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Review- Army of the Dead

armyofthedead

Does the idea of rabid zombies tucked away in a desolate Las Vegas thrill you? No… Well how about a merciless motley crew of mercenaries battling a zombie tiger? My thoughts exactly! 

Zack Snyder’s return to flesh eating horror is a bountiful resurrection as his new Netflix flick, Army of the Dead brings in a whole horde of viewers ready to tuck in to the zombie action in its first week.

Spoilers ahead…

Snyder stormed through in 2004 with a brave remake of Dawn of the Dead. Which was a regenerated retake on the original 1978 classic directed by the ‘Zombie Godfather’, George A. Romero. It is certainly one of Snyder’s more refined films, with its success fastening a weighty reputation. Snyder’s return to zombie mayhem has done wonders as Netflix is already creating an entire franchise based off of this single film. Yes, you heard that right. Already there is a scheduled prequel, an animated series, a sequel, making-of documentary and finally a behind the scenes book. So let’s discuss why Army of the Dead is here to stay.

 

The film begins with a military convoy transporting a restrained zombie, but when they collide with another vehicle all hell breaks loose as this monstrous creature tears through tendons and leaves the ground stained with blood. A slew of exposition explains that the majority of Las Vegas became infected and now only a small community survives in a quarantine camp.

This setup leads us to the real action, *cue Scott Ward* (played by Dave Bautista), an ex-mercenary who has to gather a crew of military misfits to recover millions of dollars from a casino vault as part of one of the world’s most riskiest heists. However, there are two big obstacles in their way, one being that Sin City is littered with the immortal, and secondly, the government is launching a tactical nuclear bomb to wipe out the undead only hours after they plan to leave. 

An area that I do have to applaud is the film’s energy. Throughout the extensive (and I mean EXTENSIVE) runtime of 148 minutes we do not really get a chance to breathe. The explosions do not stop, the guns are never not blaring and the velocity is amped up by the second. Going full throttle is definitely what Snyder does best. The theatrics certainly live up to his reputation, alongside the exciting setting, eccentric visuals and most importantly its tongue-in-cheek humour.

It’s sharp vibrancy is immediately placed down within the first 20 minutes. We are presented with the above mentioned crash scene which catalyses the zombie attack, but then we get to see what is my favourite scene of the entire film, the opening credits/montage sequence. Half-nude zombie casino girls flail around, shredding anyone they can get their claws on, accompanying this is a cover of Elvis’s “Viva Las Vegas” and a heavy dose of slow-motion shots, playing over the absolute carnage on screen. The glossiness of Vegas is certainly not lost amidst the zombies as I really believe that Army of the Dead would not have the same vibe if it was not set amongst ricocheted casinos, beaming sunsets, and decaying state landmarks. 

Army of the Dead thrives in this over the top attitude. The excess is mostly found within the copious amounts of gore and pure bloodshed, which is entirely understandable in a zombie movie. Paired with the onslaught is plenty of gun-fights and innovative subplots. Although the heist aspect was done better in last year’s Train to Busan: Peninsula, it is definitely a forgiving point, as for me I saw the heist scenario just a means to an end, not an encompassing important narrative device. However, this praise is not without caution…

This is not a perfect film at all, in fact I found it slightly dim in certain areas. Particularly, the lack of character care. To connect and actually care about the fates of the lead characters is quite an important factor. Without compassion, the legacy of the film will fade rapidly. There is a clear level of tackling done to avoid any shallowness, such as making Ward a father with a brief backstory. But that’s where the development stops. 

That is not the film’s only downfall, with the extended action taking sole presence over quality. As I’ve stated above, the 148 minute runtime is noticeable. The exact same film could have been told within a 90-100 minute time frame, but it seems that horde attacks and cool fight scenes were more important than keeping the audience’s attention. I’m not saying that the film is bad in any shape or form, but a sense of ruthless editing is certainly needed. 

Overall, I’d describe Army of the Dead as a mix of World War Z’s fast paced ferociousness, with a fair portion of Zombieland’s humour and quick wit. The combined gorefest is a visual festival of vibrant colour and beaming lights, but just be prepared for a lack of deeper narrative. 

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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News

This week in horror – 07.05.21

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Amazon Video pens new TV series based on the 1990s hit, I Know What You Did Last Summer 

1990s horror wouldn’t be the same without the writing talents of Kevin Williamson, who penned Scream, The Faculty and I Know What You Did Last Summer. As with any classic we are set to get a remake of Jim Gillespie and Williamson’s collaboration as Amazon Prime Video bravely begins early production stages. Following closely to the original 1997 slasher hit, we’ll see a bunch of teenagers in small town America battle a mysterious killer after one of their most deadliest late-night adventures leads to a fatal ending.

The series will be directed by Craig William Macnelli (Them, Channel Zero & The Twilight Zone) and stars Chrissie Fit (Picth Perfect), Madison Iseman (Annabelle Comes Home), and Brianne Tju (Scream: The TV Series). So far the series will follow a limited format, with only six episodes lined up, however with its already hyped reputation, we could possibly be seeing a major franchise revival of I Know What You Did Last Summer. 

One Cut of the Dead remake starts shooting 

In 2017 a relatively new director Shin’ichirō Ueda released One Cut of the Dead, a low-budget Zombie comedy. Little did the industry know that the film would go on to make over a thousand times its budget. The meta-parody flick zoomed across the horror world with a powerful force, as it went onto win several acclaimed awards. Now four years down the line French filmmaker Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist) directs the French-language remake of this Japanese hit.

Production has just begun rolling with an official cast finally being revealed; starring is Bérénice Bejo, Romain Duris, and Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz (Revenge). Further details still remain quite hidden, but fans have speculated that this remake will be far from ordinary, with Hazanavicius bringing French extremism vibes to this Japanese rooted horror. Certainly an interesting combo…

Shudder’s May line-up revealed 

Shudder reveals quite the exciting line-up for this month’s schedule. Armed with a mix of older classics, and Shudder originals equals to a rather fan-pleasing month. New gems including the sci-go extraordinaire Fried Barry, Neil Marshall’s witchy haunt The Reckoning and the trippy Psycho Goreman will be released throughout May, with other genre essentials such as folk horror’s The Blood on Satan’s Claw and The Witchfinder General, as well as the very much underrated classics Def by Temptation and Black Roses. 

Dexter’s return is imminent as the first teaser trailer premieres

Ever since it’s 2006 release serial killer TV series Dexter has been nothing but a hit with audiences. Back in October, it was revealed that Michael C. Hall will return as the Jekyll and Hyde killer one more time with a ten-episode limited series premiering some time next year. The long-awaited revival’s trailer was released this week, which shows a snowy cabin setting with the camera backing to Dexter with a menacing grin, perhaps signaling that he’s been hiding all these years, preparing for his imminent return. 

First images revealed of the Children of the Corn reboot 

Stephen King’s 1997 short story has been adapted yet again. Kurt Wimmer’s take on evil children has already had a quiet release last year as it briefly played at two theatres, but the reboot is now set for a wide release later this year. Wimmer takes us down a less traditional route (in comparison to the other adaptions) as the film is primarily a prequel leading to the massacre situation that the story essentially follows.

The film will focus on how one young girl recruits the youth of the town to slay corrupt adults, but a hopeful high-schooler is not as easy to fool as the rest. Although the Children of the Corn franchise has spun several follow-up films, their success rate has rapidly descended with each release. However, the recent images that have circulated definitely show some promise, with a dark atmosphere, impressive cast, and a lingering sense of dread being very apparent. 

First look: Brand new images for new Saw film ‘Spiral’

Patient audiences finally get a sneak peek into the long-awaited ninth installment in one of modern horror’s most brutal franchises. The brand new images tease a brutal cat and mouse chase between the wicked Jigsaw and the brash detectives investigating a series of bloody and twisted murders. Although the series has gradually become slightly more slick and esteemed, Spiral promises that this new entry will be far from mundane, with one particular image graphically showing a torn open body strewn across train tracks! Spiral will be hitting theatres next week over in the States, however, here in the UK, we won’t have to wait long as Spiral premiers across the country in cinemas from the 17th of May. So, who’s booking their tickets?… 

New and exclusive trailer for Stranger Things season 4 

It has been nearly two years since season 3 of Stranger Things ended, and after such a long wait we have finally been granted a quick preview into the upcoming series. However, the eerie clip seemed to leave more questions than answers as we see Eleven (Milly Bobby Brown) back at Hawkins Laboratory with the creepy Dr. Brenner abusing her powers yet again. The climactic finale of season 3 left audiences shocked with the apparent death of beloved Chief Hopper, yet the new trailer does not reveal or tie up any of these loose ends that have left audiences quizzical for a while now. And it seems that the wait will only continue as earlier this year the proposed release date was postponed until further notice. 

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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News Reviews

Retrospective – Silent Hill (2006)

silent hill


A retrospective deep dive into Silent Hill on its 15th anniversary

Video games, particularly of the horror/survival genre have a rooted integrity that has a massive potential to complement cinematic adaptations. But, typically when game adaptations appear on the ‘big screen’ an overall lacklustre effect looms over any positives, with House of the Dead (2003) being a prime example. Silent Hill manages to swerve any major perpetration and has successfully conjured an almost cult status 15 years later.

A keen passion for the game, truth to pivotal details, and a brave narrative are what allowed Silent Hill to keep its beloved status. With this being said, in no way is the film entirely welcomed, with a mixed reception clouding its reputation. However, as I’ll soon decipher, the craft behind Silent Hill is undeniably worthy of cult class. 

Surrealist imagery, an atmospheric score and a labyrinth setting all melt together to create a purposefully incoherent jungle of horror. The rumor of Konami’s 1999 game being developed began circulating in the early 2000s, with director Christophe Gans constantly bartering for the rights to remake the rapidly growing game into a feature film. In fact, Gans was so personally drawn and passionate about this adaptation that during pre-production he would bring a large gaming setup with him so that whilst he was playing cast and crew would see exactly what angles and stages they should focus on re-creating. This is where a primary issue with its critical consensus lies.

Personally speaking, I do not have a great knowledge of video games at all, let alone Silent Hill. Yet, after watching plenty of playthroughs and description pieces I can fully understand how well Gans translated the hellish world of Silent Hill onto the screen. And with this basic knowledge comes a completely new perspective on the film. To lay it bare, the essence of Silent Hill relies neither on a visual frenzy nor a discerning setting, instead it’s unique perspective depends on every single detail above, even the small features that go unnoticed make a drastic difference to the audience’s experience. 

This amalgamation is tremendously challenging to effectively orchestrate. The story itself continuously takes 180 turns whenever it pleases, seeming almost nonsensical at times; but, let’s not forget that Gans is recreating a video game that has an almost unlimited amount of moves and scenarios to work your way through. Hence the film running for a staggering 125 minutes. Where I found myself truly drawn in straight away is through the narrative.

We follow Rose (Radha Mitchell), as she takes her adopted daughter Sharon (Jodelle Ferland) to the mysterious town of Silent Hill to uncover the truth behind Sharon’s innate devotion to this town. However, after they get into a car accident en route, Sharon is nowhere to be found. As a basis, I found that the extensively daunting and dark landscape encapsulates the disturbing nature of the story. When we dig down to its roots Silent Hill tells the tale of parallel dimensions and the consequences regarding veneration of power and the idolisation of higher beings. 

In avoidance of abundant spoilers, Silent Hill imitates a curse, where its unlucky visitors become stuck in limbo. The fog-casted town is a purgatory whose history has led Sharon to practically become cursed. However, an effective backstory does not immediately grant the film a gold star, instead, the boundless story can leave audiences bewildered with many questions unanswered. And this is where one of the main criticisms lies. Personally, as a viewer who had no previous experience with the game, I was at first confused with the immeasurable amount of information that I had to comprehend to understand the ending.

Seemingly I was not alone as many reviews voiced hassle over the excessive exposition drops. But for me, this is where my intrigue to know more about this film grew. Colloquially when we first watch a film we do not always become immediate fans, we need time to process and revisit to appreciate its intentions. I’ve watched Silent Hill a handful of times now and I can truthfully say that the constantly expanding universe entwined with the town is entirely enthralling. 

Silent Hill would have not been as effective without the immaculate creature designs. The film’s unnerving atmosphere is impressive, but for audiences to sit through 125 minutes of sole environment-based scares is a lot to ask. Gans re-envisioning of Pyramid Head, Dark Nurses, Grey Children, and Lying Figures all graphically personify what made them so scary in the game.

Perhaps the most interesting and overall perplexing discovery that was made evident by the film is that these monsters primarily disturb as they are all forms of humanoids, rather than completely alien antagonists with zero resemblance to an actual person. Sharon’s connection to Silent Hill is due to a tragedy that was struck by people; everything regarding the horror of the town is rooted in human consequence. 

This furthers my next point, the symbolism behind Silent Hill. It takes only a brief read of a synopsis to compare Rose’s journey into the abandoned town to Dante’s Inferno. The tale of Dante’s Inferno is such an iconic method used in the horror genre to attain a deeper meaning to a film, which of course leads to rushed endings and a plethora of stereotypes. Yet, in this case it’s hard to think of a more viable explanation. Grief, revenge, fear, anarchy, trauma, and guilt all come to life within each setting of Silent Hill. Of course, I’m not going to explain the copious layers moulded within Inferno, but when we compare the torturing of souls without rest, alongside the grossly immoral evils of lust that led to the corruption and downfall of Silent Hill we can rest assured make sense of this ambiguously misleading universe. 


The legacy of Silent Hill has been rather unconventional. Unlike many horror adaptations, Silent Hill was not made into an ever-expanding film franchise, with only one sequel to bare its name to. However, the game did soar as multiple editions and continuations followed. What we can take away from this retrospective look at Silent Hill is that the actual visual appeal that Gans has produced, combined with the game’s true essence of immorality and personal dread has certainly left its mark on video game adaptations within horror.

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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News

This week in horror 25.04.21

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Goodnight Mommy remake casts Naomi Watts  

The 2014 Austrian horror, Goodnight Mommy both shocked and engrossed audiences at its Venice Film Festival premiere, with its sinister portrayal of identity marking its reputation as being one of the best horrors from the 2010s. As with any internationally successful film a remake has been announced. Naomi Watts will lead the film as the key character, and although news of the remake has been somewhat apprehensively perceived audiences are warming to Watts taking on this role, with her reputation of excelling in previous remakes such as The Ring and Funny Games. 

First look: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It 

Excited horror fans finally get a first look at the latest installment in the Conjuring Universe (The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It). Due for a June 2021 release the film sees paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, take on one of their most perplexing and challenging cases. The latest trailer promises a haunting thrill of deceit, tension, and beyond chilling demonic antics as we see the Warrens dig into yet another ‘real case’. As fans eagerly await to see the eighth entry into this ever-growing cinematic universe a lot of apprehensions has been made abundant by fans. This is the first Conjuring film to not be directed by James Wan, instead, the director is Michael Chaves. Chaves previously directed possibly the least favorite film out of the series, The Curse of La Llorona. 

The Last Will and Testament of Charles Abernathy picked up by Netflix 

Netflix horror films only continue to soar the market as they pick up yet another movie, ‘The Last Will and Testament of Charles Abernathy’. The script has been floating around for quite some time now, with a rather mixed bag of reviews following closely behind it. However, with Alejandro Brugués (Juan of the Dead) directing this upcoming horror, the film is surely destined for an interesting ride. The story follows Billionaire Charles Abernathy, who on his 75th birthday invites his family back to his estate in fear that something or someone is going to kill him. 

Alexandre Aja’s latest horror Oxygen releases trailer

Alexandre Aja has certainly gained a name for himself within the horror market, with multiple hits lurking in his filmography including High Tension, The Hills Have Eyes and Mirrors. Aja’s latest journey is the upcoming sci-fi flick Oxygen, which has already amassed quite a buzz since its trailer debut this week. The film follows Elizabeth (Mélanie Laurent), a scientist who wakes up shut in a cryogenic chamber with complete memory loss. With her oxygen drastically depleting she must uncover the mystery to survive. The trailer is just as claustrophobic as it sounds as confined spaces and psychological thriller tactics merge together to create an utterly gripping experience. 

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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News

This week in horror 17.04.21

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Zack Snyder’s releases trailer for Army of the Dead 

Zack Snyder bravely tackled a highly acclaimed remake of Dawn of the Dead in 2004, now we are all excitedly anticipating the release of his next zombie venture, Army of the Dead. News soared online when Netflix dropped the bombshell that Snyder is back for another battle with the undead last year. Now we only have to wait until the 21st of May to see a motley crew of mercenaries breach forbidden zombie grounds in a bid to pull off an epic heist. The trailer bares its roots quite brazenly, with a focus on the unique route that Snyder has taken; instead of brainless, lethargic, zombies roaming we are roared at by a new breed of hyperintelligent beasts who are skilled, organised, and damn right ruthless. 

Texas Chainsaw Massacre receives an official R rating

The ever expanding Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise only continues to grow with the latest entry rumoured to be one of the most bloody and brutal yet as the Fede Alvarez produced horror gets a confirmed R rating. David Blue Garcia directs this direct sequel to the original, with a similar stance that 2018’s Haloween (David Gordon Green) took through ignoring previous films in the series. Although information has been kept tightly underwraps, we do know that Alice Krige (Silent Hill), Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), Jacob Latimore (Detroit), and Sam Douglas (Killing Eve) are set to star in the Sawyer family’s latest killing spree. 

Host’s Jed Shepherd announces live-action horror game, Ghosts

It’s no surprise that here at Dead Northern we are massive fans of 2020’s standout film, Host (Rob Savage). Now we get to see writer Jed Shepherd tackle another ghoul themed project as he introduces Ghosts, an ultra-immersive gaming experience where you play in real-time. The story you follow will see you play the role of a TV producer who has to tackle a daunting urban legend known as The Long Lady. Ghosts reunites the cast of Host once again (Haley Bishop, Emma Louise Webb, Radina Drandova, Jemma Moore, and Caroline Ward). One of the most intriguing factors is that the game is entirely live and is only playable on release at 10pm in your timezone. Ghosts takes massive inspiration from live games from the 1990s including Phantasmagoria and Night Trap. The project is currently looking for backers on Kickstarter.

Mike Flanagan announced as director for The Season of Passage adaption 

Christopher Pike’s sci-fi horror novel The Season of Passage has grown an impressive fan base since its release in 1992. Joining Flanagan in adapting this beloved book exploring a crew’s voyage into Mars is his brother James Flanagan who will be co-writing the film. The Season of Passage is definitely in good hands as Flanagan has become somewhat of an adaption aficionado with numerous hits under his belt including Doctor Sleep (based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name), the upcoming Netflix series The Midnight Club (based on another Pike novel) and the now modern classic The Haunting of Hill House (Shirley Jackson’s infamous haunted house book).

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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Review: The Power

the power
“Slow burn tale of 1970s blackouts in an East London hospital, that linger with you long after viewing”

Unlike many atmospheric horrors, The Power does not fall helpless to one tone scares and gimmicks. Instead, we are prescribed a potion of outstanding performances, apt pacing, and a lingering sense of dread, all melted together with a tremendously haunting setting.

The Power is written and directed by Corinna Faith and starring Rose Williams (Sandition). We follow Val (Willaims), a young and naive nurse on her first shift at a very strict hospital in 1970s East London. Her time on the ward is already burdened as the austere Matron (Diveen Henry) makes it clear that one mistake will end Val’s budding career, however, an authoritarian environment is her least concern as a nation-wide power cut brings out deadly secrets. 

The Power uses the backdrop of the 1970s blackouts to convey an innately eerie setting, with the government announcing limited electrical consumption in a bid to ward off total prolonged periods of power cuts due to strikes, plunging the already tangled maze of a hospital into an indistinguishable labyrinth of terror. The long empty hallways have a literal dark spell cast over them, making it possible for anything to hide in the dark and allowing for the isolating corridors to become a void of darkness. Following this organically chilling setting is a barrage of long shots lingering over Val and harnessing a sense of foreboding doom which is kept tightly under wraps.

The Power certainly toys with our expectations as Val’s ‘too sweet to be true’ persona is utilised as a veil that harbours a hidden past of deceit. Is it a coincidence that Val is placed in a dark ward with an even shadowier past? Or is she destined to live out this horrid night?

It is aspects such as the unpredictability of events that Faith employs to nurse our inclinations about who to trust. For me when a film takes an unforeseen turn where our habitual instincts are twisted then the effect has a greater payoff. A mundane formula is thrown out the window when it comes to The Power, with us being kept in the dark just as much as Val and her colleagues. However, the depths that the film manages to reach would not have been possible without the stellar performance by Williams. Throughout the entire film, Val exhibits a complex range of emotive states, with her balancing melancholy innocence alongside eccentric hysteria. 

A further inclination that The Power floats around regards the connotations of hierarchical power, not just electrical. Faith ambitiously nods to positions of power within 1970s Britain, with a keen depiction of the female nurses being subjected to cruel behaviour and demanding orders. One of the least subtle cues includes one of Val’s colleagues describing how the book she’s reading follows “a girl who has enough and brings the whole place down”, and of course she’s referencing Carrie. Val is often framed in positions of vulnerability; an abuse awareness poster illustarting a woman with her hands clamped across her mouth actually reflects upon Val’s face in a prominent example. Her doe-eyed stance frames her as a fragile lost girl, who even prior to starting the ‘dark shift’ has all of the lights in her small bedroom turned on. The dark exaggerates her loneliness and helplessness, pandering evil circumstances to her beckon. 

With a slow burn stance unravelling throughout this film it is certainly not for everyone, but for those with an interest in disconcerting narratives and an attraction to stories that linger around you long after viewing, then The Power is certainly for you. 

The Power is available to watch via Shudder right now!

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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Review: Violation

Violation

Violation stormed through film festivals forming a fierce reputation, with floods of praise following closely behind. Soon a budding curiosity into why this film was gaining so much recognition occurred, but now with Violation streaming on Shudder we can entirely understand its limelight. Madeleine Sims-Fewer and Dusty Mancinelli have curated a sorely brutal genre challenger, with its allegorical skeleton provoking even the most seasoned of viewers. The film follows Miriam (Sims-Fewer), and her husband Caleb (Obi Abili), as they visit her blissful sister Greta (Anna Maguire), and her charming husband Dylan (Jesse La Vercombe). However, their sunny weekend soon buckles when Miriam’s relationship with Dylan reaches a boiling point.

Early on it is made rather evident that Miriam and Caleb have serious relationship issues, which is even furthered highlighted when we see Dylan and Greta fooling around, imitating a teenage romance. Yet, the disharmony runs deeper than what we are first made to believe, as Miriam and Dylan’s chemistry is intoxicatingly electric. Their light flirting can be easily masked as playful banter, but their lusty gazes spill a brewing attraction. After a somewhat tumultuous argument between Greta and Miriam we are non-surprisingly met with the truth that Miriam is a selfish person whose self-acclaimed ‘good deeds’ are for her satisfaction only. And it’s with this notion that the film drifts from the rape revenge archetype. Miriam and Dylan cosy up by the fire, with a warm auburn glow framing their mood, and although she shows a faint sign of want, she soon backs away with a stern warning that she is faithful within her marriage and respects her sister, as well as herself. However, the unthinkable still occurs.

Revenge cinema is inherently visceral, merciless, and coarse. Although Violation understands its genre privileges, it denies conformity, and instead breathes through our moral compass. Classic avengers of rape revenge films, such as Jennifer Hills (Camille Keaton) in I Spit on Your Grave (1978) represent the personification of our anger over said unjust acts. Without indulging in spoilers, Violation fires the ‘right or wrong’ trope through choosing to harbour both of the main characters actions through similar lights.

This is where Violation harshly shines. Assault is not provoked, nor is using flirting as an excuse acceptable. Miriam is a hopeless victim to the worst of crimes, just as much as any other. We do not particularly mellow to her character; she is actually rather bothersome. But a victim she remains. Being a saint is not in alignment with being a victim. Violation confronts us with a grueling truth that not many other revenge films do. No is no, regardless of circumstances or character portrayal.

Violation truly infiltrates the notion of ambiguity even further through the final act. After the assault, the film drifts into a trippy structure and utilises non-linear storytelling, almost embodying the cruel consequence of confusion that comes after harm. The rest of the film twists our perception and positions Miriam as a ruthless punisher. Without risking plot points, she becomes barbaric and cold with her revenge, with Sims-Fewer and Mancinelli using intensely realistic visuals and gruellingly graphic dialogue to disturb.

To accompany such a stark narrative is a glowing cinematography that utilises its nature-based setting to boast a deep symbolism. The manner in which Violation is composed exposes the seedy underbelly of nature, with plenty of close-up shots of insects and animals in different stages of their life cycles. Visuals such as a spider falling to its death and a caterpillar crawling along embodies what the film successfully attempts to convey; the ferociousness of human nature is inevitable and the position of prey to predator is a constantly evolving chain which eventually twists.

With a dark air continuously being laden over every scene it’s no wonder that Violation has been met with glowing reviews, however one aspect that I feel needs more attention is the absolutely phenomenal performance by Sims-Fewer. In what I could only imagine is an extremely draining role comes a unique responsibility to show respect to an awfully harrowing situation. Sims-Fewer does just this, through avoiding displaying Miriam’s actions as hysterical (as usually seen in revenge films), but instead through homing in emotions of distress, anger, grief, and regret. Creating an all-encompassing role that refuses to portray the victim as a flaming ball of anger, but one who is experiencing gaslighting and dismissiveness from those she should trust the most.

Violation sets a new path for revenge cinema, with a varied range rousing contemplative questions and a unique perspective on what it means to be a victim.

Violation is available to watch via Shudder right now!

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

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Top ten classic horror movies from the 1990s

90s horror

1- Scream (Wes Craven, 1996)

“There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully survive a horror movie.” This self-proclaimed meta movie arrived onto the horror scene at a time when it was in urgent need of a boost. As much as we all love our entertaining 1980s horrors, it positioned the genre in a midst of insincerity where there was a general lack of respect and regard for horror being considered actual ‘cinema’, rather than just schlock. And it took the directorial skills of Wes Craven and the imaginative writing of Kevin Williamson to bring horror back to the limelight for good. Scream has since become a classic, with its overarching wit and deconstructing attitude blossoming a tv series and three additional films, as well as a highly anticipated fifth film coming soon. 

2- It (Tommy Lee Wallace, 1990)

Pennywise the dancing clown may have won over most audiences with the 2017 remake directed by Andy Muschietti, but this devilish clown’s success is loaned by Tim Curry’s portrayal of possibly one of the most sinister characters from the entire 1990s. Legendary author Stephen King penned It in 1986, and although production companies were hesitant to fund a ‘horror’ production the film’s popularity soared across television networks with great success. It is unconventional in the sense that Curry’s erratically terrifying performance conjures an entirely ruthless villain who will no doubt feed off every viewer’s darkest fears, making It a titular horror not to be missed. 

3- Candyman (Bernard Rose, 1992)

Do not even dare say Candyman’s name five times into a mirror, otherwise you will regret it… Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden” is the basis for this urban legend based horror. It is this folklore element that forces Candyman to shine; throughout we are held by both the film’s sinisterly gruesome moments, alongside the mystery surrounding Candyman’s identity. The subject of identity is continuously referred to as we follow Helen (Virginia Madsen), who is caught in a whirlwind as she attempts to solve the mystery of why Candyman spends infinity taunting neighbourhoods and who this monster really is. But it is the true presence that Candyman has which makes it one of the most important horrors of the 1990s. The film aided the visibility of the horror film to mainstream cinema, with it claiming positive reviews and positive critical exception within a short period after its release. Since its release it has spawned into a franchise, with an exciting companion film produced by Jordan Peele being released this year. 

4- The Craft (Andrew Fleming, 1996)

The Craft has rightly conjoined its power to the 1990s teen tenet that saw an influx of horror films aimed towards an adolescent audience. The film craftly investigates the dire consequences of angsty spell casting and the occult, all whilst throwing in an ounce of high school hierarchy for good measure. This film has become a cult classic, with its reputation still being prominent amongst fans today. This is primarily thanks to its denotation, including the underlying themes of marginalisation and a constant juxtaposition between goth witches held against a middle class suburban catholic school. 

5- The Blair Witch Project (Eduardo Sánchez & Daniel Myrick, 1999)

It would be nearly impossible to create a list of the best 1990s horror without mentioning The Blair Witch Project. This showstopper has divided opinions ever since its release, with new viewers dismissing its scares and announcing it as mundane. Despite negative opinions the sheer success and speculation regarding this film is undeniable, with its release almost creating mass hysteria with many audiences believing that the film is real lost footage of real murders. How could this have happened? Well, it turns out that an extremely cunning marketing strategy really is worth it. The film’s website released seemingly authentic newsreel footage and missing person reports. Alongside this the directors would claim that this was genuine and that they had released it to spread the word to find the ‘missing actors. The film preceded time and went viral before ‘viral’ strategies became popular. 

6- The Silence of the Lambs (Jonathan Demme, 1991)

The Silence of the Lambs will forever go down in history as being one of the few horrors to ever reach a prestigious level and receive an Academy Award for Best Picture in 1991. Much of the film’s success is owed to the incredible performances of both Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins roles, which saw them tackle a cat and mouse style tease with an inept ease. The film also generated a kickstart in 1990s thrillers taking dark seedy routes to provoke a reaction, with David Fincher’s Seven (1995) being a prime example. Since its release, an attempt at making the film into a full franchise has been tried, although these efforts have mainly fallen flat. However, the true terror of The Silence of the Lambs remains the exact same today. 

7- Audition (Takashi Miike, 1999)

Audition is a unique and complex film that relies upon its dismissal of genre tropes through a non-linear narrative, mainly influenced by surrealist elements. We follow a lonely widow, who in a desperate attempt for love opens an audition for a new companion. With Audition’s disorientating discourse we find ourselves in awkward settings that play out like a romantic comedy, but with an ever-looming presence of dread. The entire film is one drawn out build up to a terrifying climax. And it is within this slow burning tension where our fear is prolonged, and our wits confused. The film can be read as an allegory for the dramatic effects that come with the objectification of women, alongside a character study based upon the consequences of trauma. 

8- Misery (Rob Reiner, 1990)

As with many horror lists, Stephen King makes a second appearance with his thrillingly dark hit Misery. The film closely follows King’s original story, with the primary storybeats remaining very similar. Misery takes the premise of a “number one fan” and runs with it. We follow Paul Sheldon (James Caan), a novelist who finds himself stranded in a blizzard, but luckily Annie (Kathy Bates), rescues him and vows to take care of him…forever. What works incredibly well in Misery and allows it to be still so chilling is the belting tension that does not give up throughout the whole film. To only further this is an extremely isolating setting, where any chance of rescue is near impossible, especially when the captor disguises her real guise of an ‘angel of mercy’ so well. 

9- Ringu (Hideo Nakata, 1998)

Japanese horror has always been prevalent with classics emerging from the country since the 1960s & 1970s, with films such as Onibaba (1964) and Hausu (1977) gaining cult recognition. However, the release of Ringu saw a resurgence in Japanese horror, becoming a widely respected subgenre. The film follows a cursed video tape that releases a vengeful ghost (known as an onryō) to kill those unlucky enough to watch the haunted tape. On a deeper level Ringu reflects the structure of traditional Japanese families, with the film reflecting issues regarding the loss of a nuclear household structure as a result of the country’s fading stance within the global economy during the early 1990s. 

10- From Dusk till Dawn (Robert Rodriguez, 1996)

From Dusk till Dawn gained immediate success due to the involvement of Quentin Tarantino, however even without the garnishing of Tarantino’s legacy From Dusk till Dawn would remain a significantly paramount film within 1990s horror. The film tiptoes towards the western genre with the primary setting being in the Mexican desert as two crooks attempt to escape a saloon inhabited by vampires. This hybridisation allows for complex antagonists to shine, particularly on a visual level almost reminiscent of exploitation B-movies. Plenty of violence and extravagance is laid on display, yet it is so purposeful and truthfully entertaining that any overblown plot points just add to the excitement, rather than distract from the tone. 

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Reviews

Review – The Columnist

the columnist

“Devilishly dark fantasy of one woman who has had enough”

The internet is an innate place for hate to breed. Opinions will be chewed and spit out by enraged profiles, therefore it was only about time a good old-fashioned revenge horror was made about it. The Columnist is a satirically dark horror film directed by Ivo van Aart and starring Katja Herbers (Westworld) and Bram van der Kelen. We follow Femke Boot (Herbers), a middle-class single parent tackling her critics in a rather unconventional way. As soon as The Columnist hit last year’s film festivals including Fantasia Festival and FrightFest, it became the latest ‘next best thing’, with positive reviews flooding in and it’s safe to say here at Dead Northern we are definitely in favour of van Aart’s instant classic. 

The Columist 2

The film blasts a modern motive. Most of us have experienced a bout of internet trolling, (albeit we do not release our frustration in the same way Femke does) through disagreeing with someone’s comments or being brave enough to put ourselves out there in the first place. The animosity behind keyboard warriors creates a thriving thrill for those who want to shame, and The Columnist takes great pride in enacting a devilishly dark fantasy of one woman who has had enough; Femke is our lead character, and the primary culprit behind the gruesome deaths plaguing anyone who dares to threaten her. The above-mentioned animosity is her greatest weapon as it enables her to carry on with her killing spree without the law following too close behind.

It’s this timely narrative that makes the film stand out on a wider level. Before we delve into the grisly details let’s take a quick moment to focus on the principal message at hand, unrepentant provokers. Throughout the film, Femke is brutalised for voicing her opinions, and despite a heated on-air discussion revolving around the harsh after-effects that come with trolls, the negative comments proceed to reign over every inch of humanity. Can we say that we are fully on her side? No, however, her vigilante persona does make for one hell of a wild ride into vengeance. 

To play alongside Femke’s retaliation are a couple of subplots revolving around a budding romance and her daughter experiencing similar issues with speaking out at school, all in all making a multi-layered film that manages to tackle various interests without becoming too vague. Of course, besides the social commentary, this is a horror film, and blood, guts, and gore massively flourish. Within the short run time, we are treated to a plethora of delightfully savage kill scenes, with a personal favourite involving a rather vulnerable victim and a laptop… (It’s best left up to the imagination).

The Columnist

The performances fashion the film. We see Herber flawlessly portray a woman vexed by misogynistic roars. Throughout The Columnist, a para-dynamic shift in both character developments and pacing is made clear. Femke agonises over her feedback for a while before finally lashing out, this turning point only serves as an acceleration into madness. The deaths become more ruthless, she becomes clumsy in her discreteness and the threats only worsen. But do not be fooled, van Aart does not spend the whole runtime pouring our interests into her rage, our attention is also bound by Femke’s love interest, Steven Dood (van der Kelen) who I thought played the reverse role of an ‘angels advocate’ sat on the devil’s shoulder, shedding light into a dark situation. 

As someone who spends a hefty amount of time online, I can slightly sympathise with Femke’s descent into obsession. We are on her side for the majority of the film, yet the last act pens the blame on the perpetrator. Is Femke just as wrong? Of course, there is little justification for her acts. Yet, the muted setting combined with the glory of chaos allows for a deeply transgressive narrative to shine at a time when it’s most needed. 

The Columnist is available to watch via VOD right now!

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.

Categories
Reviews

Ten underrated 1990s horror movies

1990s horror

1. Strangeland (John Pieplow, 1998)

This highly influential film barely receives any credit for being a significant instigator within the world of technology based horror. The film centres upon a deluded internet creep nicknamed ‘Captain Howdy who lures his victims in via an online chat forum. But what makes Strangeland sinisterly standout is Howdy’s malicious methods he exacts upon his prey, including ritualistic pain and body modification.

The abject reaction of the body being modified in nonconforming ways grips the audience and unfortunately makes us unable to turn away from such gruesome sights. Of course, these aspects of modern primitive culture are seen as a rite of passage in many environments, however Howdy graphically enforces his ethos amongst innocent victims. Yet, Strangeland does not overtly fall into the trap of ‘torture-horror’ as the story primarily focuses upon the judicial process of a detective attempting to save society from these savage antics.

2. Idle Hands (Rodman Flender, 1999)

Idle Hands has all the elements of a 1990s teen horror, however instead of being discernibly formulaic, Flender leads the film with a dark slice of humorous energy. The film follows Anton (Devon Sawa), whose possessed hand takes him on a murderous rampage.

At the time of release Idle Hands received mixed reviews, with many of the feedback falling towards the negative side. Critics labelled the film as nonsensical and absent minded, but from a retrospective point of view it is these attributes that make Idle Hands an entertaining ride into the obscure and absurd. The frenzied plot elements allow for audiences to get lost within the hilariously yet disturbed story.

3. Cure (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 1997)

Cure is possibly one of the most undeservedly underrated horrors ever, with such elaborate craftsmanship and highly engrossing plot lines going under so many viewers’ radars. Cure follows a detective as he attempts to uncover the identity of a gruesome serial killer whose signature is carving an ‘X’ into his victim’s necks. The film was one of the original authors in forming the new wave of Japanese horror, thus establishing the archetype for hits such as Ringu and Ju-on.

Throughout the film we experience a lack of horror tropes and ghouls, instead we are gifted with the bare minimum. Horror does not have to be gratuitous and grand within its execution, instead empty space and strong horrific emotions such as grief and threat is enough to achieve great levels of horror. Cure is a highly acclaimed film, with audiences and critics adoring Kurosawa’s lingering visuals. However, the primary reason for its entry on this list is due to the sheer lack of acknowledgement that Cure has been subjected to since its release. Cure should rightfully shine in every ‘top 10 list’.

4.Cronos (Guillermo del Toro, 1993)

Although del Toro is now a beloved auteur, his early work is where his horror roots truly beamed. Cronos’ plot is best left to the surprise, but the basic premise follows the discovery of a small golden device that unleashes its addictive force amongst its possessor. The film spiritually embodies the role of a mythological tale, whilst exploring the potent power of immortality alongside grotesque imagery.

Such aspects are gradually uncovered in a particular way that tiptoes towards a metaphorical framework, surrounding itself with the temptation of prolonged existence. Cronos entices the viewer in with an intriguing storyline, but before audiences can get too comfortable del Toro exerts harsh moments of horror and desperation to create a memorable film that has a long reputation of being misunderstood and underappreciated.

5. Thesis (Alejandro Amenábar, 1996)

Thesis follows a young student who investigates the relationship between audiovisual media and violence, however events take a turn for the worst when she uncovers an unsettling snuff film. Thesis disavows the audience from cementing any expectations as Amenabar continuously mystifies the identity of who created this snuff film.

What makes Thesis work so well is the constant development of characters, not once can we reach a solid conclusion on whether to trust a particular character, even the lead protagonist. It’s this dimensionality that makes the film gripping throughout. Thesis runs with the detective-thriller craze that majorly bombarded the 1990s, with Seven being the lead example.

6. Nadja (Michael Almereyda, 1994)

Nadja transforms the classic vampire tale through reconstructing vampiric tropes within horror. We follow the story of contemporary vampires from New York as they set aside their dysfunctionalities to come together after their fathers death, all the whilst Van Heilsing threatens to interrupt their debilitated harmony.

The most notable reason as to why Nadja is a must-see is the film’s overt presence of a semi-arthouse style combined with a unique drawl that showcases a distance between the characters and the audience. There is no need to emotionally connect with the leads, we are instead here to witness a witty story that sophistically alludes to a purposeful deadpan humour.

7. Cube (Vincenzo Natali, 1997)

Cube is a uniquely crafted film that follows a motley crew of individuals who are trapped in a complex and dangerous trap to see how far one will go to survive these vicious traps. Cube only gained a small fraction of attention upon its release, and although it now has taken over a niche corner in the genre through its cult status, it is still a relatively unknown gem.

There are an array of visceral scenes that illustrate just how damaging these traps are, but the most enchanting aspect of Cube surrounds its concept. The box-like setting has been referred to as Kafkaesque due to the disorientating and helpless nature of consequences. This combined with the growing tension creates a claustrophobic environment that acts as a horrific labyrinth of torture.

8. There’s Nothing Out There (Rolfe Kanefsky, 1991)

Horror comedy can be a scattered genre, with one too many films becoming parodied versions of comedy rather than actually entertaining the viewer. A time when this was unfortunately rife was the late 1980s/early 1990s; due to the colossal amount of absurdity that many 1980s slashers used, it became difficult for future horror comedies to stand out. However, There’s Nothing Out There somehow tackles a story featuring a film geek, raging teens and a mutant frog without becoming anything less than an extremely amusing ride.

9. Troublesome Night (Steve Cheng, Victor Tam and Herman Yau, 1997)

Even the most seasoned of viewers have never heard of this anthology horror originating from Hong Kong. The basic premise is simple, a series of loosely connected ghost stories are depicted. The true intrigue of Troublesome Night is the lack of pattern, across the whole film we are teased with seemingly scary segments that turn out to be rather satirical, however in the following segment we are lured in with the promise of a dark comedy then end up being unnerved by the chilling visuals and haunting themes. Although Troublesome Night is relatively unknown it has spawned a further 19 films.

10. The People Under the Stairs (Wes Craven, 1991)

Wes Craven will forever be one of the most iconic horror filmmakers of all time, however The People Under the Stairs has at times slipped under the radar. The film follows a break in gone wrong, with plenty of twists and turns alongside creepy antics to keep the viewer engrossed the entire time. What makes this gem so memorable is its unique and clever execution of both horror and humour.

This weeks article comes via Grace from Film Overload, you can check out more of her work here.