October Horror Movie Marathon

[MrBarlow]

Darkness Falls. 2003.

A spirit of a woman dubbed "The Tooth Fairy" who was lynched by a town 150 years earlier for the murder of two boys returns when children loose their last baby tooth. Kyle who was her intended victim escapes her anger returns 12 years later to help a old friend who's little brother is now her target.

This film is totally underrated and enjoyable from start to finish with the introduction of Matilda Dixon, the jumps to the young protagonist and his encounter with the spirit. If you didn't suffer Nyctophobia then this film would give you a reason why you should. The acting is quite decent, and great visual effects and the pace is kept constant and never gets boring with some good tense moments added in nicely.

darkness-falls.jpg

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Halloween (2007)

Rob Zombie's remake / re-imagining of John Carpenter's horror classic is largely very successful. The first forty minutes are where Zombie excels, giving us a lot of previously unexplored background information on Michael Myers' childhood and attempting to deal with the hows and whys of him becoming a mass murderer. Arguably this isn't a direction the film needed to go in as many agree the almost motiveless killer doesn't require back story but by going down this avenue Zombie tries something new rather than just a typical retread of familiar ground. It's an idea the director clearly has fun with - the whole dysfunctional family is bread and butter to him following films such as The House of 1000 Corpses.

The second third is indeed familiar ground as it's basically a revamp of the Carpenter film. Introducing us to Laurie Strode, with the likable Scout Taylor-Compton replacing Jamie Lee Curtis and Danielle Harris, familiar to those with a liking for the original sequels as best friend Annie. Although it utilizes Carpenter's classic stalking themes and indeed Carpenter's classic 'Stalking' signature theme it doesn't really grip like the original film did. But then again no slasher has done in this respect, yet it's still more than competent.

It's only in the final third as Myers attempts to murder Laurie that the film unravels a touch, or if not unravels, then travels down all too familiar roads which are ten a penny in any old slasher film.

The film boasts an impressive cast with several horror icons taking roles - Ken Foree, Dee Wallace, Udo Keir, Sybil Danning, Richard Lynch, Brad Dourif, and Clint Howard as well as jobs for the boys - Sid Haig, Bill Moseley - and the missus - Sheri Moon. The casting of Malcolm McDowell is spot on as Dr. Loomis. No one will ever replace Donald Pleasence but McDowell does very well with an almost impossible job.

All in all, Halloween is a good film with, i should add a terrific soundtrack, which mixes classic rock - Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush - with John Carpenter's iconic original score. it's also tremendously violent. There are certainly enough differences to warrant watching Rob Zombie's Halloween and i think it's one of the better remakes of classic horror films this century has thrust upon us.

Just don't mention the sequel...

[MrBarlow]

Piranha 3D. 2010.

A underwater tremor releases a hoard of Piranha's during a town's Spring Break.

I'm sure we all love these underwater films with nice clear blue water that you can see everything species of fish, this is one of those films that has almost everything, beautiful girls, nudity, good cinematography, a unlikely hero and a wise crack marine biologist in the form of Christopher Lloyd. Alexandre Aja helms another remake, did the studios just use him to create gore fest horror remakes? With this he certainly gave the studio what they wanted with the gore fest and really didn't hold anything back, Ok the first part is like softcore porn then basically goes full blown horror.

sphe-piranha_3d_2010-full-image_gallerycover-en-us-1484000131229._uy500_ux667_ri_vfk2es5rn2rqzum.jpg

[MrBarlow]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

Halloween (2007)

Rob Zombie's remake / re-imagining of John Carpenter's horror classic is largely very successful. The first forty minutes are where Zombie excels, giving us a lot of previously unexplored background information on Michael Myers' childhood and attempting to deal with the hows and whys of him becoming a mass murderer. Arguably this isn't a direction the film needed to go in as many agree the almost motiveless killer doesn't require back story but by going down this avenue Zombie tries something new rather than just a typical retread of familiar ground. It's an idea the director clearly has fun with - the whole dysfunctional family is bread and butter to him following films such as The House of 1000 Corpses.

The second third is indeed familiar ground as it's basically a revamp of the Carpenter film. Introducing us to Laurie Strode, with the likable Scout Taylor-Compton replacing Jamie Lee Curtis and Danielle Harris, familiar to those with a liking for the original sequels as best friend Annie. Although it utilizes Carpenter's classic stalking themes and indeed Carpenter's classic 'Stalking' signature theme it doesn't really grip like the original film did. But then again no slasher has done in this respect, yet it's still more than competent.

It's only in the final third as Myers attempts to murder Laurie that the film unravels a touch, or if not unravels, then travels down all too familiar roads which are ten a penny in any old slasher film.

The film boasts an impressive cast with several horror icons taking roles - Ken Foree, Dee Wallace, Udo Keir, Sybil Danning, Richard Lynch, Brad Dourif, and Clint Howard as well as jobs for the boys - Sid Haig, Bill Moseley - and the missus - Sheri Moon. The casting of Malcolm McDowell is spot on as Dr. Loomis. No one will ever replace Donald Pleasence but McDowell does very well with an almost impossible job.

All in all, Halloween is a good film with, i should add a terrific soundtrack, which mixes classic rock - Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, Rush - with John Carpenter's iconic original score. it's also tremendously violent. There are certainly enough differences to warrant watching Rob Zombie's Halloween and i think it's one of the better remakes of classic horror films this century has thrust upon us.

Just don't mention the sequel...

I take it your not a fan of the sequel? To be honest I don't blame you Dem

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by MrBarlow

I take it your not a fan of the sequel? To be honest I don't blame you Dem

It's a few years since i last saw it...but that white horse nonsense...

I do like the idea that Loomis wrote a book and became famous, going on a book tour, though.

Dare i give it another go tonight?

[MacBlayne]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It's a few years since i last saw it...but that white horse nonsense...

I do like the idea that Loomis wrote a book and became famous, going on a book tour, though.

Dare i give it another go tonight?

I used to despise Zombie's H2. I mean, I really, really hated it. Yelled at my friend for dragging me to see it (I wasn't too impressed with Zombie's first Halloween).

But now I adore it.

It's not perfect, but I really admire what Zombie is attempting with it.

He's exploring survivor's guilt - everybody's.

Laurie has become belligerent and hateful, closing her mind and heart to anything that be negative, or reminds her of that night. It's why she treats Annie like shit - Annie was there that night, and only serves to remind her.

Annie has become shy and withdrawn. Afraid to leave. Hides away in her home. She hates herself and takes Laurie's abuse because she feels she deserves it.

Sheriff Brackett tries putting on a brave face, trying to rebuild, but he feels like it's all his fault.

Loomis tries exploiting the incident for fame and glory, but cracks during an interview. It's obvious that he was traumatised by the night in question, and has been running away from his failings.

Michael is trying to come to terms (in his own way) with that night. Through hallucinations, we learn that Michael isn't necessarily trying to destroy, but recreate his family in an idealised form.

H2 suffers from Zombie's redneck aesthetic. Has some obnoxious dialogue, and edgy art direction (thought I wouldn't catch that Charles Manson poster, eh, Rob?). As good as they are, Scout-Taylor and McDowell's portrayals of Laurie and Loomis can be repulsive (although, that is the idea) to the point that they can drive away audiences.

However, there is genuinely great stuff here. Some truly striking visuals. It challenges the viewer to understand the horror and aftermath of violence. And Zombie and Nan Vernon's cover of Love Hurts is one of the more devastating uses of music I have seen in a film.

If nothing else, the opening 15 minutes are some of the finest slasher stuff out there.

[MrBarlow]

Originally Posted by Demdike@Cult Labs

It's a few years since i last saw it...but that white horse nonsense...

I do like the idea that Loomis wrote a book and became famous, going on a book tour, though.

Dare i give it another go tonight?

The book part was decent and reveals secrets that people wanted to keep, but the ghost of Deborah Myers and the white horse was the downfall of the movie for me, save your sanity Dem, watch the original sequel.

[MrBarlow]

Originally Posted by MacBlayne

I used to despise Zombie's H2. I mean, I really, really hated it. Yelled at my friend for dragging me to see it (I wasn't too impressed with Zombie's first Halloween).

But now I adore it.

It's not perfect, but I really admire what Zombie is attempting with it.

He's exploring survivor's guilt - everybody's.

Laurie has become belligerent and hateful, closing her mind and heart to anything that be negative, or reminds her of that night. It's why she treats Annie like shit - Annie was there that night, and only serves to remind her.

Annie has become shy and withdrawn. Afraid to leave. Hides away in her home. She hates herself and takes Laurie's abuse because she feels she deserves it.

Sheriff Brackett tries putting on a brave face, trying to rebuild, but he feels like it's all his fault.

Loomis tries exploiting the incident for fame and glory, but cracks during an interview. It's obvious that he was traumatised by the night in question, and has been running away from his failings.

Michael is trying to come to terms (in his own way) with that night. Through hallucinations, we learn that Michael isn't necessarily trying to destroy, but recreate his family in an idealised form.

H2 suffers from Zombie's redneck aesthetic. Has some obnoxious dialogue, and edgy art direction (thought I wouldn't catch that Charles Manson poster, eh, Rob?). As good as they are, Scout-Taylor and McDowell's portrayals of Laurie and Loomis can be repulsive (although, that is the idea) to the point that they can drive away audiences.

However, there is genuinely great stuff here. Some truly striking visuals. It challenges the viewer to understand the horror and aftermath of violence. And Zombie and Nan Vernon's cover of Love Hurts is one of the more devastating uses of music I have seen in a film.

If nothing else, the opening 15 minutes are some of the finest slasher stuff out there.

Never thought of Rob Zombie looking at survival's guilt Macblayne, good way to look at the film instead of it being just another slasher movie.

[MrBarlow]

Piranha 3DD. 2012.

After the events at Lake Victoria, the Piranha's make their way to a new water park complex.

Less people to eat, some more tongue in cheek comedy and not exactly the same amount of gore as the previous film but does start with two great actors Gary Busey and Clu Gulager as the hapless fishermen who come across a dead farting animal in the water. Ving Rhames returns as the deputy who is afraid of the water but manages to over come his fear, The Hoff literally playing himself and surprisingly looking a bit sober and trying to sing.

p8720061_p_v8_ah.jpg

[Demdike@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by MrBarlow

Piranha 3DD. 2012.

After the events at Lake Victoria, the Piranha's make their way to a new water park complex.

Less people to eat, some more tongue in cheek comedy and not exactly the same amount of gore as the previous film but does start with two great actors Gary Busey and Clu Gulager as the hapless fishermen who come across a dead farting animal in the water. Ving Rhames returns as the deputy who is afraid of the water but manages to over come his fear, The Hoff literally playing himself and surprisingly looking a bit sober and trying to sing.

Attachment 237270

I love this. It's just so much fun. Totally ridiculous but great fun.