I don't watch as many new horror movies like I used too, the current crop of frighteners, like last year's big hits, 'Don't Breathe' and 'The shallows', do very little for me. I think I am finally drifting into that cantankerous old-man stage of, "things were better in my day" - the '80s. That's not to say there aren't great movies being made today, 'The Babadook' was outstanding, 'It Follows' was very good, and 'You're Next' was clever. It just seems the newer horror flicks have lost touch with what makes the genre so exciting. Original ideas. Likable characters. Strong stories.
A sense of fun, as well as great characters, is a big thing for me when it comes to horror, like in those classic '80s movies. Two great independent slashers I enjoyed recently were, 'The Final Girls' and 'Stage Fright', they may not be great films, but they were definitely abundant in fun. I guess I just tapped out when the 'torture porn' elements came to the forefront, with the likes of 'Saw' and 'Hostel'. Now if they are your thing, more power to you, I just prefer more atmospheric movies that don't leave me feeling like I need to take a shower right after.
Having said all that, and knowing where I stand on modern horror, let's take a look at this year's output. Interestingly there is talk of two big names returning to our screens with, Micheal Myers, and Jason Voorhees, possibly having new movies in October. I really hope these flicks are good, because the remakes were utterly forgettable at best. Chucky might also return in 2017, with 'Child's Play' creator Don Mancini hoping to write and direct a new sequel. I thought the last movie, 'Curse of Chucky', was a nice, stripped back, return to the series roots. In the remake department there is the usual, unnecessary suspects, 'Suspiria' - dear God no - 'Flatliners', and 'Maniac Cop' is also rumoured. Hopefully some of those productions are abandoned before filming starts, if we are lucky.
No matter how you feel about the TV series 'It', we can all agree how immensely scary Tim Curry's incarnation of Pennywise was. This new adaptation of the Stephan King bestseller has a lot of work to do, if it wants to top that iconic performance. The first official still, which was unleashed a few days ago didn't do much to temper fan's fears, with the new Pennywise looking like a combination of Annebelle, and the kid from 'Problem Child'. Oh dear!
'Resident Evil:The Never Ending Chapter', marks a welcome end to the series, that has somehow spawned countless sequels, while films like 'Dredd' and 'Serenity' died at the box-office - how is this possible. Other entries in long running franchises see the return of 'Underworld', and another 'Ring' movie, 'Saw' is also reportedly coming back, later in the year.
'Resident Evil:The Never Ending Chapter', marks a welcome end to the series, that has somehow spawned countless sequels, while films like 'Dredd' and 'Serenity' died at the box-office - how is this possible. Other entries in long running franchises see the return of 'Underworld', and another 'Ring' movie, 'Saw' is also reportedly coming back, later in the year.
Okay, so what does look interesting? Well I am really looking forward to the European release of 'The Autopsy of Jane Doe', and 'Get Out' seems interesting. Written and directed by Jordan Peele, 'Get Out' looks to be a nice play on the 'Stepford Wives' conventions, it could be a fun watch if nothing else. 'Death House' looks pretty cool, the cast list is totally insane, you got Tony Todd, Kane Hodder, Barbara Crampton, Sid Haig, Bill Moseley, Dee Wallace, Michael Berryman, and 'Sleepaway Camp' star Felissa Rose, all in the same flick, should be interesting if nothing else.
Lastly we have 'A Cure for Welllness', by Gore Verbinski, and the 'Belko Experiment' written by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy). Definitely some intriguing titles for sure, but no clear winner among the bunch. Here is hoping one of these, or another surprise, turns out to be a classic on the same level as, 'The Witch', and 'The Babadook'. Happy watching.