Catacombs

 

Date Of Release: 7^th October 2007

Director: Tomm Coker & David Elliot

Producer: Gregg Hoffman, Mark Burg & Oren Koules

Starring: Shannyn Sossamon & Alicia Moore

Running Time: 90 minutes

Distributor: Lionsgate

Review

From the producers of saw comes this psychological horror. Set in the catacombs of Paris (although, a big part of it was actually filmed in Bucharest, Romania), it is essentially about a girl, who is extremely nervous about everything, and is invited by her sister to come to Paris. When she arrives there, they go to a rave held within the catacombs. Events unfold and she is then pursued by a manic killer. There is a twist at the end however…

When I first heard that there was going to be a film in the catacombs, I was stoked! I have always wanted to go there and heard so many tales. I was to be disappointed however, as this film is not actually about the catacombs or its history (although some of it is briefly mentioned), it is a story of a maniac who dwells within it. Also, being a film done by the producers of Saw, I half expected it to be full of blood and gore. Again, I was left disappointed.

Even though I had initial disappointments, the film isn’t actually that bad. The cast are pretty good in both acting ability and charisma. They film has a good steady flow, getting to the point and not actually stalling about on unnecessary plot lines. Even the way it is filmed is very sporadic and very tense (which is obviously what they were going for). It is quite similar to Saw in some ways, especially in the flashback scenes. Even in the scene where they explain what the madman is like and his past, it looks like something right out of the franchise. All that aside, it does stand on its own slightly.

 

 

The best scene would have to be the first contact with the “monster”. They played it quite well, this tale all of a sudden coming to reality. Pinks character is pretty good at her story telling element and the way that she almost winds up her sister to such torment. The only thing that I would have liked to have seen different was the ending. It was good but it just lacked the something, it kind of made you go “oh. Really?” rather than “Wow!” Kind of leaves you wondering was that it? There is one thing I can’t fault however and that is the setting. It is very dark and beautiful, exactly what I would imagine if I went there.

All in all, there was space for this movie to play a bit more on people’s fears but it didn’t just quite get there. Still would love to see if anyone could actually watch it on their own!

Rating: 7/10 - If you haven’t seen it yet then I think you Cata comb and buy it!

 



 

The Blair Witch Project

Date Of Release: 30^th July 1999

Director: Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez

Producer: Robin Cowie & Gregg Hale

Starring: Heather Donahue, Michael C Williams, Joshua Leonard

Running Time: 79 minutes

Distributor: Artisan Entertainment

Review

This film is considered one of the scariest of all time and one of the most popular to come out of the 90’s. Not only that, it is one of the most successful independent films of all time. It has also been credited as giving rise to the docu-horror genre (films such as paranormal activity and REC followed this style). The film itself stems from the “found footage” genre (made popular by Cannibal Holocaust).

The plot itself is quite simple, 3 film students set out to do a documentary on the Blair Witch, in Burkittsville. They interview locals and then hike out into the woods. They are never seen again. The footage is found one year later. The story and legend are completely made up yet they managed to fool a hell of a lot of people into thinking that this was actual footage and that these people were actually missing. One of the best things about the film was the improvisation by the actors. They were given a brief script and the directors left instructions for them rather than direct them. All the footage was shot by the actors giving it a more realistic feel. A lot of internet marketing helped build up the hype. The filming itself only took 8 days and was made on a budget of about $20,000 (some say $50,000).

The film feels completely raw from beginning to end. The shaky camera action also gives it a realistic and scary look. They filmed it in the fall which gives it a cold atmosphere. The chemistry between actors works really well, if that wasn’t there then the improvisation would be useless. Everything has been made as realistic as possible, even down to the part when Heather really breaks down and sobs into the camera; you can see snot and all! The filming at night is the best part, some of it you really struggle to see but that’s what the film is all about, they are not concentrating on letting you see as they are too much in fear to realise what they are doing.

The black and white effect really sets the mood as well (seen only in the night vision shots). There are a few really outstanding scenes. The part where they find all the hanging stick figures is a pretty simple scene but it is sure as shit creepy, even them finding the piles of rocks outside the tent is weird. Another stand out scene is the creepy rustling noises outside the tent at night, they describe it as crackling. This leads to Josh’s disappearance; they hear his screams in the night and find his blood soaked shirt with teeth and hair in the morning. Last but not least, the creepiest and most well-known scene of the movie, Heather finding Mike facing the wall. I’m not going to describe that one; you will have to watch it for yourself.

This really is a psychological horror as it really knew how to play on people’s fears, and the worst fear of all…..the unknown…making this film a seriously good one.

Rating: 10/10 – If you’re wondering Witch film to buy, you Blair-ter make it this one!!

 

Frankenstein (1931)

Date Of Release: November 21st 1931

Director: James Whale

Producer: Carl Laemmie Jr

Starring: Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clark, John Boles

Running Time: 71 minutes

Distributor: Universal Pictures

Review

Some people have a lot to say about old black and white movies, "its boring" is usually one of them. Well, if it wasn't for these "boring" movies then you wouldn't have any grounds for a cinematic experience today....This film, is one of the biggest of that time.

It starts off with a friendly warning from Edward Van Sloan (who plays Dr. Waldman) This, setting the mood, it almost makes you feel like you are going to watch a scary play! Boris Karloff being credited as "?" is a nice throwback to a tradition in theatre, were the monster was billed without a name. Right at the beginning you have a lovely graveyard scene with the good ol'mad Doctor Henry Frankenstein and his assistant Fritz (played by Colin Clive and Dwight Frye) graverobbing for a body to work his scientific studies on. His main desire in wanting to create human life through electrical devices. Note the grim reaper style statue in the background...self impending doom?

You then see his fiance and her friend, Elizabeth and Victor (played by Mae Clark and John Boles) growing concerned over his peculiar actions. They approach Dr Waldman for help. I would have loved for them to lead up to his madness a bit more, showing how his desire has driven him to such drastic actions. But that's kinda what I love about old films...straight to the point!

The scene were you first see the monster is actually quite a poignant one, the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover" certainly comes to mind! Even the monsters reaction to being scared is treated as a stereotype. Dare I forget the infamous line "ITS ALIVE!!!" Karloff, in my opinion, plays him beautifully. This sad, confused creature, no idea of his actions or his impact on others. Bela Lugosi was originally supposed to play him, I'm kind of glad he didn't as Karloff made it his own.

The film contains one of the most controversial scenes in film history, the monster picks up a young girl and throws her in the lake where she drowns. Although the monster was deeply remorseful for what he done, it didn't stop a long censorship on the scene.

The ending has quite alot of melancholy to it. Here you have this man/monster, who has been pulled back from the dead, beaten, tortured and ridiculed, hunted for something he did not mean to do and only wanting revenge on the one person who started it all...his "creator". When he is stuck on top of the burning windmill at the end you feel nothing but sheer sympathy. In short, this is a 71 minute film of injustice, making it one of the best loved and most popular horror films ever made


Rating: 10/10 - Must see and a must own to be quite frank-enstein!