Monster Scholar

Another example of why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Blood Creek is an interesting and well put together film from Lionsgate lauded as “original and creepy” by ShockTilYouDrop.com. It certainly is both those things, but speaking of the cover, my first impression of it didn’t prepare me for the film. A shot of a bald, scarred head (complete with a swastika) peaking out of a black leather jacket coupled with the blood red Old English script of the title is more reminiscent of Hellraiser than the fight for survival cum supernatural thriller that is Blood Creek. Regardless of first impressions, this film takes an original concept and gives it a fair shake when lesser films would have turned it hokey. That original concept is this: The Wollners, a German family living in west Virginia, take in Herr Wirth, a scientist sent to study German heritage in America, at the behest of the Nazi government before the outbreak of WWII. It’s revealed Wirth’s mission is not so benign as gene

I watched the Sixth Sense for the first time last night, and I can’t help thinking, “what happened M. Night Shyamalan?” The Sixth Sense was masterfully directed and written, providing just the right amount of suspense and a twist ending that had everyone in the theater gasping for air. Add to that the superb performances of Bruce Willis and the kid from A.I., and the Sixth Sense was a box office smash. Unfortunately, none of Mr. Shyamalan’s later films have lived up to this debut. Shymamalan realized how important the twist ending was to the success of the Sixth Sense, and proceeded to throw the obligatory curve ball into every one of his subsequent films. The problem with this technique is that a) you can see it coming and b) a twist isn’t always a good thing. So here’s my take on the films of M. Night Shyamalan, their twists and their shortcomings. Mark Wahlberg tries to find a plot that makes sense in The Happening The Happening (2008) Twist Ending: Plants are trying to kill

One of the more interesting horror projects on the horizon is the much anticipated follow up to the independent hit, Paranormal Activity. All kinds of rumors are flying around the internet with speculation as to who will be cast to lead the movie. Katie Featherstone and Micah Sloat, the original couple haunted by demonic forces (above), are the natural go-to actors, but Katie hasn’t gotten the green light for her involvement while Micah is talking about the movie like he could be in on it. The resulting confusion leads the mind to wonder, just which actors will be helming Paranormal Activity 2 when it goes up against Saw VII 3-D in October? Here are some of my fantasy choices. The Obvious Pick: Justin Long and Jennifer Carpenter Long has proven he can play the lovable jerk with his patronizing portrayal of the psychologist boyfriend in Drag Me to Hell, and Jennifer Carpenter got her lessons in demonic possession with her title role in the Exorcism of Emily Rose. The WTF Pick: N

Many of you, like myself, have been visually raped by the trailer for the horrific spectacle that is the Human Centipede. I had the unfortunate pleasure of watching the trailer yesterday and was literally at a loss for words. For those of you not in the know, the Human Centipede chronicles the quest of a psycho German doctor to create a human centipede by connecting three subjects together via the gastric system, creating a Siamese triplet. It means what you think it means. He surgically grafts them together, mouth to anus, and removes his victims’ kneecaps to prevent their escape. Though I am repulsed, sickened and downright disturbed by what writer and director Tom Six has created, I am also fairly impressed by how this film has gotten under my skin. The answer to why that is lies in the film’s exploration of surgical de-evolution and its echoes of Nazi medical crimes during the Holocaust. The Human Centipede plays with fears of species de-evolution as Dr. Heiter turns three indi

Here's the skinny on the horror line-up this summer. Predators I have to admit this trailer is looking real good. First off, you have the acting powerhouses of Adrien Brody, also starring in this Summer’s genetic thriller Splice, and Grissom’s CSI replacement, Morpheus, heading up the cast of mercenary refugees stranded on Predator kill planet. I also have to applaud the film’s concept of a group of marooned killers playing a deadly game of catch and release with Predator warriors. Finally, we are getting back to basics. No convoluted plotlines about a Mayan/Aztec/Cambodian pyramid under forty feet of ice in the Arctic that harbors a huge, egg-laying mother alien… This time around it’s simply Man vs. Predator in the wild. This idea is what made the first Predator such a success, and perhaps it will do the same for this latest re-hash. Suicide Girls Must Die Billed as the first “reality horror movie,” this film sounds more like America’s Next Top Model meets the Blair Witch

I’m back boys and girls. After a long hiatus and some soul searching I’ve returned with a new attitude and whole lot to say on our all-time favorite subject--horror. Today it’s some observations on Splice, the upcoming genetically mutated thriller about a pair of scientists, Clive and Elsa, who clone a humanoid creature to further their research and get around bans on human cloning. Mistake with a capital “m” The resulting mayhem falls somewhere between Species and Frankenstein, as the ambitious tinkerers try to put the creature, named Dren, back in her box. Firstly, I’m thrilled by the filmmaker’s dedication to practical effects. In an interview with FearNet.com, Vincenzo Natali justifies his brilliant decision to avoid an all CG creature: “As brilliant as Avatar is, for example, I still don't think you can replicate the subtly of that kind of performance with a fully digital character.” Natali’s commonsense take on CG already bodes well for this film, and it ensures that the au

Saw this and had to share it. I also wanted to address my recent lack of posting. I could blame work and school, but that would be too easy. To tell the truth I'm stuck in a funk. I still love horror, but I'm struggling to come up with material and make it more fun and less like work. I would appreciate any advice from other horror bloggers or anyone just passing through. See ya.