European Horror

MARTYRS (08):

Extremely creepy, violent French horror movie that nears the top of my list of most disturbing films. Part of France’s New Wave of Horror, this just may be the best one yet. It's about two victims of child abuse trying to enact revenge against their oppressors, but they're in for a whole lot more pain and suffering.

While it may seem like an excessive exercise in "torture porn" at first, the thought-provoking third act is well worth the wait for those who tire or shy away from the extreme brutality on display throughout much of the film. This one is definitely not for the squeamish! It is disturbingly graphic and violent and the viewer is left in the dark for much of the film, so the final revelations are quite shocking and intriguing.

Rated R for disturbing/severe aberrant behavior involving strong bloody violence, torture, child abuse and some nudity. Genre: Horror/Drama. 99 minutes. Available on DVD/Blu-ray. 8.4/10

DEAD SNOW (09):

Absolutely hysterical horror/comedy import from Norway involving Nazi zombies and oodles of references to horror classics. I feel like Tommy Wirkola achieves the perfect balance of humor and horror, serving up enough bloodshed to please the gorehounds and enough laughs for anyone just looking to be entertained.

This movie is not very scary and it isn't intended to be, so look elsewhere if you're seeking reasons to keep you up at night. Horror buffs will delight in the comedic tributes and references to cult classics by the likes of Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson, and everyone else...well, c'mon...it's Nazi zombies, so what's not to like?

Not Rated in the USA, but I would rate it R for ample blood splatter. Genre: Horror/Comedy. 91 minutes. Available on DVD/Blu-ray since 8/31/09. 7.7/10

MUM AND DAD (09):

This British horror flick is excellent. One of the best horror movies of 2009 so far, Mum and Dad does nearly everything right. The acting is top-notch and the story is somewhat familiar but different enough to really captivate. In fact, I'll skip plot details so as not to ruin the surprise.

Steve Sheil deserves high praise for both a fine script and deft directing in this (cautionary) tale of a Polish immigrant’s run-in with a strange family of demented murderers. This is edgy filmmaking at its best and despite some obvious influences (i.e. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre) it is rather unique and fresh. I felt mired in a brutal, grotesque atmosphere that lingered with me long after viewing.

Not Rated in the USA, but I would give it an R for brutality, bloody violence and disturbing behavior. Genre: Horror. 84 minutes. Available on DVD. 8/10

Dead President

ASSASSINATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL PRESIDENT (09):

Hilarious and fascinating neo-noir about a high school reporter who uncovers a bigger scandal while investigating stolen SAT exams. Much like Rian Johnson’s Brick (07), it’s a high-school set detective genre spoof. Our gum-chewing gumshoe protagonist is a Raymond Chandler wannabe with dreams of becoming a journalist, and this case/article is sure to be a step in the right direction.

He teams up with the most popular girl in school to uncover the mystery, but finds himself in too deep as a larger conspiracy unfolds. The movie loses points for originality, since it is clearly inspired by Brick (07), but it makes up for this with interesting characters and quirky quotable dialogue. I loved the style on display in this comedic mystery that poignantly captures many elements of the high school experience.

Reece Thompson is superb as Bobby Funke, but Bruce Willis steals the show as a Desert Storm vet turned high school principal. While fans of Mischa Barton will likely be pleased with her presence, I found her performance a bit flat (not quite as bad as I expected it to be though). Some will not appreciate the film’s unique style and humor but I was enamored and delighted by the witty dialogue and intriguing characters. Highly recommended. Rated R for sexual content, some nudity, language, and drug and alcohol use—all involving teens. Genre: Comedy/Mystery. 93 minutes. Available on DVD on 10/06/09. 8.2/10