Mark of the Vampire (Tod Browning)

Interestingly enough this is a remake of the infamous lost movie ‘LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT‘ starring Lon Chaney and is directed by Tod Browning who also directed ‘MIDNIGHT’, with LONDON AFTER MIDNIGHT. I have seen the version you are all probably familiar with, the TCM Still cut, oh well at least we can view it in some form I guess. So Browning delivers us a Second offering of that movie in the version of ‘MARK OF THE VAMPIRE‘.

The plot goes like this-Sir Karell Borotyn (Holmes Herbert) is found murdered in his own house, with two tiny pinpoint wounds on his neck. The attending doctor Dr. Doskil (Donald Meek) and Sir Karell’s friend Baron Otto (Jean Hersholt) are convinced that responsible for the murder is a vampire, specifically Count Mora (Bela Lugosi) and his daughter Luna (Carroll Borland), while the Prague police inspector (Lionel Atwill) refuses to believe. Now his daughter Irena (Elizabeth Allan) is the count’s next target. Enter Professor Zelen (Lionel Barrymore), an expert on vampires and the occult, who’s sent in to prevent her death. At the same time, secrets are revealed surrounding the circumstances of Sir Karell’s death.

 

 

MY REVIEW-It has all the elements of a Classic Chiller, there’s plenty of fog, a dark castle, superstitious villagers, graveyards, coffins, bats flying everywhere and of course vampires (although the ending does give away a surprise twist).Vampire lore is well respected throughout this movie and every possible aspect of how a Vampire acts (drinking blood, sleeping in a coffin by day etc.) are all talked about including how to kill a vampire. It does offer new methods (for its time) beheading and the use of Bat Thorn (similar to Wolfsbane) and also offers to us viewers that a vampire can only be killed when in their human form and can’t be killed when they are bats. Now let’s talk about the ‘Vampires‘, Bela Lugosi in his trademark Dracula Cape is one reason alone for seeing this movie, he isn’t really given much to do accept walk/stand around looking menacing, but I feel this is one of the things Lugosi is best at doing. His daughter in the movie Luna, for me steals the entire film, she’s exactly how a female Vampire should act and look and there’s a very impressive scene in which she flies with the aid of huge Bat Wings which is awesome. Whenever she’s on screen stalking her victim’s in the midnight fog I just can’t keep my eyes off her. For the rest of the cast there isn’t a dull character in sight. Lionel Barrymore (yes Mr. Potter from ‘It’s a wonderful life’) plays the Vampire ‘expert’ who throughout the movie explains to the locals (and us viewers) Vampire Lore.

Overall it’s a well paced Gothic film which I feel gets better with each viewing, I love it I really do. Now I’m not going to give away the twist ending but truth be told it will either delight and amuse you or just confuse you but I feel if it confuses you it only compels you to go back to it for repeat viewings, This movie may not be considered one of the greatest black and white movies ever made but it sure as hell is big fun and will delight Vampire movie buffs, check it out, it’s awesome.

 

By Richard Goellnitz

Latest Horror News

WILLIAM SADLER CAST IN ‘MACHETE KILLS’

Talented performer William Sadler (‘The Mist’) has signed up for a role. The details of the part are unknown at this time. Sadler who has performed in endless flicks such as ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, ‘Die Hard 2’ and ‘Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight‘ but for me his best performance thus far was his comedic role as the Grim Reaper in 1991’s ‘Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey’. Jessica Alba (‘Sin City’), Michelle Rodriguez (‘Resident Evil: Retribution‘), Amber Heard (‘Drive Angry’), Sofia Vergara and Zoe Saldana (‘Avatar’), Edward James Olmos (‘Dexter’), Mel Gibson and Demian Bichir are all set to star in this new ensmble Grindhouse project.

“The new film finds Machete (Trejo) recruited by the U.S. Government for a mission which would be impossible for any mortal man. Machete must battle his way through Mexico to take down a madman cartel leader and an eccentric billionaire arms dealer (Gibson) who has hatched a plan to spread war across the planet with a weapon in space. Machete takes on an army in an effort to dismantle a plan for global anarchy.”

VICTOR SALVA’S ‘ROSEWOOD LANE’ HITS DVD THIS SEPTEMBER

Universal Home Entertainment have announced that they’ll be bringing ‘Rosewood Lane’ to the US-based masses this September. The new Victor Salva (‘Jeepers Creepers’) helmed horror, which stars hottie Rose McGowan ‘Planet Terror’, ‘Scream’), is set to hit Blu-ray, DVD and VOD simultaneously from 11 September. Daniel Ross Owens, Ray Wise, Sonny Marinelli, Tom Tarantini, Lin Shaye, Rance Howard, Lesley-Anne Down and Lauren Velez all co-star. Director Salva is currently working on the post-production of his latest horror effort ‘Haunted’ which stars ‘Saw’s Tobin Bell.

“Doctor Sonny Blake (McGowan), a radio talk show psychiatrist, moves back to her childhood home on seemingly idyllic Rosewood Lane after the death of her father.  But upon arrival, she discovers her neighbours are inexplicably terrified of the local paperboy (Owens).  When their paths collide, she suddenly finds herself in a terrifying fight to stay alive while at odds with this dangerous and calculating sociopath, who may have gruesomely killed her father…and others.”

SHANNON HINNENDAEL CAST IN ‘EMBRACE OF A VAMPIRE’ REMAKE

Well this is a remake I welcome seeing the original was pants so the least they can do is improve on it! American actress Sharon Hinnendael (‘Look’, ‘Rites of Passage’) has joined the cast of new erotically charged horror remake ‘Embrace of the Vampire’. The movie is based on the Anne Goursaud helmed horror of the same name from 1995 which starred Brit actor Martin Kemp and the sexy Alyssa Milano. Hinnendael is set to play the role of Charlotte which was previously played by Milano in the original. The new project is being described as a supernatural ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ which should ensure sensually appealing themes for the women of the world to lap up and for the men to achieve minor arousal. Production kicked off recently in Vancouver and the remake is being produced by both Filmology Labs Entertainment and Grobman-Campbell Films.

“The story follows a virginal college student who is introduced to a dark world of carnal desires after being seduced by a handsome vampire.”

‘SCREAMING IN HIGH HEELS’ DOCUMENTARY DETAILS

Breaking Glass Pictures will be unleashing horror documentary ‘Screaming in High Heels: The Rise & Fall of the Scream Queen Era’ onto DVD from 28 August across the US. It’ll arrive unrated unlike its TV screening earlier this year and you’ll be able to hear from all three legendary scream queens Linnea Quigley, Brinke Stevens and Michelle Bauer. Learn how the sexy trio of b-movie actresses got into the business of screaming for their lives in the DVD doc that also features the likes of Fred Olen Ray, David DeCoteau, Kenneth J. Hall, Jay Richardson, Richard Gabai and Ted Newsom.

“Three girls living in Los Angeles, CA, in the 1980s found cult fame when they “accidentally” transitioned from models to B-movie actresses, coinciding with the major direct-to-video horror film boom of the era. Known as “The Terrifying Trio”, Linnea Quigley “The Return of the Living Dead”, Brinke Stevens “The Slumber Party Massacre” and Michelle Bauer “The Tomb”, headlined upwards of ten films per year, fending off men in rubber monster suits, pubescent teenage boys, and deadly showers.

They joined together in campy cult films like “Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama” (1988) and “Nightmare of Sisters” (1987). They traveled all over the world, met President Reagan, and built mini-empires of trading cards, comic books, and model kits. Then it all came crashing down. This documentary remembers these actresses – and their most common collaborators – on how smart they were to play stupid.”

By Richard Goellnitz

Related articles

• Rosewood Lane Comes to DVD and Blu-ray this September (dreadcentral.com)

Horror News

THE LAST EXORCISM 2: PLOT DETAILS

 

Plot details: “The sequel follows Nell (Bell) who, six months after the first film’s events, has move to a halfway house only to realize that the demon that has ruined her life is still after her! Without giving anything away, the sequel takes an interesting romantic approach that’s spun around Nell’s new boyfriend, Chris (I’m not sure who’s playing the character).

A subplot is that Bell is also targeted by a group of rogue Reverends who mean to kill her. The twist is something never before seen in an exorcism film.”

 

DEAD CENTRAL INTERVIEW ROBERT KIRKMAN ON ‘THE WALKING DEAD’ SEASON 3

Q: After two seasons, you must feel like an old pro on set. What aspects of production still surprise you?

A: One thing that’s surprising me is how much I’ve fallen in love with Georgia. The town Senoia where we’re filming is absolutely beautiful. The big change this season is we’ve got this amazing prison that we’re filming in. It’s absolutely stunning, and I never get used to being on set.

Q: What went into constructing the prison?

A: They’ve taken a lot of what you see in the comic book series and brought it to life in ways that I didn’t think possible. This is going to be one of the most impressive looking things that’s ever been put together for a show.

Q: The room in the prison with all the guns and the SWAT gear in the comic is really cool. Is that going to come up on the show?

A: We’re a big fan of the SWAT gear here at “The Walking Dead” writer’s room…maybe that’s an indication that we’ll be seeing that stuff in the show. It’s important to us to maintain the tone of the show. Thus far [the characters] have been out on the road, desperate and living in the heat, and we don’t want it to be that they’re relaxing in this safe place now.

Q: With the evil Governor in the picture, does that mean the humans are the bigger threat this season?

A: The plan was always to evolve naturally into a place where the zombies essentially become a manageable threat. You know the rules. You know how to deal with them. To a certain extent they become something to not really be scared of unless you mess up. Humans, however, do not follow any rules and will always do something that surprises you and are capable of doing things far worse than trying to eat you…We’re definitely going to be seeing a lot of horrible things.

Q: What can you tell us about David Morrissey‘s portrayal of the Governor? Have you seen him in costume yet?

A: I’m actually waiting desperately to see him dressed up in Governor mode and walking the streets of Woodbury. I think he’s going to be absolutely great playing against Andrew Lincoln.

Q: Michonne was introduced in the Season 2 Finale. How are Danai Gurira’s sword skills shaping up?

A: There’s been quite a bit of sword training going on and [Danai] is doing an amazing job. She’s going to be doing all of the hard character stuff and drama that “The Walking Dead” is known for, but she has tremendous physical capability, and the sword training that I’ve seen is absolutely amazing. I can’t wait to see her hack up some zombies.

Q: Can you tell us anything about the sword she’s using?

A: She’s using a sword that we specially designed for the show. The origins of the sword will be revealed on the show.

Q: This season has so many exciting storylines…

A: When you think about The Walking Dead comic series, you think about oh, the stuff they with did the Governor, the stuff they did with the prison and Woodbury and Michonne. And that’s really a lot of the stuff that people remember the story for, and that’s stuff we haven’t even gotten to in the TV show yet. So as much as people love the show, and as high as the ratings are, and as cool as the show is, I feel like we haven’t even gotten to the good stuff yet. This season is absolutely going to blow people away.

Q: You’re developing another of your comics, Thief of Thieves, with AMC. What can you tell us about that project?

A: Thief of Thieves is a great heist story about a man named Conrad Paulson who leads a double life as a master thief known internationally as Redman…I am working with Chic Eglee, who is a fantastic writer who worked on the first season of “The Walking Dead”, and right now we are in the pilot development stage so he’s going to be working hard on the pilot script, and once that’s written, we’ll go from there. But it’s really exciting to be working with AMC again.

Q: This season will be 16 episodes instead of 13. Are you looking forward to the longest production time yet?

A: The actors and the crew and a lot of the producers would not be thrilled to hear me saying this, but I love doing 16 episodes a year. I think the more, the better, and I think it’s a lot of fun. We are going to get to tell bigger stories and tell more stories and get into the characters a lot more. So the more, the merrier.

 by Richard Goellnitz

Top 10 Found Footage/First Person Camera Horrors

Top Found Footage/First Person Camera Horrors by Richard Goellnitz

Please note I have yet to see Trollhunter so that’s why it’s not on here 😉

Here are my personal picks-

CANNIBAL HOLOCAUST (1980)

My favourite Found footage horror

REC (2007)

Far better than the remake

THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT (1999)

Love it or hate it, just like the found footage genre

CLOVERFIELD (2008)

Monster Mayhem in New York

GRAVE ENCOUNTERS (2011)

Made me jump many times and is quite spooky

REC 2 (2009)

Excellent sequel, bring on Rec 3+4

THE LAST EXORCISM (2010)

I’m not a huge fan of Demonic possession films myself but thought this was quite original

THE LAST BROADCAST (1998)

Inspired the Blair Witch

THE ZOMBIE DIARIES (2006)

UK Horror, its sequel is actually entirely different and shot like a proper film

DIARY OF THE DEAD (2007)

Everyone I know hates this film but i thought it was a fresh approach to Romero’s Dead movies and it’s far better than Survival of the Dead!

Have something to add, disagree with any of these? Get in touch on our facebook and let us know!

http://www.facebook.com/TheBiteMagazine

Review Hammer’s Dracula (1958)

 

DRACULA (1958) aka HORROR OF DRACULA (1958)

Hammer’s Dracula to me is the best Dracula movie ever made. I Remember when I was 8 years old my dad introduced me to Dracula on film for the first time…it was the first time I saw Fangs on a vampire and plenty of blood! It thrilled me then and it still thrills me to this day, there are so many things I have to say about this movie so where do I start?

Let’s start with the story of the film, a few changes made from the book but that’s okay it still works well. Jonathan Harker is assigned by Van Helsing to go to work for Dracula in his Castle to categorize his library, however his true intention is to find Dracula in his Coffin and Destroy him. However the count gains the upper hand after being attacked by Harker and turns him into a Vampire. Harker is now missing and the good Doctor Van Helsing goes searching for him: this is only the beginning of his quest of Good vs. Evil as Dracula plots to create more of his kind and it’s up to Van Helsing to stop him. That’s all I’ll say about the plot as don’t want to give too much away, what I liked about the opening with Jonathan Harker is how unpredictable it is. When I was a child watching this I thought Harker would be our main hero but he gets killed off early on, this has me thinking of Hitchcock’s Psycho (made 2 years later) in which the supposedly main star gets killed off. The pacing of this film is perfect a good balance of gothic horror, well acted drama, Terence Fisher’s slick direction and Jimmy Sanster’s excellent script. Kudos to the set design, costumes and amazingly dramatic score too.

Let’s talk about Christopher Lee’s performance as Dracula. I love how when we are first introduced to Dracula he appears in the shadow on top of the stairs, his silhouette towering down on Jonathan Harker and us as viewers. I am pleasantly surprised when he greets Harker, at first he’s smooth, charming and bids his guest welcome to his Castle. However what I like about this is Dracula is in disguise here, he is not being his true self, he has two sides to him, and later when he does reveal the true Monster that lies within…my god is he evil. He’s a hissing blood thirsty demon, exactly how Dracula should be. I remember being terrified when Dracula first appears in this form, what I like is whenever we see Dracula from here on in he is exactly what a Vampire should be and Christopher Lee’s performance as the Count is relentless. He is a towering presence whenever he appears. Everything about this Vampire is nasty from his little grin from his coffin when he sees the sun going down to lurking upon his prey with his teeth sticking out ready to feed. Christopher Lee is the soul of this film whilst Peter Cushing is the heart of this film, Cushing as Van Helsing has to be in my opinion Cushing’s best performance. He puts so much into his role you’d think he hunted Vampires in real life, his character is a noble gentleman but when it comes to staking vampires he does not muck around and takes his job very seriously. He gets the job done and it is his will in life to wipe out all vampires and Dracula himself. I remember watching him as a child thinking this man was my hero, I always felt very vulnerable whenever Dracula was on screen as I never knew what he was going to do next, but when Van Helsing was on screen I had a warm feeling inside and felt safe whenever he appeared. Especially in a very tender moment where he tells the Child Tania that she will be safe in the graveyard scene and to watch the sun come up. Cushing does a fantastic job of not only playing the hero but also getting the audience on his side too. The supporting cast are also great, from Michael Gough to little Janina Faye there are no flaws here in the acting department.

Vampire lore is well respected throughout discussing garlic, crucifixes, stakes & hammers, sunlight etc. I feel this adaptation is superior to Universal’s Dracula, yes I know it was made over 20 years later and by then more things could be done in film (showing more violence and blood for example) but this version also has something the 1931 version was lacking- An exciting climatic battle between Van Helsing and Dracula. In the Tod Browning’s film Dracula takes a staking like a bitch, just lying in his coffin. Yes, I do understand he must get to his coffin by sundown but for me they should have done an epic battle at the end. And Hammer certainly raise the stakes and delivers with a triumphant battle between Good vs. Evil. For me this end clash was quite ahead of its time and I only learnt yesterday that it was infact Peter Cushing himself who ran across the table performing an Errol Flynn style stunt to reveal the sunlight.

This movie for me is the Holy Grail of Dracula movies, it may be over 50 years old but it still packs a punch, where as today’s horror cinema goers will see Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers as horror’s ultimate Bogeyman, it’s not for me. Horror’s greatest villain will always be Christopher Lee as Dracula and horror’s hero is Peter Cushing as Van Helsing, just like Dracula himself this film is immortal and a True Classic. When it comes to Dracula no one does it better than Hammer.

 

By Richard Goellnitz

Latest Horror News

TOM CRUISE TO STAR AND PRODUCE ‘VAN HELSING’ REBOOT

I Hated Van Helsing (2004) I thought it was a wasted opportunity, I wanted horror instead I got a kiddie action flick so I welcome a reboot.

Here’s the official word from the studio:

‘Universal Pictures today announced the studio has signed a two-year first-look production deal with one of the leading writing/producing teams in the entertainment industry, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and their K/O Paper Products banner. The duo will kick off their new relationship with Universal by reimagining titles from the studio’s library including Van Helsing and The Mummy. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman, Donna Langley.

Kurtzman and Orci have collaborated with some of the industry’s top creative minds including J.J. Abrams, with whom they wrote the third instalment of Mission: Impossible, which grossed nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. In 2007, they wrote Transformers and went on to write Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009. Together, those films grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide. More recently, the pair wrote and executive produced 2009’s Star Trek, which grossed more than $385 million worldwide. Accompanying their impressive film resume, Kurtzman and Orci have found tremendous success in television, having created the series Fringe, writing/producing Alias and in 2010, producing the reboot of Hawaii Five-O. They also currently executive produce the highest rated show on Hasbro’s The Hub, Transformers Prime.

“Alex and Roberto are extraordinarily talented writers and producers who know the value of a great story in building successful tentpole films,” Fogelson and Langley said in a joint statement. “They have been a major part of some of Hollywood’s biggest movies and television shows in recent history, and we’re eager to have them build on that success at Universal.”

“We’re thrilled to call Universal Pictures our home,” said Kurtzman and Orci. “From the moment we sat down with Adam, Donna, Peter, Jeff and the entire Uni team, there was an instant flow of inspired ideas. They really understand the importance of building a strong creative team and giving our shared projects their full support. We’re proud to start making movies that will live as part of Universal’s enduring legacy.”

Kurtzman and Orci’s upcoming projects include writing Sony’s next instalment of The Amazing Spider-Man; producing Now You See Me, for Lionsgate Summit, set for release in March 2013; and producing Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, also for Lionsgate Summit. Kurtzman and Orci wrote and produced People Like Us, which marks Kurtzman’s directorial debut and is scheduled to be released in June 2012, and wrote and produced the second instalment of Star Trek, set for release in 2013. The pair most recently rewrote All You Need Is Kill for Warner Bros., with Tom Cruise attached to star, Doug Liman to direct and Erwin Stoff to produce.

Kurtzman, Orci and the rest of their K/O Paper Products team, including President Bobby Cohen, will be housed on the Universal lot. Former assistants Ben Kim and Kim Cavyan will come aboard as creative executives. Kurtzman and Orci are represented by CAA and attorneys Michael Gendler and Kevin Kelly of Gendler & Kelly, APC.’

‘THE DEAD 2’ SCRIPT IS MOVING FORWARD

I Loved the Zombies in Africa movie The Dead so I welcome a sequel.

Co-director of the first film, Howard J. Ford, recently caught up with the Daily Dead and revealed that the script for the sequel is on the way.

“Jon is in the south of France at the moment, but I’m going down to the Cannes Film Festival and am meeting him there. We’re going to write together at his place in France and we are going to be penning The Dead 2. There’s already a lot down on paper, but there are gaps in it and there are a lot of things we couldn’t do in the first movie that we want to do in the second.”

Howard continues, “Basically, it’s because of the fan support and the way it has been selling in America. Jon and I are incredibly grateful for everyone’s support and people putting their hard earned cash towards a Blu-ray or DVD of The Dead. Fan support is why we want to make a sequel. It’s not because we want to go back to Africa and get nearly killed. I can’t promise 100% that it will be in Africa, but whatever happens, it will take you somewhere you’ve never been in a zombie movie.”

‘WE ARE WHAT WE ARE’ REMAKE CASTING DETAILS

I loved the Mexican film WE ARE WHAT WE ARE so not sure what to think of it being remade as it was decent enough as it is. According to the Dead Central, Riley Keough (Jack & Diane) , Julia Garner (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Bill Sage (American Psycho) and Wyatt Russell (Cowboys & Aliens) have all been cast in the film, with Keough and Garner playing a pair of sisters who are secluded from mainstream society.

“Following the untimely death of their mother, their father, played by Sage, forces them to perform a depraved ritual, carried out by their ancestors for generations. Russell will play a young deputy who is in love with Keough’s character.”

The film is scheduled for a release in January 2013.

RIP- DARK SHADOWS ACTOR JONATHAN FRID HAS PASSED AWAY
Dark Shadows star Jonathan Frid has died in Canada. The 87-year-old actor reportedly died of natural causes at Juravinski Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario. Frid was best known for playing vampire Barnabas Collins on gothic television soap opera Dark Shadows. The series originally aired on ABC in the US between June 1966 and April 2, 1971. Frid also starred in 1973 television movie The Devil’s Daughter and 1974 film horror Seizure. He filmed a cameo appearance – his final acting credit – in Tim Burton‘s forthcoming film remake of Dark Shadows, which stars Johnny Depp as Barnabas. Depp previously admitted to being “obsessed” as a child with Frid’s performance as the 200-year-old vampire.”I loved the show when I was a kid [and] I was obsessed with Barnabas Collins,” the Hollywood star said in 2009. “I have photographs of me holding Barnabas Collins posters when I was 5 or 6.” May he rest in peace.

 

by Richard Goellnitz

Top 20 Slasher Films

 

1. Psycho (1960)

2. Halloween (1978)

3. A Bay Of Blood (1971)

4. Black Christmas (1974)

5. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

6. Friday The 13th (1980)

7. Deep Red (1975)

8. Blood & Black Lace (1964)

9. Friday The 13th Part IV: The Final Chapter (1984)

10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

11. Sleepaway Camp (1983)

12. Halloween 2 (1981)

13. The Burning (1981)

14. Alice Sweet Alice (1976)

15. Child’s Play (1988)

16. A Nightmare On Elm Street 3: The Dream Warriors (1987)

17. Wes Craven’s New Nightmare (1994)

18. Scream (1996)

19. Torso (1973)

20. Friday The 13th Part 3 (1982)

 

by Richard Goellnitz

THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012) Review

Cast: Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Richard Jenkins,

Written by: Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard

Directed by: Drew Goddard

PLOT- Five friends get more than they bargained for whilst having a weekend away at a Remote Cabin in the woods, however….nothing is what it seems as they must piece together the Mystery of the Cabin.

MY REVIEW- Well I thought I’d leave the plot at that as its definitely one of those movies in which the less you know about it the better, I watched this without reading any reviews and it certainly pays off not knowing what to expect. From the mighty pen of Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Serenity, The Avengers) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel)  comes the most unusual modern horror comedy to be filmed in a long time. Now without giving away any spoilers the movie itself is unique and has plenty of twists and turns and really does turn the Horror Genre inside out and upside down.  At first it may seem familiar to certain horrors before it (The Evil Dead, Cabin Fever) but unexpectedly takes a surprising turn which will amuse and puzzle horror fans, whereas ‘Scream’ (1996) was a clever sub genre of slashers, I think The Cabin in the Woods is very much up there with it but what Genre you may ask? Well go see it and find out, I will not give any spoilers away, overall its highly entertaining, funny, original and very smart. It doesn’t take itself too seriously and is very self aware on what it intends to deliver, I really enjoyed the movie and I do recommend you guys check it out.

STAR RATING– * * * * (Very Good)

by Richard Goellnitz

The Devil Movie Review

The Devil is written by M. Night Shyamalan’s as part 1 of the night chronicles, so 2 more to follow.

The film begins with the voice over of a security guard explaining a story his mother used to tell him about how the Devil roams the earth and sometimes will gather a group of damned individuals and torture then kill them before claiming their souls. This pretty much gives away the plot in the opening minute’s nice one genius. We also have the involvement of a Philadelphia detective who is with the death of his family, and the person responsible never being brought to justice. He desperately searches for a way to free them from the elevator while also trying to solve who is killing them one by one in the elevator each time the lights go out. What he didn’t count on was that the Devil himself could very well be carrying out his sinister deeds.

 

For a film that deals with the Devil, the closed in confines of an elevator filled with five people, and dark corridors, I was disappointed that the film is very light in the scare factor It focuses a lot more on the characters, giving you clues little by little as you try to solve the mystery, which ultimately makes the film more of a thriller than a full-fledged horror movie.

The key concept that will draw everyone to the film to see it is who ends up being the Devil. We also get the detective chasing his tail trying to solve what he thinks is an everyday murder, which is how we find out why everyone is there in the elevator as meat for the Devil’s picking, but the mystery of who it is, is going to be what brings in the audience, and sadly once that’s out of the way and the credits roll, DEVIL will be a film very few people feel compelled to revisit.

 

As a thriller ok, as a horror I have scared myself more looking in the mirror poor very poor.

Antichrist Movie review

This enormously controversial psychodrama-come-horror film from Danish Lars von Trier charts the collapse of a marriage into apocalyptic violence, chaos, and insanity following an unimaginable tragedy. The film opens with a prologue. While they make love in their apartment on a snowy winter afternoon, a husband and wife known only as “He” and “She” (Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg) fail to keep an eye on their young child. In a horrifying turn of events, the child wanders over to an open window, fascinated by the snow cascading down, and falls two floors to his death. The remainder of the film is in four chapters, beginning with “Grief.” In that segment, the woman finishes a month’s hospitalization, and blames her husband of indifference over the child’s death, but proceeds to take blame for it herself; he calmly and sensibly guides her through this process. In the second segment, “Pain,” she confesses to him that she’s most frightened of their property in the forest, because she spent time with her son there over the past summer; as a form of rehabilitation, he takes her to that place on a wilderness retreat. She appears to grow more calm and balanced over their first days in that environment. Yet the recovery, it seems, was only misleading, and the subsequent two chapters, “Despair (Genocide)” and “The Three Beggars,” represent the woman’s shocking and rapid deterioration into uninhibited craziness, culminating with grotesque sexual violence against herself (where see cuts of her own clit), gruesome acts of destruction against her husband (chops of his penis) , and an apocalyptic

Climax (which involves bolting a grind stone through her husband’s leg).

Even for a diehard horror fan like myself there were parts that made me cringe and have to look away. It is certainly not a film for the faint hearted.