Archives for : slasher
“Freaky” is a re-make of the 70s hit comedy, “Freaky Friday” which features a mother and daughter who switch bodies. Except that the 2020 version is a comedy/horror movie, so there’s a lot of laughs and, well, a lot more blood. Susan Stephens says it’s not for the faint of heart, but there are some laugh out loud moments for horror fans. Keep watching for a preview of the historical thriller, “The Last Vermeer.”
“Freaky” is currently playing in theaters
“The Last Vermeer” opens in theaters November 20, 2020.
In Dave Franco’s directorial debut, “The Rental”, two couples rent a vacation home for what they hoped would be a celebratory weekend getaway. Unfortunately, this relaxing trip turns into a nightmare.
After Charlie (Dan Stevens) and Mina (Shelia Vand) close a big deal for their company, they decide to rent an Airbnb for them and their significant others. Charlie seems to be in a happy enough marriage with an aloof Michelle (Alison Brie), but at the same time he is dumbfounded by the fact that Mina is dating his ex-convict brother, Josh (Jeremy Allen White). Needless to say, there is a lot of sexual tension during the weekend.
When the group arrives at the secluded waterfront home, they are impressed with the house; but not so much with the creepy and racist property manager. They don’t let that doesn’t stop their fun. They carry on with drinking, drugs, and sex.
The partying comes to a halt when Mina discovers a hidden camera in the shower, and suddenly, the couples must fight to survive the night.
“The Rental” is an easy horror to digest. The film is only 88 minutes long, and during that time you’re entertained by the complex relationships and intensity. There’s just a few moments of comic relief to ease the tension, but the thought of them being watched is constantly on your mind.
Franco and his co-writer, Joe Swanberg do a fantastic job with their character development. Right away we’re locked into engaging characters who start off with one persona and gradually reveal another. The writers manage to get through many different plot points, while still being cohesive. Less is more here. The set, the score, the character traits, and other small details enhance the story.
All four stars do a fantastic job, but it’s the women that steal the show. It’s impossible not to sympathize with Brie’s character, Michelle. She plays the happy and naïve wife so well. Unaware of the fact that her husband isn’t as great as he’d like everyone to believe. And we can only hope to see more of Vand after an incredibly strong performance as Mina. She’s the whole package– smart, beautiful, and not afraid to stand up for herself against a racist.
Now “The Rental” isn’t as inventive as Jordan Peele’s feature film debut, “Get Out”. There are some holes in the movie. And not everyone will be satisfied with the ending, but it’s a solid thriller that subtly goes from nerve-racking drama to shocking slasher. It’s a lot of fun, and is a promising start for Dave Franco’s filmmaking career.
Rating: 3.75/5
“The Rental” is available On Demand July 24.
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!