NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2009

 

The NEW YORK CITY HORROR FILM FESTIVAL 2009 has officially released this year’s schedule.  The festival will be help in Tribeca once again and will host numerous short and feature horror films.

The festival will take place from November 18th to November 22nd.  Please go and check out independent filmmakers attempting to break new ground in the horror genre.  Hopefully one day I can have something showing at this festival.  It is the largest genre festival around and has been the starting point for many big name directors.  I strongly urge you to go see these films and watch as the next Eli Roth or Wes Craven begins his ascension into horror greatness. 

I am working on attending at least one program during the festival.  But be sure to check out the programs and trailers of some of the feature and short films that will be on showing.  Click the link above for more details.

FRIDAY THE 13TH – DVD Review

GRADE: D

I have only one good reason for giving this movie a D grade.  And it’s not that something scared me or disgusted me.  But because something made me laugh so hard that I can’t shake the image out of my head.

After Jason makes a nearly impossible kill using a bow-and-arrow hitting a guy driving a fast speed boat, two other characters Clay and Jenna, venture into Jason’s old home and what does the camera happen to scan over–An Archery Trophy.  Brilliant way to justify his professional archery skills with his camp trophy there filmmakers. 

I’m not lying when I say I had some high hopes for this movie all week.  I didn’t see it in theaters because I thought the preview looked awful.  But the fact that Marcus Nispel directed it along with Daniel Pearl as the cinematographer, I kind of felt maybe they could make it pretty entertaining.  Especially since when these two teamed up to remake the Texas Chainsaw Massacre they didn’t do such a bad job.  I really enjoyed that film.

But this is a whole new breed of bad.  Horrible actors.  Horrible characters.  Horrible storyline.  For instance they never explain the weed farm Jason has growing on the camp property.  Maybe if Clay would have offered to roll Jason a mean blunt they could have saved themselves.  We’ll never know.  The movie stars Jared Paladecki as Clay, the older brother of a girl who went missing after camping (go figure).  He is searching for her when he comes across a group of college kids heading up to there rich friend Trent’s (Travis Van Winkle) parents lake home.  Nothing much to explain after this.  Oh and did I mention Jason keeps a hostage in this movie?  Yea.  About that. 

And actor/stuntman Dereck Mears does a good job of giving new life to a rather dull(at least in my opinion) slasher killer, but his monstrous size hurts the role alittle bit.  I liked the Jason from Friday the 13th Part II, when he looked like a normal-sized human being. 

Some positives to take out are some of the new aspects to Jason’s background.  I think introducing the underground tunnel system to show how Jason can pop up everywhere and know where everyone is made some sense.  I also liked the sleeping bag over the campfire death.  Although the imaginative death seemed very out-of-place, the shock of it made it interesting.  Also allowing Jason to break from his dramatic walk into full-blown machete hurling sprints made him a little more frightening.

 But overall this move is terrible.  No creative murders.  No suspense.  No surprises.  No shock scares.  Nothing worth keeping a viewer focused.  Every horror cliche in the book was used.  Like don’t go into that room.  Don’t wander into the dark shed with all the sharp and dangerous tools by yourself.  And most importantly don’t crack a joke when a six-foot-five inch bodybuilder in a hockey mask has you cornered around more weapons of mass destruction than was found in Iraq.  Oh and when you were a little younger and always wondered what Willa Ford looked liked topless, you’re answer is awaiting you here.  Her role as Chelsea is short lived–of course. 

What is so hard about making a Friday the 13th movie actually good?  I mean after the first 3, the franchise took a nose dive to the bottom of Crystal Lake.  And just when we thought it could be saved, we get this.  Jason is a ninja warrior robot sent back through time.  The directors might as well have put him in Afghanistan where his skills could be put to good use–and would have made for a more entertaining movie. 

Jason v. Rambo.  Now that’s a movie I’d like to see.   

 

 

ORPHAN – DVD Review

GRADE:  C+

Orphan is one of the movies I didn’t get to see in theaters like I had hoped, so with Halloween over the weekend I made it a point to pick up this newly released DVD.

Directed by spanish directer, Jaume Collet-Serra–whose 2005 film House of Wax we would surely like to forget–this movie had some good scares but ultimately fell victim to typical Hollywood horror cliches.  Over and over again.

When Kate (Vera Farmiga) and John (Peter Sarsgaard) lose their third child before birth because of Kate’s alcoholism, they decide to try adoption as a way to fill a hole in their lives (despite already having two good kids).  After visiting an orphanage, they discover Esther(Isabelle Fuhrman), a polite Russian girl who is a skillful painter and bubbly spirit.  She is the perfect child and so Kate and John bring her home to meet the family. 

What weakens this movie is the constant shock cliches used by Serra.  The old let’s show you part of the bathroom mirror so when Kate closes the rest of it something shocking will be there to surprise us.  And just like The Good Son, which starred Macaulay Culkin as the bad seed trying to kill his cousins, this movie has many of the same kinds of thrills.  From what will Esther do at the play ground to what will Esther do down by the frozen lake to what will Esther do at the tree house.  All senerios perfectly contrived to make this movie flow with shocks and thrills.

What ultimately makes this movie interesting is its twist ending.  Unlike so many twists in horror and thriller films, this twist actually makes some sense and hits you raw, which makes its impact even greater.  We all know some new information is going to come out about Esther by the end, but what actually is revealed, followed by its exciting ending, makes this movie a solid entertainment. 

Overall, this movie delivers its scares and exciting twist, but what ultimately drags this movie down is the predictable senerios and its over used horror cliches.  Serra tries to recreate both The Good Son and the Omen in this movie and fails to bring his own flair of originality to a script that has an original ending. 

Out of some of the horror movies out on DVD right now, I probably wouldn’t make this my first choice for rental, but I will say that for the not so hardcore horror fan this movie will certainly entertain you enough.

Tribute: HALLOWEEN (1978)

John Carpenter unleashed him onto the world on October 31, 1978.  A monster of a man with no human emotion.  No regard for human life.  And no fear.  For over three decades he has hid behind his signature white mask and hollow eyes.  He is the bogeyman.  They man we fear entering our house while we sleep.  The stealth movements, powerful strength and unconsciousable actions make Michael Myers one of horror movies’ greatest icons and makes Halloween a standard tradition every October 31st. 

Written by Carpenter and Debra Hill, Halloween is one of horrors greatest franchises.  Carried by its signature villian, the original movie is a testament to the horror movie making of the 1970’s.  A period revolutionized by up and coming directors, the original Halloween created a new image to our worst nightmares.

The 1970’s started with shocking horror films such as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Tobe Hooper) and Last House on the Left (Wes Craven).  Both of these films drew incredible critiscm for their starch realism and brutality.  For two young movie directors it was merely a step through a door opened by George Romero, but to the world it meant a new twist to the always popular horror genre. 

But despite the critisim and the attention focused on many of the dark movies and writings of the 70’s, nothing struck fear more than Halloween.  John Carpenter was fresh off his first film Assault on Precinct 13, when he was asked to co-write and direct Halloween.  Carpenter was paid $10,000 to write, direct and compose the music to film.  The project had a small budget, with soon-to-be star acctress Jamie Lee Curtis (who played Laurie Strode) to wear mostly her own clothes for the filming.

What sets this movie apart from all others is it’s proximity to our own lives.  The Last House on the Left involved a criminal inner city rapists and killers, while the Texas Chainsaw Massacre focused on insanity and cannibalism of rural America.  But most movie-goers happen to be suburban people who live in the suburbs to escape the violence of the cities and want to live in close knit, safe communities.  And that is what Haddonfield is.

Each shot in the movie is delicately made, capturing the essence of that safe feel of the suburban community.  Trick ‘r’ treaters, high school drama, the almighty chief of police.  Everything is framed right, even the encrouching Myers stalking Laurie in a car or on foot.  Hieghtening the tension and suspense. 

And then babysitting.

It is a familiar job for many high school girls, expecially in the 70’s.  It was innocent and safe.  Then Michael Myers came to town.

It is pointless to drabble on about the plot of this movie.  We all know what happens.  But what ultimatly makes Halloween so horrifying is the score.  The simple piano mellody by Carpenter has become synomous with the movie and our fears of a stalking killer.  The dark, ominous tones played throughout the film coupled with those tense silent moments where the music stops and silence engulfs you as you watch.  It is a musical masterpiece in horror and no film before or since has come close to matching its intensity and fear.

Despite how you feel, Halloween will continue to remain a timeless masterpiece, unable to be remade even twenty years from now.  Rob Zombie tried and failed, just like others will in the future. 

Michael Myers is the bogeyman.

Michael Myers is Halloween.

THE WOLFMAN — Official Trailer

RELEASE DATE: 02/12/2010

It is my most highly anticipated 2010 horror release.  The Wolfman, starring Bencio del Torro, Anthony Hopkins and Emily Blunt looks to have such fantastic visuals and a compelling story that I think this movie will become a film to watch next year. 

It is a remake of the 1941 Universal horror masterpiece of the same name, which starred Lon Chaney Jr. 

As we all know, remaking classics is often a failed endeavor just driven for money and nothing else.  And normally I agree with you.  But in this case I think we’ll be in for something great.  The story setting, time period, and atmosphere of the new film is completely different than the original.  The costumes, background, locations, and all the things that make this a period piece will do just well for this movie. 

I don’t expect a gory, rip your throat out werewolf movie here.  I think director Joe Johnston has gone the route of Tim Burton in Sleepy Hollow.  Concentrating more on the visuals and storyline rather than pure terror and violence that so many horror movies have used.  I’m hoping for a movie with a fantastic storyline delivered by an award-winning cast.

Let’s hope the Wolfman becomes another classic.

Be sure to check the trailer for the 2010 verision of The Wolfman, followed by a special Halloween treat from me of the original 1941 trailer. 

Enjoy!

ORIGINAL 1941 TRAILER OF THE WOLF MAN:

THE FOURTH KIND TRAILER

Soon the new film The Fourth Kind will be unleashed to the world of moviegoers.  Due to the popularity of Paranormal Activity and this films use of what appears to be actual fotage of bizarre events, The Fourth Kind is generating a lot of buzz.

Unfortunately, I feel that this movie attempted to make something like P.A. but will not come close to having the kind of impact that the demon of Katie and Mica’s house.  I expect a big opening weekend and then a quick drop in the weeks following.

Here is the trailer:

Trick ‘r’ Treat DVD Review

GRADE:  B-

It came to us straight to DVD and is quickly climbing up the latter of must see horror movies this Halloween season.  Trick ‘r’ Treat, written and directed by Michael Dougherty, is a mix of four different stories set in the same town on Halloween night.  Similar to a Tales from the Crypt episode, you have to suspend reality to enjoy this thrill ride.

Everything from werewolves to zombie “special” kids make this movie a fun and scary ride.  But some critics have come out too quickly to hail this as a new Halloween classic.  Even suggesting that it should be watched with Halloween is going to far.  For one things, this movie does not leave me shaking in my pants, nor does it have incredibly memorable parts that will stick with me for a lifetime. 

The movie is too short for starters, and because the movie doesn’t even reach and hour and a half, the stories are cut short, leaving us unable to connect with the characters and fully appreciating each tale.  The movie has some jumpy moments and some very funny ones as well, but none of them are truly incredible.

The story, The Principal, about a serial killing principal Steve Wilkins (Dylan Baker) who makes a kid eat a candy bar with a razor blade in it so he pukes up blood and dies, provides some of the funnier lines of the movie.  But his surprise twist later on doesn’t make much sense and our lack of time getting to know this character makes his eventual demise very unsatisfying.

My favorite story is The School Bus Massacre Revisited.  This is reminded me a lot like an Are You Afraid of the Dark episode.  It was about a group of kids who devise a plan to scare the nerdy girl by taking her down to the site of an infamous school bus massacre.  But they soon learn there are other looming around the desolate, grisly sight.

This story connects well with our last tale, Meet Sam, about an old man (Brian Cox) who happened to be the driver and only survivor of the school bus massacre.  He has no care whatsoever for Halloween and soon pays the price from a pint-sized trick ‘r’ treater with a large potato sack for a head that makes people who aren’t in the Halloween spirit and who break the holiday traditions, pay the price.   This character appears in a cameo in every tale and is more adorable than scary. 

The stories downfall is the tale: Surprise Party.  This one stars Laurie (Anna Paquin) a virgin looking for a date for a party in a little red riding hood costume.  Here, again, we are disconnected to the characters, have little time to get to know them and then are brought into a bizarre camp fire party that’s not as hot as it once was.

Overall, I did enjoy this movie for its entertainment value.  It is short.  So watching it won’t take up much of your time and the unfamiliarity of any of these tales should keep you interested.  I liked the way it was shot and I enjoyed how each tale intertwined in some way. 

But in no way is this a classic.

BOX OFFICE SUCCESS!!

                                                  

Congrats to Paranormal Activity and Saw VI for nabbing the top two spots this weekend at the Box Office. 

Paranormal Activity is reaching iconic status week after week and as a horror fan I couldn’t be happier. 

We should be on the look out over the next few weeks as the release of The Fourth Kind is set for November 6.  Although it is a much bigger production, its trailer has added extra buzz giving it that Paranormal Activity feel of by mixing what appears to be real footage.  Internet searches for the film have spiked over 200%.

WEEKLY BOX OFFICE PREDICTIONS

Check out my Box Office predictions at the ENTERTAINMENT BLUR

I know what you’ll all be thinking.  Why don’t you have Paranormal Activity in the top 5???  And your probably right that it’s a huge mistake for me to leave it out.  But I just have a funny feeling it’ll slide out this week.  With so many new releases opening up this weekend and the release of Saw VI, which will steal viewers, I just think it’ll fall into the $9million dollar range.

Again, I am probably wrong and I’m new to making these predicitions.  Let’s see how I do!

I will open up next week with my 5 movies to watch during the week of Halloween.  I also hope to have my DVD review of Trick ‘r’ Treat.

The House of the Devil

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 30, 2009

If you’re looking for something different to watch this Halloween season, be sure to check out The House of the Devil.  Written and directed by Ti West (Cabin Fever 2, The Wicked) this movie is set in the style and time period of the late 1970’s-1980’s. 

What attracts me to this film is the style.  From the trailer and clips I have watched it stays true to that late 70’s astehtics, giving it the feel of Polansky’s Rosemary’s Baby with the terror of 80’s horror.  From the looks of it the cast seems perfect. Jocelin Donahue plays Samantha, a college student struggling for money in order to get an apartment with her roommate who turns to babysitting.  She has a very innocent precence on screen and reminds me a lot of Jaime Lee Curtis in Halloween.  Mr. and Mrs. Ulman (played by Tom Noonan and Mary Woronov) add that extra creepy element and provide the perfect dose of seeming mysterious yet not enough to drive our main character away from the very beginning.

I have not seen this film yet but plan to within a week or so after it comes out.  With the big budget horror movies set to be released during the next couple of weeks, it feels good to see something refreshing hitting theaters this Halloween season.   I’m sure the release of this film will be considerably smaller than the big budget productions, however, my advice to you is to track this movie down and enjoy it. 

Here is a special sneak peak and behind the scenes video of The House of the Devil.