Jump to content

Scare me, rllmuk

Scribblor

By Scribblor,
in Film, TV & Radio

 Share

Recommended Posts

  • 2 weeks later...
Glasgowchivas

Glasgowchivas

Posted
Posted

There's a documentary about sleep paralysis coming out, from the same guy who made 'Room 237' and it's apparently, pant-shittingly scary. Amid all the (exhausted and close to suicide) talking heads are re-creations of the terrors that the people go through when suffering.

I've seen a few stills from the recreations, including one of a "blank man" that is terrifying as an image, let alone a moving, physical presence. One to watch out for, I think,

Or not, as there's some evidence (apparently) that sleep paralysis can be spread just by encountering a sufferer or watching(!) it happen, so maybe I'll just leave it in the NOPE pile.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rowan Morrison

Rowan Morrison

Posted
Posted

Yeah, The Nightmare - I'm looking forward to that, having enjoyed some SP in my time. I never once actually saw anything, though, which is just one of the reasons it'd be a pretty dull film if I was in it. In fact the closest cinematic parallel to my SP experiences would be the behind-the-diner scene from Mulholland Drive without you-know-who. So don't pay to see my dreams, no matter how much I scream.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Rowan Morrison

Rowan Morrison

Posted
Posted

Yeah, that's what I got (haven't had it for a few years now). Something awful would usually be coming through the door and I'd force myself awake before that happened. I had a flash of that recently during Annabelle, believe it or not:

The long shots of the doll where all your training leads you to expect it to blink or move or smile or something at any moment, but it never does. Which, various other issues with the film aside, I thought was pretty admirable. That sense of inevitable horror that builds but doesn't release gave me a wee flashback to my SP adventures.

That's right! I watched Annabelle. I'm in touch with my undiscerning side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
lordcookie

lordcookie

Posted
Posted

Can anyone recommend anything along the lines of The Hills Have Eyes and Deliverance, please? Even something like the first Wrong Turn would work. Anything with a kind of redneck hostage scenario (bot not too tourture-porn-y) Thankyouverymuch.

Rituals (1977)

Why is this film not better known (ignoring the obvious fact the quality of the DVD print is shockingly poor)? Billed as the Canadian Deliverance, Rituals certainly shares many similarities in its set-up but arguably goes down darker and more disturbing avenues. Five doctors ill prepared and out of their depth are pursued by a serial killer on a camping trip from hell.

Although obviously low budget the film benefits from a strong cast of character actors led by the ever reliable but underrated, Hal Holbrook. The film progresses in predictable fashion as each doctor is killed off one-by-one in increasingly gruesome ways. Yet, the film gives ample time to develop each of them so you actually care about their fate (something so few slasher films successfully achieve) and the fact they are doctors yet unable to actually save each other is a nice little twist. As their numbers dwindle and the situation worsens the film really ramps up the tension and delivers several moments of truly shocking horror. What Rituals may lack in originality it certainly makes up for in atmosphere.

Clearcut (1991)

Clearcut is yet another lost gem in need of a new appreciative audience. Directed by Ryszard Bugajski (responsible for the amazing and often neglected Interrogation) and based on the novel A Dream Like Mine by M.T. Kelly this is a provocative parable about the divide between White oppressors and Native Indians.

After a lawyer (Ron Lea) loses an appeal to stop loggers clear-cutting Native Canadian land, a militant Indian named Arthur (Graham Greene) forces him into the woods along with the kidnapped timber mill manager. In the forest the mill manager is tortured in the same way loggers destroy the forest as the lawyer’s hollow words are ignored by Arthur.

The synopsis makes Clearcut sound like a revenge fantasy but this is a rather simplistic reading of a film that takes on allegorical significance. This is a deceptively ambitious film exploring history and myth as anger and outrage boils over into violence. It is hard to discuss the film without revealing important plot elements but Arthur is intrinsically linked to the white lawyer in ways that make this a far richer and provocative experience.

Clearcut raises compelling questions yet rarely feels as if Bugajski is lecturing the audience. The lawyer’s anger and guilt comes to the fore as his empty talk loses all meaning. It is his journey and awakening that is the driving force to the film even though he appears a passive bystander for much of its duration. Violence is used sparingly but it proves no less shocking, particularly during the film’s graphic ‘debarking’ sequence.

Greene is absolutely brilliant in the role of Arthur. He’s imposing and unwavering as he turns from mocking the Native Indian stereotype to delivering punishment on the unrepentant mill manager. It’s a shame the other performances, particularly that of Ron Lea, are less compelling but perhaps that contrast is necessary given what Arthur represents.

Clearcut is a film that deserves attention and although still unavailable on DVD it can be found on YouTube.

6
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jim

Jim

Posted
Posted

Can anyone recommend anything along the lines of The Hills Have Eyes and Deliverance, please? Even something like the first Wrong Turn would work. Anything with a kind of redneck hostage scenario (bot not too tourture-porn-y) Thankyouverymuch.

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre and for a Brirish spin on the genre, Straw Dogs

1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Paulando

Paulando

Posted
Posted

Can anyone recommend anything along the lines of The Hills Have Eyes and Deliverance, please? Even something like the first Wrong Turn would work. Anything with a kind of redneck hostage scenario (bot not too tourture-porn-y) Thankyouverymuch.

It's Kevin Smith, but I quite enjoyed Red State. Mainly for Michael Parks, who's fantastic. Not particularly scary, like.

1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Uncle Nasty

Uncle Nasty

Posted
Posted

Thanks loads for the suggestions and links everyone, very much appreciated. Some great recommendations here!

Not a horror movie, but you might like Breakdown, starring Kurt Russell (and the late, great JT Walsh).

Great call on this. I'd already seen it (actually thought it was a lot older than 1997) but forgotten about it, ended up staying up and watching it again last night. Love that there's no gore or torture at all, the pure horror of the situation is enough. And yeah, JT Walsh is superb, ice cold.

Straw Dogs tonight, never seen it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 3 years later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Use of this website is subject to our Privacy Policy, Terms of Use, and Guidelines.

  I accept