“House of the Damned” is a terrible, terrible, terrible movie. The tag phrase (“13 Keys to Unleash the Living Dead”) and the description of the movie on the back of the dvd are totally misleading. Fans of old horror and haunted houses should avoid it at all costs!!!
Movies
Eastern Promises
Franke and I checked out “Eastern Promises” last night. I really, really liked it even though (I think) it’s one of David Cronenberg‘s most straightforward films. The story is interesting and all the actors do a really nice job in the movie. I have never been a big Viggo fan … but Cronenberg does seem to bring out the great actor in him (see also “A History of Violence“). Though I don’t think it quite matches the brilliance of his films from the 80’s … it’s definitely worth seeing.
One Great. One So-So.
Holy Mother of God …you must see “Audition!” This movie seriously messed my shit up. Not quite a horror film in the traditional sense, it has enough horror elements to ensure that you will have your eyes covered for the final 15 minutes. Genius!
Jonesy loaned me the first season of “Heroes” and I finished watching it this past weekend. Pretty good show until they hit the season finale. I thought it was a really anti-climatic end after the 22 episode build up.
House of Wax (2005)
I finally (thanks, Netflix) got around to seeing the 2005 version of “House of Wax” … which is a remake of 1953’s “House of Wax” which is a remake of 1933’s “Mystery of the Wax Museum.”
Now, I am not going say it was good but it was better than I expected it to be. I was expecting a really, really, really bad movie.
The plot is like 2,000 other horror films you have seen. Party-hardy teens stumble their way into a seemingly deserted only to be sliced, diced and covered in wax to be put on display in the titular House of Wax. What really amazed me was the total and utter dumbness of our leads as they encounter one sinister event after another in the lead up to murder and mayhem. Would you ignore a) creepy truck b) a dead animal dumping ground c) unpaved backwoods roads d) towns not listed on any map and the fact that the town looks like it belongs in the 1950’s.
The production design is really about all that “House of Wax” has going for it. The town of Ambrose is the coolest thing in the movie … especially the fact that the House of Wax is indeed entirely made of wax. This set piece could have offered us some really cool scary moments ala “Tourist Trap.” I mean, c’mon, who isn’t scared of mannequins and wax figures? Instead the screenwriter goes the easy route and offers us the standard stalk/chase scenarios that we’ve been seeing since “Black Christmas” gave birth to the modern slasher film.
Zzzzzzzzz.
One a good note though … I will say that Paris Hilton does get one spectacular death scene. At least (at that moment) the filmmakers knew what we wanted to see.
Chances of Survival
55%
[via empty beach]
“Immortal Longings”
You can now check out Team Stellar Media’s film “Immortal Longings” (which features me! … and a cameo by Franke) that was shot for the Asheville portion of the 48 Hour Film Project.
Sunshine: My Thoughts
Oh my God, did this movie rock. Yeah it’s stylish and pretentious (Franke assured me of that) but it works.
The year is 2057 and the crew of the Icarus II has been sent to restart the dying sun. A mission that is undertaken because the Icarus I disappeared seven years previous. What happened to Icarus I? Will the crew of Icarus II be able to complete their mission?
I don’t quite get the comparisons to “2001” (or “Solaris” for that matter) that have been made. This is sci-fi but not quite “arty” sci-fi like those films are. For me, “Sunshine” doesn’t have some greater message to put forth other than “the few sacrificing for the many.” Plus, I suspect folks are trying to read a little too much into the religious theme that pops up late-ish in the film.
The script gives us a nice set of believable characters and the cast of the film is excellent in these parts (especially Cillian Murphy and Chris Evans). And the special effects/visuals are quite awesome considering the small budget of the film.
I will say that I am a little disappointed with the fact that Searle’s character didn’t head where I thought it was going to. I figured that he was gonna turn into what ultimately Pinbacker is when he makes his appearance late in the film. It would have been nicer (and a wee more streamlined) to have had that religious element come from Searle and not some rogue element.
But with that minor quibble aside, I will say that I, for one, *loved* it.
Dark Days are Coming
Tonight!
48 Hour Outcome
The awards ceremony was held last night for the Asheville group of the 48 Hour Film Project … and the Stellar Media Team didn’t win anything. Oh well. I still feel like we did a good movie and it was a fun learning experience. Hopefully I will get to be involved again next year.
Van(dammit): The Musical
Here’s the other entry in the 48 Hour Film Project (Group C) that I really liked.
The Simpsons Movie
OMG! I laughed until my sides hurt.
Best. Movie. Ever!
Also of note: Franke, Jonesy and I saw this at the new Cinebarre. It’s a pretty swank place to go and catch a movie. Go and check it out.
Movie Road Trip
Sometime in the next week I am gonna have to travel to Greenville, SC to see the new Danny Boyle film “Sunshine” (featuring Chris Evans!).
“Sweeney Todd” Burton Style
I have no problems telling you just how terrified I am of the Tim Burton movie version of my favorite musical “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” Ugh. Just look at that poster art. Ewwwww. And … Johnny Depp? Helena Bonham Carter? Sacha Baron Cohen?!?!? I guess we will find out just how much they have fucked it up this Christmas.
[via Scott]