Features Oct 31 2008 @ 11:52 am
For Halloween, MovieZeal recommends…
There's something in the mist....
The blogosphere is all a-twitter on big holidays like today, chomping at the bit to post something related/themed/marginally relevant. Never one to stand back as the lemmings rush over the cliff, MovieZeal is joining the fray by cataloging all of the horror reviews we’ve written over the past 9-10 months. Not surprisingly, Luke has written almost every one.
Wondering what to watch tonight at your Halloween party tonight? Concerned that The Strangers might be as bad as everyone says it is? Inquisitive about whether The Orphanage is really that awesome? Look no further, my gore-hungry friends.
Oh, and Happy Halloween. Hit the jump for the goods.
MovieZeal RECOMMENDS:
- The Mist –
Some people hated this; I loved every nerve wracking second of it. The most terrifying moments happen at the hands of normal human beings, and the ending is the gut punch to end all gut punches. - Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street –
Who doesn’t like a little music with their murder? The crooning of Johnny Depp mixed with Tim Burton’s ruby-red arterial sprays is a tasty combination. - Nosferatu –
The vampire flick to end all vampire flicks. You cannot call yourself a true aficionado of horror without having taken Max Schrek and his Count Orloff for a spin. - The Orphanage –
This film might not break any new ground, but it scared the bodily fluids right out of my system. A woman needs to fins her lost son, but the truth is much simpler – and nastier – than she could ever imagine. - The Signal –
A film in 3 acts, each one overseen by a different director, about a nasty signal coming through the boob-tube and convincing people to murder one another in horrid ways. It can be a bit of a mixed bag (the pure horror of the first act gives way to slapstick black humor in the second), but horror flicks are rarely this creative. - Frankenstein –
Classic option number two. ‘Nuff said. - Diary of the Dead –
Luke and I divide sharply over this film. He loved it (and wrote the review, hence the 4 star rating), but I loathed it and was suppressing chuckles the entire time. If you love Romero, check this out if you haven’t already, but otherwise I would recommend looking at one of the films above this one. - Poltergeist –
“They’re here.” One of the first “creepy kid” horror flicks (a gimmick that really needs to be retired now, thank you very much), this is another veritable classic. A bit lighter on the scares and viscera than some of the other options here, it nevertheless provides a few chills down the ‘ole spine.
MovieZeal does NOT RECOMMEND:
- Saw V –
When will the madness stop? When I say? - The Strangers -
Funny Games for the idiot set. “Based on a true story,” yada yada yada, Luke groaned his way through this one. The most horrifying part about it? The soundtrack, which defies common decency. - Shutter –
Why make something new when you can just steal an average Asian horror flick and do a crappy remake of it? - Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem -
Fox does not care about one of their most valuable IPs, as evidenced by this steaming pile of celluloid. See as a last resort, only. - The Ruins –
Dumb white kids get killed by a mysterious jungle creature. Perhaps you can view it as a vicious immigration revenge parable. Yeah, try that out. - 30 Days of Night –
If you don’t mind your vampire flicks with a healthy dose of stupid, then check this one out. The premise is as high-concept as it comes (an Alaskan town, where for 30 days the sun don’t shine, is besieged by a horde of bloodsuckers), but the execution is tepid.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 1:23 pm 1. Sam Juliano said …
Well, well, Evan Derrick is a great writer and a splendid person, whose reviews I will always take a look at, but Luke Harrington is also quite good and his reviews here on SWEENEY TODD and the classic NOSFERATU are truly extraordinary. Had a lot of fun reading through your insights here on the scare afternoon in school here, and I must happily say I completely agree with you on both counts. (although I would give five stars to NOSFERATU)
on Oct 31 2008 @ 1:24 pm 2. Film-Book dot Com said …
Love the list Evan.
The Strangers, “Funny Games for the idiot set.” Hilarious but the film does have many good moments.
I just reviewed the original Funny Games:
http://film-book.com/review-funny-games-1997/
Very good film.
30 Day of Night was a big disappointment. The Ruins has some good moments. Can’t wait to read the book. I couldn’t even finish The Signal. Too goofy.
The Mist, The Orphanage and Poltergeist are probably the best on the bunch. I haven’t seen the The Orphanage but The Mist is AWESOME and the Poltergeist is a film you’ll never forget.Sweeny Todd is very good as well.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 3:10 pm 3. Evan Derrick said …
Why Sam, you didn’t say anything about my review of The Mist!!!!!
Haha, just joking. No, you’re completely right – Luke has some splendid work on the site. And a Sam Juliano comment without a mention of a less-than-acceptable star rating for a certifiable classic wouldn’t be a real Sam Juliano comment.
As I already commented at WitD, Sam, I do want to know what scary films you have planned for this evening. Do share.
And Film-Book, I agree wholeheartedly – The Mist is incredible. I’m glad someone else shares my enthusiasm for it. You really do need to check out The Orphanage – for my money, one of the best scary films this year (if not THE best).
I’m actually hoping to watch Ils tonight (or Them as it’s called in English) which sounds like a much better version of The Strangers.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 3:30 pm 4. Film-Book dot Com said …
I missed seeing The Mist in theaters because I was saving the flick for some chick. I am NEVER saving a flick for someone AGAIN. Not seeing 1408 in theater was bad enough. I had to miss a gem like The Mist. When you put seasoned actors into a horror movie with a great director behind the lens, The Mist is what happens. Imagine if Darabont had been given the budget he wanted?
I have both lls (Them) and The Orphanage sitting on my hard drive. Haven’t gotten around to watching them yet. I also have Inside and My Little Eye.
Sci-Fi channel has been knocking out some decent horror flicks at night man. Around 2 am they showed Wicked Little Things and a cheesy flick before it called The Shaft or something with Naomi Watts.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 3:42 pm 5. Evan Derrick said …
Yeah, I have Inside ready to go as well, but quite frankly, I’m a little terrified of the film. I’m not sure I want to go that far.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 8:46 pm 6. Jandy said …
Good choices, guys. Looks like we share taste in horror movies – as much as I share taste with anyone on horror movies, which I’m just learning to like. At least I’ve gotten it down to torture-porn and slasher films that I don’t like. The more atmospheric, psychological kind that you’ve singled out (like The Orphanage and Nosferatu) are awesome. Might have to check out the ones I haven’t seen, like The Mist.
on Oct 31 2008 @ 9:58 pm 7. Sam Juliano said …
Evan, I responded at WitD, that we would be watching HORROR HOTEL a.k.a. CITY OF THE DEAD, which is a Halloween tradition. We did get it done, but unfortunately no CARNIVAL OF SOULS afterwards, as we had a late night entertaining trick or treaters here on Spruce Street.
Your review on THE MIST was fine, and to be honest I rather liked the film, although five stars is out of the question for it. Still I admire your enthusiasm for it.
on Nov 01 2008 @ 9:14 am 8. Film-Book dot Com said …
If Inside is that hardcore Evan I might have to review it and make some banners from it.:)