I, yet again, stocked on my usual Starbucks and arrived at the cinema for the first screening at the discovery screen.
Before I went in, I was greeted by the FrightFest welcome sign:
Notice two familiar faces in the crowd?
The first film being showcased in discovery screen was this new French horror mystery, CHRISTOPHER ROTH.
Having been directed by the cinematographer who had shot all of Alexandre Aja's past films, I knew CHRISTOPHER ROTH had some quality talent behind it. It tells a story of a murder-mystery author who drifts into the countryside with his wife in order to find inspiration and continue work on a forthcoming thriller novel. While there, he gets embroiled in a string of real life murders that force him to use his mystery skills as a writer to find the masked killer.
I actually enjoyed CHRISTOPHER ROTH far more than the audience around me. Although the plot lingered on far too long, never pushing the story forward, the film was shot with a really creative eye. There were some brilliantly composed murder sequences that perfectly evoked the inventive nature the film dabbled in. Worth watching at least once. 7/10.
After the screening, I caught up with my Dad for the next film being screened in the main auditorium, THE TORTURED.
THE TORTURED deals with a story of a couple extracting revenge on the killer who murdered their child. It toys with the philosophy of justice and questions the morals of passing judgment.
When it comes down to it, the film just turned out to be a regular by the books revenge film, going over the same themes and anecdotes, never exploring new thoughts or perspectives. Although the extraction of the revenge was gleefully gory and fulfilling, the film boasts an ending twist that is utterly absurd which totally derails the entire film. 5/10.
After a short break, the only werewolf film being screened at the festival was up next. With the cast and crew in attendance, 13 HRS took center stage at the EMPIRE CINEMA.
Simple scenario, trapped teenagers in a haunted house inhabited by a werewolf. The film basically boiled down to simplistic characters, uncreative murders, redundant ideas, and an uninspired script that tried to be far too smart for itself in the final act. Utterly forgettable. 4/10.
With over an hour break on our hands till the next film, we were able take our first proper break. We returned to the cinema at 6:30 for the European premiere of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE.
Before the screening we were greeted with a surprise appearance by Tom Six, director of last year's FrightFest favorite, THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE.
He started off by discussing the impact the film had made since its world premiere debut at FrightFest 2009, including how some now despise him to the point where they compare him to Hitler and even demand to have him circumcised! Random, I know.
It was rather funny stuff to hear his detailed accounts with his eccentric dutch accent. He then further went to iterate that the sequel to THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE has started production just a few weeks ago here in London. We were then presented with a batch of special behind the scenes photos of the current shoot taking place. The sequel looks to be just as absurd, over-the-top, and controversially extreme as its predecessor. Looking forward to it!
Here's a snapshot I got of Tom Six with his ultra-cool cowboy hat:
After that short presentation, the aforementioned screening of I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE then commenced.
Based on the 1978 classic, I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE paints a gritty revenge tale of a woman who is raped but returns to extract viscous revenge on the assailants.
I went in expecting a very weak remake; I mean how do you successfully remake I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE? The original was such a testament to its time and to recreate such a film today would just be impossible. Having said that, and although I think the original is quite good, the remake trumps its predecessor.
I know the original was so influential and infamous back when it was initially released, spawning a brand new sub-genre, the rape-revenge film (yes, there actually is such a genre), but the remake does everything the original did, but better. Although the remake is not as grungy or sexually graphic as the original, it boasts far more interesting and complex characters, along with a second half of revenge that is energetic, fulfilling, and totally engrossing. A wicked revenge film, plain and simple. 8/10.
The major premiere of the evening was next, MONSTERS, with director Gareth Edwards and co. attending the exclusive preview.
The cinema ended up selling out of the screening, so the cinema was utterly packed with every single seat occupied.
MONSTERS uses the DISTRICT 9 documentary style do document an invasion and eventual containment of a tentacle mutated alien race on earth. It follows a journalist and a traveler currently trapped in South America, trying to navigate their way back to the United States. The only problem is the aforementioned containment zone is in Mexico. Now if you know your geography, to get to the United States from South America you have to venture through Mexico first. Sounds like one fun road trip!
MONSTERS conjures up a really fascinating scenario that has the ability to work an enthralling chase adventure under cape of a realistic science fiction invasion. The only problem is the entire film feels like a buildup. The aliens are always teased and never utilized, and although the film leads down a path where you hope some excitement, intrigue, and energy would seep through, nothing really comes to past. It coasts along a very safe and uneventful path, forcing the viewer to pray for something unique or exciting to happen. On a positive note, the film is shot beautifully with striking vistas, lush jungles, and exotic locations. But considering the ridiculous amount of attention the film got both before and after the screening, it truly was the definition of a disappointment. 6/10.
After the sold out screening of MONSTERS, the auditorium slowly emptied out with the final film of the night ending up having a very small audience.
A pattern normally occurs here at FrightFest. While many don't stick around for the late night screening, the final film of the night always ends being the most extreme, outrageous, and downright standout film of the day. DAY 3 was no different.
DREAM HOME deals with a poor Chinese cleaner who has dreamed of owning an apartment for herself one day. For years she has endured the pain and suffering of poverty, but has now eventually saved up enough money to finally buy the apartment she has dreamed of since she was child. But due to circumstances that work against her, the apartment ends up being sold to an irrelevant wealthy businessman. Gutted by the result, she takes it upon herself to rid the entire apartment complex of unworthy owners who do not appreciate the luxury of living in such a fortunate space.
DREAM HOME takes a realistic circumstance and throttles it to the extreme that ends in an epic blood bath, full of violence, gore, and sheer madness. Using only practical effects, DREAM HOME works up some eventful murder sequences with some very unsuspecting items that feel refreshingly original.
The lead in the film is a bruised individual who is easily identifiable with. She has gone through so much abuse and heartbreak, to see her unleash such wrath seems oddly understandable. Although the story stretches itself too far into the second half, with not enough material to cover ground, DREAM HOME is still a surprisingly inventive thriller that gives us a legitimate attachment to the protagonist, something not normally seen in horror films today. 8/10.
As they were shutting down for the night, My Mom and I quickly took a picture with poster of DREAM HOME:
The madness was set to continue on Day 4 with no hint of a slowing down. With 15 outrageous films already burnt into my brain, I questioned whether I'd be able to survive 9 more.
Doesn't matter, sleepy time...
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