The Scream Queen

Creak (2012)

2012-02-27T21:39:00.003+08:00

Another up-and-coming film for your delectation!

Today's movie is "Creak", a 5-minute short brought to you by Luther Bhogal-Jones, of 'Sincerely, Psychopath'.

It's a short you wouldn't want to watch when alone in a dark room. So open the curtains, switch the lights on (don't forget to check the shadows) and click below to watch this amazing short.

[Click image to watch]

"It's 4am and somewhere, something has opened..."

From the moment the opening titles appeared I was gripped. The music score was perfect, amping up the sinister tone and keeping you ever so slightly uncomfortable - just the way a good horror score should.

The cinematography was excellent, especially the use of shadow and silhoutte. I loved the way light switches would be flicked on or off, without letting the viewer see what was (or wasn't) in the rooms. I desperately wanted to see inside the rooms, 'just to make sure she didn't miss something!', but we weren't shown and that just intensified the suspense.

Also, Luther Bhogal-Jones has two new films in the pipeline this year to complete his "Disposable Screams" series of shorts - coming soon are "Knock Knock" and "eXtended" . Keep those eyeballs peeled folks.

I'm In The Future!

2012-02-27T17:18:00.001+08:00

Scream Queen Horror now has a Facebook page!

I decided to create one for a few reasons:

1) Narcissism ('nuff said.)

2) A place to keep people updated on new posts and changes to the blog.

3) The possibility of polls and such to help me decide when I can't choose between reviewing 'Saw XVII' or 'Hostel VII (part 4)'

4) And finally, I'm thinking about 'outing' myself as a blogger to friends and family, and Facebook is a gentle introduction for grandparents/small children/dogs with FB pages etc.

So, there is is. And here it is.
Enjoy.

The Prospector's Curse (2012)

2012-02-25T00:40:00.001+08:00

"There's blood in them there hills!"

With a brilliant poster and even better tagline, The Prospector's Curse is a western-themed horror soon to be released by director Josh Heisie.

Currently in post-production, the films is set for release in May, and I , for one, can't wait to get my grubby little hands on it!

The plot synopsis:

"Theodore 'Tubby' Ellsworth and Jack Smith are two criminals on the run, lost in the untamed wilderness. When they stumble across a mutilated Prospector, dying on Indian gorund, they promise to give him a Christian burial. The fugitives break their oath and steal the old man's gold... but that night, the Prospector's corpse returns to make them pay!"

The film stars David Roberts, Johnny Quinn, Amanda Ives and Robert Nolan.

Check out the full press release here.
You can 'like' The Prospector's Curse on Facebook to stay up to date with news and reviews.

Stay tuned for an upcoming review of this brilliant looking movie.

Screaming Demons

2012-02-16T15:48:00.001+08:00

I recently perused deviantArt and found an amazing artist named Marcus Jones. His work is brilliant, largely horror-centric, and I highly advise that you check him out.

Find him on deviantArt as ~screamingdemons
And an Etsy Store!

Horror Franchise Mistakes

2012-02-13T01:30:00.002+08:00

We all know how the excessive sequels in movie franchises get progressively worse, and it seems to be doubly true for horror movies . Really, how many Friday the 13th films do we need? (Hint: One. We just need one.)

So the guys over at Cracked.com have created a list of The 6 Baffling Mistakes Every Horror Franchise Must Make.

Dark Movie Moments (Disney style)

2012-01-27T01:15:00.002+08:00

Disney movies are only terrifying if you are less than 5 years old (or, indeed, if you are the parent of aforementioned child and have to sit through them upwards of 5 times a day).

However, the guys over at Cracked.com have produced a great list of the 18 most disturbing moments in cinema - if they had been created by Disney.

The Last Exorcism (2010)

2012-01-18T00:26:00.001+08:00

The Last Exorcism follows in the footsteps of The Blair Witch Project, Cloverfield and Paranormal Activity.

It is presented as a 'found-footage' documentary, following Pastor Cotton Marcus, who is attempting to expose the fraudulent nature of exorcisms. He takes a cameraman and producer along for his 'last exorcism', but things don't go exactly as planned.

The film is well worth watching. It raises questions about the legitimacy of exorcisms and possessions, and lulls the viewer into a sense of security, making them feel that 'nothing could possibly happen, it's all hokum'.

The suspense is brilliant, and there are moments of genuine tension. I was expecting one of those films whose sole aim is to make you jump at every turn, but thankfully, this film didn't stoop to over-used scare-tactics.

The acting was excellent, and at times I was genuinely immersed in the 'documentary', and forgot that the entire film is a work of fiction.

Nell, the young girl at the centre of the exorcism, is played by Ashley Bell. Bell played the sweet-and-innocent role wonderfully, but then could flip it around and be intensly frightening (and flexible).

Even if you are not a fan of the 'religious' exorcism films, The Last Exorcism is well worth watching, as it is intentionally ambiguous as to the cause of the possession. This allows you add your own meaning to the events. A great film for those nights when you want suspense, rather than a bucket o'guts.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 4/10
Shocks: 5/10
Overall: 7/10

Birthday Bumps: John Carpenter

2012-01-16T09:12:00.001+08:00

Many happy returns to John Carpenter, who turns 64 today!

John Carpenter is one of the most prolific and successful horror directors of our time. He wrote and directed 'Halloween', the movie that sky-rocketed the slasher-horror subgenre and inspired a generation of horror-writers.

The "Halloween Theme" music score was composed by Carpenter himself, and is an instantly recognisable piece of music.

Carpenter went on to direct 'The Fog', 'Escape From New York', and 'The Thing', which, although it did not perform well commercially, is now widely regarded as one of the best horror movies ever made.

Still devoting his time to his beloved genre, he is currently working on a "gothic western" movie, and Carpenter was awarded the Lifetime Award at the Freak Show Horror Festival.

You can even follow John Carpenter on Twitter: @TheHorrorMaster

We salute you Mr Carpenter, have a horrifically happy birthday!

Facts about Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T19:46:00.000+08:00

The fear of Friday the 13th is called friggatrishtkaidekaphobia (Frigga being the name of the Norse goddess for whom "Friday" is named and triskaidekaphobia meaning fear of the number thirteen), or paraskevidekatriaphobia - a concatenation of the Greek words Paraskeví (meaning "Friday"), and dekatreís (meaning "thirteen") attached to phobía (meaning "fear").

According to Dr. Donald Dossey, a psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of phobias (and coiner of the term paraskevidekatriaphobia, also spelled paraskavedekatriaphobia), the amount of people who suffer from this fear may be as high as 21 million. If he's right, no fewer than eight percent of Americans remain in the grips of a very old superstition.

One theory about the origins of 'Friday 13th' states that it is a modern amalgamation of two older superstitions: that thirteen is an unlucky number and that Friday is an unlucky day.

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve hours of the clock, twelve gods of Olympus, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, the 12 Descendants of Muhammad Imams, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness.

The Number '13':

Legend has it that if 13 people sit down to dinner together, one will die within the year.

The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary.

Many cities do not have a 13th Street or a 13th Avenue.

Many buildings don't have a 13th floor.

If you have 13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck (Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names).

Fridays:

Never change your bed on Friday; it will bring bad dreams.

If you cut your nails on Friday, you cut them for sorrow.

Don't start a trip on Friday or you will encounter misfortune.

Ships that set sail on a Friday will have bad luck, as in the tale of H.M.S. Friday. One hundred years ago, the British government sought to quell the longstanding superstition among seamen that setting sail on Fridays was unlucky. A special ship was commissioned and given the name "H.M.S. Friday." They laid her keel on a Friday, launched her on a Friday, selected her crew on a Friday, and hired a man named Jim Friday to be her captain. To top it off, H.M.S. Friday embarked on her maiden voyage on a Friday — and was never seen or heard from again.

Friday has been considered an unlucky day at least since the 14th century's The Canterbury Tales, and many other professions have regarded Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects.

Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s.

It has also been suggested that Friday has been considered an unlucky day because, according to Christian scripture and tradition, Jesus was crucified on a Friday.

According to the Stress Management Center and Phobia Institute in Asheville, North Carolina, an estimated 17 to 21 million people in the United States are affected by a fear of this day. Some people are so paralyzed by fear that they avoid their normal routines in doing business, taking flights or even getting out of bed. "It's been estimated that $800 or $900 million (USD) is lost in business on this day".

So, whether you love it or loathe it, fear it or frolic in its freakiness, have a bloody brilliant Friday the 13th.

And remember, there are two more still to come this year!

A Petrifying Portrait

2012-01-13T01:45:00.000+08:00

My husband is a graphic artist, and I recently twisted his arm to create a portrait of one of my icons, Reece Shearsmith. And, by god, he did it!

The original picture can be seen [here]
More of Russell's work can be seen [here]

I am persuading him to do more portraits of horror icons, as well as some generally creepy artwork to adorn the walls of our house, so expect to see more soon!

A Brief Hiatus

2011-12-30T20:29:00.000+08:00

So, posts have been a little few and far-between recently, and I apologise. The silly season is upon us of course, and I got caught up in the festivities. It's hard to sit down to watch Cannibal Holocaust when the grandparents are sleeping off a turkey dinner on the couch.

However, there are lots of lovely treats coming soon, including reviews of The Walking Dead, House of 1000 Corpses, and The Autumn Series of books by David Moody. So keep your eyeballs peeled for new reviews in 2012!

I hope you all have a horrifically Happy New Year!

Infographic Guide to the Cenobites

2011-12-15T00:59:00.000+08:00

Here's a handy infographic from Rue Morgue and Yell! magazine.
If you happen to come across an old puzzle-box, this guide will help you learn what to watch out for...

[Original]

Note: Review of the Hellraiser movies coming soon!

Devil (2010)

2011-11-30T00:49:00.001+08:00

Devil is the 2010 film from writer Brian Nelson and director John Erick Dowdle.

Based on a story from M. Night Shyamalan (and it shows), the film follows the old folklore tale of the devil, coming down to earth and walking among us, seeking out sinners and pitting man against man as he strikes them down, one by one.

The modern spin on the tale? A group of individuals are stuck in a lift (or elevator, depending on your country of origin). Things start to go badly wrong, and they start to die, horribly. The audience is left wondering, who is not all that they appear to be?

The film-makers have done a wonderful job of keeping the audience guessing; most of the film is spent placing bets on 'whodunit'. Also, the emphasis isn't too heavy on the paranormal whys and wherefores, leaving you to enjoy the film for what is is.

Devil strikes just the right balance in terms of speed. There are enough tense, lingering moments to increase the claustrophobic feel, but not so much that you want to hit fast-forward to get to the juicy bits.

Overall it is a very enjoyable movie. There is a clear 'M. Night Shyamalan' fingerprint on the plot, but it isn't too heavy-handed, and doesn't leave you with a sour taste in your mouth like some of his other movies. A good watch for those nights when you feel like suspense and tension is what you crave.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 1/10
Shocks: 7/10
Overall: 6.5/10

Birthday Bumps: Boris Karloff

2011-11-23T17:52:00.000+08:00

Today we are celebrating the memory of Boris Karloff, who was born on this day in 1887.

Born William Henry Platt, he was born in London, England, and became a huge horror icon after his starring role as Frankenstein's monster in 1931.

Like Bela Lugosi, his portrayal of Frankenstein's monster has become known worldwide. You think of the 'classic' heavy brow, bolts-in-the-neck, stiff limbed creature and you are thinking of Boris Karloff.

He also featured in Bride of Frankenstein, and Son of Frankenstein (alongside Lugosi). He became a legend in the horror movie circuit, starring in The Raven, Black Friday and The Body Snatcher, along with many others. He also played Imhotep in the 1932 production of The Mummy.

Karloff eventually left Universal after feeling that the Frankenstein franchise (Frankenchise?) had run its course, and in later years he largely appeared in television work and plays.

Karloff died in 1969 after contracting pneumonia. He was 81 years old.

Child's Play 2 (1990)

2011-11-19T22:20:00.000+08:00

Child's Play 2 is the second in the Child's Play series. It was originally released in 1990 and was directed by John Lafia, one of the original writers.

The possessed Good Guys doll, imbued with the soul of serial killer Charles Lee Ray, is once again resurrected. The charred remains are swept aside and the metal skeleton recoated in a vain attempt to appease Good Guys stockholders. Unfortunately, from the moment the eyes are placed in the doll, things begin to go wrong.

With more cheese than a triple burst Margherita, Child's Play 2 is a great movie for those just getting into the horror genre. It doesn't take itself too seriously (which is where I felt the original film stumbled), and there are enough jumps and shocks to entertain the meeker horrorphile.

There are some gorier parts towards the end of the film, but they tend to have a more slapstick feel to them. The blood is a bright-red corn-syrup mess, and the special effects are, well, they're from 1990 so that tells you all you need to know. The film on the whole is corny and wildy unrealistic, but this adds to the fun. It is also one of the rare cases where I feel that the sequal surpassed the original.

Child's Play 2 is a good film to watch on those nights where you don't want to do too much thinking.

Atmosphere: 3/10
Gore and Guts: 4/10
Shocks: 4/10
Overall: 4/10

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

2011-11-10T18:23:00.003+08:00

Shaun of the Dead is one of my all-time favourite movies. I could write a dozen posts about it, but I'll try to restrain myself.

Directed by Edgar Wright, it is the first film in what has come to be known the "Blood and Ice-Cream" trilogy (the second installment being Hot Fuzz, and a third film, not yet released but provisionally titled "The Worlds End").

Shaun of the Dead is a romantic comedy. With zombies. Heavily influenced by the films of George Romero, there are countless subtle (and not so subtle) nods to the "Of The Dead" series, as well as other films, including Evil Dead, A Clockwork Orange and, of course, Star Wars. There are also references to horror directors such as Lucio Fulci and John Landis.

Alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead stars a plethora of fantastic British actors and comedians, including Bill Nighy, Dylan Moran and Jessica Hynes. There are also cameos from famous faces such as Reece Shearsmith, Matt Lucas, and Martin Freeman.

The zombies are fantastic, and the film does not disappoint when it comes to gore and guts. That's my favourite thing about this film; it doesn't sacrifice the horror in order to be funny. There are still moments that make you flinch, and the character development is deeper than that of the average comedy (or, indeed, the average horror). The combination of the genres makes this film stronger, rather than going down the path of the Scream films or the (god awful) Scary Movie franchise which suffered from the attempt to mesh the genres.

If you haven't seen Shaun of the Dead, I implore you to watch it. And if you can, listen to the DVD commentaries to get an insight into the film and have a guide to the multitude of nerdy references. A flesh-rippingly funny film.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 7/10
Shocks: 7/10
Overall: 10/10

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes!

2011-11-09T22:24:00.000+08:00

(Subtitled: How many times can I use a variation of the word 'horror' in one post?).

There have been a few updates to the blog recently. If you look in the top left of the page, I have added an FAQ to the navbar, for all your questions, comments and suggestions for the blog. There is also a link to my Twitter and Formspring accounts, if you fancy some more nonsense in your newsfeed.

I am also introducing a bit of a change to the reviews.

As a bit of a break from the heavier horror, I have decided to expand the blog and include those films that have one foot in the horror genre. Be they sci-fi horror, comedy-horror or fantasy, these are those films that may not be under 'Horror' in your local Blockbusters, but have just enough guts, gore and frights to keep a horrorphile happy.

Alien , for example, is considered by many people to be a sci-fi horror. Shaun Of The Dead is a fantastic rom-zom-com (romance/zombie/comedy), but they are such iconic films that I couldn't leave them out just for the sake of trying to stay strictly in the horror genre.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled programs.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

2011-11-07T22:45:00.001+08:00

"The film which you are about to see is an account of the tragedy which befell a group of five youths, in particular Sally Hardesty and her invalid brother Franklin. It is all the more tragic that they were young. But had they lived very, very long lives, they could not have expected nor would they have wanted to see as much of the mad and macabre as they were to see that day. For them an idyllic summer afternoon drive became a nightmare".

And so begins The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the cult classic from director Tobe Hooper. This film is the ultimate slasher horror, inspiring a generation of budding horrorphiles and spawning prequels, sequels and remakes.

Originally titled "Headcheese and Leatherface", the antagonist is loosely based on 1950s serial killer Ed Gein, who decorated his home with sadistic trophies from his kills, including nipple belts, lampshades made out of skin, and (of course) the mask made out of flesh. The idea of using a chainsaw as the murder weapon came to Hooper while he was in the hardware section of a busy store, contemplating how to speed his way through the crowd.

For a film almost 40 years old, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre still packs a punch. The scares are visceral, the gore more often than not is more implied, leaving your imagination to fill in the grisly gaps. Even the fact that the movie footage is aged and grainy adds to the atmosphere of the film. Today, when the films are HD or 3D, you lose that sense of realism - they seem too perfect. This film, however, feels more seedy, gritty and dirty - the way a horror movie should.

We also learned some important lessons, most notably: Don't pick up a stuttering, blood-covered hitchhiker. That decision will come back to haunt you.

Atmosphere: 8/10
Gore and Guts: 7/10
Shocks: 5/10
Overall: 8/10

Birthday Bumps: Tom Savini

2011-11-03T12:16:00.001+08:00

Many happy returns to Tom Savini, who turns 65 today!

Tom Savini is the award-winning special effects and makeup artist responsible for the amazing visuals in such films as Dawn of the Dead, Day of the Dead, and Friday the 13th.

Getting his start alongside George Romero, Savini has also worked with Dario Argento and Tobe Hooper. He has appeared in several movies, including Dawn of the Dead, (both original and remake), From Dusk Till Dawn (as 'Sex Machine'), Grindhouse and Machete.

Not only that, he also directed the Night of the Living Dead remake in 1990, as well as a few episodes from the 1980's TV show, "Tales From The Darkside".

He has left an indelible mark on the horror genre, and has inspired many others in the realm of special effects, not least his protege Greg Nicotero.

Mr. Savini, have a horrifically Happy Birthday!

The Enigma of the Amigara Fault

2011-10-30T23:55:00.002+08:00

Here's a little reading to get you into the Halloween spirit.

This is a brilliantly spooky short comic called The Enigma of the Amigara Fault. It's by Junji Ito, the horror-manga icon who created the Tomie series, as well as Uzumaki (A film I am desperate to review once I can get my grubby hands on a copy).

Click below to read, and read panels from right to left, otherwise this will be a confusing experience for you.

Bloodcurdling Body Art

2011-10-30T15:58:00.000+08:00

Halloween is almost upon us, and people around the world (well, mostly America) are getting ready for a night of excessive drinking and "sexy kitty/nurse/zombie/[insert character here]" costumes.

But don't forget, the costume is but part of your horrific ensemble. Makeup can make it truly terrifying. Here are some of the best examples of body art... Halloween style!

Orphan (2009)

2011-10-22T09:36:00.012+08:00

Orphan is a psychological thriller about a couple who are grief-stricken after the stillbirth of their child. Still desiring a sibling for their son Daniel, and their deaf-mute daughter Max, they decide to adopt. Enter Esther, a 9 year old Russian girl with a secret.

At first, Esther seems like a sweet, smart girl who has had an unfortunate past. Wearing subdued, outdated clothes, ribbons on her neck and wrists, and painting poignant pictures, she appears to be something extraordinary. And she is, just not in the way you'd hope.

In the usual formula of horror/thrillers, cracks begin to show in Esther's sweet facade. Soon, people are getting hurt, or worse.

As events descend into chaos, we see Esther's sinister side. This part is brilliantly played by Isabelle Fuhrman, who is a very convincing actress despite her being just 11 when this film was made. I was also previously unaware that the actress is American, making it all the more impressive, since she has a believable Russian accent throughout the film.

Sometimes the dialogue feels a little contrived and unnatural, forcing exposition into conversations. Also, it's hard to believe that one family could be that unlucky; a stillbirth, a deaf-mute child, an alcoholic mother, a father with a history of infidelity, and that's before the main story of the movie even starts.

Overall, I felt that the premise was good, and the film started strongly, but after a while it seemed to descend into cliches. This was the second time I had watched the film, and I found myself easily distracted. There is a twist, and although I won't give it away I shall say that it was a shock to me, and I usually see 'twist endings' coming a mile off. Otherwise the film plods along fairly slowly, although the final payoff is worth the wait.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 5/10
Shocks: 6/10
Overall: 6/10

Birthday Bumps: Bela Lugosi

2011-10-20T03:17:00.000+08:00

I know it might seem a little odd giving birthday bumps to the deceased (forgive me for any mental images this conjures), but I feel that certain masters of horror can't be ignored.

One such legend is Bela Lugosi, who was born on this day in 1882.

Bela Lugosi is a true horror icon. Born in Hungaria as Béla Ferenc Dezső Blaskó (try saying that three times fast), he is most well known for his portrayal as Dracula. In fact, when people put on the Dracula voice, they are generally mimicing Bela Lugosi's Count.

He first played The Count in a Broadway production in the late 20s, and was soon snapped up by Universal Pictures. The Universal film made his career, although he was forever associated with the character, and ended up being typecast as a horror villian, starring in such films as Murders in the Rue Morgue, White Zombie, The Raven, and Son of Frankenstein.

Lugosi often starred alongside Boris Karloff; they were the Tim Burton/Helena Bonham-Carter of 1930's Universal Studios productions.

I think Helena Bonham-Carter is the one on the left.

In 1956, Lugosi died of a heart attack, and was buried in his dracula cape. He was, and still remains, a legend in the horror genre, and an idol for goths and vamps around the world.

The Cannibal Banquet

2011-10-20T02:48:00.000+08:00

Aah Japan, you are an endless source of all things weird and wonderful.

Fancy a meal with friends? A nice chance to catch up, eat, drink and be merry. Why not inject a bit of gore into the proceedings?

As you and your companions sit down to eat, a hospital gurney is wheeled in and placed in front of you. Upon it lies your meal: Lots of tasty treats, drizzled in an unidentified red sauce, are stuffed into a delicious body shell. Cutting into it will release a torrent of aforementioned red goo, and various edible internal organs.

Introducing, "The Cannibal Banquet":

Delicious.

Birthday Bumps: Mark Gatiss

2011-10-17T04:26:00.001+08:00

Many Happy Returns to Mark Gatiss, who turns 45 today!

Mark Gatiss is one of my heroes. He is a member of The League of Gentlemen, a screen writer, a novelist, a fanatical Doctor Who fan, and an all round brilliant chap.

He has written several novels and scripts for Doctor Who, and has written, directed and starred in episodes.

A fellow horrorphile, Gatiss recently created a 3-part documentary called 'A History of Horror', which I am desperately trying to get my mitts on!

I salute you Mr. Gatiss. Have a bloody brilliant birthday!

Child's Play (1988)

2011-10-16T01:06:00.001+08:00

A series of unlikely events (a creepy murderer, spilt blood, ominous lightning, etc.) lead to a child's doll being imbued with the soul of a killer.

The movie is full of 80s cheese, but when you get past that, it's an fairly entertaining story. After everything I had heard about the film, I was expecting to be more freaked out by the doll. To be honest, the doll was pretty damn creepy-looking before the evil possession, but perhaps that is because I've grown up in a post-Child's Play culture where dolls are on the same freakiness level as clowns and orphaned children.

Despite being a horrorphile and loving all things freakish and weird, I still find it hard to suspend disbelief when watching movies. This film was no exception. As one reviewer put it, "There are more holes in the story than red hairs on a “Good Guys” doll head."

Murderous dolls aside, the real question this movie raises is: how does a child walk out of school and get on a train to the inner-city - alone (with the exception of a creepy ginger doll) without getting noticed/molested? I blame it on the 80s.

The movie tried for suspense, but failed. The fact that such a ridiculous plot and a laughable protagonist was taken so seriously made the film less enjoyable, had it been a little more tongue-in-cheek, I might have enjoyed it more. I think this movie would be a good introduction to horror for a teenager or someone without too much tolerance for scares or gore, but as someone who has become immune to some pretty shocking stuff, it felt a bit... eh.

It will be interesting to see where they go with the remake, rumoured to be released in 2012 .

Atmosphere: 2/10
Gore and Guts: 1/10
Shocks: 3/10
Overall: 3/10

The Body Bakery

2011-10-15T05:19:00.000+08:00

Kittiwat Unarrom runs an unconventional bakery in Thailand.

Using basic dough, raisins, cashews, chocolate, food colouring (and a little bit of psychopathy) he makes these tasty looking treats:

That's bread. That...is...bread.

This is amazing. Just think:

Bring a bread-head to grandma's for afternoon tea.
Dip noses in your pea soup.
Foot-long foot sub.
Offer someone a Knuckle sandwich.

The possibilities are endless!

Mr. Unarrom, You make the world a freakier place, and we thank you for it.

Zombie Apocalypse Survival Strategies

2011-10-10T03:00:00.005+08:00

More reviews coming soon!

Feeling impatient and art craving some intellectual *cough* horror discussion?

Check out this article from Chris Bucholz at Cracked.com:

8 Zombie Apocalypse Survival Strategies (For Zombies).

Birthday Bumps: Clive Barker

2011-10-05T13:09:00.002+08:00

Many happy returns to Clive Barker, who turns 59 today!

Clive Barker is one of the leading names in the horror/fantasy fiction genre. His stories ooze with gore, sexuality and the macabre.

He is possibly most well known for 'Hellraiser', the film that spawned many terrible sequels, which was based on his book 'The Hellbound Heart'. He also wrote the short story 'The Forbidden' that was transformed into the 'Candyman' films. More recently, an adaptation has been made of the short story 'The Midnight Meat Train', which I will be reviewing very soon!

A bit of a Renaissance man, Barker has been part of a series of collaborations with Marvel, and has helped produce graphic novels and comic series based on his stories. He is also a prolific artist, producing some wonderfully morbid paintings and pictures (some of which can be seen below).

So happy birthday Clive! Have a freakishly fabulous day!

The Mist (2007)

2011-09-30T21:50:00.000+08:00

The Mist is an astonishing movie from Frank Darabont. Based on a novella by Stephen King, it is the story of a small community hit by a freak storm. The locals swarm to the grocery store to stock up on essentials, but all the while a creeping fog is spreading through the town, bringing with it the stuff of nightmares.

The atmosphere is astoundingly bleak as the residents fight for their lives, and the film gives us a glimpse of what these (mostly) ordinary people do in extraordinary circumstances. The movie also has a heartbreakingly haunting musical score that kicks in at just the right moments, and never fails to make my heart drop every time I hear it.

The special effects are terrific, and once again a balance has been struck when it comes to showing the creatures. You see just enough of them to know that you never want to see them again. The suspense is done very well, and the movie allows for the use of your imagination, which is often worse than what any movie-maker could present.

The cast is comprised of lesser known actors, with just a few familiar faces thrown in, and this really helps give the vibe that you are a part of this community; there are no big stars breaking the illusion of small town America.

There has been a little bit of controversy over the ending, as it has been changed from the novella, but I think it is one of the best, most shocking movies I have seen in a long while, and it will stay with you like a punch in the gut.

Atmosphere: 9.5/10
Gore and Guts: 6/10
Shocks: 7/10
Overall: 9.5/10

**On another note: Looking back at my more recent reviews I've noticed that I am a bit fixated on monsters at the moment, so I shall attempt to mix things up a little bit and bring you some fresh meat next time!**

Garden Zombie

2011-09-23T00:44:00.000+08:00

The blog is expanding, and today I am introducing a new feature: Horrific Homewares. Here I'll seek out the most creepy, disgusting and plain ol' freaky stuff that you can use to make your home a true house of horrors.

Out first find? The Garden Zombie.

This shocking shambler is perfect way to ward of trespassers, scare off the neighbours cats (or children), or just to serve as a reminder of the inevitablilty of the zombpocalypse.

The Garden Zombie is available [here].

Birthday Bumps: Stephen King

2011-09-21T19:56:00.005+08:00

Happy Birthday to Stephen King, who turns 64 today!

Love him or hate him, Stephen King has been a huge influence on modern horror. His writing has spawned such iconic movies as 'The Shining', 'Carrie' and 'Misery'. He writes about everything horror, from arachnids to zombies, supernatural beings to monsters, killer clowns to killer cars (okay, that one might have been a mistake).

He has worked with DC and Marvel on comic adaptations, and DC Comics Vertigo blog news feed released that King will team up with short story writer Scott Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque in a new monthly comic book series from Vertigo in March 2010 called "American Vampire", in which King is to write the background history of the very first American vampire, Skinner Sweet.

His short stories really got me interested in Horror fiction, and he is my go-to author when I want a good creepy book to read on a stormy night.

Stephen King, I salute you, have a bloody brilliant birthday!

The Host (2006)

2011-09-20T20:18:00.000+08:00

The Host is the story of Gang-du, a slightly simple, slighty deadbeat dad, who witnesses his daughter snatched away by the slimy tentacles of a mutant that rises from Seoul's Han river.

You see, an anal (and mental) military pathologist noted that he had dusty formaldehyde bottles lying around, and rather than just wiping them clean (like a sane person) he decided to dump the whole lot down the drain - and stright into Seoul's main river. Thus, a monstrosity was conceived.

Despite the odd premise for the monster's conception, this is a brilliant film. It's what Cloverfield should have been. The special effects are brilliant, and the monster gets just the right amount of screen time - just enough that you know what it looks like, but not so much that you are numbed to it's creepiness by halfway through the film.

The riverside scene at the beginning of the film was spectacular, and tho movie is worth seeing just for that first 20 minutes. The movie has a comedic tone to it, a little tongue-in-cheek, and there are some really heart-warming (and heart-wrenching) moments.

But don't get me wrong, this is definitely a horror movie; expect some splatter, some slime, and some dirty, filthy, gross moments. There is no wonder it is Korea's highest grossing movie.

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 4/10
Shocks: 5/10
Overall: 8/10

Slither (2006)

2011-09-12T02:55:00.000+08:00

Slither is a dark, disgusting and slightly tongue-in-cheek movie that straddles several horror sub-genres: n alien invasion and monster movie, with a zombie-apocalyptic feel towards the end.

An alien parasite hitches a ride on a meteorite, and crash lands in a rural American town. It then begins its mission to spread, infest and devour. The unlucky host is Grant Grant (played by a wonderfully creepy Michael Rooker), who is soon transformed into... well... this:

Tasty.

There are some great special effects, and some pretty disgusting moments. They even snuck in a 'surprise bi-section' - you know, when a person is sliced from crown to crotch so fast that they get a few seconds to wonder what the fuck just happened before they schlop to the floor in two pieces.

The director, James Gunn, has made some great casting choices, including Nathan Fillion as the police chief (but, let's face it, when is he not brilliant?). The story is relatively simple, and the film is almost a B-Movie homage, which allows for the gore and guts to get really over the top...which is fantastic if you're a sucker for slime, seepage and syrup.

Atmosphere: 5/10
Gore and Guts: 8/10
Shocks: 3/10
Overall: 7/10

Note: If you enjoyed this movie, I highly recommend seeing Gunn's latest movie 'Super', starring Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page, plus some of the famous faces from this movie. It's one of the best films I have seen in a long time, and it's not even a horror movie!

Birthday Bumps: Dario Argento

2011-09-07T13:37:00.004+08:00

Many Happy Returns to Dario Argento, who turns 71 today!

Dario Argento's most well known horror is Suspiria. He was a master of thriller and suspense movies, also known as 'giallo' movies. His influence has trickled down and helped make the horror genre what it is today.
He inspired such greats as John Carpenter (when he was making 'Halloween') and collabarated with George Romero on 'Dawn of the Dead'. He also had a part in the making of 'Dead Space', the survival horror video game.

So, to our dear Dario Argento, have a frightfully fantastic birthday!

Zombies vs. Vampires

2011-09-07T12:02:00.001+08:00

I'm still insanely busy moving house, so my apologies for sporadic posting.

To tide you over until our next review, click below to check out this awesome article on Cracked.com:

6 Mind-Blowing Ways Zombies and Vampires Explain America.

Scream 2 (1997)

2011-09-03T00:05:00.001+08:00

From the very beginning of this film I felt like I wasn't going to enjoy it. As one of the lines in the film said, "Sequels suck. By definition alone they're inferior films."

Despite the cameo of Dr. Foreman (Omar Epps) in the beginning
scene, I just wasn't getting into it. Plus I have never been in a movie thatre as noisy as the one at the beginning of the film. It would have driven ME to stab someone.

But I persisted, and surprisingly, it got better. There was a menagerie of 90's teen actors: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Jerry O'Connell and Jamie Kennedy to name a few, but there was also a nice cameo from David Warner.

I thought the film-within-film was very clever, with some pretty funny 'casting' choices (including a call back to a scene in the original film when Sidney was asked "If they make a movie about you, who's gonna play you?" Sidney answers, "With my luck, they'd cast Tori Spelling.")

I couldn't take David Arquette seriously at all. I know his characer is meant to be a bit of a lame underdog but I just felt most of his serious moments and 'threatening' dialogue was laughable. Laurie Metcalf was fantastically psychotic, and I think she's quite an underrated actor, I've liked her in everything shes been in.
I'm slowly warming to Courtney Cox, but I still kind of want to kick her in the boobs.

Overall the film was okay. A teen-slasher sequel with a bit of intelligence and irony.

Atmosphere: 2/10
Gore and Guts: 2/10
Shocks: 2/10
Overall: 3/10

Book: Zombies For Zombies

2011-08-30T18:31:00.000+08:00

Title: Zombies For Zombies
Author: David P. Murphy
Published: 2009

So, you’ve been bitten by a zombie. Bummer.

But there's no need to panic! Yes, your life will be undergoing a major transformation, but this doesn't have to be the end-all it once was when the Disaster first hit. There have been significant breakthroughs in the last decade in helping you keep significant parts of your wit and dignity. Together we can limit the damage.

Zombies for Zombies is a motivational program designed specifically to make a profound difference in your accidental, strange new life. You say you don't want to become another one of those ghastly creatures you see on the news out in the Tempe Containment Zone? You don't have to—if you follow the great advice inside, including:

* How to dress for your new lifestyle

* Handy recipes for brains

* Fitness ideas for keeping you somewhat energetic

* New skin-care techniques to help ward off "rotting flesh syndrome"

* How to overcome that darned zombie social stigma

* Dance steps for the motor-impaired

This is a funny and well thought out spoof on the 'for Dummies' book range, that covers everything you need to know to deal with 'the Transition™'. And depending on what's left of your hands, you'll find a handful of mouth-watering recipes (depending on what's left of your mouth) at the back of the book.

A brilliant, easy read for those days when H.P. Lovecraft seems a little too much to handle.

Freaks (1932)

2011-08-29T04:48:00.000+08:00

This is an astonishing film, banned for a long time, but now has it's rightful place, being preserved in the United States National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant".

In a business where beauty and appearance is everything, where even just wearing glasses will demote you to 'the frumpy friend' character in a movie, there was something quite startling about seeing these people with genuine physical deformities.

The underlying theme of the film is that it is the so-called 'freaks' that are innocent and good, and the 'regular', healthy people who are inhumane and the true monsters.

Knowing that there was to be no special effects or CGI, that it was all real, all there, gave the film an atmosphere that could not be replicated today with all the money in the world.

The cast was made entirely of actual sideshow performers including Daisy and Violet Hilton (the conjoined twins), Johhny Eck as 'Half-Boy', and, of course, two members of 'The Doll Family' - Harry Earles as 'Hans' and the beautiful Daisy Earles as 'Frieda' (seen below).

Its going to be hard to rate this one, as there are no 'gore and guts', but there are disturbing visuals. There are no jump-out-of-your-skin 'shocks', yet the whole film is shocking. It's a visceral horror, a horror that plays on feelings of morality and acceptance of others, rather than the supernatural or bloody.

It is definitely one that must be seen to be judged. But for now:

Atmosphere: 7/10
Gore and Guts: 1/10 (but visually disturbing)
Shocks: 2/10
Overall: 9/10

Birthday Bumps: Reece Shearsmith

2011-08-27T16:57:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday to Reece Shearsmith who turns 42 today!

Reece Shearsmith is one of my favourite people. He is a member of The League Of Gentlemen and a co-writer of the fantastic TV series 'Psychoville'. He has also appeared in 'Spaced' and 'Shaun Of The Dead' alongside Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Other credits include 'The Cottage' and 'Burke and Hare' (both to be reviewed in the future... stay tuned!)

A fan of the macabre and all things horror, Shearsmith has created and starred in some of the shows and films which led me to be the horror freak I am today. We salute you Mr Shearsmith, have a horribly happy birthday!

The Thorax Cake

2011-08-27T16:04:00.001+08:00

Now for our first entry in the Fiendish Food categeory. This is something I stumbled upon on the internets a while ago. It's a wonderfully disgusting cake from the ladies at "They're Coming To Get You Barbara".
I present to you, The Thorax Cake:

I'll just have a small piece of spleen please, I'm watching my figure...

Birthday Bumps: Tim Burton

2011-08-25T18:32:00.001+08:00

Happy Birthday to Tim Burton, who turns 53 today!

You may know him as the director of such quirky films as Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride and Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He also wrote The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy and Other Stories, which shall be reviewed soon!

So many happy returns Tim Burton, have a frightfully fabulous birthday!

"Any fable or fairytale has some sort of reality in it. That's why I think I love the form of fantasy or fairytale, is that you're able to kind of put things in there and let people sort of, discover their own emotion, discover their own sort of feelings about things. Or make their own lessons from it.'

Scream (1996)

2011-08-24T21:16:00.000+08:00

For those of you who are thinking "Sweeney Todd, then Scream? This is a bit of a lame horror review site isn't it?" Well, that's because we're in the midst of moving house, and after a long day of packing and cleaning I don't really have the energy for anything particularly intense. So quit yer bitchin', the heavy stuff is coming soon.

Back to Scream. I first watched this movie when I was about 12 (so a couple of years after it's initial release in 1996). It was an accessible horror for teens, and having watched it again as an adult, it holds up surprisingly well. The film builds up tension pretty effectively, although the last decade's spate in 'fake-out' jump scenes has immunised me somewhat. (You know, where the tension builds, and then BANG!... it's the cat. You breathe a sigh of relief and then CRASH!...the real scare comes just as you let your guard down).

The classic 'teen-slasher' movie is parodied, and the whole film is peppered with horror movie references. Including the line: "You're starting to sound like some Wes Carpenter flick or something", and a very brief visual joke when we are introduced to the school janitor:

Does that outfit look familiar?

This is the film that was the catalyst for those terrible 'scary-movie' spoof films (which I feel said more about those actors/directors than it did about the films they were attempting to parody). It was also the first time I saw Henry Winkler as anyone but The Fonz.

Overall an enjoyable movie, spoilt a little by the spoofs and parodies that I have seen since, that now taint the original a bit.

"There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully survive a horror movie.
For instance, Number One: You can never have sex. Big no-no. Sex equals death okay?
Number Two: You can never drink or do drugs. The Sin Factor. It's a sin, its an extension of number one.
And Number Three: Never, ever, ever under any circumstances say "I'll be right back" because you won't be back.
You see, you push the laws, and you end up dead okay? I'll see you in the kitchen with a knife."

Atmosphere: 3/10
Gore and Guts: 2/10
Shocks: 3/10
Overall: 4/10

Sweeney Todd (2007)

2011-08-21T18:45:00.000+08:00

I know that Sweeney Todd isn't strictly a horror, but it's not exactly 'Cats'. I remember seeing an amateur stage production of the musical when I was about 11 and it scared the pants off me. So, I felt it deserved an entry.

The triumverate of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter are in full swing in this macabre, murderous musical about 'The Demon Barber of Fleet Street'. Depp plays the title role, a barber bent on vengeance for the imprisoning of his wife and daughter by the sinister Judge Turpin (brilliantly played by Alan Rickman). He joins forces with Mrs Lovett, a pie-maker who has fallen on her luck and has resorted to baking 'pussy-pies' (no, not that kind of pussy, that'd be a whole different film). Put these two desolate characters together and it's a recipe for... well, you'll have to watch the movie.

I was surprised by how vocally adept Johnny Depp was, though his accent was a little over-the-top. Bonham-Carter's was more believable, but then she is a UK native. Her singing however? Not as great. Jayne Wisener, who plays Johanna, had a beautiful voice and looked like a pure porcelain doll. You know that this had to be a huge factor in her casting - she could have been a model for Corpse Bride with her pale complexion and delicate features, features that we all know Tim Burton adores.

One of the reasons I feel this qualifies as a horror is the dreadful image of the 'recently serviced clients' of the barbershop dropping head-first into the bakehouse cellar. The crunching of skulls was horrific! The vivid red blood spatter heavily employed in the latter half of the film really contrasted with the grimy, sooty streets of London. If there's one thing that can be said of Tim Burton it is that he has a brilliant eye for the dark, dirty and macabre. He can go beyond the usual sparkly, silver gothic of 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' and 'Corpse Bride' and really delve into the grime and filth. It can be quite shocking for those who were expecting a gritty 'Edward Scissorhands'.

And, introducing the beta rating-system (until I can get something more permanent in place):

Atmosphere: 6/10
Gore and Guts: 5/10
Shocks: 1/10
Overall: 7/10

Introduction

2011-08-19T20:53:00.003+08:00

What is this? Where am I? Who are you?
Whoa, whoa, slow down there, gramps.
This is the internet. Imagine if your television, the newspaper and your phone all had a lovechild. Imagine the potential this new creature could have; for the sharing of knowledge and opinions, the boundaries it could knock down, the philosophical discussions it could start. Now imagine this creature grows up to be retarded because it was fed exclusively on a diet of porn, 'funny' cat pictures and casino pop-ups. That is the internet.

More specifically, this is my corner of the internet. It's kinda dingy, like the back corner of the basement where you keep your old LPs and video cassettes, but because of the damp it kind of smells like old man farts.

In my little corner of the internet I can wax philosophically about viral zombies vs. voodoo zombies, Hammer Horror vs. Universal Horror, and whether the Saw franchise will ever end.

Who are you?
I am the Scream Queen. I am a 24 year-old wife, mother, rockabilly, nerd, zombiphile, kinda italian-looking, ex-goth. Pleased to meet you.

Why do you love horror?
I've always been a fan of the alternative side of life. When I was about 11 I'd silently put on a video when everyone was asleep (which is hard to do, you ever tried silently rewinding a VCR at 2am?), and while everyone snoozed I was discovering 'The Exorcist' for the first time. And then not sleeping. For days.
My first memory of being interested in the horror genre was when I was around 9. We were at the local convenience store and I saw this movie in the video-rental section:

I was transfixed by the cover, but knew I would never be allowed to watch it. I went home and wondered what the movie would be like, and I pretty much imagined how the movie would go in my head. I managed to freak myself out and had nightmares for days. I have to date still never watched the movie, I feel like I might be disappointed and disillusioned (it kind of does look crap now I'm older).

From there I started leaning towards scarier movies, and by 15 was a budding horror freak. I was also a huge fan of British Comedy (having been born in England before moving to Australia a few years ago). So when 'Shaun Of The Dead' came out, I was in heaven. It re-ignited my love of zombies and horror (after a few years of being in a gothic 'I don't watch movies, I just read Edgar Allen Poe and listen to music...it's, like, much more personal and organic y'know?').

Sooo, yeah. The last few years I have seen some great movies, and I have seen some god-awful ones, and my brain was fit to burst with unheard opinions. So I decided to start a blog. This blog. Welcome.

Any Questions? Comments? Quemments?
Leave them in the comments below and I'll do my best to answer them.