History of Horror Films of the 70′s Part II

Following the tremendous success of Roger Corman and Herschell Gordon Lewis’ career,  a few years later, up-and-coming director George A. Romero, the king of zombie films, released his first feature-length film that forever altered the face of pure horror, Night of the Living Dead (1968). For Romero to triumphantly accomplish such a fantastic achievement, he, producer Russ Streiner, and writer John Russo teamed up to co-establish Latent Image, a film company originally dealing with television commercials and industrial films. Romero, Streiner, Russo, along with countless friends and volunteers banded together to film a story of ultimate survival and society built off of a foundation of passion, cooperation, collaboration, and especially improvisation.
Worldwide sensation Night of the…

History of Horror Films of the 60′s

During the decade of the 1960s, America was in a world stricken with drastic change, crisis, and a massive breeding ground for influences of the counterculture. Horror films that were a part of the Underground Cinema, which is a group of films that were generally unknown due to its style, financing or genre,  were easily able to avoid any censorship as well as surveillance.Typically made with low budgets, horror films of this time were growing too unrealistic for teenagers who wanted something more substantial and rooted towards reality. With the younger generation pushing towards more complexities, horror films took a sharp turn and began to incorporate current issues that society dealt with on a daily…

History of Horror Films of the 70′s

Following the psychedelic era of the 60’s, the 70’s brought major awareness and female empowerment. It was a time for achievement regarding entertainment, religious, political, and technological advancements. Feminism, though it was progressing rapidly in the 60’s, ultimately rose to the top of powerful influences, as issues that were once just household conversations were presently discussed publicly. In these times, the film industry focused on, in regards to horror films specifically, religion, rebellion against society, and most importantly: the continuous Vietnam War.
When comparing horror films of the 1970’s to religious concepts, William Peter Blatty’s The Exorcist (1973) strongly conveyed multiple references towards demonic possession, Satan, and ultimately caused an immense dispute regarding the Catholic Church….

A Clockwork Orange Review

In 1971, in the midst of corruption among both the government as well as society, critically acclaimed director Stanley Kubrick released one of his most abstract, misunderstood  films ever, A Clockwork Orange. Originally written as a novel by Anthony Burgess in 1962, A Clockwork Orange centers around a dystopian, futuristic Britain in which the protagonist, Alex, played by Malcolm McDowell, engulfs himself in various acts of ultraviolence. Kubrick’s remarkable sense of vision brilliantly conveys abstract filmmaking and just how controversial films and society had become over the years due to bewildering amounts of antiestablishmentarianism.
Kubrick’s diverse style of filmmaking helped immensely to create a futuristic, avant-garde atmosphere for the film, especially with the use of a…

The Hobbit Review

Peter Jackson, director of the previous interpretations inspired by the books written by J.R.R Tolkien, has done it once again. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is truly a work of storytelling genius. This adaptation off of a book that has built an extremely extensive fan following did not cease to disappoint. Jackson also decided to push the technological envelope, so to speak, by offering the movie in 2D, 3D, and HFR (high frame rate). Seen in two dimensional filming, The Hobbit felt like an extension from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, and this will excite many obsessive movie-goers. In my opinion, this is the first rate way to see this brilliant masterpiece. Another…

Ways to Spread Holiday Cheer

The calendar year ends by celebrating numerous holidays. These holidays include religious holidays such as Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve Eve and New Year’s Day. It almost seems as though the creators of our calendar wanted to end the year and bring in the new year with happiness and celebration. Thus, as the last month of the year rolls around, one can’t help but to get in the holiday spirit. Christmas songs are sung on the radio, the tinsel is hung up, and preparations are made for the coming holidays. While these preparations are being made, it seems that one’s days get a little bit happier and a little bit brighter. Day to day, one…

Fifteen More Ways to Survive a Horror Film

If you haven’t read the article “ Surviving Horror Films: Fifteen Simple Rules,” I suggest you read it. Those were the guidelines; these are more in depth. Surviving a horror film is difficult. With a guide on what to do or not to do, your chances of living are greatly increased. Memorizing and taking heed of these rules will be an advantage should you ever be placed in the midst of a horror movie-like situation.
1.) Don’t run in the woods
Tripping over a log and breaking a leg is not worth it. The bad guy won’t stop to help you up and ask you if you’re okay. You will be their next victim. The point is,…

Sleepaway Camp Review

Released in 1983, Robert Hiltzik’s iconic slasher film, Sleepaway Camp, is a must-see for fans of the slasher genre. Especially when the film reaches the ending, which is truly one of the most authentic and unforgettable twist endings ever shot in horror cinema to this very day.  When considering the time that it was originally released, Sleepaway Camp offers audiences an opportunity to broaden their minds and to carefully think about all of the possible outcomes based on significant events that happened throughout the film. It lets the audiences try and decide for themselves what exactly the ending will consist of, which ultimately creates an excessive amount of tension due to various factors of the…

The Hobbit Animal Deaths

        The production company in charge of producing “The Hobbit” is in the public eye right now due to the alleged deaths of twenty-seven animals that were to be used in the film. Many have speculated that the farm that the animals inhabited contained dangers such as sinkholes and bluffs. The American Humane Association have said that the animals did not die during the filming of the movie, but that will not stop groups like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals from protesting the November 28th red carpet premiere in Wellington.
The Associated Press had interviewed four of the wranglers in charge of the animals; they had said that their concerns have been brought…

Basket Case Review

In 1982, Frank Henenlotter released his film debut, Basket Case, an extremely low budget splatter film filled to the brim with gore that follows a young man, Duane Bradley, an anti-socialist. Duane carries his deranged and deformed Siamese twin brother, Belial, in a basket after being separated at birth. They travel to New York City, and stay in a nearby hotel named Hotel Broslin. Although certain scenes in the film contain mediocre acting skills, the use of dark, dismal lighting, and incorporating unique shots and angles into the frames aid Henenlotter in the process of constructing a film that possesses a mass of potential and favorability. Despite the fact that the film acquired a budget…