The Horror Thread (2 Viewers)

[cpg]

A couple quick reviews that I don't have the patience to actually write at length about...



Micro budget, bottle-film horror that absolutely gets under your skin. The performances make the film as it's almost entirely confined to a double-wide trailer. Brendan Rock is really great here. Currently available on Shudder.



A couple of years ago, there were a few films that emerged under the eco-horror sub-genre. "In the Earth" and the absolutely awesome "Gaia" seemed like pioneers of a burgeoning movement. However, it appeared to stall shortly thereafter. "Lovely, Dark, and Deep" feels like an extension of that movement, while using the backdrop of the Missing 411 stories. Unfortunately, it doesn't quite live up to the other films and mostly amounts to some very cool visual effects and breathtaking camerawork and cinematography. You can stream it on VOD services.

Both Gaia and In The Earth are available on Hulu. I'd recommend both, but especially Gaia.

 

[cpg]

This has gotten a lot of press for being extremely gory, and it will be released in the unrated format.

 

[Booker]

The First Omen is superb. The casting is perfect and the execution is expert level. A truly schizophrenic and nerve-shredding immersion that leaves ample room for continuation, all while paying respectful homage to the canon. I loved it.

This is what big budget horror should be.

Finally got around to watching this. Honestly was kind of 'meh' for me. It held my attention, the lead actress was good, but...

Spoilers

The breeding program didn't line up with the original -- Damian's mother was a jackal, impregnated by the power of Satan. Likewise, while I appreciated that it tried to create an explanation for why priests and nuns would be conspiring to bring on the anti-christ, the simpler explanation from the original, they they were corrupted by Satan, was sufficient.

Beyond that, the movie had a bit of an open ending, suggesting there's more to this story...but, having seen the Omen, there's not. It really had no point to exist.

 

[cpg]

Finally got around to watching this. Honestly was kind of 'meh' for me. It held my attention, the lead actress was good, but...

Spoilers

The breeding program didn't line up with the original -- Damian's mother was a jackal, impregnated by the power of Satan. Likewise, while I appreciated that it tried to create an explanation for why priests and nuns would be conspiring to bring on the anti-christ, the simpler explanation from the original, they they were corrupted by Satan, was sufficient.

Beyond that, the movie had a bit of an open ending, suggesting there's more to this story...but, having seen the Omen, there's not. It really had no point to exist.

Fair enough. I was comfortable with the modifications to the canon in service of what I felt was an upgraded story. But, I can understand it not being totally satisfying for those who expected a more direct prequel.

For me, the soundtrack, performances, body horror, and relentless uneasiness really worked. I'd be interested to see how Arkasha Stevenson would continue the story, but I suspect this was a "studio-approved" money maker, and she will likely move on to creating something more personal.

 

[cpg]

Stopmotion has been a festival darling, and currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from advanced viewings. It looks legitimately unnerving. It's releasing in theaters on February 23rd, but given that Shudder has distribution, it will likely end up on the streaming platform in short order.

This is now on Shudder and it's one of my favorites in a while. It's a very unique take on some well-tread themes, but I am hesitant to recommend it because apparently the ending, which seemed totally awesome to me, has been really polarizing. I really can't say enough how much I loved this one, though.

 

[Scorpius the Allfather]

This is now on Shudder and it's one of my favorites in a while. It's a very unique take on some well-tread themes, but I am hesitant to recommend it because apparently the ending, which seemed totally awesome to me, has been really polarizing. I really can't say enough how much I loved this one, though.

Yeah, I'll be watching this very soon.

 

[cpg]

A couple indie releases I'm very excited to get to...



Larry Fessenden is a legend, and we need more werewolf movies.




I'll also add here that Longlegs is currently at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is even garnering oscar-buzz at advance screenings. I refuse to watch any more trailers for it at this point. I want as uninfluenced of an experience as possible!