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TheCharles
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An error has ocurred. Please try againThe list keeps getting updated and I'm willing to explore indie, non-english and classic movies. Also, I find it quite hard to compare movies from completely different genres.
Reviews
The Wicker Man (1973)
Isle Of The Bizarre
The movie starts off with a police officer from the mainland who travels to an isle to investigate the disappearance of a girl. Soon he discovers that the lifestyle of the community differs from his as he is repelled by the pagan rituals and open acceptance of sexuality. What frustrates him most though, is that the locals won't seem to cooperate in the investigation.
It's hard to decide in what genre The Wicker Man fits the most. It's a non-scary but very mysterious Horror movie. Quite 'cheesy' but I believe it aged well as The Wicker Man maintains its quality with the storytelling. The bizarre atmosphere is absolutely fantastic as well.
If there's one thing that may have bothered me a bit was that the locals didn't seem to be to concerned about their poor harvest. Perhaps a bit silly, but the best part may be the soundtrack. If you like Neofolk you're in for a treat.
Spider Baby or, the Maddest Story Ever Told (1967)
Quite A Mad Story
Uncle Peter: "Do you like horror movies?"
Spider Baby, also known as The Maddest Story Ever Told, is about a caretaker who lives in an old mansion with three siblings who suffer from Merry Syndrome. It's a rare disease caused by inbreeding, which causes them to mentally, socially, and physically regress backwards down the evolutionary ladder starting in early puberty. All of a sudden another branch of the family, without Merry Syndrome, appear out of nowhere to claim the house.
What starts off as a black and white, gritty B-movie ends up as one of my favourite Horror movies. Well, in general to be completely honest. The combination of the cartoony, one-dimensional yet amusing characters and the bizarre atmosphere worked extremely well for me. The only minor downside was the sometimes overpowering audio but it was no deal breaker. Spider Baby may not be that scary but it's definitely creepy. It's a web of funny dialogue and witty scenes and I'm not afraid to tell you that I was caught in it.
Black Christmas (1974)
Wrong Number?
Black Christmas, also known as Silent Night, is a Psychological Slasher Horror movie and considered to be one of the earliest Slasher films in general. It's based on a urban legend about a teenage girl babysitting children who receives telephone calls from a man who continually asks her to "check the children". If that doesn't sound like the perfect Christmas flick for the entire family, then I don't know.
The actresses are both gorgeous and talented, but what I loved most about this movie is that unsettling voice that you keep hearing through the phone. It's genuinely disturbing and I didn't even understand everything he mumbled. The contrast between the Christmas/ holiday spirit with the dark atmosphere works perfectly. The movie isn't really that graphic but again, that voice will possibly haunt you for a while. Another interesting element is that we look through the killers perspective, which allowed to killer to keep his identity secret from the audience. The Slasher genre may have become a bit repetitive but don't let that stop you from watching this classic. Now I'd love to write some more but I have some calls to make.
Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988)
Messy in a good way
After being pleasantly surprised by its predecessor, I had high hopes for Hellraiser II: Hellbound. That being said, it even surpassed my expectations. You'll have to see the first one in order to appreciate this one though. In this sequel a lot of things get explained, such as the origin of Pinhead, the lead Cynobite. Briefly but still interesting. Overall, it's an incoherent, messy, nightmarish acid trip that breaks all rules of reality as we literally enter hell, home of our bizarre yet huggable Cynobites. The make-up is as impressive as it was in the prequel and what it lacks in suspense, it makes up for with gore. If you're twisted soul enjoys these kind of movies as much as I do, than you should give it a shot.
Hellraiser (1987)
S&M On another level
Kirsty Cotton:" Who are you?"
Lead Cenobite: "Explorers in the further regions of experience. Demons to some, angels to others."
It puzzles me that a movie like Hellraiser is so underrated. Everyone has heard of the franchise and Pinhead, but for some reason this movie has been left out on many Classic Horror movies lists. Despite not having that much psychological suspense, it still remains a solid movie in my eyes. Sure, the acting is a bit wooden and the very few special effects are plain bad but it's nothing that'll ruin your experience. It seems that the make-up artists've enjoyed themselves with Hellraiser as the results are absolutely astonishing. The Cenobites, with their alien- like appearances, look like they came straight out of your nightmares, only to cause you even more nightmares. Clive Barker's grim and raw Body Horror, Hellraiser, remains an unsung movie that every Horror fanatic should see. You could say it's S&M on another level.
Carrie (1976)
Puberty can be rough
One of the best things about Carrie, is that the makers successfully create empathy and sympathy for their main character. I don't think I have to point out that it makes a movie so much more enjoyable. It's something that lacks in today's Horror movies. Carrie White is brought to life by Sissy Spacek's outstanding performance, who I believe was the perfect pick for this role. The pace is quite slow and there's not too much going on for the most part. The plot consists of a slow build-up which builds towards a climactic scene. I won't spoil anything but it's easily one of the most amazing scenes I've seen on screen. The portrayal of high school cruelty combined with telekinetic powers is simply a recipe for disaster.
Being a fan of his other work like Scarface and The Untouchables, I was pleasantly surprised as De Palma's name appeared in the opening credits. The fact that I could expect unfiltered graphic violence was a good way to start the movie. He even made fantastic use of split- screen techniques, which I'm not really a fan of in most cases. Neither did I expect John Travolta, which was pretty funny. Carrie, based on Stephen King's novel, feels authentic yet refreshing at the same time. I guess puberty is rough for some teens..
The Thing (1982)
Don't trust anyone
Childs: "I just cannot believe any of this voodoo bullshit."
Palmer:"Childs, happens all the time, man. They're falling out of the skies like flies. Government knows all about it, right, Mac?"
John Carpenter's The Thing really is something else and I can't even imagine how impressed I would've been if I was there to watch it when it came out. There's a reason why The Thing is praised by many critics and considered to be one of the best Horror movies ever. It's visually repulsive, in a good way, thanks to the isolated setting in Antarctica, fantastic make-up and practical effects. In fact, this may be my favourite Horror movie ever based on practical effects. Personally, I prefer practical effects over CGI. A good combination of both works as well. The Thing remains complete as both a Horror and Sci-Fi movie.
Besides being eye candy, the paranoia caused between the researchers is something well executed. It's by no means deeply layered or complex. In fact, it's rather straightforward but just like the researchers you try to focus and pay attention to all the little details as you're trying to figure things out for yourself. Each scene made me wonder: "What would I do in this situation", which is something I happen to like. It's safe to say that there were no holds barred when it came to imagination. To top it all off, you have Kurt Russell, which takes a sip of his bottle of J&B every couple of minutes, and some cheesy but acceptable dialogue. The Thing will forever remain an iconic piece of work, no matter how much the movie industry transforms.
Amer (2009)
Sensual Cinematography
Amer may not have a high re-watch value for me, but it certainly was a unique experience. I may have to let it sink in a bit as I'm still a bit confused. Never have I seen a movie where literally everything is sexualized. From crawling spiders to a simple walk to the hairdresser with your mother. Not by methods like nudity but solely by its cinematography.
Besides the cinematography, the scenery and actresses are gorgeous if I may say so. The three chapters, each representing a stage of the main character's life worked quite well. The plot's simplicity works in cases like Amer. The It's definitely abstract and there's practically no dialogue. Movies like Amer could go both ways if you're new. I'm happy to say to I quite liked it.
Suspiria (1977)
More than just eye candy
I luckily stumbled upon Suspiria, which I now consider to be an overlooked cult classic. Another gem from my favourite movie era, the 70's. The movie has obviously aged technically, the plot is quite linear, the script is simple and the characters are rather flat. My biggest issue was the often poor audio quality which made it hard to understand the dialogue while it was being overpowered by the background sound. Despite all that, Suspiria isn't the movie that is going to be praised for it's gore but rather for its build-up and visual appeal. The vibrant color scheme creates a unique and surreal atmosphere. The stylish mood is only enhanced by an impressive score composed by the progressive rock band Goblin. Overall, Suspiria is more than just eye candy and I'm pretty sure that it would've been one of my favourite movies ever when it came out.
El espinazo del diablo (2001)
It will cause shivers down your spine.
Dr. Casares: "You know what? Of all the orphans, you were always the saddest. The lost one. A prince without a kingdom.."
Presenting The Devil's Backbone (also known as El Espinazo Del Diablo) Guillermo Del Toro showed once again what he's capable of. Once again the Fantasy and Gothic aspects are present, just like in many of his other projects. The stylish yet spooky fairy tale, with various subplots, is rich in both character and story. As a result that I found easy as a viewer to connect with the vulnerable but brave protagonists. That being said, I'd also have to applaud the superb acting by the entire cast. The movie will make you uncomfortable, but probably in a different way than you initially thought.
The story's setting takes place in a, fairly isolated, orphanage in Catalonia (Spain) that has fallen as a result of the Spanish Ciliv War.Even though it's being labeled as a Horror movie, I can confirm, while it remains mainly a ghost story, that the movie is clearly a War Drama. Guillermo Del Toro successfully shows off his creative skills by combining the different genres in a subtle manner. In all honesty, this is one of the best pieces of cinema I've come across. At least, that's my opinion. convincing even one person to watch this movie would be so satisfying because it's truly worthy of your time. Even Del Toro himself considers it to be his most personal film. The Devil's Backbone is a sad ride but a tense experience that will cause shivers down your spine.
El orfanato (2007)
Gloomy Yet Beautiful
Once again I've fallen in love with a Spanish Horror movie. Directed by Juan A. Bayona and produced by Guillermo Del Toro, The Orphanage impresses with its cold and gloomy atmosphere. Despite the fact there are ghosts included, the movie doesn't rely on cheap jump scares but rather on its touching story and dark elements. Beautiful cinematography and a plot twist are only a few of many positives. A strong lead performance made me genuine feel for the the characters. The Orphanage is a prime example of less being more. Without a doubt a modern Horror classic. I would even recommend this movie to people who aren't that fond of the genre.
The Shining (1980)
Where's Johnny?
The Shining is not exactly you happy family flick. It's a timeless classic that easily holds up with today's Thriller/ Horror genre. In fact, I believe it may be one of the best Psychological Horror movies up to this day. Living in an empty hotel on an isolated location sounds quite unsettling but it's Jack's Nicholson stellar performance as Jack Torrance that made this movie in my opinion. The overacting, memorable dialogue, and unnerving ambient sounds only enhanced the film adaptation of Stephen King's sinister novel. Unlike the child or Jack, I felt as if the wife lacked some personality. Her character seemed a bit flat. The ending was a bit anti-climatic but nothing that made me enjoy this movie any less. Definitely a must-see movie for the lovers of the Thriller and/or Horror genre.
Bone Tomahawk (2015)
Not Your Average Western
A unique concept where Western meets Horror was enough to pique my interest. Bone Tomahawk contains some brutal scenes and a strong build- up but overall wasn't as suspenseful as I hoped it to be. The movie's style could be somewhat be compared to that of the Coen Brothers. It felt like a mix between The Hatefull Eight and The Descent, which sounds quite exciting if we're being honest.
I really enjoyed following Sheriff Franklin (Kurt Russel) and John Brooder (Mathew Fox). Not only did they played the coolest characters, they also had the best performances. At least, that's my opinion. It's nice to see Kurt Russel back and I still believe that Matthew Fox is underrated. That being said I couldn't care less about the other main characters. I feel like their should've been more chemistry between Samantha O'Dwyer (Lili Simmons) and Arthur O'Dwyer (Patrick Wilson ).
Spring (2014)
Your Non-typical Summer Romance
Once again Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson join forces as they bring us Spring. I was absolutely blown away to be honest. Don't expect it to be a regular horror movie with gore because it really isn't, nor is it trying to be. It's more like a Romance soup spiced with Horror. They really stepped out of the box with this unique mix of genres and completely succeeded doing so.
Not only do I applaud their creativity but also the execution. From cinematography to videography, they nailed it. Apart from being both touching and thrilling, Spring is visually really appealing. The picturesque locations, shot in sunny Italy, didn't hurt either. Spring is a finished product and whether you prefer indie movies or not. I suggest you don't do too much research and just go watch it yourself. Highly, highly recommended.
The House of the Devil (2009)
The Place To Be
I wasn't prepared for this. The House Of The Devil's pace is quite slow but this also allows the atmosphere to get real dark. I mean really dark and unsettling. The director obviously paid tribute to the classics of the Horror genre which worked for me. I was satisfied by its cinematography, pace and even the soundtrack. The few characters were likable and the acting was quite good considering how mediocre the acting in an average Horror flick is these days. But then again, I wouldn't consider this an average flick, but a modern day Horror classic.
If you could invest in movie value, I would in this case. The ending wasn't bad by any means but my standards were sky high after that climax. Anyways, The House Of The Devil's the place to be. Just knock twice and enter!
Apocalypse Now (1979)
Embrace The Chaos
I was expecting Apocalypse Now to be a movie mainly based on action and explosions but I couldn't be more wrong. The movie is far more than just that. You'll feel your heart pounding as you travel with Captain Willard (Martin Sheen) and his team through the jungles of Vietnam. The further they travel, the more they and the people they encounter become distant from humanity as they seem to embrace the chaos.
Technically, visually outstanding and enhanced by a perfectly fitting soundtrack. With an amazing cast and artistic choices by Francis Ford Coppola, Apocalypse Now became a masterpiece and remains in my honest opinion one of the best picture movies ever made.
Rear Window (1954)
i spy with my little eye..
You just can't resist watching Hitchcock's Rear Window, just as L.B. Jeffries (James Stewart) can't resist the urge of peeking at his neighbours. What makes this movie so great, besides the witty dialogue and simple yet perfectly executed plot, has to be that unique feeling where you become one with the main character. As a viewer you share and experience everything from Jeffries' perspective which automatically creates a certain suspense. Personally, I found the authenticity of this movie to be quite charming. Rear Window remains an all-time classic for a reason. Good walls make good neighbours, but what happens when you're getting a bit too curious?
Scarface (1983)
Journey Of A King
After only 20 minutes I realized it was love on first sight. Tony Montana takes you on a thrilling ride to the top, making a name for himself in business, in a very fashionable way. Besides the obvious action I was charmed by its many memorable quotes and also laughed more than I would have expected.
The movie aged very well and even works as the authentic feel only enhanced the movie. I suppose you could compare Scarface, like many other classics, to a fine wine. I'm wondering how annoyed the people, who I live with, will be when I'm going to keep quoting Scarface for the entire week. The only bad part is that it only lasted 3 hours. That's when we had to say goodbye to the bad guy.
It Follows (2014)
Refreshing & Scary
This movie felt like a Final Destination plot directed like a 70's/80's horror(,which is awesome). Despite not being fully convinced by the plot/story and the slow pace towards the end, it felt very refreshing compared to today's Horror genre.The biggest reason I rate this movie so highly is for their unique approach.
It Follows succeeds in creating a certain suspense by the smart use and choice of sound. I felt like the second half was a bit rushed and perhaps too linear but I was pleasantly surprised by the style. Nothing that will keep me up at night but highly recommended for all Horror fanatics.