Horror RECOMMENDATION or WARNING thread.

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by devincf

Is it a shot for shot remake like the trailer shows?

All of the dream sequences are riffs on the dreams from the first film, save for a sequence in a pharmacy which is easily the best sequence in the film. The story begins to vary from the first film about halfway through and new plot points are introduced. And I'm not just talking about 'is Freddy innocent?', there are other new plot points.

[Sebastian OB]

Best unintentional LOL moment -- they go to the library to get research books. One of the books is titled "Boiler Rooms in America".

Christ, I'm fucked.

[BrundleFlyboy]

Bet you're wishing it was that 'Night Of The Demons' remake afterall! That book sounds like a real page turner!

As long as you don't put up a long spoilerific review I am sure Beelzebay and his minions will leave your soul intact...anyway, I wouldn't want you to get into any shit just 'cos we keep pesterin' you for info.


So onto my questions... are there any original, gory or inventive kills worth mentioning? And, how does the make-up look? Is it heavily CG augmented? Does Freddy look and sound as mongy as he does in the trailer? Is it actually in any way scary? If you were forced to rank it is it 'Amityville' remake OK? 'Friday 13th' remake 'zzzzz'? Or 'Hitcher' remake 'fuck off and die Platinum Dunes'?

But y'know, I wouldn't want you to get in any trouble now.

[Mattioli]

Originally Posted by devincf

Is it a shot for shot remake like the trailer shows?

Huh? To me, the trailer looked like a mash-up of the original two or three films. For example, there appears to be a pool party straight out of Freddy's Revenge... or am I just missing some baiting/sarcasm there? Sigh, probably the last one.

"Boiler Rooms in America"?!? GTFO.

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by BrundleFlyboy

So onto my questions... are there any original, gory or inventive kills worth mentioning? And, how does the make-up look? Is it heavily CG augmented? Does Freddy look and sound as mongy as he does in the trailer? Is it actually in any way scary? If you were forced to rank it is it 'Amityville' remake OK? 'Friday 13th' remake 'zzzzz'? Or 'Hitcher' remake 'fuck off and die Platinum Dunes'?

No. Decent. Didn't seem to be. He sounds like Haley playing Bob Dylan playing Freddy. The word "scary" has no place in describing this film. zzzzz.

[BrundleFlyboy]

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB

No. Decent. Didn't seem to be. He sounds like Haley playing Bob Dylan playing Freddy. The word "scary" has no place in describing this film. zzzzz.

Oh bugger.

Ah well... cheers for risking everything to bring us that news; hope no goons from Twatinum Dunes come a'Bay-ing for your blood.


Got friends over for a Haloween double bill tonight... want something fun and then something dark, sick or scary. Any ideas? I'm after stuff they wont have seen before (none of 'em are massive Horror nuts)

I was gonna go with either 'Trick R Treat', 'Night Of The Creeps', 'Brain Damage' (they dug 'Frankenhooker last year!), 'Demons' or 'From Beyond'... and then sock it to 'em with 'A Tale Of Two Sisters', 'Inside', 'Session 9' or maybe old school chill'em with 'The Changeling'.

.REC shit them up last year and I just cannot think of anything to match it for intensity.

[Sebastian OB]

If anyone's really curious, feel free to PM me.

[Peter Judson]

Replying to Brundleflyboy:

I say go with Brain Damage or Basket Case. Just sooooo much fun to be had with Henelotter. For a follow up Martyrs is depressing as fuk and more than a tad distrubing. Though use your best judgement there. Irreversible? I Stand Alone? I've made some friends very uncomfortable with those two films. Though "horror" may not be the best word for them. Shit, if you're in England then slap on Garth Marenghi's Darkplace in between. Or don't. I have no idea if that show is considered "cool" across the pond. I think it's aces myself.

[Peter Judson]

I also wanted to reccommend J.D.'s Revenge. Kinda a blaxploitation Exorcist riff with Louis Gossett Jr. in a supporting role as a reverend. Set in 1970s New Orleans which has a great vibe. The dialogue is agressively un-P.C. Like moreso than many other films of the day. The transformation of the law school student into full on 1920s pimp is great to watch. Lots more sex (and ROUGH sex at that) than I was expecting. Suitably bloody. There was almost a Nightmare on Elm Street vibe to the thing. I found it for $5 at Wal Mart along with Blackenstein and the Blacula movies. Really, really fun flick. But why do they keep cutting back to slaughtered cows during the sex scenes?!

Edit: I own the poster for this one. It's on my profile page if you're interested.

[BrundleFlyboy]

Originally Posted by Peter Judson

Replying to Brundleflyboy:

I say go with Brain Damage or Basket Case. Just sooooo much fun to be had with Henelotter. For a follow up Martyrs is depressing as fuk and more than a tad distrubing. Though use your best judgement there. Irreversible? I Stand Alone? I've made some friends very uncomfortable with those two films. Though "horror" may not be the best word for them. Shit, if you're in England then slap on Garth Marenghi's Darkplace in between. Or don't. I have no idea if that show is considered "cool" across the pond. I think it's aces myself.

Oh yeah, Dark Place is one of my favourites... It isnt as well known as it should be but it is considered cool to know it and love it. There are few characters in the Horror genre as badass as Dr. Sanchez in my opinion.

I bought my friend a 'One Track Lover' t-shirt last year for christmas. Good idea to slip one in between films... I'd have to go with 'The Creeping Moss from the Shores of Shuggoth' if pressed to chose just one!

I was flirting with getting them sat down for Martyrs but didn't really want them to leave too shaken and depressed. Irreversible has that whole 'false' happy ending thing going for it....hmmmm. Think I will wait and see how Brain Damage is received. If they fail to enjoy it I may end up kicking them out.

Cheers for the ideas.

[Peter Judson]

Fancy soup and egg, Jill?

Glad to know you like it too. I'm wracking my brain trying to think of something darker your friends haven't seen. What about Creep? That flick about the tube station cannibal guy with Run Lola Run and the Joy Division singer? No, no not Deathline. That's the 70s. This came out right before The Descent. I enjoyed it quite a bit. And felt kind sad for ol' Creepy.

[Sebastian OB]

For blaxploitation horror, it's hard to beat SUGAR HILL if you haven't seen it. A woman uses zombies to get revenge on mobsters for her husband's murder. It has moments of genuine creepiness and all the great dialogue you want from a blaxploitation flic. Sadly, it has never been put on DVD, VHS and bootlegs are the only way to see it.

[Peter Judson]

Sadly, the only exposure I have had to Sugar Hill are stills from Marvel Comic's Tales of the Zombie and Famous Monsters of Filmland. Is Pam Grier in that? She's fun in Scream Blacula Scream.

Actually Blacula has one of my favorite credit sequences. And it's hard to beat the homosexual antique hunters who awaken him from his coffin. I chuckle just thinking about them batting (get it?) at him as he tosses them through the air.

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by Peter Judson

Sadly, the only exposure I have had to Sugar Hill are stills from Marvel Comic's Tales of the Zombie and Famous Monsters of Filmland. Is Pam Grier in that? She's fun in Scream Blacula Scream.

Pam is not in it. Sadly, I found SCREAM BLACULA SCREAM to be a letdown after the awesomeness of BLACULA. The title is great though.

[Peter Judson]

Sadly...fuck, I'm never typing "sadly" again.

I agree Scream Blacula is a let down, but it's not without its charms. But oh man Thalmus Rassulala (I did NOT spell that correctly) is all kinds of awesome in Blacula. He's so damn sleazy! And he's the fucking hero!

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by Peter Judson

Sadly...fuck, I'm never typing "sadly" again.

Oh shit, wasn't making fun of you Peter, just absently parroting from your post. I tend to do that.

[Peter Judson]

LOL! I didn't think you were. I was doing the exact same thing with your posts. It was turning into an echo chamber in here. Where can I find a bootleg of Sugar Hill? Hey! If it's the only way to see it then it's off to the grey market I go.

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by Peter Judson

Where can I find a bootleg of Sugar Hill? Hey! If it's the only way to see it then it's off to the grey market I go.

Funny you should ask! I don't normally advocate buying bootlegs, but this one really is worth it and whoever owns the rights to it should be buried up to their necks in shame for not giving it a proper release.

http://www.ioffer.com/i/37575771

[Peter Judson]

Awesome! Thanks!

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB

For blaxploitation horror, it's hard to beat SUGAR HILL if you haven't seen it. A woman uses zombies to get revenge on mobsters for her husband's murder. It has moments of genuine creepiness and all the great dialogue you want from a blaxploitation flic. Sadly, it has never been put on DVD, VHS and bootlegs are the only way to see it.

It's on cable now and again. Or it was six years ago. "Supernatural voooooodooooo woman..."

[Peter Judson]

So this is another case of MGM dropping the ball with their Midnite Movies releases? Does Fox own them now? I think that's the case. I've got the credit music playing as I type this, Phil. Awesome. Thanks.

[Phil]

Yeah, it'll be in your head for days. "Thanks", indeed.

More clips and other materials at TCM.

[Peter Judson]

Well, I was being sincere. I think I already know all the words!

[Sebastian OB]

I'd advise making sure you get a widescreen copy before you buy it. I notice the link I posted doesn't specify. My store has the VHS so I've only seen it in pan & scan.

[BrundleFlyboy]

I think Blaxploitation Horror films must be one of the only subgenres into which I have never dipped my probing insectoid proboscis... that ioffer thing looks mighty tempting. Nice one.

Nice quote about the egg and soup Peter... a highlight of the series for me. When Sanchez offers to cut her pie, his delivery of 'pie' made me spit booze when I first saw it!

Creep is a good call... I have the dvd and I thought it was unfairly slated by much of the Horror press despite it being suitably gloomy and having a great 'bad guy' character. Would actually be a great double bill with the excellent 'Death Line' aka 'Raw Meat' that you also mentioned.

Still undecided, all I know is the last time I can remember feeling uncomfortable watching anything on me own it was waay back when I got 'Tale Of Two Sisters' on dvd. I do fancy some gore tho' so back to the umming and aahhing for now.

Also, it may have been mentioned here before but I would like to heartily recommend the Canadian underground train shocker 'End Of The Line' while those type of movies are fleetingly in my brainbox. Watched it last night for the second time and I really, really rate it.

[Gabe Powers]

I feel like a hypocrite now. I haven't seen ANY of these Blaxploitation horror films (well, other than Blacula) I do have Sugar Hill slowly working it's way up the netflix queue if I remember correctly. There was a trailer on one of those Synapse trailer sets.

I second love for Raw Meat and Tale of Two Sisters as well. The latter might finally have a Blu-ray on the way. Fingers Crossed.

[Van Read]

I REALLY liked both Grace and Orphan. Do those count as harrah movies? If they do, then I recommend.

[Sebastian OB]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I feel like a hypocrite now. I haven't seen ANY of these Blaxploitation horror films (well, other than Blacula) I do have Sugar Hill slowly working it's way up the netflix queue if I remember correctly. There was a trailer on one of those Synapse trailer sets.

I think it's going to be slower than you think, its not on DVD officially. I would love to see Synapse release it though, they are the best.

[Phil]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I do have Sugar Hill slowly working it's way up the netflix queue if I remember correctly.

Lies!

[Gabe Powers]

NOOOOOOOO!!!!

I remember now. It was on my perfectly legal DL bookmark.

Speaking of, I'm prepped with a copy of Death Bed: The Bed That Eats. Looking forward to it.

[Peter Judson]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

I feel like a hypocrite now. I haven't seen ANY of these Blaxploitation horror films (well, other than Blacula) I do have Sugar Hill slowly working it's way up the netflix queue if I remember correctly. There was a trailer on one of those Synapse trailer sets.

I second love for Raw Meat and Tale of Two Sisters as well. The latter might finally have a Blu-ray on the way. Fingers Crossed.

Well, this is a good thing isn't it? I love discovering new subgenres! There's no way to ever see EVERYTHING. Thank God. Just poke around and you'll find tons of nifty movies you never knew existed. JDs Revenge knocked my socks off. It's no lost classic but I wasn't prepared for how good it actually was.

Tale of Two Sisters IS a damn creepy piece. I saw that early on in the Asian Ghost Story boom and it is probably my favorite of the lot. I think it was remade as The Univited a few years ago. AND I'LL NEVER WATCH THAT!!! (Check the 5 stages of geek...in the main sewer if you want to get that lousy joke). Raw Meat is also cool. "Mind the doors!"

[Gabe Powers]

I reviewed The Uninvited without knowing it was a remake. It was confusing. Then I watched the extras and realized it was a rip off on purpose. It's a boring movie.

[Barkatthemoon]

2009's MIA Horror Films from Shock 'til You Drop:

http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news...s.php?id=12789

[Sebastian OB]

So, being a fan of Eric Red's work as well as his checkered past, I watched his latest effort 100 FEET. This STV flick has an only getting hotter with age Famke Janssen and a really strong high concept at it's core -- a woman confined to house arrest is haunted by the ghost of the abusive husband she killed in self defense. I had heard good things about it, so when the movie started and I was treated to great production values and strong performances, I figured I had unearthed a treasure. Unfortunately, once the supernatural stuff kicks in it all goes down hill fast, mostly because Red (who directed as well as wrote) opts to use a CGI ghost (Michael Pare!) for a lot of the scares. It's sad too, because he has some real nice POLTERGEIST style set-ups which he then has to ruin with a sub-par special effect. To make matters worse, he doesn't know how to end the film so the finale is as non-sensical as it is groan-inducing. Probably still worth a watch if you love ghost movies or Eric Red, but all others should avoid.

Also, I made my feelings known in the appropriate thread, but I really enjoyed THE HOUSE OF THE DEVIL. Yes, it requires you to have the patience of the Sphynx, but I think if you're a fan of painfully slow-burners like LET'S SCARE JESSICA TO DEATH you'll find something to enjoy here.

[BrundleFlyboy]

Yeah, funnily enough I bought '100 Feet' for about 2.50 on dvd just after Halloween and you pretty much nailed it there...was actually shit scared there for a little while watching it but when CGI Pare starts popping up all over the place like looking like he's just escaped from a Commodore Amiga it soon lost any of the edge or tension it had been building well.

Shame really as I still quite liked it...just went from a genuinely creepy little number into a throwaway cheesy ghost flick. Still, that kid's demise at the hands of spectral-but-bastard-hard Pare was worth the price I paid...fuck, that had to hurt!

Also thought I would point out that I finally got round to seeing 'The Exorcist II' based on the trailer and the good cheer it raised in this very thread... and I don't regret one single minute of it's hamfisted, demented, poorly acted and fucking batshit craziness.

Thanks for the tip!

[Spike Marshall]

Originally Posted by Sebastian OB

VAMPIRE GIRL VS. FRANKENSTEIN GIRL -- Crazy, retarded Japanese fun. The tone stays consistently satirical which is nice. Pays homage to many old school horror tropes and archetypes. There's some shit in there that could be construed by sensitive types as racist, but really it's sending up on weird Japanese teenager trends. The director of Juon shows up and makes some Grudge jokes. Lots of silly blood geysers, wack-a-do prosthetics and dodgy CGI. Best seen with a drunken crowd.

Saw this at 6am this morning with a fucking amazing audience. Amazing fucking experience. My favourite moments had to be the weird fucking muppet vampire they used when she fed and that shot of the vampire hunter going full on Alistair Crowley in the flames.

Invitation Only is an interesting Taiwanese film.Very slow start but the sheer nastiness of the film towards the end is amazing and the violence is done with fucking gusto.

Seventh Moon is indeed shit, although my audience were able to make the producer storm out of the festival after getting really snarky with the producer.

Revenant is amazing, but I don't think it's the film a lot of people are expecting

One of the standout films was an Indonesian film called Macabre which despite a really slow 20 minutes just turns into a massive, gory, brutal, funny, weird masterpiece. Like a crazy asian Evil Dead 2, and it's got one of my new favourite horror villains in the form of Adam. It also has a machete vs. chainsaw fight

[BrundleFlyboy]

^ Yeah I mentioned Macabre when I posted here about my visits to FrightFest back in Aug/Sept time. Wasn't so sold on it but then it was the late showing and I was a bit dopey with G&Ts...enjoyed it's enthusiasm and Grang Guignol third act tho' and I will be re-visiting it sober on DVD!

I have been watching all kinds of stuff recently; finally got to see Borgnine and Shatner in The Devil's Rain which I thoroughly enjoyed; and doubled it up with Halloween III : Season Of The Witch which I had only ever seen on the telly when I was little and was pleasantly surprised by how nasty this was in it's uncut form; it's also a rather brilliant and bonkers horror film... plus I would watch the Atkins in just about anything and he is great in this. Not quite 'Night Of The Creeps' great, but his pleas at the end to get that infectious advert off air is classic Atkins!

The 2 flicks I would recommend to you guys which you may never have seen are 'Amsterdamned' which I bought awhile back as the company 'Nouveaux Pictures' (soon to be unleashing a supposed new print of Suspiria on disc over here in January!) had brought out a nice new edition of this not so long ago.

Set in the titular city it has a killer in black scuba gear prowling and lurking in the many canals of the 'Dam picking off unsuspecting folk at random. It is basically a very well made Dutch Giallo (a first... and last, as far as I know)

It is equally menacing and funny in parts and has an absolutely thrilling speed boat chase through Amsterdam's canals that would not be out of place in a Bond film. The detective lead is a funny, hard drinking no-nonsense ladies man bastard who is easy to like and it has a very Giallo-ish reveal at the end. Urge you to see it!

The other DVD i watched last night will appeal more to you if you are a fan of slow burning, creepy Brit ghost stuff such as the M R James 'Ghost Stories for Christmas'. I love 'em and 'Whistle and I'll Come To You', 'The Treasure Of St. Abbot Thomas' and 'A Warning To The Curious' always come out along with a good Single Malt around the Festive period!

Basically, Mark Gatiss (Of The League Of Gentlemen) wrote his own short ghost stories and last year they were shown on consecutive nights over Christmas...and then joined together effectively creating a chilling oldskool portmanteau Horror film.

I had a strange sort of Christmas last year (lost my mother) and didn't spend much time with the TV on, but was annoyed I had missed this...wasnt really expecting the BBC to put out a DVD as they have not been forthcoming in releasing the old M R James adaptations onto disc and it was probably seen as an obscure one off to most
viewers so I was chuffed to see it out on play whilst idly roaming the 'net and spending money I dont have.

Anyway, waffling on, if you know anything about Mark Gatiss you'll know what to expect. It has a darkness that was present in 'League Of Gentlemen' but none of the humour. It didn't scare the living shit out of me as some of the M R James stuff (and, moreso, The Lady In Black!) did; but then I was much younger when I watched them.

It is very chilling though... perfect for a winter night by the fire, and it does have some quite disturbing ideas and imagery and one really good solid "what the fuck?!?!" style jump.

The whole thing revolves around an evil house and each story is set in a different period of history. Apparently it was shot for peanuts but you'd never know save for one or two BBC TV style cheap effects. Not sure how easy it is to get hold of over the pond but I am sure you could get it from Amazon if you are curious... basically if you like a good ghost story and like a good old portmanteau horror film it is well worth checking out.

[DARKMITE8]

Originally Posted by Gabe Powers

Darkmite - for Naschy I actually don't recommend the Werewolf flick.

Watched a few more. Out of the lot, I really dug NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF (AKA RETURN OF THE WEREWOLF). Seemed like a remake of SHADOW OF THE WEREWOLF with some decent imagery, creepy music, and much blood. Transfer was fairly nice as well, especially compared to Naschy's other werewolf DVDs.

[Gabe Powers]

Originally Posted by DARKMITE8

Watched a few more. Out of the lot, I really dug NIGHT OF THE WEREWOLF (AKA RETURN OF THE WEREWOLF). Seemed like a remake of SHADOW OF THE WEREWOLF with some decent imagery, creepy music, and much blood. Transfer was fairly nice as well, especially compared to Naschy's other werewolf DVDs.

It is a remake, on the books. The Werewolf vs The Yeti is the only other Naschy Werewolf movie I really like, even if it takes FOREVER for the Yeti to show up.