Movies I Have Seen Part 1.
Hello readers, and welcome to the first article that lists some of the films that I've already seen. Every month I plan on listing off some of the films, tv shows, games, and podcasts that I mention in the course of all of the reviews on my blog. I understand that this style of content is not for everyone but for the time being this is the easiest way for me to create content and talk about everything that I'm watching at the moment. Thanks for Reading.
The Exorcism of Emily Rose(2005)
Referenced: The Devil You Know E105, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Marianne.
"WHAT HAPPENED TO EMILY?When a younger girl called Emily Rose dies, everyone puts blame on the exorcism which was performed on her by Father Moore prior to her death. The priest is arrested on suspicion of murder. The trial begins with lawyer Erin Bruner representing Moore, but it is not going to be easy, as no one wants to believe what Father Moore says is true."
I watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose with my father when I was a teenager and besides Rosemary's Baby(1968) it was probably one of the first horror movies that really made me fall in love with the horror genre.
One of the things that I loved about this film was the dichotomy of skeptism and belief delivered through a court drama. On one hand you have the prosecutor giving skeptical answers to Emily Roses possession while the defense attorney has to argue the ethics and logistics of Exorcism. Overall the film is an intellectual deep dive on the nature of exorcisms and their ethicality while also providing a tried and true exorcism story. It's probably one of my most favorite movies of all time.
Rating: Were Watching This Right Now
Silence of the Lambs
Referenced: All In The Family, Creeped Out
"TO ENTER THE MIND OF A KILLER SHE MUST CHALLENGE THE MIND OF A MADMAN.Clarice Starling is a top student at the FBI’s training academy. Jack Crawford wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter, a brilliant psychiatrist who is also a violent psychopath, serving life behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into a case and that Starling, as an attractive young woman, may be just the bait to draw him out."
The First Time I mentioned this pop culture classic was in 2017 in the original run of this blog. I watched this film however around 3 years later 2020. I know I'm late to the party.
There are so many things that make this movie amazing. The deliberate use of the male gaze in the framing, the intense conversations between Hannibal Lecter and Clarice, the gritty Realism. There are so many things about this film that make it so memorable.
That being said there are some issues with the film namely the fact that Buffalo Bill is trans-coded. While the movie does make the distinction that buffalo bill isn't "truly" transgender it still presents a gender non-confirming character who just so happens to be whack-a-doodle crazy. Listed here is an article that discusses some of the issues with the movie in greater depth.
Rating: Great Film/Personnel Recommendation
Saw(2004)
Referenced: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Friend Request
"LIVE OR DIE. MAKE YOUR CHOICE.Obsessed with teaching his victims the value of life, a deranged, sadistic serial killer abducts the morally wayward. Once captured, they must face impossible choices in a horrific game of survival. The victims must fight to win their lives back, or die trying..."
Saw was one of the first horror films I watched and I remember sitting down with my dad and watching him get freaked the fuck out over this film. Growing up the Saw series was what I envisioned whenever I thought of horror movies. Gory, disturbing visuals. Screaming. Pretty much I just thought that all horror movies were torture porn. Boy was I wrong.
Saw for me was also my introduction to "Splatter Films" and paved the road for me to enjoy the directorial works of Eli Roth, Neil Marshall, and Rob Zombie. Despite the rather wooden acting by Leigh Whannell, (I'm sorry but I could fake a death better than that), Saw is a tight knit gory thriller that combines psychological horror, grindhouse, and slasher themes into what essentially amounts to a bottle episode horror movie. Along with its aggressive use of flashbacks and its mindfuck twist ending it placed itself firmly in my memories. I will admit the first Saw is a bit campy at times but Saw is still a fascinating film that started off the franchise strong with its intense directorial style.
Rating: Great Film/Personal Recommendation
Saw II(2005)
Referenced: Texas Chainsaw Massacre
"OH YES… THERE WILL BE BLOOD.
When a new murder victim is discovered with all the signs of Jigsaw’s hand, Detective Eric Matthews begins a full investigation and apprehends Jigsaw with little effort. But for Jigsaw, getting caught is just another part of his plan. Eight more of his victims are already fighting for their lives and now it’s time for Matthews to join the game."
First of all some movie trivia. The Movie that we call Saw II originally started out as a originally screenplay written by Darren Lynn Bousman (who at the time was fairly unknown, (dude went on to direct Repo:The Genetic Opera(2008) we love to see it.)), but was turned down multiple times for its violent content and its similarity to the Original Saw which had come out that year. Bousman hit paydirt when cinematographer David Armstrong gave his manuscript to producer George Hoffman who sought to adapt the screenplay for the recently greenlit Saw II. Bousman got together with the originally Saw writer Leigh Whannell to rework the script to match the universe. So if you wondering why there was a bit of a tonal shift between the first and second movies there you go.
Some of the things that make this movie great was the intertwining storylines between the police officer interviewing Jigsaw and the Murder Party Fun House. By expanding the amount of characters in this film it does lose some of its psychological horror but gains both interesting dynamics between its cast and also slasher fodder, which means more emotional freakouts and more gory gory deaths. This film also features the razor box and the needle pit scene(NSFL) both of which live RENT FREE IN MY MIND. I just love this movie so much and in my personnel opinion consider it the best of the Saw Franchise.
"OH YES… THERE WILL BE BLOOD.When a new murder victim is discovered with all the signs of Jigsaw’s hand, Detective Eric Matthews begins a full investigation and apprehends Jigsaw with little effort. But for Jigsaw, getting caught is just another part of his plan. Eight more of his victims are already fighting for their lives and now it’s time for Matthews to join the game."
Rating: We are watching this right now
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Referenced: Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Slasher S1
"IF YOU’RE GOING TO BURY THE TRUTH, MAKE SURE IT STAYS BURIED.As they celebrate their high school graduation, four friends are involved in a hit-and-run accident when their car hits and apparently kills a pedestrian on an isolated roadway. They dispose of the body and vow to keep the incident a secret, a year later somebody starts sending them letters bearing the warning “I Know What You Did Last Summer”."
I will be to be the first to admit that I Know What You Did Last Summer is not the best slasher on the market but as I delve deeper in the sub-genre, (the golden age of slashers was back when my parents were teens), I still manage to drive some enjoyment out of this film. One thing I feel makes this film so interesting is giving a realistic reason for all of the teenage murdering, (I.E revenge), instead of the killer being a metaphor for urban decay or being on some ho shit.
There are also some pretty intense scenes in this movie including a really well paced chase scene at the climax of the film along with the death of Helen Shivers who still manages to hold the title of most memorable and iconic death scenes in horror movies I have scene. Along with the title of the 1996 Crocker Queen of course.
In all honestly IKWYDLS is a piece of 90s pop culture that still sticks with us and along with a ensemble cast, (ever heard of Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, and Freddie Prinze Jr), brings a atmospheric seaside town and a unique plot to the slasher genre.
Rating: Good Film/Personnel Recommendation
Carrie(1976)
Referenced: The Bright Sessions, The Sinner
"IF YOU’VE GOT A TASTE FOR TERROR… TAKE CARRIE TO THE PROM.Carrie White, a shy and troubled teenage girl who is tormented by her high school peers and her fanatically religious mother, begins to use her powers of telekinesis to exact revenge upon them.
While Carrie is not the first Stephen King adaptation I have seen it is one of the few that I have actually enjoyed. The tone of the movie fits so well with Stephens Kings signature style and the iconic prom scene is yet another movie moment that has stuck with my horror wise. This film is a bit of a slow burn utilizing its psychological horror more then any of the violence that is in it but I can strongly state that there are so many great moments of suspense that follow everyone's favorite telekinetic prom queen. The ending while a bit corny fits into the late 70s early 80s trend of one last scare before the end credits and honestly I'm here for it. Overall a solid horror classic.
Rating: Great Film/Personnel Recommendation.
Paranormal Activity(2007)
Referenced: The Bright Sessions, Two Second Horror Stories
"WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU SLEEP?Soon after moving into a suburban tract home, Katie and Micah become increasingly disturbed by what appears to be a supernatural presence. Hoping to capture evidence of it on film, they set up video cameras in the house but are not prepared for the terrifying events that follow."
So from the large amount of research I've done on the subject, (by which I mean what I can remember from a video essay I watched six years ago when I was still vibing to CinemaSins), Paranormal Activity was the death knell of the Found Footage genre. Now that sounds dramatic, (because it is), but I do find some truth in it. Found Footage for the vast majority of the early 2000s was seen as a niche genre and for a a lot of critiques a cheap gimmick. Now there are some fantastic FF films, (such as REC(2007), The Blair Witch Project(1999), The Taking of Deborah Logan(2014)) but for the most part, with the exemption of films like Cloverfield(2008) most of these films were from smaller mostly independent studios and directors and for a lot of people came as an acquired taste. Paranormal Activity is to me one of the first "Mainstream" Found Footage Films even through it was made through an incredible thin budget as it was picked up by Blumhouse and Dreamworks, (which at the time was recently acquired by Paramount). This film was an success getting praise from Steven Spielburg, Roger Egbert, and a surprisingly amount of other critics and spurred on SIX OTHER SEQUELS. Paranormal Activity is a freaking cultural phenomenon and I absolutely hated it.
As a film critic you will occasionally have to have a derisive opinion. I think that PA was an incredible boring movie that has less style then Poltergeist(1982) and less originality then most FF films. It is the Shredded Wheaties of the Found Footage genre. For me this film was the biggest disappointment in found footage since I watched V/H/S:Viral(2014). For fun here is a copy of my Letterboxd Review:
" Why do people like this again?if you love long "slow-burn" sequences, mediocre freights, domestic arguments that go nowhere, and white people never turning on the lights then your love this film.Otherwise don't waste your time."(sic)
Rating: So Bad Its Bad.
Holidays
Referenced: Two Second Horror Stories, Cam
"EVERY ONE HAS A DARK SIDE.An anthology feature film that puts a uniquely dark and original spin on some of the most iconic and beloved holidays of all time by challenging our folklore, traditions and assumptions."
I have a love-hate relationship with horror anthologies because when there good there good and when there bad there plain awful but for the most part most anthologies are a camel there are some shorts that are amazing and just blow you away and then there are duds that drag the film. This film got mixed reviews but overall I rather liked it. What I'm going to do for Anthology Entries in these list articles, is give you my personal Hits for the film. Separate the wheat from the chaff if you will.
Oh also before I forget the gimmick of this film was that each of the shorts was based on a holiday hence the name. I'll get into that a little with these mini mini reviews.
St. Patrick (Directed by Gary Shore)
"St Patrick's Day" is a folk horror short that draws inspiration from the allegory of St. Patrick driving the snakes from Ireland. Also its a pregnancy horror plot which is one of my favorite horror tropes ever. The short has some iconic imagery and plays off both creepy silent child and distended pregnant belly trope so well. Think Rosemary's Baby but make it Folk Horror.
Easters (Directed by Nicholas McCarthy)
Fathers Day (Directed by Anthony Scott Burns)
If I could give any of these shorts an award for style this would be it. Fathers Day is simple put an atmospheric dream consisting of a young woman listening to a cassette tape while walking through a disserted coastal town on a mission to reconnect with her long lost, (and thought to be dead) father. If you are going to watch any of these shorts watch this one.
New Years (Directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer)
New Years Day was "[w]ritten by Kevin Kölsch and Dennis Widmyer; directed by Adam Egypt Mortimer" and its a love story! Basically two "serial" daters meet up to have some "fun" I won't tell you what happens but enjoy the very first reaction gif I ever made.
Rating: Meh/Average Film
The ABCS of Death
Referenced: Two Second Horror Stories
"26 DIRECTORS, 26 WAYS TO DIE.
An ambitious anthology film featuring segments directed by over two dozen of the world’s leading talents in contemporary genre film. Inspired by children’s educational ABC books, the film comprises 26 individual chapters, each helmed by a different director assigned a letter of the alphabet. The directors were then given free reign in choosing a word to create a story involving death."
I would like to state that ABCS is the bane of my existence and unfortunately I have watched this film twice. Quick premise 26 international directors each get a letter to create an original horror short. One of the things that should be apparent is that each of the films is less then five minutes along. Any anthology will have issues with consistent tone and the films featured run the gambit between cinematic, surreal, and just absolute bullshit. So to save you the pain that I went though I shall once again give you the pick of the liter.
D is for Dogfight (Directed by Marcel Sarmiento)
This was one of the best films in this movie and arguable one of the best short films I have ever seen period. The short film features a underground fight club between a man and a dog. The visuals of this film are phenomenal. Sarmiento films the short in a high contrast B&W which is then slowed down so that every single punch, bite, and hit is recorded in raw visceral glory. This film is one of the most of intense fight scenes I have witnessed in film and it even manages to tell a solid if minimal tale. GO watch this film. Forget the movie. Take this film and run.
L is for Libido (Directed by Timo Tjahjanto)
It wasn't until I watched Cannibal Holocaust(1980) that I really conceptualized that horror can appeal to different forms and emotions. For CH and films in its ilk the name of the game is revulsion. The
vileness of humanity fits perfectly with the extremes of the exploitations genre. These are the films that fuck with you, ones that curdle your blood but draw you in with perverse curiosity.
In this film we follow an unnamed protagonist as he is forced into, to put it lightly, the most fucked up game of circle jerk ever and Johnny-Cum-Lately gets a pike through the back of the skull. As protagonist-kun climbs the ranks lets just say the visuals get a lot more fucked up. This film will disgust you. Not for the faint of heart fam.
O is for Orgasm (Directed by Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani)
If the last film was about Paraphilia and evils of human sexuality. this film is about the enjoyment of it. Directed by a husband and wife directorial team this film depicts a surreal and largely symbolic sex scene. The film in one word sensually. Through clever editing and iconic visuals the act is both aesthetically stunning and unnerving. This is just a really beautiful art piece and I wish that more of the shorts took the money and run like Cattet and Forzani did. I wasn't able to find an "official" version of this film but it deserves to be seen.
P is for Pressure (Directed by Simon Rumley)
Giving the length of the shorts in this film very few of them try to deliver a compelling narrative. P is for Pressure however delivers. Long Story Short the film delves into the lengths a mother would go to provide for her children.
R is for Removed (Directed by Srđan Spasojević)
This Film gets the surrealism award. A man of bandages has skin made of 35MM film. He's a celebrity. There's a Train. It's Raining Blood. What does it mean. I have no fucking idea. But its stylish and weird and I can fuck with it. With such a small runtime its kinda refreshing that Spasojevic decided to push the envelope and just give us something fucking weird for a short film.
S is for Speed (Directed by Jake West)
This is what i would call the exact opposite in terms of exploitation and that is just plain badassesery. Fast Cars, Hot Woman, Drag Racing the Grim Reaper in a Dessert. This film would look bitching air brushed on a van. Along with a twist ending and a double entrendre with the title this is just a film with a lot of style and more importantly it was fun. I think people forget that you can bring camp into horror.
U is for Unearthed (Directed by Ben Wheatley)
I saw a comparison between this Short and the short "A Ride in the Park" (Directed by Eduardo Sánchez and Gregg Hale) from the horror anthology V/H/S 2(2013) and there is definitely a lot of parallels. Basically this is a POV short of a vampire staking and it does it well. I can't say it is the strongest out of this selection but I definitely wish that more shorts in this series were at this level of creativity
V is for Vagitus (Directed by Kaare Andrews)
Apparently this film began as an idea for Feature Film and I would love to see the whole thing. Vagitus stands for the cry of a newborn child and the whole short is a blockbuster condensed into 6 minutes. There is a lot going on in this short but one thing I enjoyed was how much worldbuilding Andrews built with his limited time frame.
There are some really iconic shorts in this film that definitely deserve to be seen and admired but there is also a lot of banal shorts that either are just meh or generally terrible. This collected is too much it bites off more than it can chew and the product is weaker for it.
Rating: It's Complicated
The Conjuring(2013)
Referenced: Two Second Horror Stories, The Autopsy of Jane Doe, As Above So Below
"BASED ON THE TRUE CASE FILES OF THE WARRENSParanormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. Forced to confront a powerful entity, the Warrens find themselves caught in the most terrifying case of their lives."
The Conjuring is one of my most favorite horror films of all time and one of these days I really need to finish watching the ConjuringVerse. (pretty sure its on the list). For me the Conjuring is the perfect example as tropes as tools. The film has a lot of horror "Cliches": haunted house, paranormal investigators, creepy basements but they pull of the story so well. First the movie is inspired by real time Paranormal Investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren which while clearly dramatized gives some grit and color to the story. The movie delivers in terms of lore, delving into the property and why this haunting is happening. Most importantly this film truly understands horror. There are so many scenes that have palpable tension and this is one of the few horror films I have seen. (at least 183 according to Letterboxd), that I actually find scary. The best part of this film is the exorcism.
I love exorcism horror it is one of my favorite sub-genres. Not sure why maybe my religious upbringing and The Conjuring does it so well. From a purely technical narrative standpoint the way they renew tension during the exorcism scene is just amazing from the way that they dehumanize the character at the beginning of the scene to the juxtaposition between the emotional connection we have for the host and the actions of its parasite. The Conjuring is exorcism horror done right. I just love this love film.
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