Thursday, October 22, 2015

IFI Horrorthon 2015 - Our Top Picks!

In our previous post we gave you the full line-up and low-down on the 18th IFI Horrorthon which kicks off today in Temple Bar's Irish Film Institute.


Source: Horrorthon.com

These are our top picks from each of the five days, perhaps making your choice of which films to hit up at the festival that little bit easier:





Thursday 22nd October


  • The Invitation (7pm) - 'When Will and his girlfriend attend his ex-wife’s dinner party, they quickly realise the ulterior motives behind her seeming kindness in this tense and unnerving thriller.'  
This is the opening film of the festival, and it sounds very promising.  Plus there's the added bonus of seeing it before it's March 2016 release.

Source: IMDb.com

  • Mania (11pm) - 'A guest at last year’s festival, Jessica Cameron’s second feature sees a lesbian couple fleeing across America after a brutal murder in their hometown.'
 Brutal murder, suspense and lesbians - what more could you want? ...Just me? Okay.
 




Friday 23rd October


  • Last Girl Standing (2.50pm) - 'The bleak Last Girl Standing follows Camryn as she attempts to deal with the guilt of being the sole survivor of a massacre five years previously.'
This has been on my 'intrigued' list for a while, with the tagline 'What happens after the horror movie?' it sounds like a different take on the genre.

Source: Horrorthon.com

  • Goodnight Mommy (7.10pm) - 'Two young twin boys become increasingly convinced that the woman returning home from hospital, face hidden under surgical bandages, is no longer their mother.  Easily one of the most anticipated horror films this year.'
This one is at the top of my list of 'must-sees' at the festival! Since the trailer dropped a few months ago I've been dying to see this (despite - or perhaps because of - the chills and goosebumps it gave me).  Check it out for yourself:




  • Deathgasm (9.10pm) - 'This irreverent and very funny New Zealand ode to heavy metal horror sees an ancient entity summoned by two high school guitarists, with serious consequences.  Another crowd pleaser not to be missed.'
Upon first look this really reminds me of Todd and the Book of Pure Evil, so if this turns out to be just as entertaining I'll be one happy Horror fan! Plus good music and what sounds like a good storyline.  Come on.




  • Tribute to Wes Craven: The Serpent and the Rainbow & The People Under The Stairs (11pm) - 'Screening in memory of horror maestro Wes Craven, this double bill highlights two of his lesser celebrated films - each deserving of greater recognition.'
Wes Craven was by far my favourite Horror director and all-round creative genius of the genre.  This is one not to be missed to pay tribute to the late legend, with a double-bill of two of his classics resurrected on the big screen.  The People Under The Stairs I would particularly recommend.






 Saturday 24th October


Saturday has such a good line-up packed full of gems that it's very hard to narrow it down to just 2-4 choices... sorry to spoil you for choice! (Who are we kidding though, these all sound great so I'm not really sorry at all!)


  • Nina Forever (1pm) - 'Rob’s new relationship with co-worker Holly becomes complicated when Nina, his dead girlfriend, appears every time he and Holly have sex, taunting them.'
I must admit, it was the poster for this movie (seen in the trailer thumbnail below) that initially drew me to it while I was scrolling through IMDb one day.  It certainly had that WTF factor, and then when I read the synopsis I was even more intrigued - it both looks and sounds genuinely entertaining!




  • Emelie (4.45pm) - 'Babysitter Anna subjects her charges to an escalating series of psychological torments, malicious and often perverse, in this tense and genuinely discomfiting debut feature.'
This sounds rather unsettling and f**ked up, which is often the mark of a good horror (and thriller) movie.

Source: Horrorthon.com

  • The Green Inferno (9pm) - 'Eli Roth’s most extreme film, The Green Inferno follows a group of students whose plane crash leaves them at the mercy of a tribe of savage cannibals.'
I was torn on whether or not to give this one a mention.  I love Eli Roth and admire his work, despite the fact it could be considered more torture-porn than horror (which is another debate in itself), I've always found his films to be very clever in regards to the storyline, which is something I respect.  Hostel for example was something very unique at the time (and Cabin Fever, too).

The only reason I'm hesitant to put The Green Inferno on here is because, like Cannibal Holocaust, I've heard there are scenes of awful (and unnecessary) animal cruelty in it.  For this reason I won't be seeing it, but I don't want to deprive others of what could otherwise possibly be a great addition to the Horrorthon!





  • Tribute to Wes Craven: Scream (11pm) - 'Following The Last House On The Left and A Nightmare On Elm Street, Craven redefined the genre for a third time in this post-modern classic.'
A chance to see this genre (re)defining classic on the big screen, and my all-time favourite from Mr. Craven.  My love of Horror films (and Slasher films in particular) was not just sparked by this movie when I was younger, but rather it fully ignited the flames.  This made me fall in love with Wes Craven as a director, and the genius of Kevin Williamson's storytelling.  The Scream series will forever be something truly special, and the Horror/Slasher genre (and fans) will be forever grateful.





  • The Devil's Woods (11pm) - 'In an attempt to salvage their relationships, a group of friends enjoy a weekend of camping in a rural Irish village with a dark history.'
I'm really looking forward to this homegrown horror.  Creepy camping setting in the woods with deaths surrounding an urban legend and some great Irish talent (including Red Rock's Stephen Cromwell - that's a win from me) - yes please!





  • Scherzo Diabolico (11.10pm) - 'A bored accountant kidnaps his boss’ teenage daughter, but is unprepared for the brutal vengeance she seeks following her release from captivity.'

There's not a lot of info surrounding this film at present, but it sounds like all kinds of crazy in the best possible way.

Source: www.best-horror-movies.com



Sunday 25th October 


  • Short Film Showcase (2.50pm) - 'After combing through the best new work from filmmakers around the world, we’re pleased to present this selection which, as always, will have something for everyone.'
This sounds like something any and every Horror fan will enjoy - plus there's the element of mystery of not knowing what you're going to see added into the fun!


  • Surprise Screening (7.30pm) - 'This year’s film - one of IFI Horrorthon’s most popular screenings - is not one to miss.  Tickets go quickly, so be sure to get yours early!'
Similarly, this sounds so intriguing thanks to the mystery element! Having been to film festivals before where there were surprise screenings, I can safely say they were some of the best parts!


  • Night People (11pm) - 'In this anthology film, two burglars loitering in a victim’s home pass the time telling horrific tales, before the house makes its presence felt.'
I LOVE anthology films, they're such a change of pace to the usual plot outline and tend to keep you on your toes and not knowing what to expect! So this is such an added bonus to an already awesome sounding plot.  Extra bonus - made in Ireland! ;)






Monday 26th October 


  • Horrothon Honours Christopher Lee: Dracula A.D. 1972 (5pm) - 'This Hammer classic reunites Lee and Peter Cushing.  Dracula roams 1970s London, eager to take revenge on the descendants of his old nemesis, Van Helsing.'
This timeless classic speaks for itself, and gives you a chance to see the late, great Christopher Lee on the big screen in one of his finest roles.

Bonus: one of the stars of the movie - Caroline Munro (Laura) - will be introducing the movie and hosting a Q&A session afterwards.






  • Closing Film: Tales of Halloween (9pm) - 'Halloween night sees suburban residents terrorised by an assortment of supernatural creatures in this excellent anthology, sure to end this year’s festival on a high note and setting the tone for Halloween.'
I think this is the perfect movie to close the festival with for the Halloween season.

It screams of influence from Trick r' Treat - a horror classic I only watched for the first time myself last Halloween, but oh my God, what a horrific and genius work of art (in the best way).  I was missing out.

As mentioned above, I seriously love anthologies so I can't wait to see this.  It has a killer cast and so many writers, directors and creatives on board that it just looks so.... *hyperventilates from excitement*

Trick r' Treat captured the true essence and atmosphere of Halloween in it's purest form, so let's see if this does as good a job.





Go forth and enjoy the Horrorthon this Halloween season and let us know some of your top picks below - do you agree or disagree with ours?

And tell us what you ended up seeing and what you thought of the festival as a whole!

No comments:

Post a Comment