Archive for Slashers & Serial Killers
Amusement
Posted by: | CommentsSkull Rating: 4
Description:
The near-catatonic Tabitha (Katheryn Winnick) tries to explain why she and two of her childhood friends (Laura Breckenridge and Jessica Lucas) are being hunted by a serial killer while being interrogated by a police psychiatrist. The truth that’s dying to come out weaves together three tragic secrets from their past. Keir O’Donnell and Tad Hilgenbrinck co-star as two of the girls’ boyfriends who become unwitting targets in their deadly game.
Rated R, 1 hr. 25 min., 2008
Our Opinion:
You never know who is going to take things personally and hold a life long grudge against you from childhood. This guy builds an elaborate scheme to get back at his childhood school mates many years later. Very unique idea and well produced. This one that you will probably wouldn’t mind seeing again.
It’s Alive
Posted by: | CommentsSkull Rating: 4
Description:
Maternal bliss soon turns to horror for new mom Lenore (Bijou Phillips), when she discovers her little bundle of joy is a natural born killer who leaves a trail of dead in his tiny wake. As the death toll mounts, the doting mom can stay in denial for only so long. James Murray co-stars as the proud papa in director Josef Rusnak’s chilling remake of Larry Cohen’s 1974 cult horror hit.
Rated R, 1 hr. 30 min., 2008
Our Opinion:
This is a great upgrade for the original title, however, I don’t know if I would call it a remake. It is quite a different movie and also plays well for the modern horror audience. If you are pregnant this one will be even more scary for you. Who knew babies could kill…
Surveillance
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 4
Description:
Revealing the stunning truth behind a horrific string of homicides near Santa Fe, a young girl (Ryan Simpkins), police officer (Kent Harper) and drug addict (Pell James) spill their wildly different witness accounts to FBI agents Elizabeth Anderson (Julia Ormond) and Sam Hallaway (Bill Pullman). Jennifer Chambers Lynch (Boxing Helena) directs this thriller that co-stars Michael Ironside, Cheri Oteri and French Stewart.
Rated R, 1 hr. 37 min., 2007
Our Opinion:
Found this little gem cross-referencing other horror movies. How could Bill Pullman make a bad movie? So I took a chance. This one written and directed by Jennifer Chambers Lynch (yes, David Lynch’s daughter) will keep you on the edge of your seat. While not a fast pace movie, you will find yourself hanging on every word. About mid-way through the film you will start to scratch your head. Nothing is really what it seems. You won’t have any love for the bad cops that are being interviewed by the FBI, but karma is a bitch right? Brilliant movie.
Funny Games
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
Anna (Naomi Watts) and George (Tim Roth) are enjoying a vacation with their son when two sadistic young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet) break into their cabin and hold the family hostage. The psychotic duo plays twisted games with their prisoners, forcing them to comply to stay alive. Director Michael Haneke remakes his chilling 1997 German-language film as an indictment of the media’s fascination with violence.
Rated R, 1 hr. 51 min., 2007
Our Opinion:
This is psychological horror at its best. What would you do if placed in this situation? Naomi is always great, but this is probably not her best film. Not because of her its just not mainstream like her other films. You will feel something watching this movie.
The Girl Next Door
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 3
Description:
After losing their parents in an accident two adolescent girls (Blythe Auffarth, Madeline Taylor), are sent to live with their Aunt Ruth (Blanche Baker), a sadistic psychopath. Unbeknown to the residents of the small New Jersey suburb, the girls endure unthinkable punishment at the hands of their aunt and three cousins. Inspired by true events, this thriller set in 1958
Rated R, 1 hr. 37 min., 2007
Our Opinion:
This is the is the one based on the writings of author Jack Ketchum and based on real events. At times horror reaches the edge and this is one of them. You most likely will not be comfortable watching this movie in mixed company. The cinematography and the attention to detail with this period piece set in the late 50s is well done.
Live Animals
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 2
Description:
After a night of partying, siblings Nick (Christian Walker) and Erin (Jeanette Comans) and a group of their college friends become prey for a diabolical human trafficker (John Still) who has one of his minions — a trapper (Patrick Cox) — hunt them down and take them hostage. Now, chained in a barn like cattle, the kids face much worse to come from their tormentor in this gruesome horror flick from director Jeremy Benson.
Rated R, 1 hr. 26 min., 2008
Our Opinion:
For low budget this one wasn’t too bad. I could not pull myself to give it a 3, but it is a high 2. The beginning was to dark to see anything as they begin with a party at a cabin rental. The character development was rushed so we really don’t feel anything for the characters. These film is similar to Hostel and Shuttle. If they cleaned up the beginning to be like the rest of the movie it would definately get a 3 rating in my book. Give this one a chance. It does get better if you can get past the rough start. There are some good twists at the end.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 5
Description:
Inspired by a true story and the classic 1974 film. A group of teenagers take a detour from a road trip and what happens next is beyond anyone?s darkest fears and raw nightmares. Survivor (Jessica Biel) of a 1973 killing spree, dubbed The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, breaks her silence and comes forward to tell the real story of what happened on that bloody day. She recounts the grisly events that led her and her four teenage friends to a deserted rural Texas highway and straight into the clutches of a chainsaw-wielding madman who left a trail of blood and terror.
Rated R, 1 hr. 38 min., 2003
Our Opinion:
They did a great job with this remake of the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre film. Jessica Biel is nice to look at too. There have been other very crappy remakes of this movie, but this is the best. TCM sets the bar for all modern horror. Go ahead treat yourself and do a double header with this one and then Texas Chainsaw Massacre – the Beginning.
Rest Stop (Dead Ahead)
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 5
Description:
Brace yourself for a spine-chilling experience with this bloodcurdling gore fest from director John Shiban, writer and executive producer of The X-Files and Supernatural, keeps the terrors and twists coming, each out-shocking the last. Stop. Stay awhile. But don’t expect to rest. Runaway lovers Jess (Joey Mendicino) and Nicole (Jaimie Alexander) are on a road trip to Hollywood. But when they pause at an abandoned rest stop, Jess disappears. Now, Nicole is tormented by a terrifying psychopath (Nick Orefice) who has an arsenal of equipment — including drills and staple guns — to carry out his demented desires. Joseph Lawrence co-stars.
Rated R, 1 hr. 20 min., 2006
Our Opinion:
I knew they would do a sequel on this mostly because it was unique enough with the right elements. Look for Rest Stop 2 (Don’t look back) to explain how the guy with the truck and the family in the RV come into being. Despite what other horror critics say, I say this one is original mostly for the depiction of roadside ghosts. Rest stops are scary enough, but this one takes ou down to hell.
House of 1000 Corpses
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 5
Description:
Set in rural Texas in the 1970s, the group gets more than they bargained for when they find themselves stranded in an all-too-realistic house of horrors. Helmed by rocker Rob Zombie, this gore fest follows two young couples on their quest to find the truth about a mythical character known only as “Dr. Satan.”
Rated R, 1 hr. 28 min., 2002
Our Opinion:
Rob Zombie knows what horror fans like. This film illustrates that you should not get stuck in the middle of nowhere and for Pete’s sake don’t get involved with the natives. You are just asking for trouble like these guys did. This roadside family of misfits do things a little differently than you and me. The Dr Satan character appears briefly in this movie. It is such a rich character I wish Rob would do a Pre-quel to develop that idea more. Very cool horror flick. You won’t feel the same about yourself once you have watched it.
Wrong Turn
Posted by: | CommentsStar Rating: 5
Description:
An indescribable nightmare begins when Scott (Desmond Harrington) crashes into a carload of five other young people (Eliza Dushku, Jeremy Sisto and Emmanuelle Chriqui). Now they are stranded on an isolated road deep in the Appalachian hills of West Virginia, with no hope of rescue. Four of them soon get lost in the woods of West Virginia, where they’re hunted by three cannibalistic mountain men who are grossly disfigured via generations of inbreeding.
Rated R, 1 hr. 25 min., 2003
Our Opinion:
You can never get enough of these backwoods cannibal types that prey on unsuspecting passers by or tourists. This is a very well produced movie. You will be holding on to your boyfriend when you see the 4 get caught inside the home of these hillbilly in-breds while they prepare one of their friends for dinner. You have to hold back your screams like they did so that you don’t get discovered.
