Silent House (2012)

Starring: Elizabeth Olson, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens
Director: Chris Kentis, Laura Lau

Premise:
A young woman helps her father and uncle clean up the old family lakeside house in the country. While there she believes the house has been invaded by intruders.

My Take:
I've seen the original and knew what to expect as far as story goes. Sort of... as this version goes to a little darker place, isn't quite as tight with logic, and changes the final up a bit. While it's not as subtle as the original the changes dont lessen the final impact too much.
If you haven't seen the original, you'll probably enjoy the twisting path the movies down. And for technical buffs worth watching based on the simply terrific camera work.
 Elizabeth Olson who shines in the lead. Another simply brilliant performance by this woman who is quickly becoming a name to watch.

Rating: In the middle

 



 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

AKA: Spooky Encounters / Gui Da Gui

Starring: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Director: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Premise:
A man's wife and her lover plot to kill her husband with the help of a dark wizard. The man must then defend his life against these beings while trying to prove he is innocent of murder.

My Take:
I like most of the martial art-horror-comedy hybrid movies I've seen from Hong Kong. This influential flick laid ground work for many future films in the subgenre and it's a good one. If you've never seen this type of movie then start here.
Sammo (who later gained US fame for a television series) puts on a great comedic performance and does some serious stunt work, especially for a larger man.
The movie contains zombie police, possession, wizards, and hopping vampires. Plus the ending must be seen to be believed!


Rating: So Good




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

11-11-11: The Prophecy (2011)

Starring: Timothy Gibbs, Michael Landes
Director: Daren Lynn Bousman

Premise:
A successful novelist, grieving from the deaths of his wife and young son, goes to his home to see his dying father, a former priest. While there he finds out his brother, the current priest of the church, is getting death threats and the possibility of something sinister from the other side being responsible.

My Take:
The story was decent, yet fairly predictable. The actors were good. And it's a beautifully shot movie with a lot of German Expressionism feel with the dark shadows. But it just didn't come together for me in a positiver manner.

Rating: Warning




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Emotion (1966)

Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi


Premise:
A girl comes to the city and meets another girl, then falls in love with a vampire.

My Take:
I do enjoy experiment films, especially from this time period.
The story here is a bit soft and odd (typical for an experimental film) but the visuals more than make up for it.

Rating: In the middle

 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Night Wolf (2010)

Starring: Isabella Clathorpe, Tom Felton
Director: Jonathan Glendening


Premise:
A girl returns to her countryside UK home after living in the US. During the night a beast comes and attacks the family.

My Take:
The movie lacks in story (very predictable), gore (very little), and actual looks at the unique style of the werewolf (very limited). It feels like the director made a decision to go for more suspense than the other but the character's actions hinder what suspense there is.
It's a shame because with some tweaking this movie separated itself from the average.

Rating: Warning






 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Beast With Five Fingers (1946)

Starring: Peter Lorre
Director: Robert Florey


Premise:
After a pianist dies, several mysterious murders begin taking place. Is it the work of a person or an evil force still residing in the house?

My Take:
Peter Lorre was simply one of the best actors of his era (not just horror actors). He makes any movie a pleasure to watch. This movie is no exception.
The tale which rides the line of mystery and local superstition. It's a rather typical studio movie from the Hollywood's Golden Age, but that doesn't make the movie any less enjoyable.

Rating: In the middle




 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (2010)

Director: Frank Henenlotter & Jimmy Maslon

Premise:
The story behind the film career of the "Godfather of Gore", Herschell Gordon Lewis.

My Take:
A fine documentary with Lewis and his producing partner talking about their start in the movie business with cheap, nudie films and then on to cheap gore movies.
A fascinating insight to exploitation movies of the 60's and 70's.

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Intruders (212)

Starring: Clive Owens, Carice von Houten
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo


Premise:
Two children in different countries are stalked by a monster called Hollowface who wants to take their faces.

My Take:
After a strong and interesting beginning, a solid middle, the movie fell apart in the final act. At least for me.
The two parallel stories of Hollowface come together in a nice, yet predictable, way. It's not a perfect movie but it's well acted and filmed.

Rating: In the middle





 
Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.