Drag me to Hell (USA, 2009)

Picture

Creepy and quite scary horror from the master Sam Raimi, making me think that we should really have more old and ugly witches in the movies, because it played out very nicely in this one.
The film feels like a cult material, but eventually it is lacking number of key elements, more exactly not developing them enough. The story is too simple, the pace is too slow, and there is not much of a humor or clever dialogs to consider this movie as quotable and cult worthy.
Despite some obvious flaws and averagely non-impressive lead, this is still good horror entertainment, with some gross and disgusting scenes and few chilling moments that create goose bumps.

Absolutely great score by Christopher Young and very good ending.

7+/10


Martyrs, France (2008)

Picture
Easily one of most disturbing movies I ever saw.
The movie is mixing number of familiar horror genre elements, including gore and torture, but there is a big difference between this movie and others with similar elements.
As opposed to Hostel, for example, in which the purpose of torture and sadism is pure nihilism, a torture for the sake of torture, a murder just for excitement and fun, Martyrs has completely different reason.

Behind most brutal sadism and conscious will to hurt and humiliate, behind cold and meticulously systematic infliction of inhumane suffering, behind disturbing disregard and lack of any compassion, lies direct, clear and very selfish purpose. A purpose so vicious and stunning in its deliberate cruelty, that the whole movie seems in completely different light once you realize it.
Great acting is absolutely convincing, the unbelievable situation is shocking and makes you cringe, the ending is brilliant. The watching experience of this film is very powerful, this movie goes to places you never thought it can go, showing pain and fear like you never seen it before.

The film is done very well, very professional. Taking very good decisions, director skilfully manipulates with viewer's emotions, depressing images of violence are delivered by him with certain alienation, sometimes even with cold distance, creating emotional void and apathy, which is mixed with viewer's emotional involvement and automatic reactions to what he sees. But director never uses cheap manipulations, never forcing to take certain point of view. This is usually happens when director trying to force specific moral judgment on the viewer, but not in this film.

Martyrs is very memorable and stays in the mind for a long time. People that easily offended, people that don't like to see any kind of pain on the screen or people that just don't like violence, should not see it. It's better not to see it, than see it and miss the whole point.
Together with The Descent, REC and another French horror À l'intérieur (Inside), this film is a perfect example of how European horror is far more superior than American in last years. And while Hollywood studios still releasing stupid and ridiculous slashers with bunch of half naked girls running from the killer with a knife or from some ghost, this is what we get from Europe - smart and intelligent horror that has no limits in it's cruelty, exploring the very nature of what makes us human and creating strong and unforgettable impact. Well done.

10/10


Tokyo Gore Police, Japan (2008)

Picture
Absolutely sick and psychotic. The levels of gore are truly beyond any reason, and as result the movie is absurdly funny. Gallons of blood sprayed all over, piles of mutilated bodies, humans transformed into grotesque amputee creatures crawling around and whatnot.
The movie is using body horror in very clever way, the violence is so over the top it's almost comical. The movie is not silly and has some really great moments, overall it's quite enjoyable but only for people that know what to expect.
Tokyo Gore Police is another example of Japanese fascination with extreme gore and limitless distortion of human body.

8/10


Dead Snow (Død snø), Norway (2009)

Picture
Red sure looks good one white, but nice visual aesthetics and great make up with brilliant idea of making zombies out of Nazis, cannot hide the total emptiness of the substance.

Bunch of young people, fighting cool looking zombies in the middle of white snow vastness, should also get a backup from the content - the story should be compelling, the dialogs witty and funny, the emotional complexity of the characters should be developed by their personalities and actions.
But nothing like that happens. The story is about absolutely nothing, the characters prove once again that horror films happen in the world of stupid people, even if they are all college students. The movie is not funny either, only two situations made me smile a little.
Despite having some nice and bloody sequences with lots of decapitations, brutal deaths and overall decent amount of gore, this film disappoints by having nothing to say. It is as hollow as the heart of a Nazi zombie.

6/10


Autopsy, USA (2008)

Picture
Nice and not pretentious little horror movie. Mostly slow with many dead (ha!) and boring scenes, but it has its moments with some gore and repulsive visuals. Some of the characters, especially two ex-convicts, are quite interesting. The movie can bring occasional chuckles and could've been better overall with some nudity and sexual violence, but nothing like that ever happens.
Nothing special in here, but it can be nice waste of time as midnight showing. As funny exercise, try to guess the order of the victims and who will stay alive. This movie is so simple that you will guess everyone correctly.

6/10


 Outpost   (2008)

Outpost, UK (2008)

Nice idea and below average performance. The movie is a big miss, don't expect underrated gem. The story is clumsy and incoherent, very few scary parts and the acting is laughable.  
The movie is OK to watch, but it is not memorable and feels like a waste.

My rating: 5/10

IMDB:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892899/    

Wiki:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outpost_(film)



The Guard Post   (2008)

Original Title: GP506, South Korea (2008)

Nice idea for the horror film, but the movie is overdone. Too confusing and too much unnecessary drama. Only few really good moments.  

My rating: 5/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1064953/

Wik: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Guard_Posti



Feast 2: Sloppy Seconds   (2008)

Feast II: Sloppy Seconds, USA (2008)

Not really a horror, but with lots of gore. One of more disgusting movies out there, with different kinds of body excretions and fluids ejections. Very repulsive movie that will make you sick. Some mild dark humor is also present, but it's not very amusing. Overall this movie is below average and for fans of such content only.

My rating: 5/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104835/



[REC]   (2007)

[REC], Spain (2007)

Starts very normal and calm, but soon it turns out to be one of most frightening movies I've seen. Shot in documentary like style and looks very real, it will make your heart jump and skin crawl.

My rating: 9/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1038988/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/REC_(film



Inside   (2007)

Original Title: A l'interieur, France (2007)

Bloody and terrifying nightmare. Pregnant woman attacked in her own home by  mysterious and insane stalker, and nothing good can come out of it.
Unbelievably intense, shocking and brutal thriller, this is truly not for people with weak nerves. But this movie is not just about twisted violence and flows of blood, it's also very clever exploration of the pregnant woman psyche and anxieties. 
Remarkable and unique.

My rating: 10/10            IMDB >   



Teeth   (2007)

Teeth, USA (2007)

A story about a girl with additional set of teeth... in her vagina! Sounds funny? Not for some men in this movie.
A twisted horror drama/comedy with just a little blood and gross stuff. The main story here is the girl and the change she is going through due to her discovery. Starts a little slow and creepy and just becomes more disturbing, but by the end you will have a big smile on your face, guarantee.  

My rating: 7+/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780622/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teeth_(film)



Sick Nurses (Thailand, 2007)

Picture

Good atmospheric Thai horror about the ghost of the dead woman, that comes to hunt and kill in creative ways those who were involved in her murder.
Not much of a story in this one, but the movie is visually striking and interesting. I've seen some reviews that say this is a fun gory movie, I respectfully disagree. There is nothing fun in this film, on the contrary, the approach is serious and meaningful, with something to say about social acceptance of the female beauty and the human nature.
For the fans of Asian horror only, but I have a feeling that this movie is a bit misunderstood.

7/10    


28 Weeks Later   (2007)

28 Weeks Later, UK (2007)

A sequel to 28 Days Later, but not as good as the first movie. It is still well made and grippingly scary, and most important it has a point. But the characters are a little annoying, this movie is lacking the originality the first one has. Therefore the script is somehow less imaginative and visionary.   

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0463854/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_Weeks_Later



40 Days of Night   (2007)

30 Days of Night, USA (2007)

One of the most terrifying watching experiences. The plot is bearable and the ending is Hollywoodish, but the creepiness of the situation along with bloody action scenes grab your guts deep inside. 

This movie is a nightmare roller coaster, sign of a great director and editing.  

My rating: 9/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389722/
 
Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/30_days_of_night



Flight of the Living Dead   (2007)

Flight of the Living Dead: Outbrake on the plane, USA (2007)

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0780583/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_of_the_Living_Dead



Botched   (2007)

Botched, USA (2007)

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0790590/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botched



Frontière(s), France/Switzerland (2007)

Picture
The recipe for making a horror film:

Bunch of troubled youngsters with personal problems arrive at remote location - check.
Crazy family, a la Texas Chainsaw Massacre, living there - check.
The family is a bunch of freaks and inbreed degenerates, whose leader is old and insane Nazi - check.
Cannibalism, brutal murders, imprisonment, torture, violence - check.
Gore, blood, deformed bodies, filth - check.
Insanity, madness, depressive situations - check.
Good horror film - ahh.... no.

It seems that the director, Xavier Gens (Hitman), has all the ingredients, but he just can't cook anything worthy out of them. Whether it's the visual style that he chose or the political angle of the story, bad writing or stupid characters. The result lacks any emotional depth, annoying most of the time and in general looks like a pile of ideas mixed without any kind of form or correct porportions. And I won't even mention how bad and ridiculous the ending is (well, I guess I just did). Bad meal.

5/10


Black House   (2007)

Original Title: Geomeun jip, South Korea (2007)

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1193490/



Diary of the Dead   (2007)

Diary of the Dead, USA (2007)

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848557/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_the_Dead



Rise: Blood Hunter, USA (2007)

Rise: Blood Hunter, USA (2007)

Too slow, too long and sometimes boring, but still decent to watch. The writing is not the best, but the acting is good, especially Lucy Liu, that has great onscreen presence and saves the whole movie on her own.

Different approach to the vampires, making them almost human.

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389328/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rise:_Blood_Hunter



Hansel & Gretel   (2007)

Hansel & Gretel, South Korea (2007)

Fantasy horror with good idea, but the the movie is not that good and becomes annoying toward the end.

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1002567/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hansel_and_Gretel_(2007_film)



Dead Daughters   (2007)

Original Title: Myortvye docheri, Russia (2007)

Too long, too boring, too confusing. Not scary, not psychological and visually annoying.

Total waste of time, it is better to wait for Hollywood remake in 2010. Skip it, skip it, skip it.

My rating: 2/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0477340/ 



Kaw   (2007)

Kaw, USA (2007)

My rating: 2/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0491005/



Trackman   (2007)

 Original Title: Путевой обходчик, Russia (2007)

The movie looks like Hollywood production and the filming location is great, which creates creepy atmosphere.

But the story makes no sense at all, and the acting is not that good. There is almost no gore, and the violence level is very low. Russian filmmakers should try more, because this is still no match for Hollywood.

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0900381/



Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon   (2006)

Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, USA (2006)

A "Slasher" horror is taken to the whole different level.
First 10 minutes it's a little hard to understand what is going on, but after that it becomes more clear, interesting and very enjoyable. 
Very clever and fun movie.

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437857/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/index.html?curid=9235373



All the Boys Love Mandy Lane   (2006)

All the Boys Love Mandy Lane, USA (2006)

Apparently, if you want to do something different and original in such chewed up genre like "Teen Horror Slasher", you can. This movie is a proof that when you have great script and smart director, even most average actors can upgrade their acting abilities and to pull very impressive dramatic scenes, add depth to their characters and deliver great movie as result. The downside, as non significant as it is, that after all it's still a teenage slasher.
Amber Heard, of course, on a way to be a huge star, but besides her, everyone is doing good job.
Gritty, complex and suspenseful. Recommended.

My rating: 8+/10                IMDB >



Frostbitten   (2006)

Original title: Frosbiten, Sweden (2006)

Really fun movie about vampires. The movie is very nice to watch, because of great makeup, lots of blood and dark humor. Starts a little slow, but interesting, and turns out to be a hell of a ride, literary. The story is quite good too.
Recommended to all vampire sub genre fans, especially for those who like more classic approach to vampires.

My rating: 8+/10          IMDB >>  



Cold Prey   (2006)

Original Title: Fritt Vilt, Norway (2006)

Another psycho killer slasher in classic tradition of horror movies. But the movie is not that bad and quite watchable, although relatively it is not very tense and violent.

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0808276/ 

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_Prey



The Wizard of Gore   (2006)

The Wizard of Gore, USA (2006)

Holds attention and interesting to watch. A little bizarre and confusing movie about manipulation and thirst for control of others. Some disturbing images of murders and blood.

Gore horror that trying to be also philosophical, but without big success.   

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0765487/



Black Sheep   (2006)

Black Sheep, New Zealand (2006)

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0779982/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sheep_(2007_film)



The Last Winter   (2006)

The Last Winter, USA (2006)

Suspenseful and well directed movie, it is also scary and mysterious. The most interesting part is that it actually transforms the sense of fear from the movie into real life, because, as opposed to other horror films, it is dealing with something real. It makes the movie to be didactic, which is not so good, but still important.    

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454864/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Last_Winter 



Slaughter Night   (2006)

Original Title: Sl8n8 (Slachtnacht), Netherlands/Belgium (2006)

Terrible in so many aspects, but also some few nice moments. Only for hard core horror fans.

My rating: 3/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0493452/



Hatchet   (2006)

Hatchet, USA (2006)

Bloody horror comedy with very brutal and graphic deaths. The movie feels like intentionally over the top, with bad acting, stupid story and extreme violence. The characters were so dumb I was actually cheering for the monster to kill them all.
The result is not very amusing or interesting, but distinctive and the gore is very nice too.

My rating: 6/10                    IMDB >



Final Destination 3, USA (2006)

Picture

Worse than both prequels. Not as mysterious and creepy as the first one, and not as gory and violent as the second. Actually it's pretty dumb and boring, with just 5 minutes worth watching (the tan salon scene).

5/10


The Slaughter   (2006)

The Slaughter, USA (2006)

Very strange movie. Most of the time it's incredibly boring and tedious, but occasionally it has great lines and bloody gore. Very tough to get pass first 30 minutes, but it's getting a little better towards the end.

Not really recommended, Zombie Strippers by the same director is much better.

My rating: 3/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0498386/



The Descent   (2005)

The Descent, UK (2005)

My rating: 10/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0435625/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Descent



Evil Aliens, UK (2005)

Picture
Horror comedy that can be fun only for the fans of such entertainment. The creator of this flick was definitely aiming for Peter Jackson's Braindead, whether inspired by or imitating it.
Lots of gore in the form of all kind of fluids, directly displayed intestines and decapitated body parts, separated from their owners by different weapons and also by variety of mechanical tools (including big Combine Harvester - great scene), some nudity, cheap special effects, stereotypical characters, a lot of cursing, occasional funny one-liners, gruesome deaths, you know, the usual content of any arthouse picture.

Entertaining to watch if only for some nice images and total disregard for human life, or any kind of life for that matter.

But as opposed to Braindead, which under the thick layers of gore and shredded organs was holding very clever content, the narrative of Evil Aliens is mostly dumb and even retarded, on the level of fart jokes. But the story is, of course, really not the main concern in such film, which turns out to be entertaining waste of time.

7/10


Feast   (2005)

Feast, USA (2005)

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0426459/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Feast_(film)



The Fog   (2005)

The Fog, USA (2005)

My rating: 5/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0432291/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Fog_(2005_film)



Dumplings   (2004)

Original Title: Gaau Ji, Hong Kong (2004)

My rating: 9/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0472458/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dumplings_(film)



Dawn of the Dead   (2004)

Dawn of the Dead, USA (2004)

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0363547/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dawn_of_the_Dead_(2004_film)



The Ordeal   (2004)

Original title: Calvaire, France (2004)

Very disturbing and shocking film.

My rating: 7/10        IMDB >



Final Destination 2, USA/Canada (2003)

Picture

Better than the original at graphic violence and overall production values, but not as creepy. Better deaths, more gore and blood, even the plot is complicated enough to keep the interest, but it's lacking the freshness and the B-movie spirit of the first film. So it's fun to watch, but don't expect too much.

7/10 


Battle Royale II: Requiem   (2003)

Original Title: Batoru rowaiaru II: Chinkonka, Japan (2003)

My rating: 4/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338763/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Royale_II:_Requiem



A Tale of Two Sisters   (2003)

Original Title: Janghwa, Hongryeon, South Korea (2003)

Very slow movie, almost annoying to watch. And it could have been forgivable if the story was interesting enough to follow, but it's not.
The movie pretends to be a psychological drama, but it's just stupid horror film with predictable twists, using every available  horror cliche.

My rating: 2/10               IMDB >



28 Days Later...   (2002)

28 Days Later... , UK (2002)

Unusually aggressive and scary horror movie that takes itself seriously. No screaming and stupid teenagers running away from some lame killer, but some deep exploration of human psyche in extreme life or death conditions, and what man is capable of in such situation.  
The movie keeps you on the edge of the seat and emotionally involved.

My rating: 9/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0289043/  

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/28_days_later



Cabin Fever   (2002)

Cabin Fever, USA (2002)

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0303816/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_Fever_(film)



Deathwatch   (2002)

Deathwatch, UK/Germany (2002)

Spooky and mysterious in the first half, confusing and pretentious in the second. Overall it's done very well, the story is quite interesting and the movie is not a total waste.

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0286306/ 

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deathwatch 



Ghost Ship, USA/Australia (2002)

Picture

Generally silly, cliche and incoherent, but atmospheric and decent to watch.

6/10


Stacy   (2001)

Stacy: Attack of the Schoolgirl Zombies, Japan (2001)

Below average example of the over the top zombie horror comedy with bad acting. Some blood, some lame humor and a lot of cut body parts. And although the plot pretends to be deep, with some complex metaphors and meanings, the result is pretty much amateur, low budget mess.

My rating: 4/10                   IMDB >



Battle Royale   (2000)

Original Title: Batoru rowaiaru, Japan (2000)

My rating: 7/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266308/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_Royale_(film)



Final Destination, USA (2000)

Picture

Occasionally scary and creepy, decent horror.

7/10


Audition   (1999)

Original Title: Ôdishon, Japan (1999)

What happens when you find a perfect woman but she turns to be a psychopath? Great horror atmosphere and some really scary scenes. Disturbing and bloody movie that made cult director Takashi Miike internationally famous.  

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235198/ 

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audition_(1999_film



Deep Rising   (1998)

Deep Rising, USA (1998)

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118956/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Rising



Ebola Syndrome   (1996) 

Original Title: Yi boh laai beng duk, Hong Kong (1996)

Very sick and disgusting exploitation movie with a lot of blood, rape, brutal murders, animal abuse and psychotic behavior. Sometimes feels like a bad dark comedy, but it is not very amusing.   

For people who like their movies shocking and disturbing. Great acting performance from the lead actor.

My rating: 8/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116163/



Braindead   (1992)

Braindead (a.k.a Dead Alive), New Zealand (1992)

My rating: 8+/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103873/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braindead_(film)



Salem's Lot   (1979)

Salem's Lot, USA (1979)

Outdated but still nice.

My rating: 6/10

IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079844/

Wiki: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem%27s_Lot_(1979_TV_mini-series)