Horror Movies

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Watched this today and I agree. Was actually glad to see the dad die. Dude was a jackass pretty much throughout the whole movie for no reason.

Agreed. A part in that climax made me yell out "uh, NOPE!"...

Spoiler

It was shortly after the 2 neighbor kids get destroyed when the 2 brothers run home to try and rally their parents and the creature suddenly appears in the doorway... The way its standing there all bent and shit... I woulda hurdled my family faster than Usain Bolt to get the f*ck outta there

 

[Chef99]

Watched a couple of enjoyable ones today:

Dracula Untold - Pretty good acting, story and some nice special effects involving the original Batman.

Here's one that may surprise:

Paranormal Activity: The Marked Ones - Loved it from the get-go. Engaging and entertaining storyline, and that's good, 'cuz it takes awhile for the freaky deak to kick in. When it does, you are rewarded with some good ol' creepy-ass scares. And I'll be damned if that ain't Katie and her hubby at the end...

 

[Chef99]

So, you Paranormal Activity fans out there: the kicker in the whole series is a time portal, correct? It always comes back to Katie and Co. in the end. Do I have this figured out right?

I hope so, 'cuz it makes a huge difference to me between 'meh' and 'interesting'.

 

[Chef99]

Here's another one I enjoyed...it had many flaws and really resorted to a formula horror shtick, but the idea was so cool, I could overlook it.

Basically, a buncha 'St. Elmo's Fire' guys and gals (who are really really smart!) are screwin' around with matter transportation, and they inadvertently open up a portal to The Gates of Hell. The smart kids are proven dumb when they can't translate the classic sign above the door until it's too late.

Ah well, they are young...they still have time to learn....BWAH HA HA!!!!!!!

 

[jakedog56]

I've been watching a couple of series lately:

Just finished Channel Zero, which is about a pirate (literal pirates) tv show that brainwashes kids into killing people. Supernatural creature stuff at work. Very slow with a kind of dragging feeling to it interuppted horrific moments through much of the series but it picks up for an excellent last couple of episodes. More creepy than scary.

The Canadian show Slasher has all that it needs pretty much described in the title. Throw in a bit of character history between the slashing and you have a series. Not badly done but certainly not epic either.

I see a show titled Sam against Evil and I get all excited as I start thinking Evil Dead style stuff, and that it not far off. Add the esteemed John C. McGinley in the lead as a grumpy retired sheriff who thinks that everyone is a bunch of degenerates and wimps, and constantly complains about it, and you expect great things. However, the series suffers from an almost cartoony feel and they jump into the deep end immediately with no character or story development. It is basically a poor man's Ash Vs. Evil Dead type show in the comedy horror genre. So if you like that, stick with it and you will enjoy it more as it goes along. If you are so-so on that specific part of the genre then stick to the original AvED instead.

Braindead is about alien worms taking over politician's brains and making do foolish crap in DC. The concept is good, and the execution is good (acting is solid. storylines are well developed) but I stopped watching as I just couldn't get into it. Maybe it was because they stupd shit the politicians do in their infighting and manipulation hits too close to home? With the current political situation, I am sick of hearing about all of the crap so watching a series that drives home themes similar to reality when I am trying to escape from it is kind of offputting.

 

[Psych-Ward]

Braindead is about alien worms taking over politician's brains and making do foolish crap in DC. The concept is good, and the execution is good (acting is solid. storylines are well developed) but I stopped watching as I just couldn't get into it. Maybe it was because they stupd shit the politicians do in their infighting and manipulation hits too close to home? With the current political situation, I am sick of hearing about all of the crap so watching a series that drives home themes similar to reality when I am trying to escape from it is kind of offputting.

Wait, you mean this is just a movie and not real life????

 

[Chef99]

I see a show titled Sam against Evil and I get all excited as I start thinking Evil Dead style stuff, and that it not far off. Add the esteemed John C. McGinley in the lead as a grumpy retired sheriff who thinks that everyone is a bunch of degenerates and wimps, and constantly complains about it, and you expect great things. However, the series suffers from an almost cartoony feel and they jump into the deep end immediately with no character or story development. It is basically a poor man's Ash Vs. Evil Dead type show in the comedy horror genre. So if you like that, stick with it and you will enjoy it more as it goes along. If you are so-so on that specific part of the genre then stick to the original AvED instead.

This analysis is pretty much on point; I stopped watching after two episodes.

 

[jakedog56]

This analysis is pretty much on point; I stopped watching after two episodes.

I've kept watching it and I enjoy it more now, but I almost quit after the first episode. They just start with no character background and just about 10 seconds of background story. They continue to gloss over stuff that would add serious depth to the storylines but I guess that they decided to forgo this due to the 20 minute timespan?

I watched all of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, all 7 seasons of the Tales From the Crypt, and most of the Z-Nation show so far (among others) so I think that I can stick through this one! Bad horror is still better than no horror at all!!

Plus John C. is hilarious (though it is a fairly repetative joke).

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

So, you Paranormal Activity fans out there: the kicker in the whole series is a time portal, correct? It always comes back to Katie and Co. in the end. Do I have this figured out right?

I hope so, 'cuz it makes a huge difference to me between 'meh' and 'interesting'.

I don't know about a time portal, but it always connects back to the 2 girls, Katie & her sister. Started at a young age with their cult gma & "Toby". The hardest thing to grasp is how the movies don't necessarily follow a linear order. The 1st PA should have been like the 3rd or 4th movie considering how often the timelines jump around. Is that what you meant?

 

[Chef99]

I don't know about a time portal, but it always connects back to the 2 girls, Katie & her sister. Started at a young age with their cult gma & "Toby". The hardest thing to grasp is how the movies don't necessarily follow a linear order. The 1st PA should have been like the 3rd or 4th movie considering how often the timelines jump around. Is that what you meant?

Lol, I'm not really sure what I meant. The Marked Ones climaxes with the kid Hector running through a door in the house and ending up in Katie's kitchen with her hubby comin' a runnin' to join the fun...and rut roh, we gots troubles bud!

That was the best I could figure; makes me wanna see 3 and 4 now.

 

[Chef99]

I've kept watching it and I enjoy it more now, but I almost quit after the first episode. They just start with no character background and just about 10 seconds of background story. They continue to gloss over stuff that would add serious depth to the storylines but I guess that they decided to forgo this due to the 20 minute timespan?

I watched all of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, all 7 seasons of the Tales From the Crypt, and most of the Z-Nation show so far (among others) so I think that I can stick through this one! Bad horror is still better than no horror at all!!

Plus John C. is hilarious (though it is a fairly repetative joke).

Yeah, I love John C., he's the reason I watched in the first place; I may have to give it another shot.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Lol, I'm not really sure what I meant. The Marked Ones climaxes with the kid Hector running through a door in the house and ending up in Katie's kitchen with her hubby comin' a runnin' to join the fun...and rut roh, we gots troubles bud!

That was the best I could figure; makes me wanna see 3 and 4 now.

Guess I don't remember that one as well as the others! I better rewatch it! The 3rd was better than the 4th. The 5th (Ghost Dimension) was a waste.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Ritual (2013)


This movie had a decent premise, but it was riddled with problems. First off the script & acting were pretty bad, even for B-horror standards. That became increasingly more evident when they tried to add character building to the main characters. There were some very cringe-worthy moments. Directing & Production were lacking as well. There was not much depth to the plot, and there were loads of pointless (& long) transitional scenes. There is a decent amount of suspense to it, mainly because of the "what would you do" mindset coupled with a fairly twisted satanic cult. Other than that its a predictable game of cat & mouse. I kept hoping that eventually there might be a payoff, but that was a pointless endeavor. There wasn't much of a climax, and it ends very abruptly. A horror soup nazi would say, NO SOUP FOR YOU! Overall its a very stripped-down slasher flick that doesn't give you much satisfaction.

Low budget material... 4/10

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Pay The Ghost (2015)


On Netflix! This movie had a pretty cool ghost story. The Celtic lore was a great premise, but sadly the overall experience was sort of melodramatic. Primarily due to lackluster suspense and a minimal scare-factor in a movie that is supposed to be a thriller. The first tunnel scene was about the only creepy vibe I got. The rest of the movie tried really hard to be scary with jump scares & poltergeist movements. The climactic ghost-dimension scene felt really bland. The cinematography, setting & production values are good. The acting was decent, even by none other than Cage. We all know he is one of thosee B-movie whores, like Sam L Jackson. But every now & then they are part of a decent flick, not sure if this would classify as one of those however. The movie isn't completely horrible but it is forgettable.

Lackluster & forgettable... 5.5/10

 

[Chef99]

The acting was decent, even by none other than Cage. We all know he is one of thosee B-movie whores, like Sam L Jackson.

One difference: Jackson can act.

 

[B_dub]

Sure this is another one been discussed but finally watched The Autopsy of Jane Doe tonight (In a storm no less).

I had never even heard of this one, but damn did I enjoy it. Great acting, great cinematography different perspectives of 2 different kind of genres. Wife doesn't hardly ever get spooked in these kind of films, but she said this one, and Lovely Molly are 2 of the most recent films that have ever genuinely freaked her out watching. Wasn't a fan on one aspect of the ending but still a great, great watch imo.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

Sure this is another one been discussed but finally watched The Autopsy of Jane Doe tonight (In a storm no less).

I had never even heard of this one, but damn did I enjoy it. Great acting, great cinematography different perspectives of 2 different kind of genres. Wife doesn't hardly ever get spooked in these kind of films, but she said this one, and Lovely Molly are 2 of the most recent films that have ever genuinely freaked her out watching. Wasn't a fan on one aspect of the ending but still a great, great watch imo.

Haven't discussed it yet! Queued up at #8 on my "still need to review" list lol... Watched it months ago when it first released and loved it. My wife did as well.

 

[FaCe-LeE-uS]

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)


In light of @B_dub's recent post, I decided to bump this review up. Getting right down to it, this is how horror movies should be made. Beating that same drum again, the UK does horror right. Directed by Norwegian André Øvredal, previously known for Trollhunter (wild found-footage film that I recommend checkin out). Horror films these days have become typically monotonous with the R-rated gore pron or the pg-13 jump scares, however this movie is very different. It has a small amount of gore, no clichés or jump scares, but it is loaded with suspense and complete unpredictability. Thanks in large to an amazing piece of writing & directing. The great thing about this movie IMO is how atmospherically scary and tense it is, and the fact that this film was able to achieve that with only 3 main characters (one of them being a corpse played by a real actress) and an incredibly simple story & setting. Felt very reminiscent of all the creativity used in Don't Breathe. If you haven't already deduced from the trailer, this is a supernatural thriller. Can't say much more without giving too much away as I feel the trailer already does. The cinematography, production values & acting are top-notch. Overall its a great movie that presents a lot of creative originality and I highly recommend it!

Awesome supernatural thriller... 9/10

 

[jakedog56]

André Øvredal-

He seems to be a good up and coming director............but I live in Norway (so sick of the f'n snow and cold!) and really am tired of the Ø, Å, and Æ crap. They just do this shit be different. Throw away those worthless letters and start just using O, A, and AE forcryinoutloud!

Will have to check out the Autopsy of Jane Doe though.

 

[B_dub]

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)


In light of @B_dub's recent post, I decided to bump this review up. Getting right down to it, this is how horror movies should be made. Beating that same drum again, the UK does horror right. Directed by Norwegian André Øvredal, previously known for Trollhunter (wild found-footage film that I recommend checkin out). Horror films these days have become typically monotonous with the R-rated gore pron or the pg-13 jump scares, however this movie is very different. It has a small amount of gore, no clichés or jump scares, but it is loaded with suspense and complete unpredictability. Thanks in large to an amazing piece of writing & directing. The great thing about this movie IMO is how atmospherically scary and tense it is, and the fact that this film was able to achieve that with only 3 main characters (one of them being a corpse played by a real actress) and an incredibly simple story & setting. Felt very reminiscent of all the creativity used in Don't Breathe. If you haven't already deduced from the trailer, this is a supernatural thriller. Can't say much more without giving too much away as I feel the trailer already does. The cinematography, production values & acting are top-notch. Overall its a great movie that presents a lot of creative originality and I highly recommend it!

Awesome supernatural thriller... 9/10

Well said. Hard to really talk about this one without giving anything away, but the writing and direction was really superb. The way the movie started and going halfway through, I would have been more than happy if the movie kept in that direction, but after the change, it just got better. Not a lot of movies you could say that about. Something about the constant panning on her face was unsettling, but in a good way.