These five films are unique for different reasons. One welcomes the reemergence of an old master returning to his true love. One is a remake that actually doesn't suck. One is a bargain basement ghost story that struck gold. One is the next chapter in the storied cinema history of evil children. And finally, one is an ass kicking zombie comedy with a soul.
For those of you that aren't familiar with Sam Raimi's work before Spiderman, in Drag Me to Hell Raimi goes back to his horror roots. In 1981 he made The Evil Dead on a shoestring budget creating a cult classic and a signature brand of horror. Like Evil Dead, DMTH is driven by curses, evil spirits, unseen terrors, flying objects, sudden gross out violence and the ability to frighten you, creep you out and make you laugh at the same time.Alison Lohman plays Christine, an unassuming bank officer that falls victim to a gypsy's curse after she denies her an extension on her home loan. She is told by a psychic that she has three days to remedy this curse before she is well, dragged to hell. Raimi doesn't waste any time jumping right into his shocking shtick and we watch Christine endure attack after attack in all manner of wacky fashion from flying furniture to a possessed talking goat. It's been almost 20 years since Raimi left the horror genre and he comes roaring back with this big budget, old-fashioned, slap stick, scary story. It's fun for the whole family...well maybe not but it's fun nonetheless.
Best. Horror. Remake. Ever. Wes Craven's original film in 1972 was ground breaking and shocking but it lacked cohesiveness and was really a mess in many aspects. The best thing about the film was not just Craven's brilliant idea of an original revenge story but most of all, the fact that Craven really focused on the psyche of the antagonists. You could see their childlike emotions wrestling with the conflict in their minds, between gleefully torturing two young girls and the trace of sanity and remorse that crept in as they committed these despicable acts. One scene I did miss that was left out of the remake is when the killers silently tried to wash themselves clean in a pond they found in the woods. It illustrated their shame and gave the audience a chance to absorb what had just occurred along with the characters.
Still, in this remake that symbolism is not totally lost and the real essence of the film lies between the clash of the family of murderers and the parents of one of the young girls. The storyline has been sorted out and updated wonderfully and the cast that was chosen to portray the killers is tremendous. Garret Dillahunt plays, Krug, the leader of the merry band of psychos. If you've not seen his previous work as a crazed lunatic you should watch the HBO series, Deadwood. His brother is played by Aaron Paul, also known for his Emmy nominated work as Jesse Pinkman in AMC's Breaking Bad. With these two setting the tone for the film everyone else falls into place to make this the year's most tension filled horror film. To me, the ending comes off a little cheesy which keeps it from being higher on my list but overall the acting is fantastic. The violence is brutal and yet almost never unnecessary and the storyline, even though it's a remake, doesn't always lead you where you might expect.
4 skulls bashed.
Paranormal Activity
Hello break out indie film of the year. The buzz on this one swept across America like a trucker with a hot load all hopped up on crank. Made for only $15K, this little gem brought first person home-video horror back to the big screen. I can't resist a good ghost story and this one really brings the chills. I watched this in the theater and it was a great experience feeding off of everyone's energy but I have a feeling that watching this one at home could be just as hair-raising. This film is really a great example of the power of suggestion and if you let it, you'll be scared out of your skin.
The entire film takes place inside the new home of a young couple, Katie and Micah. The unique thing about the film that separates it from other classic ghost stories like The Amityville Horror and Poltergeist is that the spirit activity is not tied to the home. We are told that Katie has experienced these visits on and off for most of her life. The spirit or demon in question happens to have an obsession with Katie specifically and that in itself makes for a nightmarish tale. We pick up as Micah has purchased a video camera to try and document these occurrences. As the film moves forward the layers are peeled back night by night and the tension builds to a terrifying climax. It's not a perfect movie by any means but it succeeds where many fail. Each paranormal episode is more intense than the next creating a slow escalation of fear, that will keep you captivated and glued to your seat.
4.5 skulls bashed
Orphan
Talk about your bad seed. The wicked child narrative is something that I think has always fascinated people. The Exorcist, for example, became one of the most frightening and popular films ever made while single handedly ending any veil of innocence that cinema might have had left the moment Linda Blair masturbated with a cross. Since that time some other greats like The Omen, Pet Semetary and The Good Son have kept audiences gritting their teeth with the added anxiety of a demented child.
This movie starts out with a particularly gruesome dream sequence, reminiscent of another great film from 2009 called Grace that I'll talk about next time.
The film continues on with a fairly routine storyline of a family coping with tragedy, alcoholism and infidelity but bolstered by the acting chops of Vera Farmiga and Peter Sarsgaard. As they struggle to move forward, they decide to adopt. Enter Esther, played by Isabelle Fuhrman as who is formidable in her first big role. She presents herself as an intelligent, artistic and well-mannered Russian girl, orphaned by a house fire that killed her family. However, she is not at all what she seems and things quickly turn when Esther is brought home as she wages psychological warfare on the family. She reins in the two children with the fear of death and castration. Then she manipulates the father, expanding the already existing distrust between him and his wife.
I'll stop there with the synopsis and just say that I was riveted by the 3rd act of this film for it's inventiveness. I probably should have seen the twist coming but I was too caught up in the story to bother with looking ahead. If you haven't seen the movie but you already know what the curveball is then that sucks for you but see it anyway, because it's worth the ride.
4.5 skulls bashed
Zombieland
Enjoyment is the word that comes to mind after viewing this movie. Pure enjoyment. This is undoubtedly the American equivalent to Shaun of the Dead which is not only the greatest zombie comedy ever made but the greatest horror comedy in general. Zombieland really has something for everyone. It's a post-apocalyptic road trip comedy with loads of blood, plenty of action, a touch of romance and the greatest cameo in recent history. In all the films so far on my list, acting has been the one constant. I've said myself in the past that you sometimes have to overlook bad acting in a horror film to enjoy it properly. Well this year, for the most part, good acting has helped propel these movies to the top of the genre. Zombieland benefits greatly from perfect casting. Harrelson is the epitome of bravado with more than a hint of a lunatic's gaze, Eisenberg is Cera-esque in his awkward lovable performance and together they play the ideal zombie killing odd couple. Emma Stone and Abigail Breslin play the cunning and cute con-artist sisters and as a foursome they flit across the countryside in search of the zombie-free "Pacific Playground" amusement park.
More than most people I know, I love and appreciate a bleak, terrifying and psychologically disturbing horror film but when a film can mesh those fearsome qualities of horror with affable humor, charming wit and a tender moral it makes for a truly a rare occurrence. Zombieland may have been intended as a parody of the genre but, for me, it really became something all it's own. If you haven't seen it then run out and get it on DVD on February 2nd. If you don't like it then there is really something wrong with you. You are a flawed person...seriously.
5 skulls bashed
I hope you enjoyed my maiden voyage into the blogosphere. Stay tuned next time for my list of Best Indie and Foreign Horror films of 2009.
