The Haunted Celluloid

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Film Review

Hush (2016)

I have been infatuated with Netflix’s original content lately. I loved the quirky comedic series Master of None, and fell head over heels for the 80’s love letter, Stranger Things. I decided to keep striking while the iron is hot, or should I say burning brighter than the asshole of a dying star. I decided to try my luck at the Netflix original movie Hush.

Hush is an attempt at the ole tired Stalker genre of horror. This genre has been hit so hard that it’s almost impossible to find a film that is unique enough to separate itself from the rest. Hush has a unique way to combat all the muddled plot lines. The protagonist is an isolated writer working on her next big novel. The only thing is she can’t hear shit, because she has been deaf since she was 13 years old. The deaf angle is unique enough to give the whole story suspense, especially when a deranged individual starts to stalk her for no other purpose than murder.

The one thing that befuddles me is how can someone who is completely deaf, be allowed to live in such an isolated environment by themselves? She has one neighbor, and that is it. I am all for free will, but someone was just asking to be put in a terrible situation. Luckily, she is close friends with her neighbor so she never seems truly alone.  Right away we are set up with the many challenges that she has to navigate through being deaf. Knowing that she was in for a night from hell, the film really made the points clear that simple communication was going to be an issue. The highlight has to be the power being cut which disables the Wi-Fi so she can’t use face-time.

The suspense never seemed to fully evolve in the early acts. I felt as though we were greeted with a conflict then it was resolved rather quickly. I never felt my ass shift to the front of the seat and my heart race, which never bodes well for any suspenseful horror movie. I did however have to award the movie big props on the character decisions. I felt like every decision/escape attempt was realistic for the protagonist, and every decision by the killer felt deranged and off kilter. There was one time when I had a problem with a decision made by one of the characters, and that was when someone mistook a bloody homeless looking guy for a cop.

The final act is when the movie really begins to shine. The suspense is revved up to the point where my ass skipped the edge of the seat and hit the floor. The film also gets really gritty as we watch some blood being spilled. There are a couple of nice Sherlock Holmes inspired scenes where the protagonist runs through different scenarios in her head, which I thought was a great touch.

I really enjoyed Hush from start to finish. I would not consider it revolutionary, but it had a nice twist for a tired genre. The main character is likable and always feels desperate, which gives off a nice sense of tension. The villain has no depth or reasoning behind his character, which really works well for that ideology that some people are bat shit crazy. The villain also isn’t an opposing figure, or someone who would intimidate you on a crowded street. The ending was bland but did not take away from the overall product which is a solid slasher film that should be added to your watch list.

-CLB

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Film Review

As Above, So Below (2014)

As Above, So Below is the next uneventful found footage film to enter the trash heap known as modern horror cinema. The nostalgia element of The Blair Witch project is being rapidly replaced with a sense of nausea.  Hollywood is pumping out found footage films faster than the Cleveland Browns replace their starting quarterback. All though I have seen far worse films, the cliches doom this one almost from the start.

The footage revolves around young scholar Scarlett Marlowe and her vast search for the legendary Philosopher’s stone. After she finds “the Rose Key” in Rome she quickly heads to Paris and uses it to decipher the back of a tombstone that will give her clue to where the stone is located. She solves the clues to a 400 year old mystery in record time (20 minutes to be exact). Once she has the key she draws the attention of a documentary film maker. Recall this is found footage so we need an inexperienced film maker shaking the shit out of the camera for the next hour. The clues lead her to the film’s setting inside the infamous Catacombs of Paris, where she gathers a group of locals and an ex-boyfriend to find the stone/treasure. All that wasted backstory just to get the characters inside the Catacombs.

The Philosopher’s Stone has enough weight to carry its own action adventure film, but here it’s wasted on the horror genre. The movie seems to me to draw inspiration from Indiana Jones and a lesser extent the Uncharted video game series early in Act 1. Seriously she carries around a journal that looks identical to Nathan Drakes. The problem is she solves the clues way too easy and has all the sources right in front of her to find the Stone at ease. The plot is so abused, and just serves as a transition piece, while the setting serves as the main draw. I would much rather see an Indiana Jones sequel revolving around the search for the stone.

I actually love the setting of the Catacombs even if they get there in such a clumsy fashion. The Catacombs are one of the world’s most mysterious and creepy places. The Catacombs are a real location we all have the ability to visit, and it rarely makes appearances in films. The network of caves stretches for 200 miles and is said to be the final resting place of 6 million people. There are only a small percentage of the Catacombs that have actually been explored, which the movie does a good job of keeping that sense of wonder and mystery going. There are some truly terrifying moments when some in the group are stuck in tight confining places. The claustrophobia effect works well for the suspense but is only used a few times throughout their journey.

There is a supernatural element to the film which is introduced as they carry on through the network of caves. Up until this point the film has been intriguing, but it starts taking a nose dive rather quickly. Any element of fear is all contained in jump scares which are just a cheap way of making a horror flick. Any chance of seeing an entity is void because the camera is shaking all over the place. My eyeballs started to rattle in my skull watching this claustrophobic shaky mess. Not only are they moving quickly away from the supernatural plague but they are constantly putting the camera in horrid positions as they try to squeeze through tight spaces. Sometimes it works because you feel like you are trapped with them, and other times it’s just frustrating.

There is absolutely no consistency with all the mythos that they throw at you. What little they explain of the stone itself does not even match what the stone does. (Minor Spoiler) As you probably guessed they find the stone which supposedly has healing capabilities. Well the hunk of shit only works when it feels like it. One minute it’s saving lives, the next it’s about as useless as a U.S citizen’s right to vote. Also, there is no explanation to the many visions the characters are seeing. There is no mention of what the hell is trying to kill them, and to top it off they find a friend of the locals that has been missing in the Catacombs for 2 years. Not only do they find the obviously deranged individual, but they listen to him when he says he has found a way out. The fucker hasn’t found it in 2 years, so what makes you think he knows it now. They don’t even ask this guy how in the living hell he is still breathing, they just accept that he has made it all this time without food, water, or sunlight.

I am at odds with this film. I love the setting and can almost dig the historical backstory. They just manage to botch everything and added the clichéd found footage novelty. I am over found footage films because none of it is unique anymore. People often forget that the found footage aspect of The Blair Witch Project was not what sold it. That film had a brilliant marketing campaign that made those in the pre-worldwide internet era wonder if it was real. The Blair Witch has not aged well, and all these films trying to mimic the same style are just wasting time. I wanted to like this movie because of the unique setting but the negatives outweigh the few positives. There is definitely worse out there, but at this point they all feel the same.

-CLB

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Series Review

Stranger Things (2016)

I am not easily captivated by many TV series nowadays. I usually get bored within 5 episodes, because let’s face it most hit series are the same. Stranger Things is the new “hit” original show delivered by Netflix. Let me rephrase; Stranger Things is the show you need to begin watching immediately. Throw out all chores, uneventful dinner dates, etc. and clear an 8 hour block of your time for this piece of modern retro American greatness.

The series centers on the undeniable friendship of 4 young boys as they search for their missing friend. Along the way they befriend a mysterious girl who possesses special abilities and a dark history. I cannot go into too much detail about the plot without spoiling some major events, but just know the whole town eventually gets involved with the mystery. The events take place in 1983, so the whole setting of the story is rich in 80s culture, and vibe.

The unique thing is that the series does not really feel like it is set in the 80s. I feel like it is more or less set in the 80s movies it is inspired by. The whole fantasy/supernatural element feels like Steven Spielberg had his hands on this project. There are some dark horror elements that reek of John Carpenter and Stephen King. The styles blend so well together that they give off a nostalgic experience, but never come off as a parody. The boys have this humorous deep relationship that has a Goonies like inspiration, although for me their loyalty to each other felt more as homage to Stephen King’s Stand By Me. Homage is a good word for the setting, because even though I saw it wrapped in all these classics, I never felt as though it was living in the past. The Duffer Brothers bounded all the greatness from arguably the greatest generation of movies into an original package with its own unique spin.

The soundtrack is phenomenal; it turns back the clock and uses the synthesizers that ring in the greatest of 80s movies. The soundtrack is never overused and often is subtlety radiating in the background. When we get a taste of horror during the show, the music goes complete Carpenter on your ears with the same type of vibrating tones you would likely hear in The Thing. The introduction theme sets the tone well and lets you know exactly what kind of series you are in for.

Winona Ryder plays a big supporting spot as the missing boy’s mother. Ryder does a fantastic job as a concerned mother who might be slightly obsessive. Her performance is solid but nothing compares to the child actors. The acting by these kids is standing ovation worthy, as they intertwine and feed off each other tremendously. They build a wonderful friendship that you truly believe and root for. Millie Brown (Eleven) demands the screen no matter where she is in the scene. Her performance is both inspiring and yet heartbreaking. The characters here are all well written with just enough humor to keep them grounded.

There is not much I didn’t like about the series, but they do miss a few opportunities at minor details. There is not enough explanations for all the things that are happening and some of the mythos goes unexplored. I finished the first season with more questions than answers which felt a little disappointing to me. The ending is open ended and looks like it may push for a 2nd season. I think this is dangerous ground because most TV shows of this variety try to push a plot along until it gets watered down. I’m actually okay with the ending and would rather see a season 2 explore a totally different plot and characters much like American Horror Story.

Stranger Things fulfills a sense of nostalgia that we all try to live in. I found a great sense of joy in all the references to the classics but yet was intrigued by the creative nature of the new story. The show is one of the rarities that is able to balance new and old in an effective way. The series is head and shoulders above anything that is on a network and should be the definitive factor for you getting a Netflix account. However, I wish they would have added a couple of episodes to tie some loose strings together, and end this particular story after season 1.

-CLB

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Film Analysis

Haxan or Witchcraft through the Ages (1922)

The film Haxan, by Danish director Benjamin Christensen, was made as a documentary film on the study of witchcraft and ended up transforming into something far more complex. The film is split into four sequences and all four offer beautifully, haunting scenes. Upon repeated viewings, I am amazed at the various practical effects that would still be impressive by today’s standards. Christensen, who plays one of the devils in the film himself, set out to create a documentation of witchcraft and created something wholly unique.

Prelude

Haxan has had a variety of soundtracks accompanying the picture through the ages. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend an ethereal scoring of the film performed by Demdike Stare. This film’s imagery is enchanting enough on its own, adding the droning samples and synths performed by the electronic duo cast a spell of synesthetic euphoria. There are few cinematic experiences that have your body undulating and head banging to sub bass frequencies like I was that night.

Chapter 1

The film opens with various inter titles that fill the viewer in on sightings of demons and witches throughout history with an emphasis on the Middle Ages. Next artwork of supernatural beings are complimented by beautiful dioramas of Dantean-like depictions of the solar system and the afterlife with special attention to hell. Animatronic demons stir tormented humans in giant pots as other demons stoke the fire below. These set pieces are a feast for the eyes on their own merit.

Chapter 2  &  3

The viewer experiences sequences of a woman using a love potion on her husband as well as a priest testing a woman with spoons of lead to prove her innocence. The film crescendos to new heights with Christensen’s depiction of the Witch’s Sabbath. The women strip down and have to kiss Satan, played by Christensen himself, on the butt in order to pledge there allegiance to him in one of the more blatant comedic vignettes in the film as others are far more subtle. The makeup and masks utilized create a horrific and otherworldly experience for the viewer. The witches broom ride is another technical spectacle that makes me long for a return to practical effects. Unfortunately, I understand the cost cuts that can be made with CG. Not to mention, this being one of the most expensive Scandinavian films ever made.

Chapter 4 

Initially, the fourth chapter does not seem to fit at all with the rest of the film due to its more modern setting. This final act becomes thematically essential as Christensen shows how the mistreatment of mental illnesses, night terrors, kleptomania or even sleepwalking in the past led to these so called witch hunts. Sometimes the things we fear the most are simply the things beyond our understanding. Whether intentional or not Christensen has made a documentary, a horror film, and a film that explores how corrupt religious views or human misunderstandings can lead to horrific atrocities, especially towards women. Rob Zombie’s Lord’s of Salem and Robert Egger’s The VVitch both explore these themes with degrees of success but are heavily indebted to Christensen for paving the way. Christensen has one final, sick joke for the viewer as  modern clinics do not prescribe a burning at the stake, as much as the clergymen and townsfolk of the past would have enjoyed it, but instead:

“...We will console ourselves with the notion that the mildly temperate shower of the clinic has replaced the barbaric methods of medieval times.”

-LEH

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Film Review

Goodnight Mommy (2014)

Hailed as one of the scariest movie trailers of all time, Goodnight Mommy flew onto international screens with quite a reputation. The Austrian film does not quite live up to the scares it claims to have, even though there is fright to be had here. The film is set around childhood twin brothers who have a sinking suspicion that their mother is not the same person after having cosmetic surgery. The plot is literally that simplistic, it does not try to deviate from the overall idea of “is she who she claims to be”. Although the “twist” is meant to add some depth to the film, it is telegraphed so bad that you know what is happening from about 10 minutes in.

The twist is so bland and poorly written in the film that it ruins the whole mystery for me, and that could have been what made this film great. The atmosphere is exactly what you want from a foreign horror film. The overall foreboding tone of the characters made me feel a sense of dread for what was coming, even if I had already guessed it. The soundtrack is dark and used properly. It never overstays its welcome. I really enjoyed the different variations of wide camera angles which made the three characters feel isolated in their rural lakeside home.

At first I was not a big fan of the surrounding environments, as they were often very bright, clean, and modern. On the other hand, the cinematography was very well crafted and all the events felt terrifying despite the setting being the middle of the day. I think it also speaks to the director and cast for putting on an unnerving performance in an environment that does not particularly work well with the genre. I had an issue with the normalcy of the film, even though I do not think it hurts the film in general. I understand some will point out that foreign films tend to have a more abnormal approach, and I get that.

I for one would have liked to have felt a little more of the human emotion in the film. Everything the twins seem to do feels abnormal compared to other “normal” children. At one point they walk behind a combine as it plows through wheat and throws debris on them. They just casually walk behind it covering their eyes with their hands. The mother does have some extreme moments of human emotion which helped me feel grounded. Again, the point is to create a twisted and unusual environment, but for me it was hard to really feel connected to anything in the film.

I mentioned that the plot was simple, but do not count that as a negative. The simple plot allows for your mind to dive into the psyche of the characters in the film. You truly start to believe that the perception of who you are can change with a drastic cosmetic surgery. The racing thoughts you have really boils over at the films climax. The last 30 minutes of the film are about as horrifying as it gets. I mean holy shit the twisted nature of the final few scenes will make you want to cleanse your soul. I watched the final minutes with my jaw gaping open, which is the mark of a successful horror film.

I enjoyed Goodnight Mommy, but not as much as other critics apparently. There are definitely better foreign films out there such as REC and Troll Hunter. This film gained steam for its unnerving theatrical trailer, which is bullshit. Trailers are becoming a cancer, because they make us feel like bad films are good, and good films are great. I would recommend this film only if you are a true fan of the horror genre. If you are looking for a great foreign film to cut your teeth on, skip this one and watch Troll Hunter.

-CLB

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4 Ways to Make Modern Trailers Not Suck

Everyone always seems to approach me to ask if I have seen the trailer for so and so new release. Before I can say “No, I am keeping it a surprise”, they immediately begin spilling all the details. I just want to start violently strangling my coworkers every time this happens. Trailers are a glorious staple of the movie culture; they evoke the imagination, and mystery of seeing a new film. Trailers are as synonymous with movies as 6 jars of melted butter are to a pig trough full of popcorn. Today however, trailers do their job almost too well. I mean they pretty much serve as cliff notes and spoil the entire damn movie.

Horror movies have to be treated delicately when it comes to trailers. Most films from the genre have a suspenseful/mystery element or a complete plot twist. I would hate to walk out of theatre witnessing a new film that I feel like I have seen. The genre thrives on figuring things out as you watch, as opposed to having a shit ton of information dumped on you before the opening credits roll and the plot figured out before the first set of exposed boobs fly on screen. I thought I would take a moment to list 4 ways we can make trailers more enjoyable and less like your parents Facebook page after they have a seen a major blockbuster.

1. Less is More

What the hell is up with trailers going over the 3 minute mark? How long is any movie that it needs a trailer that may need a trailer? I want to see a film and figure it out as I go, especially with the horror genre. I want more mystery with a film I choose to see, that way I don’t see a character on the screen that I know dies in the trailer. Let’s look at some examples from two movies that I personally enjoy.

Wow put that on my watch list!

Would have liked to figure out if the deputy was infected on my own.

2. Get Rid of the Dumb Pulsating Music

Every modern trailer is the same, by which I mean they have the same stupid sounds. Most of the time you hear an ear piercing “Braaaam!I’m looking at you Michael Bay. The rest of the time there is some sort of warning system that won’t stop, like the alarm in Prometheus. I don’t mind these sounds but they are so overused and cliché.

Not a bad trailer, but will someone go to the cargo bay and turn that shit off.

3. No Spoilers Please

Deaths in horror movies are what we pay to see. If I can watch the deaths in your red band trailer, then why the hell would I go see your movie? Seriously back to #1 less is more, but in this case don’t ruin an awesome chance for me to have visceral experience inside the theatre.

Now that the intensity of watching three people die is out of my system time to binge watch season 3 of The Office.

4. Let the Directors Direct Their Own Trailers

What is the difference between a Hollywood director working on a film and film editor 6 states away putting together a trailer of said film? I would guess that maybe the fact that the director knows the exact message of the film. Sometimes there is a disconnect between what we expect in a film and what the film is actually about. Most trailers are made by editors and not the actual directors, which in some cases have even pissed off the director. For example, here are the comments made by director Alan Taylor in an Uproxx interview on his Terminator Genisys trailer:

     “I had a few heads-ups and a few unpleasant conversations where I squawked about this or that. I think they felt like they had to send a strong message to a very wary audience that there was something new, that this was going to new territory. “They were concerned that people were misperceiving this as kind of a reboot, and none of us wanted to reboot two perfect movies by James Cameron. I think they felt they had to do something game-changing in how the film was being perceived.”

There is the case and point. Maybe if we let directors comprise the trailers then maybe they will follow all the previous mentioned rules and not create shitty trailers.

-CLB

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Posterama!

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

These posters are all over the place. A film that is such a mind throttling adventure, deserves a poster that rattles your soul. I for sure do not feel that way about the German depiction of the poster. I get the idea behind the family photo but it doesn’t correlate well on paper. It is interesting to know that the German film translates to “Blood Court in Texas”.

-CLB

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Film Review

Evil Dead (2013)

I want to make one thing very clear; I hate reboots, and remakes. I hate them as much as I hate the person who is responsible for pop up ads. When I first heard that the next Evil Dead installment was going to be a reboot, I was hit with mixed feelings. I treasure the original trilogy and put them on my short list for favorite horror films. I have always hoped for the rumored Army of Darkness 2, so a reboot just seemed like the series was going in the wrong direction. I was comforted that Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell were overseeing the project but uneasy about first time director Fede Alvarez. Fast forward a couple of years and several viewings and I think I have finally found a place for this film.

The plot is focused on a group of college students traveling to a cabin in the woods (shocker). The real twist is the reason to why they are heading to the woods. They are using the cabin as a detox center for their friend Mia (Jane Levy), who is addicted to drugs. I love that one of the character’s addiction plays a vital role in the early uneasiness of the film. No matter what kind of messed up shit she sees, no one believes her because of her detox, which is really nerve racking as a viewer. If you have seen Evil Dead then you know the whole back story of the unknowingly ignorant teen reading from the book of the dead (Necronomicon) and sending everything into a Hell frenzy. There is no change from that structure in this film. Only this time around, it could not be more obvious that they shouldn’t read this book. When found the book is locked in a bag next to a shotgun (Yes the boomstick), with “don’t read” written in blood across the pages.  Well a guy who looks like he plays lead guitar for Ram Jam decided to give it a good read, and open the gates to Hell.

The setting and cinematography is top notch in this one. I was really surprised that a first time director would have such a clear vision. The woods were dark an ominous, while the cabin had a rugged and mysterious charm. The Raimi cam is used to pay homage to its predecessor, and because let’s face it, it is really damn effective. The characters had a little more depth to them than the original cast, even though there was no character that could fill the shoes of Ash Williams. The film did a good job bouncing around with each character so that you could not tell who the true hero was. There is some very subtle sadistic comedy in the film that you might miss if you have a soul, or if you hate people slipping on pieces of flesh ripped from someone’s face.  There is also one character in particular who only serves the purpose of getting his ass kicked from one end of the cabin to the other.

The effects are unbelievable, and absolutely terrifying. The film uses nothing but practical effects, which again is so much more appealing to the eyes than digital effects. The many dismemberments, blood, and overall gore are all taken to the next level. Without a doubt in my mind this is the bloodiest film I have ever seen. The effects are so well done that they elicit several visceral reactions when I see certain scenes. I cringe every time I see the scene with a girl cutting her tongue in half with a box cutter. The gore here is so high on the scale I can see it being too much for many viewers.

The possessions are worked really well into the film, and legitimately creeped me out. The way each character spoke, twitched and shambled around after being possessed made me uneasy. I was never really scared during the film, but I often had a sense of dread, and a certain anxiety about who was next for maiming. The movie really sticks with the theme of the first Evil Dead. They set out to make a horror film filled with vulnerable characters, and they accomplished that. There are tons of nods to the original trilogy throughout the movie. My favorite Easter egg is that Ash’s Delta is parked right outside the cabin worn down like it had never left.

I think this is the right way to accomplish the reboot task. The film takes inspiration from the first film, and gives it a unique spin. The movie does a great job at truly one upping the original on gore and horror factor. I can see this film being a letdown for people who are not fans of the original trilogy. There is no new story to tell, as we have seen this cabin in the woods style movies for a long time. If you are not a gore hound then you definitely want to skip this one altogether. Jane Levy was good but with no Ash, or character like him the film loses a little bit of an identity. Evil Dead fans should praise the film for what it is. Alvarez is a fan of the series, and he treats his work that way. The movie is a retelling of a story we all know about, and adds a little more spice to the overall formula. I can safely say the film is worthy to stand with the original trilogy.

-CLB

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Posterama!

The Exorcist (1973)

I use this sets of posters to show that we all can agree on something. The posters are all similar and even translate well. I think we can even agree that maybe The Exorcist is the first step to cohesiveness and even world peace….or maybe its just a bad ass poster that needs to be shared with the world.

-CLB

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Film Review

Army of Darkness (1992)

Army of Darkness continues the same momentum that Evil Dead 2 built. The third installment keeps things moving more into an action comedy pace while bringing Ash's character full front and center. The plot begins at the end of the 2nd film, when Ash is jolted back to medieval times by the book of the dead. He is immediately captured by an army of knights and deemed an enemy. After some bad ass Houdini like escapes and the use of modern technology he is then worshiped as the chosen one. He begins a quest for the Necronomicon to take him home. As a side note; I love that both sequels begin with a quick prologue, which makes all 3 movies feel like they are their own stand-alone film.

 I stated in my review of the second film that I felt like Ash's character shifted towards being more of the action star than the reluctant hero. Although in the beginning he refuses to help those in need it feels more selfish then reluctant. The third film removes any doubt who is the one line cracking bad ass. Bruce Campbell alone is worth the price of admission, as he puts together a very brash and witty protagonist. The one liners are fantastically funny and scattered in every scene.

 We finally get the chance to see an established villain in the series, and not just random shape shifting demons. The villain extends from a wonderfully bizarre scene of Ash once again being possessed and being split into two characters. The result of the split leads to the creation of Evil Ash and the Deadite army. The scene is hilarious in nature but does not stick out as much as the possessed hand in the 2nd film. The horror element is almost cut from the movie as the film goes for more of an action comedy with a little fantasy involved. The slapstick humor is turned up a notch, which is fine by me due to Ash's character.

 Again the practical effects are well done, which is no surprise at this point. There is an incredible battle with stop motion skeletons that fit the feeling of the film wonderfully. Although, the effects are very pleasing they seem to lack the appeal of the first two films due to the lack of the horror element. As for the ending; Raimi had a different vision than that of the studio, which led to a theatrical ending, and an alternate ending. I have watched both endings numerous times and I am still conflicted on which I like more. After all these years I believe the theatrical ending makes the most sense. The original ending left the door open for sequel which never came to fruition. The true sequel lies in the new show Ash vs. Evil Dead. The title alone pays homage to the Army of Darkness, which was originally titled Bruce Campbell vs. The Army of Darkness.

 At the end of the day Army of Darkness is a great fireworks show to end the trilogy. Although I feel that the 2nd film is superior because it kept the horror element that made the first memorable, Army of Darkness is still a gem. No one can deny that Raimi and Campbell created a full experience of awesomeness when all 3 films are stacked together.

-CLB

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Posterama!

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Each poster seems to convey the same scene but in different ways. The one that sticks out in my opinion is the Polish poster. I love the melding of the sleeping girl and the darkness of the dream world. As for the Japanese poster for the 5th film; what the actual fuck is going here? I could not of think of any poster that could separate itself further from the film it depicts. This is more of a potty training book cover then it is about a murderous dream demon. He is a cute lil bastard though...

-CLB

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Posterama!

The Omen (1976)

There is not much to say about this group. I enjoy the vivid images of the Japanese posters, but still enjoy the sense of mystery the original poster has. The German poster has way too much color going on, and reminds me of a poster for a bad small town cover band.

-CLB

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Film Review

Evil Dead 2 (1987)

Evil Dead 2 picks up right where the 1st film left off….sort of. The film is an odd form of a sequel because it nearly retcons all the events of the first film. The film opens with a bit of a prologue that briefly retells the events that transpired. However, for this go around, Ash is driving to the cabin with his girlfriend, and no other friends in tow. I actually like the events more this way, because the other characters were just there so more people could be demon bait.

Bruce Campbell really comes into his own in this film as Ash, and the setting only highlights his character coming to life. Ash’s personality completely changes from what we saw in the first installment. The film opens with him as a goofy yet hopeless romantic youth, as opposed to the shy and reluctant hero we saw in 1981. As the situations change rapidly, Ash’s personality becomes more heartless, almost defiant towards all that tries to do him harm. Trust me when I say there is no shortage of things trying to cause him harm. Early on in the film we get a hint that Ash may be possessed, which reveals itself through the first act.

The pacing is truly frenetic once it becomes known that Ash is going one on one with evil. At this moment in the film, we see the change in direction of the whole series. We see almost nonstop comedic gags, and a host of slap stick style humor injected into the horror inducing tale. Raimi introduces the new facets to create the perfect blend of the horror-comedy genre. Ash begins oozing machismo and spilling out funny bad ass one liners that would make Arnold Schwarzenegger look like a junior high prom date.

There is no subtlety to the practical effects in this one. The same care and detail is used in every severed limb, and puss drooling demon as it was in the first film. The film to this date still has some of the most effective use of practical effects. The effects and comedic style all come together when Ash is battling his possessed hand. Ash’s hand beats the ever loving shit out of him all over the cabin, with inanimate objects coming to live to watch the spectacle. This is by far the most entertaining and symbolic set of events in the whole franchise. We get a glimpse of Ash as he begins to lose his grip on reality, which in turn builds his character further as an embattled hard ass. I guess I have to make note that this is where the chainsaw arm makes its first legendary appearance, and it is oh so satisfying.

Later on more characters are introduced to kind of push Ash back into reality. The film loses a little steam in this moment, just because watching Ash battle himself was a true joy. The characters themselves are nothing to write home about, but they do a good job of reestablishing Ash as the Hero, only this time he is no longer the reluctant hero.

Evil Dead 2 is where Raimi and Campbell’s connection really shine. The film takes a leap to change the whole franchise’s tone, and it works superbly well. There are a lot of throw backs to the first film, including the Raimi cam, and rape trees (only these trees stop at 2nd base), so it doesn’t feel like a new movie entirely.  Evil Dead 2 continues the story where we left off, but changes the tone to create a truly entertaining thrill ride, and a rare instance where a sequel is superior to the predecessor.

-CLB

[thehauntedcelluloid-blog]

Posterama!

The Thing (1982)

The remake of the 1951 classic gave us some fantastic posters. I love the subtlety of the crack on the southern hemisphere in the Japanese poster. The red tint in the Spanish and Japanese posters give a violent hint to the hidden treasures of Carpenter’s classic. I actually enjoy viewing the international posters for this one more than the U.S. version.

-CLB

[thehauntedcelluloid-blog]

Posterama!

Dawn of the Dead (1978)

I want to start off by expressing my disappointment in the Japanese poster. Romero's franchise offers a lot of content to make a badass poster, but someone decided to copy and paste a picture from the film onto red poster board. The Germans went the complete opposite of anything remotely related to the film. What the hell am I looking at? I feel like I’m about to get felt up by a homeless man in an empty park. I find it interesting that some countries use a title with the word zombie. The word “zombie” is never used once in the film or even in Night of the Living Dead. The word itself originates from the eastern part of the world, specifically in Western Africa. I assume the word must be more common, as it didn’t really start trending in the U.S. until much later.

-CLB

[thehauntedcelluloid-blog]

Film Review

Evil Dead (1981)

When I set out to give my take on the Evil Dead franchise, I toyed with the idea of reviewing all the films at once. I felt in the long run that this would muddle my review. Each film in the series is unique on its own, and only by watching each in its own separate session do you truly appreciate how Raimi builds the franchise. Let’s start by winding back the clock and review the first film.

The original Evil Dead centers on Ashley “Ash” Williams, his girlfriend, and a group of friends heading for a cabin in the woods for the weekend. The group unknowingly unleashes demonic like entities when they read the passages of the Necronomicon or “the book of the dead”. Fun fact; the movie was actually filmed in southern Tennessee in a local cabin. The cabin itself is no longer standing and the chimney is all that remains. Many fans travel to the site every year to gather ash from the chimney. I guess there’s a pun in there somewhere.

The plot is unique to the time period before the industry was flooded with the whole teens in the woods premise. Although simple, the use of the book allows for the film to expand its plot depth as the series moves along. The movie never really goes past the novel of teens vs demons, and that’s okay because the movie is rich in atmosphere and unusual possessions.

The woods come to life with some really nice cinematography and Raimi's famous first person “shaky cam”. Due to low budget Raimi had to use camera tricks to makes us feel like the demonic presence is always there. The camera work is legendary and still puts a chill in my spine. The practical effects are intensely satisfying in the most sick and twisted ways. There is the infamous scene with the rape tree that is cringe worthy on its own. Raimi once stated that he regretted adding that scene, but nonetheless it is a staple scene in the franchise.

The character development is rough at times with Ash becoming the unannounced Hero mid-way through. People often think of all the comedic elements to Ash's character when they think of Evil Dead. Although Bruce Campbell’s performance is good, his character is more of a timid and terrified Romeo trying to save his girlfriend from possession.

The first Evil Dead is based in horror, and does a wonderful job of creating an intimidating atmosphere. The demons are so unmerciful that it leads to some sadistic and very subtle comedic moments. The majority of the moments are meant to invoke a sense of dread, and a loss of hope. The film nails the essentials of modern horror, and is true to itself, which is what makes it a timeless experience for any fan of the genre.

-CLB

[thehauntedcelluloid-blog]

Posterama!

Friday the 13th (1980)

I feel as though the U.S. was never invited to the party on this one. All the posters are identical except for the ole red, white, and blue. I think I like the U.S version more in this situation. The Axe in the pillow does not give me a whole lot of insight into the film. What the hell is up with that shadow effect as well? I can’t decipher what’s going on in the background or if I even wanna know.

-CLB