MOVIE REVIEW: YOU’RE NEXT

A family reunion turns into a full-on massacre when a gang of masked killers invade a sprawling country mansion on a ruthless mission of murder. Paul (Rob Moran) and Aubrey Davison (Barbara Crampton) are about to celebrate their wedding anniversary, and they've invited their grown-up children out to the country to share in the revelry. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Director: Adam Wingard

Cast: Sharni Vinson, A.J. Bowen, Wendy Glenn, Joe Swanberg, Barbara Crampton

Release Date: Aug 23, 2013

Rated R for some Sexuality/Nudity, Language and Strong Bloody Violence

Runtime: 1 hr. 34 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

You’re Next isn’t a game changing entry in the horror genre but it’s a hell of a lot of fun. At its base it’s a simple straight forward plot which has some twist and turns but some of them are telegraphed a bit too early. There is only a smattering of horror movie logic at play during the film as the cast makes some bone headed decisions here and there. It’s not terrible and the film delivers some effective jump scares while peppering the film with bits of effective comedy which breaks up the tone. Sharni Vinson makes for a solid lead you can easily root for throughout. Vinson’s tough girl act is believable while she takes on all comers while trying to survive the attack with the family. The supporting cast varies from fun (AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg) to nearly mute and nondescript (Wendy Glenn). You’re Next is the kind of horror film that gets your blood pumping but never takes itself overly serious.

B

MOVIE REVIEW: V/H/S

ON DEMAND / IN THEATERS October 5th

V/H/S




A group of criminals scour a secluded country home for a mysterious videotape, and bear witness to scenes of unimaginable terror in this found-footage-style anthology horror film featuring segments from Glenn McQuaid (I Sell the Dead), Ti West (House of the Devil), Joe Swanberg (Silver Bullets), David Bruckner (The Signal), Adam Wingard (You're Next, and Radio Silence). It seemed like a simple job; all they needed to do was enter the home, find the videotape, and deliver it to their boss. But from the moment they arrived, a sinister tension descended. Gaining access to the house, the young thugs discover a rotting corpse amidst a collection of vintage television sets, and stockpiles of VHS tapes. Somewhere amidst the stacks is the tape they seek, but with each new video they watch, the dread continues to build. The sights that they witness are too horrible for words, but the greatest shock is yet to come. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Joe Swanberg, Ti West, David Bruckner, Adam Wingard, Glenn McQuaid

Cast: Joe Swanberg, Adam Wingard, Calvin Reeder, Lane Hughes

Release Date: Oct 05, 2012

Rated R for some Drug Use, Bloody Violence, Pervasive Language, Graphic Nudity and
Strong Sexuality

Runtime: 1 hr. 33 min.

Genres: Horror, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

V/H/S is a horror anthology that hits far more than it misses. Using the found footage idea as its crux, the collection offers a handful of inventive and impressive horror shorts that are sure to surprise and entertain horror fans. The over reaching story arch is fairly blasé and ends abruptly before the final reel. It feels like the most undeveloped portion of the group, not a terrible flaw but noticeable. Video 1 works well as a more fantastical tale with the main actress providing a fair amount of creepiness. It’s funny but suffers a tad from horror film logic in some very obvious sections. Video 2 feels more like a terror type film, providing a more grounded scare than the first video. It makes solid use of its location, providing some nice vistas to enhance the authenticity. Video 3 feels more like an 80’s slasher film but with an inventive twist. Sadly this entry showcases the anthology’s worst acting, detracting from the overall quality of this particular portion. Video 4 starts off as a ghost story but turns into something far more inventive, making solid use of internet chat screens as a gateway to this portions scares. Video 5 is an impressive haunted house tome with a fun twist. It’s the best of the group and done with such gusto that you can’t help but get goose bump during its trilling climax. As a whole, V/H/S has to be applauded for its overall authenticity which is crucial to any film using the found footage idea. It works impressively well together only occasionally feeling mainly due to a weak overreaching story arch.

B+

[Trailer] V/H/S

Late to the party as usual, I just found out about this film and have to say it looks devilishly good. I’ve been a fan of found footage films since Blair Witch, even if they’ve become kind of passé now. I’ve also been a fan of compilation horror films, which seem to have fallen off the face of the cinematic Earth (save for the wonderful Trick R Treat from a few years back.)

This trailer has me excited to see more…..