13. ALL CHEERLEADERS DIE
Anchor
2013 color
89 Mins.
Horror-Comedy
Written and Directed by Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson
N/R : contains violence, gore, language, sexuality and nudity.
All Cheerleaders Die can easily be dismissed as a straight to the dump trashfest based on it's poster and title. And truth be told it is indeed a trashfest but in all the right ways. Written and Directed by Lucky McKee and Chris Sivertson this horror comedy is a unique experience all it's own. What starts out as a fairly generic genre mash up soon expands it's heights with an inspired storyline, witty dialogue and an overall fun feel. The film centers on a group of mean cheerleaders who die and are brought back by a witch. They soon discover too survive they must feed on horny teenage boys. Although it plays more like a junior adaptation of the video game Lollipop Chainsaw there's much to enjoy here. The performances are expectedly goofy and the killing scenes appropriately gory but the camp value is intentional and beyond enjoyable. It may never reach the heights of McKee's masterpiece May but I don't think it's aiming too. ***.5/5
12. FROM THE DARK
Abandoned/Workshed
2014 color
90 Mins.
Horror
Niahm Algar and Stephen Cromwell star.
Directed by Connor McMahon
N/R : contains language, violence and gore.
Drenched in a thick atmosphere of nail biting tension From the Dark is a modern day creature feature from Ireland. Executed with dread inducing cinematography that makes the proceedings feel simplistic and unnerving. The film centers on a young couple driving across the Irish countryside whose car gets stuck and they wander over to a desolate farmhouse for help. But they soon come across a strange, aggressive, intelligent creature hell bent on feeding on them. It's a fairly generic setup but the film is executed with a dark pizazz that makes the proceedings feel fresh. It also has one of the most innovative, kick ass final girls. That being said the film does get a little repetitive but is a hidden gem without a doubt. ***.5/5
11. LAST SHIFT
Magnet
2014 color
90 Mins.
Horror
Juliana Harkavy stars.
Written and Directed by Anthony DiBlasi
Rated R for language, violence and gore.
I was assuming this was a remake of Let Us prey from the trailer and setup. But although it does possess some similarities it's definitely a different film all it's own. The film centers on a rookie cop spending her first night at a soon to be closed down Police station. One in which her father was murdered by cult members some years ago. The setup seems stolen from "Prey" but what follows is what makes the proceedings unique and more effective in my opinion. The film moves along with a slow burn nature as she is haunted by the dark spirits of the dead cult members culminating in an unexpected finale. The central performance from Harkavy gets stronger as the film goes along and the movie possesses some of the most nightmarish imagery in quite some time. Although not entirely original Shift does add a dose of refreshing adrenaline to the proceedings making for an immersive, creepy watch. ***.75/5
10. TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN
Bad Hat
2014 color
90 Mins.
Horror
Jill Larson and Anne Ramsey star.
Written and Directed by Adam Robitel
Rated R for language, violence, gore and nudity.
You make be rolling your eyes when hearing this is yet another found footage possession flick but "talking" is a truly inspired watch. Centered on the title character whose supposedly suffering from early onset Alzheimer's and whose condition is being documented by a film crew. The film soon moves into some disturbing territory as we are confronted with the realities of senior dementia and than ultimately possession. As her psyche and body begins to deteriorate the central performance from Jill Larson is brave and undeniably effective. The special effects from Face off alumni Gage Hubbard is beyond impressive and truly nightmarish. All the proceedings are executed with a totally immersive impact that leaves you feeling haunted long after the credits roll. ***.75/5
9. HAUNT
IFC Midnight
2014 color
86 Mins.
Harrison Gilbertson and Liana liberato star.
Written by Andrew Barrer
Directed by Mac Carter
Rated R for language, violence and gore.
An outcast teen moves into a new house with his family and meets a mysterious teenage girl and together they find a creepy radio in the attic and begin to play around with it unwittingly releasing a dark force. It all sounds very goosebumpish but this is a scary flick. It moves along slowly with some spurts of nightmarish imagery and than a disturbing finale . The two leads have great chemistry and the film is well executed. Although it falls into the more teen realm of horror flicks the R rating keeps things edgy enough to satisfy most genre fans. ****/5
8. THE DAMNED
IFC Midnight
2013 Color
87 Mins.
Peter Facinelli, Sophia Myles and Nathalia Ramos star.
Written by Richard D' Ovidio
Directed by Victor Garcia
Rated R for language, violence and gore.
After a family in involved in an accident they find refuge in a nearby farmhouse. However, they soon discover a scared, young girl locked in the basement and release her. Accidentally releasing an ancient evil demon that possesses people by body jumping. The only way to stop it is to the lock the being back in the basement. Although the proceedings play out somewhat expectedly the solid performances lend the material an unexpected emotional girth. The film is also directed confidently always keeping the suspense going and the film has some truly effective nightmare sequences involving the possessed. It all culminates to a sad, haunting finale that stays with you long after the credits have rolled. ****/5
7. EXETER
Vicarious
2015 color
91 Mins. Horror
Stephen Lang, Kevin Chapman, Kelly Blatz, Brittany Curran, Brett Dier, Gage Golightly and Nick Nicotera star.
Written By Kirsten McCallion
Directed by Marcus Nispel
Rated R for language, violence, gore, sexuality, nudity and drug use.
There are some movies that are just meant to be fun. They're not meant to be over analyzed or critiqued in every capacity. So if that doesn't sit well with you it would be best to skip Exeter. How ever if it does sound appealing you will have a blast with Exeter. From Marcus Nispel the director of the superb Chainsaw remake and the dismal F13 remake comes his new genre film which is a return to form for him thankfully. The film centers on a group of hard partying teens who decide to gather at an old mental asylum accidentally releasing a demonic entity after a night of drunken, drug induced debauchery. The film is hella gory with kick ass death scenes, kinetic pacing and luminous cinematography that doesn't make sense but fits the proceedings perfectly. As in the Chainsaw remake Exeter is a pop horror mashup of genre clichés expertly executed in a fun, intense fashion. It's true the film doesn't have much going on under it's skin but it's so much fun it's easy to overlook the film's obvious flaws in the name of bloody good entertainment., ****/5
6. THE CANAL
Orchard
2014 color
92 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Rupert Evans and Antonia Campbell Hughes star.
Written and Directed by Ivan Kavanaugh
Rated R for language, violence, gore, sexuality and nudity.
It's really important to know that The Canal is a slow burn horror thriller. But if you put in the effort you'll be rewarded with some for the most horrific, nightmarish moments ever seen on film. The film centers on film archivist David who discovers his home was the sight of brutal murder. Soon after he begins to suspect a spectral presence in the house and than his wife goes missing. It may not sound that exciting but the performances are strong and the direction and screenplay are executed in a way that make the proceedings feel completely immersive. We are front and center for each traumatizing event after another all leading up to a surprising and unique finale. Don't watch alone! ****.25/5
5. THE DEN
IFC Midnight
2013 Color
81 Mins.
Horror
Melanie Papalia stars.
Written and directed by Zachary Donahue
Rated R for language, violence, gore, sexuality and nudity.
In a flood of cheaply made found footage internet themed horror movies you may feel desperately like you don't want to see another one. But it would be a crime as a horror fan not to see the horrifically effective "the Den". The film centers around a young woman who receives a grant to do a sort of social experiment by chatting online with strangers. She unfortunately comes upon a young woman being murdered and can't tell if it's real or fake and finds herself and her family and friends targeted by a sadistic killer. The proceedings play out unexpectedly and because of the execution it feels so real and scary. The film's pacing especially towards the end feels unrelenting barely leaving you time to breathe as it marches towards it's inevitable and deeply disturbing conclusion. ****.5/5
4. HOUSEBOUND
Semi prof
2014 color
107 mins.
Horror/Comedy
Morgana O' Reily stars.
Written and Directed by Gerard Johnstone
Rated R for language, violence and gore.
A young woman on house arrest finds herself at home with her annoying mother by court order. Soon after arriving she begins to suspect her surroundings may be haunted by a hostile spirit. Every thing you think you may know about this film is probably false and I'm not gonna ruin it for you. Housebound is a mega fun, scary thrill ride. I won't give anything away but it all leads to an inspired, unexpected, goretastic finale you won't see coming. ****.25/5
3. CREEP (2015)
Blumhouse
2014 color
82 Mins.
Horror-Comedy
Patrick Brice and Mark Duplass star.
Written and Directed by Patrick Brice
Rated R for language, violence and nudity.
You'd be hard pressed to find a more unique, charming and overly disturbing film than Creep. Unfairly dumped to a limited release Creep features an intriguing, simplistic premise, expertly executed. The film centers on an aspiring film maker who answers a Craig List ad for a one day job in a secluded mountain area. When he meets his client he discovers he has cancer and a baby on the way with a desire to film some of his last moments for his baby when it's grown up. But as the day goes on his client begins to exhibit bizarre behavior and begins getting caught in lies building to a profoundly disturbing revelation. Mark Duplass is excellent as the film's complex creeper delivering his lines with a uncomfortable but charming zest. He makes his villain likable in an uncanny way. The film is directed confidently with an intentional awkward angle making the proceedings feel overly uncomfortable and suspenseful. Creep is without a doubt a hidden gem that is sure to become a cult classic. ****.5/5
2. AMERICAN MARY
Evolution
2012 color
103 Mins.
Horror
Katherine Isabelle stars.
Written and Directed by the Soska Sisters
Rated R for language, violence, gore, sexuality, nudity and drug use.
A young medical student unable to pay her bills is seduced into the world of underground surgeries after a traumatic event. The Soska Sisters debut film is a wonderfully seductive and original experience. Katherine Isabelle shines in the lead and the events unroll unexpectedly always with a tone of very dark humor and slight desperation. A new world of nightmarish surgical atrocities and revenge is unraveled as you follow along the wonderfully developed and performed lead character. American Mary has already garnered a small cult following soon to grow deservedly so in the upcoming years. Bizarrely addictive! ****.75/5
1. KRISTY
Weinstein
2014 color
86 Mins.
Horror/Thriller
Haley Bennett, Ashley Greene and Lucas Til star.
Written by Anthony Jaswinski
Directed by Oliver Blackburn
Rated R for language, violence and gore.
A young woman stuck at college for thanksgiving break is attacked by a group of psychotic cult members. It's a simplistic premise with a great location and executed near perfection. Unfairly dumped to a limited release Kristy would have been a fantastic big audience experience and a sure fire hit. Still watching it at home the film is still wholly effective and clap out loud exciting. Although not necessarily scary especially since out final girl becomes the hunter against her tormentors the film is nail bitingly suspenseful. The film is without a doubt one of the best genre features to come out this year! ****.75/5
