If you took the claustrophobic paranoia and shaggy-haired chic of David Cronenberg’s apartment complex horror, Shivers (1975), added a bit of plastic personality and debaucherous decadence from Mary Harron’s American Psycho (2000), and filmed it all through Stanley Kubrick’s surrealistic dystopian lens, the result would probably be pretty close to High-Rise, the new film from director Ben Wheatley, based on the novel by J.G. Ballard.
Now if you think that description sounds like the final product might be a bit too chaotic and disjointed, well, you wouldn’t be wrong. Although all the 1970s set design is absolutely stunning to look at, the overall final product often feels disorganized. That’s not to say High-Rise isn’t an incredible and enjoyable film – it is. It’s just a lot to take in. Continue reading “High-Rise” (2016) REVIEW→
ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE is intended to put a name (and sometimes face) to the talented men and women who created the most iconic images to adorn horror VHS boxes and posters from ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Their art is vital; it’s the reason I (and many of you, certainly) fell in love with horror movies in the first place. This is not only intended as a tribute, but also a minor compendium, meant to collect their works in one single spot. Corrections, additions, or other info? Email me.
It’s not unusual for an illustrator, working under the tutelage of a creative agency, to occasionally find themselves freelancing for the same production companies every now and again due to the contractual obligations between the businesses. Furthermore, if a filmmaker with enough pull feels a certain artist’s work represents their vision faithfully, they might make that artist their go-to designer, especially if the product and its visual representation end up becoming inextricably tied – such as the working relationship between Drew Struzan and George Lucas or Steven Spielberg. Continue reading ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE: Tricia Zimic→
The way I felt watching Jeremy Saulnier’s Green Room this weekend is the way I imagine unsuspecting French audiences who saw the short film L’arrivée d’un train en gare de La Ciotatback in 1896 felt. Totally blindsided by moving images of a train up on the screen, the Parisian moviegoers ran screaming in terror to the back of the theater for their own safety. The film was so real and so visceral that it had an actual physical effect on them. It’s the type of reaction that film can (and honestly should) have on audiences, and it’s something this oft-jaded viewer is constantly in search of. Continue reading “Green Room” (2016) REVIEW→
Horror is an incredibly chummy genre. With every horror movie released, there’s a good chance – whether intentional or not – that it pays homage in some way to the films that came before it. It could be as obvious and generically broad as the color red, or it could be more intentional – something playful and cheeky like a J&B bottle on a liquor cart in the background.
These nods and flourishes are part of what make horror movies so fun and endearing for us, the rabid fans. They’re also probably part of the reason the movies themselves endure so long – at least partly so – even after multiple viewings. And spotting these homages doesn’t just make for an entertaining watch, it also makes for good internet: look at any horror blog today and I guarantee a majority of their film reviews, articles, and dissertations will make mention of just how referential horror movies are. Continue reading MORGUE MUNCHIES!→
ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE is intended to put a name (and sometimes face) to the talented men and women who created the most iconic images to adorn horror VHS boxes and posters from ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s. Their art is vital; it’s the reason I (and many of you, certainly) fell in love with horror movies in the first place. This is not only intended as a tribute, but also a minor compendium, meant to collect their works in one single spot. Corrections, additions, or other info? Email me.
Throughout my various diggings while doing research for these pieces, there’s one common thread I’ve found among these artists: the relative anonymity that most of them existed in, even still to this day. Considering how iconic and enduring their images have been, especially now with the resurgence of VHS and the collective hip extolling the beauty of the video box (never failing to point out that the box is always better than the movie itself) I find it strange that there isn’t more info on the creators, and more readily available. It’s especially hard when the artist I’m researching shares their name with another famous artist. Continue reading ARTISTS BEHIND THE IMAGE: C. Winston Taylor→
Sometimes I watch a movie and it feels like the writer took the first simple premise that popped into their head, immediately pitched it to a producer without fleshing it out, and dusted their hands of the whole thing.
“Here’s my idea: it’s a home invasion movie, but, get this – the girl who lives in the house? She’s deaf.”
“Is that it?”
“Pretty much.”
“Congrats, kid – you got yourself a picture! Here’s a check.”
I imagine everyone shaking hands afterwards and patting backs in a satisfied manner while wearing big, shit-eating grins. Movies! Continue reading “Hush” (2016) REVIEW→
Camera Viscera 