5 posts tagged “horror movies”
There's been a lot of hype this weekend over Paranormal Activity, a low-budget horror movie about a couple haunted by a demon in their bedroom. My brother told me about this film about a month ago and said, "Don't watch the trailer at night because it might freak you out."
I watched the trailer during the day, but then caught the trailer at night on television and COULDN'T SLEEP. I was terrified. Not because the trailer is that scary, but because of the taglines and reviews in the preview: "The scariest film ever made!" I felt like a little kid, scared of the dark. This movie has become the adult version of the Boogeyman for me. It's not that the film looks all that scary (although I hear it is!), but it's the hype surrounding the fear. According to advertisements, I MUST be scared of this because everyone else is!
Usually, I would include a link to a preview of the film in a blog post, but I'd rather link to something non-intimidating like Bruce Vilanch.
I'm debating whether to see this film. I adore a great scary movie. However, I slept with lights on after watching Cloverfield, Drag Me To Hell, and even (sadly) Jennifer's Body. Would I be one of those people who passes out while watching this film due to extreme fear?? Should I risk public embarrassment just to see what all the hype is about?
It's not like there's much else out there to see right now. Couples Retreat isn't much better. In this film, rather than watch a couple get terrorized on-screen, the couples terrorize movie-goers off-screen.
I was really excited to see Jennifer's Body last night (I feel so naughty as I type this). Not only was it Diablo Cody's follow-up script to Juno, but it was also a return to bitchy-form for the horror genre ala Heathers (one of my favorite movies).
I'll admit, the trailers to the movie were a lot more exciting than the film itself, but Body does deliver. I found myself fully engrossed in the film (emphasis on "gross"). I've never seen a horror film like it. I walked out of the theatre with a feeling similar to when I saw Drag Me To Hell. While Jennifer isn't as consistently good as Hell, it is imaginative and twisted with a story unlike any other.
Without giving too much away, Jennifer becomes a demon because of an Indie rock band's desperation to become popular (seriously). You've got to see it to believe it. I found myself laughing while simultaneously being terrified during Jennifer's death scene (which is always the true test of a great horror flick).
I've also finally discovered why everyone makes such a big deal about Megan Fox.
I know probably 40% of her is fake, but her surgeons did a great job. She's beautiful. I only wish her acting abilities were a little better because I think the role of Jennifer could have been even more evolved if performed by someone with better acting chops.
Speaking of chops, I wonder what Diablo Cody will do next. This film's dialogue wasn't much different than Juno's ("Move On Dot Org!"), except with the added conflict of murder and death. I'd like to see her write something that doesn't conjure up a pop culture reference in every scene. She's definitely got the imagination for a great story.
I didn't see Orphan this weekend, but I heard about the twist at the end (don't worry I won't reveal it). It's a doozy that's left me intrigued and still wanting to see the film even though I know the conclusion.
I originally had written off the film because it looked like a lot of other "Kid Horror" Flicks, where some demented kid wreaks havoc on a family (The Good Son, Joshua, Let the Right One In). To me, the ultimate film in this genre is 1956's The Bad Seed.
The Bad Seed was probably the first film to do "kid horror" well and right. It stands up even today (except for the closing credits where the actors come out for a pseudo-curtain call and let us all know, "it's just a movie" -- part of its 50's charm, I suppose). The black and white picture adds even more creepiness to it.
Lately, I've noticed that the powers-that-be who create movie titles are just getting lazy. Case in point, Fast & Furious as opposed to The Fast and the Furious. These are two different movies with nearly the same title.
Just when I thought it was just a blip on the movie radar, here comes The Final Destination. Here's a sample conversation on how people will distinguish between this movie from its original, Final Destination:
"Hey, did you see the new previews for The Final Destination?"
"Uh, yeah. About nine years ago."
"No -- The Final Destination. New title -- it has 'The' ."
"Oh, THE Final Destination. Wow. This must be THE final one then! Awesome."
Basically, the "The" in the title is about as subtle as Clark Kent's glasses.
Here's a clip of THE Final Destination. I'm really glad to see that horror films are venturing into Racetrack territory. I hope there's a cameo by Danica Patrick!
I got to see a midnight showing of Sam Raimi's new horror flick Drag Me to Hell last night and my throat is still sore from screaming. The movie is literally like a roller coaster ride, something that's enjoyable yet gives you the creeps just thinking about it (at least for this amusement park non-enthusiast).
Hell tells the story of Christine Brown, a loan officer who's just trying to get promoted. So when an old gypsy woman comes in (with fake teeth sprawled on her desk) and asks Christine for a third extension on a loan, Christine says no, in order to prove to her boss that she has what it takes to be an assistant manager. It gets her boss' respect -- but also sends her straight to hell with a curse from the old woman.
Just like one of the blurbs read in the preview, this film IS the "most satisfying film experience -- ever." You know what has to happen, but the movie makes you want to believe otherwise. If this film does not become a cult classic (or not become THE movie to see this post-Memorial Day weekend), I will be shocked. This one is already at the top of my "Best Movies of 2009" list.
