Everest (2015)

"Human beings simply aren't built to function 

at the cruising altitudes of a seven-forty-seven."

Yeah... screw going to Everest.

A climbing expedition to Everest goes horribly wrong after a severe snow storm hits. 

Having not read the original source material or heard of the true story, I was relatively blind going into 'Everest'. All I knew is that if I'm going to see a movie about Mount Everest, I'm going to see it IMAX. This is the type of film that IMAX was made for. Big drama, big views and big films.

On the whole, I'd say 'Everest' delivers on this.

It is definitely the spectacle that you are paying to see in this film. Obviously nothing could ever come close to the real thing but 'Everest' does a good job of introducing you to the mountain and you get a real sense of what Mount Everest looks and feels like, minus the deadly biting cold of course... Definitely a film I would not like to see in 4D. 

You're on this expedition with the team and you're in it for the long haul.

Straight from the get go you are introduced to the danger that lies ahead of the expedition team. Information and exposition is dumped on you from the beginning which should be extremely bland to watch but actually turns out to be surprisingly interesting. What you are learning is really informative and is delivered in a way that you would hear it if you were actually going on an expedition so it makes it so much easier to get involved. It is an immense challenge and it becomes very clear why.

There is a lot of tension in 'Everest'. It builds and builds as the expedition gets closer to the peak of the mountain which is where the drama of it all really lies. These men and women are facing the most dangerous and challenging thing that they'll ever face in their lives which, ultimately, makes for some compelling viewing. You'll be biting your nails on the edge of your seat as the team make their way across the frozen death zone as they climb higher and higher. It is the physical and mental challenge of climbing the mountain paired along side the metaphorical challenge that the team are all facing that makes us invest in the film. They each have something to overcome or deal with which is their own Everest.

The last third of this film breaks away slightly and becomes a little flat compared to the rest of the film but I assume this is because it is based on a true story so certain details have to be in there to meet the original story. The tension that was built up comes to a head but doesn't really peak in the way that I'd have liked to see. It runs the events in order and just sort of ends which was a bit disappointing. This being said, it doesn't put me off the film as the first half was so strong.

On the whole, there is a very respectable cast featured in this film. It's hard to pin down who the main actor is in this film but I'd say Jason Clarke is as close to that as we'll get. Jason Clarke plays the expedition leader and he is responsible for getting everyone up and back down the mountain alive and in one piece, he gives a measured and believable performance as our anchor in the film. 

Jake Gyllenhaal gives a good supporting performance alongside Josh Brolin who is consistently strong anyway. It is an ensemble performance and you get a glimpse into each characters lives and the reasons they are taking part in this extraordinary journey. It makes for an unpredictable plot when all the actors are as high profile as they are so you don't know who is safe. It is a toss up for who is going to make it up and back down in one piece and that just adds to the drama of it all.

Keira Knightley is definitely the weakest link in this acting chain as she delivers a pretty monotone performance as Jason Clarke's pregnant wife. Pluck her out of this film and it could have been a home run in terms of the performances in 'Everest'.

Mount Everest is a character in its own right in this film. It is personified, feared and respected by the team that are scaling it and it is hard not to be in awe at the sheer size and power of this unforgiving wonder. It is the highest peak on earth and you understand why so many want to get to the top. Each character has their own reasons for doing it and you can relate to every one of them. It brings life to the mountain and raises the stakes for all involved.

Overall, 'Everest' is a film that is fantastic to see in IMAX with some dramatic moments and a lot of spectacle. It drags you up on to the peak of mount Everest, terrifying you along the way and, if you see it in IMAX, will make your stomach turn like you were on a rollercoaster. 

It is interesting and dramatic and won't disappoint.

But yeah... Screw going to Everest.

The Visit (2015)

"Would you mind getting inside the oven to clean it?"

After what seems like an endless stream of questionable movies, M. Night Shyamalan returns with a found footage movie? With child actors? 

Now that's one brave dude. 

After being sent to meet their grandparents for the first time, Becca and Tyler soon discover that there's something very wrong with the seemingly normal couple. 

Found footage horror movies have had a dip in popularity recently and it was understandable why after the bombardment we have received in the past few years. Now, out of the blue, M. Night Shyamalan makes one to try and reinvigorate his career by going back to his horror-esque roots. 

'The Visit' is a really strange film and I'm still not quite sure if I actually liked it or not...

Normally where a lot of found footage horror films fall down is in their reasoning for being a found footage film. If a found footage film isn't believable then it all comes crashing down pretty early on, you need a good reason for why you are filming everything otherwise it seems forced. 'The Visit' actually had a decent reason for being a found footage film and that is that the young girl in the film is an aspiring filmmaker. She wants to make a documentary about their visit to meet their grandparents in an attempt to reconcile what happened between them and her mother, who have been estranged for years. With this in mind, the first act of this movie turned out to be quite interesting. 

'The Visit' creates some really good tension and puts you in an uneasy mood as soon as the kids arrive at their grandparents home. You become as unsettled as the kids as they gradually realise that something isn't quite right. They try and justify the strange goings on as merely "old people being old people" but, as things escalate, they are forced to deal with the ever growing danger they are in. 

The kids are likeable and you can get on board with their sibling relationship. They feel very natural on camera and have a bit of charisma which is generally unusual in horror films, especially with kids. Ed Oxenbould as Tyler is good comedy relief, which you do need a bit of in a horror but this lead to a lot of tonal conflicts within the film. Is it horror? Is it comedy? It is a bit confusing at times but, as far as his performance goes, he does well and has a lot of natural likability. Olivia DeJonge as Becca gives a very mature performance for her age and you can really relate to her character, she's likeable and has some difficult emotional scenes to pull off but she manages it. They have a good bit of chemistry with the grandparents, who also give pretty good performances. Nana, played by Deanna Dunagan, had the hardest job of all as the "creepy old lady" but pulls it off relatively well. She has some great moments that will make you very uncomfortable while managing to reign in the pantomime villain aspect that could be seen in character.

Unfortunately for all the great scenes of tension that are in the film, they are unbalanced by an uncomfortable humour that seems out of place. As the film goes on I couldn't quite work out whether I was meant to be scared or laughing, which is a bad place to be when you're dealing with horror unless it's deliberate, which I don't think it was in 'The Visit'.

This is my main problem with the film, it had so much potential to be more but falls ever so short of the mark. The glimmers of real horror are great and catch you on the back foot as they come out of nowhere and really creep you out. Despite having a few jump scares, it doesn't rely on them. It creates some uncomfortable scenarios for the kids and uses some creepy imagery to make us scared the old fashioned way. However it falls into farce towards the end, despite having a few nice plot twists, and becomes a bit ridiculous. The ending feels a bit predictable and there could have been so much more to it but instead they opt for the easier way out. 

The plot is extremely fragile. If you pull at one little detail then things start to unravel as the gaping plot holes get bigger and bigger. You just have to suspend belief and take it for what it is, dig deeper and it is sketchy at best. It relies on a lot of convenient events to happen for this scenario to play out the way it does.

Overall, 'The Visit' has a lot going for it but a lot wrong with it as well. There will definitely be a few scenes that'll get under your skin and there will be a few scenes that will have you somewhat confused... If they had stuck with the darker tones that they had going for a lot of the film then the comedy would have been a nice bit of relief after the scarier moments. Instead, these comedy moments almost interrupt the scarier scenes in the movie and take us out of the movie. Comedy ruining the horror is a strange thing to have go wrong in a horror film.

If you think that old people are creepy then this film probably won't help you get over that...

Old people are pretty creepy. Especially when they tell you to get into an oven.

Top Ten Horror Films

"Always make the audience suffer as much as possible"

- Alfred Hitchcock

The horror genre is one that is close to my heart. 

There is something raw and almost primal about being scared. It ignites our animalistic "fight or flight mentality" and is inbuilt in our DNA. It is the contradicting feeling of terror and exhilaration that is so appealing because it goes against all of our natural instincts when we put ourselves through a horror film. 

I had an early education in the horror genre. At a young age I watched all of the classic films and, as I grew older, I scoured the darkest depths of the genre for anything I could get my hands on.

Since this blog has officially been going for exactly one year, to celebrate, I thought it'd be fun to compile a top ten list of my favourite horror films. This, however, turned out to be an extremely difficult task. I've managed to painstakingly whittle it down to a select few but I thought I'd start off with a handful that just missed the list but I thought were worth mentioning.

Special mentions

The Orphanage 
  (2007)

"Your pain gives you strength, it will guide you."

After bringing her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage for handicapped children, Laura's son Simon begins to communicate with an invisible new friend.

'The Orphanage' is a hard film to pin down. 
It is a horror in nature but has so much more going on. It is an intriguing mystery wrapped in a creepy little ghost story that will have you guessing the whole way through. It deals with a lot of tough ideas and themes while creeping you out. It has a lot of emotion behind it which helps in the narrative and makes you care about what is going to happen. It really proves that horror films can also have a heart.

Evil Dead 

(2013 Remake)

"You shouldn't have touched anything from that basement."

A group of five friends head to a remore cabin in the woods to conduct a DIY rehab for their friend Mia but the discovery of a Book of the Dead leads them to, unwittingly, summon evil demons.

This 'Evil Dead' remake just missed my top ten by a hair. It is literally a bloodbath that will leave your heart pounding and your stomach wrenching. It's not one to watch if you're squeamish but if you can get past that then it's a fun and brutal horror that is a fantastic remake of a great film. The humour is so dark that you'll be wondering why you're laughing while wanting to throw up.

It delivers on so many levels and gives horror fans everything they could ask for. 

Inside

(2007)

"Enjoy your last night of peace and quiet."

After the death of her husband, a woman on the brink of giving birth is tormented in her home by a strange woman who wants her unborn baby.

This evil little film is the horrifically nasty debut from French filmmakers Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury and is a straight up fight to the death. It's gruesome, gruelling and hard to watch. This film is not for the faint of heart. You'll not forget it. 

It's an unusual film that's as claustrophobic as it gets so buckle up for this one kids, you're in for one hell of a bloody and twisted ride.

Martyrs

(2008)

"After a while, their trauma; that small, easily opened crack, 

makes them see things that don't exist."

A young woman’s quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her into a living hell of depravity.

'Martyrs' is a hard film to describe. It is horrifying in every sense of the word and deals with ideas that I've never seen on screen before. It is as depraved and sick as it gets but it will totally engross you. It dares to go to push the envelope and I can't help but respect it because it's trying to do something beyond words and explanation. I don't necessarily enjoy watching 'Martyrs' but it needs to be seen to be believed.

Paranormal Activity

(2009)

"I feel it. I feel it breathing on me."

After moving into a suburban home, a young couple become increasingly disturbed by a nightly demonic presence.

I imagine I'll probably get a lot of stick for this one but before 'Paranormal Activity' became the farcical franchise it is today, the first 'Paranormal Activity' was nothing short of terrifying for the right audience. This film is not for everyone, you'll either find it terrifying or you'll laugh at it really. It's all about your imagination and the subtle nuances in the horror rather than a balls out, in-your-face horror extravaganza. It'll make you dread each sundown as it get's more and more unpredictable. I prefer the alternate ending to the ending in the theatrical release but the alternate didn't leave much room for a sequel so they scrapped it unfortunately. This is a film that infiltrates the safe haven that is the bedroom to really capture what goes bump in the night... 

Livide

(2011)

"Deborah Jessel is very rich.

They say she's got a treasure."

After hearing of a secret treasure hidden in a decrepit old woman's mansion, Lucy and her two friends decide to break in and steal it.

After their debut film 'Inside', which is mentioned above, Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury returned with another hellish ordeal with 'Livide'. It is a very strange and dark film. It will have you on the edge of your seat with an intriguing mystery that builds to a wild climax. It makes you think while managing to scare the hell out of you. It has tonnes of eerie atmosphere with a shocking conclusion that is brutal and challenging. The ending will have you scratching your head but makes it all the more rewarding when you watch it again. This is a film that further proves that the French can make some fantastic horror films. 

Now that the runner ups have been announced, let's get down to the list. Like I always say, this is just my own opinion so if your favourite isn't on the list then I'd love to hear what you think!

Top Ten

10. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

(1974)

"My family's always been in meat."

Five friends visiting their grandfather's house in the country are hunted and terrorised by a chainsaw wielding killer and his family of grave-robbing cannibals.

Tearing its way onto the list is the original 'Texas Chainsaw Massacre. It’s a classic film that is just as gritty and dirty as it was when it was first unleashed on the public. Leatherface remains one of the most recognisable and iconic horror villains of all time and it’s not difficult to see why. Despite popular belief, 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' isn't as gory as you might think. You actually see very little in terms of gore due to the low budget but this film relies on the imagination and implication. It's a rough ride of a film that'll haunt you for years and make you fear the sound of a chainsaw.

9. The Thing 

  (1982)

"I dunno what the hell's in there, but it's weird and pissed off, 

whatever it is."

After scientists in the Antarctic discover a mysterious "thing" frozen in the ice, they are confronted by a shape-shifting alien that assumes the appearance of the people that it kills.

John Carpenter's absolute classic 'The Thing' was always secured a position in this list. It's a horror masterpiece that takes you into an isolated, arctic world of paranoia and alien life. It features groundbreaking make-up and special effects that still hold up well today and a soundtrack that is minimal and atmospheric. 

In an almost "whodunnit" style narrative, it has you on the edge of your seat waiting on the next horrific appearance of... The Thing.

8. Sinister 
  (2012)

"I'm gonna write the best book that anyone's ever read."

After moving his family into their new suburban home, true-crime writer Ellison Oswalt discovers a cache of 8mm home movies films that give him horrific insight into the work of a serial killer whose career traces back to the 1960's.

This little gem from 2012 is an unusual horror that packs a punch and features some genuinely scary moments, rather than the usual jump scares that litter our screens nowadays. It has a memorable villain, whose very appearance would even give you nightmares, and will send chills up your spine with some nasty found footage mixed into the traditional narrative. It is a clever horror that breaks the mould and yet still manages to feel classic in the delivery. The mystery of it all will have you itching to find out more while dreading what the truth may hold. 

7. Audition 

  (1999)

"Kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri kiri!"

A lonely widower holds a special audition, arranged for him by a friend, to find him a new wife but soon discovers there's more to the woman whom he sets his sights on than meets the eye. 

This Japanese horror is a massive shock to the system. What starts as an extremely slow romantic story, soon spirals into what can only be described as a nightmare. I have to stress, this is a slow burn of a horror but the ending is absolutely worth it. There's not much to say about 'Audition' without ruining the mystery of it all, simply let the film play out and you won't be disappointed. 

It's definitely a film I wish I could go back and see for the first time again. 

6. The Exorcist  
  (1973)

"The Power of Christ compels you!"

After her daughter is possessed by an evil entity, a terrified mother seeks the help of two priests to help save her daughter.

What can be said for 'The Exorcist'? 

It's the classic of classics in the horror genre and still holds up well today. It was groundbreaking and harrowing at the time of it's release because no one had ever seen anything like it before. It captured the imagination of the audience, not to mention scaring the hell out of them at the same time. It is a story that has been so over done since but, despite the hordes of cheap knock-offs, the original will always stand the test of time. It is deeply unsettling to watch and has some truly horrific scenes that hit you in the gut. It is a film that is shrouded in mystery and really draws you into a dark world that you would never like to find yourself in. It throws so many questions and ideas into the mix and makes you look deeper. It expertly examines some hard hitting themes from religion to the nature of evil itself. 

This 42 year old gem is a classic for a reason.

5. Halloween  

  (1978)

"Death has come to your little town, sheriff."

After spending the last 15 years in a mental hospital for murdering his sister at age 6, Michael Myers escapes the facility and returns to Haddonfield to kill again on Halloween night. 

'Halloween' takes me back to my earliest memories of watching horror films. A mix of nostalgia and childhood nightmares makes this cult classic one of my favourite horror films. John Carpenter inspired a whole new genre of horror with 'Halloween' but, despite this, his film has never been matched by the imitators.

Don't be fooled by the simplistic plot in this famous slasher flick, the execution is fantastic and it packs bucketloads of tension, energy and intelligent filmmaking which is beautifully accompanied by a haunting soundtrack.

4. Rosemary's Baby  

  (1968)

"He told me to make sure and tell you: 

the name is an anagram."

After moving into their new apartment, a young couple find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbours and strange occurrences which breeds some unsettling paranoia.

Roman Polanski's horror masterpiece 'Rosemary's Baby' is the perfect example of the slow burn horror experience, there's tension stacked on top of tension which builds to an unforgettable climax. There will be plenty of chills that will be dancing up your spine as it gets deep under your skin with paranoia and mystery.

Plot twists and turns keep you on your toes with an overwhelming sense of dread throughout that grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go.

3. The Shining  

  (1980)

"I feel you will have to deal with this matter in the harshest possible way, Mr. Torrance."

After moving his family into an isolated hotel for the winter, Jack Torrance begins to fall prey to mysterious forces within the hotel, while his psychic son sees horrific forebodings from the past and of the future.

'The Shining' is a film that I will periodically revisit a couple of times a year. Every time I return, I always find something new in it and I'm always more frustrated and perplexed by it. It is a classic horror in every respect and manages to make us think while scaring us. In true Kubrick style, we dive into the deepest depths of the human psyche as we follow the dangerously unstable Jack Torrance. Kubrick, like a conductor, brings together every detail with flare and style, he builds a tremendous amount of tension and mystery that culminates in a whirlwind finale. 

The film has a fascinating story behind the film that is just as interesting as the film itself, from a feud between Kubrick and Stephen King, to actors being pushed into a mental breakdown in the name of art.

'The Shining' is an unforgettable experience and will stay with you forever. It has layers on top of layers and just when you unearth a new piece of the complicated puzzle, a new mystery presents itself. Stanley Kubrick was a master filmmaker and, much like all of his work, when he turned his attention to the horror genre, he made one of the best.

2. Alien  

  (1979)

"The pit is completely enclosed. 

And it's full of leathery objects, like eggs or something."

After investigating a mysterious distress call from an unexplored planet, the crew of commercial vessel Nostromo head home, only to realise that a deadly alien life form has joined them onboard.

'Alien' is the ultimate in sci-fi horror. It starts out slow and deliberate and gradually builds up steam as things start going from bad to worse. There are intricate details and unsettling mysteries that develop a thrilling and terrifying film that is mostly contained inside a claustrophobic spaceship. The tension is almost unbearable as it becomes a brutal game of cat and mouse between the deadliest killer in space and the crew of the Nostromo. It has a beautifully scary soundtrack along with the strongest of female leads. It focuses on our fear of the unknown and the idea that your imagination is far more terrifying than anything they could put on screen. It relies on what you don't see to build the alien into the thing of nightmares.

It remains one of my favourite horror experiences and also one of my favourite films.

1. Psycho  

  (1960)

"We all go a little mad sometimes."

After stealing $40,000 from her employer's client, Marion Crane goes on the run and checks into a remote motel run by a mysterious young man.

It was never in doubt that 'Psycho' would be in my number one slot. It has everything that you could possibly want from a horror film and more. It has atmosphere, tension, drama, mystery and, of course, bucketloads of horror. Alfred Hitchcock flipped the script for cinema goers in the 60's with this masterpiece and shocked the world with an unforgettable ride. It features masterful directing with an intriguing script, a killer soundtrack and some great performances. It has aged gracefully and gets better with every viewing. 

The underlying tension is ever present in this chilling tale that'll keep you on your toes more than any 21st century horror could. It doesn't rely on cheap jump scares like most modern horror does and patiently builds a mystery on top of a horrific tragedy. Hitchcock has an unmatched understanding of tension and wields it like a weapon as he teases the audience before landing the killer strike that terrifies us all. 

Psycho will forever remain one of the most influential horror films ever made and is not only one of my most cherished horror films but is one of my favourite films as well. 

It proves that Hitchcock truly is the master of suspense.

I hope you enjoyed having a browse of my top ten list, these are just my own choices so I'd love to hear what your top ten would be and why!

Were your favourites in my list?

Straight Outta Compton (2015)

"They want N.W.A, let's give em N.W.A."

One things for sure, they ain't short of attitude. 

Being a fan of rap and hip hop, I was hugely excited to see what 'Straight Outta Compton' had to offer. N.W.A are a prominent piece of rap history and I didn't actually know too much about their story until seeing this film.

For me, it could have went one of two ways. It could have surprised us all and turned out to be something decent along the lines of '8 mile'. However, it could have quite easily ended up something like 50 Cent's 'Get Rich or Die Tryin'' embargo. 

'Straight Outta Compton' actually lands somewhere in the '8 mile' region and honestly surprised me. Sure, it has its ups and downs but, for the most part, I really enjoyed it. 

The film focuses on the three most prominent members of N.W.A. and splits into three separate narratives to deal with each character individually before bringing them all together. The narratives intertwine but for the majority of the time it deals with the different points of views. 

The strongest aspect of 'Straight Outta Compton' was how it captured the time period and the music. 

The first half of this movie was definitely the better half. It has so much energy and raw aggression to capture the essence of the group and how it was formed. You get sucked into their lives and it does a great job of putting you right in the time period. It makes you understand their situations during that hard time in America and you can appreciate what they went through. From the racism to the police brutality, it paints a clear picture and helps inform us of the injustices and why the group became what they were. 

The music is obviously at the forefront of this film and it's brilliant to have that feeling of almost seeing them perform live. It feels raw and exciting. If you're a rap fan then you'll be right at home with this. They really capture the groups momentum and style and you could feel the whole audience move as the beats blasted from the speakers. You get an insight into Dr Dre's methods and how he developed as a producer which was probably some of the most interesting parts of the movie.

I wasn't expecting much from the performances in this film but, overall, they are pretty decent.

Paul Giamatti gives a complex and interesting performance as the groups manager Jerry Heller. He struggles with his love for the group and his greed. A difficult task for an actor to find that balance but with an experienced character actor like Paul Giamatti it's a sure thing that he'll deliver. 

O'Shea Jackson Jr. does a solid job as his father Ice Cube, it must have been such an advantage to have him as a living and breathing inspiration to draw from on set. He looks like him, acts like him and raps like him. You forget that you are watching his son which means you can just focus on the story.

Things begin to stray off slightly after we get into the later years of the films timeline as the energy goes and the separate narratives begin to drag. It feels like you're simply moving from one event to the other without much of the attention and care that went into the first half. 

I did feel like the ending was a little rushed. Plot points were condensed and pushed to the point where it almost felt like it was bored of itself and wanted to finish. It does have some sad moments but I feel like if they had spent more time on developing the climax of the film then it could have been a lot more hard hitting. It feels like a film of two halves rather than a seamless timeline of their career.

Is the whole story true?

I'm not sure. Probably not.

I can imagine there's a lot of truth in there that's been bent slightly with the members of N.W.A. being alive and involved in the production but, at the end of the day, it's an entertaining film nonetheless.

There are plenty of clever Easter eggs and rap references to found which was fun to look out for. If you're a fan of rap then everything has extra meaning and influence when you get the references. Tupac even makes a short appearance which was unexpected.

Overall, 'Straight Outta Compton' isn't without its faults but is a decent film overall. You don't have to love rap to enjoy it but it certainly helps considering it's about a rap group. 

Now, I think I need to dig out my copy of 'Boyz n the Hood'.