• The Criterion Files

    The Criterion Files: Carnival of Souls

    Carnival of Souls: Directed by: Herk Harvey Written by: Herk Harvey, John Clifford Starring: Candace Hilligoss, Herk Harvey, Frances Feist, Sidney Berger, Art Ellison Cinematography by: Maurice Prather Music by: Gene Moore Released: September 26th, 1962 Since starting up the Criterion Files series back in February of this year, I’ve only chosen to analyze and contextualize one film that I’m not one hundred percent willing to champion on grounds of quality. The film in question– The Naked City— by chance happens to be the very first Criterion release I wrote about, one which I identified as being less than impressive; it’s not terrible, but it also doesn’t stand up against…

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Trailers

    First Official Teaser for 'Carrie'

    MGM’s remake of Brian De Palma’s classic teen horror film, Carrie, is a very, very real thing, and the release of the first official trailer for the project solidifies that fact. We’ve seen posters and production stills featuring star Chloë Grace Moretz in what’s clearly the film’s last act; maybe unsurprisingly, the teaser, seen below, continues holding the party line by displaying Ms. Moretz in full crimson-soaked attire. Is there no other way to sell this picture than to point to its finale? If anything, the footage appears to confirm the murmurings that Kimberly Peirce intends to keep the film closer to Stephen King’s original story; while it’s a short clip, it’s…

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Trailers

    Spooky (Red Band) Trailer…'Sinister'

    Let me be forthcoming: I initially laughed, nay scoffed, at Sinister based on its production credentials. I wondered if Jason Blum possessed an ambition to direct a trilogy of mono-titled horror films. Perhaps, I speculated, we’d see Malicious next, and if that made enough money we’d likely see the trifecta expanded to include such titles as Unpleasant and Eeeeevil. Of course, these thoughts all preceded my first viewing of the original trailer, which creeped me out and showcased what looks like a strong performance from Ethan Hawke. I’m all for atmospheric, built-up horror films that center themselves around really talented actors, so that first impression I had dissolved within mere…

  • Editorials

    Going Back to the Cabin: The Horror of Formula

    At first blush, Drew Goddard’s long-awaited meta-horror film Cabin in the Woods (my review) is designed to foster invested discussion of its genre among both its core and secondary audiences. It’s an unavoidable byproduct of meta-filmmaking of any kind; movies that peer behind the scenes, so to speak, lend themselves to more intensive conversation by virtue of their defining sense of self-awareness. Put differently, movie fans like talking about movies that are about movies, and Cabin, brandishing the tropes of horror cinema with an inwardly critical sense of pride, certainly fits that description. The film pulls off a tricky balancing act, existing as a genuine entry in horror canon while also serving as…

  • Movies/Entertainment,  Reviews

    G-S-T Review…Chernobyl Diaries

    Curiously enough, Chernobyl Diaries may mark the first non-found footage found footage film. While constructed using mostly a straight narrative approach, there’s a nagging sense that this cautionary horror jaunt (penned and backed by Paranormal Activity mastermind Oren Peli) may have actually benefited from more fully embracing the tricky conceit; it’s shot like a found footage movie, it’s crafted like a found footage movie, it scares like a found footage movie, and the title’s reference to “diaries” naturally leads us to conclude that someone, somewhere, came across the footage we’re watching by unhappy accident. But those eponymous documents are nowhere to be found in an hour and a half of story. Chernobyl Diaries bases…