So I didn't get around to putting up a bunch of posts about horror movies like I was planning to for October, but this link should have to do when it comes to being creeped out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXaLppEr1wI
Happy Halloween!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Friday, October 17, 2008
Locked in at the theater...
I need to buy a gun, because I may end up locked in a building filled with zombies sooner than I expect. (After all, arming yourself is step one when it comes to zombies, right?)
Anyway, yes, a trip to a gun shop. Fantastic.
But if you have a gun, I wouldn't recommend bringing it to see "Quarantine," because you might end up going on a shooting rampage in fear that those around you are
becoming infected with a strange disease and trying to eat you. Sure, it's possible one or two of those around you have diseases, but unless you're at an all you can eat buffet after they run out of food, they probably aren't trying to eat you.
Basically, as far as zombie movies go, "Quarantine" ditches the typical zombie cheese and goes straight for the creep out. There's always something ridiculous around ev
ery corner, be it a little girl zombie attacking people or the Centers for Disease Control drilling a hole in the top of somebody's head. And don't forget that nearly the entire thing takes place in one building. If a haunted house were a movie, it would be "Quarantine."
On the technical side, the film goes for the "Blair Witch" style of hand-held camera work, which is actually quite effective; the shaking camera gives the film a raw feel and helps it overcome the inherent cheesiness of the zombie genre. Of course, this is all screwed if you suffer from motion sickness. I'm pretty good at not getting sick at shaky movies, but this one started to push it a little bit. (I sort of felt like I had been hit in the face with a large fish or something of equivalent mass and bluntness.)
Runtime is only 89 minutes, but the relentless intensity makes the film feel more like 120. The non-stop pace gets slightly tiring in the middle, but the film's ultra-creepy finale picks up the pieces well. If you like a good creepy movie and have a strong stomach, "Quarantine" is a fine choice.
Anyway, yes, a trip to a gun shop. Fantastic.
But if you have a gun, I wouldn't recommend bringing it to see "Quarantine," because you might end up going on a shooting rampage in fear that those around you are
becoming infected with a strange disease and trying to eat you. Sure, it's possible one or two of those around you have diseases, but unless you're at an all you can eat buffet after they run out of food, they probably aren't trying to eat you.Basically, as far as zombie movies go, "Quarantine" ditches the typical zombie cheese and goes straight for the creep out. There's always something ridiculous around ev
ery corner, be it a little girl zombie attacking people or the Centers for Disease Control drilling a hole in the top of somebody's head. And don't forget that nearly the entire thing takes place in one building. If a haunted house were a movie, it would be "Quarantine."On the technical side, the film goes for the "Blair Witch" style of hand-held camera work, which is actually quite effective; the shaking camera gives the film a raw feel and helps it overcome the inherent cheesiness of the zombie genre. Of course, this is all screwed if you suffer from motion sickness. I'm pretty good at not getting sick at shaky movies, but this one started to push it a little bit. (I sort of felt like I had been hit in the face with a large fish or something of equivalent mass and bluntness.)
Runtime is only 89 minutes, but the relentless intensity makes the film feel more like 120. The non-stop pace gets slightly tiring in the middle, but the film's ultra-creepy finale picks up the pieces well. If you like a good creepy movie and have a strong stomach, "Quarantine" is a fine choice.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
October = scaring little kids
So in case you're an idiot and didn't realize it, it's October! This means my favorite season, fall, is well underway! What's so great about fall? I'd have to say it's the combination of Halloween, Thanksgiving, football, and everything leading up to Christmas. That's right, I love the holidays, even if it means I have to see the family (ugh).
So since it tis the season for horror movies, it's only natural to talk about spooky movies, right? Absolutely! And I have a long list of favorites to share with you! Here are two you may consider checking out:
Session 9 (R, 2001)
So if you like CSI's David Caruso, this one's a must see. No he doesn't get naked or anything (sorry to disappoint you), but he's in it! In this grade-A thriller that's as much a horror film as a mystery, an asbestos removal team takes a job cleaning out the long-since closed Danvers Mental Hospital in Massachusetts (where the movie was actually filmed). As the movie progresses, we discover something is terribly wrong with the situation in the hospital (but you'll have to watch it to find out what). The cleverly-crafted characters fit together with ease and keep the tension rising until the last scene, which will leave you scrambling to put the pieces together.
The filming here is nearly perfect, putting you right down in the creepiest corners of this abandoned hospital and keeping you on the edge of your seat almost the entire time. Can't say enough good things about this one, and the less you know going in the better.
The Serpent and the Rainbow (R, 1988)
Now let me make something perfectly clear: Horror movies have deteriorated significantly in recent history, and Wes Craven has had a lot to do with it. (Let's face it: He loves blood as much as Quentin Tarantino does.) But as far as Wes Craven movies go, this one was actually alright. Sure, there's still quite a bit of violence, but the film's creepiness definitely makes up for it. The basic plot in this film is as follows: anthropologist Dennis Alan (played by Bill Pullman) goes to Haiti when he hears rumors about a drug being used in black magic to bring the dead back to life. The drug works (of course), and Pullman's character goes on a quaint little journey to try to bring the drug back to the United States.
Unfortunately, the guy can't take the hint that he's in over his head, and he becomes acquainted with the secret police on more than one occasion. (Ah, dramatic irony.)
I guess I should mention that Pullman gets his scrotum nailed to a chair in this movie. (If for some reason you're into that? Or if you just have it on your list of things to see in life, you can check it off.) Don't worry though; you don't actually see it. (Otherwise I probably wouldn't be recommending it. Not exactly my cup of tea haha.) And it's just for a second, so if you can get beyond that, you'll probably like the rest of the movie.
Well, until next time!
-Tim
So since it tis the season for horror movies, it's only natural to talk about spooky movies, right? Absolutely! And I have a long list of favorites to share with you! Here are two you may consider checking out:
Session 9 (R, 2001)
So if you like CSI's David Caruso, this one's a must see. No he doesn't get naked or anything (sorry to disappoint you), but he's in it! In this grade-A thriller that's as much a horror film as a mystery, an asbestos removal team takes a job cleaning out the long-since closed Danvers Mental Hospital in Massachusetts (where the movie was actually filmed). As the movie progresses, we discover something is terribly wrong with the situation in the hospital (but you'll have to watch it to find out what). The cleverly-crafted characters fit together with ease and keep the tension rising until the last scene, which will leave you scrambling to put the pieces together.
The filming here is nearly perfect, putting you right down in the creepiest corners of this abandoned hospital and keeping you on the edge of your seat almost the entire time. Can't say enough good things about this one, and the less you know going in the better.
The Serpent and the Rainbow (R, 1988)
Now let me make something perfectly clear: Horror movies have deteriorated significantly in recent history, and Wes Craven has had a lot to do with it. (Let's face it: He loves blood as much as Quentin Tarantino does.) But as far as Wes Craven movies go, this one was actually alright. Sure, there's still quite a bit of violence, but the film's creepiness definitely makes up for it. The basic plot in this film is as follows: anthropologist Dennis Alan (played by Bill Pullman) goes to Haiti when he hears rumors about a drug being used in black magic to bring the dead back to life. The drug works (of course), and Pullman's character goes on a quaint little journey to try to bring the drug back to the United States.
Unfortunately, the guy can't take the hint that he's in over his head, and he becomes acquainted with the secret police on more than one occasion. (Ah, dramatic irony.)
I guess I should mention that Pullman gets his scrotum nailed to a chair in this movie. (If for some reason you're into that? Or if you just have it on your list of things to see in life, you can check it off.) Don't worry though; you don't actually see it. (Otherwise I probably wouldn't be recommending it. Not exactly my cup of tea haha.) And it's just for a second, so if you can get beyond that, you'll probably like the rest of the movie.
Well, until next time!
-Tim
Sunday, October 5, 2008
...Well hello there...
Hello there and welcome to my wicked movie criticism blog, The Gingerbread Man Strikes Back! Here you can find suggestions on what movies to watch, links to weird and entertaining stuff movie-related stuff on the web, and randomness from one movie-lover to another.
I've dedicated this blog to my favorite fairy tale friend, the Gingerbread Man. For you were not eaten in vain...
Enjoy!
-Tim
I've dedicated this blog to my favorite fairy tale friend, the Gingerbread Man. For you were not eaten in vain...
Enjoy!
-Tim
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