I have recently been exploring a sub-genre of horror that used to terrify me—the home invasion film. I created a list of some of my favorites so far (most of them on the milder side as far as violence and sadism goes), and I heard from a lot of people about other films I should watch. One that came highly recommended was The Strangers, a 2008 film directed by Bryan Bertino. I want to say thank you to those who recommended the film, because it is indeed exceptional. Read more
October 2016 | Mike Flanagan | PG-13 | 99 min | (USA)
Review: “Ouija: Origin of Evil delivers a trifecta…story, substance, and scares.”
Synopsis: A widowed mother of two young girls tries to keep her family afloat by conducting elaborate (and staged) séances. Little does the family know that their humble abode is home to some horrific secrets which are set free when the family introduces the Ouija board to their act. Once the board is in the home, the youngest daughter Doris (Lulu Wilson) becomes a conduit for all the evil that is about to be unleashed. In seeking answers from their past, the family brings their future to a screeching halt. As best said by Cherríe Moraga, “Don’t let your past, steal your present”; or, as I like to say, “Don’t use a Ouija board with your creepy little kid in your freakishly hellish house.”
Grade: A-
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Web Address: http://www.valleyoffear.com/
Location: Feasterville, PA (Bucks County)
Valley of Fear is frightfully fun for the whole family.
The Nuts and Bolts:
Valley of Fear offers four haunted attractions: Haunted Hayride, Underworld, Facility, and Zombie Paintball. The prices are reasonable, but are weighted based on heavier dates of attendance. For example if you attend on one of the lighter days (designated on their website) the price is cheaper. You can choose if you want to attend all four attractions or just one or two. I suggest the super fear pass as it includes all four attractions for only $33-$39. I did not upgrade to the fast fear pass as I was smart and attended the attraction on a Sunday right as the doors opened which afforded me pretty quick lines.
There’s no touching at this haunt, though they do get up close and personal on occasion. This attraction is appropriate for most ages (pre-teen and up). It was noted that there were several younger actors also participating in the haunt. Parking was a nominal fee of $5. You don’t have to pack too much money as the haunt does not have a gift shop, but it does have a small concession stand with basic snacks. Read more
Irish folk horror film Without Name saw its US premiere on Saturday October 15, 2016, at the first Brooklyn Horror Film Festival—and it was without doubt one of the best films to play at the festival. Indeed, it just won awards for best feature, best director (Lorcan Finnegan), best cinematography (Piers McGrail), and best editing (Tony Cranstoun). I also want to single out Garret Shanley for a masterful screenplay and the three leads (Alan McKenna, Niamh Algar, and James Browne) for great performances.
Here’s the trailer:
Icelandic-born director Erlingur Óttar Thoroddsen created something of a sensation with his 2012 horror short, Child Eater. He has now turned the short into a feature film, and it screened for the first time at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival on Sunday October 16.
The original short is pretty amazing, and you can watch it on Vimeo:
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