Inside [À l'intérieur] by Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury [2007]

Title: Inside / À l'intérieur
Director: Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury
Starring: Béatrice Dalle, Alysson Paradis
Runtime: 83 minutes
Year: 2007

I've never heard so much good about a single movie as I have about Inside [exceptions being Halloween and Jaws]. And like those movies, this is one I'd recommend to anyone and everyone. There wasn't a single aspect or scene that disappointed me.

First of all the two main characters are strong female leads, a nice treat. Both are easy to identify with, easy to fall for, and very human. An element most horror villians lately seem to lack.

First we have Sarah, a young pregnant woman dealing with the recent death of her boyfriend. She's so distant and cold you'd almost assume she wanted absolutely nothing to do with the scheduled birth that is to take place the very next day. Almost as though she is left to just go through the motions, alive but not really living. The photographers scattered around her home just echo the reality that she is now just merely a shell of her former self.

Once the amazingly put together character, commonly refered to as La Femme, enters the picture the blood just starts to pour. Plenty of blood. No chainsaws, no hardcore ammunition, just everyday scissors and knitting needles. Never again will those simple objects be looked at as just household items. You could arm an army with these bad boys and get the job done as La Femme clearly demostrates. Basic tools tend to always get the job done the most visually appealing way when it comes to horror, time and time again.

As the movie gets going there's this heavy, nauseating feeling that just comes over you that prove just how damn good of a job this pair of directors did. They managed to pull of a constant urgent sense of emergency, the ongoing dread of no escape. This castrophobic moment where all Sarah can do is scream and beat at the walls that are keeping her confined is all to easy to relate to.

It seems easy enough to toss around buckets of blood and ruthless masked monsters, but to pull off what these dudes did? That level of suspence that keeps you demanding to know what's going to happen next. Man, all I can say is thank you. Easily one of the best films I've seen in recent history and already an instant classic in my collection.

I had waited quite a while to see this little number, but the wait was well worth it.

Highly recommended.


Jo

ps. If we've got each other linked, please update it to http://www.nightlyaccounts.com/ Thanks, ladies and gents.

Storm Warning by Jamie Blanks [2007]

Title: Storm Warning [Unrated]
Director: Jamie Blanks
Starring: Nadia Farès, John Brumpton, Robert Taylor
Runtime: 82 minutes
Year: 2007

I rented this on Tuesday with all intentions of not liking it. I really thought it would recieve a huge fail on all fronts.

Surprisingly, the movie was not nearly as bad as I'd imagined. I'd actually go as far as to say it was good. Unoriginal, yes. But still, damn good.

There is scenes for the gore junkies while showing homage to a few of the classics. We've been front and center and seen these kind of scenarios unfold a hundred times before us. But isn't that kind of what you come to expect occasionally? The whole wrong place, wrong time situation? At least here we get a little twist. Instead of the playing up the damsel-in-distress routine, we get a little role reversal.
The husband was initially The Hero but lost the spotlight to the french speaking, uber hot woman known as his wife.

As they say... hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Clearing she was not cast just for her ass flaunting abilities (although, she does that as well). She nails the part perfectly when it came to slowly becoming the revengeful killer, the lead up is done exceptionally well. Forget running dirt roads screaming half-naked when you are locked up in a barn filled with all sorts of things to use as you please and the time to make the little devices your heart desires. This is the kind of victim I enjoy seeing every once in a while. The victim that not only fights back, but makes a mess of your face in the process.

I can see the aspects to this movie that could make it rank high on the shit list for some [and I'm sure it does] but I enjoyed it. The cast was awesome with the exception of the husband role, that dude could of used an espresso or two prior to setting foot on set. A little slow starting, but once it got going it kept my attention.

Recommended.


Jo

I'd like to give a big high five to my fellow regular horror bloggers that tend to entertain me daily. They rule. So, if you are a lurker from elsewhere, really- go check them out! In no order other than alphabetical: Horror-Movie-A-Day, Mad Mad Mad Mad Movie Reviews, The Horrors of It All, The Vault of Horror and usually Wine And Werewolves - but where the crap did CG go?! Sheesh.

Rest Stop: Dead Ahead by John Shiban [2006]

Title: Rest Stop [Unrated version]
Director: John Shiban
Starring: Jaimie Alexander, Joey Mendicino, Joseph Lawrence
Runtime: 85
Year: 2006

There's some days where all I wanna do is toss in a movie soaked of blood, where no real plot is needed just the usual suspects torturing each other. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, I just may need professional help.

Rest Stop sure delivers the blood and the typical damsel-in-distress set-up. We have a young couple comprised of recent runaway Nicole and her attractive enough boyfriend Jess making their way to Los Angeles.

As you can guess from the title, the movie makes a highway rest stop it's center stage, as if they aren't disgusting enough as is. When Nicole has to take a tinkle, they stop only for her to come out to find her boyfriend has vanished. Right away she seems to put it all together to figure out a serial killer must be responsible. Give this gal an award, I simply would of assumed something better came along if I were her.

Like most lovely, yet clueless, ladies in these films we tend to love so much, Nicole just keeps hanging around this rest stop. No matter how many times she escapes, or how many times people try to kill her and those she comes into contact with, she keeps returning. Maybe she has the runs and can't bear to be away from the toilet? Whatever the case, it gets to the point where you kind of just want her to die already. To much time is spent on the same cat and mouse game where we don't get to see the one doing all the chasing, nor do we get to see boob from the one being chased. I need something people, or how else do you intend to keep my attention?

The gore scenes sure do deliver when we get them and hey- we even get a small cameo from Mr. Blossom himself, Joey 'Woah!' Lawrence! We even get to see him get shot in the face! Win-win for all involved.

The sum it all up: The plot sucks but the disgusting stuff is there in just the right amount. So if you are anything like me and just want those mindless movie days filled with guts and junk, then borrow this one from your neighbour [cause I wouldn't want to pay for it].


Half-assed recommended.

j.



ps. To keep up with my blog and how I tend to go about it, I won't be reviewing the movies I watched while MIA. I don't ever review anything I saw more than a few days ago, one of few guidelines I've set for myself way back when. :)

Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door by Gregory Wilson [2007]

Title: Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door
Director: Gregory Wilson
Starring: Blythe Auffarth, Daniel Manche, Blanche Baker
Runtime: 91
Year: 2007

The 1950's have been painted as this sweet and innocent decade thanks to Coca Cola ads and Leave it to Beaver. The Girl Next Door rips it apart within minutes.

We are first introducted to David, an older man trying to deal with the guilt he has surrounding the torture and death surrounding a childhood friend of his. That friend being Meg and her sister Susan. Following the death of their parents the sisters live with Auntie Ruth and her three sons. She's viewed as the 'too kind' woman on the block that all the neighbour boys viewed as one of the guys. Laid back, full of wisdom and a fridge stacked with beer she's more than willing to share with the pre-teens.

Right away it becomes quite clear that Ruth is not so fond of other women, herself included, she's bitter and has no trust in grown men. Which I'm sure explains her choice in surrounding herself with young boys that know no better. Ruth has taken a particular interest in disliking Meg and finding creative ways to teach her lifes little lessons with the boys of the neighbour fully involved in 'the game'.

Once the torture starts, the whole tone of the movie changes. It's incredible to see the gradual changes with Aunt Ruth's demeanor. Any remaining part of a sympathetic, loving person slowly disappears entirely and all that is left is this vile hate machine. Blanche Baker plays this whole amazingly well, she really makes it all come together, along with her talented young co-stars.

I read this book a while ago and was never able to shake it, let alone that there was more than one moment where I had to put it down for a few days. The ways they torture this poor young girl is unbelievable and although we see more and more torture driven movies being released, this is possibly more horrifying than some can handle. Even though we don't see some parts of what is happening, we know the horrors of what is going on.

Quite a few parts are really hard to watch, but you feel you are commited to finishing the film. I can't imagine walking out on this story, I'd feel I cheated the characters.

Proceed with caution, but do see this release if you get the opportunity to do so.

Recommended.


j

Beyond the Wall of Sleep by Barrett J. Leigh & Thom Maurer [2006]

Title: Beyond the Wall of Sleep
Director: Barrett J. Leigh & Thom Maurer
Starring: Fountain Yount, Greg Fawcett, William Sanderson
Runtime: 84 minutes
Year: 2006
Source: Generation X Video

According to the box, this little number is based on the short story of the same name by H.P Lovecraft. I really don't see how, but I guess not many directors can bring story to film and make it a success.

I don't even really know how to give you a rundown on this release. The first 40 minutes or so are all over the place. Shortly you come to realize the main setting is an Asylum filled with crazy patients and even more crazy Doctors and an intern wearing a terrible dollar store wig. There is no 'good guy' or 'bad guy', it's all just a bunch of inbred hillbillies, some just happen to be wearing white coats and have the upper hand in the whack job experiments happening.

Some parts are so over the top you can't help but laugh, while other parts are too out there and confusing it's hard to follow [or care to make the effort]. I'm sure there is a legion of fans, simply due to the Lovecraft connection. But if someone can point out a good reason to give this another viewing [the bad boob job doesn't count, wasn't worth seeing the first time around] then I will pop it back in.

The ending has some good laughs, but not worth picking up... no matter how cheap the cost.

Not recommended.


j.

I Know Who Killed Me by Chris Sivertson [2007]

Title: I Know Who Killed Me
Director: Chris Sivertson
Starring: Lindsay Lohan
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2007
Source: Work

Being sick and heavily medicated leaves me to watch anything laying around, against my better judgement. At least this is my excuse for watching I Know Who Killed Me.

Lindsay Lohan played the role of Aubrey Fleming, a smart pianist/writer? She's well liked and a typical 'good girl' who is polite and doesn't put out. Talk about a tough time Ms. Lohan must of had to pull that off.

Right after the local football team [fronted by Aubrey's boyfriend] takes the win, they all head out for a night on the town. Somehow in the crowd, Aubrey gets seperated from her friends and goes missing.

This is following the recent discovery of a body of a girl that went missing a few weeks prior. She is found with various limbs missing and seemed to of drowned. In no time Aubrey's body is found and missing a few body parts of her own. Except Aubrey is claiming to be someone entirely different, she's claiming to be a stripper named Dakota.

The movie isn't all that believable, nor is it really all that likable. At times, they shove information at you, at other times it's slow paced and drawn out but for no real reason. I must say, Lohan is an alright actress, especially during the torture scenes [which by the way are straight up punch-in-the-gut torture] and I think if given the proper role, she might excel with this whole acting thing.

The end is kind is kind of messy and the loose ends aren't all tied up. But by the time you are half way done the movie, you are laughing at the terrible way it's all laid out. Quite a few "Are you serious?" moments followed by more laughter.

But hey, if you really hate Lohan [which is silly], you can see her cry and scream out in pain and with a gruesome amputation that's done in quite the unique way. On the other hand, if you really like Lohan and want to see her strip for a few minutes at a time even if the stripclub scenes are boring and PG13, which could of been it's only saving grace in the eyes of some.

Not recommended.

j.

Saw 4 by Darren Lynn Bousman [2007]

Title: Saw 4
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Lyriq Bent
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2007
Source: In threaters

Ok, so am I the only one not able to follow the on-going Saw series? The characters from the past films all sort of blend together in this one [with the exception of Donnie Wahlberg, of course - cause I want to hump him].

Saw delivers what Saw is known to deliver. You get all the gore and violence that causes you to peak between your fingers.

And that autopsy scene- priceless. However, I could of easily done without seeing old man balls on the table.

But what else do you get? No idea.

But I'd really like my $7 back.

Not recommended.

j.

Captivity by Roland Joffé [2007]

Title: Captivity
Director: Roland Joffé
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert and Daniel Gillies
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2007
Source: Blockbuster

So this is the prime example of the subgenre 'torture porn' apparently? At least that's what all the big, bad media sites are proclaiming.

I must point out right away that Elisha Cuthbert did a fabulous job here. She played her character to the max, at least as good as it could get considering the content. Something huge was missing from this movie- thrill, horror, suspense, everything actually. This movie only offered some cheap shots and a handful successful attempts to shock. But did you really need to be so predictable? And what did the kidnapper want with Jennifer [Cuthbert]? Why her? What was the lesson to be learned? What's the point of it all? Someone doesn't go through all the fancy footwork on that level without a cause or reasoning, regardless of how demented they are.

Note to Industry: Regardless of your torture ways, you still need some kind of punch.

When the video started, I was expecting something slighlty better than average. Considering how many film critics bitched about this when it was first released to threater [or was that solely directed toward the advertising?] I was expecting something, anything, worth remembering. Instead, this is the exact result I expect if they cast Paris Hilton in Saw 17.

And that twist at the end [last 5 minutes]? What the fuck? Tsk, tsk.
Oh, and the term 'torture porn' is ridiculous.

Not recommended.

j.



[ps. New addition [in the way of puppy!] has made updating tough, I've recently watched a ton of movies, just need to chuck them up here.]

The Card Player by Dario Argento [2004]

Title: The Card Player [Il Cartaio]
Director: Dario Argento
Staring: Stefania Rocca, Liam Cunningham, Silvio Muccino
Runtime: 103 minutes
Year: 2004
Source: Generation X Video

Being Dario Argento must be a tough job, you go and release prime examples of horror at it's best repeatedly and then the world expects nothing but the best. And then you release The Card Player and well, mommy always said if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

Well, actually. To be Argento would kind of rule, and I've never really been all that polite.

This release would rate decently on the overall scale if it didn't come with such high expectations. Ok, I lied. It would still fail miserably. I'd like to be able to say everything started out ok, but that would even be stretching it. Right from the get go the movie was going downhill with the lackluster dialogue and a less than stellar plot. On a positive note the dead bodies are flawless on the realisitc side of things and completely cringe worthy but aside from the special effects team, nothing worth paying attention to. I guess when you focus your entire movie around an internet poker game of killer vs. police and a small webcam zeroing in on only the face of the victim, it's bound to fail in the attention grabbing department. We don't actually see much, really, aside from a poorly designed web based game. The end does come with a few predictable twists and the emphasis on parts of conversations made it quite obvious that certain elements of the characters would be tied in at the end. I'd never think I'd be this disappointed by Argento. Maybe it's time he stand back, even temporary, from the genre he laid a hand in creating before making little boys and girls like myself cry in all the wrong ways.

Not recommended.

j.