possession

Director : Christopher Alender – Cast Includes : Brigitte Kali Canales, Andrea Cortés

I must confess I’d not heard of filmmaker Christopher Alender before watching this movie, his only other feature was back in 1999 called Memorial Day a horror film I’d not come across but after watching his latest I will certainly be tracking this down, he’s a director I hope to see more of in the future… armed with a devilishly good score by composer Ben Lovett who also worked on Jim Cummings awesome werewolf movie The Wolf of Snow Hollow I really found THE OLD WAYS a creepy, atmospheric ghost story with unsettling scenes of demonic rituals including a snake extraction, haunting scenes of candles burning out, animal teeth and that poor rat… the lightening and makeup felt authentic and the main girl who played Cristina, Fear the Walking Dead’s Brigitte Kali Canales delivers a strong performance : WELL WORTH A WATCH ★★★½

Director : Brandon Christensen – Cast Includes : Sarah Canning, Osric Chau, Gracie Gillam

Recently watched SUPERHOST a new horror film written & directed by Stillborn filmmaker Brandon Christensen… and what an absolute blast I had watching this infectious slice of low budget horror : if like me you like your rental house, unhinged misery kinda sub-genre with a plot that’s relevant, utterly bonkers and a cast that’s on point then you have to see this one… Sarah Canning (The Vampire Diaries) & Osric Chau (The Flash) are both terrific but it’s the crazy energy of Gracie Gillam that really wins the day : TOP NOTCH ★★★½

Director : Ryan Kruger – Cast Includes : Gary Green, Chanelle de Jager, Brett Williams

I’m not quite sure where to start with FRIED BARRY the directorial debut of South African filmmaker Ryan Kruger… and I don’t even think the guy who wrote the story James C. Williamson knew either… from it’s alien abuction, sex fueled Greasy Strangler vibe to it’s drug tripping, chainsaw killing Cuckoo’s Nest insanity Fried Barry is a stomach churning, chaotic slice of weird that needs a sequel and I’m here waiting for it… sometimes you just have to sit back and admire a filmmaker & his cast especially actor Gary Green who plays Barry for being brave and creating something wildly original, dark & squeamish and so far out : this is MY KIND OF INSANE BLISS watch it if you DARE !! ★★★★

Number 3 of My Top 31 Horror Movies : When a 12-year-old girl is possessed by a supernatural entity, her mother seeks the help of a priest to save her : Based on William Peter Blatty’s novel, The Exorcist came out in 1973 from filmmaker William Friedkin who also directed The French Connection & Sorcerer amongst others : I don’t think there’s ever been another horror movie about possession that’s even come close to scaring me half as much as The Exorcist still does, the way Friedkin slowly tells us the story of Chris MacNeil an actress and her 12yr old daughter Regan entwined with Father Karras who’s struggling with the loss of faith & loss of a loved one is not only compelling, but adds so much depth to the film and it’s characters, so by the time the possession truly takes hold of Regan and her bed starts rocking, head starts spinning and the vomit starts flowing the fear factor has already set in, your pulse is racing, your breathing has become shallower & you start burying your head in your hands in an attempt to hide from this devilish force of intimidation : I revisited The Exorcist two days ago and apart from the shocking possession scenes that include Regan violently masturbating with a crucifix, spider crawling down the stairs, forcing her mother between her legs & her head spinning 360 degrees there are also so many terrific sub-moments, I really loved the excavation scenes, the sound, color and imagery is so haunting during this beautifully shot opening to the movie, watching the broken Karras visit his mother in the hospital is emotionally draining, the subliminal hidden image of the demon shown during a scene with Ellen Burstyn really caught me off guard again and the scene with Lee J. Cobb’s brilliant Lieutenant is questioning Chris at her home is captivating, “can I have your autograph” really was a lighter moment : Jack Nitzsche’s score flows through the film better than most in it’s genre, it’s haunting and memorable and adds greatly to the films atmosphere and considering it’s low budget the film really come through with it’s creepy special effects that haven’t aged one bit : I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better performance by Ellen Burstyn the way she portrays being the helpless mother is phenomenal, Jason Miller is the embodiment of a broken priest and considering his limited screen time previous to this film was outstanding, Max von Sydow plays the elderly, tired yet commited Father Merrin wonderfully well but it’s Linda Blair as Regan who you will remember when think about this film, her vulgar, unpleasent display whilst being possessed by the devil is something to behold : The Exorcist is not for the faint hearted, it’s an unforgettable, multi layered horror movie that contains one of the most horrific final acts in cinematic history ★★★★★

Number 22 of My Top 31 Horror Movies : Five friends travel to a cabin in a remote region of Tennessee, where they release flesh-possessing demons : Sam Raimi’s THE EVIL DEAD is still after all these years a joy to behold, a guilty pleasure, a wickid low budget scare fest that sees actor Bruce Campbell get pretty much everything thrown at him and his friends? well they get attacked, possessed and wreak holy havoc : there’s no doubt that the two sequels to The Evil Dead are great fun but it’s Raimi’s original released back in 1981 that holds a place in my horror loving heart : right from the offset when their car crosses that rickety old bridge on their way to the cabin, the banging of the swing porch and then as the key is retrieved from it’s place above the door the swing stops, the poster nod to Craven down in the cellar and for a budget of $400,000 the effects throughout are impressively gruesome especially Cheryl’s possessed demon who’s one mean, twisted servant from hell : I rememeber watching this over a friends house during my early teens a few years after it’s initial release and being scare senseless, from it’s shaky camera work, the wind effect, the tree attack to the body dismemberment all had a lasting effect on me growing up and still does : The Evil Dead is pure brilliance, shoe string budget filmmaking of the highest standard that MUST BE WATCHED at least once a year : speaking in my best demonic voice JOIN US ★★★★★