After Dark Horrorfest: 8 Films to Die For III

[ChronoGrl]

As a new annual tradition, my boyfriend and I make an effort to see ALL After Dark Horrorfest movies in the theater (and it IS new, this is just year II for us).

http://www.horrorfestonline.com/

I'm not sure how many other people are doing the same, but if you are, let's post movie reviews, thoughts, recommendations, etc. Maybe talk about previous years' movies and the whatnot.

I know that not all After Dark movies are great cinema per se, but I think that it's actually a pretty important medium to introduce indie cinema to the general public. I support the indie horror film maker all the way, for better or for worse (and I DO know that there is a worse - Mark and I currently have a deal with the Industry, knowing full well that, if we go into a movie without any expectations or knowledge of it, there is a good 70% change that it will be awful; I call it the 70% Deal).

SO

On to the MOVIES.

My biggest complaint of the Fest so far is that, unfortunately, there aren't a whole lot of options for Horrorfest theaters. The closest one to us is in Revere, MA, which isn't even the arm pit of Massachusetts - no, it is the asshole of Massachusetts. After weeding through the insipid pedestrian cretins riddling the main lobby, we reached the designated horrorfest theater to see...


Autopsy




Hershel Gordon Lewis, eat your heart out. Literally.

What began on a rather derivative and boring note (teens on Mardi Gras Break get into a car crash on their way home and are immediately taken to a backwoods hospital where the atmosphere is just... off) soon turned into a phantasmagorical promenade of blood, guts, and gore that made even the most jaded horror movie fan grin in veritable glee.

I hesitate to describe this movie as "splatter punk" as it has a macabre element of exploitative realism that diverges from the over-the-top splatter humor that generally emerges from your classic splatter punk films (i.e. Evil Dead II or Dead Alive). Autopsy instead pays homage to classic schlock and Grindhouse cinema that came before - The innards and entrails of Hershel Gordon Lewis escalated to a level that, surprising, left both me and the boyfriend cringing - with happiness.

The story is basic: Teens on break get kidnapped and taken to an abandoned hospital where they are tortured by a sadistic doctor (Robert Patrick, by the way, is BRILLIANT in this role), an iconic and creepy nurse (an obvious and well-done nod to the iconic Nurse Ratched), and two believably fearsome cronies (played with Grindhouse vigor and excellence by the veterans Michael Bowen and Robert LaSardo). But this is not just torture porn. While I was wary at first, Director Adam Gierasch has an obvious eye for composition and a mind for all schlock that has come before. Autopsy is a fun if not disturbing romp into the modern splatter genre with esoteric nods to influences that came before.

What's truly impressive about this movie is not just the scenes of gore, but its surprising ability to maintain a high level of pure shock throughout the entire film. I was also impressed that amidst this Grindhouse homage, our antagonists are so well acted that they create a true atmosphere of fear and suspense - our villains were truly threatening.

The downside: While this film was fantastically grotesque, it did take a while to get there. For the first half an hour or so, I thought that the director was overreaching, the story was derivative, and the atmosphere muted and ineffectual. In retrospect, these "gaffs" were obviously intentional and meant to purposefully surprise the viewer when the actually horror sets in (both the gore AND the suspense).

WARNING: Not for the faint of heart. There was some TRULY disturbing imagery in there. However, if you're a fan of Grindhouse, schlock, splatterpunk, Hershel Gordon Lewis, etc. - Then this movie will absolutely delight you. It is SO refreshing to see modern filmmakers reinvisioning the genre and raising the shock bar to new heights.

4.5/5

(This is almost a 5/5, BUT while the movie was fantastic, it took a little while get there - now that I know where it's going, I think that subsequent viewings will only get better and better though).

...

Slaughter



I think that I would classify Slaughter as an urbanoia slasher film. Faith (Amy Shiels) is a teen who has moved to Atlanta to escape her abusive boyfriend. LUCKILY, she quickly runs into Lola (Lucy Holt) a teen seeking club life and partying to escape her abusive dad and makes a fast friend. Thus the victimized duo lives and works on Lola's farm while Faith explores the suspicious goings on in Lola's dad's slaughterhouse.

What really stuck out to me immediately about Slaughter was the believable and sympathetic characters in Faith and Lola. I thought that the dynamic, story, and portrayal of the two girls was well-done and I found myself truly caring for both of them. I was impressed by the performances from both actresses and, in a way, wished that this was a coming-of-age film instead of a horror film.

Slaughter was extremely well-directed. Director Stewart Hopewell has an eye for composition that makes most of this film truly beautiful.

Also, I thought that the soundtrack to the movie was fantastic. From somber indie tunes to blue grass, I want to OWN this soundtrack. Great for building the lonely mood of the film, I thought that it was successful and gorgeous.

HOWEVER

The horror aspect of this film was derivative, predictable, and, ultimately ineffective. I think that Hopewell would have done well with some serious editing (take a little off the beginning to get to the horror sooner and take a little off the end to get the belabored Last Battle over with). While I was fascinated by the lives of Faith and Lola, most of the initial "suspense" of the film was caused from Faith's curiosity as opposed to circumstance. The classic DON'T GO INTO THE WOODS turned into DON'T GO INTO THE SLAUGHTERHOUSE which, of course she did. As a viewer, I have little sympathy for a horror character who is doing something so blatantly STUPID to the extent of losing my sympathy for them. Hey - Curiosity killed the proverbial cat.

Another issue I had with the film was its overt heavy-handedness. Both girls live on a farm with pigs. The pigs are DIRTY and FILTHY. Meanwhile, all of the men in their lives are EVIL. EVIL MEN. DIRTY PIGS. Yeah, I get it.

Overall, the movie was just... boring and flat. I'm tired of Urbanoia themes and equally as tired as the DON'T GO INTO THE WOODS syndrome. While this movie isn't the worst that After Dark has had to offer (definitely still a leg up over last year's Nightmare Man, Lake Dead, and Unearthed put together), it's definitely not the best. I have a difficult time completely panning this film as the direction, cinematography, and acting were so compelling, but, overall, I was disappointed.

2.75/5

...

On the plate for tonight:

The Brøken
Du saram-yida (Voices)
Perkins' 14

[Hilti88NYC]

I have all 8 films o die for I & II,all on dvdr and thank God for that.

Cause they just about all suck givne maybe out of each series realease.

this is nothing Im thriller about,will see if I can get them on disc with out paying somehow,then i will view them,other words i will pass.

Thanks for the reviews,atleast.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Hilti88NYC

I have all 8 films o die for I & II,all on dvdr and thank God for that.

Cause they just about all suck givne maybe out of each series realease.

this is nothing Im thriller about,will see if I can get them on disc with out paying somehow,then i will view them,other words i will pass.

Thanks for the reviews,atleast.

Well, thanks for reading!

I think that the previous Horrorfests were actually not that bad. Mark and I had the "All Access Pass" last year and we actually were fairly impressed with three of the eight films. All three of them I highly recommend.

These were actually the reviews that I wrote for them last year, but I will repost as they are on topic...

Best films of 8 Films to Die For II

Crazy Eights



Session 9 meets The Grudge. In a good way.

A ghost story involving 7 old friends, an old found box, and an old building. The present time is confronted by the mistakes and shortfalls of the past. Definitely not a novel concept, but the execution was so incredibly clean that it left me digging my nails into my poor boyfriend's hand throughout the entire film. Crazy Eights takes a similar setting as Session 9 with the cast dealing with ghosts of their past (both metaphorical and literal) and couples it with the slow, methodical, hauntingly creepy suspenseful direction similar to Takashi Shimizu and other Japanese directors (the ghost aspect also follows similar themes). The writing and acting were incredibly vivid and captivating. This was definitely the scariest film of the After Dark Horrorfest and a must-see for horror fans.

4.5/5


...


Mulberry Street



Mulberry Street is another modern variance of the monster/zombie infection formula. Very obviously influenced by 28 Days Later, this film uses gritty filtering and a well-directed shaky cam to create believable suspense and paranoia. Mulberry Street takes place primarily in a New York City neighborhood and follows the tenants in an apartment building as they strive to survive a spreading mysterious infection. The writing is smooth, the acting fantastic (the characters believable and charming), the special effects and make-up, though obviously low-budget are truly horrifying. Definitely a successful chapter in the increasingly growing zombie mythos. Loved it and plan on owning it. A must for zombie/monster movie fans.

4/5


...


Borderland



Borderland is slow-going at first but with a fairly speedy and climactic build-up that will remain emblazoned in the back of your mind. In terms of "genre," I would classify it as the branch of horror that treads the waters of investigative noir with some elements of torture porn and revenge. The issue with this film being classified as a horror movie is that it definitely leans into the broken detective fighting his own personal demons plus investigative revenge epic plus drug cartel/cultish themes. With a little bit of lost Spring Breakers thrown into the mix.

Ok... Maybe that description doesn't really sell the film... The honest truth about the film is that it's gritty, honest, and truly horrifying. Spring Breakers run across a creepy cult who are part of a drug cartel. There are various questions between what is real and what is supernatural. Throughout the entire film, I wasn't sure where it was going, but I was excited to get there. Part of the pure horror of the film is the feeling of alienation and isolation (Spring Breakers across the Border in a world with a language and cultural barrier). Not an original theme, but done really well there.

Also, I wanted to clarify the "supernatural" aspect that I spoke of... I don't think that I was particularly clear... What I meant was that it's not really clear whether or not the assailants are supernatural entities or not, and that's definitely part of the purpose. Good juxtaposition to different cultural themes. I honestly recommend this film. Just keep in mind: It starts slow with an increeeeeeeeeeedibly cliched set up: But, oh, it gets good. REALLY good.

4.5/5

[Angra]

This is great Chrono.

I don't know ANY of the movies from ADH II & III. Interesting stuff.


Keep the titles coming, honey. :)



By the way, is Autopsy much like Hostel?

[roshiq]

Nice review, Chrono! I'm now eager to to see Autopsy. I have read some positive reviews about The Broken also.



A screen shot from the movie.

Originally Posted by ChronoGrl

Best films of 8 Films to Die For II

Crazy Eights
Session 9 meets The Grudge. In a good way.
4.5/5

Mulberry Street

....Loved it and plan on owning it. A must for zombie/monster movie fans.

4/5

Borderland

Just keep in mind: It starts slow with an increeeeeeeeeeedibly cliched set up: But, oh, it gets good. REALLY good.

4.5/5

...sorry to say but I think 4...4.5 out of 5 are somewhat overrating the films.

Crazy Eight = 2.8/5, Mulberry St.=3.3/5 & Borderland=2.7/5.

[Ferox13]

I really liked BORDERLAND. I have a copy of Broken i've yet to watch. I mgith give Autopsy a look too.

[La Chat Noire]

I really enjoyed the first round of After Dark but I have to admit I didn't like a single film from last year's festival. I probably won't make it to theaters for this set, but I'll give them a look when they're released to dvd.

[ChronoGrl]

Originally Posted by Angra

This is great Chrono.

I don't know ANY of the movies from ADH II & III. Interesting stuff.


Keep the titles coming, honey. :)



By the way, is Autopsy much like Hostel?

Thanks, Angra! :D

I actually have reviews lying around somewhere for the rest of the ADH II films - I'll pull them out and repost them here.

In terms of Autopsy, it's interesting that you bring up Hostel because I spent a great deal of time comparing the two with my boyfriend after watching the film. To give some background: I'm not a huge Hostel fan, so when I look at the two and compare them, it's more about the merits of Autopsy and how it succeeded where Hostel failed. Now, if you're a fan of Hostel, that critique won't help you as much. Just a warning...

I look at Hostel to be not exactly torture porn, but more of a modern attempt at the exploitative genre while bringing back torture into horror in a big way. I think that part of the reason why it was so successful is that it was truly shocking to those who have little to no background in horror movies. Sure, there were some cringe-worthy parts for me, but if one is going to pin that movie as "torture porn," then I WANT MORE TORTURE, DAMNIT! It takes t far too long to get to the hostel and by the time we were there, there was really only two or three truly torturous scenes. Maybe I'm a jaded movie-goer, but it wasn't the "badass fucked up film" that my friends had told me it was.

Going out of Autopsy I found myself saying to my boyfriend, "Man. People think that Hostel is fucked up. Now THIS is a movie that they should see." Essentially, Autopsy succeeds everywhere that, to me, Hostel fails - it keeps up a constant level of shock and awe through gore and horror while, simultaneously it doesn't take itself too seriously; it KNOWS that it's pulp and it has some fun with it.

As I said before, I wouldn't necessarily pin Autopsy as "torture porn;" to me that term belongs to the failed exploitative experiments in Hostel and Toristas. Autopsy definitely pushes the envelop SIGNIFICANTLY more and truly challenges its viewers, as opposed to catering to them (I honestly felt as though Hostel held back).

So, I guess the short answer is, no, Autopsy is not like Hostel; it's a paradigm of what the splatter and exploitative genre should be.

Are you a Hostel fan?

Originally Posted by roshiq

Nice review, Chrono! I'm now eager to to see Autopsy. I have read some positive reviews about The Broken also.



A screen shot from the movie.




...sorry to say but I think 4...4.5 out of 5 are somewhat overrating the films.

Crazy Eight = 2.8/5, Mulberry St.=3.3/5 & Borderland=2.7/5.

Thanks, Roshiq! I honestly think that you'll dig it. By the way, have you been able to see Tokyo Gore Police yet? One makes me think of the other because I think that they both encapsulate modern splatterpunk in two very different but very successful ways.

Re: Reviews of ADH II: I have to admit - I DO inflate the grades a bit, not going to lie. The truth of the matter is that I'm not going to hold a movie like Mulberry St. to the same criteria that I would a movie like 28 Days/Weeks Later, or hold Crazy Eights up to the same criteria as, say, Ju-on. I look at these films as truly independent and what's striking to me is that, though they have budgetary constraints, they have created a story that is new, refreshing, and definitely contributes to the horror genre. Sure, there is definitely something derivative in all three films, but I think that it's highly important that there are indie filmmakers out there that can WOW me, with no budget.

That and I really was truly impressed with the films. While Mulberry St. doesn't hold up after repeat viewings (I watch it again and it IS a little heavy-handed and the low budget seeps through), I think about my initial experience with the film and how utterly impressed I was that a director created believable and sympathetic characters as well as some pretty scary (though admittedly cheesy) beasties.

Sorry to go on a rant, here, but I feel as though people sometimes pan ADH too quickly; I think that there definitely IS merit in there. And I still stick to my recommendations. :D

[newb]

Great job on the reviews Chrono.

I eagerly await the rest.

[urgeok2]

i'm trying to collect these sets - apparently they're sold as box sets in the us . but not here in canada - so i've been doing it in bits and pieces..

only have about 4 from each of the 1st 2 sets so far