Archives for : Scary Movie
I’ll admit, I scare easily. Films that aren’t even scary (Boo! A Madea Halloween) make me jump. But when I watch a truly, good horror film, I am on the edge of my seat, holding my breath during the entirety of the film. The only breather breaks are my screams. In David Bruckner’s new horror, “The Night House”, I screamed three times.
After her husband, Owen’s (Evan Jonigkeit) unexpected suicide, Beth (Rebecca Hall) is left alone in their large lake house, and suddenly haunted by a mysterious spirit. Beth heads down a dangerous rabbit hole as this leads her to digging into her husband’s dark secrets.
What Bruckner captures here is a very real and painful portrayal grief and depression. It’s not an easy subject matter to tackle, but it’s handled so well here. From Beth’s drinking, re-watching old videos of her husband, to how she interacts with her colleagues and people around her. Owen’s death has consumed Beth and is affecting her daily life and personal relationships.
If you saw Hall in the underrated drama, “Christine”, you already know how well she can portray a woman on the edge struggling with depression. So, it comes as no surprise that Hall’s performance as a grief-stricken widow is incredibly powerful. Your heart absolutely breaks for Beth as she asks the questions one would probably have if their husband chose to end their life: Why? Was he that unhappy? How was he so good at hiding it? Did I really know him at all? Was he a monster and I had no idea? These are just a few of the questions the film will answer.
“The Night House” is shot and edited beautifully. Paired with Kathrin Eder’s unsettling production design and the eerie music by Ben Lovett, the film makes for an engaging and terrifying experience.
Where the film falls short, is that it’s slightly over ambitious. Though questions are answered for the most part, there might be some confusion at the end, and there are a few small plot holes. But if you can piece together a narrative that satisfies you, then this may not be an issue.
“The Night House” is a creative story with gripping visuals and captivating performances.
Rating: B +
A criminal mastermind entraps those who have done wrong in the justice system and unleashes a twisted, cruel form of righteousness. “Spiral” is the terrifying new chapter from the book of “Saw” starring Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson. Susan Stephens sat down with Director Darren Bousman and Co-Writer Josh Stolberg to discuss the mystery horror.
“Spiral” is open in theaters now!
The new horror film “In The Earth” is the mystifying tale of a devastating virus and what it will take to stop it.
Watch my full ICTN review in the video below and see if the film strikes enough fear to make it worth your time.
“In The Earth” opens in select theaters April 16, 2021.
This week I review “Come Play”, based on the 2017 short film. The story follows Oliver (Azhy Robertson), a young boy who feels isolated from everyone. He seeks comfort in his cellphone and tablet, and it is there that he mysteriously comes across Larry – a disturbing creature who wants to be his friend.
Watch my full review, followed by previews of “Holidate” and “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” in the video below.
“Come Play” opens in theaters October 30, 2020,
“Holidate” is available on Netflix October 28, 2020.
“Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” is available on Amazon Prime October 23, 2020.
This week I’ve got reviews of a couple hot new films for you to see. “Irresistible” is a sharp satire of political campaigning from Jon Stewart, and “Relic”, tells a haunting story that will hit close to home for many viewers.
“Irresistible” is available On Demand June 26.
“Relic” is available On Demand July 10.
“Groundhog Day” meets “Scream” in this surprisingly funny, mystery thriller.
Sorority girl, Tree Gelbman (Jessica Rothe) wakes up hungover on her birthday in a stranger’s (Isreal Broussard) bed. She discovers she stayed the night with nerdy classmate, Carter, and rudely exits his dorm room. Thus begins her rampage of being a narcissistic mean girl to everyone who crosses her path. As we get a peek into a day in the life of Tree, we learn she ignores her father’s call, she’s sleeping with her married professor, and constantly belittles others. I know, hard to believe someone wants to kill her. As the night draws near, Tree heads to a party and is quickly stabbed to death by someone in a disturbing baby mask–oddly enough, that is the school’s mascot. She then wakes up, and is forced to keep reliving her birthday with each day ending in her being murdered in some gruesome way. As Tree grows weaker with each consecutive loop, she must unmask her murderer and stop them from finishing her off for good.
Writer Scott Lobell does a great job with this clever script, as he adds a lot of humor and makes the film self-aware to the fact that this is a cheesy horror. The self-awareness allows for the movie to go beyond cliché lines and really have fun with a decently, thought out mystery. At this point I’ve described more of a comedy, but director Christopher Landon achieves a handful of scares that will have audiences jumping in their chairs.
The film’s story is solid, but the key ingredient here is the engaging breakout performance by Jessica Rothe. She nails the strong bitchy exterior that actually allows us to not feel guilty when we laugh at her numerous deaths, yet still gains sympathy towards her hopeful victory. Rachel Matthews, who plays an even more awful sorority sister, might provide the most laugh out moments with her over the top bitchy lines.
Whatever “Happy Death Day” lacks in the horror, it makes up for it in its entertainment. Reminiscent of the “Scream” era, it provides the same kind of “whodunit” feel that keeps you guessing till the very end.
I can’t say that this film should be at the top of your must-see list, but if you are looking for a few scares and fun time during this Halloween season, then “Happy Death Day” is the perfect choice.
Rating: 3.75/5
“Happy Death Day” opens in theaters October 13.
M. Knight Shyamalan was once known for his great films such as The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Signs. Unfortunately, his more recent projects have subjected us to some underwhelming, pieces of crap like The Happening and After Earth. Well folks, I’m pleased to say that Shyamalan’s newest film, The Visit, succeeds as a highly entertaining horror-comedy!
Kathryn Hahn plays a single mother of two who has not spoken to her parents since she left home at the age of 19, and ran off with an older man. Now, her parents have reached out to her through the internet and ask that her children come to visit their Nana (Deanna Dunagan) and Pop Pop (Peter McRobbie), whom they’ve never met.
Per the kids’ wishes, the mom sends them to their grandparents’ isolated, Pennsylvania farmhouse in the woods for a week while she goes on a cruise with her new boyfriend. The eldest child, Becca (Olivia DeJonge), is an aspiring filmmaker. She takes this opportunity to document her entire trip, and hopefully uncover exactly what happened the day her mother walked out on her parents and maybe even mend their relationship. Alongside her, as a second camera operator is her younger, germ phobic, rapping brother, Tyler (Olivia DeJonge).
The trip starts all well and good, Nana makes plenty of tasty treats and Pop Pop enjoys listening to Tyler’s ridiculously, hilarious raps. Seems as though it will be a great week for the kids; that is until they discover why bed time is at 9:30pm. Nana goes from a harmless, nocturnal sleepwalker to a straight up psychotic, creepy, crawler within each passing night! And what exactly is Pop Pop doing when he disappears inside his mysterious shed?
As things are turning eerie fast, the kids are desperate to have their mother come get them before anymore craziness unfolds.
Shyamalan has not only redeemed himself as a filmmaker, but he has also brought originality to the found-footage genre. His combination of humor and terror will have audiences uncomfortably laughing while still on the edge of their seats as they nervously anticipate what’s to come.
The acting is good overall, especially when it comes to the two kids, who could have ruined the whole film if they were wrongly cast. Oxenbould was given some cheesy lines and potentially bad jokes, but his delivery and timing is so on point that you can’t help but enjoy every second he’s on screen. But the real stand out here is Nana. Dunagan gives an incredible performance as the disturbing grandmother who seesaws from sweet and nurturing to plain insanity.
The Visit provides comedy, horror, family, and best of all, a startling amount of effed up sh**. Literally!
Rating: 4/5
The Visit opens in theaters on September 11.
For those of you who prefer to make Halloween a “scary movie night,” deciding on what to watch can be a difficult. However, I have narrowed down a few choices that are equally entertaining.
Some of the best horror flicks include a fierce heroine that you don’t want to piss off. Here are the top five bad ass “scream queens.”
5. Anna Peterson (Maika Monroe) – The Guest
Fights the Beautiful Beast
Though this film is fairly new, The Guest is an inevitable cult classic and it features a quite memorable Anna Peterson, the teenage daughter that seems to be the only one in her family that has suspicions about their recent house guest, David. Once she discovers the unsettling truth about David, she admirably overlooks his blazing baby-blues and irresistible charm so that she may take matters into her own hands and protect her family.
4. Laurie Strode (Jamie Lee Curtis) – Halloween
Selfless Fighter
Laurie Strode is considered by many to be the first true horror heroine. She is a regular “girl next door” who fights off her psychotic murderous brother, Michael Myers, time and time again. Although she struggles with her own war against Michael, helping children in danger is her first priority before her own safety.
3. Julie James (Jennifer Love Hewitt) – I Know What You Did Last Summer
Haunted by Regrets
Julie and her friends thought keeping the secret of their deadly hit-and-run would prevent damage to any of the teens’ future plans. Little did they know the man they “thought” they killed was already a wanted for murder. Julie deals with the regrets of not calling the cops in the first place, which has led her to be stalked by a killer seeking revenge. She stands out as the heroine who could have prevented this terror. And of course, we can’t forget this classic line… “WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR, HUH? WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOOOOORRRR?”
2. Nancy Thompson (Heather Langenkamp) – A Nightmare On Elm Street
Sleepless in Battle
Nancy battled it out with Wes Craven’s monster masterpiece, Freddy Krueger, a burnt serial killer who uses a glove armed with razors to kill his victims in their dreams. Being the only one of her friends that was able to stay awake, Nancy drove Freddy into a realm where he could be defeated.
1. Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) – Scream
Wrestles the Ghostfaces of her Past
In the course of four films, Sidney is terrorized by various killers who claim the Ghostface mask. Each time these murderers make his or her way into Sidney’s life, it’s a guilty reminder of what started this crime wave to begin with. Having your mother’s infidelity be the reason why your own boyfriend turned into a psychotic killer is a traumatic experience all in itself. But, Sidney is forced to relieve this horror through copycat killers and a cheesy, mimicking, Hollywood slasher with infinite sequels. Suffice it to say, there’s no escaping this never ending nightmare. And sadly, repeatedly getting betrayed by the people you trust most and continuously making it out alive earns this heroine our top spot!
Lifetime isn’t really known for their “scary movies.” But once in a while, they tend to deliver a film that successfully spooks you while watching. High School Possession, however, is not one of those films.
Lauren (Janel Parrish-Pretty Little Liars) and Chloe (Jennifer Stone-Wizards of Waverly Place) are best friends. But recently, Chloe is having trouble and spiraling out of control at home and at school. Her mother has taken her to countless doctors, and none of them can clearly diagnose her.
While on assignment for the school newspaper, Lauren interviews Olivia (Shanley Caswell-The Conjuring) and her church youth group known as “The Chosen.” But after the interview, she accidentally sees them performing an exorcism on a girl. Lauren is horrified but intrigued. So she begins to investigate, and it seems to have really helped the girl. Now she wonders if Chloe might be possessed, and the only way to save her is through an exorcism.
You would think this film would take advantage of its demonic elements, and go for some attempt at making its audience scream. This is meant to be released on the week of Halloween for a reason right? Well, that’s too bad, because this might have been the lamest Lifetime thriller yet. I have seen scarier and more interesting episodes of Pretty Little Liars. I wasn’t sure if the direction was aiming for teen horror or family friendly. Though High School Possession fails to deliver, the film’s set up of a possible sequel, surprisingly has some potential.
High School Possession premieres Saturday, October 25, at 8pm ET /PT on Lifetime.