#12: THE LOVED ONES (2009)

Format watched on: DVD
Time watched: 00:00 CST
New or Rewatch: New

IMDB Amazon.co.uk

Synopsis: When Brent turns down his classmate Lola's invitation to the prom, she concocts a wildly violent plan for revenge.

After a few beers and a crappy movie on the list, Michael & I decided to throw this in. I remember this playing at TIFF back in 2009 and I loved the image that Midnight Madness used on the flyer that I got when I went to Rue Morgue's Festival of Fear that year. Coincidentally enough, we started this film at midnight.

This Australian film is amazing! It's vicious, unapologetic and raw. THE LOVED ONES is the total opposite of a teen geared US horror flick. To really go into it more would ruin the film. Go into this film with very little knowledge for a bigger payoff.

The film is not available in the US but is available on R2 DVD & Region B Blu Ray in the UK. IMPORT IT (if in US)!

Grade: A

#11: VANISHING ON 7TH STREET (2010)

Format watched on: Instant/OnDemand (XBOX)
Time watched: 21:45 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB Amazon

Synopsis: When a massive power outage plunges the city of Detroit into total darkness, a disparate group of individuals find themselves alone.

After the failure of surround sound from DEVIL via Amazon On Demand, I decided to spend $5 extra bucks to watch this in 5.1 by renting it via XBOX. This was my first time ordering off of XBOX and I really hate that it was more money and that I can't just pay for it outright. You have to buy points. It worked out because I combined the $10 & $5 package.

My friend and writer for my site (DESTROY THE BRAIN) came over and we had a couple of brews. After blabbing for a couple of hours, we decided to fire this one up. I'm always pulling for Brad Anderson. I like him as a director and he made one of the most recent films that genuinely freaked me out (SESSION 9).

Sadly, this film just was slow. There was no interest with the characters except for the kid. The film just lacks the emotional ties to characters to make this film work. Structurally, the film is a character piece. It has some scary imagery, but it loses its potency because it keeps getting repeated. This film only confirms that Hayden Christensen should never be a main character.

I'll still watch whatever you come up with though Mr. Anderson.

Check out my writer's review that he posted after watching the flick with me here.

Grade: D (or Zzzzzzz)

#9: DEVIL (2010)

Format watched on: Amazon On-Demand

Time watched: 11:00 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB Amazon



Synopsis: A group of people trapped in an elevator realize that the devil is amongst them.



I saw this film pop up on some Top Horror Flicks of 2010 and felt like testing out Amazon On-Demand on my Blu-Ray player. Plus, Nicci wanted to watch it and it was still waiting on its 28 day delay, so it was either wait, buy or rent on XBOX or Amazon.



I liked the flick and thought it was above your average thriller. I think the script could have used some work. I mean, I understand why the cop was there but it all just seemed forced and silly at times - along with the superstitious rent-a-cop.



The reason why this flopped or didn't do well in the theatres is everyone is sick of M. Night Shyamalan. The name is tainted now. Studios, don't rely on it any longer.

It was worth the rental however, I'm not a fan of Amazon On-Demand for any film that really benefits from a 5.1 sound - which in my opinion is every film after 1990. I could only get Dolby 2.0 and I have a very high speed internet connection. I tried everything under the sun and couldn't get 5.1. Fail Amazon. Fail.

Grade: B-

#6: THE LAST EXORCISM (2010)

Format watched on: DVD (Redbox)

Time watched: 17:00 CST

New or Rewatch: New

IMDB Amazon

Synopsis: A troubled evangelical minister agrees to let his last exorcism be filmed by a documentary crew.

I'm quite surprised I never did check this out in the theater. I really try to make it a point to check out every theatrical horror flick. For some reason, I didn't get a chance to see this, nor did I get to check it out in 2010. A writer for my site reviewed it early and gave it high praise. I saw it on plenty of horror critics/blogger's lists of Best of 2010, so my interest was piqued a little higher. Today, I wasn't feeling well and sometimes, that is the best mood to be in to watch a horror flick. I drove down to the local Redbox and tried to get the Blu of THE LAST EXORCISM, but they didn't have it so I settled with the DVD.

What I liked about the film is that the main character, Rev. Cotton, exposes that he is a man that has lost his faith - if he ever even had it. His main purpose in this "documentary" is to expose the fraud of exorcisms. These types of setups are great because it establishes with the viewer the illegitimacy of a belief which is way easier than having the viewer try and believe in something. You have to prove to the audience that belief of whatever subject or theory.

While some complain about the end of this film, I felt that the actions felt appropriate even if I felt that the technical execution was a bit lazy.

Grade B+

#5: THE LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE (1973)

Format watched on: Instant/OnDemand (Netflix)
Time watched: 22:00 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB Amazon

Synopsis: A team consisting of a physicist, his wife, a young female psychic and the only survivor of the previous visit are sent to the notorious Hell House to prove/disprove survival after death. Previous visitors have either been killed or gone mad, and it is up to the team to survive a full week in isolation, and solve the mystery of the Hell House. (imdb.com summary written by Niz)


I have been a fan of Richard Matheson since I learned he was a writer of some of my favorite Twilight Zone episodes. I then read I Am Legend and I will always give this man a shot. Surprisingly, I never saw this film. I bought the book a couple of years ago at a resale store - still haven't read the damn thing - and I kept hearing good things about the film. The movie has been in my Netflix Instant Queue for a while now and I was in the mood to watch a haunted house story.


Plot wise, this film feels like Wise's The Haunting (based on The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson) and that is a compliment. While there are some moments that I don't think were effective, the majority of the film is drenched in a claustrophobic atmosphere that cannot be ignored. I really dug this flick even if I didn't care much for the ending.

Grade: B

#4: WINTER'S BONE (2010)

Format watched on: Blu-Ray (Redbox)
Time watched: 18:30 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB Amazon

Synopsis: An unflinching Ozark Mountain girl hacks through dangerous social terrain as she hunts down her drug-dealing father while trying to keep her family intact.

So, this is where people think I live. To clarify, I live in a suburb of Saint Louis, Missouri....not here. However, the atmosphere of this film does remind me of where I grew up. None of this seems dramatized in the slightest.

Jennifer Lawrence was given a great role in Ree Dolly and she carries it out with great execution. It was also a pleasure to see John Hawkes given a character that could really highlight his range (not knocking down his Deadwood character because I still need to watch the second season). I can see this film getting some Oscar nominations and I think we will definitely see an Oscar nomination for Ms. Lawrence in three weeks.

Grade: A

#2: TRUE GRIT (2010)

Format watched on: 35mm (Theater)
Time watched: 10:55 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB

Synopsis: A tough U.S. Marshal helps a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer.

After all the high praise of this flick, Nicci (my girlfriend) and I decided to go to the $5 cheap show and use our AMC Theatres Gift Card - free for us!

I think Hailee Steinfeld and Jeff Bridges are the highlight of the film. However, I feel the Coen Brothers lack their identity on the film. It seems like anyone could have made this film as its strengths are in the actors. It didn't really feel like the darkly humorous Coen Brothers that I know and love. Regardless, I enjoyed the film - but I really don't think it belongs in the caliber of the Best of 2010.

Grade: B+

#1: BURNING BRIGHT (2010)

Format watched on: DVD (Netflix)
Time watched: 21:00 CST
New or Rewatch: New
IMDB Amazon

Synopsis: A thriller centered on a young woman and her autistic little brother who are trapped in a house with a ravenous tiger during a hurricane.

I have been wanting to watch this one for a little bit. The premise sounds a bit ridiculous, so much that my girlfriend didn’t want to watch it. Surprisingly, director Carlos Brooks carries out an effective, tense little thriller. Recommended.

Grade: B