LOVECRAFT REVIEWS: Re-Animated

Hello everyone,

I assure you, I'm not dead. After an extremely difficult two months, I have finally found the time and energy to dive back into the blogosphere. I apologize for the 2 month gap in posts, however, this has not been a break from horror (oh, no). I have had a lot of time to sit and contemplate my love for the genre, the state of the genre itself and taking a break from reviewing was good for me in that instance. This will be more of an introspective post, while I have taken a break from posting, my head has still been in the loop and several articles that I have seen (from large and reputable publications) about the state of horror following the release of Devil's Due and Oculus has prompted me to share my thoughts regarding the current state of horror. 

One of my main loves of this genre is the community that embodies it. This is a genre made of die hard fans who live and breathe the mayhem and bloodshed. They love the good, they hate the bad, and no matter what, they will be fans from now until the day they die. These fans know, much like I do, that horror is a living breathing entity, and much like anything else, it has its ups and its downs. I believe right now that horror is in a state of hibernation, which happens every 5 years or so. There are fads that come along, and after a few years everything becomes stale or old; every idea is recycled and every story is told in a thousand different ways. Then we reach a point where the genre seems to be lying in wait for the next big movement to come along, we head underground and lie in wait. 

This year we are coming into the 10 year anniversary of the birth of one of those fads, a new sub-genre that changed everything. When Saw was released in October of 2004, it took not only the horror world by storm, but the entire film world as well. The ensuing blood bath was entitled gore porn, or torture porn, a sub-genre that was strengthened by the release of Hostel a few months later. Practical effects were back in full effect, the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and The Hills Have Eyes, Wolf Creek and more all showcased bloody and violent deaths before people grew weary of the on-screen savagery. Saw began to suffer from franchise fatigue by entry number 4, Eli Roth went on a self imposed sabbatical after the way Hostel II was treated by the MPAA, and horror fell into a state of wait. At that point, something had to change and the horror world was shaken apart again in 2009 by the release of Paranormal Activity, a massively over-hyped film in my opinion. The slew of found footage films that were ushered in by the dam breaking success of PA was overwhelming, and one of the biggest cash grabs by major studios in horror history. 

In my humble opinion, the past 5 years have been a sad time for major horror releases, and while there are exceptions to every rule, I stand by that statement. We see the cycle yet again. The PA films, while a couple of the sequels were solid films, has given into franchise fatigue, and the studios continue to pump out formulaic found footage films that audiences have grown weary of. The cow has been milked dry, and we wait for the next movement to come along. While there have always been formulaic horror films being churned out on low budgets to make a quick buck, I am very excited to see the next wave of horror and what it holds for the fans. While I thank god for horror's illustrious past, I have become exhausted by the seemingly horrible and tired films that continue to come out on a predictable schedule and it poor fashion. I view this time as the "great depression" of horror the world.

While there have been some great horror films to receive major distribution in the past few years (i.e. The Conjuring, Evil Dead and You're Next) I am glad that James Wan has retired, it is time for someone else to come along, and I have my hopes placed in the hands of Ti West and the mumblegore crew. While the past few years have seemed a little meek, there has been so many wonderful films to never see the silver light and that is where the true hope of horror lies these days. It is a bit saddening though, that the true fans know the genre is alive and well, while the mainstream audience thinks that it's a dying genre. I do believe that the genre's next big star will rise from this independent movement, however, as I mentioned I believe Ti West and the Mumblegore guys could be the ones to do it. 

Horror is my great and long love, and honey, I'm ready for you to make your grand re-debut. Until then, I'm sticking to your classics, to your underground stories of despair and death, and I only hope that you make that re-entrance very soon. It's time for you to show the world that you still got it, because we all know you do. I know that you have great things on the horizon, and I'll be here waiting to see what you've got.

- Rg Lovecraft

NON-HORROR NEWS: Ti West Breaks Into The Major Market - FINALLY!

It's no secret that I have a bit of a man crush on Ti West. I think he's absolutely the shining beacon of hope for the horror genre, and if you don't believe me just hunker down for a viewing of The House of the Devil. 

Yesterday Bloody Disgusting announced some pretty exciting news: Ti West has been brought in to direct some major names in the biz. While it's not a horror film, it's a western revenge flick, John Travolta and Ethan Hawke (Sinister, The Purge). 

West will be writing and directing, and the film is set to take place in the late 1800's. I think it's pretty safe to say that this move is probably heavily inspired by Tarantino's Django Unchained, which I am perfectly okay with. I guess the question is how far detached from the horror genre it will be, West has proved himself to be quite the master of suspense while not relying on violence. Will we see a blood bath? I'm so interested and excited I could just pee myself. 

Things Get Real in the Red Band Trailer for Ti West's THE SACRAMENT

There are very few things in this world that scare me more than religious fanatacism. The things that people are willing to do in the name of their "god", or worse, convince others to do in the name of some deity can go to some dark place that I would normally like to think doesn't exist. Ti West's The Sacrament looks like it will subjecting me to that fear, and more, and I can't wait. 

There's only one thing that gets me any where near as excited as I do for the release of a solid new flick, and that's the release of a red band trailer! Last year's Evil Dead RB trailer was probably the trailer-event of the year, EVERYBODY was freaking out about it, and for good reason. The RB trailer for The Sacrament promises one hell of a ride, and I'll say this much, it looks like I'm going to love it. 

Directed by Ti West, my current horror man-crush, the film stars AJ Bowen, Joe Swanberg, Kentucky Audley and Amy Siemetz. It was produced by none other than the man himself, Eli Roth. It's cool to see Eli coming through and paving the way for the next generation of great genre filmmakers, just like Tarantino did for him. I mean, it's good to see Roth back int he game in general, I was devastated when he announced his indefinite retirement from the genre back in 2007 following the extreme censorship and horrid distribution issues with Hostel II.

“The Sacrament follows two Vice media correspondents as they set out to document their friend’s search to find his missing sister. They travel outside of the United States to an undisclosed location where they are welcomed into the world of “Eden Parish,” a self-sustained rural utopia comprised of nearly 200 members. At the centre of this small, religious, socialist community is a mysterious leader known only as “Father.” As their friend reunites with his sister, it becomes apparent to the newcomers that this paradise may not be as it seems. What started as just another documentary shoot soon becomes a race to escape with their lives.”

Now, dig into the red band trailer for The Sacrament and enjoy the brand new one sheet as well!

Drink The Kool-Aid On May 5th! Ti West's THE SACRAMENT Finally Gets Release Date!

If you're a big Ti West fan like I am than this is very happy news! The latest film House of the Devil director, Ti West, is set to hit VOD platforms on May 5th and enter a limited theatrical run on June 6th.

I love West's work; from the minute I watched House of the Devil and The Innkeepers, I knew he was my new favorite and gleaming hope for the horror genre. He's a real fan of the genre, and he doesn't let his ego get in the way of his work either. He makes real horror films for real horror fans. 

What makes this film exciting though is that not only is it directed by West and being produced by none other than the great and fearful Eli Roth (it feels good to be typing his name on here again), it boasts the some of the finest of the Mumblegore crew in the cast list as well. AJ Bowen (who's ramping up to be quite the new horror frontman), Joe Swanberg AND Amy Seimetz all star in the film, along with Kentucker Audley and No Country for Old Men's Gene Jones. 

“The Sacrament follows two Vice media correspondents as they set out to document their friend’s search to find his missing sister. They travel outside of the United States to an undisclosed location where they are welcomed into the world of “Eden Parish,” a self-sustained rural utopia comprised of nearly 200 members. At the centre of this small, religious, socialist community is a mysterious leader known only as “Father.” As their friend reunites with his sister, it becomes apparent to the newcomers that this paradise may not be as it seems. What started as just another documentary shoot soon becomes a race to escape with their lives.“

Let us rejoice, y'all. The new year is amping up to be a great year for us. Keep it spooky!

- Rg Lovecraft

You're Next (2013) - A Review

Did you remember to lock the door? 

As Home Invasion Celebration Week has come to an end, I have to apologize for not getting this review up earlier. As I mentioned yesterday, I came down with a wee bit of the sickness and have been meaning to get this up but have only just found the energy and time to devote to this review. I am very excited to finally be posting this, as this film has been highly anticipated in the world of Rg Lovecraft since 2011, when it first started making its festival rounds. 

Unlike Evil Dead I had no apprehension walking into this film. I knew, without a shadow of a doubt that this film was going to deliver, and boy howdy did it ever. As entertaining and funny as it is dark and gruesome, You’re Next delivers on all fronts and has definitely made Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett a force to be reckoned with in the modern world of horror cinema.

New TV Spot for YOU'RE NEXT Gets... Scary

Definitely one of the most anticipated horror films for fans across the world, including myself, Adam Wingard's You're Next descends upon the masses in 2 and a half weeks! Just the same with the remake of Evil Dead, for every sign, billboard and advertisement I pass the excitement grows. Starting Friday, in honor of the new flick that's receiving rave reviews, we'll be focusing on home invasion horror here at Lovecraft Reviews; and by we I mean me. 

REGARDLESS, there's yet another TV spot and while it's only 30 seconds long, man does it still get my engine going. Check it out below, and if you haven't heard about this one yet, educate yo'self: 

"When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back."