Jamie

February 26, 2019

Lists

Best Horror of 2018 | Jamie's Picks

Jamie

February 26, 2019

Lists

It’s important to note these aren’t really in any particular order - but, here you have em - my favorite horror films of 2018.

Upgrade was one of those 2018 horror movies that I had added to my list from the get-go, but then didn’t get around to watching it until the end of the year. As a long-standing fan of Black Mirror, the premise was right up my alley (artificial implants that cause super strength) and I was happy to see Logan Marshall-Green (The Invitation) stepping back in to the world of horror. Not usually a fan of Leigh Whannell, I was pleasantly surprised by this movie.

I didn’t jump on the Hereditary hype-train right away. The first viewing wasn’t enough to really blow me away, despite there being two scenes that were delightfully shocking and completely unexpected. It wasn’t until my second watch that I really understood why people were raving about this movie. It’s a crazy story made real with solid camera direction and an amazing cast of actors. This will absolutely be a movie I revisit multiple times.

Remakes and reboots have been all the rage for the last 5 years or so, and the announcement that Argento’s Suspiria would be getting the same treatment was enough to make many horror fans a wee bit nervous. Luckily, Luca Guadagnino’s vision was bizarre, visually captivating, and more than a little unsettling. I appreciate Argento’s original for what it is but, I enjoyed watching this reboot even more.

Ex Machina has stuck with me since the first time I watched it and I have been waiting for director Alex Garland’s next movie ever since. Luckily, we got it last year in the form of Annihilation, a visually stunning movie that explored the idea that humanity’s destruction (and the destruction of all life on Earth as we know it) came as the result of some cosmic accident/genetic anomaly. Sure, some of the CGI is wonky but it didn’t take anything away from the movie - the story itself is more than compelling enough to keep you engaged and interested.

Oh, Mandy, you came and you gave…
This movie was a seriously wild ride from beginning to end. Visually, it was one of the most interesting movies I’ve seen in years - the colors, the sound, the acting, the costumes, etc., it’s all just so wonderful and I couldn’t tear my eyes away. Nic Cage is quickly become horror’s new darling and his performance in Mandy confirms that horror is where he belongs.

The Ritual is easily my most re-watched movie on this list. It’s a tense and creepy story, set in the ancient woods of Sweden, and it just so happens to have the absolute coolest looking movie monster in the history of movie monsters. I highly recommend checking out both the movie and the novel it’s based on (The Ritual, by Adam Nevill) - you’ll find they have wildly different endings but they both work and I wasn’t disappointed in either.

Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead are quite the dynamic duo when it comes to film-making. I count Spring and Resolution among my favorite horror/thriller films, and their 2018 release, The Endless, is no different. Despite being a sort of companion piece to Resolution, The Endless is a seriously trippy — and often unsettling — ride that is perfectly capable of standing on it's own. It’s a truly bizarre story about two brothers, who receive a cryptic video that drives them to revisit the UFO death cult they had escaped when they were younger. If that’s not enough to pull you in, The Endless also shows us unsettling time loops, weird phenomenons that cause a “mirroring effect” in nature, and a night sky with three moons - you can’t say that doesn’t sound intriguing. Finally, if you’re a fellow fan of Benson and Moorhead, you’ll be pleased to know they have recently wrapped up filming on their next film, Synchronic.

Jamie

January 11, 2018

Lists

Best Horror of 2017 | Jamie's Picks

Jamie

January 11, 2018

Lists

I’m not usually a fan of the “teen scream” type movies but Happy Death Day was definitely an exception. It quickly won me over with its simple yet entertaining and unique plot; a college student finds herself forced to live the day of her murder over and over again until she’s finally able to discover the identity of her killer. It’s basically Groundhog’s Day meets a horror slasher - what doesn't sound awesome about that?!? I watched it on my own and lol’d at quite a few parts so I imagine it would be even better with a group of like-minded pals.

I really debated whether or not I wanted to include Get Out in my top 10 list for this year. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good movie and I had a lot of fun watching it - I just feel like it got a lot more hype than it deserved (especially considering some of the other titles that came out in 2017). I finally decided to include it because, ultimately, I did have fun watching it (I mean, Catherine Keener and Bradley Whitford!!). It was well acted and did manage to get a lot of folks out to see it and then talk about it. I can't help but be pleased that more people are getting into horror now because of blockbuster hits like Get Out.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 67

Oh, Split. The movie where I found myself oddly attracted to James McAvoy dressed as a woman. Not just any woman, of course. He was dressed as Patricia, one of his 23 personalities. While I certainly enjoyed this movie in its entirety, it was McAvoy's performance that really sealed the deal - he stole the show (even from new horror darling, Anya Taylor-Joy!). Split is M Night's second movie since 2015's The Visit and though it doesn't necessarily have the sort of twist you might expect, it does have a surprise treat at the end for folks who have seen Unbreakable. Here's hoping M Night keeps it up!

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 64

This second installation to Mark Duplass’ planned trilogy builds on the same general plot as Creep, but manages to feel more authentic - and far more uncomfortable -, largely due to the chemistry and interactions between the two characters. While I can’t say I liked Creep 2 as much as I liked Creep, I can say that I had just as much fun watching it.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 88

This HBO documentary covers the highly publicised case of Anissa Weier and Morgan Geyser and the Slenderman stabbing. If the idea of two impressionable and disturbed young girls becoming influenced enough by a fictional character to attempt to murder their friend isn’t one that sends a couple chills down your spine, this may not be the documentary for you. If it is, however, then borrow your friend’s HBO password and check out this movie.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 65

Not only did this season feel more tonally balanced than last season but, I just flat-out enjoyed it more. It’s hard to even pick a favorite episode; The season opener, USS Callister, was entertaining, tense, and visually beautiful to watch. Black Mirror can be a tricky show to recommend to folks, due to its often dark and emotionally devastating themes, but I feel like Charlie Brooker has found a balanced way to create new episodes that appeal to a wider and more diverse group of folks. If we could be guaranteed a new season every year, I would be a very happy camper.

Super Dark Times was an unexpected, end-of-the-year win for me. Almost every technical aspect felt expertly conceived and executed, and the actors delivered performances that felt genuine and painfully authentic. There was a point during the movie where I felt physically sick from anxiety because of what was taking place on screen. All of this being said, I was really hoping it would end differently and when it didn’t, I was thrown off. Regardless, I loved this and highly recommend it.

I think I can confidently say that, of all the horror movies I saw this year, I had the most fun watching The Void. The not-so-subtle Lovecraftian feel that's present throughout the movie only adds to the overall viewing enjoyment. The story-line may not be the cleanest and the acting may not be the best, but I was so enamored by the visuals and practical effects that I didn’t care. If you’re anything like me, once the movie hits a certain point, you’ll be at the edge of your seat, grinning like an idiot.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 71

Joachim Trier really nailed it with this beautiful and well-acted story about Thelma, a young woman away at college - and away from her parents’ strict, religious home - for the first time. The story only focuses on a small snippet of her life, but it's a very significant snippet. Some of the scenes felt so hauntingly tense and yet, were relatively simplistic in their design and setup. Color me impressed. This will probably be a tough sell for your “blood & guts only” kind of horror fan but if you’re interested in something a bit more subtle, you should definitely give this a try.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 87

When I saw this movie earlier this year for the first time, I knew it would top my "Best of 2017" list. Honestly, this is one of the most impressive and satisfying movies I've seen in a while - even outside of the horror genre. Julia Durcournau created a terrifically disturbing yet, weirdly relatable story about a young girl, away at college for the first time and coming to terms with her new...urges. Raw was visually stunning, well-acted, and felt like something refreshingly new. You're doing yourself a great disservice if you don't give this movie a try.

The Bloodlust Podcast - Episode 68

Jamie

January 1, 2017

Lists

Best Horror of 2016: Jamie's Picks

Jamie

January 1, 2017

Lists

I think most of us can agree that 2016 was a bit of a rough year -- it started out with the death of Alan Rickman & ended with Carrie Fisher's (so brutal)! But along with the generous portions of crap it threw at us, it did manage to give us a generous selection of quality horror. Do I expect you to agree that all of these were the best? No. Do I care if you think some of my choices are stupid and don't belong on any "best of" list? Also no. Without further ado (and in no particular order):

The Invitation

Director: Karyn Kusama | Release Date: April 2016

Karyn Kusama's dark, cult-thriller was easily one of the best horror offerings of 2016. Her direction is wonderfully on point as she uses the interior of the L.A. house, the general stuffiness of a rich-person party, and the complexities of human grief to create an almost oppressively tense thriller. Seriously, this is one of those movies that made me feel almost sick with anxiety until its shocking ending.

10 Cloverfield Lane

Director: Dan Trachtenberg | Release Date: March 2016

As a lifelong fan of Roseanne, I was beyond excited to see John Goodman kill it in his role as a lonely and seriously unstable doomsday-prepper. 10 Cloverfield Lane was everything (and more) that I wanted from Cloverfield - black comedy, aliens, bunkers, and John Goodman dancing to jukebox tunes. You don't need to have seen Cloverfield to understand/enjoy this movie so, if you haven't seen it, get on it.

Green Room

Director: Jeremy Saulnier | Release Date: May 2016

So Green Room seems to be one of those movies that some folks like to claim is "not real horror." Personally, I think the shit that goes down in Green Room is most certainly horror. Patrick Stewart is the perfect badguy, playing the leader of a group of Nazi punk-rockers. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the solid performance from the late Anton Yelchin. This movie was a fun ride right from the get-go and it did not hold back when it came to blood and gore - if nothing else, that's gotta make it "horror."

Stranger Things

Director: Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer, Shawn Levy | Release Date: July 2015

Stranger Things was one of the two best shows to come out in 2016 (the second being Westworld - seriously...it was so gd good). I always get worried when there's a movie or show I'm really looking forward to. I hate being disappointed. That was 100% not the case with Stranger Things. Its nostalgic, Stand By Me feel and throwbacks to 80's horror (not to mention the Dungeons & Dragons references) were everything a girl could want in a Netflix show.

Don't Breathe

Director: Fede Alvarez | Release Date: August 2016

This is the only one on my list that I even slightly considered leaving off. On the whole, I really liked Don't Breathe. This is the second year in a row we got a solid horror film set in Detroit, which is pretty great - even if directors are just taking advantage of the plethora of abandoned houses. The biggest success in Don't Breathe was the serious tension it created as the would-be-thieves snuck around the house, trying not to be detected by the blind homeowner. My biggest issue with the movie was the total story curveball it threw in its third act (particularly the bit involving a turkey baster). That issue aside, Don't Breathe was a tension-filled home invasion success.

Black Mirror - Season 3 (episodes 2 & 3)

Director: Dan Trachtenberg (ep 2), James Watkins (ep 3) | Release Date: October 2016

Black Mirror was another Netflix show whose release I was anxiously waiting for. I am a HUGE fan of the first two seasons so naturally I had really high hopes, and while I wasn't wild about every episode, numbers two & three had everything I expect from Black Mirror. Episode 2, "Playtest," is about a young guy, who tests out a new virtual reality horror game that involves exploring a haunted house, so of course horror fans should like it. Episode 3, "Shut Up and Dance," was by far my favorite episode of the season. To me, it was up there with my all-time favorites - definitely one of those episodes that sticks with you for a couple of days. Black Mirror has always been great at using relatable, real-life scenarios (typically with a futuristic feel & cool technological twist) to tell a story that sits with you for days.

Southbound

Director: Radio silence, Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, Patrick Horvath | Release Date: February 2016

Southbound already had a leg-up on the competition for me since it's an anthology - I'm just a sucker for them. But this movie had more than just that going for it. It had some seriously great segments that I thought were better than some of the full-length movies this year. There were awesome, floating death-monsters, weird time-slips, and a pretty brutal leg break. I hope 2017 has fewer V/H/S or ABC's of Death sequels and more anthologies like Southbound.

The Eyes of My Mother

Director: Nicolas Pesce | Release Date: December 2016

I didn't know anything about this movie before I watched it, which was probably for the best. I think if I had looked into it at all, I would've assumed I wasn't going to like it - it's not really the type of movie I'm drawn to. All of that being said, I absolutely loved this movie. It was beautifully shot, had solid performances, and managed to make a murderer's story a somewhat sympathetic one. Honestly, even if you don't enjoy black & white movies, I highly recommend giving this a watch.

Demon

Director: Marcin Wrona | Release Date: September 2016

This Polish film is a retelling of the Yiddish tale of the dybbuk, which is a malicious possessing spirit. I had no idea Yiddish lore could be so creepy. The story centers around a man, Peter, who travels to Poland to get married and settle down in his new wife's parents' house. Strange things start happening right away and during his wedding, he starts to feel and act, well...strange. That's all I'll say. I was pretty transfixed throughout the whole movie, to be honest. It's definitely one I'll watch again.

I Am Not A Serial Killer

Director: Billy O'Brien | Release Date: August 2016

I was definitely excited to check this one out - if not only to see Mr. Christopher Lloyd be amazing once again. Based on a popular Young Adult novel, I Am Not a Serial Killer tells the story of a young teen's unhealthy obsession with serial killers (and fear that he may even be becoming one). Maybe it's the fact that his mother is the town mortician and has him assist with embalming. Maybe it's the multiple allusions to his not-so-healthy mental health. Whatever it is, the teen soon finds himself in the midst of a murder mystery when people in his town keep winding up as victims of brutal murders. I feel like folks will either love or hate the ending, which is understandable - it's a bit on the supernatural side. I liked it so I think it's definitely worth a watch!

The Autopsy of Jane Doe

Director: André Øvredal | Release Date: December 2016

André Øvredal (Trollhunter) finishes the year with this seriously fantastic thriller about a father/son team of coroners, conducting an autopsy on the recently discovered corpse of a girl. I don't want to give too much info away about this one (our next podcast episode will be on it) - I'd rather just tell you to check it out. I loved it. I'm also happy that this was the last horror movie I saw in 2016 - made it end on a pretty high note.

The Shallows

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra | Release Date: June 2016

It's been far too long since a decent shark-related thriller has been released in theaters. So when The Shallows was announced, I was pretty much already a fan. I'm a long-time sucker for shark movies and when they're actually good, that's even better. The Shallows could easily have been a cheesy, one-note crapfest. Instead, it was a solid thriller that was beautifully shot and well acted (Blake Lively carried it entirely on her own). If you're at all a fan of shark flicks, you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't check this one out.

The VVitch

Director: Robert Eggers | Release Date: February 2016

One name: Black Phillip. The true star of 2016. In all seriousness, though, I. Love. This. Movie. My theatrical viewing of it was slightly marred when Peter Cetera's voice drifted in from the next theater (showing Deadpool - also great). However, after a second viewing at home, I was onboard with everything Robert Eggers was doing. The family's isolation, along with their religious paranoia, work to create a seriously unnerving movie. The Witch is the only movie I can confidently assign a rating to - #1 obvs.

There they are. My favorites. If you have some faves that didn't make my list, leave them in the comments.

I will give honorable mention to: ABC's of Death 2.5, Under the Shadow, and Blair Witch.