Happy holidays, you filthy animals. I mean, that’s kinda the quote, right? This week I watched some absolutely stellar films. From bloody to creepy and oppressive to just plain heartbreaking. I have it all here for your happy times with family!
TERRIFIED (2017)
Written/Directed by: Demian Rugna
Run time: 1 hour, 27 minutes
Rated: Not rated
Free: No Streaming: Shudder
Synopsis: A neighborhood experiences deadly events. When paranormal experts get involved, things that go bump in the night come out to play.
Pros: eerie atmosphere, character development, special effects
Cons: (a personal one) - jump scares! I hate those damned things but they were needed in this movie.
Most memorable scene: the shower scene. Ho. Lee. Shit.
Thoughts: I fell in love with this director with WHEN EVIL LURKS. I wasn’t ready for the emotional turmoil that would be involved in this film. It says something about the entire experience when I immediately buy it on DVD.
Rating: 11/10
TALES FROM THE CRYPT (1972)
Written: Milton Subotsky, Al Feldstein, Johnny Craig
Directed: Freddie Francis
Run time: 1 hour, 32 minutes
Rated: PG
Free: Plex
Synopsis: Five strangers come to together with five stories of revenge, wrath, greed and so much more before the culmination of their share fate.
Pros: even though every story was very different, they all felt connected.
Cons: the pit scene. It definitely could have been left out.
Most memorable scene: “Santa’s here! I let him in!.”
Thoughts: I loved the tension that stayed even after I figured out what was happening. The acting is stellar and sometimes cheesy but it adds a bit of a quick breather before getting back to the doom and gloom.
Rating: 9.5/10
THE WOMAN IN BLACK (1989)
Written: Susan Hill, Nigel Kneale
Directed: Herbert Wise
Run time: 1 hour, 42 minutes
Rated: Not rated
Free: YouTube Streaming: Prime Video
Synopsis: A young lawyer must leave him family for a week to prepare a home for sale. But someone from the house’s past stands in the way.
Pros: eerie, uncomfortable feeling throughout and Spider
Cons: I wish we knew more about the sister
Most memorable scene: anytime the toy soldier showed up.
Thoughts: Talk about unnerving. The sounds on the marsh were as upsetting for the viewer as they were for the characters. A definite must watch if you enough eerie over bloody.
Rating: 10/10
THE SACRAMENT (2013)
Written/Directed by: Ti West
Run time: 1 hour, 39 minutes
Rated: R
Free: Plex
Synopsis: A team from Vice go in search of one of their team member’s sisters in a remote village. While everything seems like paradise, secrets lurk that could be deadly.
Pros: based off of the <redacted>
Cons: None
Most memorable scene: the brother and sister in the cabin. Absolutely heartbreaking.
Thoughts: I’m a <redacted> fanatic and have been for decades. It stays pretty close to what happened at <redacted> minus a few liberties. A definite recommend as even I was stressed watching it, knowing the ending.
Rating: 10/10
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