Hello Friends,
A few days ago I mentioned a man by the name of William Castle and how he was known for doing insane gimmicks for each of his movie releases. Castle was also behind another "horror classic" however he didn't direct this one, much to his dismay.
In the summer of 1968 a new horror film came out with the tag line " Pray for Rosemary's Baby", directed by Roman Polanski, Rosemary's Baby was to launch William Castle Productions to the big leagues. However, when Castle started to come forward with the idea of adapting the film he wanted to direct the picture, the film studios wanted someone younger and who had interesting, new ideas. Castle was devastated that they chose another director but they allowed him to be the executive producer. He even has a cameo as the man outside of the pay phone that Rosemary is using.
The premise of Rosemary's Baby is that a young couple moves into an apartment in New York that seems too good to be true, and for a good reason. Strange occurrences begin to plague the couple, Rosemary and Guy, as they settle into their new routines. As Guy actively pursues an acting career, Rosemary begins to feel lonely and neglected. One night the eccentric next door elderly couple offers for Rosemary and Guy to have dinner with them, at first Guy protests saying that they needn't bother themselves with becoming friends with the aging couple. However, when they attend and Guy becomes enthralled with Roman ( the elderly man) Guy's entire mood changes towards the couple. After the dinner party, Rosemary begins to have strange dreams and one night she and Guy plan to start trying for a baby when they are interrupted by Minnie (Roman's wife) who brings desert over. After Rosemary has a bite of the desert she claims it taste funny thus sending her into an odd state. Soon she becomes pregnant but this isn't a normal pregnancy.....
I hate this movie, not because of the acting ( although Mia Farrow is pretty terrible) but the plot is slow and predictable. Now for the time period I can see how this film was soooooo cool and interesting, but for me, it doesn't live up to the hype. As this was William Castles last commercially successful film, there is a bittersweet quality to it as this could have been much better. I wish, as Elaine Benes put it, that the dingo ate Rosemary's Baby.
Keep Watching and Get Scared
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Monday, June 24, 2013
" But you are in that chair, Blanche!"
Hello Friends,
It's Monday, and for those of you already at work, I'm sorry. Today lets take a step back in thriller movie history....
The year is 1962 and two of Hollywood's most notorious rivals are starring in Robert Aldrich's film adaptation of What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? The film centers around two sisters, Jane and Blanche, who both were well known in the Vaudeville circuit when they were younger. However Jane, formerly know as "Baby Jane", was out shined by her younger sister as the two became older. One fateful night Blanche is hit by a drunk driver and becomes paralyzed. Blanche, who is confined to a wheel chair, and Jane live as spinsters in an old decaying home. Jane in all her delusion begins to torment her sister by intercepting her letters so she wouldn't have any contact with the outside, she would send her inedible food and wouldn't let her come out of her room sometimes. But there lies a deadly secret within these two sisters that explains it all.
There is a lot going on in this film and I don't want to spoil anything.
But who played these two tragic characters, you ask? None other than the infamous Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.No other Hollywood rivalry has been as juicy as these two legends. It all started when Joan Crawford married Franchot Tone, the alleged " love" of Bette Davis life. During filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Bette Davis has to "kick" Joan Crawford as she's lying on the ground, well like any good vindictive woman wold do, she actually kicked her as hard as she could in the head. Crawford needed 3 stitches after the scene because Davis gashed her head so bad.
This film is extraordinary because all the hate in this film is REAL! These two women had a long history of hating each other and trying to out do the other. I love this film, there are too many good lines and great twist and turns. One of my favorite scenes has to do with a bird...I'll leave it at that. Bette Davis also has amazing make-up in this film, she was quoted saying " I wanted her to look like she never washed her face". Well done, Bette!
Thanks for reading guys and remember,
Keep Watching and Get Scared!
It's Monday, and for those of you already at work, I'm sorry. Today lets take a step back in thriller movie history....
The year is 1962 and two of Hollywood's most notorious rivals are starring in Robert Aldrich's film adaptation of What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? The film centers around two sisters, Jane and Blanche, who both were well known in the Vaudeville circuit when they were younger. However Jane, formerly know as "Baby Jane", was out shined by her younger sister as the two became older. One fateful night Blanche is hit by a drunk driver and becomes paralyzed. Blanche, who is confined to a wheel chair, and Jane live as spinsters in an old decaying home. Jane in all her delusion begins to torment her sister by intercepting her letters so she wouldn't have any contact with the outside, she would send her inedible food and wouldn't let her come out of her room sometimes. But there lies a deadly secret within these two sisters that explains it all.
There is a lot going on in this film and I don't want to spoil anything.
But who played these two tragic characters, you ask? None other than the infamous Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.No other Hollywood rivalry has been as juicy as these two legends. It all started when Joan Crawford married Franchot Tone, the alleged " love" of Bette Davis life. During filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Bette Davis has to "kick" Joan Crawford as she's lying on the ground, well like any good vindictive woman wold do, she actually kicked her as hard as she could in the head. Crawford needed 3 stitches after the scene because Davis gashed her head so bad.
This film is extraordinary because all the hate in this film is REAL! These two women had a long history of hating each other and trying to out do the other. I love this film, there are too many good lines and great twist and turns. One of my favorite scenes has to do with a bird...I'll leave it at that. Bette Davis also has amazing make-up in this film, she was quoted saying " I wanted her to look like she never washed her face". Well done, Bette!
Thanks for reading guys and remember,
Keep Watching and Get Scared!
Friday, June 21, 2013
World War Z.....FINALLY!!!!
Hello Friends,
Shaking with anticipation, waiting with bated breath World War Z has finally come to theaters nation and world wide!!!
Now before you see the film you need to know a few things:
1. It's different from the book..as it should be! The book was written in a interview sort of way with a ton of information. And it worked as a novel! A movie? Not so much
2. Max Brooks, the author, is a genius and you need to read all of his books. Right now. World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide are amazing.
3.Max Brooks dad is Mel Brooks so that makes him awesome
The film begins with the Lane family, who live in Philadelphia with their children, as they embark on a regular day. However, it quickly takes a turn for the worst during rush hour. Massive amounts of super human undead are ravaging anyone they can get their hands on. As the Lanes try to make sense of what's happening, Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt) calls in an favor...that favor being the General Ambassador to the U.N. They get air lifted and taken to safety on a remote military ship, where Gerry finds out the only reason he and his family were saved was because they need him to investigate this global epidemic, as the point of origin is unknown a.k.a no patient zero Now trying not to spoil anything, suffice it to say much more happens. There! Tight lipped!
I really enjoyed this film, not only because it had a great cast consisting of Brad Pitt,Mirelle Enos and ever so talented Pierfrancesco Favino as a doctor, but this was a rare example of a zombie movie because at the center of it is what the human spirit can do when presented with chaos and destruction. You either rise above it and help others, or you drown under the swells of the masses. There was a lot of heart in this film and it showed the good and bad sides of human nature.
Okay, lets talk Zombies! These undead mutants are in a category all their own. They were fast,slow,terrifying, hilarious and plain savage. Drawn to noise instead of blood, they become dormant if silence is around them. That's why the major cities fell first. The creatures also made interesting vocal sounds that reminded me of the vampires in 30 Days of Night. The close up shots of the Zombies were great and some really good F/X make-up was showcased. But the wide shots left the audience wanting, they looked like a bad video game version of a zombie hoard. Some of the more in your face-jump out at you scares were really clever and good, but over all I wouldn't consider it to be a "scary" or "horror" film. Its a film that features every facet of human beings trying to make sense of mass hysteria, it the best way Hollywood can.
I extremely recommend that you go and see this film (Pitt makes a homemade bayonet!).
P.s. rumors of two more sequels....perhaps you should keep that in mind?
Keep Watching and Don't Get Bitten!
Shaking with anticipation, waiting with bated breath World War Z has finally come to theaters nation and world wide!!!
Now before you see the film you need to know a few things:
1. It's different from the book..as it should be! The book was written in a interview sort of way with a ton of information. And it worked as a novel! A movie? Not so much
2. Max Brooks, the author, is a genius and you need to read all of his books. Right now. World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide are amazing.
3.Max Brooks dad is Mel Brooks so that makes him awesome
The film begins with the Lane family, who live in Philadelphia with their children, as they embark on a regular day. However, it quickly takes a turn for the worst during rush hour. Massive amounts of super human undead are ravaging anyone they can get their hands on. As the Lanes try to make sense of what's happening, Gerry Lane (played by Brad Pitt) calls in an favor...that favor being the General Ambassador to the U.N. They get air lifted and taken to safety on a remote military ship, where Gerry finds out the only reason he and his family were saved was because they need him to investigate this global epidemic, as the point of origin is unknown a.k.a no patient zero Now trying not to spoil anything, suffice it to say much more happens. There! Tight lipped!
I really enjoyed this film, not only because it had a great cast consisting of Brad Pitt,Mirelle Enos and ever so talented Pierfrancesco Favino as a doctor, but this was a rare example of a zombie movie because at the center of it is what the human spirit can do when presented with chaos and destruction. You either rise above it and help others, or you drown under the swells of the masses. There was a lot of heart in this film and it showed the good and bad sides of human nature.
Okay, lets talk Zombies! These undead mutants are in a category all their own. They were fast,slow,terrifying, hilarious and plain savage. Drawn to noise instead of blood, they become dormant if silence is around them. That's why the major cities fell first. The creatures also made interesting vocal sounds that reminded me of the vampires in 30 Days of Night. The close up shots of the Zombies were great and some really good F/X make-up was showcased. But the wide shots left the audience wanting, they looked like a bad video game version of a zombie hoard. Some of the more in your face-jump out at you scares were really clever and good, but over all I wouldn't consider it to be a "scary" or "horror" film. Its a film that features every facet of human beings trying to make sense of mass hysteria, it the best way Hollywood can.
I extremely recommend that you go and see this film (Pitt makes a homemade bayonet!).
P.s. rumors of two more sequels....perhaps you should keep that in mind?
Keep Watching and Don't Get Bitten!
FreakFest Friday!
Hello Friends,
Well, it's that time again! Today the 1959 masterpiece The House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price (a personal hero of mine), Carol Ohmmart and Richard Long.
William Castle, the notorious director that used genius gimmicks to fill seats in theaters, used a pulley system that when audiences were watching the movie a plastic skeleton would drop down from the ceiling just like the skeleton in the film. Castle,who used military motors,was the first person to put under-the-seat buzzers in theaters and now that technology is used at major theme parks, had a great professional relationship with Vincent Price and worked with him on several films besides House on Haunted Hill. Price starred in the cult hit The Tingler the same year, but the reception of House on Haunted Hill inspired one of the best horror films...Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's classic Psycho. Castle also, during the release of The Tingler, spoke into a intercom during the presentation and told audiences members to remain calm because the creature is loose in the theater (another gimmick). If you don't know too much about William Castle, I encourage you to read about him, he because was a great director and a pioneer in the horror film genre.
The film's plot centers around millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) invites five people to a "party" he is throwing for his wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), in an allegedly haunted house he has rented, promising to give them each $10,000. But there is a catch: each guest must stay the entire night in the house after the doors are locked at midnight.
I love Vincent Price with his cryptic voice and mischievous looks, he instilled a quite fear in every film he was in. As a kid I remember watching Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, as being terrified at the voice who laughs at the end of it. Later, I found out it was Vincent Price and it blew my mind!
Well, it's that time again! Today the 1959 masterpiece The House on Haunted Hill, starring Vincent Price (a personal hero of mine), Carol Ohmmart and Richard Long.
William Castle, the notorious director that used genius gimmicks to fill seats in theaters, used a pulley system that when audiences were watching the movie a plastic skeleton would drop down from the ceiling just like the skeleton in the film. Castle,who used military motors,was the first person to put under-the-seat buzzers in theaters and now that technology is used at major theme parks, had a great professional relationship with Vincent Price and worked with him on several films besides House on Haunted Hill. Price starred in the cult hit The Tingler the same year, but the reception of House on Haunted Hill inspired one of the best horror films...Alfred Hitchcock's 1960's classic Psycho. Castle also, during the release of The Tingler, spoke into a intercom during the presentation and told audiences members to remain calm because the creature is loose in the theater (another gimmick). If you don't know too much about William Castle, I encourage you to read about him, he because was a great director and a pioneer in the horror film genre.
The film's plot centers around millionaire Frederick Loren (Vincent Price) invites five people to a "party" he is throwing for his wife, Annabelle (Carol Ohmart), in an allegedly haunted house he has rented, promising to give them each $10,000. But there is a catch: each guest must stay the entire night in the house after the doors are locked at midnight.
I love Vincent Price with his cryptic voice and mischievous looks, he instilled a quite fear in every film he was in. As a kid I remember watching Michael Jackson's Thriller music video, as being terrified at the voice who laughs at the end of it. Later, I found out it was Vincent Price and it blew my mind!
The film is campy and creepy at the same time and that's why it's a timeless classic. It is a a relic of a genre within horror movies, when slashers and blood and guts weren't needed to "scare" people. I think the industry needs to go back to the less-is more style of scary movies, let the audience imagine what happens and leave them watching their backs.
Thanks for reading and remember,
Keep Watching and Get Scared
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Insidious? How about unreal,insane or down right weird!
Hello Friends,
Today we are talking about Insidious Chapter 1 and Chapter 2.
Insidious Chapter 1 was a very interesting film that features everything from "astral projections" to Tiny Tim! If you haven't seen the film it's about a couple with three kids that moves into a new house. Then per usual weird crap starts happening like people yelling in baby monitors and slamming doors. The oldest son falls into a "coma" and the haunting a worsen. Thinking it is the house, they move and make their other two children stay with the grandmother. Long story short the hauntings are concerted to the family.
This movie plays on the mind,body and soul. What if our dreams lead us to other worlds and other metaphysical experiences? That's too trippy to think about but it's weird none the less. Demons to ghost are present in this film. The intro reminds me of a campy '70s scary movie and I love it, with the aggressive violin music. Some of the makeup effects are a tad too much like The Haunted Mansion ride. But all in all this movie is weird beyond belief but it is a fun ride and I encourage you to watch it.
Now for Insidious:Chapter 2 we as an audience have only a trailer as of right now. But from what I can tell, it hopefully will leave up to its prequel ( that never happens but a girl can dream right?)
It seems whatever happened to the oldest son has now claimed the youngest child. Now usually I'm all for scary children, but over the last few years my sister has had children and now it hits a little too close to home so I am already apprehensive of the film.
Thanks guys for reading
Keep Watching and Get Scared
Session Over!
Hello Friends,
Yes I've been gone and yes I know how aggravating that is. And I'm sorry.
I have an affinity for films featuring abandon hospitals, I will pretty much see any movie about mental hospitals or sanatoriums. Which leads me to today's movie topic : Session 9.
This movie is interesting, not only because they got David Caruso from CSI to be in the film but, the film reminds me of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium mixed with the Cropsey urban legend. Like I said anything with hospitals and stuff I totally dig so let me give you a glimpse of the plot...(courtesy of IMDB)
An asbestos abatement crew wins the bid for an abandoned insane asylum. What should be a straightforward, if rather rushed, job, is complicated by the personal histories of the crew. Things get more complicated as would-be lawyer Mike plays the tapes from a former patient with multiple personalities, including the mysterious Simon who does not appear until Session 9....
The human psyche is fascinating and perplexing at the same time. This film implies that the "weak" and "wounded" are more susceptible to welcoming evil and manipulation. What I like most about the movie was that fact that each character's weakness was identified in the beginning so really anyone could have been afflicted. Now I'm not saying it is one of the best films ever, heck I wasn't even remotely scared,but that concept behind the movie was interesting enough to hold my attention.
So on another note, can I just say that I am apprehensive about Insidious:2? The first one was okay but I'll get into that tomorrow.
Keep Watching and Get Scared!!
Yes I've been gone and yes I know how aggravating that is. And I'm sorry.
I have an affinity for films featuring abandon hospitals, I will pretty much see any movie about mental hospitals or sanatoriums. Which leads me to today's movie topic : Session 9.
This movie is interesting, not only because they got David Caruso from CSI to be in the film but, the film reminds me of the Waverly Hills Sanatorium mixed with the Cropsey urban legend. Like I said anything with hospitals and stuff I totally dig so let me give you a glimpse of the plot...(courtesy of IMDB)
An asbestos abatement crew wins the bid for an abandoned insane asylum. What should be a straightforward, if rather rushed, job, is complicated by the personal histories of the crew. Things get more complicated as would-be lawyer Mike plays the tapes from a former patient with multiple personalities, including the mysterious Simon who does not appear until Session 9....
The human psyche is fascinating and perplexing at the same time. This film implies that the "weak" and "wounded" are more susceptible to welcoming evil and manipulation. What I like most about the movie was that fact that each character's weakness was identified in the beginning so really anyone could have been afflicted. Now I'm not saying it is one of the best films ever, heck I wasn't even remotely scared,but that concept behind the movie was interesting enough to hold my attention.
So on another note, can I just say that I am apprehensive about Insidious:2? The first one was okay but I'll get into that tomorrow.
Keep Watching and Get Scared!!
Friday, June 14, 2013
She Blinded Me with Quantum Physics?
Hello Friends,
It is Friday and if you're like me, and don't want to brave the masses at the cinemas, are looking for a film to watch. Well look no further for a freaking weird film called The Baby's Room directed by Álex de la Iglesia.
The film is about a couple, Juan and Sonia, who move into a big scary house with their new born baby and baby monitors. As soon as they enter the house and install the baby monitors,Juan starts seeing a man in the baby's room. Sonia however thinks he's crazy and goes to live with her mother, taking the baby with her. But that doesn't stop the weird things from happening.
This film is more than a "haunted house" film because it just gets more convoluted, for instance, with the opening scene with a radio and two children, that are never mentioned again except that one of the kids became a weird old lady. However, the movie is essentially about........quantum physics? Let me explain.
The paradoxical experiment Schrodinger's Cat is at the heart of this film, now before I saw the film I had no clue what that even meant. So allow me to teach you something new.
" Thus, said Schrodinger, the cat must itself be in a superposition of dead and alive states before the observer opens the box..."
What does that mean? In this case, alternate realities mixed with Pandora's Box. Like I said, this movie is freaky to say the least because you don't really expect a horror film to be so....scientific. It's worth watching and I don't want to say much more because you really do need to watch it. Now if you want to pair this film with another, I highly recommend another Spanish film called The Orphanage. Thats all for today, tomorrow look out for a good Saturday Night chiller.
Keep watching and get scared!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
I'm back with This Is The End
Hello Friends,
Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy and such. Anyways lets kick today off with This Is The End, starring Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel...you know what? Everyone from Freaks and Geeks, any Judd Apatow film and anyone who is popular right now. They were ALL in this film and it was hilarious.
Giving us small folk a look into the Hollywood high life, these guys couldn't have done pull it off in a better way. Playing on the stereotypes of self-centered, drug-using narcissistic actors, the writers made fun in the most realistic way ( with the exception of Michael Cera using drugs, cm'on George Michael!). I won't give much away as far as plot because you should see the film but, Jay Baruchel comes to L.A. to visit Seth Rogan and have an epic weekend filled with video games,drinking and drugs. However when Rogan wants to go to a party at James Franco's house, Baruchel reveals he doesn't like Seth's friends. Well bad things happen and hilarity ensues.
Jonah Hill was great, playing a peace and love version of himself, while James Franco cracked me up as a self absorbed petty man. He has a basement of props and stuff from all his films and even uses the handheld camera from 127 Hours. I loved how all these actors made fun of themselves as well as others. Look for the odd cameo's from Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum, they are fantastic.
Yes, it's crude humor at times and a tad uncomfortable, but seriously look who's in this film! It's going to be that way and that my friends is consistency. I highly recommend this movies if for nothing else, a good time with lots of air conditioning. So many fun references and surprising faces....Oh! and one more reason to see this film, BACKSTREET BOYS! Enough said.
Again sorry for the delays guys but tomorrow is our Friday Freakfest, where I'll be talking about a Spanish foreign film called The Baby's Room.
Keep Watching and Get Scared
Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy and such. Anyways lets kick today off with This Is The End, starring Seth Rogan, James Franco, Jonah Hill, Jay Baruchel...you know what? Everyone from Freaks and Geeks, any Judd Apatow film and anyone who is popular right now. They were ALL in this film and it was hilarious.
Giving us small folk a look into the Hollywood high life, these guys couldn't have done pull it off in a better way. Playing on the stereotypes of self-centered, drug-using narcissistic actors, the writers made fun in the most realistic way ( with the exception of Michael Cera using drugs, cm'on George Michael!). I won't give much away as far as plot because you should see the film but, Jay Baruchel comes to L.A. to visit Seth Rogan and have an epic weekend filled with video games,drinking and drugs. However when Rogan wants to go to a party at James Franco's house, Baruchel reveals he doesn't like Seth's friends. Well bad things happen and hilarity ensues.
Jonah Hill was great, playing a peace and love version of himself, while James Franco cracked me up as a self absorbed petty man. He has a basement of props and stuff from all his films and even uses the handheld camera from 127 Hours. I loved how all these actors made fun of themselves as well as others. Look for the odd cameo's from Paul Rudd and Channing Tatum, they are fantastic.
Yes, it's crude humor at times and a tad uncomfortable, but seriously look who's in this film! It's going to be that way and that my friends is consistency. I highly recommend this movies if for nothing else, a good time with lots of air conditioning. So many fun references and surprising faces....Oh! and one more reason to see this film, BACKSTREET BOYS! Enough said.
Again sorry for the delays guys but tomorrow is our Friday Freakfest, where I'll be talking about a Spanish foreign film called The Baby's Room.
Keep Watching and Get Scared
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sad Saturday
Hello Friends,
I know it's late but hey, what can you do?
Tonight I am watching A Haunting At Silver Falls and the newest remake of Texas Chainsaw Massacre let me just say.....both are terrible
AHASF is like if The Killing, The Vampire Diaries and a lifetime movie had a baby. From terrible acting to a god awful script ( literally someone said "a door is just expressing itself") it was doomed from the start. A girl from LA moves to Silver Falls and she finds this ring in the woods, puts it on (like you do) and now has visions. Go figure! She starts hallucinating and blah blah blah. The ghosts try and have her find their killer.
Don't waste your time on this! Everyone is guilty and everyone is freaking out. I don't even know fully what this is supposed to be, if its a scary movie or a thriller or suspense film but its awful.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre number 414. Ed Gein. Enough said. So many films based on his life and his....extracurricular
activities. However the opening of this particular remake was pretty good. From the backstory to the weird picture music. However, I understand Trey Songz is in the film but I could have done without his music. Or the overly dramatic cinematography, like the moody car window shot. The film was campy as to be expected and yet it still was terrible. The I-don't -know-where-I-came-from song and dance to the amplified stereotypes,it was just too much. The script was filled with cliches left and right and unfortunately the actors couldn't carry the material.
Now hear this, the reason the first Texas Chainsaw was so scary, wasn't because it was gory or overly campy, it was because you never saw what actually happened to these people! As an audience you saw the before and after but never the actual injury! This is what's missing from horror films nowadays! Let the audience create the image, subtlety is never a bad thing.
Per my Saturday night recommendations here's what you'll need:
Back up movies because these movies suck!
Popcorn
Candy
Aspirin if you end up watching these movies
Thanks folks for reading! Keep watching and get scared!!!
Friday, June 7, 2013
I Was Purged Out of Eleven Dollars
Hello Friends,
Alright to kick things off about this film, lets give some background shall we?
In this "utopian" America, crime is at an all time low,unemployment is like 2% and everyone is happy. However, one night a year for twelve hours, all emergency systems shut down and all crime is legal. So naturally, chaos ensues and people do whatever the hell they want. James and Mary Sandin live with their two children, Charlie and Zoey, in a nice gated community where James sell his security systems to his neighbors.I'm not going to give you all the low down on these folks because that would take an entire post on its own.
This movie was a preachy, uncomplicated, and an over-stuffed waste of time. Not only did the film showcase the upper class as McMansion owning, gun-loving self obsessed yuppies, but the writers portrayed it in a "Real Housewives" way with catty neighbors and the awkward father doesn't approve of my boyfriend cliche. This slow moving film had so much potential, it actually makes me sick. The writers shoved so much political messaging down your throat that it took away from the movie allegedly scary plot. The fact that unemployment is at an all time low of 2% yet the movie harps on the "homeless swine" that is "ruining" our country is ridiculous. To be honest, this film had an identity crisis, from borrowing the masked intruders from The Strangers to a fortress being broken into like in Panic Room. It was a mixture of The Hunger Games (futuristic dystopian America, using murder to set examples), The Strangers and Panic Room.
Ethan Hawke, who was the patriarch, cared too much about money and was a little to blase to be seen as a father who truly cared for his family's survival, meanwhile Lena Headey was reduced to a kicking and screaming mess, even as her children are being threatened all she can do is cry?! I would have been fighting for them all long as I could. But not to worry, the children were equally forgettable. With the moody teenage daughter with boy problems who doesn't listen to her dad, to the anxiety and conscience ridden son who started this whole mess. This was casting gone wrong for instance the daughter, played by Adelaide Kane, should stick to after school specials where she came from. Her overly pouty decision making skills were dull and unmotivated, why would you run from your family and try and hide on your own?!?! There are people trying to kill you! Speaking of which.....
The intruders.....Hipster, prep school yuppies. With the overly formal way of speaking to the stupid grin on his face, these killer lacked ambiguity. That's why The Strangers worked, as an audience we never found out why they decided really to kill them. These people had way too much of a back story about why they wanted this guy. Then you have the dumb neighbors who try and settle a vapid score with the family. I won't delve too much into this bit because on the off chance you want to waste eleven dollars and see this garbage can of a film, I'll save some things for you.
In short this film had too much going on and not enough actually happening. The only good thing I will say is I liked the music in the beginning because they used Clair De Lune. Finally the weird Twilight stigma attached to the song was removed. Other than that, I felt purged of my money and time.
Thanks for reading and I hope I saved you some money. Keep watching and get scared, not purged.
Alright to kick things off about this film, lets give some background shall we?
In this "utopian" America, crime is at an all time low,unemployment is like 2% and everyone is happy. However, one night a year for twelve hours, all emergency systems shut down and all crime is legal. So naturally, chaos ensues and people do whatever the hell they want. James and Mary Sandin live with their two children, Charlie and Zoey, in a nice gated community where James sell his security systems to his neighbors.I'm not going to give you all the low down on these folks because that would take an entire post on its own.
This movie was a preachy, uncomplicated, and an over-stuffed waste of time. Not only did the film showcase the upper class as McMansion owning, gun-loving self obsessed yuppies, but the writers portrayed it in a "Real Housewives" way with catty neighbors and the awkward father doesn't approve of my boyfriend cliche. This slow moving film had so much potential, it actually makes me sick. The writers shoved so much political messaging down your throat that it took away from the movie allegedly scary plot. The fact that unemployment is at an all time low of 2% yet the movie harps on the "homeless swine" that is "ruining" our country is ridiculous. To be honest, this film had an identity crisis, from borrowing the masked intruders from The Strangers to a fortress being broken into like in Panic Room. It was a mixture of The Hunger Games (futuristic dystopian America, using murder to set examples), The Strangers and Panic Room.
Ethan Hawke, who was the patriarch, cared too much about money and was a little to blase to be seen as a father who truly cared for his family's survival, meanwhile Lena Headey was reduced to a kicking and screaming mess, even as her children are being threatened all she can do is cry?! I would have been fighting for them all long as I could. But not to worry, the children were equally forgettable. With the moody teenage daughter with boy problems who doesn't listen to her dad, to the anxiety and conscience ridden son who started this whole mess. This was casting gone wrong for instance the daughter, played by Adelaide Kane, should stick to after school specials where she came from. Her overly pouty decision making skills were dull and unmotivated, why would you run from your family and try and hide on your own?!?! There are people trying to kill you! Speaking of which.....
The intruders.....Hipster, prep school yuppies. With the overly formal way of speaking to the stupid grin on his face, these killer lacked ambiguity. That's why The Strangers worked, as an audience we never found out why they decided really to kill them. These people had way too much of a back story about why they wanted this guy. Then you have the dumb neighbors who try and settle a vapid score with the family. I won't delve too much into this bit because on the off chance you want to waste eleven dollars and see this garbage can of a film, I'll save some things for you.
In short this film had too much going on and not enough actually happening. The only good thing I will say is I liked the music in the beginning because they used Clair De Lune. Finally the weird Twilight stigma attached to the song was removed. Other than that, I felt purged of my money and time.
Thanks for reading and I hope I saved you some money. Keep watching and get scared, not purged.
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
Well, there went my childhood..
Hello Friends,
Did you ever see a scary movie that featured a toy you used to have? Or maybe you still have it?
"Woman In Black","Poltergeist", "The Shinning"and "Chucky" are some of the films to feature scary ass toys that play a role in frightening you. In "Woman In Black" the odd monkey-clanging-symbol toy that weirded me out! Every time that toy went off you knew that crazy lady was coming and sh*t was going to get real!!!! Vintage toys in general are terrifying,not only because of the discoloration or stained clothing, but I firmly believe that demonic souls dwell in each and every one of them.
In "Poltergeist" one of the scariest scenes is when the sadistic clown doll is looking at Robbie and just the look is enough to make you want to burn the doll!!! First of all, clowns are scary by themselves but a CLOWN DOLL takes the cake. Second of all, if I was a parent, I would never let my child have a toy like that! What kind of responsible person would I be if I let some juju ridden doll enter my child's room.
The Shining made me terrified of a lot of things but nothing compares to my immense fear of red tricycles. Every time I see a child on one, I scan the area for bloody twins wearing matching outfits. Not only was the tracking shot following Danny on his tricycle jarring, because you didn't know what was going to be behind each corner, but the noise of the tricycle hitting the wood and carpet was equally disturbing! In short, red tricycles are scary and should be outlawed.
Finally to wrap up our morbid childhood toys is the coup de grâce, Chucky. A possessed doll that inhabits a soul of a serial killer,child's play right? WRONG! Dolls are scary enough on their own but this one not only talks and walks, it also kills people!! Now yes, the franchise became more and more comical as they progressed so that why I'm looking forward to the remake of the original. But going back to murderous dolls, the voice, the clothing, the red hair (nothing against red heads) all signs that this doll isn't right and should be burned upon arrival!!!
My childhood was ruined due to these films and it continues to be ruined. Just the other day I spotted my nephews choo-choo pillow in Paranormal Activity 2 so naturally that pillow can never see the light of day again, so thanks!
Sound off on some of your scariest encounters with toys either in films or real life!
Thanks for reading! Keep watching and get scared!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Red Wedding
Hello Friends,
Okay so I know this a blog about horror/sci-fi but last night's Game of Thrones deserves a posting.
"The Rains of Castamere" made every viewer cry, stop breathing, yell and throw up. As a viewer who knew what was going to happen after reading the books, I was still unprepared for what I witnessed. *SPOILER ALERT* turn back of you haven't watched it yet!
From a Red Wedding to Hodor being invaded by Bran, this episode was intense to say the least.
Jon, Ygrite and the other widlings are still on their quest to get to The Wall when they spot a man with horses, so naturally they all want to kill him and steal the horses. Meanwhile Jon Snow is having a fit because he doesn't want the old man to be kill which I agree with but Ygrite had to go and say that killing him is better than him dying of old age. Which I guess is valid? I don't know,if I was him I'd let them kill me. Now remember the weird/mean guy who is also the pirate with the glass eye in "Pirates of the Caribbean"? He calls out Jon Snow and says he's still a "crow" and tells him to kill the old man, which he cannot do. So a fight begins and Jon escapes, leaving Ygrite behind.
Bran and Rickon are still embarking on the task to find the three-eyed raven with Reeds,Osha and Hodor, when they come across a windmill to take refuge in as a storm is coming. While Bran is asking Osha how she got over the wall, Hodor becomes hysterical due to his immense fear of storms. Soon they hear people outside and lo and behold it is Jon Snow and the Merry Wildling Men. Worried that the men will find them due to Hodor's hysteria. Bran INVADES Hodor's mind to calm his mind!!!! And then tells Osha and Rickon they must continue to Castle Black while he and the Reeds go on to find the three eyed raven.
Arya and The Hound are still trying to get to the twins when they come across a man stuck in the road so naturally The Hound wants to kill him. However,Arya stepped in front as he was about to strike the man and she tells him to spare the man and she later she basically tells him she will kill him no matter what he does in his life. Which is funny she should say something like that,
Robb and Catelyn are on their way to The Twins to marry Edmure Tully to one of Walter Freys daughter since Robb broke a promise to do just that by marrying another and now they're having a baby. Walter Frey accepts the Starks and the banner-men into their castle and shows them hospitality by offering food, a custom to show good will. He tells Robb it's all water under the bridge and the wedding will continue. As the reception comes to a close Walter Frey asks Robb to announce the bedding ceremony. Then Catelyn starts to look around as the Frey men close the doors and start to play "The Rains of Castamere" and look terrified! As she should of!!!!! EVERYBODY DIED!!!! The baby was stabbed while in Robb's wife stomach, Robb was shot like 8 times (like father,like son am I right?) and Catelyn killed Walter Frey's daughter/wife then her throat was slit!!! Roose Bolton sold everyone out and Blackfish is still alive!! So many things happened and yet Arya still had to witness Greywind being murdered and as she's about to run into the hall, The Hound stops her and knocks her out!
Now take a deep breath. The Hound this episode showed his more redeeming qualities and Bran made a brave choice....these are the only happy things I can say about this episode. It was terrible but great. I'm looking forward to a certain character to come back either in next weeks episode or next season.
Hopefully your crying will subside but if not write George R.R. Martin an angry letter.
Thanks friends for reading! Keep watching and get scared!
Saturday, June 1, 2013
S-A-T-U-R-D-A-Y Night!
Hello Friends,
It is Saturday and as avid movie watchers we all have the same question... What the hell(o kitty) are we going to watch??!! Well folks, not only am I going to tell you what to watch, I'm going to tell you what you need to have an awesome night. First, you need a movie......and before I forget.....LOCK ALL YOUR DOORS!!!!
Tonight, lets go back to 2008 when a film was released that not only was scary but had some heart to it as well. The Strangers, featuring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, was a surprising film to say the least. What could go wrong when struggling couple, Kristen and James, go home to James SCARY ASS childhood home in the middle of nowhere? Now before I go on, people say "oh this movie doesn't offer explanations or who is Tamara?" My question to them is WHO CARES!!! You don't need an explanation! These people are busting in your doors and snatching people up so HIDE your wife and your brother cause they're stabbing everybody up in here!!!! Anyways, Kristen refuses a marriage proposal from James and he gets all sad and decides to get a gallon of ice cream and drink (which I find hilarious).As James and Kristen kind of make up but really are just about to have sex, they hear a knock at the door. Now for whatever reason, this huge door doesn't have a peephole so he ask who is it through the door. This methed out sounding girl asks "Is Tamara there?" And then she leaves and it's all very weird. James then leaves to get Kristen cigarettes and of course, it gets real, real fast. People making loud noises, people in the house, turning off phones and people getting shot! Now if you haven't seen the film I won't spoil anything (but seriously this movie has been out for a while, so get on it). However, from the trailer you can understand that the people in the masks are crazy and terrorizing people for fun, so really what can you expect when Kristen asks them why they're doing this?
Then to accompany this film, to maximize your viewing pleasure, you'll need:
Ice Cream- to be just like James!
Pillows- If your like me then you'll need this to squeeze when you're yelling at Kristen
A frosty beverage of your choice- with great anxiety,comes great thirst
Blankets - for comfort/ hiding
Someone sitting next to you- for talking through your fear during the film and then jumping on
Alright you should be set, have fun tonight guys and remember
Keep watching and Get scared!
It is Saturday and as avid movie watchers we all have the same question... What the hell(o kitty) are we going to watch??!! Well folks, not only am I going to tell you what to watch, I'm going to tell you what you need to have an awesome night. First, you need a movie......and before I forget.....LOCK ALL YOUR DOORS!!!!
Tonight, lets go back to 2008 when a film was released that not only was scary but had some heart to it as well. The Strangers, featuring Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman, was a surprising film to say the least. What could go wrong when struggling couple, Kristen and James, go home to James SCARY ASS childhood home in the middle of nowhere? Now before I go on, people say "oh this movie doesn't offer explanations or who is Tamara?" My question to them is WHO CARES!!! You don't need an explanation! These people are busting in your doors and snatching people up so HIDE your wife and your brother cause they're stabbing everybody up in here!!!! Anyways, Kristen refuses a marriage proposal from James and he gets all sad and decides to get a gallon of ice cream and drink (which I find hilarious).As James and Kristen kind of make up but really are just about to have sex, they hear a knock at the door. Now for whatever reason, this huge door doesn't have a peephole so he ask who is it through the door. This methed out sounding girl asks "Is Tamara there?" And then she leaves and it's all very weird. James then leaves to get Kristen cigarettes and of course, it gets real, real fast. People making loud noises, people in the house, turning off phones and people getting shot! Now if you haven't seen the film I won't spoil anything (but seriously this movie has been out for a while, so get on it). However, from the trailer you can understand that the people in the masks are crazy and terrorizing people for fun, so really what can you expect when Kristen asks them why they're doing this?
Then to accompany this film, to maximize your viewing pleasure, you'll need:
Ice Cream- to be just like James!
Pillows- If your like me then you'll need this to squeeze when you're yelling at Kristen
A frosty beverage of your choice- with great anxiety,comes great thirst
Blankets - for comfort/ hiding
Someone sitting next to you- for talking through your fear during the film and then jumping on
Alright you should be set, have fun tonight guys and remember
Keep watching and Get scared!
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