The Trailer Park: To Be Scared, or Not to Be Scared

Is it just me or is the horror genre in a slump lately? Hardcore horror-hounds are made to hunt for a good, effectively scary flick outside the Hollywood system, mostly in the indie circuit or overseas territories. Nevertheless, the major studios continue trying with a new trio of supernatural tales.

‘Poltergeist’

As a big fan of the original ‘Poltergeist’, I’m not entirely sure how to feel about this upcoming remake. Not that my love for the Tobe Hooper/Steven Spielberg production should cloud my judgment. The problem is that the preview looks overblown and relies heavily on CGI and jump scares rather than creating an atmospheric mood. Too few horror flicks ever do that anymore, which is why we have so many bad, supposedly scary movies lately. Still, I like that the filmmakers have kept some familiar aspects, particularly the clown doll. Seeing Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert involved also eases my hesitation somewhat. We’ll see what word of mouth is like after this weekend.

‘Crimson Peak’

I know that the haunted Victorian mansion seems like a played-out plot setting, one that has been around since practically the beginning of cinema itself. But with Guillermo del Toro at the helm, his name misting over the screen while Clint Mansell’s music plays in the background, I’m totally excited for this supernatural thriller that will hit theaters just in time for Halloween. Starring Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Tom Hiddleston, I can already tell that del Toro aims for a suspenseful atmosphere that builds to a hopefully satisfying conclusion. I can’t wait for this one.

‘The Last Witch Hunter’

Supernatural fantasy movies haven’t exactly made waves with moviegoers. Look at recent flops like ‘Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters’ or ‘Seventh Son’. Yet that doesn’t stop studio heads from trying, especially if they can capitalize on a star’s current popularity. Personally, I like Vin Diesel; he brings a certain macho charisma reminiscent of 1980s action flicks. But the guy frankly doesn’t have much range. Other than the ‘Riddick’ franchise, he has yet to successfully carry a film by his lonesome. While this looks to hopefully correct that, I fear it won’t. The preview makes the production appear all snazzy, fantastical and action-packed, but I also worry from what is seen that the movie will have a fair amount of boring council meetings. I’m sure I’ll give it a watch but more likely on Blu-ray than in theaters.

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11 comments

  1. Chris B

    Crimson Peak looks pretty great, and I’d like to see Poltergeist. Can’t watch horror movies in the theatre though, worried about a massive heart-attack as a result of jump scares.

    • Correct. The movie was not a flop overseas, but I also meant it facetiously in terms of quality as well as monetarily. While not terribly bad, it wasn’t all that good either.

    • Guess I dont have it either as I loved Hansel and Gretel, great dark comedy IMO, over the top gore and cheese abounds….totally my kind of movie, so glad it did well enough to get a sequel made 🙂

    • I couldn’t get enough of HANSEL AND GRETEL and watched it several times. I wish there were more movies like this. R-rated and over the top, but still fun.

  2. Alex

    Vin Diesel is always a bit of a curiosity for me. As a live actor, you’re right, his range is strikingly limited. However, his voice work, particularly “The Iron Giant” and “Guardians of the Galaxy”, is subtle, detailed, expressive, and deeply emotional.

    If I had to come up with a name for this phenomenon, I would term it “The Mark Hamill Effect”.

  3. Timcharger

    The Vin Diesel trailer…

    Didn’t that image of Vin Diesel looking from a cliff down to a magical tree,
    didn’t that look like the scene in Game of Thrones?

    Immediately, I pictured Ygritte saying: You know nothing, Vin Diesel!

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