High School Horror: “Jennifer’s Body” (2009) Review

Slasher StudiosJennifer's Body

In most recent years, there have some fun horror films to come out, and one of my favorites is Jennifer’s Body from 2009. It stars Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, and Adam Brody. Also, it is written by Diablo Cody who wrote Juno (2007) and is one of the writers of the upcoming remake, The Evil Dead, which comes out in 2013. But by far her best project in my opinion is Jennifer’s Body. It’s one of my favorite recent horror films, and one of my favorite high school themed horror films that seems to be very underrated in my opinion.

Jennifer (Megan Fox), and Needy (Amanda Seyfried) are best friends,but total opposites in high school. Jennifer is the girl that guys want to be with, and girls want to be while Needy kinda stays in the shadows of Jennifer,but loves and wants to protect Jennifer when trouble happens. One night Jennifer and Needy decide to go to a local bar where a new band will be playing. But during the show, a fire breaks out, and luckily Jennifer and Needy make it out safe until the band decides to take Jennifer with them. Later Needy is in panic about Jennifer, and worries about Jennifer’s safety. But later Jennifer returns, and isn’t the same person as before. Jennifer becomes a man eating demon of some sort because the band was actually a cult that sacrificed Jennifer thinking that she was a virgin, but were wrong because Jennifer wasn’t. Now Jennifer must eat her way through all the boys in her high school in order to stay beautiful, and her next target is Needy’s boyfriend, Chip. It’s up for Needy to stop Jennifer for good before Jennifer causes more chaos. If describing the plot wasn’t the best then I am sorry,but it’s a plot that is hard to describe.

In my opinion, this is one of the best modern horror films and one of the best high school themed horror films. It’s a film that gets too much hate, and personally I don’t think it deserves the hate it gets. Yes, there is some dialogue between some of the characters that is pretty dumb. But the rest of the film is a good cheesy time that isn’t supposed to be taken seriously. The first time going into the film, I expected that, and I turned out loving every minute of it. It has clever writing, clever and interesting kills, great music, fun characters, great cameos, and a pretty awesome ending between Fox and Seyfried. I would highly recommend this film to horror fans that want to have a good time with food and drinks, and that love their cheesy “B” horror films.

–Justin Rhine

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Tim’s Slasher Tweet Reviews: “Halloween: H20” (1998)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Our resident Twitter reviewer Tim Schilling is back attacking the “Halloween” franchise with a brand new review of “Halloween: H20.” The most successful of the “Halloween” sequels making $75 million worldwide on a budget of just $18 million, the film was the marked return of Jamie Lee Curtis to the series. The film received solid reviews in its original release but many have felt it hasn’t withstood the test of time. Let’s dig in and see if Michael is as sharp as ever or if his blade has become dull.

Thoughts before the film:
Halloween H20 is probably the movie I remember the least from the series. Not sure if that’s a good or bad thing!

Thoughts while watching:

0:02 I had no idea Joseph Gordon levitt was in this movie! Awesome.
0:11 Michelle Williams too? How come I never knew all these people were in this movie?
0:20 Why do girls ALWAYS have to go to the bathroom?
0:32 That’s pretty messed up of Michael Myers to ruin the best day holiday for Laurie.
0:33 What’s Michael waiting for? 20 years to pass so they have a name for this movie.
0:38 Having your mom as one of your teachers must be pretty weird.
0:52 This movie is so freaking cliche, every single line.
0:54 I thought everyone knew Laurie was from the murders and stuff… Why is this guy acting so shocked?
0:56 No, no you will not be right back. Haven’t you ever seen Scream?
0:59 Told you you weren’t gonna be back!
1:04 This score is definitely taken from another movie, but I can’t for the life of me think of what one.
1:05 I kinda liked the way Michael and Laurie saw each other for the first time in 20 years. Simple but it worked.
1:11 Honestly, if you were to cut off Michael’s arm with an axe, what would happen?
1:20 So she cut off his head… I wonder how they’ll explain that one.

Final Verdict:
Halloween H20 was one of the most cliched movie I’ve ever seen. That being said, I thought that the story was actually decent, besides the fact that Michael comes back after 20 years out of no where with no explanation whatsoever

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
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High School Horror: “My Super Psycho Sweet 16” (2009) Review

Slasher StudiosMy Super Psycho Sweet 16

My favorite high school-themed horror movie is 2009’s “My Super Psycho Sweet 16”.

Spoiled rich girl Madison Pensrose (Julianna Guill) convinces her father to open The Roller-dome which was closed down due to a series of grizzly murders that had taken place 10 years ago, along with this, social outcast Skye Rotter (Lauren McKnight), who happens to be the daughter of The Roller-dome murderer, finds herself victim to Madison’s bullying do to a brief but flirtatious confrontation with Madison’s ex, Brigg (Chris Zylka). One thing leads to another and Skye meets up with Brigg at Madison’s sweet 16 and soon enough, the killer comes back to wreak havoc during her party.

Now I saw this is my favorite high school themed horror movies because the high school is used most frequently throughout the first half hour or so of the movie, helping viewers decide which characters they love and which they hate. Not only that, but the film centers around on high schoolers.

The cast is surprisingly great. For mainly new-comers, the actors really knew their shit and not one of them had a moment where they made viewers feel that what they were doing and saying wasn’t real. Julianna Guill especially played the role of spoiled-rotten Madison, and you even start to feel bad for her throughout the film. In one scene in particular, Julianna manages to make Madison seem like she isn’t a complete bitch, even though she obviously is one which is revealed 5 seconds later. Lauren McKnight did a phenomenal job as well playing the social-outcast Skye Rotter. She comes off as a girl that we all know/knew growing up which makes you love her character 100000x mores than the screenplay writers probably anticipated.

Being a made-for-TV movie, you’d expect everything to be toned-down to the point where it’s like the Prom Night “”remake”” , but surprisingly this film didn’t hold back on the gore too much. The kills were actually pretty brutal, especially one that evolved a fire extinguisher. Definitely didn’t expect that from an MTV release.

All-in-all, My Super Psycho Sweet 16 is probably one of the best slashers of the last decade, in my opinion, because of it’s refreshing feel and 80’s slasher homage. If you haven’t already seen it, then you definitely need to asap.

–Sean Wells

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Tim’s Slasher Tweet Reviews: “Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers” (1995)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Our resident Twitter reviewer Tim Schilling is starting the weekend with a return to Haddonfield and a look at one of the black sheeps of the Halloween series, “The Curse of Michael Myers.” Released in 1995 to some of the worst reviews in years, the film was a disappointment for both fans as well as Dimension which had recently picked up the rights to the series. Starring a young Paul Rudd, how does the film hold up 17 years later? Get out your knives kiddies and get ready to dig in.

Thoughts before the film:
I’ve seen all the movies in this series at some point, but I’ve never sat down and actually watched any of the later sequels. Over time these movies just blended together cause I saw them when I was younger, half hiding my face under the blanket! #Halloween6

Thoughts while watching:

0:05 They like remixed the theme song for this one. I’m not feelin it.
0:09 I probably should have watched Halloween 4 & 5 before this so it would have made more sense.
0:10 Lol @ Paul Rudd! He’s so young in this.
0:23 I can’t wait until this fat guy dies. Michael better kill him.
0:28 He finds a kid in the bathroom… A true prom night dumpster baby?
0:31 Only in America you get security called on you when you ask for a doctor to see your baby.
0:38 OH MAN. The scene when Michael is in his house again, this scare the shit outta me as a kid. I remember this perfectly.
0:45 |> I made the thorn.
0:49 I don’t know if it’s my DVD or the actual movie, but the audio sounds TERRIBLE at some parts.
1:04 You watched her die from across the street! Why even bother checking if she’s still alive?
1:07 You aren’t Michael Myers, you can’t just jump outta the window and survive like that.
1:08 Those people in the black with the masks and stuff, I’m not even gonna question why they came up.
1:17 Holy flashing lights. You’re gonna give me a seizure.
1:23 Michael bleeds green… Alright.
1:23 Rip Donald Pleasence! I didn’t know they dedicated the movie to him.

Final Verdict:
I liked Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers mainly for the nostalgia feeling it gave me of being so scared so much of a movie as a kid……but for the movie itself, kind of all over the place. I didn’t care for the characters or story much at all. But! Still entertaining.

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
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Hip “Detention” Plays As Wild Slasher Cocktail With No Hangover

Slasher StudiosDetention

The phrase “love it or hate it” is overused when it comes to describing films in general. The term is too often applied without much care and is a way to separate oneself from the masses. Earlier this year “Cabin in the Woods” was released to many raves but I was less than impressed. Nevertheless, I couldn’t use the phrase “love it or hate it” because while I admired the artistry behind the film, I just didn’t care for the execution. It wasn’t a terrible film by any means and I understand why fans went crazy for it, it just didn’t work for me. Now we have a film that I WILL use the “love it or hate it” phrase because nothing else can possibly describe it. The film in question? “Detention”, the direct-to-dvd release (select theaters doesn’t work when it comes to horror) from Sony that, in my eyes, is the film that “Cabin in the Woods” SHOULD have been. Are you ready for the madness? Let’s dig in.

The film opens with uberbitch Taylor Fisher, the most popular girl in Grizzly Lake, waking up and telling the audience how to be cool while screaming obscenities at her family. As she is about to leave for school, she is brutally murdered by someone dressed as Cinderhella, a horror film serial killer in the movie within a movie.We shift attention to Riley Jones, a smart, rebel loner, who arrives at school where the audience is introduced to Clapton Davis, a “slacker hipster” liked by virtually everyone of which Riley has a crush on, Ione Foster (shades of “Say Anything”), the cheerleader former best friend of Riley and current girlfriend of Clapton, Sander Sanderson, Clapton’s best friend who openly makes attempts to have sex with Riley, and Billy Nolan, the school jock who is still obsessed with Ione.

Sound confusing? Don’t worry, it’s part of the fun. Wouldn’t you know it, Billy challenges Clapton to a fight after school for the right to date Ione. Since Taylor is absent (due to umm…being murdered and all), Ione is assigned as head cheerleader and Riley as the school mascot for the upcoming football game. As Riley attempts to hang herself in front of the school’s stuffed grizzly bear, she is attacked by Cinderhella. While Billy and Clapton’s fight is about to start, the police arrive to inform the students of Taylor’s murder. Barely escaping her attack, Riley tries to inform the police, but they do not believe her. At home, Riley is again attacked and manages to escape by running through backyards. The police arrive but still remain skeptical due to the similarities of her attacker and that of the film. When the group of teens show up for a drunken sex party and Billy is killed by the Cinderhella wannabe, the teens are forced to serve Detention to find out who the killer is among them.

Wow..that was exhausting. Did I mention the guy with the tv for a hand, the time traveling bear, the mother and daughter that switch bodies, the UFOs, the meteor, or the parallel time lines? It’s all here in one of the strangest movies that you will see all year. A test to see if you will like this film, when a confrontation gets ugly a reply to the bully is, “Sorry, I gotta go. Hotel for Dogs is on cable.” Make you laugh or smile a little? Well then, “Detention” is the movie for you. Loaded with gore, strong performances by a more than capable cast, one kicking soundtrack, and more pop cultural references than you can shake a stick at…”Detention” is “Scream” meets “Scott Pilgram” with a dash or two of “Kaboom?” It makes for one wild cocktail. Want a drink?

–Kevin Sommerfield

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Visit Slasher Studios at Flashback Weekend!

Slasher Studios*Blood Brothers

Hey slasher fans! We’ve been hard at work on “Blood Brothers” for the last couple of weeks and we can’t wait for you to see the final film. We think it is by far and away our best film to date. Speaking of Slasher Studios, we hope to see each of you at Flashback Weekend next weekend in Chicago, Illinois. We will be giving away some awesome prizes and have couples of all three of our films “Teddy”, “Popularity Killer”, and “Blood Brothers” for sale with some exclusive extras. If you can make it, we hope to see you there. Make sure to get your passes soon because Flashback has reported that they are almost sold out of many of the premium packages. So come visit Slasher Studios and support independent horror. Mention this post at our booth and get a FREE mini poster with any purchase!

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Slasher Studios Horror Webcast: Our Favorite Creature Features

Slasher Studios*Slasher Studios Podcast

On this week’s webcast of Slasher Studios, our hosts Kevin Sommerfield and Steve Goltz discussed their favorite creature features. Movies that got underneath their skins with some creepy crawler delights. Did you miss the live airing? No problem, you can listen to an archive below to find out which creature features made the final cut.

Slasher Studios Horror Webcast: Creature Features 08/06 by SlasherStudios | Blog Talk Radio.

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High School Horror: “Cherry Falls” (2000) Review

Slasher StudiosCherry Falls

Favorite “High School” horror flick? So many to choose from, and yet most are only standard fare but one stand out that is the flip side of the coin to the Scream franchise. Cherry Falls! A psycho killer killing high school students of the town Cherry Falls one by one only this killer is choosing their victims who DON’T break the slasher rules. As in, you’re a virgin? YOU DIE! You play by the rules and are a good little boy/girl? You stay right where you are and don’t investigate the strange noise. YOU DIE! How freaking novel is this kick ass premise? LOVE IT!

I remember hearing about this in 1999 and was very excited, only it went through development hell, finally getting a straight to DVD release in my neck of the woods, which is a shame as it’s FAR superior to both Scream 2&3. When I saw it for the first time it was a nice breath of fresh air at the time as the whole Scream hype was certainly played out by that point in time.

The movie has it’s tongue planted firmly in cheek, it’s wickedly funny with a vicious mean streak. Sure, in my useless opinion, the kills could have had more red flowing and flesh flying but the killer was still MUCHO pissed off and attacked and killed their victims with aggressive passion. The girl getting her head slammed in the door was so rough, but also very funny. The eventual slaughter jamboree at the “pop your cherry” party delivered the third act pay off goods, very hilarious to witness, if not disappointingly cut short. Come on, give me an extra five minutes of the slaughter!!!

The movie also has this bizarre- though oddly hysterical, sexual undercurrent . Why is there so much ambiguity involving characters who have no right liking each other? Does your mom blatantly hit on your boyfriend while you watch and he enjoys it? Do fathers fall on their daughters and realize there’s sexual tension? Does your own mom kiss you a little too erotically on the lips? It’s all sooo taboo! What’s up with all this subtle smut??? I love it! It plays so well with the concept.

The writing and directing are competent and very funny. So much dark humor through out, I loved all the virgins getting sex tips from the token slut! Also, the eventual identity of the killer is out there and although redundant, I thought the monologue back-story was tragic and brutal. It served the movie nicely. One of my favorite scenes was when Brittany Murphy meets the killer for the first time and is chased through the High School with industrial techno blasting. Sublime!

Any lover of Scream should love this one, it’s very similar only it’s playing with a new set of rules!

–Vince Fontaine

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Death of the Day–Chloe’s Face Meets Fire Extinguisher–“My Super Psycho Sweet 16”

Slasher Studios*Death of the Day

We have another favorite death of the day for you slasher fans. This one comes straight to you from Sean Wells as he takes a look at his favorite slasher death from his favorite slasher movie, Chloe’s unfortunate demise in “My Super Psycho Sweet 16.” “Definitely the most brutal of the film, this scene caught my attention as soon as Charlie appeared out of the fog and beat her with the extinguisher. These scene wasn’t taken to the extremes with the gore factor because it is made-for-TV, but I found it to be enough to call itself a good scene, and the slight suspense of Chloe calling for Skye had me a bit intimidated by what was going to happen to that poor girl.”

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Tim’s Horror Tweet Reviews: “Mega Python Vs. Gatoroid” (2011)

Slasher Studios*Slasher Tweet Review

Is there anyone out there would DOESN”T love a good-bad creature feature? How about a good-bad creature feature on syfy? The cable channel that spawns nearly a dozen bad B-movies a year starring C-list talent has been making money of this subgenre for years. Today we have for you creature feature fans a brand new tweet by tweet review for one of the highest rated creature features in Syfy’s history! 80’s pop queens Tiffany and Debbie Gibson battles it out while our tweeter reviewer Tim Schilling takes notes.

Thoughts before the film:
I get home from making a short film this weekend and this is the first thing I watch. A bad influence maybe? #MegaPythonVsGatoroid

Thoughts while watching:

0:02 Who is Tiffany anyways and why does she think she’s famous enough to not use her last name?
0:06 I feel like Syfy uses the same house in every movie…
0:09 I would love to see animatronics/puppets any day over CGI.
0:12 I get it! The two stars of this movie had one hit song 3 decades ago so now theyre trying to reinvent themselves.
0:15 Ooo! Somebody had bitch for breakfast!
0:20 Really? Even the eggs are animated? They don’t even move!
0:26 No, the blood on your face was on the other side in the last scene.
0:33 Give me the illegal chemicals to use for myself,cause if you don’t I’ll arrest you for having illegal chemicals.
0:35 If it’s supposed to be nighttime why do I see the sun through the trees!?
0:37 This character is Mexican and his theme song thing is that Egyptian song lololol
0:48 I’ll feel bad if I keep criticizing this movie like I am…
0:53 Yeah, this girl’s phone is upside down. You’re not taking to anyone using it that way.
0:59 The scene when these two girls fight is the best. So freaking corny.
1:04 I think… We’re alone now. I wanna know who wrote this and give them the award for most obviously line.
1:08 I wanna know if The Asylum intentionally makes their movies with countless errors or if they don’t even care.
1:10 I’m gonna guess the ending now: a baby python and crocodile survive and swim towards a city.
1:21 So where are these so called mega python and gatoroid?
1:27 This should have been called a few big pythons vs kinda big alligators.

Final Verdict:
#MegaPythonVsGatoroid was obviously corny as hell, but fun to watch. Even with the mistakes that basically slap you in the face.

Listen to our Slasher Studios Creature Feature Webcast!

To follow Tim on twitter: https://twitter.com/schillingt
To follow Slasher Studios on twitter: https://twitter.com/slasherstudios

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