Horror

What do you do when your girlfriend sprouts a set of wings and the tail of a serpent?

The picture above comes from the Fantastic in Art and Fiction website at Cornell University, which has an interesting and grotesque collection of dark images. The site is grouped into themes like Angels & Demons, Danse Macabre, Weird Science and many others.

I’ve been fascinated by the occult for years, and this collection reminds me of the appeal of the unknown. Notably, virtually all of the artwork is from centuries ago, before modern society replaced the threat of God and otherworldly influences with politics and terrorism.

Looking at some of these images, I remember the strange mix of curiosity and fear that I felt as a child, and the faces that would appear in trees and wallpaper and the knots in a door if you stared long enough…

I’m in the mood for a good ghost story now…

Friday, June 23rd, 2006 // Creativity

Pure terror. I don’t normally frighten at horror movies, but this remake of 1979’s Amityville Horror movie scared the pants off me. Honest.

This version of the Amityville Horror focuses on the Lutzes, the family who moved into the house a year or so after the DeFeo murders.

About The Movie

In a nutshell, ordinary family move into their dream home (after the Estate Agent ‘forgets’ to mention the horrific slaying committed there the previous year. Like you do.) In no time at all, George Lutz is hearing sinister whispered voices and the daughter has gained an imaginary friend with a ventilated forehead. As the paranoia takes over, subtle details about the house are revealed, interspersed with sudden frights.

As you would expect from the genre, the cinematography is grim and dark, creating an oppressive and tense environment. The story doesn’t linger long on the ‘happy families’ prelude, and the frights begin almost as soon as the family moves into the house.

There are some stunning set pieces, such as the scene where the daughter - prompted by her imaginary friend - climbs onto the roof of the house and inches toward the edge. The ensuing scramble to stop her from jumping is edge-of-your-seat stuff. By the time the movie reached it’s climax, I was aware that my heart was actually pounding!

Verdict

Opinion seems to be split on the movie. You either love it or hate it apparently.

I was pleasantly surprised to discover Melissa George in a lead role as Kathy Lutz (old school Home & Away fan!), but although visually appealing, I’m not sure she’s convincing as a mother of three. Ryan Reynolds, on the other hand slips easily into the tortured psycho role, and George Lutz’s role as a second husband gives rise to antipathy and abusiveness towards Kathy’s children as his paranoia increases.

Mrs L and the kids stayed out overnight, leaving me in the house alone. For the first time in years, I raced up the stairs to my bed, after making sure all the hallway lights were switched on. It was that scary!

Friday, April 28th, 2006 // Movie Reviews

After the death of his wife, Jonathan Rivers is approached by Raymond, a man who claims she has been trying to contact him. Raymond specialises in EVP or Electronic Voice Phenomenon and has recorded Anna Rivers’ on his equipment.

Jonathan becomes obsessed with EVP, and the pursuit of his dead wife that he begins to neglect his son, his job and spends most of his time with recording equipment. After a while - despite dire warnings from a psychic and the mysterious death of Raymond Price - Rivers decides that the spirits are channelling messages through him!

While in principle, White Noise looks promising, it is actually quite a confusing movie. Why does Jonathan’s wife try to contact him from beyond? Who are the mysterious dark figures? Why choose to communicate using EVP? Why did Jonathan find out about things before they happened?

In my opinion, none of these things are properly explained in White Noise.

The movie itself is made up of some genuinely suspenseful set pieces, and you’re left wondering what the hell is going on most of the time. However, you’ll walk away confused and wondering about all the loose ends that didn’t get tied up at the end.

Does anybody know who or what the ‘mysterious figures’ were supposed to be? Aliens? Ghosts? Answers on a postcard please…..

Thursday, October 13th, 2005 // Movie Reviews