Review: Found Footage 3D

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Found-footage filming gives new filmmakers a chance to make big movies on a low budget. For years, the increasingly saturated subgenre has inundated the horror industry with an onslaught of flack, recently dying down to complacency and general acceptance. The fact is, found-footage films are easy to consume and can actually be scary. But for some, the filming method will always be unworthy. These critics would argue that found-footage has been done to death. Jumping onto that trend is Found Footage 3D; a film that is ironically found-footage and only sometimes as aware as it wants to be.


Written and directed by Steven DeGennaro, Found Footage 3D follows a group of friends destined for a cabin to film a cheap horror film. Once there, they find out that the cabin is haunted and what was originally supposed to be just a movie, is something far scarier. It stars Carter Roy (Refuge) as the lead actor and creator, Derek, Alena von Stroheim (Hacker's Game) as Derek's ex and costar, Amy, Chris O'Brien (Tenured) as the videographer, Mark, Jessica Perrin (A Song for Danny) as a production assistant, and Tom Saporito (Best Day Ever) as the film's director.


For a movie that presents itself as such a transcendent art piece, there's plenty to critique. Outside of it's innovative, yet gimmicky 3D production, Found Footage 3D borrows a lot from other horror films. Reminiscent of superior movies like Sinister and Hell House, LLC, the awareness in this film is often exchanged for jump scares and borrowed sequences. Attempting to build some satirical approach to found-footage films, Found Footage 3D is a send up of tropes and conventions that succeeds only to lukewarm degrees. Embedded into the film is a deep disdain for the very kind of movie that's being made, and while the attempt might be made to ensure that it's the fictional characters within the movie who hate the subgenre and not the filmmakers, there's an air of self-loathing and condescension.

The biggest problem is that Found Footage 3D takes a lot of shots at other movies but never really does much to exceed expectations. Calling out a mere pair of found-footage films as adequate, the filmmakers ignore plenty of other progressive and scary products in the subgenre. Movies like Unfriended may not appeal to everyone, but at least they're inventive in their storytelling and camera work, and others like As Above, So Below may be flawed, but at least at their core they're scary. The fact is that for something so aggressively conscious, viewers would think the resulting plot and ploys would be terrifying and accomplished, not bland and only occasionally scary.

Found Footage 3D comes across as an excuse for the filmmakers to bemoan a successful subgenre while seeming perceptive. But, the resulting film isn't much more than a glass house occupant throwing a lot of stones. There's some good scares and the characters have a lovable potential, but the constant struggle to identify itself as a superior film all leave Found Footage 3D  feeling quite pompous. 4 out of 10.

31 Days of Horror (Pt. II of II)

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October 16th - Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Maybe not so much a horror film as it is whimsical, but the hefty tone of the feature-film adaption of Sweeney Todd makes for something perfect for the dark fall months. With cannibals abundant and grisly set pieces, this movie feels like a bit crazy, but is all in good fun - at least for those of us who don't have our throats slit.

October 17th - The Mothman Prophecies

Shrouded in mystery The Mothman Prophecies perfectly captures the lore surrounding the winged beast seen by many in a film perfectly suitably for October. While not the scariest, this twisting movie is an impressive and dimly lit shroud of obscurity. Sure to bolster your belief of the mythical, The Mothman Prophecies brings one of the most well-known folk tales to the mainstream.



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October 18th - Night of the Living Dead
At first glance, this black-and-white zombie film may feel dated, but upon watching, viewers will realize it transcends times. Forging the way for so many undead films that followed, Night of the Living Dead is an iconic masterpiece and required viewing for the month of October. The dread throughout, the scares sprinkled in and the unique acting all wrap up into something efficient and entertaining.

October 19th - The Conjuring

The go-to modern classic, recognizable to nearly anyone and scary to most, is The Conjuring. Deeply embedded in the fall season, The Conjuring uses hyper-stylized visuals to convey a chilling atmosphere. It is bon a fide and deserving of everyone's eyes and there is no better time to watch than right before Halloween.

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October 20th - Creep
With a sequel forthcoming, there's no better time to revisit Peachfuzz the wolf than right before Halloween. With nothing more than a cheap Halloween mask to help take on the killer's identity, this grounded slasher film is uncomfortable and insane. It never goes into outlandish territory and instead focuses on setting up a sympathetic dying man with some odd quirks. This of course unravels into something far more sinister, but oh well. That's life.

October 21st (Weekend Double Feature) - Annabelle: Creation/Ouija: Origin of Evil

In a world of abundant mediocre sequels, these shockingly good prequels make a perfect horror double feature. Released on Video-on-demand on October 20, Annabelle: Creation is one of the most impressive horror films in a year of impressive horror films. Round out the night with the surprisingly efficient Ouija: Origin of Evil and you're sure to have a great time with these retro period pieces.

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October 22nd (Weekend Double Feature) - Hell House LLC/Fear. Inc.
Sometimes when you go looking for something scary, you bite off way more than you can chew. That's essentially what happens in this pair of movies. Like The Houses October Built, both Hell House LLC and Fear. Inc. feature a group of friends who are prepared for horror, but not the real kinds they end up facing. Hell House LLC recounts an incident at a local haunted house attraction gone wrong and in Fear Inc. a man employs a scare company to come strike terror in his friends. Both are perfect for October.

October 23rd - The Fourth Kind
For all the love of ghosts, goblins and witches during the Halloween season, people often forget aliens. With big action flicks abundant and plenty of classics going around, it may be easy to overlook the underrated gem, The Fourth Kind. Easily one of the more terrifying entries in the abduction subgenre, The Fourth Kind pairs "real life footage" with some terrifying "reenactments."

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October 24th - CropseyHorror documentaries are often pretty over-the-top. With too much effort put into dramatizing the accounts of people and reenactments that'd make any viewer cringe, it can be hard to watch them. But some great ones do exist. None more so than Cropsey. Low-key and dark, this brooding documentary follows a pair of filmmakers examining, and never quite solving the stories surrounding a derelict building in New York City. It leaves quite a bit to interpretation, all to the film's benefit.

October 25th - The Nightmare on Elm Street

The Nightmare on Elm Street is the most 80s thing to come out of the 80s. From its soundtrack to its styling, this comical and scary horror movie is perfect for October. It's got everything you could ever want to get you in the mood for Halloween; oddly grotesque props, some gory death scenes and an easily recognizable killer.

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October 26th - The Blair Witch Project
If you've ever been in the woods during the fall, you can pick up on the creepy atmosphere all around you. Playing on that fear is the iconic Blair Witch Project. Whether it’s the bumps in the night or the occult objects the group of friends find in the mornings, this movie gives viewers plenty to be afraid of. Watch and then go into the woods and who knows, maybe those sounds you hear will be all the more scary to you.

October 27 - The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Leatherface wears a mask of sorts, so what better time to watch this disturbing film than around Halloween. It's a classic slasher with plenty of gore and, despite the hot setting of the south; this movie is best viewed in the coolness of autumn. Don't eat while Halloween candy while you watch though, you'll regret it.

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October 28th (Weekend Double Feature) - Scream/ Scream 2
Kick off Halloweekend with one of the greatest horror films of all time: Scream. Acting as a satirical revival of the inundated subgenre, this slasher franchise is one of the most permeating films in the industry. Everyone loves it and rightfully so. Start with the first and go to the equally as strong second. Without a doubt these movies have spawned the longest-running Halloween costume of all time. With plenty of mask variations available for the spookiest day of the year, your Ghostface options - just like the killers in the franchise - are endless.

October 29th (Weekend Double Feature) - Scream 3/Scream 4 

Is this entire weekend really supposed to be all about the Scream franchise? Yes, 100 percent. Sit down and watch all four in the same night, over the course of a weekend or throughout the month. It doesn't matter so long as you watch them all before the 31st. Even with the ridiculousness of Scream 3 and the glossiness of Scream 4 marring the Wes Craven creations, these movies are undeniably amazing.

October 30th - Trick 'r Treat

Getting the cult status in horror is a difficult task that has zero formula, but no movie has ever captured the heart of so many from unpredictable places like the cult classic, Trick 'r Treat. An anthology horror film connected by a cute, but admittedly disturbing masked child named Sam, Trick 'r Treat goes everywhere; from camp and gore to terrifying ghoulish scares. With the potential for a sequel constantly bubbling under the surface, the mark made by Trick 'r Treat is destined to stick for years to come.



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October 31st - Halloween
Finally reaching Halloween, there's only one movie left to see: Halloween. By namesake alone, this film is the pinnacle film of this spooky holiday. Avoiding Halloween, whether the original, sequels or eventual remakes, is sacrilegious. Halloween is a master class of slasher prestige and Michael is one of the most iconic villains in horror. There simply is no better time to watch this movie. Halloween on Halloween is like brushing your breathing, you have to do it.  

Best in Show: Horror Goes to College (Pt. II of II)

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5. Black Christmas Despite its flaws, the yuletide horror film, Black Christmas, is iconic. Even with its clunky remake, the slasher-in-a-sorority-house horror movie provided some much needed terror to a holiday so typically jolly. From terrifying phone calls to the sisters to some intense deaths scenes, Black Christmas may be a dated product, but it’s definitely worth the watch. Forewarning though, any college student that has hung around their off-campus housing during breaks probably should avoid this movie, lest they be afraid to turn the lights off at night.

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4. The Blair Witch Project/The Green Inferno What do The Blair Witch Project and Green inferno have in common? Practically nothing. One has become a legendary success, while the other remains a somewhat indie film on the fringe of popularity. But, both feature a collection of students out in the field doing the work they believe in. In The Blair Witch Project, a group of film students travel into the forest near Burkittsville, Maryland and become entrapped in a psychological prison of endless foliage and chaotic directions. Here, the students, who quickly lose the resolve to complete their project, come face to face with an impending sense of dread. In The Green Inferno, a group of social justice warriors heading to protect the rainforest and its native tribes get more than they bargained for after a plane crash. Both films capitalize on the very real blind courage propelled by youth and the dumb decisions young people make as a result. Was it a good idea to travel deep into woods in the middle of fall, with little reinforcement that'd help you be found? Probably not. Was it an equally bad idea to follow a group into unknown lands to do some dangerously grassroots protesting? Sure the intentions may have been better, but the decision is one I'm sure the characters of The Green Inferno wish they hadn't made.

3. Sorority Row 

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Sorority Row will never receive an A in class if you know what I mean. It's the type of movie that offers little depth, but makes up for it in sloshing deaths, iconic one-liners and great characters. Like Urban Legend, but far superior, Sorority Row  has such a strong ensemble it’s hard not to fall in love with this movie based on the script for the 80s flick, The House on Sorority Row. Featuring an indelible role courtesy of Carrie Fischer, who plays housemother Mrs. Crenshaw, Sorority Row piles the icing on its shallow cake.  It has amazing death sequences, a completely nutty killer and by the films end, those who knew what they were getting into will be entirely satisfied.

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3. Kristy

Like Girl House, Kristy is an easily forgotten film that really shouldn't be missed. By far one of the scarier indie films out there, the filmmakers make the most of their thinly conceptualized story following a girl hunted down on her empty campus. Like an expanded The Strangers, Kristy features incredibly tense and horrifying moments, masks that'll make you deepen into your seat and a lead character who'll win you over. This movie brings you along the entire campus that proves to be quite isolated during a Thanksgiving recess. Kristy should not go unseen. It's an action-packed thriller with plenty of scares and fierce moments to enthrall even the most desensitized viewer.

1. Scream 2 

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While the original Scream made high school students, well, scream, the follow up to the massively successful slasher, Scream 2 followed our survivors to a different locale; this time, a college campus. By far one of the best horror sequels around, Scream 2 builds the mythology of Ghostface as we meet a new killer and some new kills, all while witnessing the growth of a heroin in Sidney Prescott. Scream 2 makes full use of its expansive setting; perfectly capturing the ins-and-outs of the winding corridors, large lecture halls and basement facilities that make universities so unsettling. Scream 2 showcases just how lonely a populated campus can be- how even surrounded by peers and professors, a yell (or scream) for help, is more like a tree falling in the woods.

Review: Phoenix Forgotten

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Found-footage has been at somewhat of a stand still. While much of horror fans' hatred of the oversaturated subgenre has subsided into a place of apathy, and sometimes mild pleasure, found-footage has been unable to recapture the horror industry. But, some mildly successful attempts are being made- the harshly criticized, but not actually awful films, The Gallows and Blair Witch swept theaters and attempted to reinvigorate viewers' attention to the  gimmicky, but intimate shooting style, and with Phoenix Forgotten, the subgenre proves to still have legs.

Phoenix Forgotten tells the story of three local teens, Josh, played by Luke Spencer Roberts (Hail, Caesar!), Ashley, played by Chelsea Lopez (Novitiate) and Mark, played by Justin Matthews (The Interestings), who go missing during their tapped investigation of the Phoenix Lights Phenomenon.  The film also stars Clint Jordan (Down to the Bone) and Cyd Strittmatter (Gone Girl) as Josh's parents and Florence Hartigan (Shortland Street) as Sophie, Josh's sister. The actors of Phoenix Forgotten aren't awful and actually extend the movie's appeal past what it could have been. The teens are retro-fun, mentioning films like Contact and inflecting certain lovability to their characters and the actors playing the various parents each seem invested in their roles.

Phoenix Forgotten takes a while to get going, but once it starts it is interesting and entertaining enough to keep audience attention. There's some creepy tension and scares tossed in and the degradation of the teens' spirit is compelling enough. The movie is especially propelled by its alien lore and true-life backstory; something that it takes full advantage of. There's amazing abduction sequences and plenty of crazy-in-the-dark moments, too.

Like a desert-themed Blair Witch Project, the premise of the film follows near-exact lines except for a modern day documentary in production simultaneously with the discovery of the disappeared teens' tapes. This point of view, following Sophie, is never clearly laid out or concluded. When the final tape is revealed and plays out over the screen, that is the film's ending and we never discover the results of Sophie releasing the tape or whatever was supposed to happen. This is problematic, not because it could possibly open up to an unlikely sequel, but because while the final scenes are entertaining, they could only be considered a proper ending if the modern day storyline had some sort of final moment, as well. This is definitely the film's biggest failure. Even with too strong of similarities to The Blair Witch Project, a lot of this movie comes undone, not by a lack of scares or compelling storytelling, but because the ending feels blank and incorrect. This may have been the intent of the filmmakers, but it doesn't stop it from feeling off.

Is Phoenix Forgotten amazing? Certainly not. But, for a film that seemingly popped out of nowhere, it's a fun, intro-to-summer flick. It's got a lot of things that work and some pretty hefty things that don't, but there's enough to keep it moving along. Phoenix Forgotten doesn't deserve any point for originality, but it doesn't need to be decimated by its copycat result. It's a simple and fun found-footage horror film that people should consider, because while enjoyable, the fact is, Phoenix probably will be forgotten. 5. out of 10.

 

Best in Show: Horror Landscapes (Pt. II of II)

The follow up to yesterday's list:

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5. Australian Mangrove Swamp (Black Water)

Having just recently seen this movie, there may be some relevancy giving it a boost onto this list, but having had had it in my peripherals for years, it is without a doubt, worthy. The murky, shallow waters of Black Water are deeply troubling. The foreign horror film is definitely one of those movies that greatly benefits from its remote and beautiful, but scary location. While the audience sits there hopeful that the mangroves will provide some sort of possible survival, the far out location of the watered forest, dashes a lot of the characters' determination. It's an impressive choice by the filmmakers because of the close proximity of a danger that potentially couldn't reach them. It's a die of starvation or die by crocodile situation that is all propelled through the setting of Black Water.

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4. Atlantic Ocean (Jaws)

The movie that scared a generation out of the water, it's hard to believe that Jaws wouldn't even exist without the ocean it takes place in. Sure this is a pretty grandeuous statement since none of us would exist without the ground we stand on, but the fact of the matter is, Jaws specifically hinges on the water because of the limitations gills presents. Which makes the film's setting all the more effective. For a horror movie that's scare tactic is so easily avoidable (just don't go in the ocean), it's amazingly effective at instilling fear in its viewers - even in 2017. Whereas, other ocean-based horror films are almost as scary, there is something so realistic about the waters in Jaws. Movies like The Shallows are great and terrifying in their own right, but the polished, gleaming waters in movies like it just aren't as scary as the Atlantic Ocean in Jaws.

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3. Black Hills Forest (Blair Witch Project/Blair Witch)

Iconic; this is the only word to describe the fictionally named patch of woods outside of the very real Burkittsville, Maryland where a team of young filmmakers disappeared under haunting circumstances. Later, when the film was revisited in the Book of Shadows sequel and the 2016 Blair Witch, the mythology surrounding this forest continued to grow. While the follow-up films received some negative reviews, the one constant was this: that the Black Hills Forest would be a terrifying place to visit. The very plain, very unpolished forest that the mysterious Blair Witch calls home is perhaps one of the scariest plots of lands and one that made hikers fearful of the woods for years to come.

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2. Mayan Ruins in Mexico (The Ruins)

Based on the book of the same name, The Ruins placement on this list is basically a twofer in honor of Earth Day; an ecological horror with a visually stunning backdrop. All of this culminates into truly outstanding scenery for a terrifyingly vivid destination horror film. The overly sunny, super saturated ruins of Mexico make for a similar atmosphere to The Hills Have Eyes but with added humidity to make you sweat. It's one of those movies that'll make you think twice about visiting popular tourist attractions - even if the ruin featured is off the beaten path.

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1. Unmapped Caverns in the Appalachian Mountains (The Descent)

Is there anything more effective than claustrophobia? By far one of the most common fears, the use of it in horror has been near constant, but no other film captures this sensation better than The Descent. By far one of the scariest horror films ever, the setting of this film is the most worthy of this number one spot. The deep, dark underground cavern the women of The Descent get trapped in is a hauntingly terrible and the main reason many have crossed spelunking and cave diving off of their must-do lists. While not the first thing one might think of when they think of Earth Day, the underground caves in The Descent, are definitely a part of nature.

Best in Show: Found Footage (II of II)

Here it is, the conclusion to my favorite found-footage horror movies! Below, you'll find a list of the horror movies I cannot get enough of. Shot with shaking hands and filled with scares, I would consider this subgenre to be underrated. Sure, there are one too many, but for the gems listed previously and for those below, the found-footage subgenre owes a lot of gratitude. These movies are fantastically spooky.

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5. The Last Exorcism (2010)

I really love a good exorcism movie. And, with so many out there, I have a ton of options. Unfortunately for that point, quantity doesn't equal quality, and for exorcism movies, there seems to be a slim picking of The Exorcist-level terror. Enter 2010's The Last Exorcism. Easily one of the scariest exorcism movies out there, The Last Exorcism is a gripping addition to the subgenre- even if its use of found-footage isn't that necessary or great. Ashley Bell is amazing (and flexible) as the titular star of the show. Her innocence-turned-evil personality is an incredible transformation worthy of attention.

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4. The Blair Witch Project (1999)

The Blair Witch Project holds the distinct position as being the first found-footage horror movie I ever watched. I cannot necessarily saw what I like so much about this movie. Maybe it's its originality or its atmosphere, but realistically, the first time I saw The Blair Witch Project, I did not enjoy it. However, time and again, every fall I rewatch this movie that I had thought I didn't enjoy. Every time I see it though, I notice something different. Whether it's new sounds or a subtle moment, I grip my seat a little tighter. I really have gone back and forth on my feelings about this movie, but in this post, I do hereby declare, that I've enjoyed 99 out of 100 times I have seen The Blair Witch Project.



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3. As Above, So Below (2014)

I never understood the hatred this movie got. Despite being a relatively original and filled to the brim with scares, the story of an adventurous archaeologist didn't receive much of a warm reception. I've seen this movie numerous times and still cannot figure out what people's problems were with it. Sure it was at peak found-footage hate, but As Above, So Below isn't only scary, it's also really interesting. Even without the scares, this movie would be an entertaining exploration film that delves deep underneath Paris. By knocking out all of the marks that most "bad" horror movies can't overcome, like bad acting and a lack of suspense, As Above, So Below impressed me more than most modern horror films do and continues to do so after every revisit.

2. The House October Built (2014)

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I'll be honest; The Houses October Built will more than likely be included on numerous lists throughout this blog until I'm sure every person ever has seen it. The Houses October Built is a stellar found-footage horror movie that actually makes sense. The whole documentary angle can seem tired and used up, but when there is a topic that would actually be documented with video cameras; like a group of friends searching for the ultimate haunted house, the resulting film can be a grounded and terrifying experience. I love The Houses October Built because it is such an effortless experience that never tries to go above and beyond but is entirely confident in its capabilities.

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1. The Visit (2015)

The Visit is by far one of the best modern horror movies out there. Intentionally funny, equally terrifying and shined with a plot twist that could make classic M. Night Shyamalan happy, this film marked the revival of a director who had become the butt of jokes. The Visit is insane. Each moment of this movie is horrifying. From the darkened hallways where the grandmother runs to the final climactic moments that could take your breath away, Add points for Kathryn Hahn's existence and placement in this movie and also for the scene underneath the house because it was shot in complete daylight proving once and for all that sometimes the scariest things in your life take place under the sun.