Viewing Sick Bunny Pictures work is always a lot of fun. Inventive, fresh ideas seem to be at the forefront of their work, and as we all know, it is always pleasant to view things which veer off the beaten path. What follows is a review of Sick bunny Pictures first three short horror films. One has been covered here already (15-5-08) but I am more than happy to cover it once more, as more people need to see and be made aware of these awesome short films. Don't forget to support independent horror as much as you can, because the underground is where the talent lies!
15-5-08.
15-5-08 is an incredibly tense little film, with shocks and surprises throughout. It brilliantly blends together the found footage and slasher sub-genres to create a compelling and genuinely creepy piece of cinema. The fact that the short runs for around sixteen minutes, and manages to generate as much tension as it does is testament to the film makers and cast involved. Again, I refuse to give any spoilers, as 15-5-08 is a film that needs to be experienced without knowing too much about it. What I can guarantee is that it will have every hair on the back of your neck standing to attention, and the ending will hit you like a ton of bricks to the face.
You can watch 15-5-08 by clicking HERE.
My Neighbour Dave.
My Neighbour Dave acts as an introduction to the character Dave, a man with a seemingly normal life. Any notion of this is flushed down the pan when we discover Dave has a secret. No matter how normal he looks, we first see glimpses of the monster behind the man when he sits down with a beer to watch a horror movie. His girlfriend calls, and you can tell from the moment Dave answers the phone how uninterested he is in speaking to his girlfriend. We then witness something else while Dave is watching his horror movie. He has a guest. A prisoner is kept in his cellar, bound in a dog cage. This is a powerful introduction to the character, and also questions the reason people watch horror movies. The film is incredibly uncomfortable to watch, and what starts off as a rather normal character introduction, becomes something much darker.
You can watch My Neighbour Dave by clicking HERE.
Tools of the Trade.
Tools of the Trade acts as another character introduction. A black gloved killer with an almost fetishistic love of sharp implements caresses his Tools of the Trade by candlelight, setting an incredibly sinister and creepy mood. The music is well done, accentuating the already tense atmosphere. If you remember the start of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, where Freddy is making his glove, this short acts in the same way, only upping the tension and maliciousness of the character Sick Bunny Pictures are introducing to us. It will be interesting to see what happens next with this killer, as he is very giallo-esque, and that definitely has my interest piqued.
You can watch Tools of the Trade by clicking HERE.
There are also two upcoming shorts from Sick Bunny Pictures.
Campside Slasher II "The Video Game".
This is a short about two friends that have a night in playing a crappy 90's video game about slasher films. Again, this is an introduction piece, this time to a character called Wesley Wood, who wears a sack over his head. This short promises to have a lot more dialogue, story and blood.
The Last Days of May.
This is a sequel to 15-5-08 and features the same masked killers, though unlike 15-5-08, this film is made from the killers point of view as they videotape their victims. Also, unlike 15-5-08 this short is more bout gore and disturbing aspects taking the story into a more 'torture porn' direction, and explaining more about the 'May Murderers' and their story.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Monday, 27 January 2014
Sunday, 19 January 2014
Lord of Tears now available on V.O.D!
Lord of Tears is now available on VOD!!!
Lord of Tears tells the story of James Findlay, a school teacher tortured by childhood memories of a terrifying entity. A figure dressed in Victorian garb... with an Owls head., elongated limbs and round eyes... black as midnight.
The VOD package contains a 440 page digital PDF booklet on the making of the film and a 60 minute downloadable soundtrack plus extras!!
If you prefer a signed physical Blu Ray or DVD complete with print booklet, physical CD soundtrack and gorgeous box art, the click HERE to visit the Lord of Tears website.
To get to the Lord of tears VOD, click HERE. This is valid for 30 days.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Friday, 17 January 2014
The Disco Exorcist (2011).
The Disco Exorcist (out now in the UK from Monster Pictures) is the perfect throwback to 70's exploitation cinema. Everything from the wardrobe, to the grainy effects on the film scream "Grindhouse". The acting is over the top, the gore pleasing and if you consider this a plus, the nudity and sex scenes plentiful. There are also a few nods to the glory days of Italian cinema which certainly managed to plaster a smile across my face.
The film is set in the late 70's (something both the scenery and costumes recreate authentically), and we meet a seductive player by the name of Rex Romanski. He is the king of disco, which also means he is constantly bedding every woman that approaches him. He makes the biggest mistake of his life when he jilts Rita for his favourite Porn actress Amoreena Jones. He finds out that Rita is a voodoo priestess who has a tendency to raise demons when wronged. Rex sees Amoreena change before his very eyes, and from then on, he must fight the demons who come to kill him, all the while trying to save his love from being possessed by a demonic force.
The film is played incredibly straight, and this helps the film immensely. The integrity of the filmmakers vision is kept intact throughout, and the numerous scenes of comedy, sex and gore keep the film moving along at a brisk pace. This is sexploitation at it's finest, and while the elements of horror are sometimes pushed away for the movie to revel in sex and nudity, it never seems to hurt the picture, and only makes the scenes of violence and horror even more shocking.
The nods to Italian cinema are something else that made me fall in love with this film. Most notable are nods to Lamberto Bava's Demons and Lucio Fulci's The City of the Living Dead. I will not spoil these nods for you, but i urge you to check this film out just to see how loving these homages to these greats of horror cinema are.
The Disco Exorcist is escapism in its purest form. If you watch films to be taken away from the toils of life, the The Disco Exorcist will be right up your street. Fun is the whole reason this movie exists, and believe me, it certainly provides so much of it, that you will find it rather impossible to turn away from the screen while the movie is playing, and you will find yourself drawn back to it again and again for it's ability to shock and make the viewer laugh.
If raunchy, tasteless and over the top horror/Sexploitation comedies do it for you, then the Disco Exorcist is a movie you should check out as soon as possible!
Get down with the Disco Exorcist. You won't regret it!
Darkest regards......Dani.
Wednesday, 15 January 2014
Competition to win Bill Zebub's Indie Director and Quantam Leap of Faith.
Bill Zebub was kind enough to provide me with copies of both Indie Director (Actors cut) and Quantum Leap of Faith for 5 of my readers to win. All you have to do is answer a simple question that will follow after a brief description of each of the films.
Indie Director follows a director who will not dilute or compromise his values, which are crtitisizing beliefs amongst other things. Both funny and insightful, Indie Director takes you into the industry of micro budget film making whilst also entertaining the viewer with a hilarious story.
Quantum Leap of Faith is the "Short Attention Span" cut of Jesus, the Daughter of God. If that doesn't tell you enough about what the film entails, then I don't know what to say. But it has to be seen to be believed.
So, here is the question. "Which movie did Bill Zebub die while making"?
Send your answers to doctorcarnage81@gmail.com, and winners will be picked by a randomiser (or a horned viking helmet) on Feb 28th.
Don't forget to go visit bill Zebub's website, where you can buy merch, movies and read learn all about Bill Zebub. Click HERE to visit the website and be amazed!
Darkest regards......Dani.
Tuesday, 14 January 2014
Thanatomorphose (2012).
Many thanks to Monster Pictures UK for providing me with a screener of this strange yet sickening Canadian body horror. This is one of those movies that tries it's hardest to disgust the viewer, and regularly achieves this goal through some rather disgusting visuals and brutal violence. It isn't all about the gore though, as the mental breakdown the young woman goes through as well as the physical one, is handled incredibly well.
After a night of rough sex, a young woman awakens the next morning to find bruises and marks that seem to have come out of nowhere. Throughout the film, the womans body begins to decay, and we join her on her journey through a mystery illness, and the psychological effects this has on her.
The films is certainly sickening with it's stomach churning depiction of a woman slowly rotting away, and the FX are incredible, as fingers fall off, skin splits and wounds drip with bodily fluids, but this isn't a film that relies solely on gore. The mental decline the woman goes through is stark and shocking, showing the breakdown of her mind as much as the special FX show the breakdown of her body.
Thanatomorphose is incredibly claustrophobic in it's execution, mostly taking part in the young womans apartment, where she becomes more introverted, isolating herself from the general public as her body and mind both rot in unison.
The lead actress, Kayden Rose delivers an overwhelming performance, being naked for the most part of the running time, but there is very little titillation on offer. The sex scenes, while not being explicitly graphic, are brutal and show how much the woman is consumed with allowing herself to be used by unloving men, and that her only value in life is that she gets enjoyment from this.
Thanatomorphose is an incredibly provocative piece of cinema, recalling the works of Jorg Buttgereit, it is a nauseating and disturbing piece of cinema that really does test the viewers endurance with it's depiction of both the mental and physical breakdown of a woman who has nothing to live for.
This film should be seen by anyone with a taste for the horrific, the gore soaked and the intelligently handled horror movie. It will not disappoint on any level.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Monday, 13 January 2014
BBFC are again going to scrutinise the impact of horror movies.
A friend just made me aware of an article on BBC News, which you can read by clicking HERE. In it, the BBFC say they will pay more attention to the impact of gore and strong visuals in its deliberations. There is no explanation given as to what this will entail, but it certainly has me worried.
Yet again, the british public are being told what they can and can't watch, as we were in the early 80's (and have been since the video Nasty furore). I cannot comprehend what makes these people so special that they can say what is good for the general population. Yet again, instead of laying it's guidelines for all the general public to see, all they say is they will pay more attention to the impact of gore and strong visuals. That could include many sub genres of cinema, and not only the horror genre, but again horror seems to be at the forefront of the BBFC's agenda again, with little to no explanation given.
The fact that the BBFC have surveyed the public in regard to the '15' certificate should have meant a step forward, but it seems horror is still the bane of the BBFC, and it doesn't seem like that is about to change anytime soon. How this will affect future releases of horror movies remains to be seen, but I feel the witch hunt that was prevalent in the early eighties may very well happen again.
What really bothers me is, with the internet, anyone can see anything they wish. While I do not agree with porn or snuff, that is only my opinion, and other people should be allowed to make their own choices to a certain degree, being that the choices they make are within the law. If a movie is censored in the UK, it's as simple as buying an import that isn't cut, therefore losing the UK precious revenue.
The argument that horror makes people violent (and let's not forget, it also affects some dogs) is a pathetic argument. I agree that I am not the general public, but, after all my years of watching horror movies, I have never felt like killing anyone, harming anyone or unleashing a demon to hunt down my enemies. Those thoughts have never once crossed my mind. I may have a taste for extreme cinema and the horrific, but that doesn't make me who I am. Entertainment does not affect my personality in any way at all. If it did, why aren't doctors prescribing comedy films for people who suffer from depression?
Horror, like the government, seems to provoke a strong reaction in people. As an art form, isn't that what it is supposed to do? I am sure you wouldn't get the casual horror fan looking into renting the latest underground horror film that features dismemberment and torture, but that doesn't seem to matter to the BBFC. Any film that is classed as horror will be tarnished with the same brush. Not only are the BBFC stifling the British horror genre, but any film made outside of the UK will have to pass what these censors deem "good" enough for the public to watch.
I hope that a witch hunt against horror isn't forthcoming, and that the censors will see that they aren't needed any more, that we are more than capable of making up our own minds. If we don't like something, we don't watch it. It is about time Britain stopped molly coddling it's public, and finally give them the chance to make up their own minds.
Darkest regards......Dani.
A Tale of Nobody (2014) short film review.
A Tale of Nobody is one of those rare accomplishments. A short film that actually grips the viewer, tosses in comedy, horror and raw emotion, and has a story that genuinely affects those watching it. What Derek Huey and Ivan Henriquez have done really is breathtaking, and is incredibly hard hitting with the portrayal of a man who seems to have lost everything he lived for.
A man (Nobody) gets an early morning call from his girlfriend. This starts Nobody on a descent into at first sorrow, but this emotion gives way to darker, more violent behaviour.
The feeling of uneasiness this short film creates is amazing in such a short running time. You will find yourself laughing, but then questioning yourself, asking whether what is happening is really funny or tragic. The unravelling of the main character "Nobody", played by Derek Huey is a downward descent through a spectrum of emotion culminating in....well....you are just going to have to watch yourself.
For a short running around nine minutes, "A Tale of nobody certainly puts it's viewers through the emotional wringer, and not at any point of the short is your attention taken away from the plight of Nobody. We the viewers are along for the journey, and it will make you feel for the main character, whether you invest in him or not.
This is the beginning of things for Derek Huey, and after his hilarious cameo in Conjoined, and his emotionally wrought performance in A Tale of nobody, I cannot wait to see what he has in store for us next. This guy is talented, both in front and behind the camera, and his voice needs to be heard by all!
You can check out "A Tale of nobody" for yourself by clicking HERE.
Darkest regards......Dani.
MJ reviews Rimwipe.
It takes a certain type of band to cover a GG Allin track, a band that is not afraid to offend, anger and amuse those who take the time to listen to them, a band with that rare combination of pure aggression and a great, yet dark sense of humour. Rimwipe are exactly that band, and they're going to tear you a new asshole.
Within the last few months alone these guys have managed to compile a rather large catalogue of tracks, almost all of them clock in at less than two minutes, and they're certainly not easy listening. Each track is a crust-punk infused ball of rage that I'd love to see performed live as epic mosh pits are guaranteed. Their sound may not appeal to the masses but then no one is asking them.... this is music for the angry outcasts, the people who know what's wrong with the world and they're pissed off and they can't help but laugh at the cretins that populate the planet. This is the band that's laughing along with you.
If i were to recommend the songs that stood out for me, I'd suggest "Vaginasaurs" for it's ability to get stuck firmly in your head as well as the fact it's bloody hilarious. "Poke her Face" is a song I think everyone in the world should hear at least once. "Corpse Tickler" and "Fetus Fajitas" are great examples of what these guys can put together both musically and lyrically in a 30 second assault on the ears. "Internet Threat" will remain my favourite response to online douchebaggery in the history of... well, ever. However, my favourite track is "Close the Window" with a mellow vocal leading to an ear splitting climax of screaming, making something seemingly mundane into something so much more.
Essentially, if you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to a dinner party then you are somehow lost here, turn around; you're a long way from Kansas. However, if you're angry, like your music fast and loud, have the sickest sense of humour and you're looking for hilarity and brutality served up in bite-sized portions then you may well have found your new favourite band in Rimwipe.
MJ.
You can visit Rimwipe's Youtube channel by clicking HERE.
You can "Like" Rimwipe's Facebook page by clicking HERE.
Within the last few months alone these guys have managed to compile a rather large catalogue of tracks, almost all of them clock in at less than two minutes, and they're certainly not easy listening. Each track is a crust-punk infused ball of rage that I'd love to see performed live as epic mosh pits are guaranteed. Their sound may not appeal to the masses but then no one is asking them.... this is music for the angry outcasts, the people who know what's wrong with the world and they're pissed off and they can't help but laugh at the cretins that populate the planet. This is the band that's laughing along with you.
If i were to recommend the songs that stood out for me, I'd suggest "Vaginasaurs" for it's ability to get stuck firmly in your head as well as the fact it's bloody hilarious. "Poke her Face" is a song I think everyone in the world should hear at least once. "Corpse Tickler" and "Fetus Fajitas" are great examples of what these guys can put together both musically and lyrically in a 30 second assault on the ears. "Internet Threat" will remain my favourite response to online douchebaggery in the history of... well, ever. However, my favourite track is "Close the Window" with a mellow vocal leading to an ear splitting climax of screaming, making something seemingly mundane into something so much more.
Essentially, if you're looking for the perfect soundtrack to a dinner party then you are somehow lost here, turn around; you're a long way from Kansas. However, if you're angry, like your music fast and loud, have the sickest sense of humour and you're looking for hilarity and brutality served up in bite-sized portions then you may well have found your new favourite band in Rimwipe.
MJ.
You can visit Rimwipe's Youtube channel by clicking HERE.
You can "Like" Rimwipe's Facebook page by clicking HERE.
Tuesday, 7 January 2014
New Black Label Society album!!
Zakk Wylde has today announced that a brand new Black Label Society studio album 'Catacombs of the Black Vatican' will be released in Europe on April 7th 2014 via Mascot Label Group.
Mascot Label Group are honoured to welcome the band to the label, having recently signed BLS exclusively for European territory. The band will join, amongst others, Joe Bonamassa, Volbeat, Gov't Mule, Beth Heart, Vanderberg's MoonKings, Black Country Communion and Kenny Wayne Shepherd on the Rotterdam-based record company's roster.
'Catacombs of the Black Vatican' is Black Label Society's first studio album since 2009's 'The Order of the Black', which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard top 200 chart.
Since their late nineties inception, Black Label Society, formed by guitar legend Zakk Wylde, has been at the forefront of their genre. Their taste for hard riffs and blazing solos has resulted in a slew of hugely successful albums and a reputation as one of the most powerful live bands of their generation.
Zakk Wylde, who has been called one of the true guitar heroes in modern history, served as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist for over 20 years, in addition to his work with BLS. This collaboration led to a string of multi-platinum albums, including Osbourne’s biggest selling "No More Tears," for which Wylde wrote all the music.
Bestowed with such accolades as "Metal Guru" from the recently held Classic Rock awards in the UK, "Golden God” by Metal Hammer and the “Best Guitarist” Award from Revolver Magazine, Wylde has proven time and time again that his songwriting, guitar prowess, and on-stage persona, along with his larger-than-life personality, have made him a force to be reckoned with.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Monday, 6 January 2014
Cemetery Temple Indiegogo Campaign.
Derek Huey, the man behind the upcoming short film 'The Tale of Nobody' (which I have already been lucky enough to see a rough edit of, and have a lot to say about it, but that comes later) is going to make another short. It's premise sounds exciting, interesting, and in the hands of Dee Man, anything is possible.
The new short film will be called 'Cemetery Temple, and you can visit the projects Indiegogo page by clicking HERE.
The director had this to say about the film. "The film is about a group of teenagers who play with a Ouija board on top of land that is built on a mass grave site". He goes on to say that his intentions with the film are to "Scare the shit of the audience".
Not only are the perks for donating incredibly generous, but there is also a 'suggest a perk' option, where people suggest a perk, and if the filmmakers like it, they will add it to the list of perks already available. For those who donate $20, they will receive a digital release of the movie, and a physical copy later on. There are also walk on roles available, amongst some of the best perks I have seen available.
Those who know Derek Huey, know that he loves gore. So if enough money is made, he has promised to "keep the gore coming".
Support this film how ever you can. Donate and/or share. The total wanted is £2,000, not 12,000. Let's help this short film get made, because if Derek's debut short is anything to go by, we are in for great things!!
Darkest regards......Dani.
The new short film will be called 'Cemetery Temple, and you can visit the projects Indiegogo page by clicking HERE.
The director had this to say about the film. "The film is about a group of teenagers who play with a Ouija board on top of land that is built on a mass grave site". He goes on to say that his intentions with the film are to "Scare the shit of the audience".
Not only are the perks for donating incredibly generous, but there is also a 'suggest a perk' option, where people suggest a perk, and if the filmmakers like it, they will add it to the list of perks already available. For those who donate $20, they will receive a digital release of the movie, and a physical copy later on. There are also walk on roles available, amongst some of the best perks I have seen available.
Those who know Derek Huey, know that he loves gore. So if enough money is made, he has promised to "keep the gore coming".
Support this film how ever you can. Donate and/or share. The total wanted is £2,000, not 12,000. Let's help this short film get made, because if Derek's debut short is anything to go by, we are in for great things!!
Darkest regards......Dani.
Saturday, 4 January 2014
The Cold Eyes of Death (2013)
The Cold Eyes of Death is a low budget short horror film which takes influence from both psychological Italian gialli of the sixties and seventies and the supernatural Italian horror of the eighties. With an experimental D.I.Y charm, this film puts the emphasis on atmosphere and visuals rather than todays typical gore and sleaze. Maestro Fabio Frizzi's soundtrack, whose works include Lucio Fulci's Zombi, The Beyond and City of the Living Dead, is the driving force that connects avant-garde shots and chop shop editing into something fans of the aforementioned genres can enjoy.
Beware. The Cold Eyes of Death are watching!
You can view the short film by clicking HERE.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Top Ten Films of 2013.
I see many many lists on social networking sites listing peoples top 10 films of 2013, so I thought I would share mine with you all. Now what may surprise some of you, is that not all of them are horror films. I do actually watch and enjoy other genres of film, but horror is my true cinematic love. So, without further ado, here is my top ten list of 2013, in no particular order.
1:- Star Trek Into Darkness.
While I have never been a huge fan of Star Trek (The Alien that used to be shown during the end credits of the original series scared the living hell out of me in my younger years), the Redux impressed me, not to a great degree, but enough to warrant interest in checking out the sequel. I suffer from an incredibly short attention span, and seeing as Star Trek Into Darkness is on for two hours, I thought I may very well grow increasingly bored with the movie, but hell, it certainly managed to keep me entertained. It is an action packed, thrilling Sci Fi movie that has so much more to it than the lacklustre film that came before.
2:- Pacific Rim.
Giant monsters versus giant robots? How is it possible that anyone could dislike this film? Possibly the best movie of the year, Pacific Rim brings those two loves of mine that I used to obsess over as a child (monsters and robots) and puts them in some of the most breathtaking and destructive battles I have ever witnessed. I also had the pleasure to see the movie in 3D, and I have to say, for once it actually worked to the films advantage instead of it being a gimmick.
3:- The Conjuring.
I really don't get all the hate James Wan seems to receive. He manages to take his films to an incredibly tense level, and doesn't feel the need to use cheap shocks or fill his movies with unnecessary gore. The Conjuring was incredibly effective in its use of sound, strange camera angles and jump scares which hit every time. I was really impressed with this movie in every way, and it's nice to see someone still trying to make effective scare machines in this day and age. This is certainly one of the most effective and shocking haunted house/exorcism movies I have ever seen.
4:- The Raid.
Having been a lifelong fan of Martial Arts movies, nothing had impressed me since I had seen Ong Bak. Ip Man came close, and the sequel was a lot of fun, but nothing had the impact that the original Ong Bak had on me. The fights were so brutal, so real that you could feel every hit. I had heard many things about The Raid, calling it one of the greatest action films of all time, and after viewing it, I am hard pressed to disagree. The fights were incredibly tense, and it was my first introduction to the martial art of Pencak Silat, which is possibly one of the most visually striking forms of fighting I have seen. The film is pure adrenaline from the opening credits, and it just amps up the action throughout it's running time, leaving the viewer breathless and gasping in amazement.
5:- Dredd.
Yes. I was also an avid reader of 2000 AD as a child, and I always had a soft spot for Judge Dredd (although my soft spot for Judge Death was much bigger). The Stallone fronted Judge Dredd was such a let down. Gone was the merciless Judge, only to be replaced with a "nice guy" who even removed his helmet (something which Judge Dredd never does). This film redresses the balance, and gives every fan of Dredd what they wanted. Pure unadulterated action.While in some respects it is similar to The Raid, Dredd is another breathtaking film in the action genre. Judge Dredd is the grimacing, merciless judge he has always been in the comics, and he never removes his helmet. (It might seem like a little thing to some, but to a fan such as myself, it's a big thing). He is also a total badass that goes through so much during the movie, it's difficult not to love this representation of the character, and the film as a whole.
6:- You're Next.
You're Next bought something different to the table. While it began as a typical home invasion movie, the film metamorphosed into something else entirely. It was brutal, funny and shocking all at the same time. I am not going to say too much about this one, for fear of giving away any of the plot. The music is also worthy of a mention, as it sounds like it's straight of an Italian horror picture of the 70's. This film really was so much fun.
7:- V/H/S 2.
Anthology movies, especially ones that have been released in the past few years, seem to get a lot of stick. I enjoyed the original V/H/S, and while it wasn't breathtaking in any way, shape or form, it did show that a huge budget wasn't needed to produce an effective little slice of horror. The sequel took everything the original offered up, and increased it infinitely. More gore, more scares and one less story (which really did mean that the quality of stories was improved). The sound design on the final segment was incredible, and had my stomach turning at the appearance of the creatures terrorizing a family. Scary stuff indeed.
8:- Big Ass Spider.
Sometimes a movie comes along that is so good, it reminds you of why you like movies so much. Big Ass Spider is one of those movies. Everything about it is cinematic gold. The comedy, the horror, the action, everything is pulled off with such an air of perfection, it is impossible not to be impressed by everything this film is about. It really does have absolutely everything a movie needs. If you haven't seen it yet, go get it. There isn't a chance you could be disappointed.
9:- Kick-Ass 2.
The first Kick-Ass film disappointed me. I think it was because the ending was changed drastically from the comic book, coupled with the fact it just wasn't violent enough. The only thing that really grabbed my attention was Nicholas Cage channelling Adam West when he wore his Big Daddy costume. The second film improved everything the first film layed out, while also increasing the level of violence and humour. Again, it combined things from many genres to make an incredibly watchable and enjoyable film, with some of the most quotable lines in any movie in 2013.
10:- Curse of Chucky.
I love Chucky, at least in the first three Childs Play films. Bride of Chucky was fun, but substituted scares for comedy, to a rather lukewarm reception from me. Seed of Chucky was just an excuse for bad taste humour to be explored and exploited, and was the east impressive entry in the franchise. Curse of Chucky on the other hand, is an incredible return to form. You don't even get to see much of Chucky, and that certainly helps build up the tension of the film. The kills are brutal, and Chucky is evil again. What more could a fan of Childs Play want? Oh, and I have to mention the scene after the credits. I absolutely loved the cameo, and the outcome of that scene!
There you have it. not much horror, independent or otherwise, but these are the films that have stood out the most over the past year. Let's hope 2014 brings many more excellent cinematic adventures for us all to be taken on.
Darkest regards......Dani.
1:- Star Trek Into Darkness.
While I have never been a huge fan of Star Trek (The Alien that used to be shown during the end credits of the original series scared the living hell out of me in my younger years), the Redux impressed me, not to a great degree, but enough to warrant interest in checking out the sequel. I suffer from an incredibly short attention span, and seeing as Star Trek Into Darkness is on for two hours, I thought I may very well grow increasingly bored with the movie, but hell, it certainly managed to keep me entertained. It is an action packed, thrilling Sci Fi movie that has so much more to it than the lacklustre film that came before.
2:- Pacific Rim.
Giant monsters versus giant robots? How is it possible that anyone could dislike this film? Possibly the best movie of the year, Pacific Rim brings those two loves of mine that I used to obsess over as a child (monsters and robots) and puts them in some of the most breathtaking and destructive battles I have ever witnessed. I also had the pleasure to see the movie in 3D, and I have to say, for once it actually worked to the films advantage instead of it being a gimmick.
3:- The Conjuring.
I really don't get all the hate James Wan seems to receive. He manages to take his films to an incredibly tense level, and doesn't feel the need to use cheap shocks or fill his movies with unnecessary gore. The Conjuring was incredibly effective in its use of sound, strange camera angles and jump scares which hit every time. I was really impressed with this movie in every way, and it's nice to see someone still trying to make effective scare machines in this day and age. This is certainly one of the most effective and shocking haunted house/exorcism movies I have ever seen.
4:- The Raid.
Having been a lifelong fan of Martial Arts movies, nothing had impressed me since I had seen Ong Bak. Ip Man came close, and the sequel was a lot of fun, but nothing had the impact that the original Ong Bak had on me. The fights were so brutal, so real that you could feel every hit. I had heard many things about The Raid, calling it one of the greatest action films of all time, and after viewing it, I am hard pressed to disagree. The fights were incredibly tense, and it was my first introduction to the martial art of Pencak Silat, which is possibly one of the most visually striking forms of fighting I have seen. The film is pure adrenaline from the opening credits, and it just amps up the action throughout it's running time, leaving the viewer breathless and gasping in amazement.
5:- Dredd.
Yes. I was also an avid reader of 2000 AD as a child, and I always had a soft spot for Judge Dredd (although my soft spot for Judge Death was much bigger). The Stallone fronted Judge Dredd was such a let down. Gone was the merciless Judge, only to be replaced with a "nice guy" who even removed his helmet (something which Judge Dredd never does). This film redresses the balance, and gives every fan of Dredd what they wanted. Pure unadulterated action.While in some respects it is similar to The Raid, Dredd is another breathtaking film in the action genre. Judge Dredd is the grimacing, merciless judge he has always been in the comics, and he never removes his helmet. (It might seem like a little thing to some, but to a fan such as myself, it's a big thing). He is also a total badass that goes through so much during the movie, it's difficult not to love this representation of the character, and the film as a whole.
6:- You're Next.
You're Next bought something different to the table. While it began as a typical home invasion movie, the film metamorphosed into something else entirely. It was brutal, funny and shocking all at the same time. I am not going to say too much about this one, for fear of giving away any of the plot. The music is also worthy of a mention, as it sounds like it's straight of an Italian horror picture of the 70's. This film really was so much fun.
7:- V/H/S 2.
Anthology movies, especially ones that have been released in the past few years, seem to get a lot of stick. I enjoyed the original V/H/S, and while it wasn't breathtaking in any way, shape or form, it did show that a huge budget wasn't needed to produce an effective little slice of horror. The sequel took everything the original offered up, and increased it infinitely. More gore, more scares and one less story (which really did mean that the quality of stories was improved). The sound design on the final segment was incredible, and had my stomach turning at the appearance of the creatures terrorizing a family. Scary stuff indeed.
8:- Big Ass Spider.
Sometimes a movie comes along that is so good, it reminds you of why you like movies so much. Big Ass Spider is one of those movies. Everything about it is cinematic gold. The comedy, the horror, the action, everything is pulled off with such an air of perfection, it is impossible not to be impressed by everything this film is about. It really does have absolutely everything a movie needs. If you haven't seen it yet, go get it. There isn't a chance you could be disappointed.
9:- Kick-Ass 2.
The first Kick-Ass film disappointed me. I think it was because the ending was changed drastically from the comic book, coupled with the fact it just wasn't violent enough. The only thing that really grabbed my attention was Nicholas Cage channelling Adam West when he wore his Big Daddy costume. The second film improved everything the first film layed out, while also increasing the level of violence and humour. Again, it combined things from many genres to make an incredibly watchable and enjoyable film, with some of the most quotable lines in any movie in 2013.
10:- Curse of Chucky.
I love Chucky, at least in the first three Childs Play films. Bride of Chucky was fun, but substituted scares for comedy, to a rather lukewarm reception from me. Seed of Chucky was just an excuse for bad taste humour to be explored and exploited, and was the east impressive entry in the franchise. Curse of Chucky on the other hand, is an incredible return to form. You don't even get to see much of Chucky, and that certainly helps build up the tension of the film. The kills are brutal, and Chucky is evil again. What more could a fan of Childs Play want? Oh, and I have to mention the scene after the credits. I absolutely loved the cameo, and the outcome of that scene!
There you have it. not much horror, independent or otherwise, but these are the films that have stood out the most over the past year. Let's hope 2014 brings many more excellent cinematic adventures for us all to be taken on.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Wednesday, 1 January 2014
Grudges, socialising and the horror community.
First of all, let me begin by wishing all my readers a happy new year. I hate to begin the year with what could be seen as a negative blogpost, but I do wish to address certain issues that are becoming commonplace amongst certain members of the horror community.
Now, I kept hearing about a podcast called 'The Wolfpack', and decided to check it out. I honestly wish I hadn't. For forty five minutes, a man who has an imaginary celebrity status moans and whines about women, the Soska sisters and Women in Horror month. Who should appear on this display of sexism, but Dr. Blood, who gave his services as a guest. Throughout the forty five minute show, they belittle women in horror in every way possible, and it sickened me.
What sickened me even more, was the host of this show. A writer who thinks that he is worshipped by Friday the 13th fans (I have been a Friday fan for many years, and have never heard of this guy beyond these podcasts) and considers himself a big shot in the horror community. His name is William Pattison/Eric Morse.
Let me throw something in here for starters. I agree that everyone should be able to hold their own opinions, and that no one should be criticised for anything they say when expressing their thoughts. But when these thoughts exist on pure fantasy, something needs to be said. The amount of hate that seeps from every podcast is shocking to say the least. The don't seem to have anything good to say about any female member of the horror community. It's like listening in to a conversation from the fifties. The basis for their arguments against women are even more pathetic than the whining that goes on throughout the podcast.
A few more podcasts, with pretty much the same things being said over and over again have been posted, but unless you want to be bored and/or offended by what seems to be a couple of men who have never had any luck with the opposite sex throw out their anger with the simplest of insults, reasons and excuses on why women shouldn't be in the horror industry you have ever heard, feel free to click here to check these podcasts out.
I decided to confront William Pattison about what he was saying about the Soska sisters, after I managed to get an interview with them and found them to be polite, honest and incredibly passionate about the genre they work in. After making a comment on his post, he blocks me. That's right. He blocks me right away, after telling me the situation with the Soska's is a zero tolerance subject for him. What I guess this means, is that William Pattison can spout as many lies about the Soska's as he wants. But as soon as someone disagrees with his views, or can disprove comments he has already made, he isn't willing to even acknowledge these things.
This minority group also seem to attack something they call the 'horror socials'. Now please, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but isn't socialising with people with the same interests one of the great things about being a part of the horror community? I enjoy talking to people across the globe about films I have seen and films I haven't even heard of. It's a great way to discover new movies, new directors and new friends. it just seems like William Pattison is an elitist who thinks he is owed something by the horror community because he wrote a few Friday the 13th books that didn't even involve Jason, and were aimed at teens (that's right. Teen fiction). He seems to think he has been dealt a massive disservice, and underneath all this boiling hatred for women and the horror socials is someone looking for acceptance.
What William Pattison needs to realise is that by being so sexist and hateful, he is never going to gain the acceptance of anyone. No one wants to deal with drama every single day. No one wants to listen to a person spout hatred and lies. The horror community, while being fractured and full of opinionated people such as myself, is a community, and does try to remain friendly and welcoming of everyone. But if you are going to constantly spout hate, and not get over something that happened three years ago, then I am pretty sure there are more people laughing at you than there are supporting you.
That isn't to say everyone in the horror community is going to agree with this post. I might very well be the only person who feels like this about these two people. But I felt I needed to share my views on this situation that seems to be growing out of all control.
Let 2014 be a year that brings the horror community even closer together no matter what genitalia you have, or what your taste in horror is. We all love this genre, and none of us should be moaning about the things we hate. We should all be promoting the things we love.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Now, I kept hearing about a podcast called 'The Wolfpack', and decided to check it out. I honestly wish I hadn't. For forty five minutes, a man who has an imaginary celebrity status moans and whines about women, the Soska sisters and Women in Horror month. Who should appear on this display of sexism, but Dr. Blood, who gave his services as a guest. Throughout the forty five minute show, they belittle women in horror in every way possible, and it sickened me.
What sickened me even more, was the host of this show. A writer who thinks that he is worshipped by Friday the 13th fans (I have been a Friday fan for many years, and have never heard of this guy beyond these podcasts) and considers himself a big shot in the horror community. His name is William Pattison/Eric Morse.
Let me throw something in here for starters. I agree that everyone should be able to hold their own opinions, and that no one should be criticised for anything they say when expressing their thoughts. But when these thoughts exist on pure fantasy, something needs to be said. The amount of hate that seeps from every podcast is shocking to say the least. The don't seem to have anything good to say about any female member of the horror community. It's like listening in to a conversation from the fifties. The basis for their arguments against women are even more pathetic than the whining that goes on throughout the podcast.
A few more podcasts, with pretty much the same things being said over and over again have been posted, but unless you want to be bored and/or offended by what seems to be a couple of men who have never had any luck with the opposite sex throw out their anger with the simplest of insults, reasons and excuses on why women shouldn't be in the horror industry you have ever heard, feel free to click here to check these podcasts out.
I decided to confront William Pattison about what he was saying about the Soska sisters, after I managed to get an interview with them and found them to be polite, honest and incredibly passionate about the genre they work in. After making a comment on his post, he blocks me. That's right. He blocks me right away, after telling me the situation with the Soska's is a zero tolerance subject for him. What I guess this means, is that William Pattison can spout as many lies about the Soska's as he wants. But as soon as someone disagrees with his views, or can disprove comments he has already made, he isn't willing to even acknowledge these things.
This minority group also seem to attack something they call the 'horror socials'. Now please, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but isn't socialising with people with the same interests one of the great things about being a part of the horror community? I enjoy talking to people across the globe about films I have seen and films I haven't even heard of. It's a great way to discover new movies, new directors and new friends. it just seems like William Pattison is an elitist who thinks he is owed something by the horror community because he wrote a few Friday the 13th books that didn't even involve Jason, and were aimed at teens (that's right. Teen fiction). He seems to think he has been dealt a massive disservice, and underneath all this boiling hatred for women and the horror socials is someone looking for acceptance.
What William Pattison needs to realise is that by being so sexist and hateful, he is never going to gain the acceptance of anyone. No one wants to deal with drama every single day. No one wants to listen to a person spout hatred and lies. The horror community, while being fractured and full of opinionated people such as myself, is a community, and does try to remain friendly and welcoming of everyone. But if you are going to constantly spout hate, and not get over something that happened three years ago, then I am pretty sure there are more people laughing at you than there are supporting you.
That isn't to say everyone in the horror community is going to agree with this post. I might very well be the only person who feels like this about these two people. But I felt I needed to share my views on this situation that seems to be growing out of all control.
Let 2014 be a year that brings the horror community even closer together no matter what genitalia you have, or what your taste in horror is. We all love this genre, and none of us should be moaning about the things we hate. We should all be promoting the things we love.
Darkest regards......Dani.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)