Category: Film

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

When it comes to taking on a canon like this, a film needs to truly stand out, and The Invisible Man certainly achieves that. Adapted from the classic H.G. Wells novel, this film cleverly infuses a modern flair into the story by exploring themes such as domestic abuse, gaslighting, and the impact of technology on our lives, all while maintaining its ability to frighten. 

Our protagonist Cecilia Kass played by the remarkable Elisabeth Moss, manages to escape the clutches of her abusive husband, the wealthy optics engineer and businessman Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). It requires her to go to extraordinary lengths to disappear, and even after she discovers that he is supposedly “dead,” her instincts persistently tell her that he is still relentlessly hunting her down.

She stays with her childhood friend, Detective James Lanier (Aldis Hodge), and his teenage daughter, Sydney (Storm Reid).

Moss’s performance exhibits incredible depth, portraying her character with unwavering intensity and strength, despite her crumbling circumstances. The antagonist, too, is menacing, intelligent, and maniacal, embodying a mad scientist whose mind-boggling inventions serve to further his own agenda of control.

The Invisible Man is a thought-provoking thriller that expertly utilizes suspense to keep the audience in the dark. The cinematography skillfully employs angles and effects to emphasize the concept of invisibility, further immersing viewers in the experience.

The film masterfully blends psychological horror, jump scares, and an ongoing sense of unease, continually leaving you on edge, wondering when and if the invisible man will reveal himself. Is he watching at this very moment? Lurking in the shadows? The terror experienced in this film extends beyond Moss‘s exceptional portrayal, as the keen direction creates a palpable paranoia that sends shivers down the audience’s collective spine.

The script doesn’t waste a moment. There’s no excess and each scene and line of dialogue or purposeful lack thereof is thrilling. Writer/director Leigh Whannell has really honed his craft and this is just another stunner to add to his filmography.

And let’s not forget to mention the absolutely stellar visual effects that truly add to the film’s overall impact, and push this film into an inherently unsettling place: the idea of being watched.

The Invisible Man is an intelligent and creepy adaptation that is anchored by one of Moss‘ best.

Today’s winner:

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

Cobweb proved to be a delightful horror discovery in 2023. Despite its lack of advertising, I was still surprised to learn that it had not gained much recognition among the masses.

However, that is about to change.

Under the masterful direction of Samuel Bodin, this film exudes a wickedly lovely Halloween season vibe. The story revolves around young Peter, portrayed by the talented Woody Norman.

Right from the beginning, it becomes apparent that something is amiss in his household with his mother, Carol (Lizzy Caplan), and father, Mark (Antony Starr). Their refusal to allow him to partake in trick-or-treating and the unexplained moments of tension create an aura of mystery.

As the plot progresses, the odd occurrences intensify. Knocking sounds emanate from the walls, and Peter’s parents dismiss them as figments of his imagination. Yet, the tension continues to build, enveloping the home and the film itself, akin to a tautly coiled rope moments away from snapping. However, the true nature of the darkness lurking within remains concealed until later.

When the knocking morphs into a voice claiming to be his sister trapped within the walls, Peter begins to listen. Initially, this newfound presence bolsters his courage, but soon paranoia and manipulation take hold.

At school, Peter suffers from frequent bullying. However, with the assistance of his supportive teacher, Miss Devine (Cleopatra Coleman), and his newfound friend residing in the wall, he takes action. Unfortunately, this results in violence and his return home to continue his education, which only heightens his already troubled mind. The script adeptly maintains suspense, escalating as the story gains momentum and introduces potential red herrings.

What secrets are his parents concealing? Can Peter trust them? Can he trust the little girl within the wall? Amidst it all, Miss Devine senses that something is awry and endeavors to protect Peter, often encountering obstacles from Carol.

While some of the musical choices may not hit the mark, and certain effects may occasionally go a step further than necessary, these minor flaws do not detract from the film’s overall entertainment value.

In its final act, Cobweb wholeheartedly embraces its supernatural and peculiar elements. I especially thought the psychological torment depicted and the unexpected twists and turns were intriguing.

The film features several thrilling shockers and captivating imagery throughout. It often adheres to the “less is more” approach, but as it delves deeper into the narrative, it becomes increasingly gruesome and relentless. Moreover, it incorporates moments of hilarity or, at the very least, a charmingly awkward quirkiness that elicits laughter.

The performances in Cobweb are truly outstanding, reminding me of why I adore Caplan in such roles (more please!). Norman, too, excels as our innocent protagonist, effortlessly conveying his naivety and purity, which in turn accentuates the devilish and suspicious nature of his surroundings.

Cobweb is an absolute gem that warrants attention. It invites viewers into its uniquely creepy world, leaving them captivated throughout.

Today’s winner:

While horror movie watching is a year-round event, this is that time of year when all of us can flourish, embracing the weird.

So, come one, come all, beasties unite! It’s Haunt-Tober time!

We all know and appreciate Quentin Tarantino at this point, but have you seen his earlier penned horror entry? One in which he has a supporting, uncomfortably creepy role? This is camp, this nightmare fuel, and it boasts a stellar cast. Yes, I’m talking about From Dusk Till Dawn.

One of my go-to horror comedies that never seems to run out of steam (or blood) is the uniquely wild Robert Rodriguez-directed mayhem fright fests.

Ramblers, Let’s Get Rambling

It starts as a crime thriller with the Gecko brothers the brains Seth (George Clooney) and the disturbed Richie (Quentin Tarantino) being pursued by the law after robbery and murder. They decide to head to a place beyond the Mexican border: El Rey. But first, they need to meet at a local biker bar and find transportation to do so.

They find a family on vacation who seem like easy pickings to take hostage. Patriarch Harvey Keitel, his daughter Juliette Lewis, and son Ernest Liu are trying to reconnect after the passing of his wife.

But this journey has nothing easy about it. For where they are heading is a place where evil traps their prey.

It’s gonna be a long night.

This is a horror that doesn’t hold back from a tendency to lean into self-awareness and embrace the dark humor that Tarantino emphasizes with his dialogue. Each eccentricity is on full display, and it’s got a killer cast, including Salma Hayek.

The practical effects are delightful. The over-the-top phrases and kills are a blast and the combination of characters, forced into this violent confrontation of survival is wielded with ample parts creativity and silly, gory rampage.

From Dusk Till Dawn has stylish direction coaxing its genre-bending narrative, with bouts of dark hilarity, all centered by the charismatic George Clooney. This vampire jaunt has a one-of-a-kind bite. 

Today’s Winner: