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Next of Kin review

Posted in Foreign Horror, Haunted House Films, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , on February 19, 2013 by Alex Roy

Next_of_Kin

Next of Kin (1982)

Tagline:There’s no place like home, bloody home.

Directed by:
Tony Williams

Produced by:
Robert Le Tet
Timothy White

Run Time:
89 minutes

Released:
November 1982

Review:

Brilliant Australian Supernatural haunted house horror film effectively directed by Tony Williams. This is an eerie and splendidly chilling movie that relies on a good cast of actors including renowned Aussie actor John Jarrat and Jackie Kerin. This is a steadily crafted horror tale that has hints of previous movies such as Kubrick’s The Shinning and some have also referenced Argento’s Suspiria. This is one of those movies that rely on atmosphere to create the tension, and in many ways a film like this is far better than other genre pictures because it takes its time to let the terror unfold and in turn it pays off by delivering a truly chilling and memorable experience.  The cast do a fine job in their roles and the directing is terrific and you clearly can see that Tony Williams has an eye for creating scary scenes that will stick in your head. This is a highly engaging film that will keep you on the edge of your seat till the very end. I thought that it was a fine supernatural horror film that used the basic ingredients of the genre very well.  This is an overlooked film from the genre, and horror fans owe it to themselves to check this one out. With a great plot, terrific acting and directing, Next of Kin is one of the best genre films that I have seen, and more than once there have been quite a few genuinely creepy scenes. The film’s use of atmosphere is what makes this one stand out above other genre pictures, and it’s very rare for a film to pull off so much with basic elements of the genre. Next of Kin is a far better film than many other movies in the genre, and the result is an overlooked gem that definitely deserves to be rediscovered.

Final Rating:
8/10

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Mama review

Posted in Ghost Stories, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , on January 31, 2013 by Alex Roy

MAMA-movie-poster

Mama (2013)

Tagline:A mother’s love is forever.

Directed by:
Andres Muschietti

Produced by:
J. Miles Dale
Barbara Muschietti
Guillermo del Toro

Run time:
100 minutes

Released:
January 18, 2013

Review:

Guillermo del Toro is a stunning producer in the horror genre, and has helped many directors create something truly intense for horror fans. Director Andres Muschietti delivers one of the better horror films of the year with Mama. Although it has some predictable clichés, the film manages to be quite entertaining and fun. Jessica Chastain is good here as well, and this is a well crafted ghost tale that despite the fact it is not that original, is far better than a few horror films that have been released(Texas Chainsaw, Hansel and Gretel: Witch hunters). There are some very tense scenes in the film, and it makes for a truly entertaining horror film. The film does have its flaws, like the fact that it has the usual clichés of a typical ghost tale, but that is to be expected. I really don’t understand why the film got the flack it received, as it is one of the most entertaining horror films as of yet this year. Where other pictures have failed in delivering a horror tale with an interesting plot, this one succeeds. Along with the cast who deliver some good performances, this is a film worth seeing and is quite frankly underrated. If you love ghost stories, then this is a film to see. Jessica Chastain as usual delivers a good performance, and as an actress she really is assembling quite a resume of good movies. There is a bit of everything in this one to enjoy, and if you love these types of films, then you owe it to yourself to watch it. The directing is good and the cast definitely are able to make a predictable and overdone formula into a worthwhile film, and with that said, it is a very entertaining movie from start to finish. Just go into this one with an open mind, and you’re sure to enjoy it. Despite the clichés and its predictability, Mama is a fine little film that is sure to delight horror fans looking for a pleasant ghost tale to watch, and considering the bad horror flicks that have plagued the theater this month; well this is the most fun I’ve had at the theater. Director Andres Muschietti can create something entertaining using a proven formula.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Sinister review

Posted in Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , , on November 19, 2012 by Alex Roy

Sinister (2012)

Tagline: Once you see him, nothing can save you.

Directed by:
Scott Derrickson

Produced by:
Jason Blum

Run time:
110 minutes

Released:
October 12, 2012

Review:

One of the most disturbing and scary horror films in recent memory, Sinister is sure to please diehard horror fans. The film is one of the best in the genre this year along with The Cabin in the Woods. If you were disappointed by The House at the End of the Street, Sinister may offer what you were looking for in a terrifying flick. The film is not perfect, and it could have been better, but it relies on tense, brooding atmosphere to elevate the supernatural overtones that director Scott Derrickson tries to convey. I thoroughly recommend this horror yarn to genre fans that are disappointed with most horror films that are currently being released. Ethan Hawke is great here, and the rest of the cast do a fine job as well. This is a stunning film that will chill you to the bone. I enjoyed the fact that it used the found footage angle as a plot device, instead of making it as just another found footage film. With that said, the fact that the main character found a box full of videos with murders on them was pretty cool in the sense that it was part of the plot and wasn’t another run of the mill genre flick, which added so much more to the experience of the film. The film relies on atmosphere to create its horror, and it works well enough throughout to make you sit on the edge of your seat until the final chilling frame. Sinister will be a film that is most likely going to be remembered for years to come because it is among the first newer films that truly terrifies and doesn’t rely on excessive special effects, jump scares and a stupid plot. This picture relies more on a well crafted script, strong characters and the fear of what will happen next to deliver a memorable horrifying experience.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Prison review

Posted in Supernatural Horror with tags , , on November 14, 2012 by Alex Roy

Prison (1988)

Tagline: Horror has a new home.

Directed by:
Renny Harlin

Produced by:
Charles Band
Irwin Yablans

Run time:
102 minutes

Released:
March 4, 1988

Review:

Renny Harlin’s second feature is a well made supernatural horror film that is much better than what you’d think. Sure, the film looks a bit dated nowadays, and there’s been far better ghost tales than this, but in the long run, Prison is a surprising, accomplished film that is an obscured genre film that should see the light of day. The cast do a good job here, but the standout aspects of the film are the special effects, the kill sequences as the supernatural force kills prison inmates and guards alike. Renny Harlin, who has a checkered career, pulls off a good, entertaining and enjoyable ride. This is a pleasant flick to watch for horror fans that enjoy a good ghost story. Although there’s never anything truly great on-screen, there are enough good bits here and there throughout the film to make it an enjoyable yarn to simply sit back and enjoy. The plot was original and it’s what kept me interested in the film, unlike Kevin VanHook’s Death Row, which uses basically the same premise as this movie, this is a far better film that is good gory fun. Despite its lacking acting, the film is held together by effective directing for Harlin. If you’re ever looking for a fun little obscured gem of a horror tale, then pick this one out. The film is not perfect, but it has enough going for it to make it a worthwhile good time for genre fans. What makes this film good is the fact that you never see the supernatural force itself, and it leaves it up to your imagination to guess what kind of demented, evil supernatural force is terrorizing the prison. We know it’s the prisoner that wants revenge, but you never see him, thus it makes for a more enjoyable viewing as it keeps you guessing till the very end.

Final Rating:
6/10

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V/H/S review

Posted in Found Footage, Horror Anthologies with tags , , , , , , , , , , , on November 13, 2012 by Alex Roy

V/H/S (2012)

Tagline: This collection is killer.

Directed by:
Adam Wingard
David Bruckner
Ti West
Glenn McQuaid
Joe Swanberg
Radio Silence

Produced by:
Brad Miska
David Gary Binkow
Roxanne Benjamin

Run time:
115 minutes

Released:
October 5, 2012

Review:

The thing with Found Footage films is that there’s really nothing new to the genre to make it worth seeing. This film is pretty good considering all the films that have been released in the genre over the years. If you love the genre and horror in general, this is worth a watch. This film offers a new twist on traditional found footage films as this is an anthology of different horror stories, but all are presented as found footage, and it works well enough to entertain and thrill. Each story is eerie and manages to be thrilling. Acting wise, there’s really nothing that stands out, and this is standard low-budget fair. The film does have its flaws, but it’s definitely much more entertaining than many other films in this horror genre. If you were disappointed by films like Chernobyl Diaries and Apollo 18, then this film may surprise you. I enjoyed both Apollo 18 and Chernobyl Diaries, but I’d have to say that this film is much better for many reasons, the main one being incorporating the anthology element in the genre, which adds so much more to the film’s enjoyment. V/H/S is a good horror flick and one of the most original and fun Found Footage films since Trollhunter. Every story has its imperfections, but they nonetheless deliver some solid and enjoyable entertainment that is a must see film for horror fans. There’s plenty to enjoy here, and this film exceeded my expectations, and I didn’t expect to like it the way I did. There’s plenty of bloody and bone chilling moments to be had here, and every director does a good enough job with each story that makes up this new breed of horror anthology.

Final Rating:
6/10

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Paranormal Activity 4 review

Posted in Bad Horror, Paranormal Activity series, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , on October 26, 2012 by Alex Roy

Paranormal Activity 4 (2012)

Tagline: All the activity has led us to this…

Directed by:
Henry Joost
Ariel Schulman

Produced by:
Oren Peli
Jason Blum
Steven Schneider

Run time:
88 minutes

Released:
October 18, 2012

Review:

Along with House at the End of the Street, Paranormal Activity 4 is one of the most disappointing horror films this year. This is an awful film that fails to deliver effective chills that the first three did. I very much enjoyed the first three films, however with this one, you can clearly see signs that the filmmakers are running out of ideas. The “scares” are predictable to the point where it’s become a cliché, the cast are horrible and the plot is really bland with nothing to offer to fans of the series. If you decide to watch this fourth entry, don’t expect a good film; expect to be disappointed with the same old ideas that have been recycled from the first three films. The filmmakers have tried to camouflage this by introducing a boy into its plot, but that clearly doesn’t work. The film feels tedious, dull and boring and it only relies on aspects that we’ve seen many times before, although this time around the film is a lazy attempt at trying to create another sequel. Paranormal Activity 4 is clearly a sequel that signals the death rattle to a dying franchise, which is a shame because Paranormal Activity was a promising franchise in the found Footage genre. As a whole this is a heavily flawed film that was set to fail right from the opening shot. The film relies on recycled material that by now is too predictable and with that said, the film fails to deliver effective jolts and genuine terror like the first three did so well. This is a poorly written, acted and directed film that is the worst film in the Paranormal Activity franchise. Avoid this film if you’ve enjoyed the others in the franchise as you won’t find anything original, exciting and ultimately scary here. This is a truly unsatisfying film that leaves a lot to be desired.

Final Rating:
3/10

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Session 9 review

Posted in Psychological Horror, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , on October 24, 2012 by Alex Roy

Session 9 (2001)

Tagline: Fear is a place.

Directed by:
Brad Anderson

Produced by:
John Sloss
Dorothy Aufiero
David Collins
Michael Williams

Run time:
100 minutes

Released:
August 10, 2001

Review:

Well paced Psychological horror film, Session 9 is one of those horror films that takes time for the plot to unwind, but when it does, the film becomes intense, suspenseful and ultimately creepy. Supernatural elements are also combined to create a unique film. With a great cast, Session 9 is a well crafted horror film that should appeal to every horror fan. I’ve always loved haunted hospital films, and this film certainly delivers great tension and chills. Acting wise, the cast are great in their parts. Session 9 is one of those films that takes time to build up to the great climax and it is a well constructed film that definitely is original, eerie and successfully combines two genres of horror into one film. Director Brad Anderson’s direction keeps you involved and though it may be slow, you just want to find out how this supernatural, psychological horror tale will end. I’m a big fan of haunted asylum films and other similar films. Fragile was such a film, and Session 9 remind me a lot of that film. Anderson definitely knows what makes a solid horror film, and his understanding of the medium is clearly apparent in the finished film. If you’re looking for a well constructed horror yarn with a good cast, then give Session 9 a shot. This film definitely is among the best supernatural horror tales and it has a very good plot to keep you interested from start to finish. Although it has a slow buildup, there are plenty of things happening on-screen to keep you involved right up to the ending.

Final Rating:
7/10

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Twice Dead review

Posted in Haunted House Films, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , on July 25, 2012 by Alex Roy

Twice Dead (1988)

Tagline: Beyond The Living … Beyond The Dead!

Directed by:
Bert L. Dragin

Produced by:
Guy J. Louthan
Robert McDonnell

Run Time:
87 minutes

Released:
October 1988

Review:

Decent haunted house film, but could have been much better. Where the film fails is because it lacks anything truly scary, and is more tongue in cheek for most of its run time. The films biggest problem is that it doesn’t know what it wants to be. The film’s plot is all over the place, and it uses all the usual clichés established by previous superior horror films. Twice Dead is mindless fun, but it leaves you wanting more out of the film. The film has some slasher elements thrown in with the supernatural and it doesn’t quite succeed. I thought this was a decent film, but it lacked anything truly memorable to make it worth seeing. This film is worth watching only once, and doesn’t necessitate multiple viewings. If you’re looking for a great haunted house film, you’ll be disappointed. Overall a decent film, but the script is so paper-thin that it really doesn’t do anything truly interesting with its ideas. Director Bert L. Dragin can\’t seem to direct a consistent film where there’s some genuine chills on-screen. I liked the film, but felt it could have been much better. As a haunted house film, this one is quite forgettable and doesn’t really stand out among others in the genre. The film had potential, but most of the time it ended up falling flat. A decent little tongue in cheek film and nothing more.

Final Rating:
5/10

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The Evil review

Posted in Haunted House Films, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , , , , on July 24, 2012 by Alex Roy

The Evil (1978)

Tagline: Witness its awakening… A tale of terror and the supernatural

Directed by:
Gus Trinokis

Produced by:
Ed Carlin
Paul Joseph
Malcolm Levinthal
David Sheldon

Run Time:
89 minutes

Released:
May 5, 1978

Review:

Fine low-budget haunted house film, The Evil is surprisingly good with telling a creepy tale of ghosts. Effectively well-directed by Gus Trikonis, this is a film that works well due to its unique twist on the traditional haunted house film. It uses the same formula, but it has enough originality to make it different and fun for the viewer. As far as low-budget horror films are concerned, this one is quite impressive. I enjoy haunted house films; I’ve always loved the idea behind such films. This is a film that shows its age, but works nonetheless because of its atmosphere, good cast and effective directing. This is one of the lost gems of the genre. Fans of haunted house films should definitely check this one out. The film navigates similar ground that previous genre films have, but it also provides something different. The lack of any true back story of what happened in the house to make it really evil is a good thing, something that leaves you interpret and guess what really happened. Sure, there’s an explanation, but a mediocre explanation at that, almost silly. However that’s what makes this film good and watchable. As far as haunted houses are concerned, you may want to visit this one, it has all the elements necessary to chill you and provide you with effective entertainment. As a horror film, this one succeeds very well, even if it’s not that scary, it relies on tone and atmosphere, which is an integral part of making a horror film work. The Evil is a must see for fans of the genre.

Final Rating:
6/10

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The Innkeepers review

Posted in Ghost Stories, Haunted House Films, Supernatural Horror with tags , , , , on May 4, 2012 by Alex Roy


The Innkeepers (2011)

Tagline: Some guests never check out.

Directed by:
Ti West

Produced by:
Derek Curl
Larry Fessenden
Peter Phok
Ti West

Run Time:
101 minutes

Released:
February 3, 2011

Review:

Ti West is quickly becoming one of the best directors in Independent horror. The Innkeepers is a slow-paced, but effective ghost story. Horror films like this take time to build its horror. Thus you never know when something really terrifying will happen. The Innkeepers is a great film because it uses the horror basics to create terror and atmosphere. Ti West’s directing is impeccable, and that’s what makes this film great. The story is simple and provides some great scares. The Innkeepers is one of those films that takes time for the story to unfold. Even if it’s slow, it only adds to the films strength because it builds up the feeling of dread in your bones. Along with The Woman in Black, The Innkeepers is the strongest and best ghost film to come out in the horror genre in a long time. Stripped down to its core, The Innkeepers doesn’t try to sugar coat anything with fancy special effects or cheap scares. The film is terrific and is a must see for horror fans who prefer traditional horror. Ti West is a great director and what makes him stand out is his films go for the traditional chills of old school horror films. The Innkeepers is a well crafted horror film that is a breath of fresh air in a genre where originality is a rare commodity nowadays. With The Innkeepers, Ti West is securing his place as one of horrors promising new directors. He’s far more talented than the likes of Eli Roth and I can’t wait what he’ll come up with next. This is a must see for horror fans tired of the same old cheap scares and want something to genuinely scare them.

Final Rating:
8/10

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