Review: Totem

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Is teen horror making a comeback? It certainly seems like it. For quite some time, this subgenre has burned out slowly; most notably with the crash and burning of the glossy, mediocre and boring Ouija. But, with films like Wish Upon and Amityville: The Awakening, it looks as if were in a renaissance. But, while film makers turn back toward these films, the question remains: will audiences be willing to stick around and watch? Totem would suggest that the answer is no.


Released by Cinemax and already in the peripheral of 2017's more impressive releases, Totem follows a teenager with a creepy relationship with her father, who in turn must protect them from a supernatural force that invades the house when the father's new girlfriend moves in. If the premise sounds unoriginal, it's because it mostly is. But if only to exasperate the film's flaws, the movie's eventual reveal and overall execution are equally as poor and unoriginal as the premise.


Totem stars Kerris Dorsey (Ray Donovan) as daughter/sister-turner-caretaker, Kellie, Ahna O'Reilly (The Help) as the dismantling newcomer, Robin, James Tupper (Revenge) as the father and Lia McHugh (Hot Summer Nights) as Kellie's sister. Across the board, each is equally tepid in their role. McHugh is somewhat more acceptable as the oddball youngster with little understanding, but outside of that, this cast sloppily fills the roles in a way that makes them seem tacked onto the project. Dorsey looks to be having fun in her chaotic role but her relationships between the other characters are unanimously cringe and Tupper, while making a valiant effort to create a dad whose try his best, never seems to have any real empathy or depth.


Narratively, Totem is a sloppy. Whether it’s the lack of commitment to character development or the lack of a consistent villain, there are just too many inconsistencies. What begins as a supernatural flick diverges into a crazed slasher far too late, Kellie's sister is odd but no one quite ever figures out how or why exactly. Instead it’s mentioned frequently, but only in passing, and Robin is maybe younger than the father but it’s never laid out fully how big the age difference is or what exactly the problem is.


The biggest flaw of all is how plainly boring Totem is. There isn't a single moment of tension, a single half-heartedly thrown in laugh or even a character that's worth rooting for. Totem has a lot of things working against it and does little to push forward. It's difficult to say Totem deserves to go unseen but, in a landscape with far better movies, the small release of it is completely warranted. 3 out 10.

Best in Show: Saw Franchise's Feistiest Fighters (Pt. II of II)

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5. Mallick (Saw V) - Fire Cover Up Group
While initially shaken by the situation, Mallick quickly turned into a character viewers could root for. An addict in need of salvation, Mallick was placed among the Saw V group of schemers and scammers for essentially causing the fire that led to the cover up. Mallick definitely had some wavering moments, but his ability to outlast, guided by Brit, lead to his salvation. His ultimate willingness to follow through on plans and never back down are inspiring and horrifying at the same time.


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4. Xavier Chavez (Saw II) - Nerve Gas House

Saw II had plenty of haphazardly stumbled through the nerve gas house just praying they'd survive. Their meekness, weakness and general unwillingness to actively follow through led to many of them succumbing. The fact is outside of Amanda Young and Daniel Matthews who stood out for their partnership, Xavier Chavez was the only real potential survivor. Easily one of the series most villainous characters, Chavez was brutal and fully willing to do anything it took to live. He openly criticized, manhandled and eventually attacked the others in the home. He also scores additional points for figuring out the code to escape.

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3. Lynn Denlon (Saw III) - Shotgun Collar

Using her intelligence to defy all expectations, Lynn Denlon was the star of Saw III. Wearing a shotgun collar, the doctor was charged with operating on Jigsaw, all while a crazed Amanda Young stood by anxious and aggressive. However, Denlon's calm demeanor and ability to charm kept her on Jigsaw's good side and eventually, succeeded in her task. Unfortunately the increasingly unhinged Young cost her everything and blew her own test in the process; killing the empowered Denlon in the process. Denlon was one of the most intelligent and poised in the franchise and deserved more than her sad end.

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2. Brit (Saw V) - Fire Cover Up Group

Instantly acting as the more level-headed, driven partner of Mallick, Brit is one of the series more underrated characters. She was able to make it to the end with little to no help from others and near consistently kept her cool. She's a rare leader in a collection of more sheepish characters. Her awareness, determination and aggression all help her survive in the end. While Mallick may have been a surprise survivor, no one should have ever doubted that Brit would walk out in the end.

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1, Allison Kerry (Saw I, II, III) - Angel Trap

Similar to Daniel Rigg, Allison Kerry is often ignored in the pantheon of great Saw characters; this supporting protagonist actually had quite a run in her. Not only did she eventually go all in on her trap, but this perceptive detective drew conclusions and made decisions others ignored or couldn't make. Had it not been for an unbeatable trap, Kerry probably could have become an impressive force against Jigsaw and his network of minions. She's a bit relentless, but engaged in her career, she's a perfect character who- like Denlon - had a future. You know, if Amanda hadn't unfairly worked to take it away.

Best in Show: Saw Franchise's Feistiest Fighters (Pt. I of II)

With Jigsaw coming out on the 27th, horror fans everywhere will surely crowd to theaters to see if the creators have been able to recapture the glory of the gory and over-the-top franchise. Nostalgia runs deep in the franchise that led many audiences through their teen years, and in this, characters like Amanda Young, Jill Tuck, Mark Hoffman and Lawrence Gordon are sure to remember. Their perseverance, trickery and sometimes, villainy have turned them into the faces of the series. But what about the more minor characters - the fierce and combative survivors and victims who gave their all in their limited screen time? That's what this list is dedicated to: the feistiest fighters in the Saw series. Whether they lived, or they died, these non-essential characters gave their all to make it one more day.

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10. Morgan (Saw IV) - Spike Trap

Maybe not the strongest character, but this middle-aged woman was quite determined to survive. Not only was she forced to overcome the traumatic abuse caused by her husband, but she also had to drag giant rods through her body. She's a really interesting character even if her role is minor, because she is a true survivor. Her years of wearying experience amassing around her, her will to live eventually grant her the power to overthrow them. Her story is heartbreaking, her determination inspiring and her ending, at least relatively happy.

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9. Simone (Saw VI) - Pound of Flesh

Who would have thought that winning a reality shows would lead to such a memorable minor role in a Saw film. But, Tanedra Howard's winning performance in VH1's Scream Queens, proved that the aspiring actress could carry her own in a series overflowing with forgettable blood and guts. Her blind willingness to take on her money lender partner, Eddie, with such conviction is pretty impressive. While he chops away at pieces of flesh, she cuts off her arm in a grotesque scene of courage and pure adrenalin - iconic.

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8. Daniel Matthews (Saw II) - Nerve Gas House

Some may suggest that Daniel Matthews, son of Detective and main character Eric Matthews, was somewhat dragged to the end of Saw II. Especially given the assistance of Amanda Young, it's easy to overlook this teenager's perseverance. But, for all his lack of big, swift decisions, is a really young kid who manages to outlast a bunch of full grown adults. Matthews goes through a huge ordeal in the trap his father indirectly led him into. Paying for the sins of a parent is hard, surviving it all should have been impossible.

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7. Daniel Rigg (Saw II, III, IV) - Saw IV Series

Daniel Rigg never truly got the chance to shine. Sure his major role in Saw IV helped him build a presence, but by that point his constant appearance meant nothing but bad news. He's truly one of the more morally superior characters to grace the series and despite eventually meeting his end by not following directions exactly; he manages to save a few lives. Rigg is one of those characters who, in the long run of the series is quickly overlooked for bigger names who carry over to multiple films. But, in Saw IV he is the star and deserves to be recognized as such.

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6. Debbie (Saw VI) - Steam Maze

Did Debbie last very long? Maybe not. But in her defense, she managed to make it through her entire trap before being tripped up by an additional twist. Easily one of the most all-in victims in Jigsaw's games, Debbie absolutely loses it, showcasing her level of tenacity. Debbie is one of the franchises greatest raging psychopaths. The flames in her eyes are brighter than any flames in the boiler room she finds herself in, and by the time her impending death finally hits her, it's an explosion of intensity.

 

Review: Happy Death Day

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Slashers have, quite literally, been done to death. With the 90s overflowing with near identical takes on the subgenre and movies like Scream and more recently, The Final Girls, it seems there really was nowhere else for them to go. So, they've mostly disappeared - much to the disappointment of fans everywhere. But this year's Happy Death Day could very well lead to a resurgence of simple, yet effective humanoid killer film.

Following a sorority girl who is given the unique and outlandish opportunity to uncover her own killer by living the same day over and over, Happy Death Day is the Groundhog Day of slasher films. As the film progresses and the amount of suspects dwindles, her physical being takes a toll each relived day, eventually leading her to the hospital in a weakened state. Happy Death Day stars the particularly fantastic Jessica Rothe (La La Land), as Tree Gelbman. Other supporting cast includes the lovably plain Israel Broussard (The Bling Ring) as Tree's one-night-stand-turned-confidant, Carter, Ruby Modine (Shameless), as Tree's roommate, and Rachel Matthews as the Chanel Oberlin-esque sorority queen, Danielle.


Happy Death Day is first and foremost, pure entertainment. Thrilling, brashly funny and brimming with strong performances from young stars, the flaws of the film are easily overlooked. Rothe's ability to dart cold, dead stares at anyone she dislikes, Broussard's endearing nice guy and even the comic relief provided by Matthews, all make for a film that's delightfully sinister. It's horror comedy done right. There's small inflections of camp, some exciting fight scenes and a plot line that provides enough meat to stay interesting.


The single flaw in this film is in its logical. While mostly sound, some parts feel tossed in and hastily thrown together. For instance, the accrual of injuries, as suggested by internal wounds found on a life's trip to the hospital, never explain how she survived being burned alive in one evening. Additionally, the blind acceptance of the multiple chances to save herself is a huge expectation by the filmmakers, with little legitimacy. But, if other film's like the aforementioned Groundhog Day can get away with this logic, why shouldn't Happy Death Day?


Happy Death Day has a mass-appeal quality about it. Never venturing too far into the horror genre, its gimmicky base and near-perfect execution should give any viewer something to enjoy. The few plot holes are easily overcome, and Rothe deserves a lot of recognition as the film's compelling star. Happy Death Day feels fresh. Its presentation is a rare and special package that should leave audiences wanting more from the entire team. 7 out of 10.

Best in Show: Nasty Neighbors (Pt. I of II)

While plenty of horror films are set nestled in desolate locations, some of the scariest stories come from the house right next door. Whether hiding bodies in their basement or harboring a dark secret, neighbors can be the unknown and unsuspecting evil you never knew you had to watch out for. Sure suburbia sounds nice and high-rises can build a sense of community, but when your fellow suburbanites or tenants are evil, isolation seems like the better plan. This week's list covers horror's scariest neighbors.

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10. Will & Annie (Honeymoon)

While leaning more toward the isolated setting of films like The Strangers, the indie horror flick, Honeymoon, features a pair of distant neighbors who could make any new residents' skin crawl. When Paul and Bea set out for their honeymoon at a remote cabin, their closest neighbors are a pair of odd townies, Will and Annie. Will happens to know Bea from her youth and Annie, while quieter is deeply troubled. And, while Will ends up being less aware of the dark roots setting themselves into Annie and Bea, his initial hostilities toward Will are more than suspicious cannot be ignored.

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9. Ryan Jacobson (House at the End of the Street)

Despite his troubled childhood and continued struggles, there's no denying the creep factor driving Ryan Jacobson. When divorcee Sarah and her daughter, Elissa, move into a secluded and wooded neighborhood, the nearby house at the end of the street proves to harbor more than the normal white lies of everyday families. Ryan lives there alone after the disappearance of his sister who happened to murder their parents. Things get increasingly unsettling as Elissa uncovers far more than she bargained for in her budding relationship with Ryan. Ryan isn't your typical scary neighbor; he's young, enrolled in school and seems relatively friendly, but through all of his childhood trauma, Ryan has turned into something far more evil.

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8. Abel Turner (Lakeview Terrace)
Rarely do thrillers give as much of a perspective as to the crazed reasoning behind bad neighbors as in Lakeview Terrace. While completely unwarranted, there's something almost sympathetic about the unhinged Abel Turner. His actions while sinister and problematic are given plenty of backstory and while he eventually turns into quite the problem, he starts the movie as a grumpy old man. It’s a shame how evil he turns out to be because everyone would think having a cop next door would be the blessing of a lifetime.  Instead, it ends up being an absolute nightmare. 

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7. The Castevets (Rosemary's Baby)

You have to love moving into a new place and discovering you have kind, even if a little overbearing, elderly neighbors. Well, that is until you realize they're far more sinister than they appear. Turns out, the Woodhouse's neighbors are quite the opposite of cutesy. In fact, they're anything but. Last week, the pair made the list of scariest old people in horror and for good reason. The Castevets' pension for Satan, hidden behind a desire to assist Rosemary and her pregnant needs, is anything but neighborly. Rosemary's Baby is a classic hinged on the great villains created in The Castevets. They're terrifyingly kind demeanors and their overly helpful nature make for something truly dark.

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6. The Ferrins, Halversons and Mr. Cali (The Purge)While a lot of money may buy you a nice neighborhood, it certainly can't buy you nice neighbors. While the tension built around the neighbors surrounding the Sandin's may seem a little warranted, the added pressure of an annual anything-goes evening of horrors is all that's needed to break the camel’s back. Whether it’s the standoffish but innocent behavior exhibited by the Sandin's is partially to blame the horrific intentions of their neighbors is anything but couth. Despite the feigned culture and class of them all, this group of neighbors are vicious. They set out with a goal and set on the Sandin's house with all the ferocity of the deeply rooted mistrust and competition of upper-class living.

In Defense: Annabelle



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In reviews for the latest installment in the growing universe of The Conjuring, critics (including myself) have been quick to mark Annabelle: Creation as a much needed divergence away from 2014's Annabelle. Despite being a direct prequel that notably doesn't ignore the original, Annabelle: Creation reviews have consistently and with some good reasons, mentioned Annabelle and all its flaws. But, for all of its clunky misdirection and overly stale conventions, the first of what could be many spin-offs, Annabelle is deserving of a second watch.

Far better than it’s been lamented to be, Annabelle follows the Gordon's shortly after husband John picks up a very recognizable doll from a thrift store for his pregnant wife, Mia. After bringing the doll into the home strange things begin to happen and, after the murder of their neighbors by as satanic cult, they decide to move to the city. Things obviously don't slow down there and like many horror movies, the results are typical, but in many scenes, terrifying. Annabelle stars Ward Horton (Pure Genius) as John and Annabelle Wallis (Come and Find Me) as Mia. Tony Amendola (The Mask of Zoro) and Alfre Woodard is also featured as Evelyn, a neighbor and book shop owner with knowledge of the occult, and Father Perez, respectively.

Annabelle isn't perfect by any means. There are quite a few flaws that are worth noting. From the stale portrayal of a mystic minority character at the hands of Woodard to some really old horror scares that are less terrifying and more tepid, Annabelle deserves criticism. While Woodard herself is great in the film, her character is a disservice. Jump scares are also really overly placed throughout making it difficult to focus on the movie's plot itself. Plus, and perhaps most notably, through all of its sleek graphics and camerawork, the gleaming feeling of Annabelle leaves the movie feeling rather insincere. Sure you could figure out the play-by-play of the movie, but the greatest offense of Annabelle is its complete lack of personality. Rigid set design, although set in a time period, feel completely fabricated and the movie seems most worried about the industry's bottom line - making money.

But, writing off Annabelle completely is neglectful. While typical, Annabelle has multiple scenes that carry enough scares and tension to lift this movie up. That - paired with Annabelle Wallis' fantastic turn as a mother trying to adjust her life in the face of supernatural woes, more than compensate for the dead weight in this film. In fact, the storage room scene where Mia gets trapped in a basement and frights come out in waves is perhaps one of the scariest parts in modern horror to date. There are also the opening scenes in the young couple’s home that set the stage for what could have been an even better movie. Even if it later dismantles, these scenes are incredibly tense and well executed.

Overall, it’s not so much that Annabelle isn't deserving of criticism, it’s that the harsh words flung at this movie put it on an unfounded level. This is no Rings or Bye Bye Man. Annabelle has some horrifying parts. It has an amazing cast who all make the best of their roles, as well as some well-shot scenes that capture the dread felt by the characters. Annabelle isn't as good as it could have been and isn't as good as Creation, but it definitely shouldn't be ignored.

Best in Show: Saw Traps (Pt. I of II)

With the recently retitled Jigsaw movie officially due out this fall, Lionsgate Films officially solidified Saw as a seemingly never-ending story. Sure, each film is filled with flaws and sometimes the gore is more gratuitous than it needs to be, but for what they're worth the franchise has provided creatively provided plenty of blood splattering fun for genre fans eager to consume new material. The series has consistently held down box offices and while not always a critic favorite, the Saw movies are eaten up by audiences. This week's list looks at the scariest, most gruesome traps in the world of Saw.




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10. Steam Maze

At the very least, the steam maze in Saw VI is a sweaty and hot endeavor that could make you faint and die, at the very most; you'll scald your skin and die. So basically, this trap is a lose-lose and for Debbie, it definitely was a loss. It's not the most creative or the goriest trap, but the steam maze would definitely be a struggle for anyone with an aversion to heat. Teamwork also makes this trap especially difficult given the need for someone to constantly be burnt at any given time.

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9. Shotgun Carousel

This is one of the Saw franchises most entertaining traps. Given the opportunity to save 2 out of 7 captives, the shotgun carousel is one of the more intriguing games Jigsaw plays on his victims. By assuring safety to some and threatening others, he created a situation that challenges morality, human dynamics and who "deserves" to continue on in the world. The climactic showdown is maybe not up to the same gory standards as some of the other traps, but it was certainly entertaining for audiences looking to see bad people face consequences.

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8. Spike Pull

In Saw IV, there were plenty of forgettable moments. But, one thing that truly stood out was the spike trap that saw a couple held together with piercing poles. The wife, who had been abused by the husband, had a chance to pull her spikes through and survive, but in the process it would kill her husband. In rare form, this trap gave us a character to root for and alleviated viewers from witnessing another senseless kill. It was a welcome change of pace, even if it was slightly insensitive.

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7. Razor Box

Everyone knows the feeling; you accidentally stuck your appendage into a chair arm or a railing and instant panic sets in realizing you're trapped. This feeling is basically the idea of the razor box trap. Except, in this trap, the hole you stick your hands to is one with the potential to kill you. Not only did the delirious Addison fail to notice the key on the opposite side of the box, or the fact that if she had used one hand to move the blades and another to grab the syringe, but she also didn't notice that the blades would most certainly rip open her arms if she stuck two hands in. This trap proves that in the Saw universe, the most obvious plan of action isn't always the wisest.

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6. Razor Wire Maze

Like the steam maze, the razor wire maze just seems like an awful trap. Not only did the victim of this trap have to avoid cutting himself open on the razor wires all around him, he also had to navigate the chicken-wire corridors that would most certainly blend together. Tack on the fact that the entire thing is timed, and panic would most certainly set in. The razor wire maze is an impending doom type of trap that some would probably consider not worth the hassle.

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: Horror Landscapes (Pt. I of II)

Spring has sprung and as everyone begins venturing outside, it's important to remember the dangers that lurk in the places we go. From sprawling mountains to deserts and deep forests, horror has been using sprawling outdoor settings to instill fear in vacation-goers since the dawn of time. For the characters central to these films, the unknown dangers lurking in these landscapes often take on different forms, but the ending is almost always the same. In honor of Earth Day (April 22), here's a list of horror's scariest landscapes, featuring the threats that lurk within: 



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10. Desert in New Mexico (The Hills Have Eyes)

I saw The Hills Have Eyes 2 prior to ever seeing the first remake or it's original. Yet, there was something so troubling about the arid plateaus surrounding the formerly radioactive site. From the off-putting holes and crannies used by the sequel's somehow more aggressive mutants to the visual dryness of spaces surrounding the home, this desert setting should make anyone long for the comforts of A/C and rivers. This is by far one of the harshest settings of any horror movie around.

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9. Remote Forest (Evil Dead/Cabin in the Woods)

With so many films taking place in a desolate cabin in the wilderness, who pick these two? For one, Evil Dead is perhaps the most emblematic of the horror convention and secondly, The Cabin in the Woods resonated most with me. Each offer similar visuals; a dark and dense tree line with nothing but forests in sight, but each also offers its own unsettling aspects. The woods of Evil Dead seem cold and harsh, with plenty of twisting and turning roots to upset the stomach, while the warmer, more polished forest of The Cabin in the Woods looks far more safe than it actually is. Add in the booby traps and higher intervention of Cabin in the Woods, and what seems like another plain old setting quickly becomes a daunting maze of epic proportions.

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8. Rural New England (The Witch)

There's something drearily plain about the forests surround The Witch, but anyone who's seen the movie knows just what unsettling atmosphere it creates. Sure it looks like any other woods, but exasperated by the dark brooding stories and mythology surrounding it make for a hike that no one would want to take. It's a dimly lit, grey backdrop to an already dark and desolate film. The woods surrounding the farmland of The Witch is visually one of the most on-point settings in modern horror as it pairs a sense of familiarity with an impending feeling of dread.

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7. Amazon Rainforest (The Green Inferno)

Plenty of films take place in the jungles surrounding the Amazon River and Cannibal Holocaust most certainly did so the most prolifically, but it's Eli Roth's The Green Inferno that deserves the credit for encompassing the deep, lush colors of foreigner's image of the rainforest with the stark realities of its dangers and the mythological threats within. It feeds it's audience with imagery that'll make them fall in love with the idea of visiting but then lampoons that with terrible situations that'll make them want to look away. Tie in the unknown-lands aspects of the characters central to this film, and viewers are left with a truly terrifying journey.

 

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6. "Mount Holliston" Ski Resort (Frozen) 

Okay, so this one's not quite the spring/summer destination others on this list might be, but it undeniably deserves a spot on this list. Following a group of skiers who become trapped on a chair lift on the fictitious Mount Holliston in New England, the visually freezing and stark setting of this film is sure to send chills into its viewers- regardless of the weather outside. It's a grounded, mostly realistic tale of survival that should make skiers and snowboarders weary of chairlifts everywhere.

 

Review: Get Out

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When it was announced that Jordan Peele would be releasing a horror film, there was definitely reason to pause. For one, the MadTV alumni's most recent projects included little to no indication that horror was in his future. From Key & Peele to Keanu, Peele's delving into the genre seemed to come from left field. And yet, Get Out makes a strong, early case for 2017's best horror film. Where the failures of movies like The Bye Bye Man and Rings should have left viewers concretely dismayed, Get Out does more than its share. Not only could Peele's new movie lead a new generation of horror, it seems that the film could be a move towards relevancy in the industry. Completely topical, equally funny as it is scary and well-acted, the comedian's endeavor shouldn't go unnoticed by anyone, whether fan of horror or not.

Get Out tells the story of Chris, played by Daniel Kaluuya (Black Mirror), and his girlfriend, Rose, played by Allison Williams (Girls), who go to visit her family's isolated home in the country. Once there, Chris soon realizes that something is wrong, not only with the too accepting family, but also with the other people of color around him. Far above average, the plot of Get Out is the rare movie that compellingly combines relevant social tensions with horror and comedy. Not only is Get Out a fantastic modern take on horror, Peele's comedic past is also prevalent throughout. Get Out should be required viewing.

The acting alone in this movie is worthwhile. From start to finish every character that viewers encounter is played perfectly. From William's Rose and Kaluuya's Chris to Bradley Whitford (Cabin in the Woods) as Rose's father, Dean, the Blumhouse produced film is stacked with A+ performances. Then, there's Catherine Keener (Into the Wild) as Rose's psychiatrist mother. By far one of the best performances of the year so far, Keener's character is quietly evil and consistently in control, from the moments she asks to hypnotize Chris to the movie's finish, she is truly icing on top of the cake. The sprinkles on the cake come from Betty Gabriel (The Purge: Election Year) who's turn as the housekeeper, Georgina are unmatched.

Get Out also comes with its fair share of over-the-top jump scares and suspenseful moments. Moments like when the couple hit a deer or when driving or pretty much any moment the equally prim and terrifying housekeeper, Georgina appears, provide some thrills that are meant to startle then laugh. These are scares done intentionally and well, sometimes for the comedy, sometimes for the jolt. The comedy, especially from the minor characters is also worth noting.

What makes Get Out great, when it could have just been good, is its use of cultural themes.

Whether it's the smaller moments like an approaching cop car later in the movie (can't delve too deeply without giving a lot away) or some more explicit themes like the fact that Dean repeatedly says he would have voted for Obama a third time, it’s clear that Jordan Peele and Get Out want to show that racism isn't dead and even the smallest gestures by members of the majority, may not be intentionally racist, but are certainly still relevant.

All of the hoot-and-hollering for Get Out is well-deserved. Each and every moment of this stellar movie simultaneously works on a number of levels. It's funny, subtle, subversive and scary - each in more than one way. Whether it's the movie's ability to capture the perspective of a marginalized identity to be consumed by a wide audience in an understandable way, or the ability for the film to provide a haunting plot that has comedy tossed in, everything about Get Out is well thought out and terrific. It will more than likely be one of the best horror movies, and one of the best movies of 2017. 9 out of 10.

Best in Show: Found Footage (I of II)

When I decided to list out my favorite found-footage horror movies for this blog I had one thing in mind: Avoid the [REC] vs. Quarantine argument. For sure, there are strong arguments as to why [REC] is better- it's the original after all. But, I also feel like that shouldn't necessarily discredit its actually scary American remake. So, to avoid any argument from either side, I omitted these movies all together (you can toss them in wherever you want on this list). But, when I did eventually make out this article, I realized just how many options I had. Found-footage was a strong forced to be reckoned with and then it quickly petered out through oversaturation. However, between the muck and glum of various restarts for the subgenre, there are a lot of strong gems.



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10. The Bay (2012) & The Sacrament (2014) (A TIE! NO WAY!)

I'm not entirely sure what possessed me (get it?) to put these two next to each other. Maybe it was the fact that I couldn't justify removing one for the other or maybe it's the fact that both movies are about investigations, but either way they deserve slots on this list.

For those with a weak stomach, The Bay is probably a movie you'll want to miss. But for those that do, this movie about a polluted water system and one local reporter's mission to survive and uncover the secrets behind the contamination, is a terrifying eco-horror story that is especially relevant today. The Bay is the type of movie that will make your skin crawl, but with enough of a message that makes you think.

This past summer I went through a weird cult phase. I read The Girls, watched Holy Hell and Jesus Camp and tried to find anything I could that focused on this subgenre. I quickly found The Sacrament thanks to Netflix. The Sacrament follows a pair of journalists who visit a cult that has captivated their friend's sister. The cult is suspect at best and things quickly unravel. The Sacrament is an insane look at cult culture that will keep you on the edge of your seat.



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9. Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)

I'll ignore any argument that suggests that any other part of the Paranormal Activity franchise is as good as its sequel. Easily the scariest and most definitely the most entertaining, the second film in the found-footage revival franchise is as good as sequels get. This movie left me haunted. The stories of the shadowy figure that sat at the end of the girls' beds as they slept kept me awake at night. I love Paranormal Activity 2 more than any in their mostly overrated franchise.

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8. Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County (1998)

In 1989, UFO Abduction (sometimes called The McPherson Tapes) was quietly released with a low-budget, homemade look that made a huge impact. Like the radio hit, War of the Worlds, UFO Abduction was believed to be real. But, after the confusion died down and the production made its mark, it was the recreation and feature-length adaption in 1998, that truly deserves recognition. Made with actors and a higher budget, Alien Abduction: Incident in Lake County struck a deep cord in me because of its grounded and realistic feel. Sure, I went in knowing the movie wasn't real, but the stuffy, homemade feel of the movie laid a tone that is hard to overlook. Alien abductions make for scary conspiracy theories, and this homemade look at one is a terrifyingly intimate addition.



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7. Lake Mungo (2010)

At varying points, Lake Mungo left me with more questions than answers. It's a somewhat confusing movie about a missing girl and the potential ghost that she became. It's filled with twists and turns and when Lake Mungo veers it continues to keep audiences attentive. The whole atmosphere of this movie and its gloomy setting are enough to draw viewers in and scare them with intermittent moments of terror.



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6. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

I feel like The Taking of Deborah Logan is the type of movie that belonged in theaters. It certainly offers a fair share of scares and its plot is much more original than most movies that come out of the genre. Everything about this movie is great. The acting is strong, the scares aren't cheap and the twisted nature at which the story unfolds is terrifyingly great. The Taking of Deborah Logan is a must-see for more than fans of the subgenre; it is a must for any horror fan out there.