The serpent and the rainbow

USA (1988)

The story starts in Haiti, where Denis Alan goes to investigate about a new medicine. This medicine is really special because it becomes people into zombies! It seems unbelievable but there are several cases in Port-au-Prince that confirms that fact. The most important one is Christophe who is alive after a doctor demonstrates that he was dead. Christophe is very clever and he talks to Denis about his experience; he had a prepared powder and the he died. But it was not a real death because after a few hours he was alive again. The mysterious powder just can be made in the jungle under very “dark” conditions. A shaman named Lucien will prepare a bottle of powder composed of dead animals, vegetables and human bones. This powerful medicine have to be managed carefully. Denis is not aware of the danger of that product and he carries it to America to sell it to an important pharmaceutical company. However, realistic nightmares oblige Denis to come back to Haiti and fight against the evil that is controlling zombies.

In 1988 Wes Craven (one of the master of horror movies) filmed this atypical zombie's movie from a point of view of science, and, according to Wes, inspired by true events, The serpent and the rainbow shows a story where zombies are a victims of a medicine and black magic. After the tremendous success of A Nightmare on Elm Street, Wes tried to film a new concept of horror film. With a man controlling dreams (Freddy Krueger Style) by black magic and a Star who is aware of the reality, the plot tries to demonstrate how is possible to create zombies in a real world. A great redefinition of the genre that was forgotten quickly (unfairly) due to spectators hoped another stunning hit about Freddy's life. The serpent and the rainbow is a very recommendable film for fans of classic horror movies because it has all of the (good) ingredients of this kind of films: mystery, black magic, blood, dead, violence, and, of course, a few zombies.

To Remember: Dargent Peytraud, a very nice devil.

To Forget: In the 80's and 90's, Wes Craven preferred to earn money with boring sequels of Nightmare on E.L. Instead of to create new movies such as The Serpent and the Rainbow.


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The Uninvited

USA (1944)

Roderick Fitzgerald and his sister, Pamela, buy a mansion in the Irish Coast. It's beautiful and so huge. Surprisingly it was very cheap. Definitely a really good business for the Fitzgerald family. The previous tenants, the Meredith family, had a truculent past. Last member of this family, Stella Meredith has a particular attraction for this house. She is very pretty and Roderick invites her to his “new home”. Something very strange happened then: a woman is crying in the bedroom, wind opens all the windows and everything is getting dark. “It's my mother”, Stella says. However, Stella's mother passed away several years ago. Roderick tries to use an ouija board in order to communicate with a “possible” spirit. Stella is possessed by something and she tries to commit suicide. It's a big mystery and Roderick will look into it until the end. He is in love with Stella and he is not afraid of anything.

Brilliant classic horror movie from the early 40's. The original uninvited (there is a remake) was filmed in 1944, much earlier than the popular Psycho by Hitchcock, for example. I compare The Uninvited with this film due to they are “pioneers” of the genre. The Hitchcock one related to physiologic horror and our movie regarding haunted houses sub-genre. The most important aspect of The Uninvited is its plot. It's not just a mysterious story but a horror movie without monsters, vampires or werewolves. The star is a spirit, angry and dangerous (but without “ultra-fantastic powers”) who is looking for justice (or maybe not). A very original idea for 1944 that nowadays is used once and again. If you like haunted houses' films and you love good stories, it's your movie.

Mark: 8

To Remember: The star speaking Spanish. Why nobody can identify this language? Spanish is not Aramaic, for god's shake!

To Forget: Everything seems very normal, very natural. For me, to find a ghost in my place is a very embarrassing issue.


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Black Death

Germany (2010)

Europe, Middle Age. A terrible situation is coming. Many people is dying and nobody knows why. An outbreak? A curse? Is God angry? Nowadays it's clear for us. Black death was one of the most devastating diseases. But in that time, medicine is not too popular and is better think in superstitions. Ulrich and his group knows what is the origin of this pestilence: a village of witches in the forest's heart. They only need an expert guide to go there. Osmund is an innocent monk falling in love of a beautiful girl. He knows the forest area, so It's a perfect chance to demonstrate he is more man than religious. But the life outside Monastery is too different; the real life during Middle Age is so hard. Will be Osmund ready to fight against barbarians, witches, warriors and, of course, his own mind?

European production directed by Christopher Smith (Severance, Triangle). The strongest point of this movie is its screenplay. The real Middle Age is showed in this film. A violent, dirty and hopeless Europe during the Great Plague. Religious superstitions mixed with hate and religion. Hungry people commited brutal murders in everywhere. Good actors and good setting for a poor plot. The story is about a short travel to find the origin of the Plague. Really easy idea with a predictable ending. One year after, Hollywood tried the commercial (and politically correct) version of this movie: Season of the witch. In theory without any relation, but, curiously, very, very similar.

Mark: 6.9

To Remember: To remember: The Setting. The tandem Sean Bean + Carice Van Houten = Sex Appeal and Good Performance.
To Forget: To forget: A very good screenplay for a simple story. A serious story but too superficial.


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Red State

USA (2011)

We are in an American village full of rednecks. Some homosexuals have been killed there. It's not important for the people. They were only gays. This situation changes when Travis and his friends went with a whore. She was not a real whore; she was a member of a violent sect. This sect looks like a normal church. However its members are crazy people full of weapons. Police will try to stop them. But they are like small army and the police, with only a handful of men, will have to use the most extreme actions to stop them.

Controversial Kevin Smith's movie filmed in 2011. It was the winner at Sitges festival in this year. Red State has many different stages: at the beginning looks like a thriller, after like a horror movie, then like an action movie and it finishes like a drama. Strange mix made in Kevin Smith. The final result is an interesting movie, with a very strong main idea (fundamentalist in USA + weapons = massacre), with a serious plot but with a too easy ending. I mean, at the beginning Red State is an original film mix of thriller and horror; but when everything is clear, the movie turn into a simple action movie full of violence and black humour. Red State is the first Smith's movie far away from comedy, violent and, unfortunately, too real. Fanatics and weapons are bad mix in The States. Fanatics in different contexts: religion or police.

Mark: 7.8

To Remember: Dialogues.
To Forget: Some situations are too extreme.


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Pulse

Japan (2001)

An University of Tokio student disappears suddenly. In his room many computers and strange programs. Ryosuke, a friend, catches some software and tries on his computer. A sinister video appears on the screen. There is a man with a mask in a dark room: the forbidden room. Ryosuke looks for help at the University. An IT professional.tries to explain why this program is connecting to Internet and showing that images. While, more people is disappearing; it's like a plague. Maybe because a simulation at IT department. The world of the deaths are in the real world. Is it possible?

Great fantastic movie 100% Japanese thriller. In 2001 Kiyoshi Kurosawa directed this visionary film about Internet, networking and ghosts. An impossible mix, with a very good final result. It's a young movie, with bad actors and interesting plot. Visual effects have high quality as well. The movie has parts of mystery, parts of horror and parts of science. It is like Matrix in a paranormal plain. Interesting movie for fans of fantastic films.

Mark: 7.7

To Remember: The (real) ghosts
To Forget: Actors


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Triangle

UK (2009)

A group of friends go to enjoy a trip in Atlantic Ocean. Everything is fine until a strange storm stop their yacht. Suddenly they are in a place full of ships; they are abandoned. In one of this ships there is a man. The friends go to this boat looking for help. However, there is nobody inside. They decide to investigate. They listen to noises, people runs and shouting. The situation is getting worse and everybody is scared. Jess, the youngest member of the “team”, try to find the solution of this mystery. But she'll realised it's not a common ship; there reality is different and life is like a Triangle where dead is not the ending and the salvation is not at the beginning, or maybe yes...

Interesting British-Australian co-production, mix of horror, mystery and science-fiction. Director, Christopher Smith (Severance), try to show a possible explanation about Bermuda's Triangle Mystery. With a very original idea, Smith film an alternative reality where is impossible to run away. Nobody is conscious about this “special” reality; only the star (a beautiful Melissa George) realises that something strange is happening in her world. And she tries to change the parameters, but equation still being the same. A really good fantastic movie with a brilliant main idea. An idea too ambitious, because film a story with many parallel realities is very complex. However the final result is not too bad although there are several loose ends without explanation.

Mark: 7,8

To Remember: The idea: interesting and complex
To Forget: Story has some loose ends


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Wolf Creek

Australia (2005)

Every year 50.000 people disapear in Australia. With that fact starts Wolf Creek. Three backpackers are traveling around Australia. They go to Cairns but before they want to go a special place: Wolf Creek. There is crater in the middle of nowhere. Nobody is there. They can feel absolut loneliness. It's good sometimes; not when your car is broken. The youngs are waiting for help. Luckly, Mick Taylor lives close to Wolf Creek, and, suddenly he appears there. He tows the boy's car until his farm to try to fix it. Everything is good. Good? Maybe Mick has a terrible secret. But nobody knows it, because nobody knows that isolated place...

Famous Australian production filmed in 2005. John Jarratt stars this horror movie, very violent and very bloody. But not too much. The plot is slow and believable. If you've lived in Far North Queensland (FNQ) you'll know that there're many isolated places. No cars, no people, no police. This story is completly possible there. Additionally, John Jarratt gets a particular character mix of sadism and comedy. However the ending is too forced until get a worring moral... Mainly if you live in this area.

Mark: 7.4

To Remember: John Jarratt: a mix between Chiquito and Freddy Kruger. 
To Forget: Pursuits are very incredible.


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Bubba Ho-Tep

USA (2002)

We're in a asylum with an old Elvis' imitator. Looks like Elvis, speaks like Elvis and he says he is Elvis. However his real name is Sebastian Haff. Is it his real name? Of course not. When Elvis Presley was young, he decided to change his life with another one. So, he looked for a good imitator (Sebastian Haff) and then the real Elvis swap his identity for Sebastian one. They looked very similar. Nobody suspected anything. Sebastian died but Elvis not. Elvis was happy with a normal life. Every night, he imitated to himself. It was very funny. However, one day he has an accident and he broke his hip on the stage. From that moment, he couldn't dance never more. But this is the past. Nowadays, Elvis wait for his ending in a quit nursing home. He has cancer and needs a walking frame. He uses a catheter and his sight is very bad. The age is ruthless even with The King. His best friend is JFK. But this JFK is black and very young. Their quite life is broken cause a old mummy appears in the Asylum. Yes an old mummy! It is very violent and wants the souls of the asylum inhabitants. Elvis can't allow that and, with JFK helping, will fight against the monster to solve the world.

Incredible low budget movie that I found lost in my video club. Surrealist, crazy, fantastic, genial or maybe stupid and irreverent. I have doubts. However, I must admit that the story is really funny and original. To imagine to Elvis, old, disable and full of wrinkles is something very funny. This is the best part. Bruce Campbell (Army of Darkness) performing to The King is something very curious. Then, the black JFK mixed with an ancestral mummy are a strange mix that produce an irregular plot without sense. Summarising, this Bubba Ho-Tep is a crazy films, for rare films lovers and freak movie buffs.

Mark: 6.9

To Remember: Bruce Campbell with Elvis glasses. Enormous!
To Forget: The plot is crazy. Maybe, too crazy.



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Mientras duermes (Sleep Tight)

Spain (2011)

Cesar is a caretaker in a Barcelona's building. He is very nice and very efficient. However the Cesar's life is a mysterious. Nobody knows what happen with him after work. He goes every night to spy on Clara. Clara is a successful girl full of energy and vitality. But Cesar hates it. He only is happy with the pain; the others pain. Every day he drugs her and sleeps in her bed; poisons her body lotions and tries to kill her. But she still happy. This is not possible. Cesar has to think about something to finish with her happiness. Suddenly Clara's boyfriend appears in her house. Everything changes and Clara's life never will be the same.

Jaume Balaguero (Los sin nombre, Fragiles) films in 2011 this interesting thriller. With a moderate budget, Jaume builds a disturbing plot with a very intense first hour. After, the story loses interest until reach a simple ending. The main idea is really clever: some people only is happy with the others' misfortune. The starring, Luis Tosar, is the real star with a very serious performance. But, on the opposite way, Alberto San Juan makes a comic performance far of the dramatic role in this movie.

Mark: 7.2

To Remember: The main idea: Happiness with pain 
To Forget: The last 30 minutes

 
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The Human Centipede: First Sequence

Holland (2009)

The Dr. Heiter lives in Holland in a house in the countryside. He is a doctor specialising in Siamese twins surgery. But he isn't a normal doctor. Heiter is a dangerous people. Lindsay and Jenny, unfortunately, have a car problem and go to Heiter's house looking for help. Heiter kidnaps them in his laboratory. The aim: to create a new Siamese. A three people Siamese. Something as a small centipede. With these girls and a Japanese, the sinister doctor will prepare his “masterpiece”. He will connect mouth with anus and the new creature will share digestive system. Will he be able to finish his work without problems?

Today one of my favourite genres: Low Budget Horror movies. From Holland, Tom Six wrote this curious script based on a real medical theory: a human being could be fed with excrements. Then, as a joke, filmed The Human Centipede, the trilogy. Actually, the last year he filmed the second part and the last Sequence will appear in 2013. This movie is 100% underground one; It's commented that The Human Centipede is the most disgusting movie in the history. Really, this movie is a simple horror movie with a intelligent plot. Suspense, distress and a non-conventional ending are enough attributes to say that this film is a very recommendable one if you like horror underground movies. If not, you will have a very strong experience watching the movie.

Mark: 6,3

To Remember: The Japanese starring. Whole movie speaking in Japanese.
To Forger: Actors are very bad. Mainly the police couple.


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Tucker & Dale vs Evil

Canada (2010)

Two country bumpkins, Tucker and Dale, are on holidays and they decide to go to forest to take a rest. They like to do normal things: to do barbecues, fishing, haunting, etc. At the same time and close to their cabin, the typical group of stupid American students are celebrating a party. Chad is the leader and enjoys telling horror stories about crazy “rednecks”. All the group are scared with this stories. At night, Allison (Chad's girlfriend) decides to take a bath in the lake. She has an accident and Tucker quickly goes to try to help her. When the rest of the group see this action, they think that the man is trying to kill her and they run terrified. Dale & Tucker rescue her from the lake and carry her to their cabin. While, the students are thinking how save her; they are very angry and very scared. Chad decides not to call the police. But one of them don't obey Chad and goes to look for help. The Chad's group try to release Allison but they have some “unfortunate” accidents. With every accident, Chad is more and more crazy and he blame Tucker & Dale for all. Finally the true Evil will appear to start a new urban legend...

Tucker & Dale is a “classical” horror movie but with a XXI century style. Original plot that gives a new perspective to this genre. When a saw this film poster, I read the next comment: if you like Shaun of the Dead and Severance, you must watch Tucker & Dale vs Evil. Really is similar to this movies; but it is funnier than the first one and more original than the second one. The final result is a black comedy with a lot of hilarious situations and a very good script. New ideas for the horror genre and a different point of view about rural killers stories. Maybe for this reasons it won the main prize in Sitges the last year.

Mark: 7.9


To remember: The bees attack scene. 5 minutes of laughs: guaranteed.
To forget: The ending: a little bit predictable.



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La fin absolue du monde

France (1971)

In a small village close to Lozere (Southern France), lives Matheus and his family: a twin children, Marisa & Abel (10 years old) and his wife, Leonora. Matheus isn’t a common people; he’s a sadist and very violent man. He tries to teach to his children that pain and suffering are normal and necessary. Leonora is a sadomasochist woman; she lives in a cage in the basement. The kids watch how their mother hurt herself (broking her nails, cutting her skin, etc.); how she lives surrounded by faeces and rats. Sometimes Matheus goes down to attack to his wife; split her, hit her, piss her... The twins laugh and enjoy themselves with this actions. Every day, Marisa & Abel are more mentally disturbed: torture animals, having sex between them, kidnap babies to mutilate them... They do different things to impress their father. One day, the twins will discover the most important Matheus’ secret: he has a real Angel in a small dungeon. This Angel is very hurt because Matheus torture him for years; he has a lot of cigarette burns in his body. The twins think that is good idea a new pain act: to cut Angel’s wings to give them to their father. But Matheus won’t like this action and Abel will know a new kind of depravity: human cannibalism.

Today we have in our blog maybe the strangest movie in the history: La fin absolue du monde, the cursed movie. Maybe the first snuff movie, maybe the most violent movie ever filmed, this movie is “famous” for its legend. It was only projected 1 time: in Sitges Festival (1971). This edition was specially tragic because when was been projected this film, started a fire. People tried runaway and many persons died. Some survivors told that people started to kill to other people violently cause the movie. The Spanish police accused the director (Hans Backovic ) of provoking fire. The only movie’s copy was destroy in this fire. Backovic disappeared after this incident. He had a bad quality copy (the only actual copy); supposedly, he would have been hypnotized by his movie and after several years watching it, he committed suicide. Definitely, it’s a very rare film, very difficult to watch because doesn’t exist any full copy. We get one of the best and now you can express your opinion.

Mark: -


To Remember: The Angel’s Cigarette Burns.
To Forget: The Legend.



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Suspiria

Italy (1977)

A young American dancer (Suzy) travel to Europe to join in a famous Academy of Dance. When she arrives to the place, she witness a strange scene: a girl was running alone, in the night, in the middle of a storm. The next day, this girl, appears dead in strange circumstances. Suzy speaks with the Academy Director about the happened but the Director didn't show too much interest.
Then Suzy start to look into the death. Something very strange is happening. Nobody can exit to the Academy and the other students seem like hypnotised. Step by step Suzy will find the true; a true mix of witches, spirits and the Evil embodies in a old dancer...

Interesting film, referent inside of underground terror genre. The master of horror, Dario Argento, films a surrealistic movie, elegant and visual. Maybe the plot isn't one of the strongest points; neither the actors, with poor performances (the best example of this, is the performance of a young Miguel Bose).However, the key of the film is the set. A disturbing atmosphere that provoke anguish in the spectator; strange music that scares like the best bloody image; incredible places that look made up by Gaudi... A mix of ideas and sensations that convert this movie in one of the oddest horror full-length features filmed.

Mark: 7,2

To Remember: The OST. Incredible music recorded in the “hell”.
To Forgot: The actor performances. Miguel Bose and mates cause laugh instead fear.


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