It’s a crypt-cleaning day here on Scream Queen with a minireview of “The Strangers,” which came out this week on DVD, a little horror-movie news and local happenings.
Don’t forget to list your favorite horror movies under the Oct. 1 Scream Queen topic, “Hey…you wanna see something really scary?” I’d planned on taking the top three movies mentioned and doing a day on each toward the end of the month. However, with the diversity of movies listed by you, dear readers, I may have to make arbitrary choices or do a single-day wrap on Halloween. So vote early, vote often by clicking on “comments” under the blog entry.
Also, to see all the Scream Queen entries, go to www.heraldnet.com/screamqueen.
“The Strangers” (2008): This film is a big, fat liar, and doesn’t deliver what most of the movie seems to promise. Its marketing wavers between the horror-mystery/suspense genres, but if you’re expecting horror, you’ll be exceptionally disappointed by the climax and ending.
This tale of a home invasion by three figures stars Liv Tyler (I think she gives good terror) and Scott Speedman as the aflicted couple. Seldom has knocking on a door seemed so scary. And I loved the absence of a musical score during the first truly creepy part — an excellent choice.
But then the film starts its one-note dragging, and the conclusion will frustrate and annoy you. It doesn’t go in the direction that it’s been hinting at throughout the film.
John Kretschmer, the production designer, said: “I think this is more of a terror film, as opposed to horror. I think it’s an absolutely new approach to the genre.”
No, not really. It’s called your mouth writing a check your butt can’t cash; we’ve seen that film before.
“Saw V” opens in theaters today, and I advise spending less money and going to a DVD rental outlet to pick up “The Host” instead (yes, I’m still pushing that movie). I haven’t even bothered to see “Saw IV.” “You won’t believe how it ends!!” is the tag in the “Saw V” trailer, which sounds to me like a desperate ploy to haul you in for yet another torture/slasher jaunt. Unsurprisingly, no press screening, so no reviews.
By the way, I noticed a show (which I didn’t watch) premiered this week on VH1 called “Scream Queens.” Ten actresses are vying for a role in “Saw VI.” If you’re interested, here’s a link to the show. Worse, yep, there’s going to be another “Saw” travesty. Like little Samara, it just won’t stop.
On to more pleasant topics:
“Elvira, Mistress of the Dark,” with a live appearance of the Mistress herself before the film shows, will be shown this weekend at the wrapup event of the annual Seattle Lesbian &Gay Film Festival, 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the King Kat Theater in Seattle. A closing night gala follows at the Pan Pacific Hotel Seattle; your film ticket will get you into the party. Tickets for “Elvira” and the gala are $30; tickets for the gala only are $15 at the door. Visit the film festival’s Web site for more information or to buy tickets.
Dark Nights, the Seattle International Film Festival’s series of classic horror films, kicks off tonight. Thirteen movies will shown from today (Oct. 24) to Nov. 6, and some dates are double features. Movies on the playlist include: “Frankenstein” (1931), “Dracula” (1931), “I Walked with a Zombie” (1943), “Freaks” (1932), and “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968). General admission tickets are $10. Visit SIFF’s Web site for the schedule and more information.
Last, but certainly not the least, The Herald’s Good Life section in running lists of haunted houses in the area in their Family Fun Calendar in the A&E section. The list is also online here on HeraldNet. There was one last week, one in today’s section, and you’ll find one on Halloween itself.
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