Big Nothing

By Brett Mullins

Released: 2006

Directed by Jean-Baptiste Andrea

Of all the things to find in a well made, lesser known film, two recognizable faces starring as a comedic duo is likely not to be high on the list. Such is the case with Big Nothing as David Schwimmer (Friends) and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead) portray Charlie and Gus, two guys who attempt to blackmail a man of the cloth for his frequenting a child porn site. This simple plan goes awry as a result of both the buffoonery of the characters and the intricate mess they have waltzed into.

Big Nothing begins as though it were a feel good comedy: the redemption of an intelligent man’s career so he may provide for his family. Once the plan to blackmail is hatched, the tone takes a turn to the dark side foreshadowing events to come. As the film progresses, the comedic elements are substituted for death and shock. By the end, the audience will be left empty and speechless, yet with somewhat of a sense of closure to the story.

This film features outstanding performances, especially from Pegg who takes on an interesting American-esque accent. Alice Eve (The Raven) joins on as the third cohort shortly after the plan is hatched. She brings an element of common sense and mystery to the seemingly simple characters of Charlie and Gus.

The direction of Jean-Baptiste Andrea was powerful and in many ways comparable to his previous film, Dead End. This film was able to retain originality and convey emotion to the audience. If a film can evoke happiness, laughter, and emptiness within an eighty-some minute runtime, then that film is likely one worth watching.

Rating: 9/10

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

By Brett Mullins

Released: 1974

Directed by Tobe Hooper

After learning of the possible desecration of their grandfather’s grave, Franklin, Sally, and three of their friends embark on a road trip to visit the cemetery. When they arrive, they explore their grandfather’s old farmhouse. The characters wander off and visit a neighboring house where quite a few horrors await. Bad things follow.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a film that cannot easily be placed into any one genre. The audience is presented with an initial tense tone, by way of the opening disclaimer, followed by the typical ‘kids riding in a van to a spooky destination’ set up. This is until the gang picks up a crazed hitchhiker who turns the tone again to very tense. This appears to be the general formula for the plot that is employed rather effectively. By the film’s conclusion, the audience has been blindsided several times and by the conclusion are likely to be left without words for some time.

The film’s effectiveness is derived solely from the atmosphere. The protagonists are rather weak and can be described as annoying at best. One may argue that their vagaries are such that the audience can easily imagine themselves in the situation; however, even if this were the case, a reason to care about what happens to the characters is sacrificed in the process.

TMC features surrealist elements that drives much of the film’s tension. This is best exemplified in the final fifteen minutes of the film, where the audience witnesses the screaming antics of a horrified Marilyn Burns. What the protagonists lack in, well, character, Leatherface and his ilk more than pick up the slack. The intrigue that these characters bring about is what saves the film from mediocrity.

Considering the extreme shifts in tension, it is no wonder why this film is regarded as one of the all time greats of the horror genre.

Rating: 7/10

Child's Play

By Brett Mullins

Released: 1988

Directed by Tom Holland

In a last ditch effort to escape from the police, a serial killer enacts voodoo to transfer his soul into a doll. It just so happens that this brand of doll is the most popular item of the holiday season. The doll ends up in the hands of a young boy who becomes the prime suspect in a series of murders.

Child’s Play is not so much a horror film as it is a strange and somewhat comical tale. The opening scenes of the film produce doubts as to the quality of the continuity and the storytelling; however, by the conclusion, there is a sense of closure from the rather wild explanations of the events. This is refreshing since a lesser film would have had the serial killer’s soul inexplicably transferred to the doll (think Jack Frost).

A large portion of the film is focused on the interactions between the child, Andy, and the doll. This builds an atmosphere of suspense, because the audience knows Chucky, the doll, will eventually come alive and begin the slashing. This tension feels as if it is straight out of a Poe-esque short story.

The acting is quite sub par with the exception of Alex Vincent’s performance as Andy. This is unusual, because child actors are generally the ones that hinder the film.

Child’s Play is a unique take on the genre that leaves room for improvement for similar titles to come.

Rating: 6/10

Scream

By Brett Mullins

Released: 1996

Directed by Wes Craven; Written by Kevin Williamson

Scream is a film that drastically changed the horror genre. The film is self aware in a way that allows for a more realistic slasher experience while satirizing cliches from the past. The plot is rather simple: one year following the slaying of her mother, Sidney becomes the seeming obsession of a killer picking off teenagers one by one.

 
Scream is a difficult film to review. With that being said, any review of this film is likely to get caught up in the historical significance and not provide an accurate account of the film itself (this review included). There are so many things going on in this film that it’s difficult to choose where to begin.

Wes Craven should be commended on a job well done; not only is Scream an effective slasher film, it is able to turn the genre on its head and crack several jokes along the way, often at Craven’s expense. One scene in particular exemplifies this: Sidney and her friend are talking on the porch when the camera zooms to the woods where the villain pops out for a second as he runs between trees. Though this scene is rather odd and provides amusement, it hints at the audience of a bloodbath to come.

This film did so many things well that they often overshadow the flaws, which were rather minor yet affect the film’s tone. These include awkward camera angles and several of the comedic diversions. Though meta-gags have their appeal to fans of the genre, their novelty is diminished somewhat nearing the film’s conclusion.

The acting was well executed. Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Rose McGowan, Jamie Kennedy, and Matthew Lillard all deliver great performances.

Scream remains a great film that provides an effective critique of the slasher subgenre and enough action to appease newcomers.

Rating: 8/10

Prom Night (1980)

By Brett Mullins

Directed by Paul Lynch

Six years ago, a young girl died as a result of four bratty kids being, well, bratty. A man with a troubled past is wrongly harassed and committed to an institution for the act. Now, it’s prom night and the sixth year anniversary of the girl’s death. As prom begins, an unknown individual takes revenge on the four that were responsible.

Prom Night is a rather strange slasher film. The film builds for nearly an hour before the action begins, which only lasts for the final twenty-five or so minutes. This film appears to lack depth; however, as things progress after the action begins, a deeper plot emerges. 

The acting was painfully average; though only so because of the better performances of Leslie Nielsen, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Robert Silverman. It was especially odd to see Leslie Nielsen’s performance as the high school principal and Curtis’ father.

 
Compared to typical slashers, the antagonist in Prom Night differs somewhat. Though they lurk around in the shadows killing off characters much the same, this killer is less precise and appears not to be unstoppable. It’s only through the incompetence of the would-be victims that they do not get away. Further, the audience is able to sympathize largely with the killer’s motives and such. 

Prom Night proved to be an interesting watch; however, it is difficult to get over how strange this film is, all around.

Rating: 6/10

Hell Night

By Brett Mullins

Released: 1981

Directed by Tom DeSimone; Written by Randy Feldman

Four fraternity/sorority pledges spend the night in a haunted mansion to fulfil their initiation requirements. The upperclassmen have planned a night of gags and trickery on the unknowing freshmen. As the evening of pranks begins, the mysteries surrounding the history of the mansion are somewhat revealed.

Hell Night combines early slasher themes with haunted house elements. This is garnished with a creeping slow pace that will likely put the audience to sleep. To compound this, the film is weak on both story and character development, elaborating little on what is going on once the slashing begins. Hell Night’s dilemma can be thought of as a drawn out, underdeveloped story consisting of characters the audience knows and subsequently cares little about.

Despite these weaknesses, Hell Night is not as predictable as one might assume. Though the main characters are rather stereotypical, they venture down avenues not explored fully in the traditional horror film structure. While the acting is also rather weak, the main characters have an odd appeal to them.

In the end, this film is overcome by the vast amount of filler scenes and lack of any explanation of the backstory. In the last twenty minutes, a new character appears on the scene and complicates matters for no adequately explored reason; I doubt anyone but perhaps the filmmakers know who this character is! It’s rare and unfortunate that a horror film inspires sleepiness and boredom.

Rating: 3/10

Cherry Falls

By Brett Mullins

Released: 2000

Directed by Geoffrey Wright; Written by Ken Selden

The quiet town of Cherry Falls, Virginia, is visited by a killer that targets virgins from the local high school. After the news breaks out to the public, the students become hypersexualized and plan a sex party to elude the apparent danger.

Cherry Falls follows in the footsteps of Wes Craven’s Scream by providing a satirical account of the cliched ‘slasher’ storyline. This film plays on further cliches in horror films regarding sex, in the sense that, in Cherry Falls, the individuals abstaining from sex are the ones dying.

Further comparisons can be made between this film and Scream. Both films are strong in plot and with the twist. Cherry Falls, however, does not provide the iconic characters associated with the Scream franchise.

Brittany Murphy’s lead performance as Jody, daughter of the local Sheriff, is convincing. Her subtle suggestiveness regarding many of the characters builds the foundation of the hypersexual tone. Two other performances are noteworthy, though the entire cast did an excellent job: Jay Mohr as Mr. Marliston, a high school English teacher who somewhat becomes the subject of Jody’s flirtation, and Michael Biehn as Sheriff Marken, Jody’s father.

Despite the effective tone, enthralling plot, and well executed twist, the film’s ending is lackluster. In retrospect, the conclusion is not so memorable anyway.

Cherry Falls is an effective slasher that should be mentioned alongside Scream in discussing the all time greats of the genre.

Rating: 8/10