Tag Archives: good horror

Movie Review: Sinister

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Director:   
Scott Derrickson (known for: The Exorcism of Emily Rose)

Starring:          
Ethan Hawke (known for: Gattaca)
Juliet Rylance (known for: Sinister)

 

What’s it about?

Idiotic true crime writer Ellison Oswalt decides to move himself and his family into a new home, where the previous family was brutally murdered (that’s right, this probably won’t end well!). Upon entering the house attic, Oswalt finds a cache of snuff films that suggest the killer is of the serial kind.

Is it any good?

‘Sinister’ is the kind of movie that lives up to it’s name. It is malevolent, evil, perverse, doomfall, threatning, blackhearted and every other “Sinister” synonym that you can think of. If you view a horror movie called “Sinister” then be prepared for just that, don’t expect anything even slightly happy, if you do then you are an absolute tosser (yes, I’m referring to some comments I’ve read online); just a friendly warning. ‘Sinister’ tries desperately to blend scenes of disturbing shock and supernatural scares, this sounds like the perfect horror cocktail; if only the supernatural element wasn’t so damn predictable. The ghostly dead kids with painted white faces and a mask wearing killer bring nothing new to the table, except for the usual jump-scares. The “snuff” film footage is where it’s at, it is truly terrifying and makes you feel genuinely uneasy, and at times in need of therapy. Ethan Hawke does a great job as the stubborn and a little too curious Ellison Oswalt. Although some of the decisions he makes in the film are completely idiotic, you’ll find yourself throwing random objects at the TV. Overall ‘Sinister’ has some thrills and a nice twist at the end, it won’t surprise hardcore horror fans but folks new to the genre will probably enjoy it.

Best bit?

The snuff film with the lawnmower should be watched with your full attention.

 

ratings are out of 5

 

Did you know?

Writer C. Robert Cargill got the idea for the script from a nightmare he had after watching ‘The Ring’.

 

Movie Review: Rubber

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Director:   
Quentin Dupieux (known for: Rubber)

Starring:          
Stephen Spinella (known for: Milk)
Roxane Mesquida (known for: For My Sister)

 

What’s it about?

When Robert, a tire, discovers his destructive telepathic powers, he soon sets his sights on a desert town; in particular, a mysterious woman becomes his obsession.

Is it any good?

Back in the 80’s a movie about a killer tyre would have been seen as cheap, exploitation film, possibly directed by Roger Corman. Rubber, although low budget, makes a valiant attempt at making a ridiculous concept somewhat engaging and believable. Shot in America, with American actors, you definitely feel the euro flavour from the French crew. The first five minutes sees the main character perform an excellent, however bizarre monologue to camera, essentially asking the audience to suspend belief. The rest of the movie sees a normal car tyre go on a kill spree, taking out birds, rabbits and eventually humans that cross his path. The cinematography is very good, using a lot of nice natural light and shallow depth of field to give the film a more artistic feel. However, at points you can’t help but feel the filmmakers were in love with their own work a little too much, best represented by having the beginning monologue played during the end credits again….but this time, from a different angle! Um…why? At the end of the day though, it’s a film about a killer tyre and only has enough material for 75 minutes. Looking for something a bit difference? This is worth a view.

Best bit?

The police try to lure the tyre outside of a house with explosive consequences.

 

ratings are out of 5

 

Did you know?

The film was shown in Toronto at the After Dark Film Festival. Fangoria magazine stated the film “deeply split” the audience reaction saying that Rubber earned “huge laughs and applause as well as the only boos heard by Fango at the fest.”

 

Retro Horror Review: They Live

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Director:   
John Carpenter (known for: Escape from New York)

Starring:          
Roddy Piper (known for: They Live)
Keith David (known for: Platoon)

 

What’s it about?

A drifter discovers a pair of sunglasses that allow him to wake up to the fact that aliens have taken over the Earth.

Is it any good?

The film begins interesting enough with wrestler-cum-actor, Roddy Piper, coming to town and his struggles to not only find work, but a place to live. As a viewer who knew there was a ‘horror’ element to the film, I much enjoyed and appreciated the attempt by Director John Carpenter to ground the film in reality and delve into themes of consumerism. At the time this was rare thing in horror, so from that point of view, the film is a treasure. However, from there, things get downright wacky.

After a police raid on a seemingly right-wing church, featuring one of the worse piece of sound design in film history, (whereby a helicopter seems to only make noise only when you look at it), our hero stumbles upon a pair of glasses that see into another world, and the skeletal creatures that inhabit it. After undertaking a ridiculously drawn out fight scene, Piper along with his co-worker played by Keith David, take on these deformed, zombie like creatures with guns blazing.

The concept is interesting, albeit feeling like something out of mystery theatre, but you can’t help but feel a little disappointed in the execution. Unfortunately, with stale action, strange plot devices, (a teleportation watch with an instruction manual?) and a mind numbingly hypnotic score, much like the aliens in the film, ‘They Live’ appears to have not aged well. However, if you are in the mood for a good ol’ fashioned 80′s shoot em’ up (with a message!)…you can’t go wrong really.

Best bit?

Two of them: The first time he puts on the infamous glasses…one of the great scenes in cinema history. Plus, who could forget the end scene, just hilarious!

 

ratings are out of 5

 

Did you know?

‘OBEY’ used as subliminal piece of advertising in the film is what inspired artist Shepard Fairly and the subsequent clothing brand.

 

Movie Review: Out There (Short Film)

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Director:   
Randal Plunkett (known for: Walt)

Starring:          
Emma Eliza Regan (known for: Out There)
Conor Marren (known for: Out There)

 

What’s it about?

When a man wakes up in the woods with no memory of how he got there, and blood dripping from his head, he wanders in search of help and an explanation – only to find more questions.

Is it any good?

The film’s biggest strength is that it oozes atmosphere, the sound, and music in particular reminded me a lot of the video game ‘Silent Hill’. The cinematography is also excellent, using various light sources, whether candles or sunlight to accurately reflect the mood of the scene. Technically the film can not be faulted, rich in colour, high in production values. The actors do a fine job with their performances, although Robert (Connor Marren) is not going to win any ‘Husband of the Year’ awards any time soon. The exclusion of dialogue works, showcasing that less is more, particularly in horror, is a good thing. The intimate scenes juxtaposed against a tension filled exploration of some strange surroundings make for some intrigue. What the film has most is the potential to flesh out the film into a feature film, cause ‘Out There’ will likely to leave you wanting more.

Best bit?

A horde of brain-munching Zombies attack!

 

ratings are out of 5

 

Did you know?

Director Randal Plunkett, the 21st Lord Dunsany, hails from one of the oldest and most prominent families in Ireland, the Plunketts.

 

Movie Review: Insidious

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Director:   
James Wan (known for: Saw)

Starring:          
Patrick Wilson (known for: Hard Candy)
Rose Byrne (known for: X-Men First Class)

 

What’s it about?

A family looks to prevent evil spirits from trapping their comatose child in a realm called The Further.

Is it any good?

From the writer and director of Saw, comes another horror film, this time in the form of a ghostly thriller. The film starts out quite slow and drawn out, but one feels it is all by design as by the time the inhabited demons drop by for a scare, you will be well and truly clutching your cushion in terror. Unfortunately, this is the film’s blessing and curse, in that after a while you begin to get acclimatised to the constant ‘jump’ moments, Director James Wan throws at you. So, by the time the film reaches it climatic end and we finally get to see the demon that lurks, it is neither scary, nor memorable. The actors do fine jobs and the dark lighting and cinematography fleshes out a creepy atmosphere. That being said, for a night of screams on a Saturday night be sure to rent it out…but it’s unlikely you’ll ever watch it again.

Best bit?

Scares galore, you will have to wait a while till you get them, but turn off the lights and enjoy!

 

ratings are out of 5

 

Did you know?

The film was made for $1.5 million and grossed $97 million at the box office.