I admit that The Vicious Brothers don’t exactly tap in to a part of the found footage genre that hasn’t been done before. Even before found footage became a popular filming format, the premise of con men looking for something supernatural that get more than they bargained for has been done. In fact one of the best “Tales from the Crypt” episodes tapped this premise. That said, while I did recognize the proceedings, “Grave Encounters” is still a lot of fun, if only for the haunted house spooks and bleak ending that ensue. One of the more amusing pop culture devices has been the satire of ghost hunting shows, and “Grave Encounters” brings it in spades.
Tag Archives: Demons
Nothing Left to Fear (2013)
“Nothing Left to Fear” is the prime example of a horror movie that has nothing to offer, and tries to cover it up with fancy special effects and clunky metaphor. The problem is that even those gimmicks don’t work to conceal what is an amateur, tedious, and pointless remake of “The Wicker Man” where another group of people or persons become the sacrificial lambs to religious fanaticism. We know they’re the sacrificial lambs because when our characters The Bramfords arrive in their new town, they see a lamb being sacrificed. Get it? Foreshadowing! Symbolism!
Wither (2012)
Director Sonny Laguna, and Tommy Wiklund’s “Wither” is about as close as you’re going to get to a foreign remake of “Evil Dead.” The one aspect that redeems the film is that “Wither” has such admirable technical prowess, excellent direction, and top notch acting behind it, you forgive it being an obvious ode to Sam Raimi’s original cabin in the woods horror film. “Wither” has that indie gloss, while also being a very well orchestrated horror splatter film about demons, and one man’s sheer demented quest to survive through the night.
The Gate (1987)
It’s really tough to separate my bias for “The Gate” and be objective about the entire film. “The Gate” is one film that was on constant rotation for me as a child, and it was a pure favorite of mine in the days when my only source of movie viewing was the WPIX primetime movie during the week. “The Gate” is almost like Lovecraft for the Goonies audience that thankfully hasn’t worn much in its old age. It’s tonally uneven, granted, but still such a damn fun horror fantasy.
Five Great Indie Filmmakers Suggest Five Great Films for the Halloween Season
Are you looking for a particular horror movie to watch for the month of October? For the Halloween season this year we spoke to five great indie filmmakers that have released some fine horror films recently, and asked them to suggest a horror film that they particularly find worthy of viewing for Samhain, be it so bad it’s good, infamous, or a masterpiece. These filmmakers currently working in independent film were kind enough to take time out of their busy schedules and recommend a title for our readers, so without further ado, five great films for the Halloween season as suggested by five Great Filmmakers.
What are some of your favorite Halloween season movies? Let us know in the comments section!
Frailty (2001)
It’s indicative of the kind of veteran Bill Paxton is that he would choose “Frailty” as his first directorial outing to bring to audiences in 2001. Paxton approaches Brent Hanley’s script with a brilliance and very low key delivery that keeps “Frailty” one of the best horror mysteries ever conceived and yet one constantly over looked. This is a film where even McConaughey manages to shine in his lead performance, and I’m rarely one to endorse his acting abilities. “Frailty” is one of those horror movies that sneak up on you, presuming to be one kind of animal, when it’s a whole other sinister animal entirely.
Mostly Ghostly: Have You Met My Ghoulfriend? (2014)
“Have you Met My Ghoulfriend?” comes off like it’s the fourth film in a movie series, when it seems to only have come after the somewhat bland “Mostly Ghostly” from 2008. Only Madison Pettis comes back for the follow-up, which involves a pair of ghostly teenagers, their human friend with a ghoul fighting ring, and an evil ghoul named Phears intent on consuming their souls, or possessing them, or–something to that effect.