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MayhemPaul
Reviews
Hi-8 (Horror Independent 8) (2013)
Hi-8, like the directors it represents, is an entertaining mix of styles
Recently got to see Hi 8 and I really enjoyed it. The whole VHS boom currently happening in fan circles escapes me in some ways. I do love the box art on those old VHS titles, but the quality is terrible and I cannot justify paying 80 dollars for an old tape that probably won't play much longer. Hi-8 was born out of a love for the time when VHS ruled the world, when distributors really needed product. So much that the majors and the minor studios could not keep up. So something strange happened... the fans got some cameras and started making films themselves! This resulted in the Shot On Video boom of the late 80s that lasted about 10 years before it all went to hell and VHS went the way of the Dinosaurs.
This anthology brings together some of the big names of the Shot On Video boom. It also brings in some newer guys who were inspired by the original Shot on Video directors. The end result is entertaining, though not 100% satisfying, with a few missed opportunities. Lets get the good out of the way first, the segments by Ron Bonk, Todd Sheets and Tim Ritter and all excellent no matter the format. Ron Bonk's segment had me laughing out loud, for all the right reasons, while still having some gory fun and a few scares. It plays with genre rules in a fun way, while staying true to them. Todd Sheets has been truly been making the most of his comeback. After a serious battle for his health, Todd has bounced back and his segment was the surprise of the whole film for me. Incredibly well made, with a riveting story crammed into 8 minutes or so. Out of everyone represented I can see perhaps the most artistic growth in this segment. It hits all the right buttons and seems like it could have been at home in Creepshow. Tim Ritter's segment is twisted, gory and the sleaziest of the 3. It tosses what we know about serial killer films on it's head and has a great time doing it. Not as over the top as Killing Spree, but it works hard to entertain. Just make sure the kiddies are in bed.
The segment by Brad Sykes is truly well made and intriguing until the last 5 minutes, and I have to admit, I got lost. I won't give any spoilers, but the end just did not make sense to me and failed to wrap up the story in a cohesive way. There's a segment by Tony Masiello that was inspired by the SOV films of yesterday, even using the names of directors like Sheets, Bookwalter, etc. I enjoyed it very much and you could tell Tony went to some effort to recreate the lighting and overall "vibe" of those early VHS movies. Donald Farmer has done better work than this but it is still amusing... I only wish that nagging girl would have gotten what she deserved. I had never heard much about Marcus Koch or Chris Seaver and their segments were very interesting to me for that reason.
Marcus has a group of people trapped in a garage during what I assume is some kind of alien outbreak or invasion or something and it would work a bit better with a stronger cast, but as it is, I enjoyed it for it's energy and the end is a riot. Chris Seaver created the one segment that I just didn't really grasp. While many in the audience laughed out loud, and one or two jokes even made me chuckle, the feeling I got was that it was a wasted effort. Not much story, it may have all been improvised, and the theme of rape for humor was lost on me and the friends I was with. It also was the least polished of the work on display, with bad sound and camera-work. maybe it was intentional, but it just didn't fit with the rest.
It's a bit uneven, like most anthologies made today, but I sure liked it a hell of a lot better than VHS, VHS 2 and that over-rated ABCs of Death mess. I recommend it for people feeling adventurous, for fans of the glory days of VHS gore and for people looking for a truly independent film experience that doesn't suck!
V/H/S/2 (2013)
My head is still spinning long after I rewound VHS 2
There is one amazing segment of VHS 2 that has to do with a Cult. It is frenetic, gory, has a great story and makes the most of the "found footage" format. If the rest of the film had lived up to this one sequence, we would have had something special. It's better than Part One in most aspects, though I did like a few moments in that film.
Timo Tjahjanto really blew me away - his segment is imaginative and has some real shocks crammed into it's short running time. Some of the camera work is a bit too shaky as people run around, but I was able to get around that due to the intensity of the story. Out of the remaining short films, we get a return to full on Shaky Cam with Edwardo Sanchez (Blair Witch Project). Truthfully, Edwardo has ALWAYS got to shake the camera like he's in a runaway car or something. He seems to think this is a STYLE. I must argue the point. True artists do not need to shake a camera like a fool to get an image to move someone. Argento, Carpenter, Bava. Masters of the art. Dean Cundy would never run around like a fool, shaking his camera at every object he can find, disregarding the basic rules of directing at will, and no real professional should allow camera-work like this. What an artistic stretch for Edwardo. Next time just throw the damned thing on the ground and drag it around with a rope.
There are a few other sparks. Jason Eisener makes the most of his segment by having some real fun with it and throwing in an Alien Invasion that is both scary and funny. And I really enjoyed the basic idea and most of the execution of Adam Wingard's segment. Still, too damned much shaking here.
I am not sure I understand it really - why so much shaking in these "Found Footage" atrocities? I mean, the old camcorder videos that my family made at Holidays and on Vacation never looked like this. Grandpa tried to keep the camera still. I never actually have seen a home movie like these. Not even on old Super 8. Have you? Eyestrain central. For part 3, maybe they can just go to an old amusement park and give us a POV of the rides or jump out of a plane while filming. At least there'll be a legitimate reason for it being so damned shaky. I think I'd rather watch "HI-8" again.
Quella villa accanto al cimitero (1981)
Visit this House if you DARE!
One thing that jumps out at me when watching movies like this one, Italian Horror films have the best music. Haunting melodies that engross the viewer and pull you into the film. House By The Cemetery is no exception. This story of the Haunted Freudstein House is made all the more memorable and creepy thanks to the music. Some of the acting is a bit stilted here, possibly due to the horrible dubbing of the children. Little Bob may be voiced by the worst dubbing actor in cinema history. It actually hurts the film. I suggest watching the original Italian language version if possible. A bunch of standout gore scenes and a thick atmosphere really help to make this one a classic, and the story is pretty good, keeping interest until the end. The ending itself is a bit of a head scratcher, but I am sure there is some deep, metaphysical meaning that I just don't get. Overall, a good film, and a great addition to any Horror collection.
House of Forbidden Secrets (2013)
Real fans of Horror rejoice! This one is for you!
If I were Stephen King I would write some witty line like, "I have seen the future of Horror, and it lies in
The Past." More and more films today are bringing back the elements we all loved in Horror and Action cinema growing up. The classics that have infected generations of filmmakers is alive and well in the blood of the "new breed." No one really thinks of movies like Urban Legend anymore, but mention Suspiria or Zombie – eyes light up! It is this connection to the past that infuses the film House of Forbidden Secrets. It is a love letter to the Italian Horror films of the 70s and 80s. It even has a score by none other than Fabio Frizzi who wrote the music for all of Lucio Fulci's best. Not to say that this film is a rehash, because it isn't. And that is what makes me really love the film. It has the influence of these great Horror films of the past, but has a very original story to tell and a style all it's own. There are twists upon twists, and the great thing about it is, I could not tell you at the beginning of this film where it actually ends up. Nothing is really telegraphed. The surprises pack a punch and for a Horror film rooted in style and gore-soaked imagery, there are some strong characters on display and it is evident that the team who created the film actually CARED about the project.
This script is tight and the dialogue is pretty sharp and actually funny for the most part. The special effects are prosthetic, you know back when artists actually sculpted things and didn't rely on a computer to fix everything. There were a couple of really "out there" effects sequences that had my date gasping and covering her eyes. One in particular may be one of the nastiest splatter effects ever, and very Italian Horror in style.
The main cast of mostly unknown actors is surprisingly good. The leads Nicole Santorella and Antwoine Steele were both very strong, and I also really liked Millie Milan who seems so natural in front of a camera. She has an exotic look and I really enjoyed her. I am also a huge fan of the supporting cast. Lew Temple has always been given supporting roles that seem to never be big enough. Here, Lew actually shines. Without giving spoilers, let me just say that he is a character you will love to hate, and he tears into the part with gusto, energy, and a sly wink at the audience. Also giving a truly winning performance is Dyanne Thorne, star of the ILSA series of films. She is stunning. This is Dyanne's return to Horror and she makes the most of the well written dialogue. A scene between Lew and Dyanne had me so engaged that I wanted to rewind the film and watch it over and over. But I couldn't. This reviewer was lucky enough to catch the film with an audience who jumped, laughed and screamed at all the right moments. The audience also went crazy when George Hardy, of TROLL 2 fame, said his famous "Hospitality" line. It was great to see so many genre faces in this and all of them seemed to be having a blast. George's scenes with Allan Kayser, from Night of The Creeps, were also very funny. The "Bradster" still has trouble with the ladies, all these years later! Director Todd Sheets has learned much in his time away, and his return is a reason to celebrate if we get more films like this. Every frame is draped in gorgeous color and each composition is like eye candy. During a Q&A, Todd said he had decided to return to films after he had a quadruple bypass surgery from a heart attack. He said this film was made within a year of his release from the hospital. While I am very sorry that the man had to endure this tragedy, I am thankful to have him back. The care and passion that went into this film is evident from frame one, and in this age of commercial, cookie cutter movie of the week garbage, this is a very welcome addition to the Horror genre.
This is a great, modern Horror film that also feels familiar and inviting. It's as if Lucio Fulci, Lamberto Bava, Fred Olen Ray, H G Lewis and John Carpenter got together and made a film for a hundred thousand bucks. With a bit of Argento's visual flair thrown in as well. I really enjoyed it, and if you give it a chance and you love the original Horror classics like I do, I bet you'd like it too! One day Sheets name may be up there with the others, someone should give this guy some real money to work with, let him loose and see what would happen. I'd be in line for that.
Sushi Girl (2012)
A wild ride with some good characters!
Mark Hamill is one twisted bastard, and that is a good thing! This movie was an odd one for me, didn't know much about it, but I loved the artwork. I am glad I took a chance. Basically it plays out like many Post-Tarantino movies, but this one is a bit different. For one thing, it is actually pretty damned good. For another, it has some good twists and will keep you engaged. Finally it has a killer cast that really makes the most of their characters. The violence erupts in glorious style at points in the film, but it is more about the story and finding out where the road will take you. Each character holds a key to the final twist, and some huge genre favorites do great work here. Come for the sushi, stay for the fun!
The Fog (1980)
A true classic that was overlooked.
This film has some of the most incredible suspense scenes ever done! There is atmosphere to spare, a great ghost story plot and Adrienne Barbeau! It was kind of buried when first released but has since become a classic for many Horror fans. The remake was dead on arrival, but this film still packs a creepy punch to this day! The ghosts are very well done, and while there is no gore really, the film still feels like a visceral experience. A great follow up to Halloween by a true master of Horror. For some reason it never gets the respect it deserves, but I hope that everyone will give it another chance. I showed it to some friends and now they love it! I won't drop any spoilers here, and to talk about the plot too much would do that, so I will just say it has a classic Horror feel done in a modern way.
...E tu vivrai nel terrore! L'aldilà (1981)
A Classic that should be viewed at Halloween!
It's almost Halloween and every year I have to pull out this movie and enjoy it. The story is a bit confusing to those who are new to Italian Horror, but be patient and you will enjoy the experience. The music sets the tone, the visuals bring the atmosphere as only Lucio Fulci can! To say too much would be to give away the great twists and turns of the film, but it is a surreal nightmare as only Fulci could deliver! A great cast and some wild splatter scenes really help to make this a true masterpiece of the genre. There is a limited BluRay edition that you can still find if you are lucky. Trust me when I say it is one of a kind and worth the effort to track down a copy.