Tag: horror

Ready or Not (2019)

These past couple of years have seen a resurgence in horror films and it seems that a lot of writers and directors are using the genre to push forward ideas and responses to the current political climate. Ready or Not is definitely among this class of horror film, incorporating messages on classism in an increasingly divided landscape where the rich appear to be getting richer against limited social mobility for the poorer. Led by rising star, Samara Weaving plays Grace, a woman who was raised in foster homes who finds herself marrying her dream guy who just so happens to be a part of a huge family dynasty that owns a large gaming company. When face with the odd tradition that she has to play a game before being a part of the family, it becomes a game of cat and mouse as the family attempt to kill Grace as part of a ritual.

The film definitely lives up to its 18 rating with f-bombs everywhere and gore galore that makes Midsommar feel like a Disney film. If Netflix’s The Babysitter was a mere introduction to Samara Weaving then Ready or Not has cemented her status as the newest Scream Queen. Grace is a brilliant character who is fully aware of her position as an outsider from the beginning. At first she attempts to resist playing the game but seeing the seriousness in their attempt to kill her, she is forced to become efficient and do things she never thought she would. With a brillient supporting cast including Mark O’Brien as Alex, Grace’s new husband, Adam Brody as Alex’s conflicted brother, Daniel and Andie MacDowell as Alex’s mum. It’s a film that shows the complexity of human nature as each of the characters are thrown into this unexpected situation.

The screenplay is brilliant and makes use the singular space that the film inhabits. Written by Guy Busick and R. Christopher Murphy and directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, this film could have easily fallen flat with so many creatives at the helm, particularly given the limited setting and characters but they fought the odds and came up with a film that is smart and tied together. The scene in which Grace is told the backstory of the family before selecting her game is hugely intense as the audience knows that they cannot trust anyone. The film is full of symbolism and pay offs, the most obvious being Grace’s wedding dress. The difference between how it looks at the start and the end really hits home the events of the film. Another aspect of the film that was unexpected is how funny it was throughout. Even in the most gruesome scenes, the writing is witty and on point as the clueless relatives try to deal with the prospect of actually killing someone. One hilarious relation, Fitch (Kristian Bruun), spends some of his time learning how to use a crossbow on YouTube.

You’ll have to withstand a lot of gore but it’s a fun film to watch and is definitely worth watching on the big screen if you get the chance. I think it’ll go down as a modern favourite for horror fans and I look forward to seeing what Samara Weaving does next.

What did you think of the film? Let me know in the comments below!

Uncategorised

Midsommar (2019)

As Summer is coming to an end, I thought it would be apt to write a post on my favourite film of the season. Unsurprisingly enough, it comes in the form of a summertime nightmare with Ari Aster’s second feature Midsommar. Following on from his brilliant debut, Hereditary (2018), Aster has managed to surpass expectations and once again brings us a new and refreshing take on traditional horror. The film follows college student, Dani (Florence Pugh) who joins her boyfriend, Christian (Jack Reynor) and his friends: Mark (Will Poulter), Josh (William Jackson Harper) and Pelle (Vilhelm Blomgren) on a trip to Sweden to observe a rare festival among Pelle’s familial commune. Things quickly turn sour as members of the group begin to disappear without a trace. It’s easy enough to expect a film in the same vein as The Wicker Man when introduced to the pagan style life the commune leads in the Swedish woods.

Florence Pugh’s leading turn only helps to further push her presence as an actress to watch. Dani is one of the most complex female characters to arise from modern cinema. We see her shift from the Westernised world that she lives in where there is no hope for her to the cult where she begins to feel belonging. It’s a haunting portrayal of depression and anxiety and is shown in an explicit way that hasn’t been explored before. The events in the film happen due to other’s people actions but they are always directly in relation to Dani and her welfare. Pugh’s acting chops are really highlighted in the dance scene where she becomes so absorbed in the competition that she finds herself speaking Swedish fluently with her competitors. The scene is transformative for Dani as she allows herself to be open to the ceremony and the community.

The supporting cast also knock it out the park with their performances. Will Poulter in particular gives a career best as the ignorant Mark, who literally and figuratively pisses all over the commune’s celebrations. Whereas Dani’s demons are hidden below the surface, the male characters’ flaws are on show for all to see. Whereas Dani is ridiculed for her struggles in US, the tables are turned for the men in the commune as women dominate the landscape. The film’s goriest scenes are mainly at the cost of the ignorant visitors and yet it doesn’t feel like a slasher film. The audience, like the characters, are outsiders but they are invading the ceremony and evoke little sympathy from the audience because of their ignorance and greed. Jack Reynor also excels as Dani’s emotionally distant boyfriend, Chris. He has allowed himself to become so detached to Dani that he acts emotionless and unsympathetic when tragedy strikes at the beginning of the film. He is unwilling to see how wrong he treats her as she struggles to fight for his love and repair things. During the film, we see Christian’s confidence shaken as he becomes targeted by the cult.

As expected, Aster’s script and direction showcase his talent as an original voice in film and his fearless approach to filmmaking. He isn’t afraid to explore taboo subjects or make the audience uncomfortable. One such scene is during an ättestupa ceremony where two elderly people jump from a high cliff. Aster doesn’t allow the camera to turn away as we see the bodies hit the ground. The reactions that Dani and co feel become all the more real because Aster forces the audience to experience it as well. It’s a film that demands the attention in details from its audience. Every aspect of the costumes and set have been well thought out and serve a purpose that pay off later in the film. The use of striking visual sets make it a memorable film and the immaculate beauty of the cult’s village make the strict lifestyle all the more terrifying. I think this film shows a growth in directorial vision from Aster’s standpoint as he really allows the audience to get into Dani’s psyche. The true brilliance of this film is Aster’s ability to contrast Dani’s claustrophobic feelings to the open space that the commune live in so effectively.

Another aspect I loved about the film was the use of costumes. Not only the ethereal and fresh qualities the commune colours have which seem refreshing when we first see the village. The standout costume, however, comes in a brilliant floral creation worn by Dani in the films final scenes. In any other film, it would seem ridiculous but it makes sense in this film. It both stands out and blends in at the same time and plays a big role in the terrifying climatic scene.

If it were up to me, this film would be a safe contender for various mainstream awards but I am aware that it is too violent and “out there” for some. It is not a film for the faint of heart or easily offended. Between the subtle cannibalism, male frontal nudity and graphic sex scenes, this isn’t a comfortable film to watch but that is what makes it such a brilliant piece of cinema.

What did you think of the film? Did you like it as much? What was your film of the summer? Let me know in the comments below!

Uncategorised

Child’s Play Ranking

The Child’s Play franchise is among the first horrors that I watched and introduced me to the world of horror films alongside the Final Destination films. Featuring a demonic doll called Chucky who is possessed by the spirit of murderer Charles Lee Ray (Brad Dourif) in all but the last films (the 2019 has a different set-up altogether), we see Chucky’s murderous attempts to become human again and what he will do in order to get there.

Created and directed by Don Mancini, the Child’s Play franchise are films that Mancini and Dourif are clearly passionate about. Even at their worst, the films are still entertaining and fun to watch. With the new remake/reboot out in cinemas featuring a new cast and production team and await\ning the 2020 TV show from Mancini with Brad Dourif back as the iconic voice of Chucky, I thought it would be a good idea to review and rank all of the released films from best to worst (including the 2019 film).

Without further ado, let’s begin:

Child’s Play (1988)

The franchise began in the late eighties in a decade that saw the creation of some of the most iconic slasher villains such as Freddie Kruegar and Jason Voorhees. Andy Barclay is a young boy gifted a Good Guy doll called Chucky for his sixth birthday. Murders suddenly begin occurring around Andy and his mum with Andy insisting that not only is his doll alive but he is possessed with the soul of a killer and is committing the murders. The audience views this film from the perspective of the adults as we don’t actually see Chucky come to life until halfway through the film when Andy’s mum threatens to burn the doll. The franchise has come to be ridiculed for its over the top humour but the first installment is actually underrated. The script is fantastic and well paced with Brad Dourif’s performance being the clear standout. He manages to makes Chucky truly terrifying without veering it into ridiculous territory.

Child’s Play 2 (1990)

The first sequel to the original takes place soon after where we left off with Andy’s mum being placed in a psychiatric ward and Andy is now in foster care with Joanne and Phil along with fellow foster child, Kyle, a rebellious teen who sneaks out on dates and smokes. Chucky is remade at the Good Guy factory but escapes in a quest to find Andy so he can “hide the soul” become human again. It’s a strong sequel that follows the exact same precedent as the original but that’s not always a bad thing. Brad Dourif provides a charismatic performance as ever as the evil doll and Alex Vincent delivers another great performance. The film contains some of my favourite highlights of the entire franchise such as the school scene in which Andy’s overly strict teacher meets her demise at the hands of a ruler. It also features the word “microchip” being used as an insult which I think is absolutely fantastic.

Child’s Play 3 (1991)

Fast forward right years in time and 16 year-old sent to military school after he struggles to find a suitable foster home. Replacing Alex Vincent as Andy is Justin Whalin who does a good job with what he’s given. The story isn’t as strong as its predecessors due to its attempts to tone down the humour and increase the violence, earning the franchise its first 18 rated certificate. When there is humour, it doesn’t quite land as the film takes itself too seriously to be tongue in cheek like the previous installments. This isn’t to say it’s a terrible film, there are some highlight scenes in there. One example is when the students play a huge game of paintball to practice their shooting skills and Chucky has replaced the paint with live bullets unknown to the students or officers. It also features one of the best endings in the entire franchise, taking place in a haunted house ride at a travelling carnival.

Bride of Chucky (1998)

After the negative reception to the third film, the writers decided to put an emphasis on the humour that audiences had come to love about Chucky. Introducing Jennifer Tilly to the franchise as Tiffany, Chucky’s lover when he was human, who is obsessed with the stories relating to the Chucky doll. She manages to get ahold of the doll and fixes him back up, giving him what will be his recognisable scars. Imprisoning Chucky when he comes back to life, Tiffany is killed and turned into a doll and the two aim to find a pair of humans to transfer their souls into. Watching this film after the first three is a shock because tonally, it is so different but it is an entertaining film that isn’t afraid to parody itself (cue all the slasher horror references at the start of the film). It’s definitely on the weaker end of the franchise but I do find it enjoyable to watch and it is a different kind of horror than what we are used to seeing.

Seed of Chucky (2004)

Despite the mixed reviews for Bride of Chucky, Mancini decided to push the envelope further when creating the following film, Seed of Chucky. Following the offspring of Tiffany and Chucky, Glen/Glenda travels to Hollywood to visit the set of a film based on his/her parents. It’s less violent and more camp, taking inspiration from the flamboyant horror B movies like Glen/Glenda. It’s become a modern cult film among fans and is undoubtedly the worst film in the franchise but it is fun to watch because it is so ridiculous. It also features cameos from the likes of S Club 7’s Hannah Spearritt with Billy Boyd providing the voice for Glen/Glenda. It’s a film that pokes too much fun at itself and becomes a product that goes beyond satire. It’s good fun for the audience to watch but in a “so bad it’s good” way.

Curse of Chucky (2013)

Nearly a decade on from the last film and Mancini decides to give the franchise a complete do-over. Mancini takes away the humour and brings in a new backstory. Nica (played Fiona Dourif, Brad Dourif’s daughter) is a paraplegic who has recently moved into a decrepit house with her mother. One day, Nica receives a Good Guy in the post. As ever, the doll is alive and sets on killing every person in the house bringing some extremely gory results. The film is fantastic as a standalone but also as an installment and is a welcome return to the franchise that audiences loved from the beginning. It features one of the most intense dinner scenes in any film I have seen. I think that releasing it as straight-to-DVD was a smart move as the film pleasantly surprised audiences as there weren’t high expectations for it. Much like the original 1988 film, Curse is a slow burner and we don’t see Chucky in action until later on in the film.

Cult of Chucky (2017)

Following on from the critical success of Curse of Chucky, Cult of Chucky follows Nica who has been committed to a psych ward where she is recovering. Using the same solution as the original films, Chucky tries to “hide the soul” in Nica’s body. Both Dourifs give knockout performances. The standout scenes in this film are the ones where they are able to bounce off each other. This film was made on a tiny budget compared to the other installments but it doesn’t feel like it. Like Curse, Cult is filmed primarily in one location meaning that more money can be used on the special effects. It’s a film that never lets the audience relax. There are few breathing moments as Chucky casts down terror on the patients in the ward. It’s a claustrophobic film that has you feeling trapped like the patients.

Child’s Play (2019)

Bringing in an entirely new team for this remake/reboot was always going to be interesting to watch. The first to be made without Don Mancini’s input, 2019’s Child’s Play puts the 1988 film into a 21st century context. You can read my full review for the new installment here.

So that’s 31 years of horror in one post! It’s amazing to see how the plots change with the times and how these films strive to follow trends that are seen in horrors specifically in the context of their release beginning with the slashers of the 80s, the comedies of the late 90s/early 00s and the darker, gorier inclusions in the 2010s.

Here is the ranking:

1) Child’s Play (1988)

2) Child’s Play 2 (1990)

3) Curse of Chucky (2013)

4) Cult of Chucky (2014)

5) Child’s Play (2019)

6) Child’s Play 3 (1991)

7) Bride of Chucky (1998)

8) Seed of Chucky (2004)

What did you think? What is your favourite Child’s Play film? Let me know in the comments below!

Uncategorised

Child’s Play (2019)

This was a bittersweet film to watch. As an avid fan of the Child’s Play franchise, it’s been interesting to see how it has evolved over the years from the generic horror slasher in the first three films to experimental (and not always successful) horror comedy in the next two films to a reboot of two films starring Brad Dourif’s daughter, Fiona Dourif, as a paraplegic who’s life is torn to shreds in extra gory installments. Now forward to 2019 and we see Orion Pictures going ahead with a reboot unapproved by the film’s creator, Don Mancini, which further caused Brad Dourif to drop out from the iconic role to star in Mancini’s upcoming Child’s Play TV show. Instead we are given Mark Hamill as the voice of Chucky which was always going to be a great choice as Hamill is a fantastic voice actor (the Joker in the Batman TV series and Sunsnatcher in Brigsby Bear are personal highlights).

Giving the film a clean slate and a new backstory, this 2019 reboot brings Chucky into the 21st century. When a Vietnamese factiry worker is cruelly given the boot, he programs the Buddi doll he is building to have no inhibitions and no violence indiciators, meaning that the doll will be capable of anything. This doll finds it way into the life of Andy (Gabriel Bateman), a teenager who has just moved into a new city with his mum (played by Aubrey Plaza). The name is changed from Good Guy to Buddi (with a wifi signal above the i) and the doll can connect wirelessly to other devices in the house such a televisions, music players and the lights. There is a way to track the doll itself through an app on a phone. This remake could have easily been illogical and cheesy but the updates feel relevant for the time period with Andy, even referring to the older model he is gifted with as a “little kid’s toy”.

There is a lot to like about this film. An interesting aspect that makes it stand out is that Chucky genuinely wants to make Andy happy but he goes about this in a violent manner and misinterprets what Andy wants. On scene in particular that stands out is when Chucky observes as Andy and his new friends watch The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. The teens laugh as the characters in the film are killed and torn to shreds, making Chucky believe that Andy wants this to happen in real life and tries to kill one of his friends. The film spends its first act building the characters of Andy and Chucky and the killing spree that follows doesn’t feel forced.

I’d be interested to see if they make a sequel from this one because it was enjoyable to watch and was a good combination of horror and comedy. Hamill’s performance was brilliant as ever and Aubrey Plaza is great in her role as Karen. Karen is clearly broken by the situation of having to move and poor financial circumstance but she tries to keep it together for sake of her son. Plaza isn’t in the film as much as I would have liked but maybe they’ll cast her in a sequel.

Tags 2019, acting, actor, actress, aubrey plaza, brad dourif, buddi, child's play, child's play 2019, chucky, comedy, don mancini, film, films, fiona dourif, gabriel bateman, gore, horror, humour, mark hamill, movie, movies, orion, reboot, remake, review, reviews, screenplay, screenwriting, sony, writer, writing

Uncategorised

The Cornetto Trilogy

The Cornetto Trilogy consists of three films by writer/director Edgar Wright that are unconnected in plot but star Simon Pegg and Nick Frost in the lead roles and stars a different flavour Cornetto at some point in the film. The trilogy began with horror Shaun of the Dead (2004) followed by action Hot Fuzz (2007) and concludes with sci-fi The World’s End (2013). Each film was critically and commercially well-received and has a dedicated fan-base. As with any Edgar Wright film they all have strong language in abundance, brilliant soundtracks and a striking aesthetic. I go back to these films time and time again and find myself noticing things that I hadn’t seen before.

Here’s a quick summary of each installment in chronological order:

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Part horror, part family drama, all comedy. Shaun of the Dead follows Simon Pegg as the titular character whose life seems to be going nowhere (except local pub, The Winchester that is). Accompanied by his lazy housemate, Ed (Nick Frost), Shaun navigates his way through a random zombie apocalypse that has befallen the country to get to his ex-girlfriend’s house in a bid to win her back. It’s a film that is filled with a lot of heart and even more guts that is both genius and revolutionary in the horror comedy genre. It’s one of those films that you can quote for hours on end. Horror comedy is not an easy genre to pull off well critically and in a sincere manner but Shaun of the Dead does this through its flawed protagonist who is as layered as the blood paving the streets.

Hot Fuzz (2007)

The second film in the trilogy is an action-packed story filmed in Edgar Wright’s hometown. Overachieving police officer, Nicholas Angel (Simon Pegg) is relocated to the tiny village of Sandford, aptly known as “the safest village in Britain”. As a series of gruesome deaths occur throughout the village, Nicholas believes that there is a murderer on the loose despite the townspeople constant protestations that the deaths are accidents. Alongside local police officer, Danny (Nick Frost), the pair attempt to track down the killer and bring them to justice. Although it does have strong points, it is my least favourite of the trilogy for a number of reasons. Unlike the other two films, it is plot heavy rather than a character study and I personally prefer the latter. Action isn’t my favourite genre but I do think it is a strong film that brings something different to the genre.

The World’s End (2013)

The final film in the trilogy is also my favourite. Simon Pegg plays Gary King, an alcoholic who hasn’t moved on from school days and longs to complete the Golden Mile in his hometown which he failed to finish as a teenager. The Golden Mile is a pub crawl that consists of 12 ending with the titular pub, The World’s End. He gathers up his childhood mates, including his former best friend, Andy (Nick Frost) and they attempt to conquer The Mile while fighting off an alien invasion that has turned the townspeople into androids (or Blanks as they are called in the film). Featuring a brilliant cast as always and a higher budget than the two previous films combined, Wright is tasked with giving this trilogy the grand finish it deserves and he succeeds with flying colours. Everything about this film emulates the previous installments with its attention to detail, layered characters and brilliant script. The writing in this film is what I enjoy most about this film as the timing and pacing is flawless.

The Cornetto Trilogy is a career-defining set of films that put Edgar Wright on the map. Not many directors can easily transition from low to high budget but Wright does this easily. He’s clearly a lover of a wide spectrum of films and isn’t afraid to pay tribute in an original way.

What is your favourite film in the Cornetto Trilogy? Let me know in the comments below!

Uncategorised

Suspiria (1977)

Dario Argento’s iconic jewel coloured splatterfest has truly stood the test of time in terms of changing the game for horror films and maintaining its thrills and scares 40 years on. The film follows Suzy Bannion (Jessica Harper) a young ballerina who attends an esteemed dance school in Freiberg. Suzy soon realises that there has been a lot of supernatural activity occurring and she finds herself wandering down a spiral of magic and danger as she faces a coven of witches that rule the school. One of the most recognisable horror films that helped to put Italian horror on the map, Suspiria remains iconic to this day thanks to Argento’s signature use of colour, Goblin’s brilliant score and the innovative death scenes that will surprise even the biggest gore fans. Directed by Argento and co-written by Argento and partner, Daria Nicolodi, Suspiria remains a firm favourite of horror fans around the globe thanks to its unique style and revolutionary effects.

The first element to talk about is how beautiful the use of colour and set design is. Argento expresses the moods through an exaggerated use of colour, in particular reds and blues. His aesthetic is heavily influential amongst filmmakers and it’s easy to see why. He treats his film as though it were a piece of art and he isn’t afraid to make something beautiful and contrast this with an extremely grotesque image. The juxtaposition of these enhances the horrors that happen onscreen particularly the opening murder sequence. Colour and set design is a signature of Argento’s, particularly during this period and in Suspiria he masters creating a world that seems detached from regular society. The only scenes that are relatively “normal” are those where Suzy seeks outside help but the aesthetics for the school and the scenes in which the witches use their powers feel as though they take place elsewhere in a different universe.

In the leading role we have Jessica Harper as aspiring ballerina, Suzy Banyon. Having travelled from America to Germany, Suzy is immediately isolated and thrust into this situation where fellow students are mysteriously disappearing one by one. What makes Suzy a great character is how outspoken she is from her first interaction with the Headmistress and her inability to simply blend. Her curious nature is what eventually puts her in harm’s way but she approaches the mystery with intelligence. Harper’s performance personifies the Argento character perfectly as she is highly expressive whilst also remaining believable in the terror. Overacting roles is often found in Italian horrors of that time and while some people may not like this aspect, I think that it adds a charm to Suspiria and gives it a whimsical feel.

One thing that comes to many minds when thinking about Suspiria is the soundtrack by Goblin. It could be argued that the score has helped Suspiria to garner such praise and makes it a memorable film because of how well it works with the film as a whole. For a film that is so unique in its set design and writing, the music has to reflect the absurdity. From the opening track that features the immediately recognisable drumroll followed by the iconic theme that includes the whispers of “witch” which feed into the overall expressionism of the film. The tension that the music builds is relentless and refuses to allow you to feel at ease which makes it as much of a character in the film.

Overall, Suspiria is a must see for horror and gore films alike. I’m assuming if you are a horror fan then you’ve seen this and if not, do so immediately! But even if you’re not a horror buff, I would definitely recommend watching it if you can handle the gore. It’s such a unique film watching experience and gems like this don’t come around often.

What do you think of Suspiria? Let me know in the comments below!

Tags acting, actor, actress, argento, classic, coven, Daria nicolodi, Dario argento, directing, director, feature, feature film, film, films, goblin, gore, horror, Jessica Harper, movie, movies, review, reviews, Suspiria, the goblins, witches, writer, writing