Nothing beats watching a scary film around Halloween time, a part of the year which is characterised by dark, cold, wet evenings – perfect for being too scared to go to the toilet alone just in case there’s a crazed murderer lurking behind the shower curtain.
This year sees HOME’s Film Fear return with a slew of new horror movies to show, alongside some absolute classics. I’ll get to the specifics shortly but there’s The Lighthouse, Robert Eggers’ follow up to the 2105 hit The Witch, a sequel to The Shining starring Ewan McGregor and classic British tale of small town buggery – The Wicker Man.
Here’s what’s in store…
The Witches
Sunday 27th October
My first ever experience of true horror, this film version of Roald Dahl’s classic tale is truly frightening – especially if you’re a kid with an overactive imagination. It features one of the scariest moments in film history right at the beginning when some little Norwegian girl is put in a painting by some bastard witch. The bits with the mice brings it down a little bit but Angelica Houston is SO good as the Chief Witch that you forget all about that.
The Lighthouse
Tuesday 29th October
Director Robert Eggers’ much-anticipated follow-up to his folk-horror debut The Witch in 2015, The Lighthouse looks set to be more of the same period eerie-ness that everyone has now come to expect from him. Many considered The Witch to be a little slow, not at all relying on the typical horror tropes of jump scares or gore – but to me it was a welcome surprise. The Lighthouse looks set to be similar as Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe play lighthouse keepers battling elements, isolation, inner demons and ‘more’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVOKQQ68NjM
Luz
Tuesday 29th October
What looks set to become a German horror classic, Luz is the tale of a young taxi driver who’s fleeing from the grasp of a woman possessed by an ancient demon that Luz summoned during her stay at a religious school back in her youth. There’s been an awful lot of buzz about the film at film festivals and should be a must for any horror fan.
Doctor Sleep
Thursday 31st October
The film adaptation of the sequel to Stephen King’s The Shining, Doctor Sleep sees Danny Torrance (the little kid with the Apollo 11 jumper) as an older man (played by Ewan McGregor). The film follows him as he battles both his experiences at the Overlook Hotel and his on-going supernatural powers. As you’d expect he’s heavily into his booze and a bit fucked up – all perfect fodder for even more creepy occurrences.
The Tingler (1959)
Thursday 31st October
I’ve never seen The Tingler but it sounds bloody brilliant. Starring horror legend Vincent Price, the story revolves around a scientist who discovers a parasite in human beings that feeds on fear. This ‘tingler’ clings onto the victim’s spine and eventually kills them if the person is afraid long enough. It’s considered a cult classic and is noted for its use of a device when in cinemas in the 50’s that would ‘tingle’ people’s spines as they were watching.
Come to Daddy
Friday 1st November
This twisted noir-ish thriller stars Elijah Wood as man seeking a reunion with his estranged father. What ensues is “an absolute riot of smart and nasty dialogue, toxic family ties and gory violence”. Sounds brilliant.
All the Gods in the Sky
Friday 1st November
The debut film from French director Quarxx (probably not his real name), All the Gods in the Sky follows a bloke who lives on a rundown farm looking after his severely disabled sister. He’s trying to improve her quality of life while still believing in some supernatural event that will ultimately rescue them both from their shitty lives. However, darker times lie ahead while he waits…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5MRcPjtUHPk
Daniel Isn’t Real
Saturday 2nd November
Nobody tell Elton John because it seems that Daniel just isn’t real. Sorry, terrible gag there – I’m just trying to lighten the mood a little bit in light of all of his horror. This horror film comes from the producers of Mandy and stars Patrick Schwarzenegger as imaginary-friend Daniel who returns to life to “raise hell” and generally cause a bloody ruckus.
The Wicker Man (1973)
Saturday 2nd November
Edward Woodward heads to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl. Instead of clues and helpful villagers he finds Christopher Lee, Britt Ekland and a whole host of absolute nut jobs who want to put him inside a big wicker man and set him on fire. Spoiler – they do it.
Tower. A Bright Day.
Sunday 3rd November
Billed as an intense family drama with eerie overtones that blurs the boundary between horror and high-art – Tower. A Bright Day. follows 2 sisters who are reunited after six years for the First Communion of one of their daughters. What transpires is a tale of paranoia, hallucinations and apocalyptic portents – pretty much like most of my family reunions nowadays.
Nosferatu the Vampyre
Sunday 3rd November
Werner Herzog’s 1979 take on the classic vampire tale, Nosferatu the Vampyre was a slick re-make of the 1929 classic silent movie that is elevated from bobbins to brilliant with the excellence of Klaus Kinski’s performance as the tragic but frightening Transylvanian Count.
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Film Fear 2019
Venue: HOME MCR
Date: From Tuesday 29th October – Wednesday 6th November
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