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crystalboogie
Reviews
28 Days Later... (2002)
Tongue-tied with terror!!!
I have read about this movie for quite a while in Fangoria, and nothing could prepare me (not even Fango's "Scariest Movie in 10 Years" blurb on the cover) for the movie itself. This is the only movie I have ever seen where I didn't even touch my Lemonade or Sour Straws-I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole movie. I don't even know where to begin...Jim walking around an abandoned London was bone-chilling and the "infected" were horrific. They were so f**king quick!!! I thought the acting was superb and I truly felt for the survivors. Hell, the movie was so good I even felt sorry for the infected. Also, Cillian Murphy is my new love....
House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
Gourgeously Gory!! Fabulously Freaky!! Come one. Come all. Its Showtime!!!
I have waited three years for this flick and was in no way disappointed. I am a Chicago native and now live in Jackson, Tennessee (in between Memphis and Nashville). I was shocked to learn that "House" would not be released in Jackson for a month. I immediately got on the computer and found the scedules for Memphis. I was surprised to find it was only playing in four theatres there. Anyhow, I got my butt in gear, jumped in my car with a buddy and raced to Memphis to cath the 5:00 show.
I don't even know where to start about this movie. It blew my mind. It totally exceeded all of my expectations! It is quite obvious that Rob Zombie is as big of a fright fan as I am. He knows his horror history and was eager to pay homage to it. In "House" I saw the influences of: Texas Chainsaw Massacre 1 and 2 (in the twisted dialogue, black humour, and sadistic depravity of the family), Last House on the Left (the grainy flashes intercutting the film were reminiscent of the cemetary disemboweling scene and one scene of "house" is definately influenced by the same), Last House on Dead End Street (the sadistic depravity of the characters and the grainy flashes throughout the film), Funhouse( the funhouse and the mutant son), and Natural Born Killers (Sheri Moon as "Baby" oozes Mallory Knox). Zombie has enough artistic talent however to make "House" not a rip-off of these movies but a cult phenomenon (I predict) all of its own. All of the performances in this movie were stellar: Sid Haig, Michael J. Pollard, Bill Mosely, and best of all Karen Black. Sheri Moon also gave an awesome performance, considering it was her first acting gig.
I can't find the words to describe how gory, disturbing, depraved, disgustiong, and visually pleasing this movie was. Zombie obviously understands the fine line between sex and death, and gore and beauty. I thought the movie was aesthetically phenomenal. I am reluctant to give out any spoilers, so all I have left to say, is sit back and enjoy the ride, because its a wild one!!
La lupa mannara (1976)
Disturbing Italian psychological horror
Following a brutal rape, Daniela's father takes her away to the family's country home to mentally recover from the trauma. However she becomes fixated on a legend of an ancestor who was allegedly a werewolf. When Daniela discovers a picture of her relative and realizes the disturbing similarity, her fixation becomes a flat out obsession complete with nightmares and hallucinations. When observing her sister and husband having sex, Daniela's mind snaps, luring him out to the wood to seduce him and then rip out his throat with her bare teeth. After her brother in law's death is ruled an accident, Daniela becomes near catatonic and is moved to a mental institution. Daniela then becomes very violent and verbally abusive and is thus restrained. A female patient (and nymphomaniac) comes to her at night and molests her. Daniela persuades her into taking off the restraints and then brutally kills her and escapes. Several brutal(and graphic) murders later Daniela is picked up in the rain by a very kind man who shelters her and loves her. Daniela has never met a man who didn't try to hurt her, so consequently she is quite taken aback with the gentle stranger. Strangely enough all of her psychotic urges are quelled. The happy couple lives in absolute bliss (shown by slow motion strolls on the beach) until a band of thugs break into the house, rape Daniela, and kill her newfound love. Needless to say, Daniela is a little bit angry.... I found Werewolf Woman to be a very disturbing and depressing look at the darker side of humanity. . The best part of this movie is that it allows you to decide for yourself whether Daniela is simply a psychopath or truly possessed by the spirit of her lupine ancestor. Annik Borel plays the role of Daniela to a tee. Once again Rino Di Silvestri directs an absolute masterpiece of Italian sex/gore/horror cinema.