Review: Better Watch Out

(imdb.com)

At what point is it too early for the holidays to consume our lives? This is a question asked by people across the United States almost immediately after Halloween. The Christmas creep - that quickly expanding period of time at which commercial winter takes over retailers across the country - is officially upon us. So then the question becomes for horror fans specifically: what can we watch to join in the festivities? Sure there's a few great holiday horror films out there (they'll get a list of their own in December), but for fans looking for movies that are just casually Christmas themed, options are limited. Which makes the release of the wild Better Watch Out even greater.


A Christmas film at its core, but one that could transpire at any point in time, Better Watch Out follows a babysitter who must protect her charges during a home invasion. Without giving much away, this film isn't what you'd expect and the twist in the story accelerates the film's tension and its quality. Better Watch Out stars Olivia DeJonge (The Visit) and Levi Miller (Pan). It also features supporting roles for Ed Oxenbould (The Visit) and Aleks Mikic (Secret City).


The standout of the film is undeniably Miller who portrays the seemingly innocent and somewhat immature Luke, a kid just beneath where he could viably watch himself. Then there is DeJonge who especially impressive as the young babysitter prepared to move into a new chapter of her life and Oxenbound who plays the whinier friend of Luke well. If it had been said that the young stars of The Visit would break out into absolute horror stardom, it probably wouldn't have been that surprising. But, it doesn't take away from their fantastic turns in this new film.


Better Watch Out is bonkers. While not necessarily scary, there is a plethora of entertaining scenes, dialogue and of course, deaths. There is a youthful atmosphere to this film that recent releases like The Babysitter attempted to capture but with shakier results. Each character is visibly having fun in their roles and it makes the movie a joy to watch. Better Watch Out plays out a twisted and swerving plot that never lets up. It's entertaining, gory and offers a feast for the eyes. 


No one needs to wait until Christmastime to see Better Watch Out. Even with its terrific overflow of string lights and gaudy decorations, the furnishings of this film are blissful background to fantastic characters and an insane story. There's no shortage of jovial fun, but it's also just a really effective thriller with a young and vivacious cast. Better Watch Out glows brighter than all of the colorful lights that adorn its setting. 8 out 10.

Review: Creep 2

(imdb.com)

In terms of cultivating a truly disturbing horror movie, sometimes practicality is scarier than fantasy. Slasher films have utilized this aspect for years; giving their killer some supernatural powers, but ultimately grounding them in reality. Found-footage films employ similar techniques to make the movie feel realistic and scarier, and while they've been done over and over again, their effectiveness has barely dwindled. Melding slasher and found-footage, with a product that feels almost too real, is Creep and its new single, creatively named Creep 2.

Once again starring Mark Duplass (Togetherness) as the titular Aaron/Peachfuzz the Wolf, Creep 2 amps up the first's premise and expands the serial killer's mythology. When videographer Sara, played by Desiree Akhavan (Appropriate Behavior), goes searching for a new story for her Craigslist ad-based web series, "Encounters," she stumbles into the demented world of Aaron. Promising to not kill Sara, Aaron asks the fame-chaser to film him and document his sinister tendencies.


Once again, Duplass is the star of the show. But, the addition of the equally daring Sara is a welcome change of pace. Akhavan plays her part well; fully committing to the more strained, yet willing participant in Aaron's games. Her Sara is truly special in that she recognizes all Aaron could offer her, while acknowledging the toll. She's aware, but overcome by her desire to achieve and her ability to go toe-to-toe with Aaron is great viewing.


Creep 2 is undoubtedly a slasher. Leaning into the subgenre's inevitable continuity, this sequel comes across as - at the very least - as well thought out. As bitingly uncomfortable and disconcertingly comedic as the original, Creep 2 is easily one of the more impressive sequels  to be released in the horror industry, Throughout its run, anyone and everyone can expect to be completely shaken by the pauses of silence, distant stares and odd rituals of a man who is clearly unhinged.


Is Creep 2 necessary? Maybe not. But, for what it's worth, it's a hell of a ride and one you won't be quick to forget. It's a deeply unsettling character study of a fictional serial killer and the victim who may be crazier than him. It's a film that elaborates on human's blind ambition and the conflict we face when our goals converge with others opposing ideas. Creep 2 is twisting and dark, and completely worth every moment. 8 out 10.

Best in Show: Scary Movie Masks (Part II of II)

(popsugar.com)

5. Captain Kirk (Halloween

Yeah, that's right: after deep, deep research (a Google search) I found out exactly what Michael Myers' mask is. It's Captain Kirk, aka William Shatner. This mask is demented; human and realistic, but also hollow and misshapen. It's the type of mask that can be brought along through remakes and reboots and still strike fear. In fact, prior to seeing the original, I first saw the Rob Zombie remake of the franchise and the more rugged look of the mask terrified me. Then, when I watched the original, I was just as freaked out by the oddity of the mask's features. Halloween is an iconic franchise and while you could argue it's soundtrack or legendary final girl are the reason behind its infamy, the truth is that without his mask, Michael just isn't the same.



(imgur.com)

4. Peachfuzz the Wolf (Creep)

When Creep came out, it quietly bubbled around blogs and discussion boards as a horror movie to watch. Promotion well deserved. Creep is horrifyingly intimate. It's a cat-and-mouse game featuring an eccentric cancer patient hiring a videographer to make videos for the patient's son. Then, like any good horror movie things take a turn for the insane and the twists and turns come into the forefront. One of the things that make Creep so good is its use of a Wal-Mart-looking mask worn by the patient. He calls the mask Peachfuzz and the innocent, yet creepy name left tingles in my spine. Peachfuzz is a scary mask, not because of its disturbing features but because literally anyone could purchase it. Something about the low-level of effort to make something outlandishly scary makes this mask downright bone chilling.

(giphy.com)

3. Pig Head (Saw)

I will never forget the first time the pig mask in the Saw series jumps out. I pulled back so hard that it made my stomach tight. While maybe not as prominent as some of the other masks on this list, the short screen time given to the pig masks in Saw are noteworthy for the very grotesque and unsettling tone they set. The inability to tell if they were supposed to be real or if they were in fact masks is questionable and the black hair that cascaded around them only added to the disturbing features.



(pinterest.com)

2. Dollface, Pin-Up Girl & Man (The Strangers)

Name a more iconic trio, I'll wait. No, but really. When The Strangers came out they became the poster children of modern slashers and for good reason. The three distinct faces each offered a dimension of insanity to the intense horror movie. While more plastic and shiny than the man's, the two women's masks are frozen and clownish. Contrasted with the canvas bag-like mask worn by the man, Dollface's and Pin-Up Girl's masks provide the perfect compliment. The masks of The Strangers provide distinction in anonymity and for that they deserve distinction. Whether emerging from the shadows or appearing under a street light, this set will stand the test of time.  

(wifflegif.com)

1. Leatherface (Texas Chainsaw Massacre)

If The Strangers is the iconic trio, is there a more iconic killer. Leatherface is the epitome of masked slashers. Made from his victims' faces, the disgusting and terrifying look of Leatherface's masks (either the original or the remakes) is enough to stop someone dead in their tracks. There is no horror movie mask that can ever reach the level of Leatherface's. Even the iconic Ghostface mask pales (get it, it's a white mask) in comparison to the bumpy and torn up features of Leatherface's face.