Horrorfest: Going Squatching

RE-ANIMATOR
(Stuart Gordon, 1985)
After watching From Beyond earlier this month and enjoying it, I thought I'd check out this beloved cult classic from the same team. I liked this one even more as it was a good reminder why some 80's horror completely owned. A med student's creepy new roommate finds a way to revive corpses, and the two decide to do a little experimenting. There's lots of gore in store with some wonderful makeup work. How I miss practical makeup effects! Another movie with a cameo by a psychotic cat.Beyond cast members Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton star, along with Bruce Abbott.  GRADE: B+

BIRTH OF THE LIVING DEAD
(Rob Kuhns, 2013)
I believe we have a Horrorfest first: a documentary. Exploring the production of George A. Romero's classic Night of the Living Dead, this doc also looks at the cultural upheaval that led to its inception and the ripple effects the movie caused in pop culture. Much of it is little more than a "Behind the Scenes" feature that would be on a DVD, but the film is at its best when examining how the tumultuous 60's inspired Night. Probably just a nice treat for hardcore Romero fans, his interview here is very amusing as he's such an amiable presence. There's only half a dozen people interviewed. It would have been nice if they had gotten one or two of the cast members, as a few are still leaving. There's a great doc called The American Nightmare that is similar but also looks at the horror classics of the 1970's and how they were reflections of societal changes and turbulent world events. GRADE: B

DELIVER US FROM EVIL
(Scott Derrickson, 2014)
Another "Based on True Events" *coughbullshitcough* modern horror concerning a police officer's (Eric Bana) dealings with a rash of related crimes that may involve possession. He seeks the help of a a priest (Edgar Ramirez) who - get this! - is unconventional. Basically, this basic basicness is a cross between The Exorcist and Seven, which I'm sure made a nice pitch in a meeting but that's as far as the creativity went. A few weeks back I lamented about the lack of grime in modern NYC set movies, and I suppose I'll have to take that back. Making all the scenes in dim lighting and looking like all rooms are crack houses isn't what I had in mind. Bana, Ramirez and Joel McHale make for some sexy leads, with football player beard Olivia Munn also appearing. GRADE: D+

WILLOW CREEK
(Bobcat Goldthwait, 2014)
Low budget found footage showing a couple's quest to find Bigfoot. They go to Northern California where the infamous Patterson-Gimlin footage originated, and end up getting more than they bargained for. The couple (played by Alexie Gilmore and Bryce Johnson) are likeable with an authenticity, and most of their interviews with locals at the beginning are amusing. The film really soars, though, once they get into the woods. There's a doozy of a sequence with a static shot that runs about 20 minutes where we see them reacting to the unknown terror lurking outside their tent. They initially react by cracking jokes then slowly turn to frozen fear, which further adds to the realism. Some superb sound work in that sequence! This one is far closer to the found footage horror classics like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, instead of the recent rash. GRADE: B+

Reminder to self for next year: Teen Wolf. I realized tonight that I have never seen this, and I'm always complaining about the lack of comedies. Almost shocked I missed it!