Halloween
is less than a month away, but I've already watched a number of
horror films and I'd like to share my thoughts on a few. Although a
few titles were recommended by friends I found most of the films in
articles with such titles as "20 Great Horror Films You've Never
Heard Of." Having watched a large number of films from such
lists, there are some worthy entries, while others I found incredibly
boring or cliched.
I
tried to keep my summaries spoiler free, making them a bit vague, but
clearly defining which I think are worth watching. I've also written
"supernatural" next to those with that element versus the
horror of serial killers or wild animals (there's a few of these).
The
Children (2008) - Two families get together for a winter holiday
that becomes a day of horror when a bacterial disease turns their
children homicidal. Recommend!
Black
Water (2007) - A group of three people are touring the mangrove
swamps of Australia when their boat is overturned by a large
crocodile. Sounds exciting, but it's one of those films where the
characters are stupid, do stupid things, and almost nothing happens.
This is a big skip.
Grave Encounters (2011)
(Supernatural) - The crew of a ghost hunting reality show lock
themselves into an abandoned mental hospital. The problem with most
found footage films is that half of the movie is spent looking around
whatever scary location the characters find themselves in while the
other half has the characters running, screaming, and shouting with
so much shaky cam that there are only quick glimpses of the "horror"
that stalks them. I find most of these films so underwhelming that I
can't wait for everyone to die just so the movie ends. However,
there are so many found footage horror films being made, it's hard
not to catch them now and then. I didn't mind the first half hour,
but by the end, I hated this film. Somehow, it has spawned sequels,
but I would avoid the entire mess. It's dreadfully cliched and
boring. Definitely skip.
The Tunnel (2011) - A film crew
explores abandoned tunnels beneath Sydney, Australia. In other words,
another found footage film, but with an interesting difference. The
Tunnel opens with interviews of the survivors and it's made in the
style of a documentary. I actually quite enjoyed the beginning, but
once they enter the tunnels, it becomes like every other found
footage horror film, virtually indistinguishable from Grave
Encounters (which also had tunnels and hallways). The "horror"
is goofy and lame and I couldn't wait for it to end. Skip.
Resolution
(2012) (Supernatural, but very subtle) - This is an unusual seemingly
simple little film that has some quirky comedy every once in a while,
but it's definitely not trying to be funny. I definitely liked this
film, but realize it's not for everyone. You may like it or hate it.
The ending concept is definitely a bit abstract, but I found it
really fascinating. Not sure how it would hold up on a second
viewing, but watching it through the first time, Renee and I both
thoroughly enjoyed the film (she also found it a lot creepier than I
did, though I think some of the creepiness might be too subtle for
hardened viewers such as yourselves. (Currently on Netflix.)
No One Lives (2012) - Almost more of an action film than
horror, but it has some solid slasher / serial killer elements that
park it firmly in the horror camp. The twist is revealed very early
but it also launches the action. The ending felt a bit easy, but I
still enjoyed it. Partial recommend.
(To be continued...)
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