TRAILER: “Whatever Happened to Harry Fish?” (2013)
Insomnia is a bitch. Most of us know that only too well. I don’t usually have much trouble sleeping, but as I type these words, I’m struggling to make it through this day after a particularly long, sleep-deprived night.
From Glasgow director Gary J Hewitt and producer Ian Sides (who also stars as the titular character) comes this psychological horror tale about an insomniac slowly losing his grip on sanity. This horror territory has been explored countless times before, but with good reason – it’s a fertile premise, with plenty of possibilities. Shot on HD video using Canon’s XF100 professional camcorder, it looks great so far – stylish, confident, intriguing. We look forward to watching the final cut.
Streaming Saturday: The Cabin in the Woods (2011)
This week's Streaming Saturday is The Cabin in the Woods. Produced by nerd-god Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard (the pair wrote the script), the movie is a fresh take on a tired horror trope.
To reveal any details would be a detriment to anyone's first viewing. Suffice it to say, the movie takes a violently witty, meta approach to the "teen cabin horror" movies made popular in the 80s.
REVIEW: “Child’s Play” (1988)
Yep. Even stupider than it looks here.
TAGLINE: You’ll wish it was only make-believe.
SYNOPSIS: A single mother gives her son a doll for his birthday. Eventually, they discover the doll is possessed with the soul of a serial killer, who resumes his killing spree in doll form. But Serial Killer Doll recognizes his murderin’ days are numbered, unless he can assume human form. And the kid seems like his best prospect.
EVALUATION: High camp, bad period dress and hair, a stillborn – and spectacularly silly – concept, and leaden execution: Yes, folks, it’s all here, the hallmarks of bad 80’s horror. The score is OK, though, and I’ve always had a soft spot in my heart for Catherine Hicks, but sweet fluffy Buddha, this thing stinks. Part of the problem is the premise. It’s nearly impossible to create plausible horror using the hoary mannikin/dummy/doll premise. “Magic” did it OK; I can’t really think of anything else, save for a strong “Night Gallery” episode with Karen Black – that one gave me nightmares. Read the rest of this entry
TRAILER: “Hemlock Grove” – Netflix and Eli Roth go dark. Very dark. [NSFW]
As is customary with their original programming, Netflix will release all 13 episodes at once on April 19th. (Be sure to read the Netflix “red band” intro screen carefully. Hilariously over the top.)
More about Hemlock Grove on IMDB.com.
'You're Next' trailer: Check out the first clip for the home invasion horror-comedy...if you dare! -- VIDEO
I recently saw a screening of the excellent home invasion horror-comedy You're Next and, for reasons which will become abundantly clear when the film hits cinemas on August 23, have had the Dwight Twilley Band's why-was-this-never-a-hit? soft-rock classic "Looking For the Magic" on repeat in my head ever since. The movie's first trailer features no Twilley -- making highly ironic use of Lou Reed's "Perfect Day" instead -- and gives little indication as to the darkly hilarious nature of director Adam Wingard and writer Simon Barrett's film.
