The Horror Thread - Part 3

[StarLord]

Brooker is my fav, as is Part III.

The best part was when he shot the girl with the harpoon and just threw it on the ground and walked off.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

Brooker is in my top 3 for sure, he was the first to don the hockey mask and one of the best, I really loved how he moved as well, like a crazy man.

 

[BH/HHH]

Fans see different things in the films than others.

See, I am as you on these two films. I'm in the minority, but I find The Final Chapter dull as a sack of bricks aside from the kills and Crispin Glover. The characters were more faceless than usual and the pace just kind of slags on and on. It's also visually bland. Zito has no sense of atmosphere or pacing. Part 1 may be slow at times, but Cunningham knew how to shoot the woods and make it creepy. For me, part 3 has some of the best kills, characters and atmosphere of the series. I also enjoy A New Beginning more than the 4th for it's slick pacing, sleazy tone, off the wall humor and back to back kills.

See I can totally see why you would think TFC us slow and dull, if I'm nit in the mood for it it does seem boring but at the same time I love how slow it us. It adds to the suspense.

I disagree though that Part 3 has great characters, I don't see a stand out in there. Its got by far the worst acting of the series and I never believed any if these people would be friends.

Part IV had great characters, Crispin Glover steals the show, you totally believe him and Teddy are friends. Infact this whole group just feels very natural to me, these are the most real kids in the series in my opinion.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I guess some of you don't get the fact that these movies are sometimes enjoyable simply because of the bad acting.

 

[Ant-manic]

See I can totally see why you would think TFC us slow and dull, if I'm nit in the mood for it it does seem boring but at the same time I love how slow it us. It adds to the suspense.

I disagree though that Part 3 has great characters, I don't see a stand out in there. Its got by far the worst acting of the series and I never believed any if these people would be friends.

Part IV had great characters, Crispin Glover steals the show, you totally believe him and Teddy are friends. Infact this whole group just feels very natural to me, these are the most real kids in the series in my opinion.

i know that i'm in the minority but i find Crispin Glover annoying (and an extremely overrated actor). i prefered Feldman's family in Part IV; didn't care that those other kids got killed, at all. and those twins showing up to be sex toys was far from natural, to me.

 

[SPIDER-MAN-ROX]

I guess some of you don't get the fact that these movies are sometimes enjoyable simply because of the bad acting.

Its not like the actors are paid that much to even try in these types of movies.

 

[Ant-manic]

Battle of the Horror Remakes (or reboots if you prefer)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) vs Halloween (2007) vs Friday the 13th (2009) vs A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

Which one do you prefer and why? Also if you can be bothered rank them.

-------

from best to worst

Texas Chainsaw Massacre - i ranked this the best because it was the best in-theatre experience. even the trailer had me really excited; once i heard the chainsaw. and i was not a fan of the original franchise. but Andrew Bryniarski really enjoyed being leatherface and it showed; same with the Sheriff. plus, Jessica Biel wasn't as big a name back then but put in a decent performance as the "final girl." great atmosphere - great characters - actual suspense - i don't know what happened with the follow-ups

Friday the 13th - this felt like it wouldn't be out of place in the original run - it just added to the mythology - Jason was taken seriously/made to be a real (surprisingly cerebral) threat - that opening scene with the dangling sleeping bag was just brutally coordinated - and i even liked the Padalecki character - if anything bothered me about it, it's how Jason went out in the end

Nightmare on Elm Street - to be fair, i fell asleep halfway through - and i wasn't interested in finishing it or rewinding; after i woke up - i'm judging this entirely on the recasting - i don't see Jackie Earle Haley as a bad recast (if it has to be done) - he looked the part even if he lacked Englund's sense of humor

Halloween - i've said plenty about it earlier in the thread. i don't want to harp. but it wasn't for me. the Shape's my second favorite slasher (after the killer from the original Black Xmas) - so it was going to take a lot to impress me



since it wasn't on the list, i'd rate Sorority Row just below the Friday the 13th remake - i think it basically just took the name from an older movie but made its own (entertaining) thing

 

[gwynplaine]

Any love for "Maniac Cop" in this thread?

"You have the right to remain silent... forever."t:

 

[GremlinZilla89]

The first two are gold.

 

[gwynplaine]

The first two are gold.

 

[Thundarr]

See I can totally see why you would think TFC us slow and dull, if I'm nit in the mood for it it does seem boring but at the same time I love how slow it us. It adds to the suspense.

I disagree though that Part 3 has great characters, I don't see a stand out in there. Its got by far the worst acting of the series and I never believed any if these people would be friends.

Part IV had great characters, Crispin Glover steals the show, you totally believe him and Teddy are friends. Infact this whole group just feels very natural to me, these are the most real kids in the series in my opinion.

For me, whenever I'm asked to rate movies from a franchise, I gotta admit that I pretty much rate them in the order they came out (the first being best, second being second best, etc). Because let's face it, a sequel almost by definition is an inferior replica of the original. To me, Friday The 13th is no different. The first one is the best one, the second being not as good as the first, the third not quite as good as the second, and so on.

I personally think that the characters were more likeable and realistic in the first two movies. In part 3, while not all of the characters were entirely likeable, I didn't really dislike them either. In retrospect, some of them do seem a little forced, especially Chuck & Chili. Those two seemed to only be there to add to the body count and be the obvious "Smoke Pot & Die" cliche of these films. The others could actually see hanging out together.

As for part 4, I found Tim White's portrayal of Jason to be my favorite of the series up to that point. He was fast, brutal, and scary. I also liked the characters. They all felt very real, like the actors all new each other before shooting or something. However, I found the movie just lacked the suspense that the first three had. It had some great kills thanks to Tom Savini & his make up magic. But there was very little build up to any of them.

One trick used in the first two movies, which was unfortunately dropped in the later films, was that they only played music when the killer was around. If he was nowhere near, then there would be no music. But if he was close by,then there was music. Then in part 3 and beyond they would try and manipulate the audience with the music, playing suspenseful music when showing someone's feet as they approach, or while looking over someone's shoulder, suggesting that person is Jason. Then we see them & it's someone else (Rob, one of the bikers, Rick, whoever). Or they'll play creepy music while someone's walking alone and then have them bump into a tree or a person for a false jump scare. Personally, I found the method used in the first two movies to be more effective.

 

[Thundarr]

Battle of the Horror Remakes (or reboots if you prefer)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003) vs Halloween (2007) vs Friday the 13th (2009) vs A Nightmare on Elm Street (2010)

Which one do you prefer and why? Also if you can be bothered rank them.

-------

My answer:

1) I like all 4 of these films but Friday the 13th is definitely my favourite. I really think they did a great update and making Jason smarter was such a good move for this era. I love the score and the atmosphere of this movie and I like all the characters too. It also in my opinion featured the best Jason in Derek Mears his performance was outstanding.

2) Halloween has really grown on me, I used to hate it but after seeing the theatrical cut I changed my mind. Tyler Mane was excellent as Myers, my favourite part of the film is the second half as its more a traditional Halloween film but grittier.

3) TCM was a big win for me, I never liked a Chainsaw Massacre film before this or after this. I think this is one of those rare instances (for me) where the remake is better than the original. I also preferred this intepretation of Leatherface better than before he was less ****** (not meaning that in an offensive way) and more brutal killer.

4)ANOES isn't a bad update, infact it does some interesting stuff but unfortunatly its bogged down by the horrible remake elements. They really should have just made a fresh new film and ignored redoing any scenes from the orginal. Jackie Earle Haley does a decent job but unfortunately unlike the 3 above he wasn't able to put his own stamp on the character. Seems to me this is one instance where having the character be able to speak hindered him whereas with Jason, Michael & Leatherface the actors were able to make changes using only body language.

So my choices are going to see Yoko Ono in concert, lighting my head on fire and having it beaten out with a shovel, shoving a yard of barbed wire up my urethra, or being sodomized by a red hot poker.


Texas Chainsaw Massacre: I find this film to be the least offensive of the bunch. It managed to build some pretty decent suspense, the characters were all quite enjoyable (including the villains), and who the heck doesn't love that close up of Jessica's butt as she's walking to the farm house. My only real gripe with the movie has always been that they completely glossed over the whole "cannibalism" aspect. It should've been done more prominently.

Friday The 13th: I will give this movie props for some invenive kills and keeping very close to the original story. Unfortunately I found all of the characters in this movie either completely unlikeable, or boring as hell. Sure the women were hot, but a couldn't give a rat's tail about their characters. There was also virtually no suspense built up throughout the whole film. The only bright spot was Derek Meers' portrayal ofJason was the best since Ted White's. Unfortunately that wasn't enough to save this crapfest.

A Nightmare On Elm Street: This movie had some decent suspense built up in many of the scenes, and Jacky Earl Haley did a great job of making Freddy scary again. Unfortunately they f**ked with his origins, insinuating that he might have been innocent and making him just a child molester rather than a child killer. Also, not one of the kids in the movie were very likeable. So this movie gets another thumbs down.

Rob Zombie's Halloween: Good God, I don't know if you could make a worse reimagining of one of the greatest horror films of all time if you tried. Where the hell do I even start. The white trash upbringing. Dr Loomis being a total deuche. The serial killer cliches. Having Laurie finger f**k a bagel. The rape scene in the unrated version. There is not one redeemable thing in this entire failure of a film. It should be erased from existtance, every copy round up and destroyed, and RZ should be drawn & quartered for his blasphemy.

 

[BH/HHH]

Its not like the actors are paid that much to even try in these types of movies.

Yeah but the acting in III is probably the worst of the series and I know they had the 3D process etc but even look at the couple who are supposedly stoned. They never appear stoned at all. I think as well with Part 3 I just hate where its filmed, its such an obvious fake lake and you can tell its in California.

 

[Thundarr]

Yeah but the acting in III is probably the worst of the series and I know they had the 3D process etc but even look at the couple who are supposedly stoned. They never appear stoned at all. I think as well with Part 3 I just hate where its filmed, its such an obvious fake lake and you can tell its in California.

Honestly it didn't even look like a lake at all. It was more like a duck pond in their front yard or something.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

This man in all his epicness is what makes 3 one of the best of the franchise!

 

[GremlinZilla89]

I freakin' love Shelly and he is one of the few people in the whole series I really felt bad for when they bit the dust. The characters is part 3 may have been cliche, but they were entertaining. Shelly, the stoners, the bikers, the redneck store owners from the opening...I also think Chris is the most underrated Survivor Girl of the series.

 

[cabel]

This man in all his epicness is what makes 3 one of the best of the franchise!

I can't help but feel that he's my Earth-2 counterpart.

 

[Ant-manic]

I can't help but feel that he's my Earth-2 counterpart.

wow. i'm sorry. Paul from the Friday the 13th video game is my Ultimate Universe counterpart.

 

[The Joker]

I love Friday the 13th part 3. It's my personal favorite. Richard Brooker's Jason was the best. So creepy. I loved the characters, especially Shelly. Chris was a great final heroine for Jason. She really kicked his ass. Their chases were terrific.

 

[chamber-music]

Hammer Studio's next film after The Quiet Ones and The Woman In Black sequel is a remake of The Abominable Snowman.

British horror specialists Hammer Films are to remake The Abominable Snowman, their own 1957 cult classic starring Peter Cushing and Forrest Tucker. The project is being produced by Ben Holden, who is currently producing Hammer's Woman in Black sequel, subtitled Angel of Death.

In the original, Cushing and Tucker play scientists who are searching for the mythical giant beasts in the Himalayas; the Yeti turn out to be intelligent beings laying low until they can reclaim their land from invading humankind. Hammer have said their new version, from Pusher scriptwriter Matthew Read and Angel of Death writer Jon Croker, will be a "modern take" on the story, in which "a scientific expedition's illegal ascent up an unclimbed peak of one of the world's most formidable mountains accidentally awakens an ancient creature that could spell a certain end for them all".

The Abominable Snowman marks Hammer's first major attempt to capitalise on their extensive back catalogue

Could be cool. The Cronenberg remake of The Fly and John Carpenter's remake of The Thing From Another World shows you can get some is good films out of remaking some mid-20th Century Horror classics.

 

[redhawk23]

This simultaneously made and ruined my day.

 

[66 Face]

Hammer Studio's next film after The Quiet Ones and The Woman In Black sequel is a remake of The Abominable Snowman.



Could be cool. The Cronenberg remake of The Fly and John Carpenter's remake of The Thing From Another World shows you can get some is good films out of remaking some mid-20th Century Horror classics.

The original is really good. It kind of has vibe like the first half of The Decent going for it.

Hammer had some idea's for movies that never came out. They all look pretty awesome but one was supposed to be a Nessie movie made with Toho. I was hoping for that over a yeti picture.

Has anyone bought a Scream Factory blu ray? Is it all its cracked up to be? Some people rave about them.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I started off my Christmas Flick Marathon last night with this horror gem Christmas Evil (also known as Better Watch Out) which I had never seen.

The film had a really creepy and disturbing tone to it which I loved, much more suspense driven that straight up slasher like Silent Night Deadly Night. I recommend to any horror fan that hasn't seen it yet, and tis the season to be gory!

 

[Figs]

Has anyone bought a Scream Factory blu ray? Is it all its cracked up to be? Some people rave about them.

I have a number of Blu-rays from Scream Factory. I think the majority of the transfers are pretty good, but then again, I'm not a Blu-ray snob. They Live does have some noticeable DNR, but I don't think it looks like ****.

I don't think all the raving from fans is truly justified since the transfers, while good, could be better. Personally, Synapse films is a lot better. I bought both the limited edition steelbook blu-rays for Demons 1 & 2 and they look fantastic. Synapse did push back the release date once or twice, but it was worth it.

The main problem with SF is that they're so busy trying to release numerous films that it doesn't give them as much time or money to try to give those films the best possible transfer.

 

[Thundarr]

So who here likes Black Christmas?

Do you prefer the original or the remake?

What's your favorite part of the movie?

What's your least favorite part?

Any other Christmas themed horror movies you'd like to discuss (Santa's Slay; Silent Night, Deadly Night; Christmas Evil, etc)?