No One Lives (2012)

Just when i had lost my faith in all thrillers or horror flicks, i chose to watch No One Lives. The 2012 movie starring Luke Evans isn't quite a breath of fresh air, but is definitely a cool surprise. 

The plot hasn't got much to it, but it still manages to be surprising: it's all about this wealthy couple kidnapped by a gang who desperately needs money, because of a robbery gone bad. What the gang didn't know is that the guy they kidnapped is a certified psychopath, who's not willing to let no one live. [SPOILER ALERT] The girlfriend commits suicide throwing her throat to the knife of one of the kidnappers, and then his other girlfriend is found tied up in the trunk of the car... 

Ménage gone bad ? Maybe. The twist isn't so bad, they appeared to be quite a normal couple, and he actually seemed a nice guy. Let's cut to the chase though: in No One Lives, you have it all. There are creepy moments that just make you jump of your chair, and just the amount of gore you need to get grossed out at times. The story is consistent, not too elaborate, quite easy to understand and with absolutely no loose ends (so if a sequel comes, watch out). 

All in all, No One Lives is a flick that puts horror again on a good path. 

New Addition

Hello fellow bloodsuckers.

I'm proud to announce that, from here on out, allthingshorror.com has a new blogger. Miguii Silva is the most recent (and the only one so far) addition to the team.

Make sure to welcome him properly, or else... let's play a game, shall we ?

The allthingshorror.com team

American Horror Story (S01)

So, what's there to say about the first season of American Horror Story ? Without achieving greatness, this TV show was definitely full of surprises - especially the anthology format was quite an interesting option. Acting was pretty lame, the soundtrack was a total cliché (so as most of the story). What's with this TV show that makes it so ridiculously addictive ? Let's see. 

First things first, it's an AMERICAN Horror Story. Which means it involves some kind of paranormal activity. And people usually love paranormal stuff. Anyway, the story is quite simple: it all starts in this "murder house", which is supposed to be haunted. A quite dysfunctional family moves in to the so-called "murder house" and some strange events start taking place. There's a maid (not a butler, thank god), who's supposed to be a total slut but in the end turns out she might be the only one with a bit of wisdom in the middle of all the crazies - and yes, she's dead. Almost everyone the family meets in that house or near it is dead: there's the gay couple with sadistic tendencies, the maid, the mistress... Everyone who died in the house, haunts it. Makes sense ? I thought the same. At first, none of it makes sense (at least for the first three episodes), then the story basically unravels itself and the last two episodes made me wonder if there is going to be a second season of this, because almost no mystery is left undiscovered. 

About the acting, i thought it was quite lame. The wife is weird, the doctor as well.. My favorite characters were definitely Constance (Jessica Lange, proud owner of a Golden Globe thanks to her role in the show) and Moira, the maid. The rest was just so-so. Liked Tate too, the eternal Romeo. His story with Violet was pretty cool, added a different flavor to the show. 

The soundtrack was... strange. There were a lot of sounds and noises similar to some scores from Saw and... Kill Bill ? I don't know, there was something fishy about that score. Anyway, i thought the overall soundtrack was pretty cool, and it helped creating that dark atmosphere. 

Overall, i didn't think American Horror Story was like the 8th wonder of the world, and now that i think about it, it isn't that good. It's a worth-watch because of the atmosphere and some surprises one can fine in the episodes. NOTHING ELSE. 

Hellraiser (1987)

This was quite and enjoyable and pleasant experience. I had been eager for a good movie, so i chose a classic, old one by the so-called master Clive Barker. Expectations weren't high, but the movie was good enough - acting is quite good, special effects were awesome (for 1987) and the story itself is quite creative and original.

But what in the world has Hellraiser to make it such an awesome story ? Let's face it, nowadays we watch a bit of everything in a movie: there's always some guts that await you. And i suppose the question lies exactly there - it's hard to find a good horror flick. Hellraiser has guts, torn out bodies, body parts all over it - but its story is way too intelligent, like some sort of mix between sci-fi and horror. Everything starts with this puzzle box that unleashes evil. Julia and Larry Cotton, man and wife, are moving to this old house where the wifey had a love affair with her husband's brother. Seems like the brother, Frank, had been taken by the Cenobites (the otherworld creatures, whose names are Butterball, Pinhead, the Female, and Chatterer), for a world of hell that brought him pleasure and then killed him. Thing is, some drops of Larry's blood brought Frank half back to life - and of course, the wife found Frank in the attic and started killing people to raise the dude from hell. But it gets more complicated - the Cenobites are unleashed by Kirsty, the daughter, and they are eager for Frank's blood. There's a bit of a twist in the end, and it builds up a bridge for the second film (and, eventually, the eight others that follow).

About the acting, i especially liked Frank and i was the entire movie waiting for Pinhead to appear (when he did, i really liked the character). The daughter and the wife were kinda strange and Larry was too absent from the story. The music is quite freaky and scary, which is a huge contribute for the general atmosphere of the movie.

Overall, Hellraiser is sort of Clive Barker's first born son, and i must admit that the formula was freakin' successful. The way i see it, it is definitely a top 10 movie - totally worth watching.

I Saw The Devil (2010)

This was an incredible movie experience. At first i was kinda apprehensive, since i had never seen a corean/asian movie before. Turns out ‘I Saw The Devil’ is an amazing thriller (can i call it a thriller?) that has it all: it’s realistic, mindfucking, insane and violent, and also it has a pretty cool soundtrack. Oh, and acting is also freakin’ amazing.

So, when i went to see this movie, i really didn’t know what to expect. I always thought asian cinema had this reputation of creating some violent movies, that included a lot of sex and nudity, but i never thought i would see such a great movie. The story is something quite frequent in cinema, it’s basically a revenge story: a special agent swears revenge over his wife’s dead body (and yes, she was murdered by a crazy psychopath who apparently likes to play ‘hide and seek’ .

As the movie rolls, the agent catches the killer a few times, there is a lot of ass-kicking scenes (quite violent and bloody) and a bit of torture, but the agent always lets the killer go away - swearing he will get him again soon. Moving forward in the story, i sorta started to get really annoyed because the story was getting to repetitive (catch, torture, let go), but then came the finale, and it was epic (obviously the good triumphs over evil - and honestly i didn’t really expect this to happen with ‘I Saw the Devil’).

Special effects in this movie are amazing, and the story has a lot of realism, especially due to the absence of music in a couple of scenes - this makes it all seem more real and one can easily get stuck in the story for that. Especially in the final dialogue between the special agent and the psychopath killer, there is no background tune, and i almost felt like they were talking to me. Of course, camera work helps build this atmosphere, since there are a lot of face close-ups, and some rough shooting in the beginning. Acting was amazing - not that i know much about corean cinema and actors, but i really think everybody did a great job in this movie.

Overall, this isn’t a movie i would recommend if you are easily touched or impressed with gore and violence. But if you are strong-hearted and need a new thrill, i definitely recommend it. It’s not a family movie, folks ! Yet, give it a try.

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark (2011)

Don’t Be Afraid Of The Dark is that typical type of horror film full of genre cliches. Nonetheless, it is promising, having a screenplay with lot to it, a great set and some pretty cool special effects and great photography. Also, acting was brilliant. Let’s start with the story. Overall, it hasn’t got much to it, i mean - a little child goes to this huge house and finds out strange, mean creatures that act like the tooth fairy (they rip off their teeth and leave them a dollar). Obviously, the child is mentally disturbed and her father doesn’t believe her - after all, he’s a lot more worried about his job than his kid. There is also the step mom, that is the worst person in the world at the beginning of the movie and then turns out she isn’t so bad (as Sally sees it), a housekeeper and a contractor that seems to play the part of the weird butler (and *spoiler alert* died somewhere in the middle of it).

As i said, this story is filled with horror cliches, such as the mansion in the middle of nowhere, a bath scene (this time involving a kid), a scary basement - oh well, this movie has it all. Even the soundtrack was sort of a cliche, with all those strange and scary scores and so on. Special effects are okay, nothing to surprising or genius, just quite average.

Acting was pretty amazing, i really liked Bailee Madison as Sally - she was quite awesome, playing the role of the little disturbed kid who is really disappointed with her dad, her mom and her life in general and then evolving to the scared and terrified little girl. In general, i thought the kid was really brilliant. Guy Pearce was pretty awesome as well, with a quite believable performance, although Katie Holmes was good but not brilliant (her performance had a few flaws, i didn’t bought it completely).

Overall, this is quite and interesting film, with a good beginning (that will take your breath away, a reasonable development and a finale that left a bit to be desired. It’s not exactly the 8th wonder of the world, filled with cliches and having a few raccord flaws, but it is quite good in general. The soundtrack, as i said, is proper to the type of movie (although it seems like you’re watching some black and white film - after all this is JUST a remake of a 1973 movie…) but the general atmosphere is quite good, and there are a few unpredictable scares that await you at the movie theater.

The V Word (03)

Oh no, more vampires. This was my first thought when i started watching The V Word. Yet, the episode was quite surprising, with a cool story, cool soundtracka nd a great atmosphere for the story it was presenting.

For starters, i actually thought the credits were too spaced, which kinda annoyed me since i was waiting to find out a few staff and cast names. Yet, i can surely say this was the lowest point of the whole episode.

The set was really great, promoting ascary atmosphere that really matched the story about two guys that were trying to kill boredom at a funeral home - with a lunatic vampire to keep them company. This was kind of a new factor for me, since i never thought i would watch a horror story involving vampires AND a funeral home (kinda cool, usually vampires have their own castle or cemetery - a funeral home is just ironic). it is scary, yet, kinda predictable, maybe due to the acting which wasn't that great. The ending was quite surprising, i never thought they would make this an actually interesting vampire story.

Overall, it is worth a try. Not too awesome, yet not bad at all.

Family (02)

Family is that type of horror story that makes you wonder if you are actually watching an horror episode. It isn't that scary, and most of it is absolutely lame. Soundtrack is lame. Acting is lame. special effects are lame. Yet, there's an irony buit with the story and the soundtrack that made it all worth while.

So, first things first, i thought the story was rather original, which is a huge point in favor of the episode. It starts quietly, with the main character adding a new member to the "family" (which by the way, is formed by skeletons of random people he killed). He has some sort of disorder (at least the way i see it), so he talkes to the skeletons as if they were a real family - how weird is that ? Yet, the story isn't that bad, and the finale is amazing (so prepare yourselves for something awesome and quite unexpected).

The soundtrack is kinda lame for my taste, but it builds some sort of irony with the story - i mean, how many of you are familiar with horror stories accompanied by classical music ? Usually we see scary movies with a sountrack mostly composed by metal songs andhard rock, and so on. Another point in favor of the episode.

Overall, Family isn't that bad - it's quite entertaining !

The Damn Thing (01)

The Damn Thing wasn't the best start for this season of Masters Of Horror. I was expecting a better start, since the first season was so freakin' disappointing. Yet again, it isn't that bad. I mean, the story is kinda weird (as it should be), but special effects and acting made it look really lame.

It all started in the hometown of a cursed family, where some violent and strange deaths start occurring - due to some strange force, people start killing each other. So far, all is good, if acting wasn't so bad... And that ending, oh my god. As Kevin (the main character) prepares to kill Dina and Mikey (his wife and his son), the Damned Thing rises from the earth: a giant semi-solid creature of oil - which is lame, and not a good choice. It swallows Kevin, and Dina and Mikey run away in their vehicle. However, they run out of gas down the road and the creature attacks them, meaning it is not known if they survive - which is a positive point to it, since the ending is part left in mystery.

Overall, this isn't really a must watch, but i advise you to give it a try.

Masters Of Horror - Season 2

So what to say about the second season of Masters Of Horror (2006) ? It isn't really different from the first one, it had some really awesome episodes, and others that were really disappointing. I really wasn't expecting wonders from the second season, since the first one wasn't that good. When i'm about to see something that came from the mind of a certain director, i tend to get high expectations about it, and in the end i usually get disappointed. In this season, that happened with Tobe Hopper (the Texas Chainsaw Massacre mastermind), Dario Argento and Joe Dante (among others).

I still think the idea is there and it is good, but maybe some stories could have better developed, maybe get a bit scarier and so on. It wasn't a bad season, but it also didn't topped the first one.

Insidious (2011)

Ever since all the hype about Insidious had begun that i've been wanting to watch the movie. And for several reasons: first, it is directed by James Wan, who won it's fame in my world through movies like Saw or Dead Silence (and i liked them both). Then, of course, the screenplay by Leigh Whanell (another Saw veteran, and quite good in acting). And beyond this there was only a catchy trailer and a good synopsis.

But i must say, Insidious didn't quite match the high expectations i had upon it. Roughly speaking (or writing, but that doesn't really matter now), my first thought of Insidious was that we had one hour of boredom and 40 minutes of almost non-stop action. Yet, this is what i would like to name a 50-50 movie, since it is amazingly balanced.

The story is great, of course, a bit old and there's nothing really original about it - i could tell some scenes quite similar to movies like Paranormal Activity (without the whole home-made movie stuff, and oh!... does the name Oren Peli ring a bell?), The Exorcist (what a freakin' classic idea) or even The Exorcism of Emily Rose. This of course, in subjects that concerned all types of supernatural events and priests and desperate families. Still, it's a story with a lot to it, that made good use of the scare-factor (with a huge hand from the soundtrack and incredible acting). It doesn't leave any loose ends, being also easy to follow and understandable, what makes of the screenplay the highest point of Insidious.

Now moving on to the not-so-good part. There were a few things about this movie that really "grinded my gears". And the first one was the absolutely annoying soundtrack (yeah, it was creepy and scary and all that stuff - but still pretty annoying). Then, hearing Rose Byrne screaming (quite a performance indeed) - she was too loud and histerical, and her highest notes weren't the best (okay, i just didn't liked her voice, period). And, last but not least... Those special effects left quite a bitter taste in my mouth. I mean they were good, but they weren't flawless, and a certain demon's characterization definitely left a lot to be desired.

Overall, i suppose Insidious is a good movie (and it will make you grab your pillow, chair, or anything/anyone next to you). Not great, perfect or flawless, but still pretty damn good.

The Task (2011)

This is one of those not so rare cases in which the trailer is actually better than the movie it self. Meaning: when i saw the trailer of "The Task", i was expecting a good movie. Which was stupid, since the movies from AfterDark are getting more and more disappointing.

About the movie itself and why it was so disappointing, i suppose it was the story and what they made of it. I mean, they had an awesome story to begin with, and it was enough to make a good movie, but something went wrong in the middle. Perhaps bad acting was lending a little hand on that point. Also, there were a few loose ends, and the ending was something like "now guess what happened" (although it was a bit obvious that - SPOILER ALERT! - they all died in the end, except for Snow and Angell who were already out of the prison).

The story had a positive point in it, nonetheless: i really liked that part when they made it seem like a huge prank for the producer of the TV show. Of course that after that it was the typical "rewind-freeze-you're dead" thing.

Overall, i thought the movie was weak, with a lame soundtrack and a story that was promising more than it actually gave.

Seconds Apart (2011)

I wasn't expecting wonders from Seconds Apart, since almost all of the AfterDark HorrorFest movies are lame, and i was obviously not expecting greatness from the AfterDark Originals. But Seconds Apart was definitely an awesome surprise. It is that sort of mindfucking thriller/horror that has it all - a bit of gore, the "jump-of-the-chair" factor, sex, love... Nothing is missing, which is quite impressive for a low budget movie.

The story is maybe something that everyone except me has already seen: two twins (may i add, two gorgeous twins) have some sort of connection between each other, that allows them to control people's minds. But they use that gift the most unusual way ever: they lead people into committing suicide and then tape them and keep it for further reminder. So, right here we have one of the most positive points of the movie - the screenplay. It is unusual, it is creepy and it is great.

Next point on the agenda, the acting. Oh my god, that amazing acting. And also, the enormous number of actors in this movie with blue/grey/green eyes - maybe o match the twins ? Awesome detail, anyway. Indeed, all of the movie was filled with juicy details - which for a low budget creation was quite amazing.

The soundtrack is a bit odd, though. Not the best part of the movie, but the hell with it, Seconds Apart must have been one of the best horror movies i've seen in a while (after Hatchet, i was starting to really doubt the industry).

Overall, this is definitely a movie with a lot to it, and totally a worth-watch.

Imprint (13)

I had built a high expectation under 'Imprint' ever since i found out it had been banned from cable in the USA: and i found out later on that it wasn't banned from Portugal. Yet, the episode didn't quite lived to match my expectations, since i thought it wasn't worth all the hype around it.

The beginning of the episode is quiet, and a bit impressive when they find a dead woman in the river on their way to an island that is made of whores, drugs and black market. I thought there was an awesome approach to the details of the Japanese culture (Takashi Miike is Japanese, so i thought it was also quite patriotic of him), with the added amazing option of showing its darkest side. It is quite impressive how they created that notion of girls locked in cages and begging the foreigners for sex.

The story is quite impressive, and also unusual: i really loved the fact that the main character (Billy Drago as Christopher) came all the way just to find Komomo (and for love, which is even more unusual to find in an horror flick). The acting is awesome and dialogues are quite honest and profound, almost philosophical. Actually, the detail on The Woman's (Youki Kudoh) story, about her mother, the abortions and so on, is really impressive. And with a lot of great special effects added ! Oh, and the torture scene, oh my god, that torture scene. Must have been one of the most impressive, disgusting and painful things i ever watched (not even Hostel can top it). And that thing with the sister (the hand, the Imprint) was beautifully made, it seemed so freakin' real.

But overall, i couldn't understand all the hype around the episode. Indeed, it had a few impressive things, and it's good. It's really good. But something was missing in there and i can't really tell you what it is. Maybe it should have been a bit more simple. Yet, it is definitely worth watching.

Haeckle's Tale (12)

I really liked this episode in particular. I thought it was amazingly shot, with some good special effects, and with an amazing story behind it, believable and totally consistent.

So about the story, it was amazing the fact that it was based on a tale initially written by Clive Barker (that's right, the one you're thinking). And it is quite simple, the story is about a character, Haeckel, a medicine student who believes he's capable of raising the dead - Frankenstein style. One night, he got lost near a cemetery, and found an old man who offered him a place to stay. With his weird wife, who likes to have awesome orgies on the cemetery with - guess what ? - zombies. The sex scenes with the zombies are amazing, and although the story is kinda silly, it is amazingly built (when i say this, i mean it was flawless), and the ending is quite impressive.

Overall, an episode worth-while (since most of them suck).

Pick Me Up (11)

This was weird. I didn't knew what to expect, yet i was thinking they would come up with something a lot like Rest Stop. Not good.

So, about the episode, i though acting wasn't that bad. But the story... hmmm, it wasn't consistent at all, i mean - the bus just crashes in the middle of nowhere and then there are some weirdos who simple appear out of the blue ? That's not right, i can understand the need of a hitchhiker, but where did that cowboy came from ? Obviously, in the end we do figure out that they have some sort of connection, and there are signs of that during the episode: they do blink their eyes to eachother. Overall, i can understand that it is all about the girl, and it seems like they were making some sort of race to see who kills her first - and i must admit i absolutely loved this part, it seemed like a serial killer competition.

The story is enjoyable though, not so quiet as i was expecting it to be, and the character of the trucker is awesome: he goes from kind to psycho in no time ! Also, it really needed to have a horror flick cliché - yes, i do mean the motel. And shower scenes are too typical since Hichcock's "Psycho", there's got to be someone in the shower on an horror flick.

That torture scene, oh my god, that torture scene ! Must have been the highest point of the episode - i absolutely loved it. It is violent, teasing, really funny and gory, all at the same time. Also the fighting scene is awesome, quite realistic. The ending in that ambulance somehow managed to be ridiculous and awesome at the same time.

Overall, this isn't brilliant, it has definitely a lot of flaws, but it is close to greatness and deserves to be watched.

Sick Girl (10)

I already knew a little bit of the mind of Lucky McKee, from the time when i saw May, and i liked the way it functioned. So my expectations over Sick Girl were kinda high. A bit too high, i must admit.

First things first, i thought acting was awesome (although the main character had the most annoying voice ever), and i loved the fact that the main character is the same actress who played May (and therefore she had already proven to be great).

The story was so-so, i thought it was a cool subject and all, but i suppose it could have been better - it had material/content to be better. Also, there are a few cinema clichés implied in it (like covering homosexuality). That bug thingy was new and fresh and brought an interesting flavor to the episode. But still, nothing really exciting happens during the episode. And overall, i don't think it was that good.

I suppose i must lower my expectations...

Fair-Haired Child (09)

So, what can i say about this Masters Of Horror episode ? First, i should say that i was quite surprised, positively, of course. I really liked the episode, although it isn't brilliant. The story is not confusing at all, and quite catchy ("buyable", as i usually say). It has an interesting basis in its argument, and the creepy soundtrack brings that special atmosphere to the episode.

At start, i thought i was getting ready to watch some lame story about zombies, or something like that. The beginning of the episode was really quiet, yet creepy, and wasn't really getting me into the story, but then it starts evolving in absolutely every aspect and i didn't really wanted it to end (they had material in there to make a 2h30 story, yet it was enough as it was). There are some scenes that are lame, for instance that hitting scene (not "buyable" at all), but acting is quite good (thumbs up for Lindsay Pulsiphere - Tara made it all worth-while). Didn't liked the way Tara was always saying "Johnny, are you ok?" - seemed like some sort of catch phrase.

The special effects weren't so bad, and the so-called "fair-haired child" seemed taken right from The Grudge. Yet, for what it was, it was awesome. The ending is insanely good and totally unexpected.

Overall, this episode had its ups and downs, yet, in the end it was all worth-while.

Cigarette Burns (08)

I have to admit, in order to improve my opinion about this particular episode of Masters Of Horror, i had to watch it a couple of times. I think it has a great story, with definitely a lot to it, and with a few extra points thanks to good acting and a creepy soundtrack.

So, about the argument. Thought it was awesomely original, i mean, it's not new that certain movies/books/games/other objects have some sort of curse or something like that (like two episodes of the following season, Pelts and Valerie on The Stairs), and make people go insane or bring dead myths to life. Yet, the story in Cigarette Burns is consistent, beautifully done (helped by special effects and characterization - i mean, look at that sacrificed angel), and creepy. I was thinking about that for a week, c'mon - nowadays that is freakin' unusual. Anyway, i think the argument of Cigarette Burns has definitely a lot to it.

The soundtrack fitted perfectly on the episode, bringing a whole new atmosphere to it. Also, there were a few details that i though were awesome, like the Saw II movie poster on the theater wall. There was only one little detail that i thought was a totally WTF? moment for the episode - what was the deal with that ending scene where the daughter/girlfriend appears totally covered in blood, Carrie style ? I liked the reference to the classic movie, but i thought it didn't add anything to the story, except, of course, for the fact that this happening in particular follows the line of the episode - both characters watched "Le Fin Absolue Du Monde" and went insane (just like the dude who put his lower intestine on a reel, and the Asian servant who saved the angel). And also, i thought the story was a little bit incomplete in the end (we'll never know what happened to the fattie friend).

Overall, i think that John Carpenter had an amazing performance while directing this episode. It's disturbing, gory, scary and made me think. I totally advise it.

Deer Woman (07)

Hm, there isn't much to say about this episode. Nothing i wasn't already expecting, since the last episodes of Masters of Horror have been quite disappointing - they had the material to do a lot better. And the stories are always quite promising. Well, not this one - Deer Woman is simply lame, although the story was off to a very curious start.

Special effects are really lame, although acting is quite good, yet the soundtrack is awful . And what the hell is wrong with the boobs ? There isn't an episode where we have lack of boobs (indeed, there is, but later on).

All in one - stupidity at its best, and i wouldn't advise you to keep high expectations over this episode.

"Shut up, Fukes ! "