Atomic Fangirl

“They’ll eat anything, right? Ay?”

Story: So. Australia has saltwater crocodiles, right? And sometimes folks want to see them up close, while traveling waterways that have crocs. Smart move? Yeah, not for a group of tourists who want to snap some pics and have bragging cred. Because they’re gonna get a whole lot more than they bargained for when their boat is attacked by a big’un, and they’re stranded on an tiny island…and is the water rising? Yes. Yes it is.

Scares: Extremely effective “where’s that croc now” energy.
Splat Factor: Welcome to the croc-eats-your-face party.

Subgenre: Now THAT’S A Big Bugger Monster Mashes
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original, though you’ll notice several Big Animal Horror subgenre tropes. Based (loosely, obviously) on the story of Sweetheart.
Year Released: 2007

Trick or Treat?: Here’s one that was recommended to me. And gotta say this is an effective monster-animal mash. Writer/director/producer Greg McLean (Wolf Creek) takes this premise and absolutely runs with it. Shot composition, film and sound editing, and a light (til the climax at least) but effective touch with the splatter, equals a whole lot of horrific fun. 

“ARE YOU READY?”

Story: Maggie and her fellow film students are gonna throw a big huge horror film fest, so their department can raise some funds. They decide to go all out, with schlocky oldies known for their in-theater gimmicks, but what they don’t know is that there’s a killer who seems to want Maggie and her friends dead…and that could be tied to an old film the kids find while setting up, and the nightmares Maggie’s been having lately. Yo, killer; don’t mess with a horror movie marathon, you jerk. Yeesh.

Scares: Um… Not really. More fun “scares” you’ll see coming, than actual spooky stuff.
Splat Factor: Mid. As this is a 90s homage to earlier haunts? The blood and gore are delightfully middle of the road, to keep the B-movie vibe alive.

Subgenre: Homage Horror
Year Released: 1991
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: An original homage to horror movies in general, and 80s slashers in particular.

Trick or Treat?: Popcorn is an early 90s horror homage that feels like an early 80s slasher, and it doesn’t get nearly as much love as it deserves. I blame that one the film’s original trailer and poster, that made it look like an Italian Giallo rather than the gleefully silly American (though filmed in Jamaica) slasher it is. From the fantastic cast (many of whom we’ve seen in other genre/80s fare), to the obvious love this film has for the works of B Movie creators like William Castle, this is a horror movie lovers horror movie. And I adore it. The creators have the same attention to detail with the “classic movies” playing during the marathon as they do with the overall story, making this film a fun watch on many levels.

“And I promise, I’ll never, ever be late again for the rest of my life. Deal?”

Story: It’s five years after the slaughter at Camp Crystal Lake, aka Camp Blood. There’s a new camp counselor training site near the old camp…what could go wrong? Hey, who’s out there?

Scares: Lots of tension, and jump scares. Plus all the murdering stuff.
Splat Factor: FX maestro Stan Winston helms this joint. So yeah. Yeah one thousand.

Subgenre: Superior Slasher Sequels
Year Released: 1981
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Part two of the ever growing F13 franchise.

Trick or Treat?: Happy Friday the 13th! Welcome to my #31in31 for the film that had me second-guessing a convertible VW Bug as my dream car, and the film that introduced Jason to the horror slasher pantheon. I can’t believe I’ve only done the first film, Jason X, and a documentary. So let’s remedy that by checking out the film that boasts one of my favorite lesser-known scream queens (what up Amy Steel) and my favorite slasher character crush, former football player/current counselor, Mark (RIP, Tom McBride.)

“Oh my God, I’m too stoned for this.”

Story: In 1973, a group of twenty somethings are on the way to a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert, when they picked up a suicidal hitchhiker. Things go from bad to really, really bad when they try to call the Sheriff. Was that a chainsaw I heard just now?

Scares: Well crafted and plentiful.
Splat Factor: This remake definitely makes up for the lack of onscreen stuff in the original. Not for the faint of heart.

Subgenre: Shockingly Good Horror Remakes
Year Released: 2003
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Remake of Tobe Hooper’s OG film of the same name.

Trick or Treat?: I have to admit that I skipped this film when it hit theaters. I figured it would be a trash fire. But as this is the 20th anniversary of this film? I decided to give it a chance, and I’m glad I did. This is a damn good film on its own, and an even better remake of a classic. The story is the same as the OG film, but the scares are amplified. Instead of the weirdness of the original, there’s a realism that makes the story more visceral, and definitely more terrifying.

“He’s an addict. He’s not a criminal, he’s a victim. He’s addicted to blood.”

Story: Dr. Hess Green is an anthropologist studying the ancient Myrthian tribe of Africa. But when he’s stabbed with a ceremonial dagger by his unhinged assistant? Let’s just say Hess gets a firsthand look at the tribes blood drinking practices. And right now, he’s thirsty.

Scares: Not many. This is more of an art piece than spooky-time.
Splat Factor: Red paint-esqe blood. What’s up, 1970s?

Subgenre: Blaxsploitation As Classic Horror
Year Released: 1973
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: OG. Though Spike Lee’s remake, Da Sweet Blood of Jesus, may be more familiar to some.

Trick or Treat?: The whole “vampirism as addiction” cinematic trope isn’t a metaphor in Hess, it’s stated outright, and might be the first full length film to do so. This fever dream is a fascinating look at vampire life through the eyes of recently turned vamps, and a time capsule of black cinema at the height of “Blaxsploitation”.