Finally--A Five on the Gore Score

This French movie released in May 2008 at the After Dark-Eight Movies to Die For Horror Fest, Frontiers, is a treat for my extreme fright fans. Even though this specific genre of horror is not my "cup of tea", trust me, it's radical. For those who are Texas Chainsaw Massacre fans, and I don't know many horror fans that aren't, you must see this.
Yasmin is the pregnant main character, distressed after losing Sami, who was fatally shot after what appears to be a robbery that takes place amongst riots during France's presidential elections. The gang parts and plans to join Yasmin and Alex at this hostel they encountered. Tom and Farid are "distracted" by the sexy Gilberte and Claudia, who rented them the rooms. After a family style dinner, Tom makes an offensive remark about Gilberte and Claudia. Goetz, the girl's Brother confronts the two men, asks about a bag of money. This is where the trouble starts, the men try to escape by car but are driven off the road by Goetz and Karl. Soon Yasmin and Alex arrive at the hostel and are told there were no vacant rooms for Tom and Farid. Meanwhile, Tom and Farid try crawling through a tunnel but are discovered by another family member, Hans. Yasmin and Alex learn about family dynamics when they meet their Father, an old Nazi who has concerns of continuing his blood line with "pure" blood.
There are a few picturesque scenes that are really nice, but most are graphic. This film lacks only in translation, please be patient, it's worth it. The cast is great. I did recognize Alex, from "The Brotherhood of the Wolf". Special effects were very realistic. I believe this film merits 5 on the gore score. I am now a fan of the director, Xavier Gens ....Excellent!!
Scared E. Kat

Cello----A Korean Classical Treat

One of the first Korean horrors that made me a big fan, Cello, released in 2005, scared me, almost speechless. Mi-Ju is a cellist, having difficulty recovering from a traumatic car accident where she lost her best friend (whom she was in competition with). Seems after being approached by a cello student who was angry about a grade she received from Mi-Ju, unusual text messages and family behaviors begin happening. There's also the new housekeeper that lost her family in a car accident as well. It seems Mi-Ju's world is crumbling apart, but with some great musical background playing. After, Jun-Ki confronts his wife, Mi-Ju, he finds out about a graduation recording where Tae-yeon came in as second place to Mi-Ju and the accident that happened on the women's car ride home. Mi-Ju and another professor attend a recital, where Mi-Ju finds herself alone in the auditorium, or was that just a daydream? Meanwhile, everyone at home begins behaving strangely, including Mi-Ju.
This movie is a first class production with great special effects, including some computer generated effects. If you like the cello, then you'll be in for a treat. It's a bit suspenseful as the plot plays out. It does rate a 4 on the gore score. The cast is great, the director has a way of telling this story perfectly! Language translation was good. Loved the ending!!
Scared E. Kat

Thanks for Hanging Tight Fright Fans!!

Coming to you from the Houston area, we did experience Ike. We did prepare well, but I just have to say, we were very lucky and he just flew over us. So we just had power restored and I noticed yet, we still had many people checking things out here. I plan to get busy and will be back to sharing with you some recommendations for a few scary movies. Get your popcorn ready, have your shoes close (in case a quick exit is necessary) and most importantly, should one of those zombie looking monsters start creeping out of the t.v.----Chop The Head Off----
Scared E. Kat

The Hamiltons

This 2006 American release, a feature of The Horror Feast, The Hamiltons, is a modern day take of a genre of classic horror movies. The beginning scenes show what seems to be the typical Californian family. We find David, the elder Son, attempting to take over parental duties and supporting his siblings, Wendell and Darlene (incestuous twins) and Francis. However, we learn there are a few family secrets that the Social worker doesn't know of when he dines at their dinner table. Francis is the ever troubled teenager still having difficulty dealing with the untimely death of his parents. He uses his camera as a means of coping with his unconventional family.
The movie has a homemade movie feel that I like in spite of it's lack of C.G.E'.s.
The special effects are just sufficient. I rated it 2 on the gore score. The actors did seem to help make the story line somewhat believeable. I'm not sure about my fellow fright fans, but are y'all missing the Asian extremes too?
Scared E. Kat

THE DEATHS OF IAN STONE....A must see

I'm glad I didn't have to die to see this fourth of Eight Films to Die For because it would be a shame if you didn't know about it. I did also see The Hamiltons and I'm sure to review that one next.
The Deaths of Ian Stone, an American movie released in 2007, has Ian (main character) who seems to be the only character without a British accent, encountering something strange on the road during his ride home from a disappointing hockey game. This strange thing suddenly disappears and in an instant reappears in a dark, demonic form to take his life. He awakens to find himself in an office, at work, with Jenny, a co-worker that was his girlfriend in the opening scene at the hockey game. Computer generated effects are excellent! After being approached on the street by a stranger who tries to warn him of these creatures who feed on people's fears, Ian runs home to find Madea, apparently his live in girlfriend who ultimately kills him also. The cycle is repeated in what seems to be shorter life cycles with more creatures pursuing him. There are undertones in this movie reminescent of the American version of Abre los Ojos----Vanilla Sky.
I think most people will enjoy this movie. It was a first class production with a great cast. It scored 3+ on the gore score and I appreciated the generous budget spent on special effects.
Scared E. Kat

THE UNREST....One of Eight Films to Die For

Since we are international in name, it is about time I review an American production. This is only the second of eight (supposedly to die for), that I've seen. I'm a bit more impressed with The Unrest than with Nightmare Man. I believe this movie had a bigger budget to work with, affording them a more experienced cast and better special effects.
Released in 2006, the opening scene begins with a woman, in a hospital gown standing in front of a mirror who uses a broken, jagged piece of the mirror to mutilate herself. From there they cut to a scene of two mortgue attendants unpacking cadavers for use of medical students. We are introduced to Allison Blanchard, her love interest, Brian, and fellow medical students,Carlos and Rick. They're all first year medical students. For those who are not in the medical field, or are just not true "fright fans", just a warning, the special effects look very real and I didn't note use of any C.G.E.s. As Allison's sense of a cadaver's unrested spirit grows, so does the number of dead bodies that have come into contact with this cadaver they nicknamed "Norma". It's difficult to ignore a repetitive, ritual type of chanting throughout the movie. From there the plot unfolds as Allison researches the history of the cadaver. In theory, I'm not so sure of the history this story provides of this ancient tribe, but then again, I'm certainly not a Historian. The cast is really good and for the Americans reading this blog, who dislike reading subtitles, your wish has come true. Oh, I rate this a definite 4 on the gore score. As for my fellow fright fans, enjoy your lesson in Gross Anatomy.

Scared E. Kat

A TALE OF TWO SISTERS...........it's a classic!

This was one of the first Asian horror movies I've seen and a personal favorite. I didn't quite understand it the first time I watched it but even after seeing it several times, maybe that's just the Director's intent. Still, there's so much I like about the movie, the music, the house, it's a big house, nicely furnished, but dark and very strange.
This Korean film, released in 2003, begins with Sumi (the older Sister) being released to go home from a hospital, from the Dr's conversation, it' seems to be a psychiatric ward. After arriving home and dealing with the Stepmom that she loathes, strange forces begin to appear. Sumi's main concern is to protect her Sister, SuYeon. After a dinner with Stepmom's Brother where his wife has what seems like a violent seizure, she later reveals that she had seen a girl under the kitchen sink. Things go downhill for Sumi quickly. We learn what happened with the wardrobe eventually and why it's a major issue.
There are some flashback scenes, and special effects are really good. It scored a 2 on the gore score, but don't discount it for that, the suspense and just the style in which it was filmed justifies watching it. Language translation was good. I liked it even though I don't even have a Sister.


Scared E. Kat

UNHOLY WOMEN three to be exact

In the first of a trio of this 2007 Japanese release, Rattle Rattle really rocks. Kanako is literally knocked out when she collides with another force while walking home. Upon awakening she is visited from a little girl, who vanishes as quickly as she appeared. After Kanako returns home she receives a call from her fi'ance, Akira, who warns her that his he was just visited from his ex-wife, who attacked him with a knife. Shortly afterwards, a lady in red, with long, flowing black hair fiercely begins chasing Kanako. This is where the the special effects, including some C.G.E.s comes in. It rates a 2+ on the gore score.
The second short story, Hagane, is without doubt one of the strangest films I've seen. Sekiguchi's boss asks him to take his sister on a date, even provides him with a car and her photo isn't too bad. After meeting her he realizes, she's really something else, at least from the waist up. Some of the scenes are actually a bit comical (in a twisted way). It's maybe a 1 on the gore score, but the plot, it is just different.
Inheritance begins with Saeko, a divorced Mom who has moved back home to live with and take care of her ailing Mom. When Saeko's son Michio confides in her that he had seen a boy around the house, she initially doesn't take him serously. Later, she finds herself in the tool shed when she has some flashbacks of her childhood and a brother, Masahiko, who went missing and has yet to be found. This is where things become strange, not to mention how her own relationship with her son changes. I rated this 1 on the gore score, sorry Fright Fans, just not enough blood for me. Language translation was good on all short stories.

Scared E. Kat

FRITT VILT translated=Cold Prey..a chilling experience!

Released in 2006, this Norwegian thriller starts with some picturesque scenes of five young snowboarders on vacation, when Morten Tobias breaks a leg, ouch!! Without cell phone reception in those high mountains, they must take shelter in what appears to be an abandoned hotel. While Morten Tobias is recovering, Jannicke learns that this hotel has been vacant for 30 years...or has it?
I liked the way the suspense played out in this film. Special effects were good, rated a 3 on the gore score. Language translation was good. Yes, I can't wait to see FRITT VILT II!

Scared E. Kat

Picnic today?Stay out of the DARK FOREST

I am a big fan of Korean horror movies and I like the way this movie was directed. These five climbers trespassed into a forest closed down because of a fire. More about the fire is later revealed. There are a few character background stories of interest (plot related) so you must pay close attention during the entire movie. Sorry, I don't like homework either, trust me, your hard work pays off well. I rated this 3+ on the gore score. Special effects were great, and I liked the style , seems American friendly. Language translation was good.
What I learned from this movie....leave the stone pagodas alone!



Scared E. Kat

It Takes Different Strokes to Rule the World!

Kat and I were watching a movie called Dark Forest (review forthcoming) with a friend that is a true horror movie fan. As we watched the movie, one woman was killed in a really brutal way - so much so it kind of freaked him out. It was then I realized another reason why foreign horror and home grown horror is so different most of the time.
Foreign horror directors address subjects and infuse scenes in their movies that American directors avoid like the plague due to fear of some interest group forming a lynch mob and coming after them. Take Battle Royale - the sheer genius of the plot of "thinning the herd" of uncooperative, disrespectful teens alone makes this movie almost taboo in the United States, while the lesbian undertones in High Tension would never be seen in a movie in this country without some gratuitious sex scene which would ruin the film. Foreign directors see horror and fear through a different set of glasses, and adhere to a different set of filmmaking rules.
It is my hope and prayer that one day the film industry in Hollywood will have an epiphany and see the error of their ways. The goal should not be to copy a decent movie from a different country but to use those movies as a catalyst for an original thought. Put some intelligence in the great genre of American horror cinema (I swear, I see one more big boobed female that can't think her way out of a closet get chased around for most of a movie by some "monster" I'm going to scream!) - explore the human psyche a little more and don't be afraid to go out on a limb and try a different point of view. As for the "money men" in Hollywood - the next time someone comes up with an idea to redo a classic that was done to death (Friday the 13th, Nightmare on Elm Street, Halloween) - just say no....