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Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated The Hills Have Eyes (1977) in Movies
Sep 4, 2020
Cannibal Savages
The Hills Have Eyes- is a disturbing psychological survival horror film. Wes did it again.
The plot: Wes Craven's cult classic about cannibalistic mountain folk, including the Carter family, who are on the trail of stranded vacationers in the arid Southwest Californian desert.
Craven based the film's script on the legend of cannibal Sawney Bean, which Craven viewed as illustrating how supposedly civilized people could become savage.
Wes Craven desired to make a non-horror film, following his directorial debut, The Last House on the Left (1972), because he saw the horror genre as constraining. However, he could not find producers interested in financing a project that did not feature bloody violence.
The film was initially given an X rating by the MPAA due to its graphic violence. Due to this, significant material was removed from Fred's death scene, the sequence where Mars and Pluto attack the trailer, and the last confrontation with Papa Jupiter.
Its a excellent movie.
The plot: Wes Craven's cult classic about cannibalistic mountain folk, including the Carter family, who are on the trail of stranded vacationers in the arid Southwest Californian desert.
Craven based the film's script on the legend of cannibal Sawney Bean, which Craven viewed as illustrating how supposedly civilized people could become savage.
Wes Craven desired to make a non-horror film, following his directorial debut, The Last House on the Left (1972), because he saw the horror genre as constraining. However, he could not find producers interested in financing a project that did not feature bloody violence.
The film was initially given an X rating by the MPAA due to its graphic violence. Due to this, significant material was removed from Fred's death scene, the sequence where Mars and Pluto attack the trailer, and the last confrontation with Papa Jupiter.
Its a excellent movie.
Vegas (725 KP) rated Bird Box (2018) in Movies
Dec 23, 2018 (Updated Dec 23, 2018)
The cast (2 more)
The suspense
The story
Grips you from the start
Not having seen any of the previously mentioned film as yet, I cannot compare this,, so I am not judging based on them.
A very good cast works well together to bring a story to life that sounds like it shouldn't work, 3 blindfolded people on a boat, with flashbacks... It can't work.. Can it?
The answer to that for me is, yes it can - It starts well, grabbing your attention right away, before having a flashback explaining what is going on... These flashbacks work well, which sometimes isn't the case in films and actually are probably more important than the scenes along the river (which are also shorter than the flashbacks)
The terror the people feel when faced with the unexplained happenings is pitched just right and it isn't a gore based film - it is a survival film...
So as long as you can ignore that it is quite far fetched (which most horror films are) - settle down to one of the better survival horror films of recent times.
A very good cast works well together to bring a story to life that sounds like it shouldn't work, 3 blindfolded people on a boat, with flashbacks... It can't work.. Can it?
The answer to that for me is, yes it can - It starts well, grabbing your attention right away, before having a flashback explaining what is going on... These flashbacks work well, which sometimes isn't the case in films and actually are probably more important than the scenes along the river (which are also shorter than the flashbacks)
The terror the people feel when faced with the unexplained happenings is pitched just right and it isn't a gore based film - it is a survival film...
So as long as you can ignore that it is quite far fetched (which most horror films are) - settle down to one of the better survival horror films of recent times.
Dean (6921 KP) rated the Sega Dreamcast version of Alone in the Dark: The New Nightmare in Video Games
Apr 25, 2018 (Updated Apr 25, 2018)
Great story (1 more)
Atmospheric graphics
Should have been amazing
This could have been an amazing game. The first Alone in the Dark game I had played. I'm a big fan of survival Horror games. It started well but all I can remember is getting to a certain point not that far in the game and getting stuck. No idea, or clue what to do or if I had enough ammo to survive an attack. Far too vague, could have been one of the best games otherwise.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Wrong Turn (2003) in Movies
Mar 4, 2021
Wrong Turn is pretty standard early-2000s cannibal/slasher horror, but manages to be memorable thanks to a decent cast playing tolerable characters.
The cannon fodder teenagers in this are also pretty standard, with the exception of the two leads played by Eliza Dushku and Desmond Harrington. They don't come across as the usual empty headed victims that make stupid decisions, and as a result, it's easy to become invested in their fight for survival.
This first entry in the franchise is a far cry from the more digital looking, torture porn leaning sequels, and boasts some decent practical gore. The designs of the mountain men are suitably unsettling, thanks to Shane Mahan and Stan Winston, and it's easy to see why Thee Finger became something of a horror icon following this film's release.
Wrong Turn won't set your world aflame, but it's a competent and watchable horror that stands well on its own, and is a pretty fun, especially when compared to it's plethora of shitty sequels (the second one isn't too bad to be fair...)
The cannon fodder teenagers in this are also pretty standard, with the exception of the two leads played by Eliza Dushku and Desmond Harrington. They don't come across as the usual empty headed victims that make stupid decisions, and as a result, it's easy to become invested in their fight for survival.
This first entry in the franchise is a far cry from the more digital looking, torture porn leaning sequels, and boasts some decent practical gore. The designs of the mountain men are suitably unsettling, thanks to Shane Mahan and Stan Winston, and it's easy to see why Thee Finger became something of a horror icon following this film's release.
Wrong Turn won't set your world aflame, but it's a competent and watchable horror that stands well on its own, and is a pretty fun, especially when compared to it's plethora of shitty sequels (the second one isn't too bad to be fair...)
Kayla Ackerman (15 KP) rated The Descent (2005) in Movies
Jun 5, 2019
Character development (8 more)
Good scares
Simple, but effective plotline
Atmospheric music
Conveys the character's experience to the audience
Great set design
Likable characters with individual personalities
No severe horror cliche pitfalls
Claustrophobia and genuine scares create a full experience for the audience
An amazing horror
Six female friends go on an adventure to explore some caves in the Appalachian mountains, where things don't go quite to plan. Focusing on Sarah, we follow the girls in their struggle for survival as they face claustrophobia, darkness, unstable footing, and the things that lurk in the caves.
It's a simple plot that allows us to focus on the characters themselves, each with their own distinct personalities. You get to know the 6 girls in a short amount of time and you can see their struggles and fears.
Genuinely terrifying, well worth a watch.
It's a simple plot that allows us to focus on the characters themselves, each with their own distinct personalities. You get to know the 6 girls in a short amount of time and you can see their struggles and fears.
Genuinely terrifying, well worth a watch.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Survivor Song in Books
Dec 14, 2020
Too much journey, not enough destination
If this was a video game it would be classed as survival horror. I wanted this to be amazing. I love Tremblay but I just got frustrated partway through as the journey lasted too long and my patience ran out. It is still a very good book and others won't draw the same issues as I. Tremblay also vented his welcome politics here which was worthwhile. I am still an avid fan and await his next book with anticipation I just wanted this one to have more destination and less road.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated the Xbox One version of Amnesia: The Dark Descent in Video Games
Nov 14, 2020
Scary and Spooky
Amnesia: The Dark Descent- is a terrorfying, horrorfying, spooky, scary, creepy game.
The game features a protagonist named Daniel exploring a dark and foreboding castle, while trying to maintain his sanity by avoiding monsters and other terrifying obstructions.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first-person adventure game with survival horror elements. The player takes control of Daniel, who must navigate Brennenburg Castle while avoiding various dangers and solving puzzles. The gameplay retains the physical object interaction used in the Penumbra series, allowing for physics-based puzzles and interactions such as opening doors and fixing machinery.
In addition to a health indicator, Daniel's sanity must be managed, centered around an "afraid of darkness" mechanic. According to designer Thomas Grip, "the idea was basically that the darkness itself should be an enemy." Sanity is reduced by staying in the dark for too long, witnessing unsettling events or looking directly at monsters. Low sanity causes visual and auditory hallucinations and an increased chance of attracting monsters, while its complete depletion results in a temporary drop in mobility, or death in higher difficulties.
Hiding in dark areas where monsters will not notice Daniel is also effective, but will decrease Daniel's sanity. In higher difficulties, the monsters will move faster, deal more damage and search for Daniel for longer periods of time.
Its a excellent survival horror game and a must play.
The game features a protagonist named Daniel exploring a dark and foreboding castle, while trying to maintain his sanity by avoiding monsters and other terrifying obstructions.
Amnesia: The Dark Descent is a first-person adventure game with survival horror elements. The player takes control of Daniel, who must navigate Brennenburg Castle while avoiding various dangers and solving puzzles. The gameplay retains the physical object interaction used in the Penumbra series, allowing for physics-based puzzles and interactions such as opening doors and fixing machinery.
In addition to a health indicator, Daniel's sanity must be managed, centered around an "afraid of darkness" mechanic. According to designer Thomas Grip, "the idea was basically that the darkness itself should be an enemy." Sanity is reduced by staying in the dark for too long, witnessing unsettling events or looking directly at monsters. Low sanity causes visual and auditory hallucinations and an increased chance of attracting monsters, while its complete depletion results in a temporary drop in mobility, or death in higher difficulties.
Hiding in dark areas where monsters will not notice Daniel is also effective, but will decrease Daniel's sanity. In higher difficulties, the monsters will move faster, deal more damage and search for Daniel for longer periods of time.
Its a excellent survival horror game and a must play.
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Ready or Not (2019) in Movies
Mar 22, 2021
Ready or not is one of those films that sounds stupid, a woman marries into a wealthy family who made their money from making games (and hunting). To be accepted in the family all she has to do is take part in the family tradition of playing one game, only the game is hide and seek and it's played to the death. Some how the film works, It's set in a large house which helps the keep the atmosphere tense and there is just the right amount of humour that helps the film keep a fast pace.
I wouldn't say that Ready or not is a scary horror, lacking even any real jump scares but it doesn't need them, the film is not about being scared, it's about the chase, survival and dysfunctional family dynamics. Even the sub plot about the pack with the devil is used more for mystery than horror and the film does a good job of keeping the view from knowing the truth until the end.
Ready or Not is an enjoyable romp with a bit of blood, a bit of horror and just enough story to keep it going .
I wouldn't say that Ready or not is a scary horror, lacking even any real jump scares but it doesn't need them, the film is not about being scared, it's about the chase, survival and dysfunctional family dynamics. Even the sub plot about the pack with the devil is used more for mystery than horror and the film does a good job of keeping the view from knowing the truth until the end.
Ready or Not is an enjoyable romp with a bit of blood, a bit of horror and just enough story to keep it going .
Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated The Toddler Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Whiny Unfed in Books
Jan 13, 2018
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for an unbiased review.
Basically written much like a zombie survival guide, THE TODDLER SURVIVAL GUIDE is meant to amuse while showing parents how to basically toddler proof their lives. Helpful reminders about needing to step up the baby proofing because toddlers can and will climb EVERYTHING are sprinkled throughout the humor, etc.
As a non-parent surrounded by the parents of toddlers (and a few almost toddlers), the book made me laugh until I almost peed my pants, thinking of the horror stories they tell. It's like a built in birth control book, as if my friends' stories were not that enough already.
The book would be a great present for those parents who need to be reminded their struggles are not unique and they are not completely alone (all though, realistically, those parents don't have time to read a book). I'd also say it's a must read for those deciding if they are ready to have kids :-)
Basically written much like a zombie survival guide, THE TODDLER SURVIVAL GUIDE is meant to amuse while showing parents how to basically toddler proof their lives. Helpful reminders about needing to step up the baby proofing because toddlers can and will climb EVERYTHING are sprinkled throughout the humor, etc.
As a non-parent surrounded by the parents of toddlers (and a few almost toddlers), the book made me laugh until I almost peed my pants, thinking of the horror stories they tell. It's like a built in birth control book, as if my friends' stories were not that enough already.
The book would be a great present for those parents who need to be reminded their struggles are not unique and they are not completely alone (all though, realistically, those parents don't have time to read a book). I'd also say it's a must read for those deciding if they are ready to have kids :-)
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated The Dead Lands in Books
Feb 21, 2018
***NOTE: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.
The Dead Lands is at its core a story of survival in the face of apparently insurmountable obstacles - survival not just of a few individuals, but of humanity itself.
The story starts out in Sanctuary, and then hops back and forth between there and the group of escapees who have set off in the hopes of discovering something better. Each member of the scouting party has his or her own personal reason for fleeing Sanctuary. For some, the struggle with their decision to leave causes them almost as much grief as the monsters, inhospitable climates, and other people they meet along the way.
This book had both the horror-road-trip feel of The Talisman, by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and the find-other-survivors-and-keep-the-human-race-going vibe of The Passage, by Justin Cronin. (Both of which I highly recommend if you have not already read them!) It was a suspenseful, thought-provoking tale and I really enjoyed it.