Movie reviews

NIGHT FILM MARATHON - THE NIGHT OF HORROR

THE STRANGERS (2008)

Watchable. First you learn there are 1.4 million violent crimes in the US a year and that the movie's based on a real case. Then you're informed that exact events of the night remain unknown which renders it even more creepy. You know there's going to be blood everywhere from the initial phone call scene after which the actual action starts. After a dull beginning it quickly turns gripping. I even cried out once. Scott Speedman is made look attractive and is plausible as James, Liv Tyler as the female lead less so. A much saying "Shall We Go Outside?" song is played. A red "hello" appears on a window pain looking both like "hell" and a reference to "redrum" from "The Shining". A great, startling ending. The final credits say: "The characters and events depicted in the photoplay are fictitious."

During the break after the screening a girl in the toilet imitated that unsettling banging on the door from the movie. That was brilliant.

THE STRANGERS: PREY AT NIGHT

Recommended. Wow! Even better than part one. Bryan Bertino, the scriptwriter and director or the first part has co-scripted it with Ben Ketai and Johannes Roberts is a new director. The same gimmicks are applied, song titles carry a meaning again, e.g. Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now". The murderous trio appears to the rhythm of Kim Wilde's "Kids in America" they are listening to in the car. 80s pop tunes form the music backdrop and some accompany further slaughter, e.g. Kim Wilde's "Cambodia" or Bonnie Tyler's "Total Eclipse of the Heart". With more locations and lighting types as well as new characters and a larger cast in general, the story gets a tremendously entertaining uplift.  The girl is a problem teen with bad grades who mentions the dark comedy slasher film "Cutting Class" early on. Her mum says: "we're scared" meaning her and the father's preoccupation with the daughter's behaviour. Later, just before finding the first dead bodies the girl says a dog "scared me to death". Also several things they say or do in the begginning resonate with part one. New incidents include car-ramming and a pool scene. Both parts have great, startling endings. I hope for a sequel. In the beginning you learn it's "Based on true events" but there's a  "fictious" disclaimer in the final credits.

AMITYVILLE: THE AWAKENING

Watchable. Decent pace but with a number of standard American horror motifs like flies, worms, a contorted body. Generally predictable but with a few twists and one attack so sudden I jumped. Good, modern score by Rob (Aher). McKenna Grace (the little girl) is so lovely she's going to be the next big name. And she knows how to act too.

THE BYE BYE MAN

Watchable. The Bye Bye Man looks like Voldemort and his hound like a huge jerk chicken. No suspense, just college students having delusions all the time. The way the curse works everyone behaves like they have an obsession. The ending implies a sequel. Better not.