Hello, Bloggers, here is my final review of month-long segment "31 Days of Halloween" and hopefully you guys enjoyed all of my other reviews. So, I figured I'd make my final review to be for a classic film whose title is the same as the titular holiday: Halloween. Hope you enjoy and Happy Halloween, everybody!
Story:
Halloween is about a man named Michael Myers who has been put away in a mental institution since he was a child after he killed his sister. He then escapes and heads back to his hometown of Haddonfield, Illinois to go on a killing spree. But the doctor who put him away, Dr. Loomis (Donald Pleasance) travels to Haddonfield to try to find Michael and Michael himself goes up against a young high school girl named Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis).
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I loved about this film was just how suspenseful it was. I mean, you may know who the killer is in the beginning, but just wondering who or when he is going to strike next just keeps you on edge. So, it's one of those scary movies where you know that the scary stuff is going to happen, but you don't know when. Plus, what I thought was so scary about the film was the character of Michael Myers himself. He never says a word and just wears a pale mask, but the fact that he never shows any emotion and has quite a stillness to him is just unnerving. It should definitely come as no surprise that Michael Myers has become quite an iconic horror figure since the film's inception. Also, the film's famous score adds to the creep factor as well, mainly the opening piano theme.
Another thing that I really liked about the film is the simplicity of it. It takes a simple idea of a guy with a mask and knife stalking teenagers and really makes something out of it. Normally, when we see movies like this one screen, they are often replicated and usually too similar to each other, but Halloween is one that is able to stand out above the rest.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Halloween is an exercise in sheer terror that is without a doubt, THE best slasher film to date. This is one that I would watch on Halloween, without a doubt, but at any other time of the year, it's still a good watch.
Rating: 5/5
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: The Shining (1980)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my review of what I feel is the scariest movie ever made: The Shining. To this day, no film has ever terrified me more than this one, and I will simply go into as to why:
Story:
The Shining is about a family of three: Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their child Danny (Danny Lloyd) who has an ability of second sight known as "shining". They go over to look after the isolated and haunted Overlook Hotel for the winter, only for it to take a toll on Jack who slowly descends into madness.
What I Liked About It:
Now, one reason that I think what makes this movie so terrifying is its isolated location. Just the idea of being trapped in a big and haunted hotel for an entire winter just shutters you. Not only that, but the idea of the monster in the film not being an alien, a goalie mask wearing serial killer who hangs out at summer camp, a vampire, or a zombie or anything like that, but being a member of your own family who slowly starts to turn against you. Although, you're not sure whether the horror comes from the hotel or the character of Jack Torrance himself. Either way, it's terrifying to watch.
But, one thing that I really liked was the direction by the late and great Stanley Kubrick. He tends to film long tracking shots that film the actors as they are lead into an unknown place and we are unsure of what awaits them. For example, there are a few scenes where Danny is riding a little bicycle through the hotel and the camera keeps following him and in one of those scenes, as he is riding and the camera keeps following him, there is ominous music playing in the background, and you wonder if something awful will await him, until he runs into the ghosts of the two little girls, thus there is the film's famous "come play with us" scene, and I don't want to give away any more scenes and whatnot because I want those of you who haven't seen it to watch it for yourself. Brilliant direction and may Stanley Kubrick rest in peace.
Lastly, I'll get into the acting, in particular Jack Nicholson's iconic performance. He is just astounding as the trouble patriarch who struggles with his demons and slowly descends into madness. Even in scenes where he is not acting all crazy, you're still a little uneasy watching him, but that's why Nicholson was so good in this role. It should come as no surprise that his performance reached the iconic status that it has as this is without a doubt one of his best performances.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Shining is a masterpiece that is a landmark is horror cinema. It's not only suspenseful, but downright terrifying. I want to all you who haven't seen it to watch it for yourself, so I'm just going to end my review here.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
The Shining is about a family of three: Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), his wife Wendy (Shelley Duvall) and their child Danny (Danny Lloyd) who has an ability of second sight known as "shining". They go over to look after the isolated and haunted Overlook Hotel for the winter, only for it to take a toll on Jack who slowly descends into madness.
What I Liked About It:
Now, one reason that I think what makes this movie so terrifying is its isolated location. Just the idea of being trapped in a big and haunted hotel for an entire winter just shutters you. Not only that, but the idea of the monster in the film not being an alien, a goalie mask wearing serial killer who hangs out at summer camp, a vampire, or a zombie or anything like that, but being a member of your own family who slowly starts to turn against you. Although, you're not sure whether the horror comes from the hotel or the character of Jack Torrance himself. Either way, it's terrifying to watch.
But, one thing that I really liked was the direction by the late and great Stanley Kubrick. He tends to film long tracking shots that film the actors as they are lead into an unknown place and we are unsure of what awaits them. For example, there are a few scenes where Danny is riding a little bicycle through the hotel and the camera keeps following him and in one of those scenes, as he is riding and the camera keeps following him, there is ominous music playing in the background, and you wonder if something awful will await him, until he runs into the ghosts of the two little girls, thus there is the film's famous "come play with us" scene, and I don't want to give away any more scenes and whatnot because I want those of you who haven't seen it to watch it for yourself. Brilliant direction and may Stanley Kubrick rest in peace.
Lastly, I'll get into the acting, in particular Jack Nicholson's iconic performance. He is just astounding as the trouble patriarch who struggles with his demons and slowly descends into madness. Even in scenes where he is not acting all crazy, you're still a little uneasy watching him, but that's why Nicholson was so good in this role. It should come as no surprise that his performance reached the iconic status that it has as this is without a doubt one of his best performances.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Shining is a masterpiece that is a landmark is horror cinema. It's not only suspenseful, but downright terrifying. I want to all you who haven't seen it to watch it for yourself, so I'm just going to end my review here.
Rating: 5/5
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my one review for the day. While yesterday, I reviewed a modern-day classic, an old 80's classic, and an overhyped "found footage" movie, I figured today I would review a film that is either categorized in the vein of horror or in the horror genre entirely. This film is the Oscar-winning classic Silence of the Lambs.
Story:
Silence of the Lambs is about an FBI agent named Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) who is on the hunt for a killer named Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) and is aided in her search by an imprisoned serial killer named Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). While Lecter agrees to aid Starling in her search, he says he'll only do it if she provides him with details of her troubled past.
What I Liked About It:
The thing that I loved the most about this movie that still sticks with me, and with a lot of other people, is the performance by Anthony Hopkins. He has such a commanding presence, even though he is on the screen from about 15 to 20 minutes. He is menacing even when he has a muzzle to his face. I cannot say enough good things about Anthony Hopkins' performance other than I am glad he won an Oscar for his portrayal. Jodie Foster is equally as good as Clarice Starling, the young and troubled FBI agent who opens up about her past to the most unlikely ally, and the chemistry between her and Hopkins is just astounding. But while Hopkins' character is menacing because of his stillness and smarts, Ted Levine's character, Buffalo Bill who is essentially the true monster of the film, is menacing because of how straight-up insane he is and Ted Levine does an outstanding job at portraying that character. Another thing that I really liked and found interesting was how they use a killer to track one. I don't think that whole plot point had been done before this film came out, so I applaud this movie for creating a unique spin on the whole crime thriller genre.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Silence of the Lambs is a unique masterful classic thriller that stands the test of time thanks to its story and phenomenal performance from Anthony Hopkins. Whether you like crime thrillers or horror films, I would highly recommend this to you as this film offers a mixture of both horror and suspense.
Rating: 5/5
*Note: For tomorrow's review, I will finally review the film that I consider to be the scariest movie ever. So stay tuned!
Story:
Silence of the Lambs is about an FBI agent named Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) who is on the hunt for a killer named Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine) and is aided in her search by an imprisoned serial killer named Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins). While Lecter agrees to aid Starling in her search, he says he'll only do it if she provides him with details of her troubled past.
What I Liked About It:
The thing that I loved the most about this movie that still sticks with me, and with a lot of other people, is the performance by Anthony Hopkins. He has such a commanding presence, even though he is on the screen from about 15 to 20 minutes. He is menacing even when he has a muzzle to his face. I cannot say enough good things about Anthony Hopkins' performance other than I am glad he won an Oscar for his portrayal. Jodie Foster is equally as good as Clarice Starling, the young and troubled FBI agent who opens up about her past to the most unlikely ally, and the chemistry between her and Hopkins is just astounding. But while Hopkins' character is menacing because of his stillness and smarts, Ted Levine's character, Buffalo Bill who is essentially the true monster of the film, is menacing because of how straight-up insane he is and Ted Levine does an outstanding job at portraying that character. Another thing that I really liked and found interesting was how they use a killer to track one. I don't think that whole plot point had been done before this film came out, so I applaud this movie for creating a unique spin on the whole crime thriller genre.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Silence of the Lambs is a unique masterful classic thriller that stands the test of time thanks to its story and phenomenal performance from Anthony Hopkins. Whether you like crime thrillers or horror films, I would highly recommend this to you as this film offers a mixture of both horror and suspense.
Rating: 5/5
*Note: For tomorrow's review, I will finally review the film that I consider to be the scariest movie ever. So stay tuned!
Monday, October 28, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: 28 Days Later...(2003)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my third and final review of the day. Now that I just got the crapstorm that is Paranormal Activity out of the way, here is my review of a modern day classic that I would say is one of the best horror movies to come out in recent memory. That film is 28 Days Later.
Story:
28 Days Later... is set in a post-apocalyptic London. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a hospital and leaves to find nobody outside with him. However, he meets a small group of survivors and together, they try to survive the rest of the population who have been infected by a rage-filled virus that can infect you in a matter of seconds.
What I Liked About It:
First off, I really liked how this is probably the first movie to have the idea to make zombies run really fast. Now, the zombies in the film may not technically count as zombies because they are not undead like zombies typically are, but I'm still going to count them as zombies. Normally, zombies are very slow and stupid and have a hunger for flesh, but here, they are extremely fast and angry and you just hope that they don't even get blood on you because not only will their bite infect you, but even a drop of their blood in your mouth or an open wound can instantly infect you as well. So, I applaud the makers of this movie for creating such a unique twist on the zombie genre and for creating a scenario that could possibly happen if we really mess with science.
Another thing that I really liked was how in the opening scene where Jim is in London and finds nobody or nothing outside with him, they made it look like it was isolated and desolate because they filmed the scene before sunrise on Sundays and would have 45 minutes after dawn to shoot at locations without traffic. I thought it was amazing because it makes it look like the film is a grand scale film but it only has a smaller $5 million dollar budget. Much like Evil Dead, Blair Witch Project and Night of the Living Dead, 28 Days Later... is one of those movies that proves just how less is more and I applaud it for that.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, 28 Days Later... is a modern-day horror classic that revolutionizes the zombie genre. It's terrifying, even action-packed, and I certainly applaud it for being yet another successful film that proves just how less is more. If you like horror movies, zombie movies especially, I would say go see it because this is one not to be missed.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
28 Days Later... is set in a post-apocalyptic London. Jim (Cillian Murphy) wakes up from a hospital and leaves to find nobody outside with him. However, he meets a small group of survivors and together, they try to survive the rest of the population who have been infected by a rage-filled virus that can infect you in a matter of seconds.
What I Liked About It:
First off, I really liked how this is probably the first movie to have the idea to make zombies run really fast. Now, the zombies in the film may not technically count as zombies because they are not undead like zombies typically are, but I'm still going to count them as zombies. Normally, zombies are very slow and stupid and have a hunger for flesh, but here, they are extremely fast and angry and you just hope that they don't even get blood on you because not only will their bite infect you, but even a drop of their blood in your mouth or an open wound can instantly infect you as well. So, I applaud the makers of this movie for creating such a unique twist on the zombie genre and for creating a scenario that could possibly happen if we really mess with science.
Another thing that I really liked was how in the opening scene where Jim is in London and finds nobody or nothing outside with him, they made it look like it was isolated and desolate because they filmed the scene before sunrise on Sundays and would have 45 minutes after dawn to shoot at locations without traffic. I thought it was amazing because it makes it look like the film is a grand scale film but it only has a smaller $5 million dollar budget. Much like Evil Dead, Blair Witch Project and Night of the Living Dead, 28 Days Later... is one of those movies that proves just how less is more and I applaud it for that.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, 28 Days Later... is a modern-day horror classic that revolutionizes the zombie genre. It's terrifying, even action-packed, and I certainly applaud it for being yet another successful film that proves just how less is more. If you like horror movies, zombie movies especially, I would say go see it because this is one not to be missed.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days of Halloween: Paranormal Activity (2009)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second review of the day, and this one is for the only bad movie that I will review this month. This is a film that has received constant praise and hype, yet when I saw this in the theaters, I was all "hyped" up and ready to get the hell out of the theatre because I found it to be was so dull. That film is Paranormal Activity.
Story:
Paranormal Activity is about a couple who look to record any supernatural activity that the woman in the couple, Katie, believes to be happening. But eventually they get more than they bargained for once this supernatural force takes a big toll on them.
What I Liked About It:
The scene at the end where the husband is thrown at the camera. The only time I even jolted during this entire movie.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Now, what I hated so much about this movie was how it's just a big fat nothing. I mean, this supernatural entity scares these two people by mainly leaving footprints, moving sheets, and shutting and opening doors. To me, that is not scary. Those aren't even subtle scares. You see, in The Blair Witch Project, that film uses subtle scares. For example, our main characters in Blair Witch find strange voodoo dolls hanging all over the trees and would wake up to find piles of sticks and rocks outside their tents. Those to me are scary tricks because they create the sense that these characters are being watched. But, in Paranormal Activity, this paranormal entity gives us no reason to be scared. I mean, when this film first came out, I heard that people had trouble sleeping and there is one person I know who said his friend kept sitting on a chair after he saw it and couldn't go to sleep because he was so scared. But, when I saw this movie, I was questioning what people found to be so terrifying. If you want to watch a found footage movie that is terrifying, I would HIGHLY recommend the Spanish horror film [REC]. That film is freaking scary. Heck, I've seen movies that aren't even categorized as horror films that are scarier than this.
Consensus:
Overall, Paranormal Activity is a boring mess that is as suspenseful as a tortoise race and less frightening than a pop quiz in science class. Please do not listen to all the hype surrounding this movie. There are far better movies to be scared by. A bunch of them which I have reviewed I have recommended. But not this one.
Rating: 0.5/5
Story:
Paranormal Activity is about a couple who look to record any supernatural activity that the woman in the couple, Katie, believes to be happening. But eventually they get more than they bargained for once this supernatural force takes a big toll on them.
What I Liked About It:
The scene at the end where the husband is thrown at the camera. The only time I even jolted during this entire movie.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Now, what I hated so much about this movie was how it's just a big fat nothing. I mean, this supernatural entity scares these two people by mainly leaving footprints, moving sheets, and shutting and opening doors. To me, that is not scary. Those aren't even subtle scares. You see, in The Blair Witch Project, that film uses subtle scares. For example, our main characters in Blair Witch find strange voodoo dolls hanging all over the trees and would wake up to find piles of sticks and rocks outside their tents. Those to me are scary tricks because they create the sense that these characters are being watched. But, in Paranormal Activity, this paranormal entity gives us no reason to be scared. I mean, when this film first came out, I heard that people had trouble sleeping and there is one person I know who said his friend kept sitting on a chair after he saw it and couldn't go to sleep because he was so scared. But, when I saw this movie, I was questioning what people found to be so terrifying. If you want to watch a found footage movie that is terrifying, I would HIGHLY recommend the Spanish horror film [REC]. That film is freaking scary. Heck, I've seen movies that aren't even categorized as horror films that are scarier than this.
Consensus:
Overall, Paranormal Activity is a boring mess that is as suspenseful as a tortoise race and less frightening than a pop quiz in science class. Please do not listen to all the hype surrounding this movie. There are far better movies to be scared by. A bunch of them which I have reviewed I have recommended. But not this one.
Rating: 0.5/5
31 Days of Halloween: A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
Hello, Bloggers, sorry for the three-day delay, so I'll do three posts today to make up for it. First off, I will do yet another Retro Review. But, for this one, I will do a horror classic that would introduce us to one of the silver screen's greatest horror legends. That film is of course A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Story:
A Nightmare on Elm Street is about a child murderer named Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) who after being murdered by everyone in his neighborhood for the crimes he committed, is resurrected and seeks revenge by haunting the children of Elm Street when they are at their most vulnerable: When they are asleep.
What I Liked About It:
First off, I thought that the absolute best thing about this movie was of course Robert Englund's performance. Englund really brings this character to life and his performance, along with the character's inception, is probably why Freddy Krueger is one of the most iconic and scariest villains to hit the big screen. Not only that, but I also liked how this is a story that hadn't really been done before, not at the time it was released anyway and this idea is only replicated in the film's sequels and its remake. To me, that shows just how timeless this movie is and will probably never be dated. Also, the whole idea of being killed in your sleep is terrifying because when we are sleeping, that is when we are at our most vulnerable and when Wes Craven wrote this movie, he actually read an article about people who have been said to die from their nightmares. When they had done autopsies on those people, there appeared to be nothing wrong with them and that story was the biggest inspiration for Craven to write his.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a bone-chilling masterpiece that is sure to scare the sleep out of you. Believe me when I tell you, after I first saw this movie, I myself had some trouble sleeping afterwards. But if you like slasher or horror films in general, and you want something original and old-fashioned, then I would highly recommend this one as it's quite a classic.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
A Nightmare on Elm Street is about a child murderer named Freddy Krueger (Robert Englund) who after being murdered by everyone in his neighborhood for the crimes he committed, is resurrected and seeks revenge by haunting the children of Elm Street when they are at their most vulnerable: When they are asleep.
What I Liked About It:
First off, I thought that the absolute best thing about this movie was of course Robert Englund's performance. Englund really brings this character to life and his performance, along with the character's inception, is probably why Freddy Krueger is one of the most iconic and scariest villains to hit the big screen. Not only that, but I also liked how this is a story that hadn't really been done before, not at the time it was released anyway and this idea is only replicated in the film's sequels and its remake. To me, that shows just how timeless this movie is and will probably never be dated. Also, the whole idea of being killed in your sleep is terrifying because when we are sleeping, that is when we are at our most vulnerable and when Wes Craven wrote this movie, he actually read an article about people who have been said to die from their nightmares. When they had done autopsies on those people, there appeared to be nothing wrong with them and that story was the biggest inspiration for Craven to write his.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, A Nightmare on Elm Street is a bone-chilling masterpiece that is sure to scare the sleep out of you. Believe me when I tell you, after I first saw this movie, I myself had some trouble sleeping afterwards. But if you like slasher or horror films in general, and you want something original and old-fashioned, then I would highly recommend this one as it's quite a classic.
Rating: 5/5
Friday, October 25, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Black Christmas (1974)
Hello, Bloggers, for today's review, I decided to do a semi-crossover and review a horror film during my 31 Days of Halloween segment that is set during the magical time of year with jingle bells and decorates trees. That time of year is of course Christmas, and this review is for the underrated slasher gem known as Black Christmas.
Story:
Black Christmas is about a group of sorority girls who stay at their sorority house over Christmas break. However, a killer that is on a loose makes his way to the house and hides in closet. He then dispatches the girls one by one in a film that is a sleigh ride from hell.
What I Liked About It:
Now, the thing that I liked the most was how (*possible spoiler alert*) you never know who the killer is, nor do you see his face. Normally, whenever we see a horror movie killer on screen and their motivations aren't revealed, nor is their identity, it doesn't make them as scary. But strangely the case is different here. The mystery surrounding this killer makes him scarier. His face is even always hidden in the shadows. Not only does that add to the creepy factor, but the fact that this movie is set on Christmastime does as well. Aside from trying to survive mobs of people doing their Christmas shopping at the shopping mall, there certainly isn't much to be scared about Christmas. But, setting this movie during the most joyous time of the year definitely made it a tad scarier than it already was, and trust me, this movie is pretty f'in scary. I mean, after the first time I saw it, I had a bit of trouble going to sleep a few nights after because of a certain scene that I won't give away. I want you to see the film for yourself.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Black Christmas is a slasher film more chilling than the blistering winter cold. If you like slasher films and classic horror films, I would definitely give this a watch. Although, if you are hesitant about watching a horror film set during Christmastime, I would understand that. I mean, it doesn't bother me because I know this film is just a piece of fiction, even though something like the events depicted in the film can happen in real life, I get that some might not be comfortable with the film's premise. But if it doesn't bother you, then I would still say give this a watch.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
Black Christmas is about a group of sorority girls who stay at their sorority house over Christmas break. However, a killer that is on a loose makes his way to the house and hides in closet. He then dispatches the girls one by one in a film that is a sleigh ride from hell.
What I Liked About It:
Now, the thing that I liked the most was how (*possible spoiler alert*) you never know who the killer is, nor do you see his face. Normally, whenever we see a horror movie killer on screen and their motivations aren't revealed, nor is their identity, it doesn't make them as scary. But strangely the case is different here. The mystery surrounding this killer makes him scarier. His face is even always hidden in the shadows. Not only does that add to the creepy factor, but the fact that this movie is set on Christmastime does as well. Aside from trying to survive mobs of people doing their Christmas shopping at the shopping mall, there certainly isn't much to be scared about Christmas. But, setting this movie during the most joyous time of the year definitely made it a tad scarier than it already was, and trust me, this movie is pretty f'in scary. I mean, after the first time I saw it, I had a bit of trouble going to sleep a few nights after because of a certain scene that I won't give away. I want you to see the film for yourself.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Black Christmas is a slasher film more chilling than the blistering winter cold. If you like slasher films and classic horror films, I would definitely give this a watch. Although, if you are hesitant about watching a horror film set during Christmastime, I would understand that. I mean, it doesn't bother me because I know this film is just a piece of fiction, even though something like the events depicted in the film can happen in real life, I get that some might not be comfortable with the film's premise. But if it doesn't bother you, then I would still say give this a watch.
Rating: 5/5
Thursday, October 24, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my one and only review for the day. Now that I have finally done 23 posts to keep up with the past 23 days of October, I am now able to do one review or top ten list or whatnot each day from now on. That is, if I don't skip a day. Anyways, here is my review of the timeless classic film that revolutionized the zombie genre. That film is the 1968 film Night of the Living Dead.
Story:
Night of the Living Dead is about a group of strangers who are held up together in an isolated farmhouse out in Pennsylvania and are surrounded by a bunch of flesh-eating zombies who keep trying to make their way into the farmhouse.
What I Liked About It:
What I thought was very well-done was how the film uses zombies as a metaphor for what we of society do to ourselves. Mainly, feeding off of each other to sustain ourselves as individuals. Only here, the zombies are literally feeding off of human beings. So, I thought it was amazing how this film works as not only a terrifying horror film but a social commentary as well. I also liked the film's isolated setting, which adds to the creepy factor because of the idea of being in a strange house in the middle of nowhere and surrounded by monstrous creatures from the outside. Oddly enough, and call me crazy, but after I watched this movie, it now makes me want to live in rural Pennsylvania.
Also, much like The Evil Dead, this movie shows how such effective scares can come from such a little budget. This movie was made for about $114,000 and yet for such a low budget, it became such a huge success. Not just financially, but it became a classic that would serve as a template for many zombie films to come and director George Romero would make this film the first in his "Living Dead" trilogy, with the other two movies being Dawn of the Dead and Day of the Dead.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Night of the Living Dead is a chilling and timeless zombie flick that also serves as social commentary for what we as a society do to ourselves and it rightfully earns its place in the National Film Registry. If you like zombie movies, or want a classic to watch on Halloween, then I would highly recommend this film.
Rating: 5/5
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: The Evil Dead (1981)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second review of the day, and for this review, I decided to do the original version of one of the horror remakes that came out this year, and that is, in my opinion, the ultimate cabin-in-the-woods movie, the original cult hit The Evil Dead that came out back in 1981.
Story:
The Evil Dead is about five friends who go off to a cabin in the woods out in Tennessee. Once they discover the Book of the Dead, that is when all hell breaks in loose and they are being possessed one by one.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I thought was amazing was how this film was shot on such a limited budget, of about $350 to $400,000 dollars, and the effects are still fantastic. Thinking about how this film's budget is, it definitely didn't feel that way, so I feel Evil Dead contributes to the idea that even though much of the blood and monsters are showcased, you can still do so much with so little. I think it would be amazing to see many horror films these days use the same technique. One that I can think of which does is the Evil Dead remake that came out this year which in my opinion was just as good. Not better, but easily as good. Another thing that I liked was the direction from Sam Raimi. Some of the scary scenes showcase the point of view of the film's evil force as it is chasing or watching the main characters and whenever the camera gets shaky, that means it is running or speeding its way towards its victims and I thought that the way those scenes were directed by Raimi were very well-done. Plus, the film's isolated setting in the woods adds to the film's creepy factor, and the look of the victims when they are being possessed is very nightmarish.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Evil Dead is a nightmarish gorefest that is in my opinion, the best cabin-in-the-woods flick to date. Its ultra-low budget shows how you can create a top-notch scary movie with such little money and limited cast and such. I would honestly say that many horror films should easily do what this film did and see what they can achieve if they have a limited budget. If you are a gorehound or want a good horror film to watch on Halloween, then I would definitely recommend this.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
The Evil Dead is about five friends who go off to a cabin in the woods out in Tennessee. Once they discover the Book of the Dead, that is when all hell breaks in loose and they are being possessed one by one.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I thought was amazing was how this film was shot on such a limited budget, of about $350 to $400,000 dollars, and the effects are still fantastic. Thinking about how this film's budget is, it definitely didn't feel that way, so I feel Evil Dead contributes to the idea that even though much of the blood and monsters are showcased, you can still do so much with so little. I think it would be amazing to see many horror films these days use the same technique. One that I can think of which does is the Evil Dead remake that came out this year which in my opinion was just as good. Not better, but easily as good. Another thing that I liked was the direction from Sam Raimi. Some of the scary scenes showcase the point of view of the film's evil force as it is chasing or watching the main characters and whenever the camera gets shaky, that means it is running or speeding its way towards its victims and I thought that the way those scenes were directed by Raimi were very well-done. Plus, the film's isolated setting in the woods adds to the film's creepy factor, and the look of the victims when they are being possessed is very nightmarish.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Evil Dead is a nightmarish gorefest that is in my opinion, the best cabin-in-the-woods flick to date. Its ultra-low budget shows how you can create a top-notch scary movie with such little money and limited cast and such. I would honestly say that many horror films should easily do what this film did and see what they can achieve if they have a limited budget. If you are a gorehound or want a good horror film to watch on Halloween, then I would definitely recommend this.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days Of Halloween: Blue Velvet (1986)
Hello, Bloggers, I just realized that I have done 21 reviews thus far, and I have to do 2 today instead of 1 to make up for skipping a few days, so I'll do 2 and after that, hopefully I'll finally be able to do one each day if I don't skip any day, that is. Anyways, now that that's out of the way, I'll cut to the chase and get to my first review of the day. That is for the 1986 classic noir film Blue Velvet.
Story:
Blue Velvet is set in a picturesque-Americana town called Lumberton, where a college student named Jeffrey (Kyle MacLachlan) finds a severed ear lying in his yard one day and that leads to him to trying to solve a murder mystery and he ends up falling for a sultry lounge singer named Dorothy (Isabella Rossellini) who is connected to the murder because of her abusive lover named Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper).
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked about this film was the magnificent direction by David Lynch. He incorporates a lot of symbolism into his direction and uses the "mise en scene" approach. For example, there is one scene where Dorothy is singing in a lounge and there is this blue light surrounding her which represents this aura of hers that is very alluring and seductive. Also, in the beginning, there is a shot of a squeaky clean perfectly manicured lawn and the camera then goes underground to reveal a bunch of insects, which represents the dark underworld beneath the shiny surface of suburbia that our main protagonist will end up in. Now, for those of you who are wondering why I decided to review this as a part of my "31 Days of Halloween" segment where I mostly review and discuss horror films, I chose to review this film because the scary part of it is how it showcases the dark side of suburbia and how even the most squeaky clean neighborhood has its share of stains. Not only that but Dennis Hopper's terrifying portrayal of Frank Booth, the famous ether-sucking psychopath with two different personalities, "Daddy" and "Baby", adds to the film's creepy factor. Another thing that I liked was the performances from the cast. Isabella Rossellini is astounding as the very complex character Dorothy who yearns to be loved and has masochistic tendencies because of her relationship with the dominant Frank who deliberately mistreats her. Kyle MacLachlan is also fantastic as Jeffrey, the likeable everyman who gets in way over his head when he ends up in the film's web of mystery and murder. When Jeffrey ends up with Dorothy, who falls for him because of how he gives her a gentle love that Frank never does, that is where you really root for him, in my opinion, and hope that he survives in the end.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Blue Velvet is a stylish and mysterious psychological chiller that may leave its mark on you when the film is over, whether it'd be because of the inventive, colorful direction or because of Dennis Hopper's performance, or even both. This is a unique thriller that I would recommend to not just those who love to study and dissect film, but just love films in general.
Rating: 5/5
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: The Lost Boys (1987)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second and final review of the day, and for this review, I decided I'd review another vampire movie that is my favorite vampire movie to date. That film is the 1987 classic The Lost Boys.
Story:
The Lost Boys is about two brothers named Michael and Sam (Jason Patric and Corey Haim) who move with their mother (Dianne Weist) from Arizona to California. But in their new town, they begin to realize that the new town they are in has a group of vampires and once Michael hangs out with them, he slowly starts to become a vampire himself. Sam then enlists the help of two vampire hunters known as the Frog Brothers to try to save his brother from becoming an undead bloodsucker.
What I Liked About It:
Even though I enjoyed the film as a whole, one thing that I liked was how because it's essentially a horror-comedy, the moments that are scary are absolutely terrifying and the moments that are funny are pretty funny. In my opinion, one of the scariest things about this film is the scenes where the vampires are flying and picking off their victims. They are shot from the point of view of the vampires while they are in the air and the last time I saw this film, during those scenes, I was given the feeling that they were coming right at me. In fact, there were a few times a long time ago where I would play basketball at nighttime and I would worry that there would be some flying creature watching me and trying to come after me, and I feel that is because of this movie. Plus, I thought Kiefer Sutherland, who portrays the vampire group's leader, David, gave a very menacing and chilling performance, and the makeup effects for the vampires were pretty freaky. But what makes it funny as well as scary is how when Michael starts transforming into a vampire, both he and Sam hilariously play off each other. For example, there is one scene where Michael is floating outside Sam's window and Sam yells that Michael is a vampire which he denies, but Sam then asks "Then what are you, some flying nun?!", and I thought that was pretty funny.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Lost Boys is a chilling yet comedic film that is in my opinion the best entry in the vampire genre, as it is easily my favorite vampire movie. This one I would highly recommend whether you like vampire movies or even horror movies in general. If you want a good one to watch on Halloween, I would say put this on your list.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
The Lost Boys is about two brothers named Michael and Sam (Jason Patric and Corey Haim) who move with their mother (Dianne Weist) from Arizona to California. But in their new town, they begin to realize that the new town they are in has a group of vampires and once Michael hangs out with them, he slowly starts to become a vampire himself. Sam then enlists the help of two vampire hunters known as the Frog Brothers to try to save his brother from becoming an undead bloodsucker.
What I Liked About It:
Even though I enjoyed the film as a whole, one thing that I liked was how because it's essentially a horror-comedy, the moments that are scary are absolutely terrifying and the moments that are funny are pretty funny. In my opinion, one of the scariest things about this film is the scenes where the vampires are flying and picking off their victims. They are shot from the point of view of the vampires while they are in the air and the last time I saw this film, during those scenes, I was given the feeling that they were coming right at me. In fact, there were a few times a long time ago where I would play basketball at nighttime and I would worry that there would be some flying creature watching me and trying to come after me, and I feel that is because of this movie. Plus, I thought Kiefer Sutherland, who portrays the vampire group's leader, David, gave a very menacing and chilling performance, and the makeup effects for the vampires were pretty freaky. But what makes it funny as well as scary is how when Michael starts transforming into a vampire, both he and Sam hilariously play off each other. For example, there is one scene where Michael is floating outside Sam's window and Sam yells that Michael is a vampire which he denies, but Sam then asks "Then what are you, some flying nun?!", and I thought that was pretty funny.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Lost Boys is a chilling yet comedic film that is in my opinion the best entry in the vampire genre, as it is easily my favorite vampire movie. This one I would highly recommend whether you like vampire movies or even horror movies in general. If you want a good one to watch on Halloween, I would say put this on your list.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days Of Halloween: Dracula (1931)
Hello, Bloggers, for today, I will do two Retro Reviews today, so I will be able to do one review or top ten list tomorrow, and hopefully be able to do one post each day afterward. So, for the first review, I will discuss what is the granddaddy of all vampire movies, and that is the 1931 version of Dracula.
Story:
Dracula is about the titular main character (Bela Lugosi) who travels over to London and preys upon a young and beautiful woman named Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). Once Mina's fiancée John Harker (David Manners) and her father Dr. Seward (Dwight Frye) find out about her slowly transforming into a vampire, they must try to figure out a way to end her curse.
What I Liked About It:
In my opinion, while the film as a whole is great, the one actor that really carries this film and steals the show is Mr. Bela Lugosi. He just commands the screen as Dracula, thanks to not just his performance but his piercing stare that just looks right through your soul. If you ever watch this film, don't be surprised if you get nightmares from the way he stares at the screen. So just take that as a warning. While there have been countless portrayals of Dracula, and I'm sure there will be more in the future, many of them probably won't top the original, and of course that is Bela Lugosi. Another thing that I thought was pretty neat was how the film is almost void of music. I felt a lot of the horror of the film comes from its silence mixed in with Bela Lugosi's performance. But I like how it has almost no music because it definitely adds to the film's creepy factor.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Dracula is a classic and atmospheric horror film that has served as the template for many vampire movies that would follow and I certainly admire it for that. If you really like vampires, then I would definitely recommend giving this film a watch if you haven't, as it came before the many vampire movies that we know and love today.
Rating: 4.5/5
Story:
Dracula is about the titular main character (Bela Lugosi) who travels over to London and preys upon a young and beautiful woman named Mina Seward (Helen Chandler). Once Mina's fiancée John Harker (David Manners) and her father Dr. Seward (Dwight Frye) find out about her slowly transforming into a vampire, they must try to figure out a way to end her curse.
What I Liked About It:
In my opinion, while the film as a whole is great, the one actor that really carries this film and steals the show is Mr. Bela Lugosi. He just commands the screen as Dracula, thanks to not just his performance but his piercing stare that just looks right through your soul. If you ever watch this film, don't be surprised if you get nightmares from the way he stares at the screen. So just take that as a warning. While there have been countless portrayals of Dracula, and I'm sure there will be more in the future, many of them probably won't top the original, and of course that is Bela Lugosi. Another thing that I thought was pretty neat was how the film is almost void of music. I felt a lot of the horror of the film comes from its silence mixed in with Bela Lugosi's performance. But I like how it has almost no music because it definitely adds to the film's creepy factor.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Dracula is a classic and atmospheric horror film that has served as the template for many vampire movies that would follow and I certainly admire it for that. If you really like vampires, then I would definitely recommend giving this film a watch if you haven't, as it came before the many vampire movies that we know and love today.
Rating: 4.5/5
Monday, October 21, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Misery (1990)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second review of the day. For this review, I will discuss another Stephen King adaptation. That adaptation is the 1990 classic film Misery.
Story:
Misery is about a writer named Paul Sheldon (James Caan) who is driving during a snowstorm, only for his car to crash. But, he is then rescued by a kindly woman named Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates) who just happens to be his number one fan. Once she reads a manuscript for his latest novel, she then goes ballistic and decides to go through extreme ways for him to rewrite his novel and she tries to make sure that he never leaves.
What I Didn't Like About It:
What I liked the most about this film was the performance by Kathy Bates. She is just amazing as this woman who acts sweet and delicate yet is very calculating and malicious. Plus, the fact that she acts very sweet is what makes her more frightening to watch, and I am quite happy that Bates won the Oscar for Best Actress for her performance. James Caan is also very good and I enjoyed watching them play off each other as their on-screen feud was not just horrific but even darkly comedic as well. Another thing I liked was how the film has an isolated setting. Most of the film takes place in an isolated cabin caught up in the snow, and in the bedroom as well. To me, limiting the setting to the bedroom gives it a rather claustrophobic feel for our main hero who is bound to a bed and seems to have no way out.
Now, what I feel makes this film so frightening is that it shows how there are fans out there who really obsess over their idols and it gets to an extreme degree. Whenever we see horror movie boogeymen like Freddy, Jason, and Michael, we get scared by them, but we realize that they are fiction. But Annie could be a real person and a really obsessive fan, so that's what makes her terrifying, and possibly even more terrifying than those three. This movie probably makes artists, from authors to musicians, fear the words "I'm your number one fan" once they watch it.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Misery is a superbly done and claustrophobic psychological chiller that makes artists fear the words "I'm your number one fan". Of course, even if your aren't an author or musician or anything like that, this movie will still struck a chord with you, thanks to Kathy Bates' magnificent performance.
Rating: 4.5/5
31 Days Of Halloween: Beetlejuice (1988)
Hello, Bloggers, sorry about the two-day delay, I've been pretty out and about this weekend, so I've been occupied. I will definitely do two reviews today, and depending on how occupied I get with homework and watching a movie I just rented, a few more. So it all depends on that. Anyways, my first review is for another favorite film of mine. This is the second Tim Burton movie that I will review and that film is Beetlejuice.
Story:
Beetlejuice is about a couple named Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who are now ghosts in their own house. Now, there is a new family that moved into their own house, which includes a somewhat troubled girl named Lydia (Winona Ryder) who is the only one that can see Adam and Barbara. Once Adam and Barbara decide to scare the new family away, they at first seek the help of a self-proclaimed "bio-exorcist" named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) who after the Maitlands decide to reject his help, uses a few scare tactics up his sleeve.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked was how it offers a potent mix of both horror and comedy. It has some scary moments and even creative-looking monsters, thanks to Tim Burton's imaginative visual eye, but there is also plenty of humor to be found. But it even has some dramatic elements pushing the story forward. For example, Lydia feels alienated and once she gets closer with Adam and Barbara, she wants to be "on the other side" with them because she thinks it'll be easier for her. However, she realizes being dead doesn't make things easier, no matter how mundane or hard being alive may be. I also liked the dynamite performance from Michael Keaton. He pulls off a character that is witty, diabolical, and devious, and he is SO much fun to watch. All the other actors do a fine job as well.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Beetlejuice is a superb and visually-stunning masterpiece that offers a potent mix of horror, comedy, and drama, as well as great performances from the cast. If you are a big Tim Burton fan, or if you love horror-comedies, then you will definitely love this movie. I would definitely recommend this one for Halloween. Not just because it's one of my favorite movies, but I feel it is a good film to watch on Halloween.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
Beetlejuice is about a couple named Adam and Barbara Maitland (Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis) who are now ghosts in their own house. Now, there is a new family that moved into their own house, which includes a somewhat troubled girl named Lydia (Winona Ryder) who is the only one that can see Adam and Barbara. Once Adam and Barbara decide to scare the new family away, they at first seek the help of a self-proclaimed "bio-exorcist" named Beetlejuice (Michael Keaton) who after the Maitlands decide to reject his help, uses a few scare tactics up his sleeve.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked was how it offers a potent mix of both horror and comedy. It has some scary moments and even creative-looking monsters, thanks to Tim Burton's imaginative visual eye, but there is also plenty of humor to be found. But it even has some dramatic elements pushing the story forward. For example, Lydia feels alienated and once she gets closer with Adam and Barbara, she wants to be "on the other side" with them because she thinks it'll be easier for her. However, she realizes being dead doesn't make things easier, no matter how mundane or hard being alive may be. I also liked the dynamite performance from Michael Keaton. He pulls off a character that is witty, diabolical, and devious, and he is SO much fun to watch. All the other actors do a fine job as well.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Beetlejuice is a superb and visually-stunning masterpiece that offers a potent mix of horror, comedy, and drama, as well as great performances from the cast. If you are a big Tim Burton fan, or if you love horror-comedies, then you will definitely love this movie. I would definitely recommend this one for Halloween. Not just because it's one of my favorite movies, but I feel it is a good film to watch on Halloween.
Rating: 5/5
Friday, October 18, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Scream (1996)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second review of the day and for this review, I chose to discuss a film that has always been a favorite of mine and is without a doubt one of the best and most inventive slasher movies ever put on screen. That film is the classic known as Scream.
Story:
Scream is about a serial killer who stalks the town of Woodsboro, California, and preys upon a group of high school teenagers. One of whom is Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) who is trying to cope with the one-year anniversary of a family tragedy and deal with the strain in her relationship with her shady boyfriend. As the teens get picked off one by one, the amount of suspects gets lower and it all builds up to its revealing and shocking climax.
What I Liked About It:
Now, what makes this film so inventive and different from most slasher films is how it mixes horror with satire. While it does have its frightening moments, especially the film's famous 15-minute opener with Drew Barrymore, it also points out many of the clichés we see in scary movies and even the rules to follow to not be killed in a scary movie. There were even scenes that have a bit of humor then suddenly evolve into having horror and suspense and horror scenes with humor weaved into them without trying to be scary and end up being unintentionally hilarious. Another thing that I liked, and it may sound weird that I like this, was how our main heroine Sidney goes through a conflict. Most slasher films give us main characters and characters in general that we know nothing about and are given little to no backstory. But here, we get an insight into the main character's past and how troubled she is, making us feel for her. Even the supporting characters are given personality as well and I really liked that.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Scream is a solid slasher film that mixes gruesome violence and horrific scares with self-aware satirical humor. If you are looking for a good scary movie that has laughs thrown in as well as scares, then this is definitely a good one to watch. Plus, if you are a gorehound, then you will also like this as well.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days Of Halloween: Repulsion (1965)
Hello, Bloggers, sorry I haven't reviewed anything on my blog for the past recently. I've been pretty occupied with school and such. Anyways, I will do two reviews today and potentially two tomorrow. For the first review, I will do a little-seen foreign film made by one of our finest directors, Roman Polanski. This film is the second Polanski film being reviewed this month, and is known as Repulsion.
Story:
Repulsion is about a French manicurist living in London named Carol (Catherine Deneuve). Carol is also very sexually repressed and is repulsed by any man that tries to get close to her. While Carol's sister and her boyfriend vacation to Italy on a holiday, leaving Carol all alone in their apartment, she begins to slowly go mad and experience distressing hallucinations.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked about this film was the performance by Catherine Deneuve. What makes her performance so amazing is that she manages to mainly act with only her eyes, as she has very little dialogue, and showcase her nervousness and even her malice as she slowly descends into madness. To me, I like how the character of Carol is very complex as you can't really place her as either good or evil, and I am fascinated by characters like that.
Most of the film takes place in the apartment, and I liked how Polanski took that approach because it gives the film a rather claustrophobic and atmospheric scare. Especially in one scene where Carol is lying down on her bed and an illusion is created where it looks like the ceiling above her is closing in on her. So I also liked Polanski's direction as well. Plus, I thought it was interesting how the film touches on themes of sexual repression and how because sex is a part of human nature, once our main character deprives herself of it, it takes a mental toll on her.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Repulsion is a magnificent psychological chiller that works as a solid character study as well and features a tour-de-force performance from the fine actress Catherine Deneuve. Not a film for everyone, but if you are the type of viewer that likes to analyze films and their artistic measure, like myself, and you want a good horror film to watch around Halloween time, then you should definitely watch this.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
Repulsion is about a French manicurist living in London named Carol (Catherine Deneuve). Carol is also very sexually repressed and is repulsed by any man that tries to get close to her. While Carol's sister and her boyfriend vacation to Italy on a holiday, leaving Carol all alone in their apartment, she begins to slowly go mad and experience distressing hallucinations.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked about this film was the performance by Catherine Deneuve. What makes her performance so amazing is that she manages to mainly act with only her eyes, as she has very little dialogue, and showcase her nervousness and even her malice as she slowly descends into madness. To me, I like how the character of Carol is very complex as you can't really place her as either good or evil, and I am fascinated by characters like that.
Most of the film takes place in the apartment, and I liked how Polanski took that approach because it gives the film a rather claustrophobic and atmospheric scare. Especially in one scene where Carol is lying down on her bed and an illusion is created where it looks like the ceiling above her is closing in on her. So I also liked Polanski's direction as well. Plus, I thought it was interesting how the film touches on themes of sexual repression and how because sex is a part of human nature, once our main character deprives herself of it, it takes a mental toll on her.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Repulsion is a magnificent psychological chiller that works as a solid character study as well and features a tour-de-force performance from the fine actress Catherine Deneuve. Not a film for everyone, but if you are the type of viewer that likes to analyze films and their artistic measure, like myself, and you want a good horror film to watch around Halloween time, then you should definitely watch this.
Rating: 5/5
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Batman Returns (1992)
Hello, Bloggers, for today's review, I decided to a review of a film that is in the vein of horror and is made by one of my top three favorite directors, Tim Burton. That film is the superhero sequel known as Batman Returns.
Story:
Batman Returns follows the story of Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, who begins to go face to face with a new nemesis who rules the sewers of Gotham known as The Penguin (Danny DeVito) while developing conflicted feelings for a new masked vigilante known as Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) who was originally killed by her sadistic boss Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) but then resurrected.
What I Liked About It:
Now, one thing that I really liked was the set designs and the overall look of Gotham. Tim Burton is a director with a very unique visual eye and his visual eye is certainly visible in this film, as it has a very dark and Gothic look and even has scenes of dark violence as well. So, for those of you who are wondering why I chose to review this film as part of my 31 Days Of Halloween, those are essentially the reasons, the film's dark violence and grim and gothic look. Plus, my buddy Chris suggested that I do reviews of a few Tim Burton movies and I liked that idea, so this is the first of two reviews of Tim Burton movies this month. Another thing that I really liked was the performances as well. However, there are two in particular that really stand out. One of which is by Michelle Pfeiffer, who gives a fantastic portrayal of Catwoman. This version of Catwoman is sexy, fierce, insane, and even tormented all at the same time, and Pfeiffer plays this role to absolute perfection. I am quite fond of Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman, but Pfeiffer is just as amazing. Danny DeVito is also very good as The Penguin, who is portrayed as a rather tragic villain, since we get a glimpse of his sad backstory. While I am actually a fan of the Penguin, unlike most Batman fans, I liked how the makers of the film took an interesting villain and gave him such strong emotional depth.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Batman Returns is a visually stunning masterpiece that is sure to please both Batman fans as well as Tim Burton fans. It's well-acted, imaginative, and is a nice blend of three different genres: Horror, action, and drama. Easily one of Tim Burton's best.
Rating: 4.5/5
Story:
Batman Returns follows the story of Bruce Wayne, also known as Batman, who begins to go face to face with a new nemesis who rules the sewers of Gotham known as The Penguin (Danny DeVito) while developing conflicted feelings for a new masked vigilante known as Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer) who was originally killed by her sadistic boss Max Schreck (Christopher Walken) but then resurrected.
What I Liked About It:
Now, one thing that I really liked was the set designs and the overall look of Gotham. Tim Burton is a director with a very unique visual eye and his visual eye is certainly visible in this film, as it has a very dark and Gothic look and even has scenes of dark violence as well. So, for those of you who are wondering why I chose to review this film as part of my 31 Days Of Halloween, those are essentially the reasons, the film's dark violence and grim and gothic look. Plus, my buddy Chris suggested that I do reviews of a few Tim Burton movies and I liked that idea, so this is the first of two reviews of Tim Burton movies this month. Another thing that I really liked was the performances as well. However, there are two in particular that really stand out. One of which is by Michelle Pfeiffer, who gives a fantastic portrayal of Catwoman. This version of Catwoman is sexy, fierce, insane, and even tormented all at the same time, and Pfeiffer plays this role to absolute perfection. I am quite fond of Anne Hathaway's portrayal of Catwoman, but Pfeiffer is just as amazing. Danny DeVito is also very good as The Penguin, who is portrayed as a rather tragic villain, since we get a glimpse of his sad backstory. While I am actually a fan of the Penguin, unlike most Batman fans, I liked how the makers of the film took an interesting villain and gave him such strong emotional depth.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Batman Returns is a visually stunning masterpiece that is sure to please both Batman fans as well as Tim Burton fans. It's well-acted, imaginative, and is a nice blend of three different genres: Horror, action, and drama. Easily one of Tim Burton's best.
Rating: 4.5/5
Monday, October 14, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Peeping Tom (1960)
Hello, Bloggers, for today, I decided to do another review, and another Retro Review. Just on a side note, tomorrow or the day after, I will do a Top Ten List, although I am not sure what of yet. Anyhow, today's review is of a British classic that is said to be the original slasher film that came before Psycho, and that film is known as Peeping Tom.
Story:
Peeping Tom is about a lonely photographer named Mark (Carl Boehm) who is a serial killer that picks off women one by one and uses his camera to film his victims scream in terror as they die.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked was the direction by Michael Powell. There are a few scenes where we watch the film through the killer's voyeuristic eye and I liked the way they were shot. Not only that, but I liked how the film gives us an insight into the killer's backstory and gives un an understanding as to why he is the way he is. Usually, when we see horror films that give a backstory to their antagonist, it makes them scarier, like when we realize that Freddy Krueger was a child killer and Michael Myers is the embodiment of all evil. But here, once we understand why Mark is the way he is, we actually feel sympathy for him and we want to see him overcome his demons. So, it makes the story and the main character more tragic. I don't want to go into details about his backstory because I want you guys to see the movie for yourself, especially if you are aspiring to be a director, so I'll just leave it at that.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Peeping Tom is a masterfully directed yet underrated horror gem. If you are aspiring to be a director and you are looking for a film that has special directing techniques or artistic measure, I would definitely recommend giving this a watch. But because this pretty much is a slasher film and may be one of the first of its kind, if you are expecting non-stop violence and such, look elsewhere.
Rating: 4/5
Sunday, October 13, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Ginger Snaps (2000)
Hello, Bloggers, for today's review, I decided to discuss an older film that was released back in 2000 and is technically a foreign film as it's from Canada. In my opinion, this film is criminally underrated and as far as I know, is seen very little. That film is the inventive little gem known as Ginger Snaps.
Story:
Ginger Snaps is about two teenage sisters named Ginger and Brigette Fitzgerald (Katherine Isabelle and Emily Perkins) who are obsessed with death. One night, on the eve of Ginger's first period, they decide to go for a walk, only for Ginger to be severely bitten by a wolf-like creature. Eventually, along with the help of a local pot dealer (Kris Lemche), Brigette realizes that her sister was bitten by a werewolf and she is becoming one too. That is when she tries to figure out a way to end Ginger's curse.
What I Liked About It:
What I thought was really neat about this film was how it uses lycanthropy or werewolfism as a metaphor for puberty. As Ginger is experiencing changes in her body, she experiences changes that she doesn't understand, which I think is how people normally feel when they first go through puberty. Except Ginger goes through much drastic changes, like growing a tail and sprouting fangs and such. Not only that, but the film touches on the dynamic of a sibling relationship. As Ginger is physically growing up and Brigette, her younger sister is not, they start to experience an emotional distance, which is something that many siblings can relate to as one sibling grows older than the other, that sibling develops newer interests and finds new friends, typically leaving the younger sibling in the dark and making them feel isolated. I commend this movie for taking a film with supernatural elements and blending it with realistic conflicts. Something that not many horror films do these days.
Another thing I want to mention is the performances from the two lead actresses. Katherine Isabelle is outstanding as Ginger, the sister who at first is timid like her sister, but after being bitten by a fierce creature, she herself slowly becomes one. Emily Perkins is also outstanding as Brigette, Ginger's more submissive sister who usually does her bidding, but slowly becomes stronger and independent as she tries to save her sister. I would even go out on a limb and say these two actresses gave some of the best performances in horror film history.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Ginger Snaps is a refreshingly original yet humanistic horror film that demonstrates the harshness of living as a teenager. It honestly may not be jump-out-of-your seat scary, but it definitely have its moments. Also, if you want a good scary movie to watch that's quite a gorefest, and even has werewolves, look no further.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
Ginger Snaps is about two teenage sisters named Ginger and Brigette Fitzgerald (Katherine Isabelle and Emily Perkins) who are obsessed with death. One night, on the eve of Ginger's first period, they decide to go for a walk, only for Ginger to be severely bitten by a wolf-like creature. Eventually, along with the help of a local pot dealer (Kris Lemche), Brigette realizes that her sister was bitten by a werewolf and she is becoming one too. That is when she tries to figure out a way to end Ginger's curse.
What I Liked About It:
What I thought was really neat about this film was how it uses lycanthropy or werewolfism as a metaphor for puberty. As Ginger is experiencing changes in her body, she experiences changes that she doesn't understand, which I think is how people normally feel when they first go through puberty. Except Ginger goes through much drastic changes, like growing a tail and sprouting fangs and such. Not only that, but the film touches on the dynamic of a sibling relationship. As Ginger is physically growing up and Brigette, her younger sister is not, they start to experience an emotional distance, which is something that many siblings can relate to as one sibling grows older than the other, that sibling develops newer interests and finds new friends, typically leaving the younger sibling in the dark and making them feel isolated. I commend this movie for taking a film with supernatural elements and blending it with realistic conflicts. Something that not many horror films do these days.
Another thing I want to mention is the performances from the two lead actresses. Katherine Isabelle is outstanding as Ginger, the sister who at first is timid like her sister, but after being bitten by a fierce creature, she herself slowly becomes one. Emily Perkins is also outstanding as Brigette, Ginger's more submissive sister who usually does her bidding, but slowly becomes stronger and independent as she tries to save her sister. I would even go out on a limb and say these two actresses gave some of the best performances in horror film history.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Ginger Snaps is a refreshingly original yet humanistic horror film that demonstrates the harshness of living as a teenager. It honestly may not be jump-out-of-your seat scary, but it definitely have its moments. Also, if you want a good scary movie to watch that's quite a gorefest, and even has werewolves, look no further.
Rating: 5/5
Saturday, October 12, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
Hello, Bloggers, after I decided to a Topic Of The Day yesterday, I figured I would go back to my reviewing and discuss a film that I would say is one of the top 5 scariest movies ever and is another Retro Review. So rev up for the review of the 1974 classic Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
Story:
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is based on true events and is about five teenagers traveling through Texas and they decide to pick up an eccentric hitchhiker. After their encounter with this hitchhiker, they stop at a deserted place and end up getting picked off one by one by a masked killer known as Leatherface.
What I Liked About It:
Like with The Haunting, I loved how this film uses the technique where less is more. The genius of Texas Chainsaw Massacre is that it's a film with no gore and little blood, yet it is remembered as one of the goriest and bloodiest films of all time. That is because everything literally happens behind closed doors and your mind creates what happened and how these teenagers are being picked off. Not only is that what I liked about this film, but also because it takes you inside the world of the killers. Very rarely in a slasher film do we get a glimpse of what goes on in the mind or life of the antagonist and here we get quite a glimpse, and it's very disturbing. Plus, just on a side note, they say the film is based on a true story, but it is actually inspired by true events. In particular, Leatherface is based off of the infamous Wisconsin killer Ed Gein, who was also the inspiration for Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs and Norman Bates from Psycho.
Another thing that I liked was how most of the horror takes place in the daylight. Usually, slasher pics or horror films in general, take us to dark places and at night, but not the case here. I honestly thought it made the film even more terrifying, as the film is set in a warm bright sunny day with lots of horror taking place.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a nightmarish and psychological horror classic where the terror is set amidst the blazing Texas sun. If you're looking for a slasher film that's a gorefest from start to finish, look elsewhere, or watch the 2003 remake instead. But if you want a slasher film with more simplicity or just want a top-notch movie to watch on Halloween that'll scare the living daylights out of you, then I would definitely recommend watching this.
Rating: 5/5
Story:
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is based on true events and is about five teenagers traveling through Texas and they decide to pick up an eccentric hitchhiker. After their encounter with this hitchhiker, they stop at a deserted place and end up getting picked off one by one by a masked killer known as Leatherface.
What I Liked About It:
Like with The Haunting, I loved how this film uses the technique where less is more. The genius of Texas Chainsaw Massacre is that it's a film with no gore and little blood, yet it is remembered as one of the goriest and bloodiest films of all time. That is because everything literally happens behind closed doors and your mind creates what happened and how these teenagers are being picked off. Not only is that what I liked about this film, but also because it takes you inside the world of the killers. Very rarely in a slasher film do we get a glimpse of what goes on in the mind or life of the antagonist and here we get quite a glimpse, and it's very disturbing. Plus, just on a side note, they say the film is based on a true story, but it is actually inspired by true events. In particular, Leatherface is based off of the infamous Wisconsin killer Ed Gein, who was also the inspiration for Buffalo Bill from Silence of the Lambs and Norman Bates from Psycho.
Another thing that I liked was how most of the horror takes place in the daylight. Usually, slasher pics or horror films in general, take us to dark places and at night, but not the case here. I honestly thought it made the film even more terrifying, as the film is set in a warm bright sunny day with lots of horror taking place.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a nightmarish and psychological horror classic where the terror is set amidst the blazing Texas sun. If you're looking for a slasher film that's a gorefest from start to finish, look elsewhere, or watch the 2003 remake instead. But if you want a slasher film with more simplicity or just want a top-notch movie to watch on Halloween that'll scare the living daylights out of you, then I would definitely recommend watching this.
Rating: 5/5
Friday, October 11, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Practical vs. CGI Effects
Hello, Bloggers, for today's post, I decided not to do a review today, but to do a Topic Of The Day instead. For today's topic, I will discuss the use of practical effects in scary and sci-fi films vs. CGI effects, and why I prefer practical effects.*Note, this post is not meant to paint a negative portrait on F/X artists who primarily use CGI or those who prefer CGI effects. Here we go:
Nowadays, whenever a horror film comes out, there tends to be CGI effects rather than practical effects. But while I'm not 100% against CGI effects, I tend to prefer practical effects because they are much more realistic, so I would say the extra charge is worth it. The big con with practical effects is that they are more expensive, but they have a slightly better effect. As I said in my review for Mama, I thought the movie was good, but one of my biggest problems was that you could tell that "Mama" was fake because it was CG and I personally thought it would've looked better if they had an actual actress donned in makeup play "Mama". If they had done that, it would've not only made the being of "Mama" scarier, but it would've given the film a more old-school feel as back then, practical effects were used more. Take for example, The Exorcist, which has that famous possessed Regan face that many of us are familiar with and is still imprinted in our minds. It is scary because it looks like someone who is actually being possessed. Plus, the alien from Alien, the shark from Jaws, as well as the werewolf from An American Werewolf In London, all still hold up to this day because all those monsters look real. But, like I said, I don't mind CGI effects, just as long as they have to be used. In the new Evil Dead remake, the director Fede Alvarez said he mostly used practical effects but only used CGI if he had to, and I thought the film came out excellent.
So, that is why I personally prefer the use of makeup, puppetry, and animatronics over CGI. If you prefer CGI effects, than that is your opinion and I won't hold that against you because everyone has different taste. If you feel that way, then feel free to write in the comments section on why you love CGI. But if you love practical effects like I do, you can also write your thoughts. Thanks for reading!
Thursday, October 10, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: The Haunting (1963)
Hello, Bloggers, for today's review, I decided to do another Retro Review and for a film that I consider to be one of the best haunted house movies ever made, if not THE best, and that film is the original 1963 version of The Haunting.
Story:
The Haunting is about a man named Dr. Markway (Richard Johnson) who looks to observe paranormal activity at the supposedly haunting mansion known as Hill House and assembles a group of individuals that includes his boss' heir Luke (Russ Tamblyn), a psychic named Theo (Claire Bloom) and a woman named Nell (Julie Harris). When they all stay at Hill House, things begin to become more than they bargained for as the house's hauntings take a toll on them.
What I Liked About It:
Now, what makes this film so great is how it shows that "less is more". In other words, there are no monsters or ghosts shown, all you see or hear is doors banging, shaking furniture, and footsteps banging from the ceiling. I always like when horror films use that trick because when they do, your mind creates what happened and it possibly makes things scarier than what appears on screen. There's honestly not much else to say about how much I liked about this movie, except the fact that it uses the "less is more" trick, which I really appreciate the film for using. Although I did like the performances from the cast, especially Russ Tamblyn, who plays the wisecracking young heir and Julie Harris, who plays the timid and grief-ridden Nell.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Haunting is a haunting classic that proves just how less is more and leaves most of the horrors to the imagination. If you want a good old-fashioned haunted house film, I would recommend this. Just hopefully, you'll get a good night sleep after.
Rating: 4.5/5
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: The Exorcist (1973)
Hello, Bloggers, here is my second review of the day. For this review, I figured I'd discuss a film that many other people claim to be the "scariest movie of all time". Now, this film is very scary, but I wouldn't call it THE scariest movie ever. A film that I give that title will be reviewed in the end of the month and I'm not announcing what that is until then. So, for my second review, I will review the classic The Exorcist.
Story:
The Exorcist is about a 12-year-old girl named Regan (Linda Blair) who lives with her agnostic mother Chris (Ellen Burstyn) and is possessed by a powerful demon named Pazuzu. At first, Chris turns to science to try to find out what is wrong with her daughter. Eventually, she has nowhere to turn but to a young priest named Father Karras (Jason Miller) who lost his faith, and a veteran priest named Father Merrin (Max Von Sydow) to exorcise the demon from her daughter's body.
What I Liked About It:
Now, what I really liked about this film was how the general conflict of good vs. evil was done in the form of two priests fighting an evil demon. As this demon, who is in possession of an innocent little girl, tries to take a hold on the two priests and even get a hold on Karras' psyche and guilt, both he and Merrin refuse to give up on saving this little girl and to me, that was very inspiring. But to me, what makes this film so scary is how science isn't able to prove what is wrong with Regan, which to me, shows how it is possible for such dark forces and demonic beings to exist, so it not only demonstrates the battle between good and evil, but the conflict of science vs. faith. Plus, this movie makes you too scared to not go to church, as this powerful demon possesses the daughter of a woman who has no religious beliefs, but eventually turns to two priests and gains her faith. Just like Father Karras, who regains the faith he lost as he performs this exorcism. Plus, the look of the demon that stays with you and that deep demonic voice he speaks in is pretty shocking. Oh, and I really love the film's famous "Tubular Bells" theme song.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, The Exorcist is a powerful and heavily dramatic horror film that definitely deserves its title as one of the greatest horror movies ever. I feel it not only works as a scary horror film, but as a film that possibly restores your faith as you witness good trying to triumph over evil and makes you believe that it is possible for such dark forces to be real.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days of Halloween: Black Swan (2010)
Hello, Bloggers, I didn't manage to do a review for yesterday, so like Monday, I will do two reviews today, and I will start off by doing a review of a more recent film that I meant to do a review of a long while ago, but I figured I'd wait to review it for this month in honor of Halloween. That film is the dramatic horror piece known as Black Swan.
Story:
Black Swan is inspired by the classic story of Swan Lake about a ballerina dancer named Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman) who just landed the lead role in Swan Lake and finds herself competing against the newest dancer in the company, the free-spirited Lily (Mila Kunis) while being taught by the sexually domineering instructor Tomas (Vincent Cassel) and dealing with her overbearing mother Erica (Barbara Hershey). As the date for Swan Lake gets closer and closer, Nina slowly begins to lose her grip on reality and the role takes a toll on her.
What I Liked About It:
One thing that I really liked was the performances from the cast. Natalie Portman delivers a very multi-faceted and dynamic performance, as she slowly transforms from a timid and passive perfectionist, or the embodiment of the "White Swan", to a sexual and ferocious being, or the "Black Swan" of the title. Mila Kunis also shines as she plays Lily, the dancer who is very sultry and seems very spunky and free-spirited yet is very enigmatic as Nina becomes paranoid that she is trying to get her and replace her. Barbara Hershey plays a very disturbing role as Nina's mother but she is excellent. Although, just as a warning, if you watch this movie with your mom, it might be discomforting watching some of the scenes between Nina and her mother. Vincent Cassel excels at playing Tomas, the complex dance instructor who often mistreats Nina but does it to get a great dancing performance from her. But one actress I'd like to talk about is Winona Ryder. Ryder plays a dancer who is way past her prime and once she gets cast aside, it takes a toll on her as she goes on a downward spiral. She only has a few scenes, but when she is on screen, she leaves quite a mark.
Another thing that I liked was the direction from Darren Aronofsky. It appears that Aronofsky has a love for Roman Polanski's work as I remembered how there were some scenes shot similar to Rosemary's Baby where Nina is walking down the street then it cuts to her being in a different place. I thought that was a nice homage to Polanski, another marvelous director. Plus, the character of Nina has some similarities to the lead character in Rosemary's Baby, who like Nina feels that everyone is against her. I liked how Aronofsky took inspiration from Polanski without taking too much from his work, so major props to him. I also thought it was neat how they had most of the characters wear either black or white, to represent the whole "white swan vs. black swan" conflict that serves as the basis for the film's story.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Black Swan is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that features a commanding and deservingly Oscar-winning performance from Natalie Portman, and magnificent performances from the rest of the cast as well.
Rating: 5/5
Monday, October 7, 2013
31 Days of Halloween: Carrie (1976)
Here is my second review of the day, and for this review, I figured I'd review a classic that is not only one of the best horror movies ever made, but it is also one of my favorite movies ever and the first Stephen King adaptation that will be reviewed for this month. That film is the original 1976 version of Carrie.
Story:
Carrie is about a shy introverted girl named Carrie White (Sissy Spacek) who is constantly picked an at school and even bullied at home by her religious zealot mother Margaret (Piper Laurie). Eventually, she begins to realize that she has telekinetic powers which in the end, she uses to seek revenge against those who tormented her and show them once you play with fire, you get burned.
What I Liked About It:
Like how Rosemary's Baby works as both a suspenseful thriller and a horror film, I love how Carrie manages to work as both a horror film and a heart-wrenching drama. When we watch how Carrie is being tormented, especially in the opening scene where she is in the gym shower and she gets her first period, we begin to feel sad for her, thanks in part to Sissy Spacek's performance. Spacek is outstanding in this movie as she makes us fear her character in the end, yet in the rest of the film, she breaks your heart. That to me is great acting and in my opinion, it's no surprise she got nominated for an Oscar for her performance. Piper Laurie was also nominated but for Best Supporting Actress and she was terrifying as Margaret, Carrie's abusive mother. What is so unique about her character and her performance is that she is frightening without trying to be. Also, I like how this film shows how high school tends to be like hell. It may showcase a girl being brutally tormented, but that kind of stuff actually happens.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Carrie is a solid yet powerfully sad horror film. If you are looking for a horror film with scares from beginning to end, you may want to look elsewhere as this film is mostly a character study that builds up to its unforgettable and frightening climax.
Rating: 5/5
31 Days Of Halloween: Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Hello, Bloggers, I forgot to do a review yesterday, so I'm making up for that by doing two in one day. For the first review, I will do a Retro Review of an old classic that is one of the best horror movies of all time, and that is Rosemary's Baby.
Story:
Rosemary's Baby is about a young couple living in New York named Rosemary and Guy Woodhouse (Mia Farrow and John Cassavetes), who move into a new brownstone apartment, and things seem perfect at first. However, that is until Rosemary suddenly gets pregnant, and Guy becomes more involved with the strange neighbors and they seem a little too interested in the baby.
What I Liked About It:
Now, what I thought was so scary about this film is because it deals with Satanism and devil worshippers, it takes those two elements and puts them in a realistic setting. The neighbors, who (*possible spoiler alert*) may or may not be devil worshippers, look and act like normal people and seem harmless. In my opinion, that is frightening. Now, what surprised me about this film is that for the most part, it is very suspenseful. It is still a great scary movie, but it is also a good mysterious thriller, and I like that a lot about this film. I also liked the performances from the cast. Mia Farrow does an amazing job as Rosemary and if it were up to me, I would've definitely nominated her for an Oscar for her performance. She was just that good. Luckily, Ruth Gordon, who plays Rosemary's sweet-natured yet enigmatic neighbor Minnie Castevet, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her great performance. Plus, the direction from Roman Polanski is also outstanding. I thought the scene that was the most well-directed was the film's famous scene where Rosemary gets drugged and raped by the Devil. That scene is very dream-like and is shot like Rosemary is hallucinating it.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Rosemary's Baby is a well-done classic that works as both a suspenseful thriller and a subtle yet chilling yet horror film. If anyone were to do a horror film about Satanism or the Devil, they could not only look to The Exorcist, but look at this film or inspiration as well.
Rating: 5/5
Saturday, October 5, 2013
31 Days Of Halloween: Stoker (2013)
Hello, Bloggers, for today's review, I will discuss a horror film or another dramatic film in the vain of the horror genre that came out early this year and went somewhat unnoticed, and that film is Stoker.
Story:
Stoker is about an 18-year-old girl named India Stoker (Mia Wasikowska) whose father just died and she now just lives with her mentally unstable mother Evelyn (Nicole Kidman). But at her father's funeral, she is stunned by the arrival of her mysterious Uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode) who may have a hidden agenda.
What I Liked About It:
One thing in particular that I liked about this film was the direction by Park Chan-Wook, and the screenplay by Wentworth Miller. I loved Chan-Wook's use of the "mise-en-scene" technique to tell the film's story. For example, there is one scene where India is lying on her bed and is surrounded by many shoes she's worn as she's grown over the years, and when she puts on a new pair of fancy shoes she got for her 18th birthday, it signified her transformation from a girl to a woman as the film progresses. Also, the character of India mostly wears gray and black clothes, which represents her depressive state. Mia Wasikowska gives quite a good performance as India and she is easily just as good here as she is in her breakout role in Alice in Wonderland. Plus, this film shows the impressive range that she has as an actress and I can see her becoming one of the best modern character actresses. Matthew Goode is also very good as he is both charming yet brooding as Uncle Charlie, and he made his character very complex and an interesting experience to watch. But one actress that also really shines is Nicole Kidman. She has a small supporting role, but when she is on screen, she has a strong presence, especially in her big monologue scene shown in the previews, where she explains why people decide to have children. That scene will give you chills.
What I Didn't Like About It:
Nothing.
Consensus:
Overall, Stoker is a highly inventive, chilling yet intoxicating work of art thanks to the performances from the cast and the film's brilliant direction by Park Chan-Wook. Now, if you are looking for an extreme gorefest with loads of T&A, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you are looking for a horror film with some thought and artistry behind it, you might like this.
Rating: 4/5
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