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Reviews
Head Cases: Serial Killers in the Delaware Valley (2013)
Really got under my skin
Head Cases: Serial Killers in the Delaware Valley is the fourth film in the Head Case series of 'found footage' horror films. It takes a different approach than the previous films, playing as more of a "true crime" documentary. Head Cases borrows elements from some real-life murder cases (including the Luka Magnotta case). Head Cases provides an intimate, far more sympathetic view of Wayne. He's a severely flawed nobody, abused by the women in his life. To him, murder is an outlet. It's an interesting approach, one hinted on but never explored in the other films. Barbara Lessin's role as Andrea Montgomery is limited to prison interviews, but she is very effective as she tells her side of the story. I really liked the story in this movie, how it explores the events of the previous films, then leads into the aftermath - how a serial killer's life's work can inspire copycats. It's a concept explored in other movies, but rarely as effectively as it's done here. I think this was my favorite of all the installments. It's suspenseful, disturbing, and really got under my skin.
The Last Exorcism (2010)
Would've been a 7...until the ending
The Last Exorcism is another "demonic possession" entry in the 'found footage' sub-genre of horror. It actually starts out pretty good and gradually gets less plausible as the scares pile up. Ashley Bell delivers an incredibly powerful performance (I liked her a lot in this movie). The other actors were serviceable, not terrific or very memorable. Unfortunately, the ending completely ruined it for me. What was a promising start turned into a predictable and hokey finale. Why does every single movie of this type end with some kind of demonic or satanic cult? Can't they think of something new and unexpected, or at least something that hasn't been done to death?
Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)
The same as the original, only not as good
Paranormal Activity 2 repeats the same formula that made the original so successful. This sequel offers the same scares, the same creepy atmosphere, and uses the same tactics to get under the audience's skin. Unfortunately, it's almost an exact replica of the original movie and that's part of the problem. I guess they wanted to avoid the mistakes made by the producers of the Blair Witch sequel (which was just an awful, awful movie). Go with what works, right? Makes sense to me, except there's no suspense this time because I knew exactly what would happen and when. The cameo by Katie Featherston was nice (and we do see Micah Sloat briefly too), but the main characters in this aren't nearly as interesting. Combine that with the lack of real suspense on who lives or dies (since this is a prequel to the original movie) and it made for a much less satisfying movie-going experience.
Apollo 18 (2011)
Better than I expected
Apollo 18 was panned by critics and audiences alike upon its release and didn't do very well at the box office. So I wasn't expecting much when I rented it. However, after watching it and thinking about what I just saw, I realized that I liked it more than I thought I would. I don't think this was a perfect movie by any stretch of the imagination, but overall it was a competent, decent entry in the 'found footage' horror sub-genre. I liked the acting of Warren Christie as Captain Ben Anderson. He was very natural and has a charming screen presence (I hope to see him in more stuff in the future). Like most movies shot like this, Apollo 18 gets away with not showing a whole lot. It pretty much ends abruptly too. It was a decent and entertaining movie. Not my favorite, but nowhere near the travesty it's made out to be.
V/H/S (2012)
Better in concept than in execution
V/H/S took the horror world by storm last year, surprising everybody with its success - most likely due to a terrifying trailer and some positive word of mouth. It's another entry in the horror anthology sub-genre, only this time it's a collection of 'found footage" shorts that have little relation to one another (or the wraparound story, for that matter). The first two segments were much better than the other ones. Most of the segments contained zombies or evil spirits, which got a little stale after a while. There are some scary moments, but overall I thought it was much better in concept than in execution. Also, V/H/S ran way too long (almost 2 hours).
Murder in the Heartland: The Search for Video X (2003)
Average at best
Murder in the Heartland: The Search for Video X bills itself as a real documentary, even though it isn't. In a way, it was a bit ahead of its time, released 5 years before the 'found footage' craze really took off. This is more of a fake documentary than a 'found footage' movie though. I can think of only a few 'found footage' movies that are even a little bit realistic. Most of the time, they involve a zombie or demon. So, I liked the subject matter, if not the way the movie actually turned out. It wasn't bad considering the limited budget, but I expected/was hoping for much more. By the time the mysterious videotape ("Video X" as referenced in the title) appears, it's a little bit too late.
Hostel: Part III (2011)
Interesting but unnecessary
Hostel: Part III was released a few years after the torture sub-genre lost its popularity with audiences. Many people blamed Hostel: Part II (which bombed) but the truth is that the torture craze (much like the self-referential slasher craze before it) was dying off. It could only sustain for so long. Which makes me wonder why the filmmakers wanted to make a third film. The absence of Eli Roth's masterful direction is definitely to the movie's detriment. This second sequel is far less gruesome than the others. Though it has some interesting ideas (the "murder casino" comes to mind) and a couple of pretty cool twists, the novelty of the first two movies has worn off. It just comes across as unnecessary.
Post-Mortem (2010)
A realistic, emotionally-charged nightmare
Post-Mortem is the third installment in the Head Case series of 'found footage' horror films about serial killers who videotape their crimes. This time, the story follows a suicidal teenager named Seth, who wishes to escape his family of drug addicts. A manipulative serial killer named John comes along, promising Seth to make his life more fulfilling. He agrees to be trained in the ways of murder. Seth's depression and vulnerability make him an easy target for John. The character of Seth is sympathetic. I found myself rooting for him, hoping that he'd end up escaping his nightmare. But I knew full well that he wouldn't have a happy ending. On the other hand, John is a pure psychopath. Post-Mortem is pretty surreal in certain spots, though it's still realistic and disturbing. The murders in this movie are emotionally-charged and pretty tough to sit through (the slaughter of an entire family sticks out in my mind). By the time the movie ended, I was relieved that it was over. It made me want to go outside and enjoy a world where these characters do not actually exist.
Hostel: Part II (2007)
The other side of this gruesome business
Hostel: Part II is an effective sequel to 2005's Hostel, which was a frightening tale of human depravity. This time around, we see the other side of the gruesome pay-for-murder business, as we follow two businessmen as they travel to Slovakia for a little murder vacation. We also follow their soon-to-be victims, as they are lured to the hostel. We see the inner workings of the business, how it's run, and how people place bids on potential victims (some of it is pretty comedic and frightening at the same time). Hostel: Part II has a sense of humor about the material it's depicting. In fact, the funniest bit has to be the ending, which is pretty bizarre. Hostel: Part II bombed upon its initial release back in 2007. I wish it hadn't.
Paranormal Activity (2007)
I'm never turning off the lights again
Paranormal Activity scared the living daylights out of me. This was one of the creepiest, most unrelenting horror films I have ever seen in my life. I slept with the lights on for days after watching this. To know that it was shot on such a small budget and still manages to be so effective is a tribute to the flawless direction by Oren Peli and terrific acting by the leads (Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat). Paranormal Activity takes a similar approach to the Blair Witch Project, in that it suggests a lot and shows very little. Though that's more because of the low budget, this works to the film's advantage. The scares are jolting because they're so simple. I probably won't be able to watch Paranormal Activity ever again, but in this case that's a good thing.
Amber Alert (2012)
Suspension of disbelief isn't enough
Amber Alert is another 'found footage' style horror film, a sub-genre of horror that has become very popular in the last couple of years. years. Unlike most similar films, this one does not contain any kind of ghosts or evil spirits. The evil this time around is very real: a predator. However,there was more potential that was completely wasted. The characters were completely obnoxious and unlikable. They say and do things that no human being would ever say or do. There are several plot holes that were obviously due to the movie's small budget. Also, if the police acted somewhat competently, the movie would've been 10 minutes long. With most horror movies, there has to be some suspension of disbelief. Unfortunately with Amber Alert, it just wasn't enough.
The Ritual (2009)
Engrossing serial killer drama
The Ritual is a sequel to the 'found footage' horror film Head Case. It isn't what I was expecting. I wouldn't even consider it to be a horror film. It's more of a serial killer drama. The story, about a fugitive serial killer and his teenage accomplice, is engrossing. It's beautifully shot and well-acted. Paul McCloskey returns as serial killer Wayne Montgomery, whose even-keeled demeanor and matter-of-fact delivery make him a very endearing character. Joey Garrison plays his teenage accomplice Jared with a frightening (and all-too-realistic) blend of angst and glee. The chemistry between the leads is one of the strongest parts of the film. The Ritual (much like Head Case) isn't for all tastes. It's a character-driven film with improvised dialogue and a low body count. But it's very entertaining and stuck with me long after it was over.
Hostel (2005)
Darkest side of humanity
Hostel is a disturbing tale of the darkest side of humanity. The fact that it may be based on a true story makes it that much more disturbing. Jay Hernandez and Derek Richardson are perfectly cast as well-meaning (but flawed) characters looking to have some fun before returning to school. Some people have found the first half hour to be hard to sit through, but I thought it was interesting how the movie showed these characters fulfilling their desires - just like the wealthy businessmen attempt to fulfill their desires. As I compared the two, I wondered which desires were more sinister. Eli Roth's story is filled with social commentary not often found in horror films, which alone makes Hostel worth a watch.
The Tortured (2010)
How much is too much?
I have mixed feelings about The Tortured. On one hand, it accurately depicts the sorrow and anger parents go through when their child is taken from them unexpectedly. How far would someone go to avenge the death of their child? Unfortunately, the movie settles into a montage of torture sequences - each one more graphic and unpleasant than the last. After a while, you wonder how much is too much. The audience is forced to sit there and be a witness to the unimaginable pain inflicted on someone who may or may not be innocent of the crime they're accused of committing. I liked the twist ending (though in retrospect I should have seen it coming) but this is definitely a movie I will never watch again.
Head Case (2007)
How well do you know your neighbors?
Head Case is a raw, gruesome (and at times, darkly comedic) 'found footage' style horror film about a serial killer who videotapes his crimes, while his wife watches (and occasionally participates). The film is unapologetic in its brutality and isn't afraid to go places some horror films won't. Paul McCloskey plays serial killer Wayne Montgomery with a dry, deadpan demeanor that is both creepy and endearing. His wife Andrea (Barbara Lessin) provides some of the film's comic relief, as she watches her husband commit murder after murder while commenting (and sometimes critiquing) his work. The familiarity of the characters hit home for me (I know people just like Wayne and Andrea), which added to the overall creepiness of the film. Head Case is certainly not for all tastes, but I liked it.