Best in Show: Horrors of 2017

In the year that was, the news was filled with plenty of real, terrifying horrors. But, running alongside it and keeping pace were the horror films churned out by 2017. From small-budget indies to big-budget blockbusters, the future of horror was confirmed in this year's fantastic releases. Even among duds like Rings and The Bye Bye Man, fans had plenty of material to devour and to be devoured by. And, while some circuit films have yet to receive a wide release, the movies available to the masses certainly left a mark. This week's list loos at the best horror films of 2017.

(imdb.com)

10. A Dark Song

By-and-large one of the most aptly titled horror films of the year, IFC Midnight's A Dark Song plays out like a seething ballad. With darkly comedic moments sprinkled amongst the ashes of this slow burn, A Dark Song features a pair of loners who come together to in the hopes of performing a ritual. The woman, who lost her son, hopes to reconnect with him and the man, whose motives are less sound, pair off perfectly. Their building tension and chemistry between the actors - Catherine Walker (The Clinic) and Steve Oram (Sightseers) - make for a truly compelling experience and the horrors, interwoven with messages of faith

(imdb.com)

9. Prevenge
Perhaps one of the weirder horror films to be released in recent years, the British import, Prevenge, is a bit of an enigma. Quirky to its core and blissfully unapologetic, this prenatal flick follows a young, down-on-her-luck pregnant woman, Ruth, who begins hearing the voice of her unborn child from within telling her to murder the annoyances around her. The movie benefits from its incredible pacing. It's a quickly-unraveling, but constantly entertaining story that hosts a ton of odd turns, including a stellar supporting role played by Kate Dickie (The Witch). Prevenge most certainly won't appeal to everyone, but this dark and pointed comedy-horror on motherhood packs quite an uncomfortable punch.


(imdb.com)

8. The Void

With a low budget and impressive visual effects, The Void is the rare indie sci-fi film that actually benefits from a lack of expensive CGI. Perfectly balancing the cult and alien subgenres, this movie brings plenty of twists and turns as characters trapped in a hospital quickly realize they're involved in something far greater with far more sinister intentions. The Void makes the most of its simplicity through fantastic characters, ambitious effects and particular style. It's one of the year's must see for fans of the 80s and beyond.

(imdb.com)

7. Raw/Super Dark Times
While the supernatural seemed to dominate the horror industry this year, two thrilling, grounded films brought a certain unrestrained intensity to the genre. Both Raw and Super Dark Times tell an unhinged coming-of-age story much drearier than typical fare. Raw, which follows a young vegetarian vet student who develops a taste for human flesh, features a sisterly bond that feels deeply real and deeply personal. Then, in Super Dark Times, a group of social outcasts find themselves at the center of an incident that quickly spirals out of control. Each use realism to instill a sense of long-lasting dread in its viewers. Raw and Super Dark Times expanded the boundaries of where horror could go, focusing less on inherent evil and more on the terrors that come with small decisions and mistakes that can change lives forever.


(imdb.com)

6. The Devil's Candy

The second IFC Midnight film to make this list is also one of their best ever. The Devil's Candy is a rock-n-roll, metal possession film oozing with stylistic flair. Featuring a stellar cast, including Shiri Appleby (UnREAL), The Devil's Candy is the rare horror film that features a family that's entirely likeable. Each of the three is youthful, interesting and completely watchable. This, alongside a fantastic score and camerawork make for a movie that is an absolute must see - especially now that it's on Netflix.

(imdb.com)

5. The Blackcoat's Daughter

It's been a long year. So long in fact that it's hard to believe that The Blackcoat's Daughter didn't receive a wide release until 2017. One of the most ultimate slow-burns ever in horror, this film could be easily overlooked by fans of the mainstream gut-punching jump scare, but it shouldn't. Both sides of the horror coin matter and can be appreciated, and if any film could appeal to everyone, it's this one. Emma Roberts, who's scream queen resume only continues growing, is absolutely amazing in this film which is full of disturbing twist and turns.

(imdb.com)

4. Happy Death Day

While the slasher subgenre seems to have taken a backseat in recent years, Blumhouse Pictures' Happy Death Day proves it still had legs. Bitingly funny, at varying points tense, and wholly entertaining, this Groundhog Day-esque movie is surprisingly stellar. Jessica Rothe shines as a college student who relives the same day of her murder over and over again until she can find out the killer. Audiences can expect to be completely captivated by the film's bonkers premise and execution as Happy Death Day gives new life to a disappearing subgenre.

(imdb.com)

3. It Comes at Night

It Comes at Night is The Witch of 2017. Perfectly styled and disturbingly dark, this pandemic-based film came hot off of the festival circuit with rave reviews. Naturally, the wide release was met with similar applause as viewers fell in love with the atmospheric tension that runs deep throughout. The dream sequences are horrifyingly anticipatory and with some gut punches to be expected later in the film, audiences can expect to be thoroughly gloomy after it ends. It Comes at Night doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel but it does a good job at keeping it greased.

(imdb.com)

2. IT

Brimming with nostalgia and hosting a collection of perfect young stars, IT captured almost everything that made the Stephen King book so popular. It may not be the scariest film ever, but it’s certainly one of the highest quality horror films in recent years. There are plenty of genre-bending, moments of terror and even great laughs to make every moment feel justified. Overall, It is everything audiences will expect to see. By offering some great retro style, perfect cinematography and great scares, this film feels like a complete product. IT masterfully executed and a polished reminder that that a big-budget, R-rated horror film can have mass appeal and not lose the insidious scares. Here's hoping for more.

(imdb.com)

1 Get Out

One of the most rightfully lauded films of the year also happens to be a horror film. Perfectly pairing political commentary and race with horror and inflections of comedy, Get Out is close to perfection. It's easily one of the best horror films in years and probably one of the best films in general. Props to Jordan Peele and the cast who committed themselves to every aspect of this game-changing creation. Some would probably call the success of Get Out a surprise, but horror fans know all too well how many films are deserving of accolades and so often ignored because of their genre. Hopefully though, Get Out signifies a change in critic culture that neglects to include horror just because it's horror.   

 
Honorable Mentions:

Annabelle: Creation

Recapturing what was lost in the first spin-off of The Conjuring, Annabelle Creation was conventional, but definitely terrifying.

Alien: Covenant
Despite "fan" backlash, this nasty flick features great acting, especially by Michael Fassbender, and plenty of scary action.

Split
M. Night Shyamalan's Split was a nice kick-off to what could have been a down-trodden year for horror thanks to early entries The Bye Bye Man and Rings.

Nails
While nowhere near perfect, Nails is a little indie film with a lot of potential.

 

Review: Welcome to Willets

(imdb.com)

Despite multiple classics and a few big-budget sci-fi adventures, good alien movies are hard to come by. Over the years, the subgenre has taken a quieter route in the industry, with few, notable exceptions. Dark Skies - one of the more recent attempts wasn't overly terrifying and while plenty of interstellar films continue to get released, we've yet to see a permeating rebirth of families getting the heebie-jeebies at the hands of grey figures from the sky. So, for fans anxiously waiting for impact, Welcome to Willets should give a little peace.

Starring Chris Zylka (The Leftovers) as the film's lead, Jeremiah, and Anastasia Baranova (Z Nation) as townie Courtney, Welcome to Willets finds a group of friends fighting for their lives against aliens deep in the woods. The local pot farmer and Courtney's uncle who encounters the group and is worried about the aliens played by Bill Sage (We Are What We Are) and his significant other is played by Sabina Gadecki (Entourage). Jeremiah's group of friends is comprised of a cast of young stars, including Garrett Clayton (King Cobra), Thomas Dekker (A Nightmare on Elm Street), Keelin Woodell (The Bye Bye Man), Rory Culkin (Scream 4) and Harrueche Tran (3-Headed Shark Attack).

The youthful star power of these budding actors definitely works in favor of this movie. Each brings a certain determination surely brought on by each of their past experiences in horror films. In fact, Welcome to Willet is uplifted past other, weaker parts through this group of stars. Shakier plot points and some truly cheesy practical effects take away from the movie's quality and typically higher standard seen from IFC Midnight films. The dialogue could be improved and by the film's end some of the story feels muddled.

Welcome to Willets features a certain retro atmosphere. Like a throwback to the teen horror films of yore, this film is unabashedly simplistic and comedic. It's not a terrifying exercise of horror but it is an easily entertaining one. It's not nearly as polished as say, The Cabin in the Woods, but it is certainly an upbeat romp that's fun enough to sit through.

Overall, Welcome to Willits isn't some insane alien film. It's not Close Encounters or even The Fourth Kind, but in an age where the only existing options are crazed action/sci-fi films and an occasional offbeat alien film, it'll have to do. Welcome to Willets makes the most of its young stars and even it's more weathered veterans, and it’s got plenty to at least get viewers through the night. 5 out 10.

Best in Show: Aging Classics (Pt. II of II)



(imdb.com)

5. Aliens (1986)
Like Alien, but with even greater crowd appeal, this sequel seems destined to stand the test of time. While packed with more action and intense explosion, Aliens is a horror film with older effects, which seem masterful even in the modern world of CGI. The creatures within are scary, the cast is, once again great, and everything about this film works for a modern audience. Aliens doesn't really recreate its machine, but it definitely builds upon it and takes advantage of every advancing effect it can.





(imdb.com)

4. The Exorcist (1973)

The Exorcist is perhaps the most famous horror movie of all time and for good reason. With insane head spins and horrifying tongues, as well as numerous jump scares, it’s a movie that is still relevant today. Sure the split pea soup vomit and gritty camera work make The Exorcist feel a little dated, but there are enough scares and some terrific acting - courtesy of a particularly fantastic Linda Blair (Born Innocent) and Ellen Burstyn (Requiem for a Dream) - that The Exorcist is compelling enough, even in the modern context. The trying struggles of a mother and daughter attempting to overcome the devil is harrowing and timeless.

(imdb.com)

3. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

There's something about slasher films that allow them to transcend time. While some blood splatter and off acting may not translate well to the modern context, it seems that these movies are capable of appealing to even the most freshman of audiences. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of the best. Regardless of some grotesquely over-the-top slicing and dicing, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is one of those scary movies that'll make even the most seasoned horror fan afraid of backcountry fields and the desolate families who live there.  

(imdb.com)

2. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

While still relatively young in the grand scheme, The Silence of the Lambs is often regarded as a horror classic. Pushing the boundary into modern horror, the early 90s film may border on drama, but the fact is, The Silence of the Lambs is most definitely horror. Whether you're afraid of cannibalism or the dark, this movie brims with scares. The night vision scene where an unsuspecting Clarice attempts to find Buffalo Bill amongst heaping messes and furniture is incredibly tense, regardless of the year this film came out. The Silence of the Lambs is deserving of a spot on this list, regardless of its release because it’s often clumped in with much older films.



(imdb.com)

1. Jaws (1975)

Jaws is the movie that scared a generation out of the water. What this quote doesn't account for is just how many generations Jaws would actually inspire fear in. To this day, many of the people - old and young - who have seen Jaws are still afraid of ocean waters. Jaws is, without a doubt, one of the most transcendent horror films ever. It could be watched today or tomorrow and the shark central to it would still feel believably deadly. While plenty have come after it, no shark movie can or will ever be quite as terrifying as Jaws. Even as its iconic soundtrack has gone on to become one of the most joked about, hearing it in the film is still a terrifying experience. Jaws is perfect for any time of the year, any year, for all years.

 

Best in Show: Aging Classics (Pt. I of II)

Horror is one of those genres that is so often referred to by its classics. Every list of greatest horror films is inundated by older, near geriatric movies featuring less than sleek visuals, some off-color acting and disjointed flaws. But, their inclusion is nonetheless valid. The foundation set by classics help forged a genre that is still strong today. Even old, often overlooked movies like Nosferatu may not be as effective for a young audience, but the filmmakers methodology and resulting product still helped shape the industry. There are of course - just as there are in any genre - those films that have aged so poorly, they'd be almost hard to watch for the first time today. But for those looking for some classics that feel timeless, there are options available.

This week's list covers the best aging horror movies. Included are films that many of our parents grew up on and those we may have been exposed to as children, but the important thing is that they're still amazing today. Despite some flaws, the movies on this list still hold their flames in a modern context, regardless of their dated release.




(imdb.com)

10. The Omen (1976)

Working against this film? Some pretty dated acting style and language. Working in its favor? Plenty of deadly stares, creepily suspenseful moments and a storyline that is still applicable today, The Omen asks the question: what if your child had mysterious things happen around him? From his nanny's death after a cry of devotion to Damien to the unsettling Mrs. Baylock, The Omen has aged well mostly because it didn't need so many special effects. It’s the type of movie that avoids outdating itself by focusing less on glorious effects and more on icy stares and disturbing storytelling.









(imdb.com)

9. An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Despite the schlocky comedy and campiness of An American Werewolf in London, the fact of the matter is, this movie is terrifying. Featuring some crazy jump scares and an opening werewolf attack that'll have viewers avoiding moonlit walks, this movie is scary from start to finish. Even the grotesque, somewhat dated transformation scene will have you running for the hills (you know, so long as they're well-lit and paved).



(imdb.com)

8. The Shining (1980)

I'll be the first to say that there are parts of The Shining that probably won’t appeal to the modern horror audience. The Shining is filled with oddities and deep symbolism, two things that may tune fans of the fast-paced, quick-scare viewer away. But, for those willing to sit and watch, there's plenty of fear packed into this iconic film. Whether it is the blood tidal wave or the lady in the bath tub, The Shining never forgets that its root is in straight up horror. While its plot and storyline may veer, this is a film that can and should be consumed by the masses.



(imdb.com)

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)

Despite an atrociously dated soundtrack and some truly 80s visuals and camerawork, the original Nightmare on Elm Street film packs full punches of full-on scares. Even with some rough edges, this movie will scare you. Freddy alone is terrifying enough reason to include this movie on the list. No matter his plane of existence, the character requires little to relate to the current time period. He is timeless and equally scary now as he was then. The scenes of him chasing down Nancy and friends are some of the most nightmare-inducing fuel in horror history. 

(imdb.com)



6. Alien (1979)

Whether its recency bias thanks to some stellar sequels or the simple fact that this movie makes the most of its late 70s special effects, the undeniable fact is that Alien does not age. Sigourney Weaver is, as she always has been and will continue to be, wonderful. Her acting skills and heroic nature are as timely today as they once were, and with scares abundant, Alien is a standout. For fans of modern horror, there is certainly enough here to maintain attention and warrant a watch. For fans of the genre in general, this is especially true. Alien may feel dated in the grand scheme of modern graphics, but even in this age, there is something so interesting about the space shuttle and crew central to this movie.

Best in Show: Top Three of 2017 (So Far)

2016 was a pretty fantastic year for horror. Featuring a diverse collection of theatrical and indie released films; it was a year that gave us some terrific sequels and prequels, as well as originals. From the artistic The Witch to the terrifying The Conjuring 2, 2016 proved that some of the best, most original movies were coming from the horror genre. in a sea of remakes, even less well-received films felt newer than some of the more questionable choices in Hollywood. That's why, in 2017, hopes are high. Already this year, we've seen duds and stars, and this week's list looks at the three best, while mentioning some of the worst.

(imdb.com)

3. It Comes at Night

While never completely fresh or revolutionary, It Comes at Night is amazingly well-done. It creates such a tense atmosphere that the weight of the world rests on the shoulders of the viewer. The dream sequences are horrifyingly anticipatory and with some gut punches to be expected later in the film, audiences can expect to be thoroughly gloomy after it ends.

(imdb.com)

2. The Void

With an amazing marketing campaign, iconic costuming and some terrific special effects, The Void is truly impressive. Balancing a variety of subgenres, this movie is sure to appeal to most movie watchers. Between believable acting, 80s stylizations and an abundance of scares,  the sci-fi cult film, The Void feels entirely new in a genre inundated by similarities. The Void is the rare horror movie that, despite some occasional shortcomings, features so many amazing things, that its hard not to root for. It's a film you want to recommend over and over again, because it is a must see. The Void is fun and scary and encapsulates so much of what horror used to be, it's a welcome throwback.

(imdb.com)

1. Get Out

Get Out made quite the splash when it was released. Capturing race relations in the United States within the context of an easy-to-understand horror movie, this film is surely a modern classic. While not scary for the typical reasons, this movie is, through and through, eye-opening, pure entertainment. Its funny, dark and suspenseful. Even as audiences begin to figure out exactly what may be happening, Get Out demands constant attention. It's a thrilling journey and by far the best horror movie to be released this year.

 

Honorable Mentions: Alien: Covenant, Split, The Blackcoat's Daughter and The Devil's Candy

(imdb.com)

Dishonorable Mentions: Rings, The Bye Bye Man and Be Afraid

Between terribly timed scares, stuffy atmospheres and mediocre acting, each of these three films fail in very similar ways. They're completely unaware of their shortcomings and fall apart on so many levels that their releases are pretty surprising. Rings, a follow-up/reboot of the original pairs of the American remakes, suffers greatly from awful CGI, unbelievable performances and a plotline that is more nightmarish than the weak scares and atmosphere. The Bye Bye Man is just as bad, featuring nothing redeemable outside of a fun catchphrase. But, like the overly plugged line, this is a movie you shouldn't think about, shouldn't say and most definitely shouldn't see. Then there's the indie release of Be Afraid which even taken lightly given its smaller budget, feels lazy and poorly made.