Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)
3.70 out of 4stars
“Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way, they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within, armed with a chainsaw.”
An excellent horror classic that originated many elements of the slasher sub genre while bringing heavy terror, a raw low budget masterpiece. Realistic and deeply disturbing, without being over the top or silly. With minimal use of blood and much of the violence offscreen, this movie is a crash course in highly effective ingenious horror. Just about every aspect is done memorably well. The imagery is haunting, the atmosphere smothering and volatile, the score blended and enhancing, the hopelessness, the murder weaponry top notch and multisensory, the villain mighty and expansive, and the nightmare lengthened beyond expectation. One of the most primally scary movies I’ve ever seen. There are political undertones present here also, which I won’t dive into, only deepening one’s appreciation of the film.
Les Diaboliques (1955) (subtitles)
3.45 out of 4stars
“The wife and mistress of a loathed school principal plan to murder him with what they believe is the perfect alibi.”
An excellent psychological horror mystery thriller that keeps the audience on its toes through a mix of tension, mood, emotional weight, twists, and the supernatural. The style is in the vein of a Hitchcock film. This features a premise that is just as frightening as its murder target’s relationship/love triangle with his 2 lovers; full of abuse, exploitation, and disgust. The trip is good old fashion intense suspense/tension building and building and building. And concludes with an excellently climactic ending that brings closure with possibility. I’d rather not say too much because letting this movie unfold itself in domino effect style is a great joy and easily ruinable. A must see for Hitchcock fans.
Repulsion (1965)
3.20 out of 4stars
“In Polanski’s first English-language film, beautiful young manicurist Carole suffers from androphobia (the pathological fear of interaction with men). When her sister and roommate leave their London flat to go on an Italian holiday with her married boyfriend, Carole withdraws into her apartment. She begins to experience frightful hallucinations, her fear gradually turning into madness.”
A great claustrophobic psychological horror about the world through the eyes of a schizophrenic after she is left alone with her own thoughts, with elements of expressionism and surrealism at use. I kind of wish Polanski’s ending didn’t hint at an explanation for the protagonist’s psychological issues, because it would have led to more interpretations of the film, so I am going to make believe that it doesn’t exist here. Far and away the scariest thing about this is its matter of fact realism. Caroles do exist in the world, and the stuff she’s going through I feel safe saying that many other women currently live with, and have in the past and will in the future. It’s a sad living nightmare. The theme here is sexual repulsion/sexual repression due to sexual abuse, an antisexualism upbringing, STD fears, pregnancy fears, lesbianism, second hand views/experiences, or even one’s natural feelings. We experience the intense mental trauma Carole lives with first hand through nightmares and hallucinations she literally feels are happening to her repeatedly (as if they were real occurrences). This helpless violated feeling turns Carole’s personal life into a withdrawn hesitant existence, a semi-catatonic hell. Which only adds on to the real life experiences Carole has with aggressive carnally motivated men in the film. The literal “sounds of silence” score overpowers its jazzy moments, with repetitive natural noises enhancing the lonely and growing crazier aspects of Carole’s life.
Peeping Tom (1960)
3.15 out of 4stars
“A young man murders women, using a movie camera to film their dying expressions of terror”
A great menacingly creepy psychological horror about voyeurism, sadomasochism, addiction/fetishism, snuff films, and even metaphorical of the audience/film relationship and separationally in the film industry, and horror industry specifically also. Heavily controversial for its time, with consequences for the director. This and the movie Psycho have been touted as the first slasher films or the forefathers of slasher films and their elements, including memorable point of view shots during murders. On the surface it’s about a lonely filmmaker with a troubled past that is obsessed with filming others romantically/erotically and fearfully, whom also has a bloodlust. But it’s much more profound than that. There’s commentary on, including societal views of, sexuality, taboo, violence, gender, fear, experimentation, morality, nurture, loneliness, filmmaking, film viewing, horror enthusiasts, self-reflection, and of course psychological disorders.
Phantom of the Opera (1925) (silent)
3.15 out of 4stars
"A disfigured recluse, living under the Paris Opera House, unrequestedly helps an aspiring opera singer rise to stardom through savage ruthless acts in exchange for her love.”
A great creepy horror drama about obsession and madness, with Lon Chaney Sr giving an excellent iconic turn. Chaney’s look and performance here are nothing short of remarkable. Chaney’s historic self-created makeup for the phantom was unforgettable, inventive, accurate to the novel, and even painful. Chaney also brings the phantom alive with passion and nuance to this powerful crazy love-struck outcast. The phantom’s all encompassing lair is elaborately brooding and effectively perilous, just as its occupant is throughout the film. And the phantom is a coldly chaotic destructive force. Don’t want to ruin anything, so I’ll leave this suspenseful and thoroughly well done movie at that.
Vampyr (1932) (subtitles/semi-silent)
3.15 out of 4stars
“A drifter obsessed with the supernatural stumbles upon an inn where a severely ill adolescent girl is slowly becoming a vampire.”
A great stylish surreal enigmatic horror movie with memorable imagery and sequences to go alongside its heavily macabre elements. I am no filmmaking expert, but almost all the appeared abnormal choices here succeed greatly. The lighting, the lens use, the “shadow” people, the camera angles, the standalone shots of objects and places, and filming style all give this a dreamlike sinister feel (which matches the events going on). Last but not least, that coffin sequence was a chiller.
An American Werewolf in London (1980)
3.10 out of 4stars
“Two American college students on a walking tour of Britain are attacked by a werewolf that none of the locals will admit exists.”
A great horror comedy that is constantly clever, fun, and excellently balanced. Known most for it’s iconic werewolf transformation scene, but the film also has a few other nice pieces of “body horror” going for it that doesn’t feel the least dated at over 40years old. There are a lot of witty giggles but the frights definitely hit harder, including some great horror violence, and the werewolf scenes do not disappoint. This, albeit not that extensive, is one of the most hilariously ironic soundtracks I’ve ever heard in a film. I don’t want to spoil the songs list, but it’s just the icing on the cake here. Interestingly enough, even some of the most minimal things are given a touch of depth in the movie. Along with the horror and comedy elements, the film is imaginative and the story building is good with a theme on insanity and much commentary on foreigners/outsiders as “strangers in a strange land” being touched upon. An all around joy.
Dead Alive/Braindead (1992) (Uncut)
3.05 out of 4stars
“A young man living in Wellington’s strict mother becomes bitten by a hybrid rat-monkey creature and begins to transform into a zombie, while also infecting other townsfolk.”
A great zombie comedy horror film that doesn’t take itself at all seriously and succeeds greatly with its fun gorey stomach-churning tactics. Not for those that are squeamish or become easily queasy. It’s gleefully looney and grotesque, and very often funny. I must state this style was never my cup of tea, but it's over the top graphic blood drenched oozing squirting mutilating slapstick hit all the right notes for me. Lots of tongue in cheek wit outside the visual stuff too. A definitely recommended experience for those that enjoy comedy horror and can stomach the above. I love the fact that Peter Jackson made this and similar stuff early in his career, the guy that brought the world Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, and 2005’s King Kong.
Train to Busan (2016) (subtitles)
3.05 out of 4stars
“A man, his estranged daughter, and other passengers become trapped on a bullet train during a zombie outbreak in South Korea.”
A great zombie horror action that’s highly entertaining and stylish while bringing a slightly fresher, skilled and completely developed take on the genre’s recycled tropes. There is a lot of social commentary on class differences, which is a nice ode to “Night of the Living Dead” but not close to as controversial or groundbreaking. There is also smaller scale discussion involving topics of government intervention, family dynamics, kindness vs selfishness, and pandemic/apocalyptic human reaction. Character development is good here, with a touch of an emotional connection for the audience to the story. The action is great and well shot, with solid pacing throughout to go along with its nonstop intense and quiet tension.
The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945)
2.95 out of 4stars
“A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.”
A great drama horror that tells a philosophical morality tale about a human monster, who’s impersonal depths of cruelty are left to the audience’s imaginations. Don’t get me wrong when I say that, the main story shows plenty of reasons for Dorian Gray’s dark dark wickedness, but not much informally (which hit my imagination as I was watching this). There are a number of things to take from this. Looks can be deceiving, as Gray is a quiet rich and good looking man, yet his heart acts selfishly and immorally. It’s quite surprising how manipulative and evil one can be with the smallest of acts done or words said. Selfishness vs selfless, virtuous vs sinful, conscientious vs corrupt, spiritual vs irreverent, are all similar ways of extremes on how one should or could live their life. Every action leans one way or the other and essentially creates the person who we are, “and either dirties our soul or keeps its cleanliness”, showing what is most/more important to us in our lives. By all means, I kind of wish Lord Henry had a lot more screen time here. Henry’s waxing poetic on the selfish side of life was an entertainingly intriguing analysis on the subject and side characteristics/elements. That said also, kind of wish we had a stronger anti-Henry character to hear the other side more vividly also.
The Changeling (1980)
2.90 out of 4stars
“After the tragic death of his wife and daughter, a music professor staying at a long-vacant Seattle mansion is dragged into a decades-old mystery by an inexplicable presence in the mansion’s attic.”
A great haunted house mystery horror with atmosphere and a complexly fleshed out story. The journey and ghostly elements are well written and pull you in while taking you on an adventure. While not religiously tinted or dealing with possession, this movie definitely feels like a pre-Conjuring Conjuring-esque movie with lots of supernatural things going on during an investigation. While the majority of the haunted house ‘tricks’ here have been done repeatedly, they are effective and executed well, including the iconic bouncing ball staircase scene and a great metaphysical ending. And another great score that enhances the feel of the movie. Lastly, George C Scott gives a driven performance alongside the rest of the cast to ground this tale into reality.
The Host (2006) (subtitles)
2.75 out of 4stars
“Six years after the careless dumping of chemicals into South Korea’s Han River, a giant creature emerges from the tainted waters and sinks its ravenous jaws into local residents. When the creature abducts their daughter, a vendor and his family decide that they are the only ones who can save her.”
A great monster horror comedy drama about a dysfunctional family that is unpredictable and emotionally all over the place. Thematically, this can have many different interpretations and lessons including but not limited to family importance, impact of life circumstances, anti-American impact on Korea, South Korean government deficiencies, and corruption. My 2 favorite themes involve child rearing’s influence on one’s life and the importance of family. One, is that child rearing plays a major influence in the outcome of one’s life. Gang-Du is a dim-witted socially awkward failure with narcolepsy on the surface, but was once an above average intellectual child that needed direction. Apparently, Gang-Du’s promise was lost due to a poor upbringing, with zero parental interaction/nurture, assumedly minimal friendships/social connections, and nutritional deficiencies in his diet. Second, no families are perfect, but they should try to work together and build their relationships because they are often the most important people in one’s life and have impactful effects in one’s life. Aside from understandable atrocities or deaths, atrocities sometimes heal with time, there’s generally always time to reconnect with your family. This is a fun movie with a lot of dark comedy sprinkles, I just wanted to like this more than I did, but I took issue with its tonality shifting that was not smooth or clear way too often for me.
Sputnik (2020) (subtitles)
2.55 out of 4stars
“Summoned to a secluded research facility, a controversial young doctor examines a cosmonaut who returned to Earth with a dangerous alien organism inside him.”
A good alien sci fi horror that surprisingly has more brains and mood than action/gore. It’s essentially about the studying of the alien and its human host, leading to a learning vs militarizing motive battle. The alien is interesting and the turns keep you interested throughout, but it’s mostly recycled material. I took the major metaphor as Russia’s time and involvement in the Cold War times on a large and small scale. Not bad if you like the subgenre.
Montana Story (2021)
2.75 out of 4stars
“Two estranged siblings return home to the sprawling ranch they once knew and loved, confronting a deep and bitter family legacy against a mythic American backdrop.”
A great slow burn family drama about a traumatic experience’s fallout and the relationship dynamics between family members from the incident 7years ago up to the present time, and even a reflection on the past prior to it all. It all boils down to one’s guilt and another’s resentment over inaction against a somewhat common enemy. Inaction as a whole is a highly debated topic on small and large scales throughout history, summing up to the old “inaction is action/acceptance/complicity” which isn’t always so concrete as seen here imo, especially in an explosive instance. What I’m seeing is, everyone has limitations on what they can do and how they react under certain situations, and honestly should not be faulted for something they are incapable of (especially an inaction that haunts themselves). In the end, this is a movie about how everyone has different personalities and everyone deals with and responds to explosive “and” lingering things differently. Sadly still, the most important person in one’s life can be stripped away by such things and a resolving communication opportunity can be withheld for unforeseeable lengths. Though sometimes fate gives you another chance. Both main actors bring emotional depth to their performances. And of course, every now and then we get some artwork-esque landscape backdrops from the state it’s occurring in.
