Horrorphile's BLOODY BEST of 2008
December 29th 2008 04:01
Apologies to my loyal readers for the lack of posts over this period, but I’ll be gettin’ back in the horror swing in the new year.
It is time to post my list of favourite horror movies of the past year, and a few more than last year’s top five bloody best. The criteria this time round includes movies that were "released" in Sydney during the last year, whether it be a screening or two at the Sydney Film Festival or ended up released straight-to-DVD.
So without further adieu, here they are, and there was some quality Darkness this year, although a little difficult putting them in order of favourites, apart from the first few.
Directed by John Ajvide Lindqvist
Along with 30 Days of Night this Swedish troubled romance is the best vampire movie in many, many moons. Top notch in every department, and an instant cult classic. I’ll be making sure I own a copy on Blu-Ray.
Directed by Juan Antonio Bayona.
Produced by Guillermo del Toro, this good old-fashioned ghost story had some of the best atmospheric scares and creepy suspense seen in a supernatural yarn for a long time. Like the Swedish vampire movie, this Mexican-Spanish co-pro had all the right boxes ticked. A beautifully poignant end too.
Directed by John Erick Dowdle
A very rare case of a Hollywood remake equaling, and in many ways actually bettering, the original (the Spanish [Rec], which was very good). Pure palpable chaos and genuine horror with solid acting to boot.
Directed by Xavier Gens
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in France. Derivative, but sensationally made, and fantastically over-the-top. Better than Eli Roth’s brand of “torture porn”, and infinitely better than the turgid Saw series.
Directed by Nacho Vigalondo
If you liked the brilliant sf headfuck Primer, but wanted something darker and more visceral, then this Spanish entry into causality and the paradox of reverse time-travel will be your cup of bittersweet tea.
Directed by Guillermo del Toro
More consistent in tone and more imaginative (if that’s possible!) than the original, the sequel pushes the boundaries of dark-edged science-fantasy into a whole new realm of grotesquerie beauty like only Guillermo can.
Directed by Michael Haneke
I loathed Haneke’s original, but inexplicably found myself utterly engrossed in his American shot-for-shot remake. A case study of the de-sensitization of on-screen violence packs a thoroughly polarising punch to the solar plexus of your sensibilities.
Directed by Matt Reeves
I love a good monster movie, and despite the immense Hollywood hype surrounding this old-fashioned “Godzilla”-style re-envisioning I was along for the shaky-cam ride with much gusto. The unexpected ending was a small treat too.
Directed by Christopher Nolan
Watching this on the giant IMAX (with footage actually shot with the 65mm IMAX cameras) was a mesmerizing experience. Amazing production design and awesome visual style, and Heath Ledger probably does deserve a Supporting Actor Oscar, he worked The Joker something wicked.
Directed by Takashi Miike
I’m a huge fan of maverick director Miike. This mutant samurai cowboy fantasy fable is rammed to the hilt with pure unbridled stylistics; blood and snow abound. The anglicized accents are impenetrable, but the cinema experience is all-embracing.
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Comment by Damo
I liked the Joker. He was a royal pain in the butt.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Stay tuned for a terrifyingly entertaining year here at Horrorphile in 2009!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Jason King
Sydney Table
Salty Popcorn
Total Randomness
One horror film I watched last night and actually enjoyed thoroughly was The Ruins. It was way better than I was expecting!
I would probably throw The Orphanage into a horror list also.
Anyways - happy new years and great list!!
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
OMG, I completely forgot The Orphanage!!! How could I let that slip my memory, I really enjoyed that! Now I'm gonna have to tweak my list. Oh, the shame!
Yes, I'm quite aware of your thoughts on Funny Games
Hellboy 2 surprised me, as I'm not a fan of the first movie. It is aimed at a younger audience, but there's still enough mature elements to bridge the movie ... like the Pixar movies in a way (but very different). I understand though that Hellboy is an acquired taste, you either warm to it or not.
I watched and reviewed The Ruins a couple of weeks back, and enjoyed it for the most part.
Comment by Movie Mall
Movie Catcher
The Invisible Sky
Good to see Dark Knight (obviously) and Cloverfield get a mention. The latter suffered from being overhyped, but take all that away, it was so unique and so effective. I really enjoyed it.
Hellboy 2 on the other hand, disappointed me big time. Looked great, but seemed to stray too far from the original with its cheesy concepts. I might have to ty and write a review... I feel myself about to unleash.
Suffice to say, del Toro will be great for The Hobbit (more fantasy-orientated).
As always, great work mate.
Comment by Michelle Sweeney
Competition Queen
Always Learning
Cinema Voyage
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
As for Rambo, I had high hopes, but too much gun, not enough hand to hand. I know Rambos getting on in years, but for me the hand to hand combat was the best. In that film he relies very heavily on his guns, and in the earlier movies even though he used them, he relied upon his hands and fighting skills. My boyfriend loved it, but I was disappionted. None of the cool suspense that was in the first one.
As for Ledger's Joker....Yeah, wow. I heard a rumour that after 'getting into' the character he found he couldnt sleep. Its a theory on why he went so heavily into the sleeping pills. I had to see the movie to get it, and I really did. In his first few scenes he hasnt quite tapped it (although making that pencil disappear is one of my greatest movie moments ever!) and his smooth exit from the room was admirable. But its not until he's video taping the hostage and roars, "look at me!" that he's right into the character, just tapping into that dark place inside. You can FEEL it, like palpable evil coming from the screen. Its sad Heath had to die, because it took away from Christian Bale's performance so much and he was just flawless. However, the movie was utterly ruined by Maggie for me....I would rather have seen Katie's dark beauty as Rachel again. I was so happy she got blown up - she was like a smear across the film that destroyed the atmosphere for me.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
I totally agree that First Blood is a superior movie, it captures that 70s style of filmmaking. I just enjoyed the no-holds-barred approach to the violence in Rambo. Call me twisted.
I agree that Christian Bale is superb, and just as good as Ledger, it's just a more restrained performance which suits Bruce Wayne. Maggie's performance was wooden, and her role was kinda thankless. I agree Katie Holmes had more screen presence in Batman Begins.