The Cabin In The Woods Review By Corbin Bond

We all know the classic tropes of Horror films ever since Scream brought forth its classic rules to survive in this genre. Nowadays, those rules have been reflecting in just about every Horror film being released where there are gratuitous amounts of gore, sex, and drug use. There almost seems to be no hope left in Hollywood either due to their wastes of money with releasing constant remakes and sequels that are just used as money grabbers but have no substance at all. Then, faster than a speeding bullet comes Joss Whedon to rescue the genre for all Horror fans. Whedon has developed a titanic fan base because of his television work with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, and Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long. He is well known for his combination of horrific violence with slapstick to create perfect self referential stories with much depth and symbolism that calls back to American society. The Cabin in the Woods is the wake up call our generation, and Hollywood, needs. With a perfect cast, sharp and witty writing, clever scares, and a thousand twists, The Cabin in the Woods goes beyond the level of a Horror masterpiece, and is sure to become an instant classic.

Now, before going any further, I will express some incredibly important pieces of information to all. First, I have a set list of Horror films that I consider the "best of the best," and the top 10 is reserved for strictly the classics, like Psycho, The Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, etc. After seeing this movie only once, I can say without a doubt that this film has become my second favorite Horror film of all time! Second, this film is a spectacular Horror film; however, I cannot tell anything about it. This is a special type of film, where you have to see it for yourself. It's the type of movie you need to go to the theaters to see with a group of friends and then discuss with only those friends afterwards. I'm sure though with the horrible spoilers on the internet that some may learn some things. However, I cannot express enough how important it is that you do not listen to anyone who has seen the movie. You must see it for yourself!

Now that that is out of the way, I will review the film with no spoilers at all. First, the acting was terrific. Joss Whedon has assembled some of the finest actors for this movie, like Chris Hemsworth, and some are even new actors. They all perform very convincingly, and you feel for each of the characters in the film. Next, there is the cinematography which is fantastic. Joss Whedon is not only a master with a pen, but when partnered with Cloverfield's Drew Goddard, he is a master of the camera. The camera work was perfect and crisp for each scene. Furthermore, with a great score this film really knows how to revitalize the classic atmospheres of Horror. Whedon knows exactly what to do to bring the classic Horror film back to life. Meanwhile, there is the writing which is sharp, witty, hilarious, and incredibly sinister. There is a huge mouthful of cynicism in every line given in this film that adds to the overall effect. Also, if you think that you know the story from the trailers, then I have two words for you. THINK AGAIN!!! This film knows what you expect, and then kicks you right in between the legs and sucker punches you over and over and over again. You never know where this film is going to go, as each moment twists and turns until you are basically turned into a giant rubix cube (like the house in the poster). Moreover, the film has an extremely high octane entertainment factor because it is the most original Horror film to be released in nearly a decade. To give you a hint, once the end credits started, the theater I was in erupted in cheers and applause. I have never experienced this before.

Thus, I come to the end of my review for what has to be the best film of 2012 so far. Joss Whedon deserves a round of applause for this work of Horror GENIUS, and Hollywood now needs to learn what it owes Horror fans. The film is a passionate love letter to Horror fans that I will gladly accept, and if you enjoy originality, cleverness, and pure adrenaline-rushing entertainment in your Horror, then look no further. The Cabin in the Woods is everything Horror fans have been waiting for, and people will be talking about this film for many many years to come.

Red State Review by Samantha Mauney

Ummm.. wow.

Those were my main thoughts while watching the movie Red State. Directed and written by Kevin Smith, this film is a whirlwind of surprises. The biggest surprise came for me when I found out that this was a horror movie, which happened about twenty minutes into the film.  I started watching this movie because I saw that it was available for instant streaming on Netflix. I knew that it was directed by Kevin Smith, and that, therefore, I was bound to like it. Clerks, and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back are among my favorite films, and Smith's Q&A sessions are the stuff of legend (seriously, look them up). Because Netflix labeled Red State under the primary genre of action and adventure, I had no idea what I was getting into when I started to watch this film. Call me crazy, but I was expecting an action comedy in the vein of Hot Fuzz. That is NOT what I got.
Though he mainly writes dialogue-driven comedies, this film is not Smith's first attempt at action. He also directed the 2010 action comedy Cop Out starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan. However, this is his first foray into horror, and all I can say is that I wish he had attempted the genre sooner.


I hate to delve too much into the plot for fear of giving too much away. The movie is about a fringe protestant, ultra-conservative protestant church that makes a habit of enacting God's wrath by killing "sinners." In addition to this hobby, members of the church are avid gun enthusiasts. So much so that they attract the attention of the ATF. Chaos and unbridled bloodshed ensues (think Westboro Baptist Church meets The Wicker Man meets Waco, TX). The plot of the story makes it unconventional for a horror story. While the villains are easy to spot, determining just who is a protagonist is a bit trickier. Talking in this film is minimal, excluding a sermon by the pastor of the church, so there isn't much of a chance to determine who the potential protagonists might be, until all other candidates are dead.

Again, though the dialogue is minimal, the acting in this film is very authentic. You can almost understand the charismatic appeal of the pastor (played by Michael Parks) of the hate-filled "Five Points Trinity Church," and, unsettlingly enough, I even found myself wanting to sing along to a gospel song or two during their sacrificial worship service. Kyle Gallner, the current "it" boy of horror, is also in this film. And last but not least, the unforgettable John Goodman steals the show, playing an ATF agent confronted with having to choose between what is right and what is easy.


The film is relatively fast paced, at only 88 minutes long. So if you like action, then this is the movie for you. Interestingly, what makes this film sing is the dialogue (despite the fact that there isn't very much of it), which, as I previously mentioned, is Smith's specialty. There is a poignant soliloquy towards the end of the film that is nothing short of perfection, followed quickly by the awkward lightheartedness that made Kevin Smith famous. Nevertheless, the film ends with a definite message that is very real and, if you follow his personal opinions, very personal to the director.
It's a shame that this film went straight to DVD because Smith's controversial decision to self-distribute. Perhaps if Red State had been shown in theatres instead of simply shopped around at film festivals, more people would have the opportunity to appreciate it. Though many critics have published poor reviews of the film, it has also been lauded by Tarantino and others. Who knows, maybe this film will reach cult status in ten years, or maybe DVD sales will start to pick up on Smith's website. Either way, sooner or later, I think that people will have to see this film for what it truly is: an experimental piece of art that deserves its day in the sun.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo Review By Corbin Bond

         “The feel bad movie of Christmas” was the caption for one of the most highly anticipated films of 2011. David Fincher, who has created such classics as Seven, Fight Club, and the recently acclaimed The Social Network, now returns to his darker storytelling roots in his film adaptation of the worldwide bestselling novel The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. In fact, such a tale of murder, brutality, mystery, and dread seems to be the perfect place for Fincher to show his true visceral style. I just left the advance showing of the film this evening, and it was definitely another Fincher masterpiece. Not to be confused with the Swedish films based on the same book, Fincher’s adaptation is more respectful to its source material by providing a gruesome yet beautiful and intriguing story at a crisp and rapid pace. However, what really makes this film shine over the previous version was in its cast. This is especially the case for the leads played by Daniel Craig (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace) and Rooney Mara (A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Social Network).  Overall, Fincher provides both fans and newcomers to the story a grim, brutal, yet powerful film that is sure to be a major success.

                First of all, I do want add that this film is not entirely for the faint of heart. There are especially shocking moments throughout that are very difficult to watch. However, despite the brutality, we are given a story that explores the depiction of evil and how far it can go to fully manifest in the world. For those new to the story, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo centers on the characters of Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. Mikael is a journalist whom has been recently accused and charged with libel. The story involves Mikael trying gain back his credibility in the world of journalism by helping solve a 40 year old mystery of a 16 year old girl who disappeared and was murdered on a lonely island in Northern Sweden. Meanwhile, Mikael finds a connection between the disappearance and a string of unsolved murders spanning throughout the country. During his investigation, Mikael calls for the assistance of Lisbeth Salander who we come to know along with Mikael. Lisbeth is an expert hacker who has lived an incredibly hard life. She had been conducting background checks on Mikael accessing his private materials. The two characters’ stories come together as they work to solve the mystery and find the murderer.

                As I mentioned earlier, the major strongpoint this film possesses is its cast. Without such brilliant acting, this film would not have been nearly as impressive. The best acting definitely came from Rooney Mara in her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander. Mara gives an Oscar worthy and all too real view into the life of a troubled, horrifically wronged, and misunderstood young woman who endures her torments but fights back with an incredible vengeance. You can sense an incredible passion and commitment to the role with every single one of her lines, gestures, and even glances. Throughout the film, the audience bears witness to the horrors she must endure such as harassment, brutal sexual molestation, and heart break. However, after witnessing such brutal evils audiences can witness how she fights back against evil in a way that is even more terrifying yet incredibly captivating. Meanwhile, Daniel Craig delivers his best performance to date as Mikael. He provides audiences with an intriguing portrayal of a man at his lowest trying to build himself back up in an almost Sherlock Holmes like method.  However, though Mara and Craig were amazing, in terms of supporting cast, Stellan Skarsgard (Melancholia, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest) stands out the most. He provides a very chilling persona as an enigmatic character who adds an eerie atmosphere to the mystery.  With such a brilliant cast, this film truly delivers a powerful punch.

                The next powerful factor about the film has to be in its score written and composed the lead singer of Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, and co-written and composed by Atticus Ross. Reznor and Ross, who already have Oscar acclaim with their musical work on The Social Network, have once again given a very beautiful musical composition to the film. Each musical piece is incredibly dark and unsettling and is able to delicately and perfectly capture the dread and melancholy in each and every scene. Probably the most appreciated musical work in the film has to be seen in Reznor’s cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Immigrant Song,” sung by Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The song played during the opening credits provides the perfect ear catcher while the images in the opening play out as what have to be the most artistic and intriguing opening credits in film history. The score to follow plays out to create a very unsettling and tense atmosphere and builds suspense throughout the film before letting it explode.

                Fincher also shows an excellent cinematographic talent as each shot in the film is smooth, artistic, ominous, and beautiful. The cold and colorless winter atmosphere mixed with some minor colorful images creates the perfect uncanny contrast. Fincher’s imagery also allows for a more interesting look into the inner psyches of the characters. His shots allow for implicit understandings into what might be going on in each of the characters’ heads. Each scene is intricately filmed to follow actions and conversations following such delicate details as simple gestures and body language. Not only that, but there is also a definite and incredibly heightened sense of foreboding especially with the scenes involving Lisbeth and the film’s climax. The film proves how Fincher is a master of story telling through just mere images.      

                Meanwhile, the film’s story is told at a very rapid pace unlike Fincher’s earlier work in Zodiac, which seemed rather slow at times. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo does the exact opposite. Although it is a long movie (around 2 hours and 40 minutes to be exact), the story seems very fluid very smooth and very fast paced. There is no dull moment throughout the entire film as the mystery keeps you guessing the entire time with twists and turns at every corner. When the film reaches its ending, there is definitely a sense of closure making this a very good stand alone film. However, it is the first part of a trilogy meaning the ending also provided a sense of being a slight to be continued. Even though I do wish we could have seen more, such a minor issue can be easily forgotten when compared to vast majority of pros the film possesses. Furthermore, the film is definitely powerful in how it affected people after the ending credits came up. While leaving the crowded theater and going into the parking lot I could overhear people conversing about the film’s themes, dialogue, atmosphere, acting, etc. This is a film that gets into your head and stays with you for a while.

                David Fincher has once again returned to create another incredible work of film making. Through excellent and respectful depictions based from the source material, he has shown how even an English language adaptation can be made into a very amazing film. His imagery and storytelling provide an exceptional and grim look into evil, torment, madness, heart break, and endurance.  Meanwhile, with an absolutely outstanding performance by the committed Rooney Mara we are given an incredibly strong and powerful female character, in the form of Lisbeth Salander. The film definitely seems to be a very good Oscar contender this year, and it is definitely a film that should not be missed.  Therefore, this “feel bad movie of Christmas,” which crosses multiple boundaries and goes far beyond normal limitations to provide the most realistically brutal, beautiful and captivating story, is easily the best film of 2011.

*I understand that this film isn't exactly a Horror film. However, it is an amazing psychological thriller/ murder mystery that has some especially horrific elements.

                

New Promo video for Brown Hauntings

Last weekend VHS helped make this promo for the Hauntings at Brown College. It was a ton of fun!

Dead Alive (Braindead) Review by Samantha Mauney

Standing outside a Richmond Jersey Mike's after having just seen the newest X-men movie, my friend recommends the movie Dead Alive to me. The film, long-touted as being one of the goriest ever made, is a blood-covered gem of a flick.

After I expressed my interest, my friend then procceeded to tell me about some of the films most disturbing scenes, as if determined to convince me that it deserved the title (trust me, it does). So, a few days later I found Dead Alive on Netflix and managed to sit through it. Now, I'm not really squeemish when it comes to gore (this is the girl who sat through Hostel while eating a steak), but I will say that the film definitely delivers in the blood and guts department.

Made in the '90's but set in '50's New Zealand, Dead Alive is a splatstick horror flick that has the feel of a late Ozploitation film (for more on Ozploitation, I eagerly suggest watching the documentary Not Quite Hollywood: The Wild, Untold Story of Ozploitation). The movie is the story of Lionel Cosgrove, a thirty-something year old man who lives with his mother and is used to doing everything she says... Even after she becomes a mindless zombie. Soon mum is turning half the town into zombies, all of whom Lionel takes care of in his huge house. Hilarity ensues as, under a vast amount of supressants, he has all of them sitting around the family dinner table feeding them some kind of porridge (who feeds zombies, anyway?) and arranges play dates for them all in the basement.

Love also blooms-- albeit in a very disturbing way-- between two of the zombies (one of which is a former priest), and an adorably disgusting zombie baby is born. That same baby is later put into a blender.

Some of the gore can feel quite cartoonish at times, but overall it is very real. The zombies themselves are an interesting mix of slow-moving, moaning ones remniscent of early movies like in Night of the Living Dead, running at 40 miles an hour Dawn of the Dead-esque ones, and Godzilla.

The film has all of the loveability of a low budget, independent, zombie flick, (despite the fact that it cost about $3,000,000 to make) which is due to most of the over-the-top humor scattered throughout. You can't come to be called "one of the goriest films of all time" without either making  people laugh or have a heart-attack. This film really delivers on the former. Apparently, the full length NZ version of the movie is even more violent than the one available in the US. I can't really fathom how anyone could make this film any more of a bloodbath than it already is.

Concerning plot, the entire story line of the film is very simple and recognizable, so as not to impose on any of the action. There is an original incubator for the disease, in the form of a Sumatran rat-monkey. There is a Zombie number one, a catalyst for a wide-spread outbreak, and the film ends with an ever-so-climactic full-on zombie massacre. In the end, the movie attempts to be academic with a reference to Freud. I'm no student of psycology, so I cannot comment on how well placed the allusion was.The acting is so-so (not that it takes away from the story. After all, this is a splatstick), but the comedic timing is spot-on. Cinematically speaking, the directors do a decent job of making this feel like the movie was shot decades earlier than it actually was, giving it a more authentic Ozploitation feel.

Historically and economically, this film was considered a flop. It only made back two thirds of its original three million dollar budget at the box office (which, for a film that underwent an unbelievable amount of censorship, is still not terrible). But thus is the way for most films that become cult classics. I seriously encourage you to see this movie. If you think your stomach is strong enough.

Wake Wood Review by Corbin Bond

As a break from the stress of summer school work, I decided to take a trip to my local Best Buy to purchase some new Horror films. Earlier I had received a recommendation from a friend on this new film straight from Ireland called Wake Wood. The film is one of the many new films to be released by the now revitalized Hammer studio that brought the amazing Let Me In back in 2010. I don't plan on spoiling the film, but I will say that it definitely has me attracted to watching more Horror films from across the pond.
The film has a plot that is very reminiscent of classics such as The Wicker Man, Don't Look Now, and Pet Sematary. All is blended together to create an excellent example of modern Gothic Horror. The story is of Patrick and Louise, a husband and wife, who have just recently suffered the tragic and violent death of their daughter, Alice. In their despair, they move from their city home to the countryside village of Wake Wood. There, while trying to recuperate their lives and move on, they come to find a very dark feature of the town that leads them down a path of the occult and ultimately a nightmare beyond their initial intentions. Thus we are given a film with an extremely dark atmosphere and chilling imagery to provide the town with a major sense of foreboding.
Overall, the film displays beautiful cinematic work, as each shot seems to be intricately set to appear perfect in terms of building a sense of discomfort. The setting is very reminiscent of Edgar Allan Poe's descriptions that reflect feudal Europe. Meanwhile, the depiction of the forest reflects on the idea of the untamed wilderness where all forms of dark occurrences can develop. The film, in its connection to The Wicker Man, is also a definite presentation of the occult, especially necromancy. Each shot of the townspeople gathering around for rituals is chilling while also very much sublime.
Furthermore, Wake Wood, is an especially effective Horror film in is presentation of realistic violence. The film does not become overly gruesome like the Saw franchise, but there are definitely scenes of extreme pain and violence that can lead to major cringes. The sounds of the deaths are probably the most effective in their ability to make the audience very shocked. However, the film does not rely on gore to be horrific, which is a very good thing compared to most Horror films of this generation. Instead it focuses on the usage of disturbing images paired with emotional terror to produce a film that is very much like something one would hear from a campfire ghost story. In a way, it would be best to refer to this film as "folk" Gothic Horror.
The usage of the pastoral landscape, with the odd suspicious villagers and the dark imagery, makes the film very unsettling especially as the central story continues. Not only that, but the film also builds tension with some clever scares paired with acting of the awesome cast. The best of the cast has to be Timothy Spall (Peter Pettigrew - for all Harry Potter fans) who portrays the character of Arthur as very gentlemanly while also very suspicious and disturbing. When I saw the film, I instantly thought he would be the major villain when in reality, I was quite wrong. The story has some very good twists and turns to the point where you can't help but wonder what will happen next. By the end, I was blown away.
Overall, I definitely recommend Wake Wood. It has just the right amount of scares with the right build up of tension leading to the film's finale. This is definitely a new folk horror classic that provides a modern Gothic twist. It is definitely a good film in the return of Hammer as well. However, be warned. "What goes on in Wake Wood is not for everyone."

Black Death Review by Samantha Mauney

Searching through a list of horror movies coming out this year (specifically this summer) to ward off studying for the LSAT, I came across this film listed as a 2010 favorite. So you can imagine how happy I was to find that Netflix offers to stream instantly for all of its customers.

Black Death is a supernatural, story-driven, period-piece horror flick about the effects of the bubonic plague in fourteenth century England. A local bishop's envoy and his entourage arrive at a monastery with tales of a place that the plague cannot reach. When they leave they take with them a young monk from the monastery as a guide, as he was raised in the marsh they are headed to. What the soldiers do not know is that the monk has a hidden agenda. He has sent his young lover to the marshes for her safety, with the promise to meet her there. However, it is revealed that the other men have a few secrets of their own. While they are looking for a village where there is no pestilence, that same village is a godless one that is said to be lead by a necromancer. The men seek to find it and "turn it's people back to God." With that goal in place, the story begins to move and breathe at a very comfortable pace as the search for the young monk's true love, as well as this mysterious village and its pagan sorcerer starts.

Most true horror fans will think that the film starts off WAY slow, with virtually nothing in the way of scare or suspence for the first thirty minutes. In fact, despite the fact that I was completely engrossed in the story, for a while I was wondering why both movie-moron.com and Netflix classified Black Death as a horror film to begin with. Roughly an hour into the movie, however, you'll think you're watching torture porn. While that aspect of the film doesn't last very long at all, from that point on the film is remarkably fast-paced, and amazingly compelling.

I cannot begin to state how remarkable the acting was in this movie. Eddie Redmayne (Pillars of the Earth, Elizabeth I, Glorious 39), one of my favorite young British actors, shines as a young man of the cloth who's having a hard time keeping to his vows. By far the character with the most growth, you see both innocence and cold-hearted malice in his performance, two qualities that Eddie Redmayne is a master at conveying, garnering him praise in Pillars of the Earth and Glorious 39.

However, most of you will probably recognize the great Sean Bean (Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, GoldenEye) more easily. It's no argument that Bean is a wonderful and highly-seasoned actor, and his performance here does not dissapoint. Unfortunately, his character, while it certainly has depth, has no real arc to it, so we see Bean once again playing the unchanging, honorable soldier. It would have been nice to see him in a role with more development. Other characters in the film are just as honorable, but are not given enough screen time to be as likable.

The cinematography in this film is fairly one-note, though quite captivating. The bleak color present throughout the movie helps to convey the atmosphere in England int he 1300's. The harshness of the landscape will never let you forget that there is death all around, as inescapable and as fast as the fog hovering above the marsh. Exactly what you'd expect from a Medieval action movie, but presented in a nice way nonetheless.

I try to be a fiercely anti-spoiler reviewer, but I don't think that I'm giving away too much by saying that religion is a huge theme in this film (but that doesn't by any means mean that it's preachy or any other negative connotation you associate with religion). With that come love, temptation, betrayl, lust, vengeance, and duty: all of which make a for great story, and that's truly what this film is. I disagree with Netflix calling it primarily a supernatural horror, but there are definitely parts of the story that are horrific. Unfortunately, the true scares only account for about 10% of the movie. I will say that the lack of jump-off-the-couch-scares and on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspense is due to the complete devotion to realism of Christopher Smith and Dario Poloni, the director and screenwriter. I really like and respect that there is no suspension of disbelief necessary for any part of the story, and that fact, more than any torturous scene, is the most horrific aspect of this film. Watch Black Death if you like original, extremely well-written, action films in addition to horror. Don't watch if you're looking for something to keep you awake when things go bump in the night.