movie review
Movie reviews for horror fans; from gruesome bone-chillers to dark horror thrillers, a showcase for frightful films that seek to entertain and to terrify.
A Filmmaker's Review: "Dracula" (1958)
Hammer Horror's Dracula (1958) has been respected as one of the greatest attempts at Bram Stoker's 19th Century novel ever. And yes, I can definitely agree that this is in fact the case. Now, it may not stay very true to the book, but the general concepts are kept the same. There's nothing really to critique negatively because Hammer Horror rarely stays completely true to its source material. Now, let's have a look at how me and this film have played out ever since I first watched it some ten years' ago...
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorA Filmmaker's Review of "Dracula" (1931)
Bela Lugosi as Dracula is one of the most iconic and remembered performances in cinema history. Even if you haven't watched the film itself, you know what it looks like. You know the kind of air Lugosi gives off - which is probably best described as something incredibly unsettling. Let's first take a look at my history with this film...
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorA Filmmaker's Review: "100 Years of Horror" S1, E14-26 (Amazon Prime)
This series has been such an incredible thing to watch - I would've never have thought about ten or fifteen years ago that I would've had the chance to find anything like this. Thank you Amazon Prime for bringing me closer to many documentaries, series etc. that I wouldn't have found otherwise. This is such an incredible series and even though I have a master's degree in this stuff - there's still so much I learnt about the rich history and culture surrounding this incredible and ever-expansive genre. Christopher Lee's narration is near-perfect, giving the series that extra little chill.
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorA Filmmaker's Review: "100 Years of Horror" S1, E1-13 (Amazon Prime)
I absolutely love this show because it goes through the very best of old and obscure horror movies, concepts, actors and how horror films were introduced, loved and feared by all. There are some that I haven't heard of and some that I have watched mentioned, but most importantly - there is a lot to learn for someone who has spent a vast majority of their lives studying the art of horror movies both old and new. When I was studying horror, I loved to concentrate on two things: 1) how do films play on common themes of phobia between human beings and 2) how does the audience get satisfaction out of something so incredibly tragic as death, destruction and possession? Those were two questions that, in my time I wanted to answer. But, in this series it seems to answer both of those questions by reminding us of horror films gone by. Some of which the critics panned and some which they adored.
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorMovie Review: 'Happy Death Day 2 U' A Solid Follow Up to Clever Original
Happy Death Day was a breath of fresh, comic, air in the horror genre in 2017 and because it was a financial success, as well as a critical success, we knew a sequel was coming. That sequel arrived two years later under the title Happy Death Day 2U. The cast returns with Jessica Rothe back in the lead role as Tree Gelbman, a woman who survived being trapped in a deathly time loop.
Sean PatrickPublished 4 years ago in HorrorA Filmmaker's Review: "Rosemary's Baby" (1968)
As one of the most iconic horror/thriller films of all time, there are obviously high expectations when watching the film. No matter how many times you watch it, you always expect to be thrilled in some way. Whether this is by those dodgy montages littered throughout the film or by the shocking ending that finalises the strangeness that had been prominent throughout the movie. Whatever you are doing at the time and however many times you've seen the film - you still expect that same thrill and yes, you definitely get it.
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorShort Horror Reviews: Christmas
After reviewing so many heartwarming and sentimental films revolving around Christmas, the more cynical part of me was practically screaming for something dark and twisted. So with the 25th just a day away, I thought it would be fun to scour the vast field of YouTube for some short films that bring horror to the season of candy canes, mistletoe, and mugs of hot cocoa. If you're in the mood for a good Christmasy scare, try curling up in a dark room lit only by Christmas lights and watching these spooky shorts:
Trevor WellsPublished 4 years ago in HorrorA Filmmaker’s Review: “The Nun” (2018)
Okay, so I’m a bit biased because it is one of my favourite films. Valak, as you’ll know, is one of my favourite characters in film history because of her incredible presence. In this film, there are a few main things I’d like to discuss because going through everything would be incredibly difficult and make everything just really long. Let’s talk about my history with this film then, and brace yourselves, it’s a bit of a history. I’ve seen this film over seven times.
Annie KapurPublished 4 years ago in HorrorThis gothic horror/comedy was a fun trip.
So, at midnight you have to play a game. It’s just something we do when someone new joins the family. I have to revise my opinion about the horror/comedy cross-over urgently after seeing “Monster Party” and “The dead don’t die” this year. “Ready or not” is yet another film that pleasantly surprised me. Really. I had a great time watching this movie. And not only because the lead actress Samara Weaving looks appetizing, but also because of the entertaining content. I appreciated the morbid black humor as well. It’s not such absurd humor as in “The dead don’t die“. But the slapstick-like events that were used in it, resulted in a spontaneous chuckle sometimes. There were also quite a few bloody scenes in it. In short, it was fun watching this horror flick.
Finally a Decent Horror Once Again
Storyline In her much-anticipated foray into the horror-thriller genre, Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Taylor Schilling stars in THE PRODIGY as Sarah, a mother whose young son Miles' disturbing behavior signals that an evil, possibly supernatural force has overtaken him. Fearing for her family's safety, Sarah must choose between her maternal instinct to love and protect Miles and a desperate need to investigate what or who is causing his dark turn. She is forced to look for answers in the past, taking the audience on a wild ride; one where the line between perception and reality becomes frighteningly blurry.
Reed Alexander's Horror Review of 'The Changeling' (1980)
I honestly can't understand why this movie didn't get just as much recognition as The Exorcist (X1). It wasn't as graphic or controversial as X1 so perhaps that's why it didn't get the notoriety? The thing is, The Changeling is every bit as good. It's got a fantastic cast, with our old friend George C. Scott, and even the venerable Melvin Douglas. So the acting solid and matched by a great character driven plot with solid dialog. The over arcing premises of the plot is clever, and it was the first of it's kind at that time. The story was brilliantly plotted, tho a bit poorly paced. And while there are a few questions sort of just left to interpretation, the plot is strongly devoid of holes.
Reed AlexanderPublished 4 years ago in Horror'Doctor Sleep' Film Review
Mike Flanagan takes on the job of adapting Stephen King’s novel, titled Doctor Sleep, but there is a catch: Flanagan’s film exists in the same universe as Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of King’s The Shining. As soon as I was cognizant of this information, my feelings toward it were already conflicted. I was not going to criticize the film without having seen it, however—but, now that I have, I feel that it is appropriate for me to proceed with what I am going to say.
Anna CheneyPublished 4 years ago in Horror