TOP 3 HORROR SHOWS OF 2011
3. THE WALKING DEAD
Picking up the pace, AMC's The Walking Dead returned (according to the comic book reading zombie lover I live with) to its roots during the second season, which was notable even to me who haven't read the comic books. Finally moving on from Atlanta the group experienced a member going missing and several being badly wounded during their encountering with both new zombie herds but also another group of survivors. Finally bringing in some raw meat and some character drama in between zombie hunting, The Walking Dead is shaping up for its coming season.
2. TRUE BLOOD
As always, the summer season of HBO's True Blood brings vampire sexy back! Being the vamp lover in this household I'm always rooting for some sassy and mouth watering vampire-human-werewolf-drama. And True Blood never disappoints!
1. AMERICAN HORROR STORY
Completely knocking me off my feet FX's American Horror Story deserves a first place for its remarkable and surprising first season. I had read about it, I had waited for it, I had been anxious for it to start and it completely tickled my fancy! Talk about opening Pandora's box!
What wasn't as amazing in 2011 was the horror movie industry's poor releases. A few good views and even more bad ones were added to my repertoire.
BEST VIEWS IN 2011
10. BAG OF BONES
Based on the 1998 novel by Stephen King, Bag of Bones is a two-part TV miniseries adaption. Although I truly can't feel serious about Pierce Brosnan since his soft and humble appearance in Mamma Mia!, I was surprised at how well he did the part of the best-selling NY author who suddenly looses his wife in a traffic accident. Returning to their summer cabin he soon learns the truth about himself, and the history of the town in a spooky manor. A bit slow at times, as the first of the two parts is a strong atmosphere builder and the second part delivers a rather predictable end, it's definitely worth watching. And even though it resembles Secret Window, the movie adaption of the King's 1990 novel Secret Window, Secret Garden it still holds its own.
9. GRAVE ENCOUNTERS
Having written a previous post on this movie, I'll just state that this is a movie that could have opened into anything it wanted; still it lacks that intrigue and imagination that could have made it completely terrifying. Instead of giving the viewer a genuine experience, this movie gives you rehearsed dialogue and not natural enough performances to make you believe in a ghost hunting show turning real. I had my hopes up for this movie, so I was a bit disappointed at the turn of events, especially the ending. All in all, it's a pretty good movie, though.
Having written a previous post on this movie, I'll just state that this is a movie that could have opened into anything it wanted; still it lacks that intrigue and imagination that could have made it completely terrifying. Instead of giving the viewer a genuine experience, this movie gives you rehearsed dialogue and not natural enough performances to make you believe in a ghost hunting show turning real. I had my hopes up for this movie, so I was a bit disappointed at the turn of events, especially the ending. All in all, it's a pretty good movie, though.
8. SCRE4M
What could be a better trip down the adolescent memory lane than a fourth movie in the Scream-installment? Entertaining and twisted. As usual.
What could be a better trip down the adolescent memory lane than a fourth movie in the Scream-installment? Entertaining and twisted. As usual.
7. THE WARD
Definitely not John Carpenter's best, but I still liked the 80's Girl, Interrupted style to it.
Definitely not John Carpenter's best, but I still liked the 80's Girl, Interrupted style to it.
6. YELLOW BRICK ROAD
YellowBrickRoad delivers the absolute right atmosphere and leaves room for the viewers imagination to roam free over the subtle but chilling elements; such as the behavior of the group members that develops into disturbing violence. Or the music which plays a vital role in the atmosphere, being somewhat the element that manipulates the story and the reason why the environment of the woods is so dangerous.
YellowBrickRoad delivers the absolute right atmosphere and leaves room for the viewers imagination to roam free over the subtle but chilling elements; such as the behavior of the group members that develops into disturbing violence. Or the music which plays a vital role in the atmosphere, being somewhat the element that manipulates the story and the reason why the environment of the woods is so dangerous.
5. FRIGHT NIGHT
Although I don't approve of the beige module housing and Las Vegas suburbian life style of Jerry Dandrige in this 2011's remake, I totally adore Colin Farrell as a sociopath vampire-beast. Hunkyliscious!
Although I don't approve of the beige module housing and Las Vegas suburbian life style of Jerry Dandrige in this 2011's remake, I totally adore Colin Farrell as a sociopath vampire-beast. Hunkyliscious!
4. THE THING
There were a few scenes that were strikingly resembling sequences from the 1982 movie (like the human/alien group testing scene and the dog in the kennel, etc.), but for me these contributed more to the a prequel, although déjà vu, kind of feeling than being rip-offs. Most of all the 2011 movie is true to the basic premise; being absurdly sticky and icky. Apart from the computerized monster and digital effects this is a really good movie where the ending scenes intertwine with the opening scene of the 1982 movie in a really smooth and effectual way.
3. TROLLJEGEREN (TROLL HUNTER)
Yet another in the row of Norwegian horror movies. I liked this simply because I could watch it in its original language without disturbing subtitles, and because it's nice to have a break from the somewhat monotone American movies.
Yet another in the row of Norwegian horror movies. I liked this simply because I could watch it in its original language without disturbing subtitles, and because it's nice to have a break from the somewhat monotone American movies.
2. THE INNKEEPERS
Sara Paxton does the amazing and quirky role of Claire, on of the front desk employees, who decides to reveal the Yankee Pedlar Inn's haunted past during their last weekend of being open. Playing out very similar to one of Ti West's previous movies, The House of the Devil, The Innkeepers sets the atmosphere right from the first scene and develops into a frightening escape from the hotel's past guests.
1. INSIDIOUS
With probably the sickest dance scene ever, Insidious brings a whole new meaning to the word creepy.
Coming from James Wan and Leigh Whannell who previously kicked off the Saw franchise, this movie brings a different scare to the screen. With effective and spine-tingling scares, Insidious sticks to the traditional 'haunted house' genre of horror and mixes it up with both astral projection, demonic possession and other elements that would have come off as goofy, were it not for for the intelligent dialogues and serious tone of the film, and serves up some really good scares.
With probably the sickest dance scene ever, Insidious brings a whole new meaning to the word creepy.
Coming from James Wan and Leigh Whannell who previously kicked off the Saw franchise, this movie brings a different scare to the screen. With effective and spine-tingling scares, Insidious sticks to the traditional 'haunted house' genre of horror and mixes it up with both astral projection, demonic possession and other elements that would have come off as goofy, were it not for for the intelligent dialogues and serious tone of the film, and serves up some really good scares.
WORST VIEWS IN 2011
9. THE RITE
Anthony Hopkins, when it comes to over-analyzed thrillers - I think it's time to leave your acting carrier behind?
8. DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK
Haunted houses can be a bit 'been there, done that' theme. They're even worse when they have child actors AND Katie Holmes. (insert heavy sigh here)
7. DREAM HOUSE
Double on the Brits playing the American dream, only this one turns out to be a little different than expected. Soon after moving into their seemingly idyllic new home, the family learns of a brutal crime committed against former residents of the house. Basically a far-fetched Shutter Island twist gone boring.
6. 11-11-11
I couldn't even bring myself to watch more than a couple of minutes.
I couldn't even bring myself to watch more than a couple of minutes.
5. DYLAN DOG: DEAD OF NIGHT
Just disappointing, as humorous horror will never be my thing. Ever.
4. THE ROOMMATE
Horrible fatal attraction movie starring Leighton Meester, who I'll never be able to see as any other than the prominent Blair Waldorf. She holds the queen throne when it comes to the CW fan club, but for the horror audience? I think not.
Horrible fatal attraction movie starring Leighton Meester, who I'll never be able to see as any other than the prominent Blair Waldorf. She holds the queen throne when it comes to the CW fan club, but for the horror audience? I think not.
3. RED RIDING HOOD
Who on earth took the amazing tale of Red Riding Hood, the wonderful music by Karin Dreijer Andersson and the hotness that is Shiloh Fernandez and turned into some corny wannaba-medieval chic flick? Well, none other than the eminent Catherine Hardwick who forever destroyed the visual stimuli that is a vampire.
Who on earth took the amazing tale of Red Riding Hood, the wonderful music by Karin Dreijer Andersson and the hotness that is Shiloh Fernandez and turned into some corny wannaba-medieval chic flick? Well, none other than the eminent Catherine Hardwick who forever destroyed the visual stimuli that is a vampire.
2. SEASON OF THE WITCH
Seriously... no. First, I can't stand when they manipulate history into fitting the standards of a Hollywood movie. Secondly, I can't stand Ron Perlman's greedy face since his domestic abuse issues in the fourth season of Sons of Anarchy, and I haven't liked Nicholas Cage since... well, never.
1. RED STATE
I can't even begin to describe who COMPLETELY WORTHLESS this movie was. Sorry. It wasn't horror. It wasn't even some Southern church club gone bad. It was just useless.
MOVIES FROM 2011 I HAVEN'T SEEN YET
Paranormal Activity 3, The Awakening, The Whispering Dead, The Yellow Wallpaper, Mørke sjeler (from 2010), La casa muda
ANTICIPATED IN 2012
DUNDERLAND
I'm so rooting for my neighboring country Norway in the battle of 'foreign movies'!
THE WOMAN IN BLACK
Yes, Harry Potter, bring us a remake worth watching!
THE RAVEN
THE CABIN IN THE WOODS
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