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October 1st
1. Uzumaki (2000)
I liked this film because it starts out with a traditional
romance, but spirals into a schizophrenic nightmare by the end, dooming both
protagonists. Most Japanese horror films have a tendency to be very serious,
but this one mixed in some comedic elements. I'm sure the eastern and western
interpretations are drastically different, but that was what I took away from
it.
2. Thale (2012)
Normally I would bash a film for relying so much on telling
us the backstory instead of showing us, but at the heart, it's really about kindness,
so all of that wasn't essential. Elvis and Leo are both likeable characters,
and the little catch up scene we get between them certainly moved us closer. I
was also a fan of how their characters didn't change throughout the film; they
didn't need to. Thale was exotic looking and her story was just as sad. It was
nice to see these three broken people bond and get a happy ending in the end. I
also was impressed with the CGI, which looked more realistic than most big
budget films.
October 2nd3. Rare Exports (2010)
It's rather tough to go from the Norwegian Thale to the
Finnish sausagefest that is Rare Exports. I've little bad to say about the
film, but the major gripe is the lack of female cast. I don't recall a single
woman, unless she's in a deleted scene I didn't bother watching. And since we
are talking negatives, why couldn't we see an awakened evil Santa instead of
one trapped in a ball of ice? This doesn't really hurt the film, but it was
just odd and unexpected. I can see this film added to Christmas viewing
alongside Gremlins in the future.
4. The Shrine (2010)
An ambitious journalist snubs her boss and takes her fellow
journalist/researcher, as well as her photographer boyfriend, to a small
village in Poland where there have been mysterious disappearances of tourists
over the past several years. Upon arriving, they realize everyone is weird and
doesn't want them there. They go and investigate a creepy mist that hovers in
the woods. Upon entering it, both the girls get lost and discover a ridiculous
looking statue that looks like something out of a poorly drawn Dungeons &
Dragons book, before eventually meeting up again, only to be pursued by the
villagers. The first half of the movie is horribly acted, lacks character
development, the sets look like they were made for a public access show, and
you'll want to turn it off. I’ve saved you the trouble. The last half delivers
the goods. Nothing new, but definitely well done possession horror that every
fan of the sub-genre will want to see. You've been warned about the first half,
but I bet you're willing to give it a try now. Don't.
5. The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh (2012)
I didn’t really get
the hype behind all of this. It’s a decent film, sure, but what exactly was so new
or unique about this one compared to other films in the genre we’ve all seen?
Your guess is as good as mine. I actually really liked that, despite having a protagonist,
the eponymous character narrates the entire film, especially since we compare
Leon to his mother, their similarities and differences, throughout. They both were
into antiques, both had strained relationships, and dependence on those they
were estranged from, and both were obviously lonely. The serene setting of the
house during the day contrasted against the sinister setting it became at night
looked really nice, minus the horrid CGI thing running around. I’m a huge fan
of Shirley Jackson, which this film slightly borrows from, but there was just
something about the film overall that didn’t land big points with me. Since I
was tired when I watched it, I do plan on giving it another sometime in the
future. Not this month.
October 3rd6. The Seasoning House (2012)
Perhaps the best film of the challenge yet, The Seasoning House shows us the horrors of war, or at least the aftermath for some young women who are forced into sexual slavery in Eastern Europe. Their treatment there is worse than had they been murdered along with their families. Being American, racism is all too familiar a concept, and while we pretend we invented it and have it fine tuned into an instrument of absolute hate, American racism is usually little more than being passed up for a job opportunity or being called a hurtful name. This films shows the way people of other ethnic groups are as valuable as cattle, and treated much the same. Our protagonist, the deaf Angel, grows accustomed to prepping the girls at the house, being spared their fate, while still being subjected to the master of the house on a regular basis. It's sad and heartbreaking, watching her go from room to room, prepping girls who will be raped and beaten by Neanderthals that deserve nothing short of excruciating genital mutilation and dying in pools of their own blood. She gives us some of that. Okay, a lot of that, and for that I love her and this film.
7. Cassadaga (2010)
There is no way you
can set a paranormal horror film in the "psychic capital of the
world" and screw it up. Okay, yes, you can. This film was typical and cliché,
both things I can deal with. This seemed like the writers for Dexter took a
weekend during their break between season 7 and 8 to recharge their batteries
and jot down a fresh horror idea. Instead, you get the same three-egg omelet
with nothing but cheese in the center. This film didn't know what it wanted to
be, and carried on and on without making any good attempts at originality. It's
received a lot of praise, but the film just didn't put me in Cassadaga.
October 4th8. Wake Wood (2010)
I grew up on Hammer Studios, but had no clue this was one of their films until afterwards. Losing a child is one of the worst things imaginable to a parent, or even someone who values life, so it is no surprise that parents would jump on the opportunity to have just a few more days with their precious gift. When this couple stumbles on that chance, and then fumbles on the rules of the game, everyone involved must pay the price. The little girl here was genuinely creepy and I thought the tale was told rather well with great pacing. The overall darkness and creepy settings are what one expects from Hammer and they are delivered here.
9. The Reeds (2010)
This one reminded me heavily of more obscure films from the 80’s such as Bridge to Nowhere (1986), primarily in tone and the way it was shot (16mm is beautiful.) This is a fish out of water tale, no pun intended, since it takes place in the reeds, and rural horror is easier to pull off in such a locale. 6 young adults on a boat, creepy kids, a suspicious local, and dangerous adventures provide all the elements you need. While I felt this film did everything correct, I still can’t get over how it didn’t have to be a ghost story and those supernatural elements made the ending more convoluted. Many are confused on the overall meaning. I felt that the writer was trying to say a cycle had been broken, but why was it ever a cycle?
October 5th
10. Curse of Chucky (2013)
I've always been a fan of franchise horror, but often the original idea gets lost in the middle. The Child's Play series is no exception, going from horror to horror comedy and almost parody, so I was thankful when this film returned to its roots. We never got too in depth on the back story of Charles Lee Ray, and in a roundabout way, this film introduces those elements in prequel flashbacks, while still being a sequel. There's not much new ground to cover in the sixth entry of a serial killing doll, but this one more or less completed a cycle. And while I started to miss Jennifer Tilly's character of Tiffany, she does make a cameo. Speaking of cameos, stay tuned until after the credits roll for the grandest one of all. Indeed, probably the best film since the first.
October 6th
11. Grimm Love (2006)
I admit that every time I see the name Keri Russel I think of Theresa Russell which makes me give her films a chance. By default, ever since that horrid show of new adult stupidity, Felicity, just her face gets on my nerves. Naturally she starred in this film, which while based on a true story about a cannibal and the soon to be willing cannibalized, somehow was turned into a love story. The grimmest thing about this film is that she, as the star, fills a completely useless role of someone investigating what happened to the two males, after the fact. Maybe I'm biased, but I could have done without her investigation and gone with the two males telling their own tale. Not all Americans are stupid.
October 7th
12. One Dark Night (1982)
There is something less sexy about Meg Tilly compared to her sister, Jennifer, however, the former certainly plays the vulnerable role much better. Certainly inspired by Phantasm and other horror films of the day, there was something okay with being cheesy in the 80's. This was a much needed dose of lightheartedness after several serious, and sometimes failed, features that wrapped up my first week of the challenge.
11. Grimm Love (2006)
I admit that every time I see the name Keri Russel I think of Theresa Russell which makes me give her films a chance. By default, ever since that horrid show of new adult stupidity, Felicity, just her face gets on my nerves. Naturally she starred in this film, which while based on a true story about a cannibal and the soon to be willing cannibalized, somehow was turned into a love story. The grimmest thing about this film is that she, as the star, fills a completely useless role of someone investigating what happened to the two males, after the fact. Maybe I'm biased, but I could have done without her investigation and gone with the two males telling their own tale. Not all Americans are stupid.
October 7th
12. One Dark Night (1982)
There is something less sexy about Meg Tilly compared to her sister, Jennifer, however, the former certainly plays the vulnerable role much better. Certainly inspired by Phantasm and other horror films of the day, there was something okay with being cheesy in the 80's. This was a much needed dose of lightheartedness after several serious, and sometimes failed, features that wrapped up my first week of the challenge.