Horror summer blockbusters are just around the corner!
For your consideration:
1. Alien (1979): A-
2. Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives (1986): A-
3. Frankenstein (1931): B+
4. Grave Encounters (2011): B
5. The Wolfman (2010): B-
6. Friday the 13th Part V: A New Beginning (1985): C-
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query alien. Sort by date Show all posts
Showing posts sorted by relevance for query alien. Sort by date Show all posts
Saturday, May 31, 2014
Thursday, December 6, 2012
American Horror Story, S2, E8 - (2012)
"Unholy Night"
GENERAL INFO:
Creators: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Producers: 20th Century Fox
Channel: FX
Starring: Jessica Lange, James Cromwell, Lily Rabe, Sara Paulson, Evan Peters, Zachary Quinto; ft. Ian McShane
TV Rating: MA SLV
Genre: television, horror, drama, insane asylum, serial killer, holiday
Scare score: B
Rating: B+
Plot overview: The featured inmate on this week's episode is a mentally disturbed former thief (McShane) who landed himself in Briarcliff after murdering several families while dressed up as Santa Claus several years earlier. During Briarcliff's previously banned Christmas party, possessed Sister Mary Eunice (Rabe) urges him to don a Santa costume once again and release his anger as he did years ago. Sister Jude (Lange) becomes involved in a dangerous game of loyalty between Dr. Arden (Cromwell) and Sister Mary Eunice. Lastly, Lana (Paulson) and Kit (Peters) figure out how to handle their knowledge about the true identity of Bloody Face.
It took me a while to realize I liked this episode. I must say the Christmas stuff was almost overkill, but then I realized it was freaking me out and my normal reaction was to brush it off as nonsense. Aside from a bangin Christmas music soundtrack, this episode had fun with the perversion of Christmas traditions: decorating the tree, hanging the star, giving gifts, and the Santa costume in general. I specifically thought the flashback scene of when McShane first uses the costume and breaks into that one house was really disturbing. Playing with Christmas, turning it psychological and dark, was uncomfortable and downright scary at times. Classic American Horror Story, taking things we care about and making them potentially horrifying. And while I don't agree with it, I really loved the line "There is no God, but there is a Santa Claus." Ho ho ho, that was a good one.
Otherwise, what made me really like this episode (once I started putting the pieces together) was how deep it was, especially in the script, and how rich it was in symbolism. Something about the Christmas theme certainly helped, as well as all the exploration into religion that went on - overall, this exploration of faith, the meaning of belief, and the presence of God and/or the devil clearly seems to be a major theme of the whole season. In some weird way, between the alien abductions and talk of the Holocaust, there was something deep about this episode.
A problem I've been having so far with this season is the almost randomness and definite frustration involving each of the various subplots happening within Briarcliff. We have the pact between Dr. Arden and the Monsignor (Joseph Fiennes) that we don't entirely understand yet. The dangerous and questionably romantic game between Dr. Arden and Sister Mary Eunice/ the devil inside her. The internal and spiritual struggle of Sister Jude as well as her desire to help free Sister Mary Eunice. Lana's experience with Bloody Face and general presence in Briarcliff. Kit's innocence, search for Alma, feelings for Grace. Kit and Lana's imprisonment of Dr. Thredson. The mutants outside of Briarcliff. The aliens abducting everybody. The fact that we know Briarcliff gets shut down. The fact that there's still a malicious spirit lurking in solitary confinement, as well as an equally malicious Bloody Face roaming Briarcliff in 2012. Like need I go on?
It was a breath of fresh air after this episode to see Kit and Lana take some action, not that it resolves anything but at least Lana didn't fall back into Thredson's clutches. I enjoyed Sister Jude's plight throughout the episode, and I enjoy that she is finally receiving this big calling from above. There was some poetic justice in the abuse suffered at the hands of "Santa Claus" as well as her own switch. Maybe this baptism by blood will only help her on her mission.
Final critique: I understand that this is a TV show and the writers need to make it last a few more episodes. Still- I'm getting restless and I need answers. The plot has been pretty interesting, so what is left in the season had better be satisfying. The terror in this episode wasn't the jumpy, screaming type, but more so a deeper, darker, psychological horror you had to think about and then accept. The perversion of Christmas, the murder and abuse of innocents, the victory of evil over good: these are the situations we were shown today under the tunes of pleasant Christmas music. Good acting all around, specifically for the characters who were allowed to explore a little bit outside of their standard selves. Not a fan of that little girl's "Massachusetts" accent in the beginning... like literally, start setting movies and shows in nondescript places with simple accents. Sorry that I get hung up on these things. Looking forward to next week.
GENERAL INFO:
Creators: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Producers: 20th Century Fox
Channel: FX
Starring: Jessica Lange, James Cromwell, Lily Rabe, Sara Paulson, Evan Peters, Zachary Quinto; ft. Ian McShane
TV Rating: MA SLV
Genre: television, horror, drama, insane asylum, serial killer, holiday
Scare score: B
Rating: B+
Plot overview: The featured inmate on this week's episode is a mentally disturbed former thief (McShane) who landed himself in Briarcliff after murdering several families while dressed up as Santa Claus several years earlier. During Briarcliff's previously banned Christmas party, possessed Sister Mary Eunice (Rabe) urges him to don a Santa costume once again and release his anger as he did years ago. Sister Jude (Lange) becomes involved in a dangerous game of loyalty between Dr. Arden (Cromwell) and Sister Mary Eunice. Lastly, Lana (Paulson) and Kit (Peters) figure out how to handle their knowledge about the true identity of Bloody Face.
It took me a while to realize I liked this episode. I must say the Christmas stuff was almost overkill, but then I realized it was freaking me out and my normal reaction was to brush it off as nonsense. Aside from a bangin Christmas music soundtrack, this episode had fun with the perversion of Christmas traditions: decorating the tree, hanging the star, giving gifts, and the Santa costume in general. I specifically thought the flashback scene of when McShane first uses the costume and breaks into that one house was really disturbing. Playing with Christmas, turning it psychological and dark, was uncomfortable and downright scary at times. Classic American Horror Story, taking things we care about and making them potentially horrifying. And while I don't agree with it, I really loved the line "There is no God, but there is a Santa Claus." Ho ho ho, that was a good one.
Otherwise, what made me really like this episode (once I started putting the pieces together) was how deep it was, especially in the script, and how rich it was in symbolism. Something about the Christmas theme certainly helped, as well as all the exploration into religion that went on - overall, this exploration of faith, the meaning of belief, and the presence of God and/or the devil clearly seems to be a major theme of the whole season. In some weird way, between the alien abductions and talk of the Holocaust, there was something deep about this episode.
A problem I've been having so far with this season is the almost randomness and definite frustration involving each of the various subplots happening within Briarcliff. We have the pact between Dr. Arden and the Monsignor (Joseph Fiennes) that we don't entirely understand yet. The dangerous and questionably romantic game between Dr. Arden and Sister Mary Eunice/ the devil inside her. The internal and spiritual struggle of Sister Jude as well as her desire to help free Sister Mary Eunice. Lana's experience with Bloody Face and general presence in Briarcliff. Kit's innocence, search for Alma, feelings for Grace. Kit and Lana's imprisonment of Dr. Thredson. The mutants outside of Briarcliff. The aliens abducting everybody. The fact that we know Briarcliff gets shut down. The fact that there's still a malicious spirit lurking in solitary confinement, as well as an equally malicious Bloody Face roaming Briarcliff in 2012. Like need I go on?
It was a breath of fresh air after this episode to see Kit and Lana take some action, not that it resolves anything but at least Lana didn't fall back into Thredson's clutches. I enjoyed Sister Jude's plight throughout the episode, and I enjoy that she is finally receiving this big calling from above. There was some poetic justice in the abuse suffered at the hands of "Santa Claus" as well as her own switch. Maybe this baptism by blood will only help her on her mission.
Final critique: I understand that this is a TV show and the writers need to make it last a few more episodes. Still- I'm getting restless and I need answers. The plot has been pretty interesting, so what is left in the season had better be satisfying. The terror in this episode wasn't the jumpy, screaming type, but more so a deeper, darker, psychological horror you had to think about and then accept. The perversion of Christmas, the murder and abuse of innocents, the victory of evil over good: these are the situations we were shown today under the tunes of pleasant Christmas music. Good acting all around, specifically for the characters who were allowed to explore a little bit outside of their standard selves. Not a fan of that little girl's "Massachusetts" accent in the beginning... like literally, start setting movies and shows in nondescript places with simple accents. Sorry that I get hung up on these things. Looking forward to next week.
Thursday, January 10, 2013
American Horror Story, S2, E10 and E11 - (2013)
"The Name Game" and "Spilt Milk"
Frightening friends! Please accept my apology for having parted from The Horror Blog for such a long time. Horror Buff did a lot of traveling over the holidays, which made updating pretty difficult.
Well we're into a new year (some people are refusing to write only -13 or /13 because 13 is an unlucky number... it's a year for spooks indeed), which means more horror awaits us. I realize this has been turning more into an American Horror Story blog as of late, so my New Year's Resolution will be to watch more actual movies. Starting this weekend. For now, more AHS.
GENERAL INFO:
Creators: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Producers: 20th Century Fox
Channel: FX
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Sara Paulson, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, James Cromwell, Zachary Quinto, Lizzie Brocheré; ft. Naomi Grossman, Dylan McDermott, Barbara Tarbuck
TV Rating: MA SLV
Genre: television, horror, psychological thriller, drama, insane asylum, serial killer, aliens
Scare score: C-
Rating: A
Plot overview: Many changes begin to take place at Briarcliff as both Judy Martin (Lange) and the Angel of Death (Conroy) urge Monsignor Howard (Fiennes) to remove the possessed Sister Mary Eunice (Rabe) from the picture, which he seems to accomplish successfully. Grace (Brocheré) returns from death and alien possession in a very pregnant state with only Pepper (Grossman) to take care of her, despite vicious attempts made by both Dr. Arden (Cromwell) and Dr. Thredson (Quinto). After weeks of waiting, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for both Kit (Peters) and Lana (Paulson) who find their justice and are freed from Briarcliff.
WOW! All I can say is wow, and it was really nice to be able to watch these two episodes back to back. At first I found myself getting frustrated because I kept expecting bad things to happen to the main characters who we are rooting for (namely Kit, Lana, and Judy aka Sister Jude) - as is the way of AHS. Luckily for me, these two episodes really drifted from the show's usual terror and focused on some pretty positive changes.
I'm going to keep this brief. Some shout outs, however, are in store for various actors of the show's talented ensemble. Specifically Lange, Paulson, Peters, Fiennes, and even McDermott in his short sequences really drove home the acting for me. Lange exhibits yet another realm of acting which she is capable of in these installments, namely that of an incapacitated mental patient. McDermott's scenes are so eerie and disturbing - I can just picture him reading the script beforehand and getting so into the sickness of his character. Also, I really enjoyed the fun and energetic performance of that random prostitute (actress Jill Marie Jones) - she was so likable! And lastly, I suppose it was finally nice to hear something intelligible out of Naomi Grossman after having to simply act like a weirdo "freak" until now in the season. She acts, too! And pretty well.
Now call me crazy, but I loved the musical sequence in eponymous scene of "The Name Game." Maybe this is, in part, due to the fact that as a child my family always sang that song to me. On the other hand, the actors looked like they were having so much fun! Lange was really great, and even Evan Peters surprised me with his dancing. Who could of thought such a risky, cheesy move could have ended so well? Horror Buff bo Borror Buff banana fana fo Forror Fuff fee fi mo Morror Muff - Horror Buff! (Had to).
Anyway- I really couldn't believe how much change took place in this episode. So many positive, relieving things happened that I just can't help but feel terrible things are to follow. After the jump...
*SPOILER ALERT*
Let's just talk about Monsignor. He was so great, so innocent and endearing at the beginning of the episodes... I just can't help but think he's the possessed one now. Something isn't the same anymore and he is becoming a bigger jerk just like he used to be. I sincerely liked him when he was repenting, but now something feels awry, and since it seems all other antagonism has disappeared, it would make sense. *Church criticism* ... *original*.... not. Still, there is some adventure up ahead.
Dr. Arden? Like kthxbye? That was quick yet poetic in multiple ways, both with his lost 'love' and the murderous past he lived. Either way, if this is truly the end of him, I think he acted it both well and appropriately.
Let's talk briefly about all the babies. Usually, you know, babies are fun, cute, and overall positive things. Not on AHS. We know how Lana's baby is going to turn out (if that really is him and not just some deranged man), so there's not hope there. How do we feel about an undead/ redead Grace and little Thomas? There are already so many questions.
Final critique: American Horror Story is back with a bang or several. A lot of these major changes felt rather rushed, so we will have to say where this is headed. Otherwise, I wasn't a fan of the new use of camera angles (a sort of first-person, handheld camera look) - it was too sudden for the season and used too much. Otherwise I did enjoy the fresh breath of positivity... which is almost certainly soon to be crushed by the negative but entertaining force that is American Horror Story.
Happy New Year, horror fans.
Frightening friends! Please accept my apology for having parted from The Horror Blog for such a long time. Horror Buff did a lot of traveling over the holidays, which made updating pretty difficult.
Well we're into a new year (some people are refusing to write only -13 or /13 because 13 is an unlucky number... it's a year for spooks indeed), which means more horror awaits us. I realize this has been turning more into an American Horror Story blog as of late, so my New Year's Resolution will be to watch more actual movies. Starting this weekend. For now, more AHS.
GENERAL INFO:
Creators: Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk
Producers: 20th Century Fox
Channel: FX
Starring: Joseph Fiennes, Sara Paulson, Jessica Lange, Evan Peters, Lily Rabe, James Cromwell, Zachary Quinto, Lizzie Brocheré; ft. Naomi Grossman, Dylan McDermott, Barbara Tarbuck
TV Rating: MA SLV
Genre: television, horror, psychological thriller, drama, insane asylum, serial killer, aliens
Scare score: C-
Rating: A
Plot overview: Many changes begin to take place at Briarcliff as both Judy Martin (Lange) and the Angel of Death (Conroy) urge Monsignor Howard (Fiennes) to remove the possessed Sister Mary Eunice (Rabe) from the picture, which he seems to accomplish successfully. Grace (Brocheré) returns from death and alien possession in a very pregnant state with only Pepper (Grossman) to take care of her, despite vicious attempts made by both Dr. Arden (Cromwell) and Dr. Thredson (Quinto). After weeks of waiting, there is finally light at the end of the tunnel for both Kit (Peters) and Lana (Paulson) who find their justice and are freed from Briarcliff.
WOW! All I can say is wow, and it was really nice to be able to watch these two episodes back to back. At first I found myself getting frustrated because I kept expecting bad things to happen to the main characters who we are rooting for (namely Kit, Lana, and Judy aka Sister Jude) - as is the way of AHS. Luckily for me, these two episodes really drifted from the show's usual terror and focused on some pretty positive changes.
I'm going to keep this brief. Some shout outs, however, are in store for various actors of the show's talented ensemble. Specifically Lange, Paulson, Peters, Fiennes, and even McDermott in his short sequences really drove home the acting for me. Lange exhibits yet another realm of acting which she is capable of in these installments, namely that of an incapacitated mental patient. McDermott's scenes are so eerie and disturbing - I can just picture him reading the script beforehand and getting so into the sickness of his character. Also, I really enjoyed the fun and energetic performance of that random prostitute (actress Jill Marie Jones) - she was so likable! And lastly, I suppose it was finally nice to hear something intelligible out of Naomi Grossman after having to simply act like a weirdo "freak" until now in the season. She acts, too! And pretty well.
Now call me crazy, but I loved the musical sequence in eponymous scene of "The Name Game." Maybe this is, in part, due to the fact that as a child my family always sang that song to me. On the other hand, the actors looked like they were having so much fun! Lange was really great, and even Evan Peters surprised me with his dancing. Who could of thought such a risky, cheesy move could have ended so well? Horror Buff bo Borror Buff banana fana fo Forror Fuff fee fi mo Morror Muff - Horror Buff! (Had to).
Anyway- I really couldn't believe how much change took place in this episode. So many positive, relieving things happened that I just can't help but feel terrible things are to follow. After the jump...
*SPOILER ALERT*
Let's just talk about Monsignor. He was so great, so innocent and endearing at the beginning of the episodes... I just can't help but think he's the possessed one now. Something isn't the same anymore and he is becoming a bigger jerk just like he used to be. I sincerely liked him when he was repenting, but now something feels awry, and since it seems all other antagonism has disappeared, it would make sense. *Church criticism* ... *original*.... not. Still, there is some adventure up ahead.
Dr. Arden? Like kthxbye? That was quick yet poetic in multiple ways, both with his lost 'love' and the murderous past he lived. Either way, if this is truly the end of him, I think he acted it both well and appropriately.
Let's talk briefly about all the babies. Usually, you know, babies are fun, cute, and overall positive things. Not on AHS. We know how Lana's baby is going to turn out (if that really is him and not just some deranged man), so there's not hope there. How do we feel about an undead/ redead Grace and little Thomas? There are already so many questions.
Final critique: American Horror Story is back with a bang or several. A lot of these major changes felt rather rushed, so we will have to say where this is headed. Otherwise, I wasn't a fan of the new use of camera angles (a sort of first-person, handheld camera look) - it was too sudden for the season and used too much. Otherwise I did enjoy the fresh breath of positivity... which is almost certainly soon to be crushed by the negative but entertaining force that is American Horror Story.
Happy New Year, horror fans.
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