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Its looking like We Are Still Here is going to be everything you could possibly want in a old house/small town horror film.  Full of throwback atmosphere, horror veterans, & demons.  

Directed by University of Montana alumnus Ted Geoghegan, a man who once gave me a great deal on a vintage Ouija board, an Agent Scully action figure, & stacks of dads. 

"If you stay, you satisfy the darkness."

Premiering at SXSW 2015.

[frightdayblog]

I was really nervous when they said they were remaking POLTERGEIST. 

Even more so when I read an interview with a less than enthusiastic Sam Rockwell. 

In two minutes, & twenty-six seconds, my spirits were lifted.  

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

LUNOPOLIS

I first heard about towers on the moon in my pre-teen years, listening to Art Bell’s Coast to Coast with guest Richard Hoagland. So, when I heard about a movie based on an expansion of the inhabited moon theory, I was pretty damn excited. Lunopolis was actually very interesting and, despite holes in some of the theoretical physics at the film’s core, I would definitely recommend checking it out. Acting was solid - especially from David Potter. The story centers around the discovery of a massive secret regarding the moon, and a very strange religious group that will stop at nothing to keep that secret under wraps. I think Hoagland would be proud of this film.

7.9

-Kelly

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

Hairwolf, or lycandroid?

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

Coherence

Unfortunately, I watched this film after the cut off for Frightday’s “Top 10 of 2014” list. If I had been on top of it, Coherence absolutely would have made my list. Though definitely on the fringe of horror (classified also as sci-fi/thriller), this movie brought out a fear in me reminiscent of the terror I felt as a little kid when I first learned about the concept of infinity. It is definitely heady, involving theories of multiple dimensions and the convergence of these dimensions when a comet passes close to Earth. The acting is believable, and the story is very unique; without spoiling, I can’t say much more. This one would make a GREAT New Year’s film! 8.9

-Kelly

[frightdayblog]

The LAZARUS EFFECT (Feb. 27th)

Olivia Wilde. Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino. Mark Duplass.  Zombie Girlfriends. Sounds like a winner! And the preview is scary as hell.

PARANORMAL ACTIVITY: THE GHOST DIMENSION (Mar. 13th)

I know, I know.  Many think this series jumped the shark a few installments ago.  However, I’m holding out hope that this fifth installment will be the “Scream 4” of the Paranormal series, reclaiming the quality of the earlier films.

INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3 (Jun. 5th)

As a prequel, the third Insidious film gives the audience insight into the background of Elise Ranier, the psychic who plays a pivotal role in the first two movies.  After seeing her brief cameo in “The Signal,” I’m excited to see more of her in this one.

THE GALLOWS (Jul. 10th)

Not much is known about this one, but Cinema Blend gives the following synopsis “Twenty years after an accident during a small town high school play results in death, students at the school resurrect the failed stage production in a misguided attempt to honor the anniversary of the tragedy - but ultimately find out that some things are better left alone.” I’m a sucker for mystery, and Blumhouse has a decent track record, so the lack of info surrounding this one makes me even more excited.

POLTERGEIST (Jul. 24th)

A classic film, plagued with mysterious and unfortunate events during the making of the original, finally gets a reboot.  For Sam Rockwell’s sake, we hope the curse of Poltergeist doesn’t follow into the remake. Jared Harris (from “The Quiet Ones” and “Mad Men”) will play an Irish ghost hunter, replacing the short female ghost hunter with the unmistakable high-pitched voice from the original. Looking forward to this one.

SINISTER 2 (Aug. 21st)

For obvious reasons, this sequel follows a new family; a mother (Shannyn Sossamon) and her twin boys are tormented in a rural house that is “marked for death.” The director, Ciaran Foy, is different from the first installment, but the writer is the same.  Hopefully, “Sinister 2” packs as much terror into it as it’s predecessor!

REGRESSION (Aug. 28th)

The director who created the original “Abre Los Ojos” and quietly terrifying “The Other” certainly qualifies as a filmmaker with talents that surpass the typical horror movie.  Combine this quality of direction with the acting chops of Ethan Hawke (now a seasoned horror star) and Emma Watson (who is just starting to explore her potential beyond Potterworld), and you have a film that this chick is super excited about.  Subject matter is pretty heavy (sexual abuse) but it also looks to be a psychological thriller, as the father cannot remember committing these horrible offenses.  Lots of possibilities here.

THE VISIT (Sept. 11th)

I know, I know - I’m the ONLY person out there who is still rooting for M. Night.  However, you skeptics should know that this is his first venture into (intentional) horror comedy.  After two boys visit their grandparents, very strange things begin happening.  I’m hoping this one marks the beginning of a magnificent comeback for the mind that brought us “The Village” and “Signs.”

VICTOR FRANKENSTIEN (Oct. 2nd)

Though the movie stars James McAvoy as the title character, the story is said to focus on the origin of his faithful assistant, Igor, played by  Daniel Radcliffe. Looks like it could be as much drama as horror, but the unique perspective should put an interesting spin on the horror classic.

CRIMSON PEAK (Oct. 16th)

With horror greats like “The Orphanage” and “The Devil’s Backbone” to his credit, and the recent success of “The Strain,” Guillermo del Toro’s new haunted house horror film is primed for success AND, hopefully, for some real scares.  

IT (TBA)

I was thrilled to hear that one of my favorite childhood horror stories - “It” - was getting finally getting the theatrical remake it deserved.  When I heard that Carey Fukunaga - director of the best television series of all time (“True Detective”) would be at the helm, I actually did a happy dance.  I have no doubt that he will remedy the wrongs done by that absurd giant spider used for the TV miniseries in 1990.  Release date is not specific yet, but it is listed for this year - can’t wait!

CABIN FEVER (TBA)

A reboot of the film from whence Eli Roth’s bloody career began. This time around, the star is none other than Roth himself.  Same plot - five college friends turn against each other during a retreat at a cabin in the woods after a nasty flesh-eating virus begins spreads within the group.  No specific release date, but listed for this year.

SOMNIA (TBA)

Though my colleagues Sam and Byron disliked it strongly, I (along with many other horror connoisseurs) thoroughly enjoyed 2014’s “Oculus.”  Director Mike Flanagan now brings us a story about a young orphan who, advertently or inadvertently, turns his dreams and nightmares into reality. With Kate Bosworth and Tom Jane, there are some interesting actors to watch, but thanks to a PG-13 rating and “Oculus” I bet I will be watching this one alone.

-Kelly

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

After watching the preview to "Digging Up The Marrow," this upcoming fresh twist on found footage might have just jumped to the top of my can't-wait-to-see list. Ray Wise (one of the best parts of "Twin Peaks") appears to give a hell of a performance, in tandem with director Adam Green (who plays himself in the film) and Will Barrett (who also plays himself). The trailer gives a taste of a movie that appears to blend reality and fiction into a terrifying world that might have the power to break the overwrought genre of found footage in an amazingly horrifying way.

-Kelly

[frightdayblog]

Mockingbird (2013)

Bloomhouse productions has a tendency to be a bit hit or miss. Mockingbird is a little of both. This film starts out heavy & raw. Long shots on gritty, handheld cameras. Kick-starting with some shock that only a handful of brave filmmakers have done. The pace drags at points. Nothing that I can’t handle, but I could definitely see some normies shouting “hurry the fuck up”. They would regret that. After clever planning, this film hits a wall, & staggers over the finish line. I wish the director would have abandoned the “twist” ending as soon as he realized its potential. Spooky balloons can only go so far. In the end, this film hops on top of the, “meh” pile.

4.9

-Byron

[frightdayblog]

[frightdayblog]

Annabelle (2014)

As a fan of The Conjuring and follower of haunted things, I was disappointed when I heard the overwhelmingly negative reviews of Annabelle. I went in with low expectations, which turned out to be a good approach. Though the acting was fairly poor, and the story predictable, the theme was terrifying enough to my credulous mind that I was genuinely scared at a few points in the film. A doll possessed by demonic energy, out to steal the soul of a baby = scary. This also might have something to do with the fact that I am a new mother. I would say Annabelle is definitely worth a watch, but please don’t go in expecting the same quality you saw from The Conjuring.  

5.7

-Kelly

[frightdayblog]

PRESERVATION (Jan. 9th on VOD)

Actor turned director Christopher Denham brings us a movie that sounds strangely like “Surviving the Game,” minus Busey.  Initial reviews are mixed, but the premise of running from an unseen enemy that is trying to hunt you sounds terrifying!

THE HALLOW (Jan. 25th)

Another movie following the recent trend of Irish Horror, “The Hallow” tells the story of a family who moves to an out-of-the-way Irish millhouse, where they are tormented by something evil living in the woods nearby. Director Corin Hardy is also working on the remake of “The Crow” and his movie career began as a monster-effects artist, so we are hoping for good things with “The Hallow.”

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (Feb. 13th on VOD)

This horror comedy from the fellas of Flight of the Conchords promises to be hilarious.  The plot appears to be a Real-World-esque glimpse into a group of vampires sharing an apartment (‘flat”).  Initial reviews are very positive - Frightday is predicting this will be the big horror comedy hit of 2015.

DIGGING UP THE MARROW (Feb. 20th / Mar. 25th on VOD)

From the brilliant mind of Adam Green, who brought us “Hatchet” and “Frozen”, “Digging Up The Marrow” looks to be an interesting movie about two men who, in the process of making a documentary film about monster art, encounter a man who says he can prove that monsters are, in fact, real. Early screenings have been met with positive reviews, and a surprising adherence to Green’s request that viewers keep the storyline secret.

THE BORDERLANDS (aka FINAL PRAYER) (Feb. 10th on VOD)

Also known as “Final Prayer,” this British found-footage film centers around strange occurrences at an out-of-the-way church, and the Vatican officials that are sent to investigate.  Could be interesting - hopefully not just another found-footage film.

MUCK (Mar. 13th on VOD)

A crowd-funded kickstarter flick, “Muck” follows a group of friends who escape the evil spirits of an ancient burial ground beneath a Cape Cod marsh only to find an even more terrifying tormentor when they seek refuge in a house nearby.  Oh and it takes place on St. Patrick’s Day. Fun!

IT FOLLOWS (Mar. 27th on VOD)

After rave reviews at a number of film festivals, quite a few horror fans are excited for this interesting-looking story of a girl who seems to have ‘picked up’ something after a sexual encounter. Though the story sounds a lot like “Contracted,” the preview makes it look pretty unique.

KRAMPUS (Dec. 4th)

Michael Dougherty, who directed the inexplicably underrated “Trick ‘r Treat”, is now bringing to the screen an age-old Christmas legend that turns the season into a cautionary tale for naughty children.  Bonus - Dougherty also recently announced plans to make a sequel to “Trick ‘r Treat!”

31 (TBA)

Evil clowns, Halloween, Iggy Pop, and a Saw-like survival game.  Rob Zombie claims this crowd-funded movie is his most brutal yet, which, for anyone who has seen “House of 1000 Corpses” or “The Devil’s Rejects,” is a bit scary in and of itself.  Though release is slated for this year, there is no official date - we hope we will actually see it!

THE GREEN INFERNO (TBA)

Maybe, just maybe, 2015 will be the year that we FINALLY get to see “Green Inferno” - a film by horror great Eli Roth, inspired by “Cannibal Holocaust.” Though the movie was complete in 2013, it’s release has been pushed back indefinitely because of financial/legal problems surrounding the production company, Open Road. Keep your fingers crossed!

GOODNIGHT MOMMY (TBA)

No matter how terrible things may get, you can always trust your mother.  “Goodnight Mommy” takes that trust and turns it into a horrifying nightmare when two boys are left to wonder if the woman who returned home,  bandaged after undergoing plastic surgery, is actually their mother.  No wide release date yet, but we hope to see this Austrian film in 2015.

SPRING (TBA)

If the Amanda Knox ordeal was not enough to scare you away from starting a romance while vacationing in Italy, perhaps you should check out “Spring.” My only concern is that writer/director Justin Benson was also one of the writers and directors behind 2014’s disappointing “V/H/S: Viral.” However, “Spring” premiered to fairly positive reviews at a couple of film festivals in 2014 and we look forward to seeing it this year.

COOTIES (TBA)

This directorial debut from Jonathan Milott has received mixed reviews from those who saw it at film festivals last year, but I refuse to believe that such a hilarious concept and such a wonderful cast could produce anything less than at least a decent horror comedy.  The students at an elementary school succomb to a virus that turns them into zombie-like creatures, pitted against their horrified teachers.  Stars include Elijah Wood, Alison Pill, and Rainn Wilson. No specific release date yet, but this one promises to be a good time.

-Kelly