Tag: horror

Best Horror Sequel: Aliens

On By James CastroIn Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

The film industry is built on sequels. In fact nearly the entire entertainment industry is built on sequels, reboots, and remakes. Of course the general perception is sequels, especially horror movie sequels, are worse than the original films and are usually just a cash-in to milk a franchise’s fans for more money. While I can see a point to this some sequels rise above that label and either build upon the first film’s successes or even improve it. When thinking of the best horror sequel one film always stands out to me…Aliens.

Yes it IS Horror: Before everyone goes on a rant that Jim Cameron’s follow-up to Alien isn’t a horror movie I provide personal evidence. I saw Alien and Aliens on the same night at about the age of 12. Alien I found interesting but slow and suspenseful. The creature looked great in quick, shadowy flashes and the scenes built suspense rather than fear. I was never afraid of the xenomorph, but I was afraid for the characters. That means it was a great movie, since I felt for the characters, but it didn’t scare me. Aliens however did scare me. One scene in particular had me checking under the bed and in the bathroom cabinets. The intense facehugger stalking scene where two of the little beasties are set loose on Ripley (of course played to perfection by Sigourney Weaver) and Newt (whose character’s dialogue still works its way into my every day speech). The tense nature of that scene, the fear and unknown presented by the monster and its location was relatable. Who has ever tried to smash a spider and missed? Then had the critter scurry out of site and stayed up all night watching for it to re-appear? That’s how I felt watching that scene. That’s why I checked all the nooks and crannies before bed that night. And in that one scene alone it proves its horror cred.

New Kinds of Victims: But it also transcends it. In most horror movies the protagonists are unwitting and helpless. Maybe they have a trick up their sleeves like in You’re Next that no one expected, but for the most part they are over their heads and faced with horrors they never anticipated and have to scramble to survive being picked off one by one. That’s not the case here. The protagonists are Colonial Marines, described in one scene as “tough hombres” and de-briefed by Ripley, who faced the alien creature before. They aren’t helpless, they are well-trained, tough, violent, and in the opening scenes of their landing show their precision and meddle. When the creatures turn up they’re simply lost at sea. It works even better than it did against the helpless crew of the Nostromo as we know these marines have handled problems like this before and are still terrified and overwhelmed by the xenomorphs. It works psychologically because you think if these people can’t stop xenomorphs what can? You identify with Ripley and Newt (and to some extent the colonists), regular non-marines who seemingly have no hope to survive. The aliens are wily, powerful, fearless, and the “Warrior” design is far more menacing than that of the original alien. The tone is sci-fi, action, and horror all rolled into one. The first film I can recall containing all those elements, and it’s this movie, rather than its predecessor, that spawned an entire new genre of horror-action-sci fi.

Lasting Impact: Finally it has serious, SERIOUS longevity in the culture. It is one of the most stolen concepts in modern media (Contra, Tyranids, Dead Space…etc…). Not only that but it battles with Scarface as one of the most quotable movies I’ve ever seen. “Game over man,” “Sweethearts,” “five-by-five,” all these quotes spawned from Aliens and even if they didn’t originate with the film you quote them from the film. If you don’t say “Game over, man; Game over” like Hudson you’re doing it wrong.

While trying to think of the “best horror sequel” I was torn. It came down between Aliens and Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Dream Warriors certainly changed the landscape of the Nightmare movies, but Aliens changed the nature of sci-fi horror. It was tense, scary, bloody, action-packed, and even had a final girl. It surpassed the original to become a movie classic and infiltrated modern culture to create new genres and new kinds of horror experiences.

So to me Aliens is by far is the best horror sequel.  Take it away Hudson:

 

Best Kids’ Horror Movie: Monster Squad

On By James CastroIn Movies, ReviewsLeave a comment

The term “kids’ movie” has been colored as of late by the likes of Pixar and Dreamworks.  They make many fine “family” films with lots of layers and advanced story telling, but in many ways these, often CGI films have neutered the kids movie genre.  Certainly there were animated movies in years past, but in the 80s these were mixed in with movies marketed toward kids that weren’t toothless at all.  Films like Gremlins and The Gate are movies about young teens or kids who go through a horrific experience, lots of action, gruesome scenes, but all aimed at a younger audience.

Best in the genre of horror movies for kids, for me, is Monster Squad.  Hot on the heels of Ghostbusters this movie I feel modernized the Scooby Gang concept and gave birth to the Buffy the Vampire Slayers and Supernaturals to come later.  Young, independent protagonists, fighting supernatural beings older authority figures can’t even fathom, let alone face.  For those taking notes, here’s what made it such a great kids’ horror movie:

The Classics Return: After a generation of “new” slasher killers and gorehounds, some great some not-so-great, Monster Squad brings back the monsters that made the genre popular.  Not just one or two but ALL of the great so-called “Universal” horror monsters, Dracula (yep with cape and tux), the Wolfman (pretty good animatronics), the Gillman (even BETTER animatronics), the Mummy, and the Frankenstein monster.  All with their classic looks, all doing their classic things.  Dracula creates his brides, leads the group, is the most together and menacing.  Wolfman howls at the moon, Gillman glugs around being creepy while the Mummy lurches and staggers in bandages.  The Frankenstein monster, true to his roots, remains both monstrous and sympathetic.  The film even re-creates famous scenes in a new way, such as the famous Monster and girl by the lake sequence.  It taught an entire generation of kids of the horror that came before.  Well those who weren’t obsessed with the Crestwood series anyway.  Even Van Helsing plays a key role.  I didn’t even know who this vital character was when I saw this movie!

Kids Being Kids: Popular YouTube personality and “garme jurnalizt” Jim Sterling describes kids as basically “shitty adults.”  That’s as apt a description as I can think of.  REAL kids, neither the defanged yet endearing kids from modern movies like Paranorman and Frankenweenie, nor the extreme kids from the kidsploitation movies that show rampant juvenile crime and drug abuse, but the kids I knew and grew up with.  They were smart asses, foul mouthed (especially when adults weren’t around), ignorant, and cruel to both friends and foes.  Yet through all that we were still kids.  We still played with toys, fantasized about goofy things, and could find joy in candy and cartoons.  That is what great about the kids in Monster Squad I don’t think I’ve seen a more real version of kids on film in ages.  Through all their idiot kid behavior and attitudes, they are still endearing and heroic.  Not in forced ways or fake ways, but in ways kids can be.  They fight monsters on their terms.  It’s a great mixture of Son of Frankenstein and The Goonies.

Layers of Story: Subtle layers exist in this film beyond the monster hunting and horror fun.  You hear parents arguing from the context and perspective of a kid who only knows whats going on from the yelling through the walls.  You see bullied kids and tough kids.  Most telling is Scary German Guy who says he knows true monsters.  A tattoo on his arm tells us all we need to know without a flashback or narrative.  Even the monsters are given background, Dracula calls the Monster an old friend.  The Monster calls him master.  There is story there we don’t know and are never privy to.  It just lends itself to the depth.

It’s hard to put your finger on what makes this movie so classic.  It is undeniably cheesy and a product of its time.  It’s very 80s with kids in leather jackets (smelting silver in that jacket no less) being tough and cool and dated music montages but the story is epic and its horror roots firm and grounded.  Yes there is a monster in the closet.  Yes Wolfman has nards.  And so does this movie.

 

Story of the Month: Shadows of The Ring

On By James CastroIn Story of the MonthLeave a comment

StoryoftheMonthOne of the traits I’m best known for as an adult is my inability to get scared by horror genre media.  TV shows, movies, haunted houses (even the “real” kind) don’t really scare me.  It’s probably because I was scared of everything ever from 5-10 years old and got it all out of my system.  This is a case of, while not being scared really, showing the effects something SCARY can have on even someone like me…

Horror movies of late have been less scary than ever.  The torture genre is just uncomfortable to watch, not scary or even fun.  Most of the other genres have just been done to death.  During the early 2000s the US was invaded by Asian horror, and it was a kind of horror I had never seen.  My introduction to this kind of film was 2002’s The Ring.

I saw this on my College’s free movie channel my senior year.  This channel showed second-run theater films at 7 PM and often again at 9 or 10.  I saw a lot of movies that way and when the showed The Ring at one of the “late shows.”  I won’t go into the movie.  Great tension, creepy imagery, and one of the best horror film finales in recent memory.  It made an impact and the crazy video tape and thrilling climax really stuck with me.  I enjoyed the film, but wasn’t creeped out or scared really, and went to bed right after it went off.

At the time I lived in a sparse single-dorm room.  Just a computer, desk, fridge, TV dresser, and bed with four posts.

I woke up sometime after three and caught sight of a shadowy figure at the end of my bed.  I froze for a split second pondering options…no don’t hide under the covers…no don’t scream for help…or say “is someone there.”  There was a shadow…a small, child-sized shadow…like a little girl with hair over her face…like Samara from The Ring standing at the right corner of the foot of my bed.

The split second passed and I made my decision.  I gave the creepy shadow a sharp, fast KICK with my right foot smacking the lil creepy thing right in her dark face.   Then felt the stinging pain in my foot as though I’d kicked a 2×2 post of pine…mostly because there was no creepy girl ghost at the foot of my bed…it was my hoodie draped over the right corner post of my bed.  So I actually HAD kicked a 2×2 piece of pine with all my might and really damaged my foot.  Seriously it still gets sore 12 years later.

So it goes to show you, no you might not feel scared from a movie, no you might think a horror movie is simple fun and didn’t effect you at all…but when you least expect it shadows enter your imagination and you might be more effected than you think!

Shadowy monster or Halloween decor shadow? You decide!
Shadowy monster or Halloween decor shadow? You decide!

Artist Spotlight: Kevin Litwin

On By R. PettyIn ArtLeave a comment

Happy October! To kick the month off, we’re spotlighting Kevin Litwin, author of Crazy Lucky Dead and a number of great short stories. Be sure to check him out and like him on Facebook at Crazy Luck Dead!

RevPub: How long have you been writing, and why do you enjoy writing horror?

I’ve written professionally for 20 years but have only penned my dark “psychological torment” short stories for the past four. I don’t really classify my stories as horror, which to me evokes images of slashing, blood, and guts all over the place. Cutting a character on the face so they’ll see that scar in the mirror for the rest of their life…that’s what gets my interest.

RevPub: Who is your favorite author and why?

I rarely read – wish I did – but my favorite author is Edgar Allan Poe, and a major reason is because I received a book of Poe short stories for Christmas a few years back and loved it. Until then, I hadn’t read a book since The Great Gatsby in 1994. Oh, I recently read Stephen King’s On Writing, which has good tips for any writer. It made me quit adverbs.

RevPub: What is your favorite piece you’ve written and why?

I like several – Murder Day, Thankless, To Son, To Daughter come to mind – but perhaps my favorite is The Adam’s Apple, one of my first efforts. It’s written from the perspective of a cat, even though cats creep me out.

RevPub:If you could be any fictional character, who would it be?

I recently read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Being that big monster would be kinda cool, and I’m 6 foot 5 anyway. Plus, I look good in a suit coat.

RevPub: What scares you?

I watch those Swamp People alligator hunter shows on TV, so I hope to never come across any gator. Snakes I can also do without – maybe all reptiles bother me. Not much else does.

RevPub: What does a writer need in order to write horror? Any advice for those wanting to write in the genre?

I keep saying that I don’t read much, but I do occasionally search the Internet to find bizarre, murder/suspense-related scenarios that occur in this big world. In addition, I used to be a newspaper reporter and covered a criminal/police beat, and I recall several life-in-the-shadows stories from those days.

I just keep my eyes and ears open. For example, I thought of a story called Blind Date while eating lunch outdoors at a Florida restaurant that fronted a canal, and that became the setting for the story. I also give credit to my parents, who always corrected us kids whenever we used incorrect English growing up. That might have led to my English degree, then my interest in writing. Thanks, Sylvester and Patricia.

And for any writer, having a good editor is vital. My editor is actually this interviewer, Raven Petty, who always edits my short stories before they post, helping to turn my proverbial swine into pearls.

How to Survive a Hostage Horror Movie

On By R. PettyIn OpinionsLeave a comment

A dear friend said to me this week, “No one would keep you as a hostage.” We shared a good laugh and knew she was right. NO one would be able to keep me as a hostage. I’m a nightmare – moody, mouthy, and opinionated – and meanness comes very natural to me.

We discussed what I would do in a horror movie hostage situation. Think Saw, Hostile, Texas Chainsaw Massacre. These movies have a psychopath or group of them who take “innocent” people hostage and torture them until death. Have no fear, though – with these tips, you may survive or at least die sooner!

*we don’t guarantee it, though.

Torture chair1. Demand they kill you. We’ve learned over the years in horror movies that begging for your life doesn’t work (thanks JB). Crying and pleading gets you no where. The killer already knows you are a human being and they want to take your life – thus the reason you are in the situation. They don’t care. Instead, force them to kill you. Show no fear in death, and you may actually survive.

2. Relate to them. No one ever survives because they tell the killer how great their life is or how much they have to live for. In fact, it probably makes your killer want to torture you more because they don’t have the same things. They want you to share the pain. Instead, talk about how much your life sucks. Dig deep, too. Look for things like your mother didn’t love you, sibling rivalry, broken hearts, the things that really scarred you. We all have them. It may be therapeutic for you, too.

3. Call them out. Killers enjoy watching you suffer, so don’t. If they cut off your finger, say you have seven more and give them the bird. If they make tiny incisions, ask if that’s the best they can do or to give you the knife, and you’ll do it. If they hit you, tell them your grandma hits harder. Get inside their head and make them doubt their ability. Either it’ll amplify their own insecurities or they’ll kill you faster – either is better than being tortured.

4. Get personal. You don’t know why they’re a psychopath, so test the waters. Ask questions such as: did your mommy not love you? Did your daddy beat you? Did your true love see you for the crazy psycho you are and bail? Or maybe he/she ran off with your brother, sister, best friend? Ask in the most mocking tone possible and find the reason. Use it against them. Be nasty.

5. Show emotion (but don’t cry). Be angry, degrading, and forceful. Yell and mock them. Mock them A LOT. Call them a drama queen, say things like awe…you poor thing, no one loves you (in your best baby speak). Or when I get out of this chair, I’ll show you how to torture someone. Feel it! Doing this will accomplish one of two things: defeating them or receiving your death wish.

Most of us don’t want to be tortured to death, so the best option is to avoid it. You may get away. If so, grab a manageable weapon and beat or hack them into oblivion. If not, going quickly is a better alternative to suffering for days, maybe even weeks. Keep in mind that you’ll never be the same, and if you do die, you can come back as a vengeful spirit and haunt them into eternity.

15 Signs of a Horror Movie Fan

On By R. PettyIn Random Fun2 Comments



You know you’re a horror movie fan if…

  1. You conceal “weapons” throughout your home. I.e.: knitting needles, table lamps, hammers, screw drivers, vases, ball bats, kitchen knives, ink pens and hard-back books.
  2. You hear a strange noise so you grab a weapon and investigate.
  3. Once investigating, you never think to say, “Hello, is anyone there?”
  4. A strange noise isn’t an intruder, it’s a ghost.
  5. Nothing is weird or unexplained, it’s always a poltergeist.
  6. You have an evacuation plan for every building you enter in case of a zombie apocalypse.
  7. You have a plan and supplies, and you will survive the zombie apocalypse.
  8. When swimming in a lake or ocean, you can’t help but think something will grab your feet or legs at any moment.
  9. You feel compelled to howl at a full moon.
  10. Dolls creep you out, and you may be scared of clowns or leprechauns.
  11. Vampires are hot, and you secretly want to be one.
  12. More importantly, you felt that way before the Twilight series.
  13. You watch slasher movies to relax and boost your mood after a tough day at work or school.
  14. You were voted, “Final girl or guy” in class or at work.
  15. Last, but not least… Your child wakes up from sleep walking. The next morning there are scratches on his/her arm. Your first theory… demonic possession.

— From the mind and experiences of RP