including: acceptable performances from its young actors, cohesiveness in the story, and any sort of suspense.  However, after some analysis I determined that it wasn’t the story that was lacking but the execution.  Don’t let me forget that this was the worst 3D that I have seen in any film to date.  Maybe this Wes Craven film will be remade in 20 years like all his others, and this one could actually be improved upon.

5. The Killer Inside Me

I first saw the trailer for this film and immediately thought this was going to be the film that makes Casey Affleck a star.  With two very billable leading ladies (Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson) by his side, the director of a Mighty Heart at the reins, and a compelling story based off a well received book, I had such high hopes for this film.  What I got upon viewing was a shock value film disguised as noir with incredibly slow pacing.  Affleck turns out a good performance in this character piece, as does Kate Hudson but they still couldn’t save this film for me.  However, after spending two hours begging for this film to end I was rewarded with a pretty bad-ass ending, or maybe I was just relieved it was over.

4. Salt

I wasn’t expecting much from this film and didn’t see it til recently, so I can’t say that I was disappointed by it.  Still, Salt was easily the worst of a group of espionage films that were released this year.  Competing with the likes of Knight and Day, Killers, and The Tourist, and trying to live up to the quality of the Bourne series, Salt fell short in almost every aspect.  The performances were weak, the story was boring, the reveal was predictable, and the action was cliché.  Angelina Jolie is quickly becoming an actress whose films I try to avoid; and when Tom Cruise backs out for Knight and Day and is replaced by Liv Shreiber, you’re doomed.

Who Cares?

3. Twilight: Eclipse

The only thing that kept this film from landing any higher was that it did at least feature some pretty cool fight sequences as well as the beautiful Eva Green and Anna Kendrick.  Unfortunately, the rest of the film was littered with unbearable performances from its three main stars, a romance that has become so contrite by the third film that I can’t understand how even tweens can bear it anymore, and unneccessary chest bearing for swooning 12 year olds.  It is disappointing that this saga will be remembered in pop-culture as one of the most popular franchises of our generation, hopefully after the fourth installment reaches theaters the vampire craze will subside.

2. Sex and the City 2

I subject my girlfriend to a lot of bad action and horror movies so I only find it fair that sometimes I suck it up and watch a movie like Twilight: Eclipse and Sex and the City 2.  While Twilight: Eclipse at least boasted a cool fight scene, two very attractive supporting actresses, and some resemblance of a plot; Sex and the City 2 had nothing of the sort.  I strongly considered making this the #1 film on this list but decided against it because I hated the next film just a little bit more.  Take four over the hill women who were only mildly attractive in their prime, send them to the middle east to do absolutely nothing, add some obligatory male nudity, and what you get is this garbage.  Screw you HBO, where is my Sopranos movie?

1. The Last Airbender

What can I say about this film that hasn’t already been expressed in numerous blogs, reviews, and hate mail sent to M. Night Shyamalan?  This movie was terrible and I really don’t have anything else to say about it, I didn’t finish it and I have no interest in watching it all the way through because I genuinely don’t care what happens, hell I don’t even know what was happening during the first 2 acts that I did see.  It is a shame that Shyamalan’s name has been drug through the mud so badly after the release of this film because it caused so many people to dismiss Devil, a decent suspense/horror flick.

Honorable Mentions:  The Wolfman, The Losers, R.E.D., Jonah Hex

 

 Here are my favorite films from 2010:

10. The Ghost Writer

Let me hand it to my favorite website and one of the greatest resources on the web for movie news, reviews, and opinions for influencing me to see this movie.  It if it weren’t for a weekend film recommendation on this very site, I may never have seen The Ghost Writer, but I’m sure glad I listen to those guys at Chris Petersen’s Film Blog, they sure are smart.  A political crime thriller from across the pond, The Ghost Writer boasts superior performances from Ewan MacGregor and Pierce Brosnan, a stellar plot that unravels at just the right pace, and one hell of an ending.  You can call Roman Polanski a lot of things, and one of them should be an outstanding director.

9. Kick Ass

Not many films these days can feature Nicolas Cage and still make my top ten, but Kick Ass was able to do just that.  Blending just the right amount of superhero fantasy with the harsh reality of life, this film was a very smart, fun romp through the world of superhero fanboys.  What took this film to the next level though was the excellent cast supported by the aforementioned Cage, Chloe Moretz, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse.  But it was the bold decision to cast the little-known Aaron Johnson as Kick Ass that made this movie great.  Could you imagine how much it would have sucked if they went with, oh say…

This Guy

 8.  Unthinkable

Seriously, read this blog every day, these guys know what they are talking about.  Okay, so it was actually me who wrote the weekend film recommendation for Unthinkable this time, but I did it for a reason.  This film gets a bad rap by some because of its controversial subject matter and torture scene, but make no mistake – this is not torture porn.  Everything shown on-screen is deliberate and important to the purpose of the film, the movie is not supposed to gross you out but rather to make you think, and to question your own morality and the morality of the world we live in.  This film is heavy, and it features Samuel L. Jackson in his best performance from at least the past 5 years as well as Michael Sheen in an Oscar worthy performance.  (This film is available instantly on Netflix for those of you interested).

7. The Town

I’ve put my grievances with the ending to rest and have accepted this film for what it is, a very good heist flick.  Ben Affleck continues to show that he knows how to handle a camera and Jeremy Renner is quickly proving to be one of Hollywood’s heavyweights and they both shine in their respective roles in this film.  Some of their talent even rubbed off on the beautiful Blake Lively who did take a cue from Charlize Theron and disguised her beauty to play Affleck’s drugged out ex-girlfriend.  I wish I could have liked this film more than I did but despite its greatness amongst this years class of film, it doesn’t compare to the greats like Heat, Dog Day Afternoon, and Inside Man.

6. Inception

It was very difficult for me not to rank this film higher on my list but when it came down to it, I wasn’t influenced by all the peer pressure and the media touting this movie as the greatest piece of art ever to grace my eyes.  I do however, give this film all the respect it deserves for a great cast (including a breakout performance by Joseph Gordon Levitt), a great story, incredible special effects and cinematography, and a cliff hanger that will live in cinema infamy.  I truly hope this film will do what many speculate it is capable of and bring some big budget originality back to hollywood in the coming years.  Christopher Nolan truly is a master of his craft and one of three directors (including Martin Scorcese and the director of the #2 movie on my list) whose name alone earns the price of admission from my pockets.

5. The Other Guys

Many posts ago, Chris wrote a post compiling a list of movies that he didn’t like until his second viewing, and earlier in this post I wrote that I believe a movie needs to be seen twice to truly gauge its value.  The Other Guys is the poster child for that theory because when I walked out of the theater after seeing this film I actually disliked it.  A second viewing on DVD changed my mind and this film jumped into my top ten about as effortlessly as Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson jumped off that building.  This movie is hilarious from start to finish, mainly because of its satirical premise and its two leading men: Mark Whalberg and Will Ferrell.  The replay value of this movie is very high (I think I’ve seen it 5x now) and its quotability is just as great, it’s the funniest movie to come out this year and I can’t wait to see Whalberg in more comedic roles.

4. I Love You Phillip Morris

When buzz about this movie started making its way around the internet I thought it was a comedy about cigarettes, much like Thank You for Smoking. I didn’t think much of it past the title til I saw the first trailer and laughed a few times, then saw it after having my wisdom teeth pulled ( I was in need of a good laugh ).  This movie was hilarious from start to finish and was (IMO) the best performance of Jim Carrey’s career, even Ewan MacGregor was great in his supporting role as the titular Phillip Morris.  There seems to be some stigma around this movie for its homosexual content; but the film doesn’t exploit the point that the two men are gay, it simply uses it to supplement to outrageous humor.  I would best describe this movie as a gay Catch Me if You Can.

3. Black Swan

If it weren’t for the first act of this film and its camera work I probably would have ranked this movie higher on my list, but if I’m going to chastise Let Me In for its cinematography I have to hold Black Swan accountable as well.  Despite my issue with the way the beginning of the film was shot, this film delivered on many levels, often in ways that Let Me In could not.  The plot that drove the story was incredibly paced with just enough suspense to keep me attentive without driving me as insane as Nina (Natalie Portman) and I sympathised with each of the characters especially Nina and her mother (Barbara Hershey).  The performances by Hershey, Portman, Cassell, Ryder, and even Kunis were top-notch.  Lastly the climax of the film left me both pondering what I just saw as well as begging for more.  Portman deserves an Academy Award for this performance and she has catapulted herself into superstardom (see her upcoming filmography for 2011, she’s busy).

2.  The Social Network

Like I Love You Phillip Morris there was a stigma surrounding The Social Network that watered down some of the anticipation and respect that this film deserved.  However, that stigma was quickly submerged by critical acclaim and box office success after it was released in theaters.  The Social Network is so much more than “The Facebook Movie”, its a courtroom thriller that doesn’t take place in a courtroom, and it’s a character piece on the now infamous creator of one of the most popular websites in the world.  The performances by young stars such as Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, and Armie Hammer (who kind of plays both Winklevoss twins) carry this film and it is only supplemented by David Fincher’s outstanding direction and cinematography.  If I had a vote for Best Picture as part of the Academy, I’d vote for this film.

1. Megamind

While I’ve already established that I think The Social Network deserves the Academy Award for best picture, I don’t think it deserves to top my list of favorite movies from 2010.  We go to the movies for many reasons, but the primary reason I go to the theater is be entertained, and Megamind was the most entertaining movie of the year for me – BY FAR.  It may have been a perfect storm that cast this film into the pole position on this list but I loved every second of it.  The movie had a great story (so what if it was mildly similar to Despicable Me), a fun cast with great chemistry (especially between Ferrell and Cross), excellent cinematography (especially for an animated film), and the best 3D that I have seen in any film to date.  So far twice in this post I have written that I believe you need to see a movie a second time to truly gauge its value, well I’ve seen Megamind once and I may purposefully never see it again.  Seeing this movie in 3D in theaters was such an enjoyable experience that I fear subsequent viewings may only diminish the perception I have of this film.  I hope to someday have the capability of recreating the theatrical experience that was Megamind (anyone wanna buy me a 3D TV? and Bose stereo system?).

Honorable Mention: The Crazies, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, Easy A

As a small token of my gratitude for reading through this very long post (even if you skimmed it) and making it this far, here is my top ten movies I wish I had seen in 2010, most of which are new or limited releases:

10. Paper Man
9. Winter’s Bone
8. Monsters
7. Toy Story 3
6. Tron: Legacy
5. 127 Hours
4. The King’s Speech
3. True Grit
2. The Fighter
1. Buried

The Walking Dead is Staggering Toward Ridiculous

First off, let me say that I am a fan of The Walking Dead. I enjoy the idea that a tv show is being made out of the zombie apocalypse, and I have been doing my best to ignore the stupidity of the characters for plot advancement, but Episode 3 may have finally been too much idiocy for its own good.

SPOILER ALERTS THROUGHOUT

The episode opens on an abandoned Merle, handcuffed on the roof of a building in Atlanta. He is slowly going crazy and he frustratedly tugs at the handcuffs. It is safe to say that he has been up there for a little while and when we left him after the last episode the zombies were clawing at the roof door. When the zombies return he immediately begins frantically thrashing around and trying to reach a hacksaw that had been lying there the whole time.

Now, you would think that Merle, being as frustrated as he was, especially since he had heard the zombies earlier that day, would have already exhausted that option. Or, how about how he ended up getting the hacksaw? He was trying to get it with a belt, when he could have easily swung his body under the pipe and moved it closer with his legs.

I mean, come on....

Move to exterior woodland camp where the survivors meet up with Rick and crew after escaping the city. They survivor camp is heartily greeted by Glenn driving a siren wailing car, even though he had the option of getting in the quiet truck outside the city with the others. Granted, Glenn really wanted the car, but come on…you’re telling me that one of the others didn’t tell him to get out for everyone else’s safety? His siren, as potentially witnessed by the deer-eating zombie, could have attracted some that were nearby, since Dale said that he hadn’t seen the zombies up that far in the woods.

The venison-craving zombie brings up another ridiculous plot point. When they find this zombie they beat him to death with stakes, pitchforks and eventually a crossbow to the head, so that they won’t make noise to attract attention. Shane seems to be a stark advocate of this method and doing everything he can to remain off the zombie radar, yet when they are in the water splashing around he is yelling at the top of his lungs and laughing. Real smart, Shane.

We are then introduced to Daryl (Norman Reedus), Merle’s brother, who took acting lessons from Samuel L. Jackson for this role, to ensure that he is always yelling. After the guys tell him that they handcuffed his brother to a roof and left him there, his anger and yelling guilts them into going on an ill-advised rescue mission. I am willing to suspend plausibility and defend this idiotic move here because they now have weapons and they are trying to remain human in a decreasingly human society.

Stereotypes still apply though: The white guys get the weapons and the Asian kid goes first.

Then comes the kicker. The gang gets to the rooftop and Merle is gone and his handcuff is dangling from the pipe. Oh okay, he got out, just like they were foreshadowing at the beginning of the episode, he must have hacksawed through the handcuff…..wait….is that his hand on the ground? What? Why did he hack off his own hand instead of sawing through run-of-the-mill handcuffs? These weren’t like the shackles in Saw where they couldn’t be cut with a hacksaw. That is the point we were left with….Merle is an idiot and so is everyone else on the show.

I mean, now they are worried about where he is, and if he will track them down and try to kill them like the crazy redneck he is. But, if you ask me, they should have just started laughing right there like, “What an idiot….” If he ever does find them, there is little to be intimidated by. He is dumb as all get-out and could easily be distracted if you tossed a jug of moonshine at him. The only way they could make him be intimidating with one hand would be this….

Despite all my ranting, I still like the show as a whole so far. It is just getting harder and harder to suspend my disbelief, and if they don’t rein it in for the next episode, it is going to be difficult to continue watching. But, since I am now hooked to the point of being intrigued that natural selection hasn’t taken its course on this rag-tag band of survivors, I at least want to see one of them meet the demise they deserve on the show.

Daniel Radcliffe Moves to Horror in Post-Potter Career

There will be a tough adjustment for the three young Harry Potter stars (Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson) after having ten straight years of a steady paycheck. However, with the talent that three of them showed, they show a lot of promise; it will just be up to them to make the right moves.

Radcliffe, the series’ main star, has picked a period horror film as his next vehicle. It is called The Woman in Black, directed by James Watkins (Eden Lake), written by Jane Goldman (Kick-Ass), and revolves around a lawyer who travels to a small village to investigate the death of one of his clients. While he is there he catches a glimpse of a  mysterious woman dressed only in a black dress. The locals remain silent and he realizes that is up to him to reveal her true intentions.

Here is a look at one of the first pictures to come out from the project:

I think this is a good move for Radcliffe. While it is not moving away from a fantasy genre, it gives him the chance to play a more grown up character in an attempt to break free of the “childish” mode he has had to play for a while. Plus, he is attached to a film that has a renowned writer and director and this film will probably be a success. Look for it to come out in theaters late next year.

What are your thoughts? Is this a good move for Radcliffe? Will be able to break away from the “Potter” stigma?

10 Days of Halloween: H2

Happy Halloween everyone!  We’ve finally made it here, through 9 films from arguably the greatest horror franchise to ever grace the screen.  It is a shame that we have to end on such a sour note.

Rob Zombie follows up the original Halloween reboot with H2. At first glance this film appears to be a direct remake of Halloween II, with Laurie in the hospital and Michael showing up to exact his revenge.  However, Laurie awakens from a dream and H2 actually takes place one year after the events of the first film.  Laurie is now living with the Brackett family and Michael has been missing since he was shot by Dr. Loomis.  Laurie begins acting out, mirroring more of the lifestyle of the Myers family from which she came.

Meanwhile, Michael is living in the woods, recovering from the injuries he sustained in the first film.

 

And Growing A Ridiculous Beard

 

 

Michael begins having hallucinations of a younger self and of his mother, encouraging him to return to Haddonfield to kill again on Halloween.  Michael follows the orders of his visions and begins to kill again in search of Laurie.

Now that the synopsis is out of the way, let me begin my review: this film sucks.  Rob Zombie completely butchers everything that the Halloween franchise stood for and turned this film into more of the shock and gore that is his other films.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoyed The Devil’s Rejects and I love House of 1,000 Corpses, but this franchise is not those movies and you can’t mess with the fundamental elements of Halloween, no matter how much you want to make the film your own.

Laurie is not a reflection of her messed up family and brother, she’s exactly the opposite.  Halloween in its purist form is good vs. evil; in Rob Zombie’s world everything is evil.  Also, Michael Myers is who he is because his actions are inexplicable, when you start using psycho babel to explain why he kills, you kill your movie.  You would think Zombie would have learned from the poor acclaim of the 4-6 films; but if at first you don’t succeed.

 

And where's the mask? Why the Beard?

 

 

What H2 does do well is tip its hat to Halloween II and its sequels, sometimes even at the expense of this film.  In H2 the viewer is treated to Michael coming to life in the ambulance, attacking the hospital, and having a psychic connection to a relative (Laurie this time and not Jamie).  The highlight of this film’s performances again were McDowell and Dourif (horror’s greatest male icon) but Scout Taylor Compton falls short of Jamie Lee Curtis once again.

Finally, not to spoil the film for anyone, but I want to speak briefly about the ending (no spoilers).  I understand why Zombie ended the film the way he did, it was a cute wink that you often see in today’s slashers, but like I said before it completely ruins the mythos of the franchise.

So now we’ve come to an end of our 10 Days of Halloween.  A tip of the Shatner mask to those of you who’ve stayed with us through the entire series, and I hope you enjoyed the Halloween season.

10 Days of Halloween: Halloween: Resurrection

I didn’t realize until I watched Halloween: Resurrection how lucky of a draw I had getting the even numbers of the Halloween franchise.  Sure, Chris reviewed the original, by far the best film, but I wasn’t forced to sit through Season of the Witch or Revenge of Michael Myers. My good fortunes ended, however, with the 8th installment of the franchise.

Halloween: Resurrection picks up three years after H20 but not before explaining why there is a sequel to H20 in the first place.  Apparently, Michael crushed a paramedic’s larynx so he couldn’t speak, dressed him up like Michael and left him to get decapitated by Laurie.

Lesson: Don't dress up like this guy for Halloween

After explaining this ridiculous reasoning for Michael’s survival, the film cuts to Laurie in a mental hospital, apparently grief-stricken over her mistake.  In comes Michael, returning to kill Laurie.  For a moment, Laurie gets the better of Michael and has an opportunity to end it for good.  But what would we watch for the next 80 minutes?  So of course Laurie tries to unmask Michael and “gets got”.

Everything from this point on is crap.  The premise for the rest of the film has nothing to do with the introductory scene.  Why explain what happened to Michael and Laurie at all if the rest of the movie has nothing to do with it?

You didn't know what happened to these two.

Busta Rhymes and Tyra Banks run an internet reality channel and have rigged the old Myers house with cameras.  They then paid six dumb college students to stay the night in the house and investigate what happened there when Michael was a child.  Needless to say, Michael returns and starts picking them off one-by-one.  Also, Tyra dances, Busta does karate, some unknown actress shows her breasts.

And Sean Patrick Thomas dies in yet another horror movie.

It’s getting close to Halloween now, so if you haven’t been watching all the Halloween films like we have and you can only watch one or two, skip Resurrection. The plot is dumb, the acting is terrible, and none of the terror is terrifying.  This is the worst of the films I’ve reviewed …

...for now.

10 Days of Halloween: Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers

Joe Chappelle and Daniel Farrands had a lot going against then when they began the creation of this film.  Let’s recap:

• Halloween 5 provided the mythos of Michael Myers with some sort of supernatural ability and explanation that killing his entire blood line would put him to rest 
•  Jamie’s fate is not fully explained in Halloween V
• Everyone (including Chris) is dying to know who the mysterious man in black is
• Grunge music was really popular in 1995

All of that being said, Halloween 6: The Curse of Michael Myers does pretty well with what it has to work with.  The Movie opens up with Jamie, approximately 16 or 17 given time between this film and Halloween V, giving birth to an unexplicable child.  After Jamie and her newborn child escape her kidnappers, Michael is released upon the town to kill Jamie and retrieve the child.

Meanwhile, The Strode family is living in the previous home of Michael Myers, unbeknownst to everyone but their a**hole father.  Next door to the Strode family lives Tommy Doyle (Paul Rudd), and when Tommy overhears Jamie’s phone call to a radio program asking for help Tommy tracks down the newborn son of the now deceased Jamie (thanks to Michael of course).

Oh yeah, he gets Dr. Loomis to help him too

 Are you still following me?  Good.  Now, with baby in hand, Tommy finds Kara Strode and her son Danny at the old Myers home and tells them to take the baby and hide in his house (yeah, next door.).  Tommy suspects that some ancient curse requires Michael to kill everyone in his blood line and it occurs on Halloween because of the alignment of some stars to make a constellation that only shows up every few years during Samhain (a.k.a. Halloween).

Eventually we discover who the man in black is, the big reveal of this movie, and it is a major letdown.  I’m sure it was because of the demand to tie ends from the previous film, but this movie would have worked a lot better without the cult angle.  Say instead Jamie survived and like any teenager on an MTV reality show, she thinks she’s in love and gets knocked up.  She has a baby and the next time the thorn constellation appears, Michael comes back to claim her and her child.  This sounds much better than some cult controlling Michael, because Michael is much scarier when he appears uncontrollable (SPOILER ALERT: he is uncontrollable).

Much like the resulting blood spatter.

In an attempt to tie together all the loose ends from the previous film, Halloween 6 created some pretty glaring plot holes of its own.  However, if you can overlook them this is not a terrible horror movie.  The pacing of this film is much better than most, the acting in this film is not as bad as some other installments in the series (III & V to be more precise), and the suspense of Michael’s terror is at its highest since the Halloween II.  I wish they would have used less light on Michael, he’s a creature of the shadows and he appears less menacing when there are bright flourescent lights on him; but now I’m nitpicking.  Also, the iconic score is often replaced with guitar riffs.

It is also worth noting that this is the last appearance of Donald Pleasence prior to his passing, so the film is worth watching for that reason alone (though he’s only briefly on-screen).

Look for Chris’s review of Halloween: H2O, a film he’s sure to enjoy more than the past two Halloween films he was stuck with.

TAKE TWO: PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2 (2010)

Paranormal Activity 2

Rated: R

Starring: Katie Featherston

Director: Tod Williams

Chris’ Take: Paranormal Activity 2 was walking a very fine line with its release strategy. The success of the first film demanded a sequel and it seemed like Oren Peli decided to take the dangerous route of the Saw franchise and release its sequel within a year of the original. On top of that, the plot decided that instead of moving forward it would take a step back and explain the story from before the first one, which immediately causes it to lose some suspense. With those two factors, it seemed like an impossible task for Paranormal Activity 2 to be a success.

The film opens by introducing Katie’s sister’s family as they move into their new home in San Diego, even re-introducing Katie to the story and pointing out that she lives close by. The story then jumps to about a year later, 60 days before the death of Micah, Katies’ boyfriend. When the family thinks  that break ins are occurring, they add security cameras to their home and watch several strange disturbances unfold. While the disturbances seem small at first, they increasingly grow stronger and more violent and seem to be targeted at their one year child, Hunter.

I must say that the film did a decent job creating suspense in what I thought would be an unsuspenseful prequel. I was wondering how the film would work itself out without Katie getting too freaked out over what happened to her sister’s family, but Williams and Peli did a pretty good job making a clean transition between the two stories.

Additionally, I was wondering how IMAX would create a better experience for the film and I forgot that IMAX is not only about increased picture quality, but also the sound. I saw the first film at home, which kind of makes it scarier, and I think some of the ominous sound of the demon’s presence gets removed because of that. IMAX, however, added to that and created an overall sense of dread, mimicking what it might feel like to just feel evil surrounding you.

Outside of the sound, I thought this film resorted to cheaper thrills than the first. Watching the first one sent chills down my spine watching shadows and objects move, while this one resorted to more jolting forms of fright. While they were mildly effective, some of them were just downright laughable. I did like the fact that there was access to more cameras for this film than the first, but I didn’t like the security camera look of it and preferred more of the narrow view of the hand held camera to create suspense.

After I watched the first one, I did have trouble sleeping because the demon for the most part was left unexplained, and I am going to admit that I was kind of creeped out by it. This film I thought answered too many questions and because of that didn’t seem as scary and didn’t linger with me like the first one. Overall, it was a decent film and it did overcome some of the obstacles it created for itself in the hasty production and being a prequel, but I thought that it could have been a lot better if they had just taken some more time with it. I am sure there will be a Paranormal Activity 3 and I hope it moves more forward in the story than this one did or changes its focus because even though this didn’t live up to the success of the first, it was still one of the more effective forms of horror that is out there.

Characters: B
Cinematography: B-
Directing: B
Performances: B-
Plot: A-
Thrills: B+
Overall: B

Pac’s Take:

Paranormal Activity, while not the first film in the sub-genre, will probably go down in horror history as the seminal work of the documentary sub-genre (I really wish “shockumentary” wasn’t already coined by creepers).  Paranormal Activity 2 attempts to capitalize on everything that made the first movie great, and do what horror sequels are designed to do, one-up the original in terms of violence and terror.  For the most part Paranormal activity 2 succeeded.

The sequel is not as scary as the original.  Let’s be realistic though; the gig is up, you can’t recreate the suspension of doubt surrounding the authenticity of the original (that’s what I thought was scary).  So what does the sequel do instead, it takes you back and it explains why (SPOILER ALERT if you haven’t seen the original) Katie becomes possessed. (SAFE NOW)

There are some things about this film that I thought were downright dumb and/or laughable:

• The pool vacuum (laugh out loudable)
• Why install cameras with DVR capability and never look at it when strange things go down?
• (SPOILER ALERT) if you curse your wife’s sister, don’t live so close to her

For the most part the first two movies are sewn together quite well, there are some pretty cool haunting scenes (my favorite being the kitchen cabinets), and though the pacing of the first 30 minutes is incredibly slow once the film gets going it doesn’t let up.

Paranormal Activity 2 is not a perfect film, and it certainly is not as good as the original, but it’s my favorite horror film of the year; and until I’m able to watch Buried I don’t see another horror film on slate for 2010 that can surpass it.

Side Note: when I search for images on Paranormal Activity 2, I almost exclusively get this image. At no point during the film was this image seen on-screen. (unless I blinked and missed it)

Characters: B-
Cinematography: B+
Directing: B+
Performances: B-
Plot: A-
Thrills: B+
Overall: B+

10 Days of Halloween: Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers

After the Halloween series diverted away from Michael Myers in Halloween 3: Season of the Witch, the public demanded his return and 1988 the franchise released its fourth installment: Halloween IV: The Return of Michael Myers.  In correspondence to its release date, Halloween IV takes place ten years after the original two films and follows the events surrounding Jamie Lloyd (Danielle Harris), the nice of Michael Myers and daughter to the now deceased Laurie Strode (the movie suggests she and her husband died 11 months prior). 

 Jamie can’t sleep because of the presence of a figure in her dreams who she refers to as “the nightmare man” and she is still struggling to adjust to her new life without her mother.  simultaneously, the comatose body of Michael Myers is being transported back to Smith’s Grove hospital until Michael abruptly wakes up in the ambulance, kills everyone on board and escapes.

Once he learns about the transport of Michael Myers and the accident on the ambulance en route, Dr. Loomis starts trailing Michael back to Haddonfield where he believes Michael is headed.  It becomes more and more clear to Dr. Loomis that Michael is returning to Haddonfield to kill his niece, Jamie, and only Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasence) can stop him.

Weapon of Choice: Gun, because it has to work eventually

Halloween IV stands as probably the best sequel to this franchise with the exception of Halloween II.  Though no longer aided by the hand of John Carpenter, Halloween IV still maintains the integrity of the first two films, winks to the first movie often, and at times even mimics it very well.  Just as Carpenter did in the original, a lot of the suspense of Michael terrorizing Jamie and her adoptive sister comes from Michael lurking in the shadows.  The action of the film takes a while to pick up but once the sun sets on Haddonfield on Halloween night the film is really entertaining to watch.

That being said, there’s a lot about this film that just makes it OK.  The Halloween films are at their best when Dr. Loomis is involved as a “Van Helsing” type character, but it’s a little difficult to get over the fact that he survived the events of Halloween II.  Additionally, while the gore of this film is another notch up from Halloween II, this film was made in 1988 and the kills can look a little campy (i.e. the thumb through the forehead).

The fairest way to gauge this sequel is compared to others of the franchise and other 4th installments of popular horror franchises.  …The Return of Michael Myers ranks 3rd amongst the Halloween movies and for the most part surpasses all other franchises at this point in their lifespan.

Fun Fact: Danielle Harris, the actress who plays Jamie Lloyd in this film also plays Annie Brackett in Rob Zombie’s Halloween and Halloween II.

from Halloween 4, all pictures of Harris from Rob Zombie's films are NSFW

 

Opening This Week (Oct 25 – 31, 2010)

This week is another week that features almost no new wide releases, save one, but there are several limited releases that might be worth tracking down.

Saw 3D  #1 Film to Avoid This Weekend

Rated: R

Starring: Tobin Bell, Carey Elwes, Costas Mandylor

Director: Kevin Greutert

Synopsis from IMDB: As a deadly battle rages over Jigsaw’s brutal legacy, a group of Jigsaw survivors gathers to seek the support of self-help guru and fellow survivor Bobby Dagen, a man whose own dark secrets unleash a new wave of terror.

Chris’ Take: I lost interest in this series after the third installment. The first one was an interesting concept and was done well, but then it just seemed to decline with each yearly installment and my curiosity for torture films was satiated. There was almost no enjoyment left in it, just sheer shock value and uncomfortability. The trailer for Saw 3D was probably one of the worst trailers for a film that I have seen in a while. I mean, all it did was make it look cheesy by including an audience getting 3D saws thrown at it and trapped by Jigsaw created machines. What about the film? I thought Saw was supposed to be a little bit darker and try to avoid those kinds of shenanigans. The series has lost all credibility and the only good thing I have to say about this one is, “Thank God it’s the last one.” For those of you that haven’t seen the trailer, here it is in all its comedic grandeur:

 

Limited Releases

Wild Target

Rated: PG-13

Starring: Bill Nighy, Rupert Grint, Emily Blunt

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Synopsis from IMDB: A hitman tries to retire but a beautiful thief may change his plans.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: From the trailer this looks like a hilarious black comedy, with seemingly hilariously dry performances by Bill Nighy and Rupert Everett. Also, it boasts newly Bilbo Baggins appointed Martin Freeman. But, from early reviews, this film apparently is very uneven and this remake of a French comedy would probably be better saved for DVD.

 

Monsters

Rated: R

Starring: Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able

Director: Gareth Edwards

Synopsis from IMDB: Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This looks like an attempt to mimic the success of last year’s District 9 and apparently doubles as a parable about illegal immigration. The early reviews have been fairly positive, although not glowing. Apparently Gareth Edwards did his own CGI for this as well. This will probably be a good bet to see for a Halloween horror/monster film rather than Saw 3D.

 

Welcome to the Rileys

Rated: R

Starring: James Gandolfini, Melissa Leo, Kristen Stewart

Director: Jake Scott

Synopsis from IMDB: On a business trip to New Orleans, a damaged man seeks salvation by caring for a wayward young woman.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This will be a film for those looking for something a little bit more serious this weekend. It looks like a very touching film about a family recovering from the loss of their daughter. Kristen Stewart looks like she will act the same like she does in every film, very understated and emo, but hopefully there will be less screaming or crying in lovelorn agony like she does in the Twilight films. Gandolfini looks like he gives a strong performance as well. While this film will no doubt probably be decent, it is not necessarily theater fare.

 

Inspector Bellamy #1 Recommendation for this Weekend

Rated: Unrated

Starring: Gerard Depardieu, Marie Bunel, Jacques Gamblin

Director: Claude Chabrol

Synopsis from IMDB: A well known Parisian inspector becomes involved in an investigation while on holiday.

Trailer:

Chris’ Take: This is the 50th and final film of France’s Alfred Hitchcock, Claude Chabrol, and it looks like it will be intriguing, but not for everyone. This looks like it will be along the vein of this year’s The American, it will be very slow, but very beautiful and thoughtful. Plus, since it is Chabrol’s swan song, this gets my weekly recommendation. Unfortunately, it is a limited release, so my recommendation only goes so far, but I couldn’t in good conscience recommend Saw 3D to anyone.

10 Days of Halloween: Halloween II

Written By: Brian “Pac” Sostak

One of the most incriminating opinions against the quality of horror movies over the years has been the degeneration of a franchise due to its sequels.  Often times original movies are not intended to have sequels but are turned into money-making franchises at the expense of their quality; this often begins with part II.  Examples of this include: The Exorcist II,  A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre II, and The Hills Have Eyes II.

Is this considered horror?

This Halloween season, if you are looking for a horror movie sequel that honors the original, maintains its continuity, and gives the audience more without losing the seminal works integrity, then Halloween II is the movie you need to watch.  Though not directed by John Carpenter (though he did shoot a few scenes before the release), Halloween II was written by Carpenter and maintained the primary cast members including Donald Pleasance and Jamie Lee Curtis.  Keeping Carpenter on to write this sequel was the saving grace for this film because he was able to seamlessly transition from the original.

Taking place immediately after the events of the first movie, Halloween II opens with Laurie sending the children she is babysitting off for help.  Events unfold just as they did in the original until Dr. Loomis (Pleasance) finds Michael’s body missing.  Laurie is then taken to the hospital to be treated after battling Michael, and Dr. Loomis is escorted by Marshalls out of Haddonfield.  It’s no surprise that Michael has followed Laurie to the hospital and begins his routine of stalking her and killing those who get in her way.  The biggest plot element of this film is revealed to Dr. Loomis, which prompts his return to Haddonfield to save Laurie and provides motive for Michael’s desire to kill Laurie.  I don’t want to ruin the film for any readers who haven’t seen it, but it’s a Halloween movie so I’m sure you can figure out what transpires from then on.

Hint: she dies.

Halloween II provides the viewer with everything they could want in a sequel.  It maintains the integrity of the original by developing the original plot without compromising it, and it keeps a lot of the elements that made the original so successful.  Michael is the same menacing shadow he was in the previous film, stalking Laurie and quietly killing those who get in his way (all fueled by suspense and the awesome score).  Halloween II also does what every sequel is required to do, turn up the violence.  There is a lot more gore in this film than the original and the body count is higher (though by today’s standards the gore is minimal).  One scene that sticks out in my mind is when Michael kills off one of his victims by drowning her in a scalding hot tub, her skin peeling off her face as she’s removed from the water.

Halloween II is not as good as the original but should be considered one of the better horror sequels of all time.  If you disagree I would love to hear your rebuttals in the comments.  Keep reading for reviews on the next 8 Halloween movies as well as other horror movies to watch this season.