The Crazies (2010)

Director: Breck Eisner
Starring: Timothy Olyphant, Radha Mitchell, Joe Anderson, Danielle Panabaker
Genre: Horror
Rating: ****

Horror in which a small, insignificant town is affected by a virus which turns people into bloodthirsty 'crazies'.

A lot of horror films are made simply to show the maximum amount of gore, and to terrify people, with little thought to the cinematography, soundtrack etc. The thing which stands out the most about this film is that the camera shots are quite breathtaking, and the whole thing has been put together as not just a horror film, but also a work of (scary) art. With a menacing soundtrack and a fantastic performance from Joe Anderson, in which we see him gradually transform into a crazy, The Crazies is honestly haunting and terrifying. It is not without its jump moments, but does not go overboard with them, and instead makes them extremely clever rather than just there for scares.

With some black humour and clever twists, this film has it all. And, I must say, it is a nice, original variant from the generic zombie film.

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1408 (2007)

Director: Mikael Håfström
Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Mary McCormack
Genre: horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: **

Although adapted from what is probably a great Stephen King novel (I cannot say for sure, having not actually yet read it), 1408 displays little of the charm of King's writing.

Cusack's acting is the centre of the film - without him, I doubt I would have even given it two stars. His delightfully cynical and seemingly carefree character gives all the laughs available.

1408 definitely does have its chilling moments, but these generally occur when he first enters the room. Towards the end, the scares seem to become forced rather than being natural, causing them to have much less of an effect.

Overall, although it has its moments, this film comes across as slightly silly - especially the ending, which could have been much more clear.

Drag Me To Hell (2009)

Title: Drag Me to Hell
Year: 2009
Director: Sam Raimi
Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver, David Paymer, Dileep Rao, Adriana Barraza, Reggie Lee
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****

With a delightfully shocking beginning, the tension of Sam Raimi's 'Drag Me to Hell' doesn't waver once throughout the entire two hours of horror. With brilliant performances from both the main cast members (Alison Lohman; Justin Long), as well as a horrifying one from elderly gypsy Lorna Raver, this film is completely believable, despite its horrific content. Namely flies crawling up noses and the old gypsy appearing whenever it is least expected.

The script is witty, the action both hilarious and gripping. The ending...well, let's just say you won't be expecting it.

Paranormal Activity (2007)

Title: Paranormal Activity
Director: Oren Peli
Year: 2007
Starring: Katie Featherston, Micah Sloat
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 15
Rating: ****

Whilst watching this film you must first bear in mind the tiny budget and mainly improvised dailogue, as well as two actors who have never had any experience beforehand. Well, I say 'bear in mind', but actually, you simply forget that, as the film is completely believeable, regardless of the paranormal side of it. Whenever the two main characters put their camera on the tripod in order to go to sleep, your pulse rate immediately accelerates, as you are aware that this is when the freaky stuff happens. And by God is it freaky. Even the mild scares at the beginning are enough to make you understand just how terrifying this film will become. It is definitely a must-see for those who are Grudge fans, and even just those who love ghosts. Or even just anyone searching for a good scare.

Although it was filmed using a hand-held camera, in a 'found footage' style, the cinematography is still extremely interesting, and it simply serves to make you feel like you are actually experiencing what the characters are going through.

Definitely a shocker.

Black Water

Title: Black Water
Year: 2008
Director: Andrew Traucki, David Nerlich
Starring: Diana Glenn, Maeve Dermody, Andy Rodoreda
Genre: Survival, horror, thriller
Certificate: 15
Rating: **** (awesome)

Black Water is similar in style to Open Water, in the fact that it is basically a bunch of people attempting to survive a deadly creature, with no means of contacting anybody to help. I expecting Black Water to be dreary, predictable, and cheesey. However, as soon as the film starts, you immediately start to like it due to its fantastic soundtrack and cast. Although the cast are not well-known, they definitely have talent, and I look forward to seeing them in other films.

Two sisters, and one of their partners, decide to go on a fishing trip, before their boat is over-turned by a viscious and hungry crocodile who immediately kills their guide. The three protagonists camp out in a tree, with no supplies and no means of escape. The crocodile also returns regularly to the source of food, and they have to devise a way to get back to their boat without being eaten, get the engine working, and sail back to the mainland.

The film has extremely good effects, keeps you perched on the edge of your seat, has you shouting at the TV screen, and your pulse racing against Usain Bolt. It is a completely non-cheesey, serious, and somewhat devastating film that will make you value your family and friends, and (most likely) fear crocodiles.

The Children (2008)

Director: Tom Shankland
Starring: Eva Birthistle, Hannah Tointon, Stephen Campbell Moore, Jeremy Sheffield, Rachel Shelley
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 18
Rating: *****

Before watching this, I was in the perfect mood for some nice gore. However, whilst watching this, I realised that it is the first horror film I have seen that made me want to turn it off, shriek, and possibly puke. The Children is not that gory, in comparison to the Saw films, or Eden Lake. But what makes you want to scream is that fact that it is children, who are meant to be innocent, are wielding knives and other sharp objects, and are purposefully attempting to murder their older family members. These children are surprisingly well-acted, as are their parents. Although their parents aren't...sadistic like them. As the parents are completely irrational (they believe that the older teenage daughter, who is going through a rebellious stage, is attempting to murder the children), it is not hard for the children to get their own way. As well as the horror, the camera shots are actually beautiful - there is one scene in which the blood is seeping into the snow, which is an inappropriate 'wow'. This film is disturbing, and it will keep you up at night. But it is also a stroke of genius.

The Ruins (2008)

Director: Carter Smith
Starring: Jonathan Tucker, Shawn Ashmore, Jena Malone, Laura Ramsey, Joe Anderson
Genre: Horror
Certificate: 18
Rating: ****

The Ruins is an interesting horror film - although it has its fair share of gore, it also genuinely is terrifying. Who would have thought that something as harmless as vines could cause so much suffering? Although at times it is hard to understand what is happening/why somebody would do that, it is actually a very good film, with disgusting (mostly medical) gore, and haunting performances from Laura Ramsey, who, along with Jena Malone, show off the best of their acting abilities here. That's not to say the others aren't good - they definitely are, but Ramsey and Malone are just...better. I accept that the plot probably isn't the best in the world, but The Ruins works with what is has, and does so extremely well. Some parts are predictable, but not so much that the film is boring. Most of the gore stems from self-amputations, and slicing into your own skin to remove some vines. All in all, although this film is not the best by any account, you still have to accept that it is pretty good.