If you're a cinephile and it's October, then you are ethically and morally obliged to binge as many horror films as possible. Over the next three posts, I'm going to cover all the blood, guts, and gore that's been pouring out of my television and into my eye holes. I'll be using a very simple ratings scale:
You Must See It = ***
A Wonderful Waste of Time = **
Only for Horror Fans = *
Ready? Let's stick this pig.
CRAWL - A big budget creature feature that hits all the right notes. And the VFX… [chef's kiss] those are some damn good looking gators. ***
SILENT HILL - Some of the imagery here is pure, uncut nightmare fuel. **
HOWL - A British werewolf movie with some excellent makeup effects. **
LEVIATHAN - You can't go wrong with a Stan Winston monster. *
WILLOW CREEK - Just when you think the found footage genre has nothing left to offer, Bobcat Goldthwait hits ya with a surprisingly effective flick. **
BATS - A fun monster flick with awesome puppets and a John Logan script. ***
THE REEF - A damn good Aussie version of Open Water. **
THE HAUNTED STRANGLER - If you need more proof of why Boris Karloff is the best, catch this flick. ***
HUBIE HALLOWEEN - I needed a palette cleanser from all the guts and gore. *
SANTA JAWS - The title and the image tell you everything you need to know. *
VAMPIRES VS. THE BRONX - A fun take on an old formula that feels like a lost 80s film. ***
If I could only recommend one pic, it'd be BATS. The puppets really are that awesome. Until next time, don't forget to check under the bed.