Chicago Scream Queen

Zombieland Premiere.

Frances — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:05:43 +0000

I dressed up as a zombie to see Zombieland for free.
Here is photographic evidence.

Saw VI Review

Frances — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 03:06:59 +0000

Let’s be real here. The first Saw: utterly genius, thought-provoking, scary. The following Saw movies: quality descreasing with each sequel. I mean, each had its good points, but none of them had the simple, fear-inducing brilliance of the first. I liked Saw VI a lot because I went in thinking I was paying $20 for another Saw clunker, but came out of the theater wholly surprised and pleased. The latest Saw installment takes on a whole new evil: American health insurance companies. Hello, political/social commentary! But not to worry. The “games” victims must play are, again, simple once more and especially terrifying. There is no insanely complicated, gear-turning, limb-twisting machines here. Just good, old-fashioned, live or die games. I thoroughly enjoyedthe whole movie, but I’m concerned that the people who keep raising this overdone series from the dead will be able to make something out of the ending, where I felt all loose ends were tied except for a minor one.
All in all, good movie. Worth my poor college student money.

Recent great movies

Frances — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:08:02 +0000

There are a lot of relatively recent horror/scary movies that I feel quite strongly about. Below, I give you a list, break down what “type” of scary the movie is, and what kind of viewer it’s good for.

QUARANTINE

Yes. Yes. Yes. This is a movie about a reporter who is doing a fluff piece on the local fire department. The firemen respond to a call, reporter in tow, at an apartment building where an elderly woman is disturbingly ill. Turns out this is a dangerous biological outbreak and everyone is sealed inside the building. This is what I call the “good ole’ scary” type of movie – things jump out at you, you beg, “Don’t open that door!” at the TV, and there is a bit of gore. This movie is awesome for people who enjoy sitting on the edge of their seats and leaping a foot in the air.

28 DAYS LATER

This movie was practically an instant cult classic. The “rage virus” causes normal London natives to go nuts, vomiting blood, biting people, and infecting the rest of the country. It’s a gruesome take on a post-apocalyptic Britain that’s as realistic, I think, as a movie can portray. This movie is definitely “blood and guts scary” because of all the intense visual insanity you experience. While not exactly for weak-stomached viewers, 28 Days Later is perfect for horror lovers in general. It’s pretty freakin’ scary.

HIGH TENSION

Many horror fans have not heard of High Tension, because it is a french film (originally Haute Tension). But this is a real gem. At first it seems like your typical suspenseful movie. Then it becomes the most appalling, frightening slasher movie. Then, it keeps you wide-eyed until the twist ending. The lead actress, Cecile de France, is so incredibly beautiful that you root for her the whole movie long. This is what I call “head-trip scary” because this movie is scary when you watch it, and then follows you all the way to bed. This is not a movie for everyone. Reserve it for the night before Halloween, because this is really, really scary.

Oh, yes!

Frances — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:53:44 +0000

A still from my favorite new movie, Nightmare. This movie is like Donnie Darko, except it’s far more psychotic and sexual. A college student wakes up after a one night stand at a party to discover a video camera, filled with footage of himself brutally murdering unknown party guests. It’s really a head trip.

The classics you have to see.

Frances — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:58:02 +0000

It’s October, the one month of the year that my fixation on horror movies can be justified. And there is no better way to celebrate Halloween month than to rent one of the classics; the scariest, most infamous horror movies of all time.

1. The Shining
The first time I saw this movie, I never even noticed how long it was. It is utterly the scariest movie I have ever seen, using not just pop-out-at-you moments that make you jump out of your seat, but all the disturbing visuals and concepts that stay in your head all night and into the next day. Freaky.
2. The Exorcist
Can’t have a classic horror film list without this one. Despite low budget and 1970s special effects, this movie is really scary. That poor little girl.
3. The Omen
Watch the original, not the new one that’s awful with Julia Stiles. The 1960′s version is so pared-down and simple but is frightening in “biblical proportions.”
4. Psycho
There is absolutely nothing like a good Hitchcock film. He has the ability to turn the most mundane things into frightening things, like in The Birds. But here, we see Hitchcock at his finest. You don’t need fancy technology and CGI effects to scare the pants off people.

Not only am I a cinema-addict, but I also love movies that make me genuinely afraid. It’s a feeling we are always running away from, but can be really great to face and embrace the fear. Rent these movies while there are still Halloween discounts!