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
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