Horror Movies Thread

[Rideguy70]

We’re fine with all other possession. We’re fine with murder. We’re fine with disemboweling. We’re fine with everything. But this is the line we draw!

To be fair, as I understand it, the discourse is that at the end of the day, Nikki is a victim of sexual assault. Not just emotionally, but physically. Ethically speaking, is that a character that should be trivialized and made a mere photo op/meet & greet for entertainment?

I can sort of see both sides of this issue. When you put it that way, it is petty off-putting, and smacks of poor taste. On the other hand, you do have all the "it's just a movie" people who are interested in seeing a character that is also known for their unbalanced, dramatic shifts of psyche that are admittedly a fascinating character study and performance, who have probably honestly (and perhaps conveniently) forgotten or overlook the SA aspect.

I can also imagine this going down gender lines. I would suspect more women are off-putt than men... which sort of opens its own can of worms about societal gender norms and attitudes...

 

[Legacy]

BlueSky has had very little discussion about this because the HHN community on there is still incredibly small. The most likes any post has on it is 51.

And don’t get me wrong, BlueSky always needs its daily virtue signal discourse, but the lack of algorithm prevents discussions like this from exploding with takes. It says a lot that the discussion on there didn’t start until yesterday. It started on Twitter.

 

[Jerroddragon]

The extra scene from Backrooms everything must go edition is now free on youtube

 

[Cwoolboy]

I can't recommend Kane's Backrooms Youtube series enough. Some real mind-bending, freaky stuff in it.

 

[OhHaiInternet95]

I'm not sure what to think of 13 Ghosts. The ghost designs are A++ and it's a neat take on "ghost hunting" concept but it falls into the trap of trying to be both scary and funny and ultimately not feeling enough of either.

 

[Lucky Planet]

I'm not sure what to think of 13 Ghosts. The ghost designs are A++ and it's a neat take on "ghost hunting" concept but it falls into the trap of trying to be both scary and funny and ultimately not feeling enough of either.

do you mean the 2001 version?
the plot is very messy and kind of convoluted, but it's such a comfy movie. it's so amazingly looking, the glass rooms look so amazing.
I love "looking at it" but the story is so messy.
the acting is also kind of, not great.
to me it's similar to House on Haunted Hill from 1999. exactly the same, amazing looking movie

 

[Rideguy70]

Just saw Buffet Infinity. Liked it quite a bit overall. Didn't expect the first 1/3 to be absolutely hilarious. Things to start to take a darker turn more in the 2nd half of the film... and I'm not sure the tonal (and style) shift entirely work for me, though I really can't state exactly why. It also doesn't really explain everything, which is not a bad thing.

It'll be interesting to see what other people think of it

 

[Cwoolboy]

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma

Miasma- an oppressive or unpleasant atmosphere which surrounds or emanates from something.

“This is your place.”

“Now if it gets too real, you can always turn it off.”

“Let’s do it. Let’s make a movie.”

In Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma , we follow Kris Williams (Hannah Einbinder), a young gender-fluid filmmaker who has been tasked with crafting a remake/lega-sequel/reboot of the undead 80s slasher franchise, Camp Miasma (a horror film hybrid of Sleepaway Camp and Friday the 13th with a killer named Little Death, a clear reference to climaxing). A mega fan of the franchise, Kris struggles to find her own unique take on the project. She travels to the location used for the titular camp in the movies, Camp Tivoli, now owned by the original film’s starring actress Billy Presley.

Billy has turned into a Norma Desmond-esque recluse who is obsessed with the first film and spends her free time painting and drawing. Kris aims to talk to Billy, whom she wants to appear in her film, and hopefully find some creative inspiration. As the two form an intense relationship, Kris finds herself delving deep into her own psyche, unlocking trauma, desire, and repression along the way.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is queer wunderkind Jane Schoenbrun’s latest filmic fantasy. They use a filmic language to convey emotions and themes throughout. Schoenbrun is a long-time fan of the horror genre, something they fearlessly make known by lovingly sprinkling their film with references and deep cuts to horror films of the past. Some could argue Teenage Sex and Death relies a little too heavily on the references, but luckily Jane has more on their mind here. They explore the interconnectedness of sex and violence in horror films, the modern horror movie landscape, the relationship between queerness and horror movies, the prevalence of meta-textual commentary in the horror pictures of today, the melding of real life and movies that occurs for many super-fans of film, horror audiences’ subconscious wants and desires, and so much more.

As per usual, Schoenbrun writes and directs with passion and enthusiasm. They continue to display a very unique and personal voice you don’t see very often. They remain a true generational talent. The multiple needle drops featured here help to establish a sense of tone and place that, much like in ‘I Saw the TV Glow’, draws the viewer in and places them under Schoenbrun’s spell. Eric Yue is cinematographer and consistently wows with his visuals. The film often looks like our leads have stepped foot into a painting. Matt Hyland and Brandon Tonner share production designer duties and craft backgrounds, landscapes, and sets that look gorgeously fake and perfectly filmic. The editing by Graham Mason is stellar as well.

Hannah Einbinder makes for a very cute and likable lead as Kris, whom most horror fans will likely be able to relate to. It’s easy to get invested in Kris’ journey as she struggles to create her own unique film while dodging studio interference and the demands of her agent, fellow creatives, and actors. Gillian Anderson (affecting a classic, filmic, transatlantic accent), however, is the real star here as Billy. She makes her character kooky and unpredictable, keeping audiences on their toes as to what she will do next, the secrets she may or may not be hiding, and her motivations. Anderson easily commands the screen, and when she’s on it’s hard to tear your eyes away from her.

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma is another hypnotic and transportive movie from Jane Schoenbrun. Don’t expect your typical horror film as this is more about Kris’ psyche than following a slasher-killer. It’s very talkative and cerebral, and is painfully unique, original, and fearless. It’s quite unlike any movie I’ve seen this year so far and will likely remain that way. Schoenbrun makes exactly the movie they want to make. There are quite a few unexpected and out-there scenes throughout (such as an extended portion where we get to watch a good deal of the original Camp Miasma with our leads). Did I mention this film is also fun and cool as hell?The bigger a fan of horror you are, the more likely it is you will enjoy this wild, weird, and meaningful little flick (same goes double if you’re queer).

4.5 STARS

 

[Rideguy70]

^I just saw this myself, and largely agree with you. There's a lot of great Jason and Sleepaway Camp tributes, but she also has her own spin on things, and the opening credits are amazing as you see what seem to be years worth of memorabilia for a fictional movie that all feel very authentic.

The middle portion slows down a lot, but I think deliberately so. The line of reality gets blurred by the end, but that's the deal with Jane Shonebrum films.

I will be helpful to know that the term "Little Death" is a euphemism for an orgasm. Just trust me here.

 

[Myah1220]

I also just watched Camp Miasma last night - Jane Schoenbrun's magnum opus! It's great stuff.

 

[LPCaptainDeath]

Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma - 9/10 and arguably liked it more than i ever thought myself capable. What a love-letter to slasher pictures and Friday the 13th specifically. Definitely underestimated its impact, which isn't surprising because I Saw the TV Glow messed me up.

It Ends - 7/10 surprised in some ways, expected more in others - not as much a horror movie as it is an existential movie that can embrace the more horrifying or emotional beats when needed. Great dialogue and believable everyman acting through the unfortunate happenstance that drives the movie (pun intended) heightens this one from being mid to being just good.

Buddy - 9/10 fantastic. Casper Kelly needs more work. Perfect blend of tonal commitment to the bit, black comedy, satire, and world-building. This could've been a TV show and i would've eaten it up week after week; Why Adult Swim didn't greenlight something like this after Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell was cancelled is beyond me. Even if he only wanted this to be a movie they have to see the series potential at play here. Definitely seeing this one again as soon as i can.

 

[Jerroddragon]

Buddy was great, I think I enjoyed backrooms more

But Buddy overall is a good time, I will say I feel like part of it with no spoilers can feel a little messy at time, like they have great ideas but transitioning into different scenarios could feel smoother.

Its funny, an interesting idea, the kids actors are great, the designs of the characters are good, the sets are cool to look at many times later in the film

Not giving it an out of ten but I liked this film a good amount and would love Buddy at HHN, the movie would be perfect for that but also would like a sequel because there is a lot more they could do with this idea. Anyway go check is out if you can, i had to drive a little to find a earlier daytime, showtime but was worth it

Spoiler

For example, they show the kids in the show and then when they escape they cut to the real world....now I thought the woman was one of the kids grown up but it was the mom of the kid instead

Also the two scenes for me that were the most disturbing were when the kids are in the woods and the old man says the one little girl has a pretty face and when the mom comes into the world and is helping Buddy and then Buddy starts touching her and licking her.

 

[CoryLevy91]

Onslaught is a rip roar of a film. Adam Wingard delivers a pitch perfect horror-action hybrid with a just right amount of laughs thrown in this film that feels like a 90s John Carpenter jam. Adria Arjona kicks all kinds of ass, the supporting cast is tremendous, Dan Stevens shows up just long enough to leave his mark as a creepy little guy and the antagonistic super soldier trio of Jason-esque killing machines are presented with powerful unrelenting violent streaks. That trademark synth soaked sound Wingard loves is once again present and as banging as ever. It could have benefited from just one or two more set pieces but I applaud a modern film for just dropping you in and dishing out an ultra tight 90.

Adam Wingard continues to be one of my personal favorite filmmakers. Just out for my heart!

 

[Cwoolboy]

My review of Onslaught

In Onslaught, when a small super-soldier unit escapes from their secret military base, a divorced ex-military vet will have to protect her trailer park home and her young daughter from the unstoppable squad as they lay siege to the area.

A step back in the right direction for Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett. There is indeed an onslaught in Onslaught, but the violence and action aren’t quite to the degree most are likely expecting. While the extended trailer park scene is quite good, the best action scene is the first one at the military base.

Dan Stevens is entertaining and weird as Dr. Kammler, a Nazi scientist and head of the super soldier program. Michael Biehn is a welcome presence as one of the higher-ups at the company funding Kammler’s research. Unfortunately, both get minimal screen time.
Adria Arjuna is likable as Celeste, our first lead. She is an army vet with some serious PTSD and the on-site manager of the trailer park.

Eric Wareheim is entertaining as Kovacks, a pathetic loser cop and resident of the trailer park. Reginald VelJohnson (of Die Hard and Family Matters fame) is great as Josiah, a Vietnam vet who lives at the trailer park and is the only friend Celeste has. Drew Starkey plays Cyrus (my favorite character), an assassin sent to contain the situation. Cyrus has a lot of potential as he spends the majority of the film tripping on pure MDMA. Unfortunately, he is given very little to do.

The screenplay by Simon Barrett isn’t the strongest. The story here is very simple, unfortunately to the film’s detriment. There are also sub-plots, reveals, and themes that go nowhere. While our cast is quirky and weird, you never feel fully invested in any of their fates. Celeste in particular hits upon the truth of the situation way too quickly. Her intuition is insanely good.

Our three man super-soldier unit is very cool, intimidating, and scary (I love how their eyes glow). They are memorable and are given brief, but interesting backstories. There aren’t many people living at the trailer park, so the “onslaught” isn’t quite as crazy as you hope it would be and the final fight between Celeste and the leader of the unit is over too quickly.
While Onslaught never quite settles into a comfortable rhythm (the film moves in starts and stops), the editing by Adam Avery and Josh Schaeffer and cinematography by Oren Soffer are very impressive and cool. The score by Matthew Pusti is deliciously synth-y and absolutely worth a purchase.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Onslaught is that it’s set in the world of The Guest. The super-soldier program is the next evolution of the same program that made David into the monster he is, KPG is never named in the film proper but has been heavily hinted at by director Adam Wingard to be the company at the heart of the film’s super-soldier program, and the town Onslaught is set in is Moriarty (the same town from The Guest). Moriarty doesn’t feel or look the same here, but that might be because there are minimal locations utilized and it seems the the trailer park is on the outskirts of the town.

Onslaught is clearly heavily inspired by the films of John Carpenter, specifically his grindhouse fare like Assault on Precinct 13 and Escape from New York (I’d say this is more Escape from New York than Assault on Precinct 13, but maybe that’s just me). Onslaught is a weird grindhouse-action-horror-comedy-B Movie (with the emphasis on weird). There are a lot of plates it’s attempting to juggle, but it never does an impressive job at any of them. The plates do fall, but they don’t break. Onslaught has lofty aspirations it fails to reach. Luckily, even though it isn’t a super memorable movie, it’s still a ton of fun while it’s on.

3 STARS