Friday 23 November 2012

Inside

Date Of Release: 13th June 2007

Director: Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury

Producer: Franck Ribiere, Rodolphe Guglielmi, Frederic Ovcaric, Teddy Percherancier

Starring: Alysson Paradis, Beatrice Dalle, Nathalie Roussel, Tahar Rahim

Running Time: 82 minutes

Distributor: La Fabrique De Films & BR Films

Review

Inside is a basic tale of home invasion and abduction. A pregnant woman is hounded by a mysterious stranger who is out to try and steal her baby. This film is considered one of the best in a new wave of extreme French horror movies, also being voted as one of the most unrelenting horror films ever made. The film is a debut for both of the directors.

I’m a massive fan of foreign horror but only recently have I started watching the French take on it. This is one of the first films that I watched and I was hooked on it ever since. It’s a very dark and twisted tale. What I love about it most is that this could potentially happen in real life and that is what makes it so chilling. I believe there was a tale in the news a couple of years ago with a similar story.

The film has a brilliant flow to it and the storyline is spot on. This film really has no flaws at all. The only thing people will probably moan about it “I have to read the subtitles”. Well, unless you can understand French then I suggest you get over yourselves. Suspense is the key to this film. Most of the film is set within the woman’s home which gives it that element of claustrophobia. Beatrice Dalle, who plays the woman trying to steal the baby, is a perfect villain. She sends shivers down your spine and plays a psychopath to a T without having to overact.
 
 


Considering that this is both the directors first film, the production value is on top form. The opening credit with the foetus is a clever throw into what the film soon becomes. The fight scenes feel very realistic and the dialogue is almost believable. I say this a lot but, the scene at the end is absolutely worth waiting for. It will be one of the most gruesome ones you will ever see but that’s what they are trying to show. Is is life and shit like this happens…..a lot.

If you have never experienced French horror before then I certainly advise that you watch this one. It is very much a must buy and one that will certainly stick with you for a long while to come. If you are pregnant by the way…beware out there…   

 
Rating: 9/10 – This is so good, you will go mad and end up INSIDE for it!!!
 
 

 

Friday 9 November 2012

The Devil's Rejects

 
Date Of Release: 22nd July 2005

Director: Rob Zombie

Producer: Rob Zombie, Mike Elliott, Michael Ohoven, Andy Gould, Marco Mehlitz

Starring: Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Sheri Moon Zombie, Ken Foree, Matthew McGrory, William Forsythe

Running Time: 109 minutes

Distributor: Liongate

Review

This film is the follow up to Rob Zombie’s 2003 release “House of 1000 corpses”. Known for its sadistic humour and its relentless antiheroes, it has become one of the biggest cult films out there. The film is dedicated to the memory of actor Matthew McGrory (who played Tiny Firefly), who died after the film was made.

If you were a fan of Zombie’s first movie then you will love this. It is based on a family on the run from the law after being issued for over 75 homicides and disappearances over the past few years. They go on a murderous rampage which ends in an ultimate showdown. First off, the production for this film is a lot better than the first, appearing more like a movie rather than a snuff film. The film is set in the 70’s and it does very well to make sure that it appears that way too, you almost feel like you are actually watching it from that period. What I love about this film most is its complete simplicity. There is no over acting, there are minimal special effects and to be fair, this could actually happen in real life which is what makes it a horror. Same goes with the script and the storyline, very simple yet completely effective. It’s not to everyone’s taste, some feel that it is too graphic or too sadistic but that’s life and that is what is shown in this movie.


The most poignant part is definitely the end. I won’t give it away but it does go out to Lynard Skynard’s Freebird. A lot of the scenes are quite gorey but it is covered by a dark sadistic humour that makes you take the side of the bad guys almost. Captain Spaulding is back and, being a fan favourite, does not fail to deliver. You get to see a different side to the family than what you did in the first, dare I say it almost makes them look human! The soundtrack is perfect also, with Zombie sticking to a very southern rock based soundtrack.

This film does not claim to be the best thing ever made nor does it try to play to typical Hollywood horror stereotypes. This is what gives it the cult following that it deserves! If you are easily offended then I say, man up and watch it!!

Rating: 9/10 – The Devil certainly won’t be rejecting this one!!