Underrated Slashers: “Cry Wolf” (2005) Review

Slasher Studios*Underrated Slasher

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After being kicked out of his previous school for bad behavior, Owen Matthews (Julian Morris) is sent to a small prep school where he instantly falls for the lovely and wild, Dodger (Lindy Booth). He also meets his Texas loving roommate Tom (Jared Padalecki), the sexual Mercedes (Sandra McCoy), her theatrical boyfriend Lewis (Paul James), the artistic Regina (Kristy Wu), the group pervert Randall (Jesse Janzen), and the scholar Graham (Ethan Cohn). He also develops a bond with his teacher Rich Walker (Jon Bon Jovi). After a town girl is murdered in the woods, the friends decide to have a little fun with their campus by creating a killer called The Wolf. They send out an e-mail detailing the killer’s appearance and his killing pattern that he uses from school to school. However, when the e-mail gets sent out, the group starts to find themselves being stalked and being sent e-mails from someone calling themselves The Wolf. Owen starts to believe that there really is a killer out there and using their e-mail against them. His friends laugh off his claims, that is until The Wolf finally strikes begins killing off this herd of sheep one by one.

2005 was quite a drought for slasher films. With the exception of the remake of House of Wax, slasher films that year was non-existent. However, when trailers began to appear for this little slasher film, I became excited immediately. It had been quite a while since there was slasher film involving a masked killer stalking young teens. On top of this, I was very much intrigued by the storyline. I was bummed when I found out this was PG-13, but I tried to have some faith. So when September 16, 2005 came, I was right there in the theater eagerly waiting for it start. By the time the movie was over, I admit I was pretty blown away. I had fun with this movie all the way through. The young cast did very well with their stereotype characters. Lindy Booth really stands out the most of the teens as Dodger. It’s a shame she still isn’t in more horror movies. Even Jon Bon Jovi did very well in his role. The storyline itself kept me engaged the whole time. It kept me guessing who The Wolf could be, and who would make it out alive. I found myself so entranced in the film that I forgot it was PG-13, an R-rating would have been nice, but in this case, the PG-13 actually did work with the storyline. The biggest weakness I always find with this movie is that its characters are SO underdeveloped with the exception of Morris, Booth, and Padalecki. The film runs at 90 minutes including credits, so there easily could have been room for more screen time for the underused characters. For those who have NOT seen this film, I’m trying to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, but I just have to say I did not see the final twist
coming at all.

–Cody Landman

3.5

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“Hatchet III” Kills On All the Right Levels

Slasher StudiosHetchet III

Victor Crowley returns to the swamps of Louisiana and back into our slasher-lives to bring on more mayhem and more body parts in this deliciously fun sequel. Adam Green takes a break from the director’s chair this time around and gives the reins to BJ McDonnell.

The film takes place right after Hatchet 2 ends. Marybeth (Danielle Harris) has finally just put an end to Victor Crowley’s (Kane Hodder) murderous rampage….or so she thinks. In the fashion of many undefeatable horror villains, Victor Crowley rises from behind our leading lady and disappears. We watch as a blood covered Marybeth strolls into town with Crowley’s scalp in hand and into the local sheriff’s station. Everyone immediately thinks she’s insane and locks her up as she speaks of the events have happened to her. No one believes her except a very persistent former journalist who strives to gain back her title (Caroline Williams). Fortunately for Marybeth, Amanda has been researching Victor Crowley’s story for quite sometime and claims to know how to finally end his curse once and for all. While the sheriff (Zach Galligan) and a search team go off to search for the bodies Marybeth claims to be to be in the swamp, Amanda tries to convince Marybeth that she is the only one who can really stop Victor. Can Marybeth save the search crew from a very bloody fate? And will Victor Crowley finally be put to rest?

Hatchet 3 is definitely a huge step up from its very weak predecessor. This time we have a meaner and deadlier Victor Crowley with more gruesome kills. One of the best aspects of the film is the always amazing Danielle Harris. In this film we see Danielle bring more to the character of Marybeth. We see her bring out Marybeth’s witty and sharp-tongued side, her vulnerable side as she contemplates her fate, and eventually the side of her that we love to see in a final girl, the side willing face down her monster. Harris shows these sides with amazing depth, which provides with what has to be her most best performance in a long time, if not ever in her career. We also get two new supporting characters that we root for in Amanda and Sheriff Fowler. Caroline Williams, famous from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, gives us the prowling journalist, and Zach Galligan as the unbelieving sheriff. Both actors get really into their roles and play off the other actors solidly. While Hatchet 3 definitely has its gruesome body count that we know and love, a lot of these bodies consist of major throw away characters. But because of our three leads and the focus on them, the viewer should easily get passed that. McDonnell definitely did his homework watching Green do his work with his first two films. This sequel definitely feels as much of a Hatchet film as the others do. While this film isn’t as fun and humorous as the first two, it provides just enough wit to get by with its overall dark and slightly more serious story. I personally consider this my favorite of the films, and very much hope we get another one. Also, be on the look out for some very familiar faces. One cameo in particular provides the funniest scene in the film.

–Cody Landman

3.5

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Not Quite Horror: “Forrest Gump” (1994)

Slasher Studios*Not Quite Horror

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Not Quite Horror contains reviews of films not traditionally considered horror films. By analyzing them as horror films (identifying the monster, discussing the shared worry for the audience and the main characters, and understanding the depth of horror available to the viewer), who knows? There’s more than one way to watch a movie.

Forrest Gump (1994)

The Monster: Though not a major character in the film, Forrest Gump’s monster makes a deep impact in a small amount of screen time.

The monster is a sort of imp that lives inside of the heroic Forrest Gump. When heartache and loss have left him without guidance, this imp compels Forrest to run unceasingly across the country. Forrest is never long-winded, but he seems especially at a loss for words in describing his need to run.

The Horror: Running for long distances is an act of mastery over muscles and pain. Many Americans relish this challenge, as their T-shirts and bumper stickers attest to.

Forrest’s running goes much deeper than that. He simply does not stop, even as his beard grows and his clothes fall to pieces. If Forrest’s body is echoing the emotional agony he feels in his heart, he is a man double damned and driven further and faster.

The Shared Fate: Regardless of your personal religious views, we’ve all been victims of various imps that drive us to despair. Desires and compulsions have pushed us to punish our bodies more and more.

Forrest stretches his agony over the course of years, longer than we hope to suffer. The running portion of the Academy Award winning film seemed out of place to some viewers, but viewed in its rightful horrific state, it becomes the pivotal battle between Forrest’s inner good and evil the movie needed.

— I am indebted to Noel Carroll’s The Philosophy of Horror for his ideas on defining horror, as well as John Skipp and Craig Spector’s article “Death’s Rich Pageantry, or Skipp & Spector’s Handy-Dandy Splatterpunk Guide to the Horrors of Non-horror Film” in Cut! Horror Writers on Horror Film for a similar idea.–

–Axel Kohagen

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Slasher Studios Countdown: Top 5 Guilty Pleasure Horror Movies

Slasher Studios*Top Ten

We all have our guilty pleasures. Movies we know that are terrible and yet we can’t help but fall in love with them. These movies are no good for us and yet we keep coming back for more. Below are our favorite guilty pleasure horror movies. Movies that are bad to the bone but they are never boring and THAT my dear readers is the worst crime a horror movie can commit. Can we all agree on that? Also, what movies makes YOUR guilty pleasure list?

poltergeist3

#5 Poltergeist III (1988)
“Poltergeist III” is, by all means, a film that I should hate. It’s a sequel with only two returning characters (Carol Ann and the ever reliable Tangina), it’s PG-13, and it’s supernatural. By all means, this should be on my worst list of horror sequels. Hell, that’s where most other horror fans would put it. But it’s a good film and it’s a film that I will defend until the day I die. To be honest, I just don’t understand the hate for this film. The mirror effects are surprisingly effective and the film attempts to bring closure to the story (even though there are only two returning cast members, it is surprisingly faithful to the original two films). The film is just plain fun from beginning to end and what the film lacks in logic it more than makes up for in inventive special effects. Sadly, this is young Heather O’Rourke’s (Carol Anne) last film as she would pass away shortly after filming would commence. Sure they may say Carol Ann about a hundred times too many but it really just adds to the fun of the film. Have a few drinks and do a toast to Miss O’Rourke, one of the genre’s youngest scream queens that was taken far too soon.

humongous

#4 Humongous (1982)
“Humongous” is a fun, homage filled 80′s slasher that rips off a dozen other, better slasher films but still manages to be a lot of fun. Remember the scene at the end of “Friday the 13th Part 2″ where Amy Steel pretends to be Jason’s mother? This film sure does as the exact scene is repeated here to lesser effect. That being said, the kills are fun and characters are a tad bit better developed than most of the other 80′s slashers out there. David Wallace is particular is quite strong as our lead twin Eric. Most of the time in 80′s slasher, guys are given nothing to do but not so here. He almost becomes the film girl by being smart, likable, and even given a chance to emote. Lead Janet Julian possesses similar qualities and has a lot of fun with her “last girl standing” appearance. This is a must watch for fans of the early 80′s slasher genre. I can’t say that everyone is going to enjoy the film as much as I did as the film is quite slow and repetitive at times. Nonetheless, it is one of the better examples from the under-appreciated genre.

#3 Warlock Moon (1974)
“Warlock Moon” isn’t a movie that always plays fair. It tries to combine slasher elements (creepy guys with axes at the spa) and supernatural elements (an old bride who was suppose to be married at the spa but was killed and eaten on her wedding day) to a troubling twist ending that doesn’t quite provide the shock that it should. So why is “Warlock Moon” a masterpiece? This is the kind of movie that would never be made today. It is independent filmmaking at its rawest. This is the sort of film in which the filmmakers and actors wear their hearts on their sleeves. It may be too ambitious but it has a sense of dread, atmosphere, and suspense that is sorely missing from horror today. The cherry on top of the sundae? A hilarious commentary featuring the wonderful Joe Bob Briggs who goes to great detail to tell why witches are misunderstood today as well as why “Warlock Moon” is the worst title for a horror movie ever. It’s a hilarious listen but the movie is well worth checking out as well.

Girlfriend from Hell (2)

#2 Girlfriend From Hell (1990)
The devil is on the run and being pursued by God’s assistant, a devil chaser named Chaser (played with pitch-perfect comic timing by an underrated Dana Ashbrook). When the devil makes a wrong turn to a high school birthday party, the devil takes over the body of innocent and painfully shy Maggie (wonderfully played by Liane Curtis who displays the perfect amount of tart sweetness to the role). Maggie is on the blind date from..err…hell. The bodies pile up and the fun begins as we have assault rifle nuns, soul stolen during sex, a journey throughout time, and a religious woman holding onto her dead life by a floating cheeto. Seriously. “Girlfriend from Hell” never takes itself too seriously and is never boring. It is actually a lot of fun with a clever script and a breezy pace.

#1 Sorority Girls & the Creature From Hell (1990)
The “plot” surrounds a group of sorority girls who decide to take a trip up to a cabin in the woods accompanied by some boys. To their dismay, there is an escaped convict on the loose as well as the uncle of one of the girls. It’s too bad that Uncle Ray is possessed by an Indian spirit turning him into a monster with a need for human blood. Sound a bit convoluted? It sure is but it is also one of the most entertaining horror movies that I’ve seen in quite a while. This film isn’t for everyone and horror fans looking for less cheese and more thrills should look elsewhere. That said, the lovely Debra Dutch (star of underrated cheese classic Hard to Die) steals the show as our resourceful final girl and the film never takes itself too seriously. That’s more than can be said for most films today.

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Not Quite Horror: “Caddyshack” (1980)

Slasher Studios*Not Quite Horror

caddyshack-gopher-dancing

Not Quite Horror contains reviews of films not traditionally considered horror films. By analyzing them as horror films (identifying the monster, discussing the shared worry for the audience and the main characters, and understanding the depth of horror available to the viewer), who knows? There’s more than one way to watch a movie.

Caddyshack (1980)

The Monster: A dancing mutant gopher. When the animal learns it has been targeted for death by the golf course it lives on, it spies on the dim-witted groundskeeper. After foiling its enemy’s attempts, the malicious rodent places the groundskeeper’s explosives all around the course and blows everything to high heaven.

Then, pleased, the gopher dances to celebrate this destruction.

It is worth noting the lack of other gophers on the course. What has this dancing demon done with them?

The Horror: Caddyshack clearly sides with the gopher, but it doesn’t take much reflection to realize this is a supernatural creature. It displays emotions. It is able to create and then enact elaborate battle strategies in its war against the groundskeeper.

The gopher is undefeatable, and it dances when you lose.

It loves to dance.

The Shared Fate: If you’ve ever had a non-comedic rodent problem, you understand the frustration and horror of trying to destroy vermin that simply won’t die. An intentional horror film, Of Unknown Origin (1983) explores a similar story in a serious manner.

The dancing Caddyshack gopher made it into the sequel and even got to shake and shimmy in toy form.

Imagine that gopher dancing atop your chest in the middle of the night, and that smile won’t seem “all right” at all.

— I am indebted to Noel Carroll’s The Philosophy of Horror for his ideas on defining horror, as well as John Skipp and Craig Spector’s article “Death’s Rich Pageantry, or Skipp & Spector’s Handy-Dandy Splatterpunk Guide to the Horrors of Non-horror Film” in Cut! Horror Writers on Horror Film for a similar idea.–

–Axel Kohagen

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A Legacy of Exorcism: “The Exorcist” Turns 40

Slasher Studios*Horror

Hard to believe “The Exorcist” is now 40 years old! The movie that shocked audiences around the world and spawned a slew of imitators is just as terrifying as ever. Today, we have our guest correspondent Alex Smith joining us with his take on the movie that changed the face of horror forever.

Exorcist

“The Exorcist at 40”
-Alex Smith

Most horror fans will tell you the same thing: “The Exorcist” is probably the single most important horror film ever released. Some of them might even try to convince you that you’ll be hard pressed to find one that stands up to the scare factor of the classic itself.

Debuting in 1973, “The Exorcist” is still the only movie in the horror genre to have been nominated for an Oscar for Best Picture. Ever. Add that to the handful of iconic scenes recycled from this movie through the history of the genre and you have a picture that isn’t easy to challenge on the top of the throne of horror.

Historically, films in the horror genre prior to “The Exorcist” had tended to fall on the side of b-film production units and weren’t taken very seriously by general audiences. “Rosemary’s Baby”, released in 1968, began pushing the idea of horror into the public sphere, while tackling issues that were less superficial and solely gore based, but it wasn’t until director and film auteur William Friedkin adapted “The Exorcist” that the genre realized its full potential.

Based on the William Peter Blatty book and adapted to screen by him as well, the film tells the story of a young girl possessed by demons and the attempts of two priests to exorcise her ghosts at the urging of the young girl’s mother. Forcing audiences and critics to rethink the idea of horror was no easy task, but that’s exactly what Friedkin managed to do with “The Exorcist”. Through his splendid use of his cast and their strong performances, the film was nominated for an unheard of 10 Academy Awards.

In addition, the interesting backstory of the making of the “The Exorcist” still makes horror fans shrug and wonder if the film wasn’t cursed from the start of production, which was shrouded in tragedy and mystery on and off the set for the cast and crew.

Max von Sydow’s brother died a week following Max’s arrival in New York for taping scenes as Father Lankester Merrin.

Then one week following the taping of his scenes for the film and just a month before its release, Jack MacGowran, who played Burke Dennings, died of influenza.

Jason Miller’s son was hit by a motorcycle and nearly killed. While filming the scene where she is thrown violently across the room as she approaches her child, Ellen Burstyn suffered a permanent spinal injury after landing on her coccyx. Legend holds that a gaffer on set lost a toe and a carpenter somehow cut off a thumb. With a laundry list of problems like that, it’s no surprise that many horror fans still consider “The Exorcist” a cursed production.

But deeper than the intrigue of the surface level excitement and fear induced by “The Exorcist” are the religious themes that the film really draws its value from. The film elevated horror as a genre not just because of its visual splendor, but because, unlike many horror films before, it actually gave viewers plenty of ideas to think about. How do we relate to religion and the unknown? How do we really live with ideas like the devil and evil infiltrating our world in a tangible way? What does Linda Blair’s portrayal of Regan MacNeil say to us about how we view purity in our society? What would we do to save that purity?

These questions are just the start of what Friedkin begins to propose in “The Exorcist” and why it remains a great film today; we can constantly find something new to pull from the material. While many modern-day horror film fans and critics may argue that the film has lost its edge on a technical level, there is no denying that it still hits home emotionally and intellectually.

Author Bio: Alex Smith is a freelance entertainment blogger for www.directtvdeal.com and a horror film addict. He remains in good health despite the many small heart attacks he has had during his regular film screenings of classic horror films, particularly slasher flicks from the 1970s and 80s.

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Slasher Studios Exclusive Clip: “Don’t Go To The Reunion” – Party Ends Early

Slasher Studios*Don't Go to the Reunion

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We just reached our goal for our post production campaign on Indiegogo. Thank you to all the generous backers and amazing slasher fans. We couldn’t have done it without you guys. We promised a brand new Don’t Go to the Reunion clip once we reached our goal and here it is! Hope you guys like it and thank you again for all of the incredible slasher support. We wouldn’t have done it without all of you.

To preorder Don’t Go to the Reunion and receive a limited edition poster:
Don’t Go to the Reunion DVD with Poster Preorder

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Not Quite Horror: “The Hangover” (2009)

Slasher Studios*Not Quite Horror

DGTTRposter27x40 (1)

Not Quite Horror contains reviews of films not traditionally considered horror films. By analyzing them as horror films (identifying the monster, discussing the shared worry for the audience and the main characters, and understanding the depth of horror available to the viewer), who knows? There’s more than one way to watch a movie.

The Hangover (2009)

The Monster: Phil, Stu, and Alan pretend to be Doug’s friends as they celebrate his bachelor party in Las Vegas. Then, their irresponsibility leaves Doug on the roof of Las Vegas hotel. A pharmaceutical mishap keeps the “friends” from rescuing Doug until it’s well past time to leave for his wedding.

The Horror: The Hangover is filled with humorous mysteries and awkward distractions, but the horror of Doug’s sad entrapment on the hotel’s roof is inescapable. In fact, it takes little exaggeration to turn this torture into a punishment Saw’s Jigsaw would be proud of.

How long was Doug on the roof before he found himself lapping at pools of water for moisture? Did he try to kill birds for foods when he was hungry, or did he dig through piles of trash for something to eat? When the sun became too hot, what did he hallucinate?

Does he worry about loss of vision or cancer? Will he have flashbacks someday?

The Shared Fate: Most of us have friends, and few friendships go without pranks before too long. In all fairness, locking a friend on a rooftop should have been another harmless goof between friends.

Still, it could have ended with a corpse and disbelief.

When you chuckle your way through the end of The Hangover, shouldn’t you at least imagine the film’s stars gathering around a dead and bloated Doug on a rooftop instead of a camera filled with staged pictures? Just for a moment?

— I am indebted to Noel Carroll’s The Philosophy of Horror for his ideas on defining horror, as well as John Skipp and Craig Spector’s article “Death’s Rich Pageantry, or Skipp & Spector’s Handy-Dandy Splatterpunk Guide to the Horrors of Non-horror Film” in Cut! Horror Writers on Horror Film for a similar idea.–

–Axel Kohagen

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Horror Parody “Scary Movie 5” Lacks Laughs & Wit

Slasher StudiosScary Movie 5

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This Slasher Studios review comes all the way from the Netherlands as Ferdi Akkulak takes a look at Scary Movie 5. Make sure to check out his video clips and subscribe to his Youtube Channel for more.

I have to be completely honest with you, I have not seen Scary Movie 1, 2, 3 or 4 as a full movie. I only saw clips on Youtube. The funny things though like scenes with Cindy (Anna Faris) and Brenda (Regina Hall). Scary Movie 5 would be the first of the franchise that I would see on the big screen so it was definitely a mystery what I would think of this effort. The reviews have been lackluster and definitely the worst for the entire franchise so that doesn’t help to go to this movie expecting something great. I lowered my expectations and then lowered it again. So I saw it today and it still couldn’t cross my already low expectations. Now that I think of it this movie was pretty much a good waste of my time! Not that I payed for my ticket but wow looking back I could definitely have spent my time on some other movie. The humor and jokes were far too pushed to really bring in a laugh, I admit I chuckled a few times but that’s it. And that was basically cause the humor was getting so mean spirited that I couldn’t help but laugh what I just saw, it just showed how low they could go to have some decent amount of laughs.

Acting wise this is not the right movie to be looking if acting performances were perfect cause that wasn’t obviously important for the filmmakers. Ashley Tisdale in the lead is a big change after the fresh breath of air Anna Faris in the original quadrilogy! I really like the actress so she has a benefit, her acting was good though. She has definitely some talent for acting and singing. I’ve seen her before in movies like High School Musical 1-2-3, Picture This! and in the Disney Channel TV-series The Suite Life of Zack and Cody! I still see this innocent young girl when I saw her in Scary Movie 5 that once showed all her enthusiasm in her prior roles. I’m glad she didn’t change a thing at all! A beautiful and talented actress, definitely one to look out for in the future she is going to some places! Simon Rex was also a pleasant and likeable actor in Scary Movie 5, he was actually pretty witty during some moments. He also was in Scary Movie 3 and 4 but as a different character. Erica Ash was pretty hilarious in her role as Kendra, she showed enough energy and hilarity to pull off the role but she is no Brenda unfortunately.

Jerry O’Connell was also given a cameo in Scary Movie 5 as Christian Grey, he was pretty funny but yeah the spoof of Fifty Shades of Grey was too dumb to make me laugh. Sarah Hyland was pretty cool in the Evil Dead spoof as ‘Mia’! Katrina Bowden a very likeable actress in my opinion and a very underrated one also had a cameo in the Evil Dead spoof, not much room for her to act besides for a few lines so an actress wasted in a bad movie. Her presence was great though! Bow Wow also had a funny cameo in the movie in the Evil Dead spoof, noticed that after I watched the movie. There was also a fun cameo in store for Usher, didn’t expect that one. Lindsay Lohan was also in it, in my opinion is the scene after the credits so freaking funny with Lindsay that it’s possibly the best I’ve seen from her since she was in Mean Girls! There is still hope for Lindsay! Charlie Sheen was just meh in the movie, not anything special.

Overall if I go through all the movies Scary Movie 5 has spoofed only a few are successful in my books and a lot are just not! The Paranormal Activity spoof was actually already a big part in the movie A Haunted House. I think that it was getting ‘old’ to spoof it twice. Spoofs for movies like Black Swan, Evil Dead and Sinister worked out great! A brief funny moment of a spoof for The Help was freaking hilarious! I couldn’t stop laughing at that scene! However I didn’t see a Ted spoof, disappointing since they were really advertising it on the poster! Overall the movie was disappointing but for the great cast (don’t take this note seriously, you know what I mean) and the jokes were sometimes funny. It was at least a better movie than Yoko and Movie 43. THANK GOD! It’s a trainwreck but I’ve seen worse! See it if you are a fan of the franchise, otherwise avoid this one!

1.5

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Slasher Studios Exclusive: “Don’t Go To The Reunion” Teaser Trailer

Slasher Studios*Don't Go to the Reunion

Don't_Go_To_The_Reunion_Poster,_House(resize)

We are pleased to bring to you the exclusive teaser trailer for our first slasher film, Don’t Go to the Reunion. You slasher fans have been by us every single step of the way and it is an honor to share this trailer with you guys. Hope you enjoy it and definitely let us know what you think of the slasher goodness!

Plot synopsis:
Scott Rantzen (Brady Simenson) is a horror movie loving misfit who is teased by the popular students in school. When a date with the very popular and very beautiful Erica Carpenter (Stephanie Leigh Rose) backfires, he feels as though his life is ruined. Ten years later, the gang reunite for their class reunion. Little do they know that someone is waiting for them and ready to see that they pay for what they did. Is Scott back for revenge and will the old gang survive to tell the tale? It’ll be more gore for Class of 04.

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