Review : Super 8 (2011)

 Director:

J.J. Abrams

Writer:

J.J. Abrams

Stars:

Elle Fanning, Amanda Michalka and Kyle Chandler

In the summer of 1979 a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a huge train crash whilst making a zombie film on Super 8. As strange events and disappearances start occurring in and around town, they begin to investigate the phenomena, and quickly come to suspect that the train crash and its mysterious cargo are key to whatever is happening to their home.

I caught SUPER 8 a few days back, yet decided to hold out on my review for a very specific reason. I believe that an emotional reaction to a film is every bit as relevant as an intellectual response, and reviews coming from either place are equally valid, and both have their merits. I try to balance the two, but its often hard to gain perspective on things when your emotions are in full control. I remember viewing BRAVEHEART for the first time and being an absolute wreck by the films end. Its themes and messages hit me hard, and being a Scotsman, it was close to the bone; yet in retrospect its a pretty silly movie. With some seriously dopey plot strands and ridiculous dialogue. Had I reviewed back then, I'd have been slightly embarrassed looking back on my immediate thoughts. I felt the same risk was inherent in reviewing SUPER 8.

Art of Darkness 1 - Zoe Humphries

 I was doing my usual rounds of the interwebs the other day, when I stumled across some artwork that really impressed me, and it got me to thinking. I write articles on film and literature, but I haven't given much attention to the often great works of art that our genre inspires. From classic 'one sheets' to Tattooes, Horror is an inspiration and a muse for painters, sculptors and designers, all over the world. So, I thought to myself. 'Why not add a new concept to the Hotel?'. 'Good idea, Kyle!', answered I. 'Good work,son!' replied myself. So here we are.

Horror Hotel Cinema : The Tingler (1959)

Welcome to the second showing in the Horror Hotel Cinema. Tonight we have a stone cold classic for you. Directed by 'Gimmick King', William Castle, and starring the legendary Vincent Price, I give you THE TINGLER. Even wondered what ole Vinnie would look like tripping out his mind on LSD? Well no more shall ye wonder, my friends. Its one of the funniest scenes in Horror history, and is worth the price of admission alone. But theres more, a creepy ass plastic insect-like monster which grows in your spine unless you scream, 'DURING THE MOVIE!!!'. A seriously fucked up deaf chick and a blood filled bath in vivid color. Its all great stuff. A cheeseball psychedelic mini-classic for the ages. Unfortunately, this bad boy is in nine parts, but I'll post em all, because I'm a lovely fella.

Review : Blooded (2011)

Director:

Edward Boase

Writer:

James Walker

Stars:

Nick Ashdon, Neil McDermott and Oliver Boot

A group of hunters, led by a prominent Pro-Hunting lobbyist, Lucas Bell, are abducted in the remote Highlands of Scotland by animal rights activists, and given a taste of what its like to be hunted themselves.

This is a film site, so I'll discuss the movie on its merits before commenting on what I see as a very upsetting agenda within this film. Feel free to read and enjoy only the critique on the technical aspects of the film, and I'll let you know when it'll move on from that....

If your working on a low budget, and you happen to be based in the UK, there are worse things you can do than film your movie in my home land of Scotland. You need a sense of total isolation? You got it. You need a landscape so untouched by civilisation that it commands respect even when viewed through the lens of a camera? Well, you got that too.  You need a sense of majesty in your cinematography? An epic sweep that can make your humble little indie film look like a million bucks? Yep, got it.

Horror Hotel Cinema : American Scary (2007)

Calling all horror fans.....

Im gonna be posting films from time to time here, that you can all watch at your leisure without scouring the interwebs to find em, and I found this little number last nite. Its called AMERICAN SCARY, and I'll see you below the synopsis....

Take a trip back to a time when late night creature features were all the rage, and the personalities that presented them were nearly as popular as the movies, in this documentary about the uniquely American phenomenon of television horror hosting. Beginning in the 1950s, the horror host was a staple of regional television. From ghouls to vampires, to werewolves and crypt keepers, every host had a persona to suit their unique personalities. But their days were numbered, because as the local television business model began to shift thanks to production demands and the availability of cheaper syndicated material, Zacherley, Vampira, Ghoulardi, and the rest of these fiends began steadily disappearing from the small screen. Interviews with the hosts themselves, and the fans that elevated them to superstar status offer a chance to reflect on a bygone era of television that now appears poised for a comeback thanks to the internet and cable access.

Review : Tucker 'n' Dale VS Evil (2010)

Director:

Eli Craig

Writers:

Morgan Jurgenson, Eli Craig

Stars:

Tyler Labine, Alan Tudyk and Katrina Bowden

"Well, it was really dark, but it looked like one of the guys was....eating her face off..."

Ladies and Gentlemen, we're looking at a new cult classic...

Two rednecks are spending their weekend renovating their newly purchased holiday home in the Appalachian Mountain region, when they encounter a bunch of seriously judgemental, spoiled college kids, who mistakenly believe that they are bloodthirsty backwoods killers and have kidnapped one of their friends.. Mayhem, violence and hilarity ensues.

The concept of TUCKER N DALE is so simple, so obvious, and so damn funny, that its both unthinkable and inevitable that its never been pulled off before. A million comedy writers must be slapping themselves upside the head on the release of this baby. That's not to say its an mindless film, its quite the opposite. Its smart, engaging, and from the first moments it raises genuine chuckles constantly. Its actually a very clever movie, but like all great idea's, this one comes from a place of simplicity. Its how writer/director Eli Craig and his writing partner Morgan Jurgenson tackle the subject and the situation that is so clearly genius. No stone is left unturned here, and the more you ponder the countless moments of high comedy after watching, the funnier they become. And trust me, they're funny to start with.

It Came from the Desert!

As you can all see from the photo above, taken of me yesterday, being away from my beloved Hotel has taken its toll on my dashing good looks. Its been rough, man.

So, just wanna let you all know that I'll be posting much more in the coming weeks. Sorry I've been neglecting my little corner of the internet. I've been writing for SCREAM magazine and put much of my free time into that. I'd still have had time, were it not for my freakin PC deciding to self combust last week and destroying all hope of getting my shit together. But I'm back now, and The Horror Hotel is re-open for business.