The King of Horror

People are not only rushing to Starbucks to get a taste of pumpking spice this Fall; it seems like everyone wants a piece of Stephen King's work as well. He's producing new material, adapting old work, and even collaborating at remaking some of his most well-known masterpieces.

In the works right now are remakes for It, The Stand, and a controversial sequel to Creepshow. King is also busy with two TV shows, Under the Dome and the somewhat successful Haven. And if that wasn't enough to keep a King busy, the court is buzzing with news of a 11/22/63 adaptation for Hulu. Omg!

So to celebrate all of this royal news, I thought I'd go down memory lane and highlight my top ten favourite Stephen King adaptations. I'm a 90's kid, I practically ate those for breakfast.

Enjoy!



10. Needful Things

Year: 1993
Director: Fraser Heston
Actors: Max Von Sydow, Ed Harris, Amanda Plummer
Summary: A stranger comes into town and soon thereafter, strange things begin to happen to the townspeople of Castle Rock, a recurring setting for King stories. King is known for his jabs at religion and the occult. And he doesn't shy away from that here, with the story being a parallel to human greed and corruption (represented by the devil.) This movie's cover always terrified me as a kid, with that shopping bag with the hand and head presing on it. Reason why I don't touch pregnant bellies, to this day.
Interesting Facts: Amanda Plummer, who portrays the young Nettie Cobb, can be seen in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire as Wiress. Also, Sydow's character, The Devil, is seen driving an indestructible black car, possibly the same as in Christine, another King project.



9. Apt Pupil

Year: 1998
Director: Bryan Singer
Actors: Ian McKellan, Brad Renfro, David Schwimmer
Summary: An older gentleman with a secret from his past befriends a young man with an odd fascination that enthralls both of them and sends them down a spiralling vortex of lies, deception, and murder.
Interesting Facts: I still remember seeing the previews for this movie when I was twelve and it scared me. Haven't seen this movie since I was a teen, but still vividly remember the awkward tension between the two men, and this before I even knew what homosexuality was. Bryan Singer, who directs this movie, later went on to direct McKellan in the X-Men movies. Also, watch out for a small role from Joshua Jackson, who was just starting to transition into more mature roles.



8. 1408

Year: 2007
Director: Mikael Håfström
Actors: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson
Summary: Following the death of his young daughter, an author dives into a world of deception and speculation and must somehow reconcile the two in order to save his sanity...inside a haunted hotel room.
Interesting Facts: This is the second "haunted house" story from King that has been adapted to the big screen, after The Shining, to gain both commercial and critical success. And those two movies share a further connection. The axe used by the fireman at the end of 1408 is the same axe that Jack Nicholson uses in the famous "Here's Johnny!" scene. Both films were also partially shot at the Elstree studio in London.



7. The Dark Half

Year: 1993
Director: George A. Romero
Actors: Timothy Hutton, Michael Rooker, Amy Madigan
Summary: A writer must battle his writer's block while also trying to stop his alter-ego from taking over his life.
Interesting Facts: King wrote this novel shortly after revealing his own alter-ego/pseudonym, Richard Bachman. This was also his last novel that he wrote before going sober, with his struggles depicted as the main focus of duality in the book. It's very auto-biographical! And look out for Sheriff Alan Pangborn, a character who appears in other King works! The transition to film was directed, with some disappointment, by George A. Romero of "Night of the Living Dead" fame.



6. Cujo

Year: 1983
Director: Lewis Teague
Actors: Dee Wallace, Danny Pintauro
Summary: A young mother, coming to grips with her failed marriage, takes her son along for a ride to the local mechanics. Shortly thereafter, they are attacked and terrorized by a sick Saint-Bernard.
Interesting Facts: I watched this movie AFTER watching Beethoven and another, less popular, film called Man's Best Friend. I was just starting my fascination for horror flicks and especially King flicks. So needless to say that it stuck with me throughout the years and Dee Wallace's performance still haunts me. Nothing quite as emotional as seeing a mom trying to defend her child. Sadly, an animal DID die during production; the main Saint-Bernard died during production of the movie.



5. Children of the Corn

Year: 1984
Director: Fritz Kiersch
Actors: Peter Horton, Linda Hamilton, John Franklin
Summary: Typical storyline. A young couple get stranded in a small, secluded roadside town and must fight for their lives against a cult of murdering children. (Yikes!)
Interesting Facts: This was Hamilton's year, as she also appeared in the movie that would make her a household name: Terminator. I didn't even know it was Hamilton who portrayed Vicki until I wrote this blog. Haven't seen this movie in forever and so was surprised to see such a recognizable name. Also, the kid who plays Isaac (John Franklin) still creeps me out. He's just like...a grown up version of Isaac. This shouldn't be!! lol Go check his bio, dude still looks like a child from the cornrows. (Yikes!)



4. Misery

Year: 1990
Director: Rob Reiner
Actors: James Caan, Kathy Bates, Lauren Bacall
Summary: In the same vein as The Fan, Misery tells the story of an author who is rescued from a car crash by a woman who claims to be "his number one fan." It doesn't take long before admiration turns into obsession.
Interesting Facts: I didn't read this novel so was kind of surprised when I found out that Bacall's character isn't in the book as I find her to be the prime example of publishers in a movie so heavy on the hate towards editors and publishers. I mean, why didn't King come up with this character? He hates those people more than anyone else in the world. I also like that they made a nod to another King story when Annie references The Shining when she mentions that "a guy went mad in a hotel nearby." King is big on using characters and settings in a multitude of novels, so it's fun when the screenwriters keep that whimsical tradition.



3. The Mist

Year: 2007
Director: Frank Darabont
Actors: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Laurie Holden
Summary: A small town (duh!) is terrorized by otherworldy creatures following a freak storm that leaves most of the townspeople trapped inside the supermarket.
Interesting Facts: Frank Darabont is no stranger when it comes to adapting King novels into quality movies; he is the mastermind behind The Shawshank Redemption AND The Green Mile. Also, Frank Darabont brought Holden, Jeffrey DeMunn, and Melissa McBride with him when he started work on The Walking Dead. If it's not enough that King admires Darabont's body of work, he congratulated the director by telling him that "I am genuinely frightened by your adaptation." I would have pee'd myself right there.



2. The Shining

Year: 1980
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd
Summary: A family struggling with their own problems move into an isolated hotel where not everything is as it seems. Before long, the family must battle a supernatural force that threatens their safety and their sanity.
Interesting  Facts: There are complete University classes just about this movie and all of it's hidden meanings and symbolism, so I won't even attempt to pretend I know them all! Like this blogger who did an amazing job at breaking down the elements of this movie. That dog scene though...



1. Carrie

Year: 1976
Director: Brian De Palma
Actors: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
Summary: A religious zealot who abuses her child is forced to watch her daughter develop telekinetic abilities that are quickly growing out of control.
Interesting Facts: First book from King that I ever read and also the first movie I saw that was based off of his work. Carrie has left a mark on Hollywood and this story has been remade twice, once for television and again last year. Amy Irving reprised her role as Sue Snell in the sequel The Rage: Carrie 2.



I suddenly have the urge to do a movie marathon this weekend.


Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Grave Encounters: A Movie Review

Wow, I haven't blogged in so long. I am busy with the move, with the new digs, the summer. It's so easy to lose track of time and what we enjoy doing the most. So with this in mind, I'm starting the week fresh with new blog posts!! Enjoy!

Director: The Vicious Brothers
Starring: Sean Rogerson, Ashleigh Gryzko, Mackenzie Grey, Juan Riedinger
The Plot: A cast and crew of a Paranormal Reality Television show lock themselves in a psychiatric hospital that is rumoured to be haunted. The message on the door warned them. Death Awaits.
Review: I have not been this scared in a very long time. Last time I jumped in my seat was during the midnight screening of What Lies Beneath. I love scary movies but paranormal ones tend to send jolts of fear running up my spine. Grave Encounters is no different! There is a sense of claustrophobia as the group is locked in and they cannot escape. Darkness settles in, corridors spring out of nowhere, stairs lead to nowhere. Hair is touched, people are shoved, and time has no meaning. They don't even believe in ghosts - the psychic is a fake, the host a douche, and the cameramen are there for the money. When night settles in, skeptics become believers, and believers become victims.
Rating: 7/10

I'm not too impressed with the trailer but take my word for it - this movie is really eerie. The complete movie can be found on Youtube in HQ with french subtitles. Enjoy... with lights open.

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Snow White and the Hunstman: A Movie Review

So I've decided to ditch the daily format for blogging since I am not constantly home during the summer. It's a busy and fun time of year - who wants to spend it in front of a computer? Alas, I am here waiting for my service provider to come and fix my internet problems. What a perfect time to blog!
So yesterday I did two things i've never done before:

1. I ate awesome food at an awesome restaurant called Mongolian Village! It's at the Gloucester Center and it mixes buffet and "on the grill" quite well! You choose your ingredients for your stir fry, they weigh it, cook it, and serve it to ya. It's quite cheap as they charge you only for the weight of your ingredients. Rice is unlimited! GALORE!!
2. I actually enjoyed a post-panic room Kristen Stewart movie. Da hell?

Director: Rupert Sanders
Stars: Kristen Stewart, Chris Hemsworth, Charlize Theron
What's it about: A darker, more modern retelling of the classic Snow White & The 7 Dwarfs
Review: Everything you thought you knew about the fairy tale is...well, accurate. There is nothing quite new about Snow White and the Huntsman, except for a few new characters and some minor plot devellopment. The main idea, that a wicked witch wants to kill Snow White (Kristen Stewart) so she can declare herself fairest of the land is still the driving point behind the movie. Where it begins to get interesting is the reasoning behind Ravena's (Charlize Theron) desire to pursue and destroy all of the kingdoms. There is a much more human side to the story and is less about "step-mothers being the root of all evil in a family". Sure, Charlize screams alot in the movies, does weird eye movements and shows early signs of schizophrenia but her impersonation of The Evil Queen is flawless and overshadows all of the other performances. Chris Hemsworth (The Huntsman) does a so-so job of faking an accent but makes up for it in sheer awesomeness as he seeks and destroys everything in his path. To all who are worried they turned this into a horror franchise - fret no more, there are many scenes, mostly all involving the dwarfs, that will have you laughing out loud. Not a family flick, but definitely a movie to go watch in theatres! It carries everything that makes a blockbuster!
Rating: 6/10

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Warm Bodies. Cold Bodies. Dead Bodies.

I love zombies. Duhrr!


I have breaking news. I mean, its news for people who have an equally disturbing love for zombies. If the walking dead ain't your thing, then turn around and walk away. But make it quick, I feel a fever coming on...

That was a zombie joke up there! Totally dying of laughter here! Okay - so back to the serious soft tissue at hand. The super-zealous rom-novel Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion is being produced for the big screen. Now that comes to no surprise to me since everything YA is being made into PG so might as bloody well adapt the next best thing in YAfiction.

Warm Bodies is a tale of two lovers unable to find its balance. One is human. One is a zombie. Seems suuuuuuuper ridiculous but it is quite the opposite. Sure it plays on zombie stereotypes - what art form doesn't, right? - but where most mediums exploit the slapstick, Warm Bodies embraces it as if it wasn't infected at all!

There is no release date yet but I plead y'all to go out and buy/read this book because once the movie comes out you will all be like:

"Where did I hear that title before and why is everyone so excited about a zombie love story?"

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

Inside the Arena: A Hunger Games Review

One of the most anticipated films of the year has been released a few weeks ago and received international praise, both from the fan community and the critics' circles. I am of course referring to the smash hit The Hunger Games, the first movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins' best-selling Hunger Games trilogy. 

It had been decided, after I introduced the book to my friend Liane, that we would be enjoying this dark dystopia tale togheter. Going to the movies has been less frequent lately mainly because crowd-control is an issue. There is always a pesky pack of punks trying to ruin the experience for everyone. This time was just the same. But through the noise of teenagedom, I was able to thoroughly enjoy this!!

Director: Gary Ross
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Alexander Ludwig, Amandla Stenberg
What's it About: Set in a distant future where political control has become an annual pageant presented live on national television. The twist that awaits the viewers is that the pageant is really a violent match to the death between children of the empoverished districts that are already forced to work hard to provide goods to the greedy capital. When Primrose Everdeen is chosen to participate in the Hunger Games, her older sister Katniss volunteers to spare her sister the horrible fate of being plunged into the Arena.
Review: I wasn't expecting much - mainly because adaptations rarely live up to the book. But I was plesantly surprised with the turn out. Sure, it wasn't as gore or action-packed as the book but they kept the essential element: that these are children fighting to the death. The actors they cast were brilliant at bringing Panem to life. The subtlety behind every action reallys tells the story, which in the book is seen from a first-person point of view. We understand why Katniss employs a certain strategy to make it to the end without her explicitly telling us so. We understand the relationship between Prim and Katniss is a lot stronger and tighter then their relationship with their mom, without Katniss blatantly pointing it out for us. The work is subtle, the action is there, and the end message is raw, gritty, and hopefully thought-provoking for some.

Rating: 8/10

The movie is still in theatres, still going strong. If you haven't seen it on the big screen, this is the perfect time to go : kids have already seen it. Hopefully, you won't be bothered throughout the viewing! Enjoy!

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink



Keep Calm and Carrie On

OMG - the event to surpass all events is just around the corner. Have you all heard the news? No? Okay, okay, I might be a little ahead of myself here but there are rumours of a possible Carrie remake. You know, the pigs blood, the creepy eyes, the gym on fire? Basically, the ultimate bully-revenge movie is about to get remade!

Sissy Spacek as Carrie in the 1976 original movie.

If that wasn't sex-noises to your ears, wait til you get a hold of this: Chloë Moretz (Hugo, Kick-Ass) has been selected to play the part of Carrie White. Although she wouldn't be my first pick (Dakota Fanning is - and I still think she would be brilliant in the role) i'm happy nonetheless that they chose a star who is ACTUALLY age appropriate for a movie centered around high school drama. It's going to be directed by Kimberly Peirce, the mastermind behind Boys Don't Cry and Stop-Loss.

The timing is perfect as this movie couldn't be any more relevant with all the anti-bullying movements going on around the country.

In theory, this is awesome. I mean, it's the best news since I found out Under The Dome might get the TV treatment. Carrie was the first Stephen King novel I read. When I watched that movie way back in the 90's, I had never experienced hype - or a sense of wanting and/or longing for something more. That movie created that feeling inside me. When the credits rolled, I noticed in small print the following:

"Based on the novel "Carrie" by Stephen King"

Now, it has to be said, I wasn't much of a reader back then. Sure, I was always at the library; I loved books, I just didn't read them. So when I went to the Aylmer public library the following day, I picked up the book and decided to give it a try. I found a spot in the beanie bag corner and started to read Carrie.

Can I state that this movie/book combination stirred something in me, brought me to where I am now - what with a love for horror movies, books, and writing - Yeah, I think I can. Factor in my french teacher's writing exercises and my active imagination, and you have there the cocktail of my foundation.

A teaser poster from FirstShowing

It just sucks balls that the movie comes out in 2013. After whatever it is that's suppose to kill us in 2012. *sigh*

Candles are out,

Eleven's ink

 

Sleepy Sunday: The Hunger...Pains?

I didn't know what to write about today and was just about ready to give up on today's blog post when I saw a preview for the Hunger Games on TV. My brain kinda automatically flipped through my catalogue of memories and the image of the parody book The Hunger Pains came into view.

I saw the book a few months ago at the University of Ottawa's bookstore and the cover being so similar with the original, I didn't notice the differences at first. So I picked up the book and when I read the back, I started laughing. For Katniss' name in the parody is Kantkiss Neverclean. Aha, right?

I didn't buy the book, mainly because it had the word "Harvard" on it and we all know how pretentious that lot can be, and the story seemed very similar to that of the The Hunger Games except with funny name changes (Pita Malarkey) and juvenile fart jokes. So I passed.

When I finished the third book of the Hunger Games series, I was dying to read something - anything - related to the cruel world of Panem. The movie has been released in theatres though and I will be going to see it Friday with my friend, we want to avoid the massive crowds.

Waiting a week to see the movie is a real pain. So anxious. Movie review to come the following Monday.

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Funny Games

I'm a big fan of Naomi Watts and she has that power to draw me to her movies. I first saw her in Mulholland Drive, although I had no clue she was in it until years later.

All of this brings me to one of her best performances ever: as Ann Farber in the US remake of Funny Games. Rarely do A-List stars still make me believe they are who they say they are in movies. I can't watch a Tom Hanks film or a Julia Roberts flick and not think:

"Hey that's Julia Roberts and Tom Hanks."

Naomi Watts rocks. And here's a little review of her 2008 film, Funny Games.


Director: Michael Haneke
Starring: Naomi Watts, Tim Roth, Michael Pitt, Brady Corbet
What's it about: A family goes out to their vacation home in Long Island to spend some much needed quality time togheter. But when Ann Farber is interupted in the kitchen by two boys asking for eggs, the Farber family vacation suddenly spins out of control, leaving behind a trail of tears and blood.
Review: It's really hard to watch this movie without cringing or screaming at the screen. The tormenting is going on as much inside the viewer as it is happening to the family. Funny Games doesn't carry any other point then validating that we live in a very fucked up world.
Rating: 7/10

Let the games begin.

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink



Sleepy Sunday: Little April Showers

Who didn't like to stay home on the couch on Sundays to watch such sad fares as these?:

Remember when Disney movies were good and had a deep-seeded message of love and respect? Also remember how much they loved to incorporate melancholic sequences like those ones? Oh they would make me fall asleep in an instant!

Take it easy today; kick-back and enjoy a good ole' Disney flick!

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink 

OMG - CHANGES!!

So I'm trying to find ways to blog more often and thought the themed month would inspire me to write more but it didn't; I'm actually having trouble finding a theme I want to dissect for roughly 30 days. I focus too much on the lenght of the blog which can tear me down after work. I would like to experiment with lighter posts to balance out the heavy Top Tens and Stories.

Soooooooooooooooooooooooooooo...

Starting now, I'll have themed days, which is far more easier to commit to!


Here's what you can expect in the future:

• Movie Review Monday
• W/E Wednesday
• Top Ten Thursday
• Feelgood Friday
• Sleepy Sunday

Tuesdays will be reserved for blog stories - Catch up on Friday the 13th, The Infected, and its spin-off, The Infected:What Happened to David Price.

Let the changes begin!!  ;)

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Everything Geek: Answering with Movie Quotes

To be part of the elite geek squad, you need to know your quotes; movie quotes, that is. Answering someone with a simple yes, a shrug, or a blunt no is just not lame enough to be considered geek. You need that extra jolt of nerdiness. In comes the movie quotes!!

If your friend knows nothing about movies - or to the least your massive obsession with movies - then expect to receive a massive dose of confusion face. Just explain. The quote loses its funny but your preparing that friend for more quote-answers!!

 

"It's the rules(, Dr. Gordon)" - Zep (Saw)

I use this movie quote a lot, even though Michael Emerson's character doesn't actually say the "Dr. Gordon" part. Use this quote when you want the other person to know that fairness has nothing to do with life.

Friend: "Oh my god, I got a parking ticket! That's not fair!"
Me: "It's the rules, Dr. Gordon"


"I have a feeling were not in Kansas, anymore." - Dorothy Gale (The Wizard of Oz)

Aha. This one I use whenever I'm somewhere I don't feel comfortable.

*looks out car window to find shacks and people crouched over crack pipes*
Me to friend: "I have a feeling were not in Kansas, anymore"


"May the force be with you" - Han Solo (Star Wars)

Most likely the ultimate geek quote. Use only when you want to cheer up the other person in times of stress.

Friend: "I'm so nervous, my driving exam is in an hour!"
Me: "May the force be with you!"


"I'll be back" - The Terminator (The Terminator)

Not to be confused with Stu Macher's "I'll be right back" line in Scream 1. You would use this quote in a situation where you are forced to retreat, but plan on coming back for more.

Teacher: "Sorry, you are two minutes late. I can't let you in the class"
*teacher closes door*
Me to closed door: "I'll be back"


These are my most used quotes. But there are random ones that slip their way into my vocabulary every once in a while. Such as:

• You can't handle the truth - Jack Nicholson in A Few Good Men
• Afterall, tomorrow is another - Vivien Leigh in Gone With the Wind
• It's elementary, my dear Watson - Sherlock Holmes in any and all adaptations
• My precious - Andy Serkis in Lord of the Rings

What's your favourite quote-answer??

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Everything Geek: The Buffyverse

Oh the "Verse". All geeks out there will agree that to turn anything from cult status to geek status, you have to add the suffix "Verse". Such as Buffyverse. It's like the universe 'cept only with Buffy shit. Isn't that a world we all want to live in? My thoughts exactly.


The Movie
Joss Whedon was toying with the idea of making a movie revolving around female empowerment for quite some time. He wanted something different than the damzel in distress. His first idea would be centered around an immortal waitress named Rhonda. Yeah, right, aren't we all glad he didn't go down that route!!

What finally emerged from the rubble was a light-hearted, sometimes spazzy, teen comedy about sex, drugs, violence, and school bullying. Joss has written a darker script and he did express dissapointment with the final outcome.

The movie showcased Buffy as a ditzy cheerleader who goes against the grain and fights the path that was laid out for her. It could have been great, but execs turned it into a so-so pop-culture movie that made more people laugh then scream.

I find Kristy Swanson was perfect for the role. She portrayed Buffy just as brilliantly as Sarah Michelle Gellar did, although this statement would not be well accepted at a Buffy convention. They hate the Swanson!! Rounding out the cast is Donald Sutherland, Luke Perry, David Arquette, Paul Reubens, Rutger Hauer, and Hilary Swank. Yes, the same Hilary Swank. Check out cameos by Ben Affleck and Ricki Lake!

The TV Show (seasons 1-7)
I already blogged about my love for this series here and here, so you're free to check out what contradictions can be found between the posts. :)

Okay, so I know I've said this a gazillion times, but Buffy the Vampire Slayer is hands-down the best TV show ever made. For one hour it made teens around the world laugh, scream, cry, question. It made us fall in love with some of TV's most detailed and complexe characters ever written.

Yeah, sometimes there was filler episodes about sharkboys or preying manthis teachers but the core stories were always spot-on and Buffy was known for having some of the best season finales in its time.

It comes at no surprise that even to this day, us fans are still begging for more. When I say Joss Whedon is a God, I'm not kidding.

The Tie-in Novels

You know a series or movies has gained geek status when they start making tie-in novels. These books are rarely considered canon to the original storyline and oftentimes features the characters in a dreamworld or alternate reality.

They were really popular during the show's duration but eventually less were made when the series finished after seven seasons.

I have yet to read any tie-ins merely because it isn't Joss Whedon's work. And what I like about Buffy is the interactions between the characters, it's all in their body language. Not so sure how that would translate into words.

The Graphic Novel (seasons 8-9)

I really wanted to continue with the Buffy storyline and even almost bought the first graphic novel, The Long Way Home, but for some reason I put it back on the shelf. I read alot about the graphic novel continuation and it just seems all a bit weird. Buffy has a lesbian relationship, people have magical powers, Dawn becomes a giant. It all seemed too comic-y for me.

But while doing a bit of reading for this blog, I found out there was a season 9, which went back to the more subtle terror of the tv series. I'm slightly more tempted to start the graphic novels now!

With all this plus the countless fan fiction on the internet, you can't really go wrong. A chick that kicks ass is pure geek. At its best!


Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Horror Movies

2011 was a pretty crappy year for mainstream horror flicks but thankfully, there was alot of indie projects that delivered scares. Here are the flicks that scared me shitless this year.


The Woman

Director: Lucky McKee
Starring: Pollyanna Mcintosh, Angela Bettis
Scares Delivered: McKee and Bettis team up again after making the creepy May back in 2002. The Woman documents the tale of two very different women, both being repressed in their own way. Both women use opposite methods to come out of their shells. Not your conventional horror film (are any of McKee's films conventional?), as it uses subtlety to make you jump, rather then in-your-face scares. Angela Bettis can transform any movie into a creepfest, if only with those terrifying eyes of hers.

Insidious

Director: James Wan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Lin Shaye
Scares Delivered: I was expecting such shit when I first saw this preview, mainly because Wan was attached to the project. Have you seen Dead Silence? Don't! But through the mucky mess of Wan, came a very chilling story about a boy in a coma. Yeah, I Know, can't be that scary right? But when the past comes to haunt (or help?) the family, that's when the gooseflesh begins and the hair begins to rise on your arms. It's like American Horror Story minus the Cheese Factor. A rare ghost story where you actually feel like something threatening could occur. I'm looking at you Amytiville Horror remake!

In its own right though, Insidious was the most profitable movie of 2011, earning over $90m worldwide on a measly $1.5m budget.

I Saw the Devil

Director: Kim Ji-woon
Starring: Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik
Scares Delivered: Korea strikes again! No pun intended. After laughing and gasping throughout The Host, I was skeptical at watching another Korean exploit. But seriously, this movie is terrifying!! There is something sinister about the dead of winter and two Korean guys trying to survive each other. The ambiguity here lies in the fact that you don't know who the bad guy is and who the good guy is. It's hard to figure out who to pity, who to hate. Where LOST failed in the fight between Villain vs Hero, I Saw the Devil triumphs with subtle subplots and not-so-subtle bloodloss. If you like foreign, you'll like Ji-woon's newest movie!

Other Notable Scary Movies of 2011:

• Scream 4
• Attack the Block
• Seconds Apart
• The Innkeepers

What frightful film scared the bejesus out of you this year?

Candles are out,
Eleven's Ink

Best of 2011: Comedic Movies

I must admit I didn't watch a whole lot of comedies this year. But the ones I did watch were quite hysterical in their own rights. Let's check out the funniest comedies this year!


Bridesmaids

Director: Paul Feig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Maya Rudolph
The Funny: Before this movie was even released it was being called The Hangover with women. If anything, this movie surpassed The Hangover's laugh track. Melissa McCarthy's zany performance and the writing talents of Kristen Wiig have made this movie this year's most talked about comedy. Trust me, you will not be dissapointed! Plus, there's something irresistable when it comes to SNL women. They're just too funny!



Horrible Bosses

Director: Seth Gordon
Starring: Jason Bateman, Jason Sudeikis, Charlie Day, Jennifer Aniston, Collin Farrell, Kevin Spacey
The Funny: I can't stand Jennifer Aniston but she seems to nail it every time she does a movie that happens in and around an office setting. Horrible bosses is the type of film noir that I like. It's crude and vile, vulgar and politically incorrect, but always done just the right way. It reminded me alot of Death to Smoochy, which if you havent's seen, you HAVE TO.

Our Idiot Brother

Director: Jesse Peretz
Starring: Paul Rudd, Elizabeth Banks, Zooey Deschanel, Emily Mortimer, Hugh Dancy, Rashida Jones
The Funny: When I first saw the previews, I knew this movie would be genius. Paul Rudd can be really annoying - but in a funny way. Watching him weave a web of chaos in his sister's lives is pure entertainment. Guaranteed laughs - oddly enough most of them come from Emily Mortimer's dry sense of humour. Looking for laughs? Rent this movie!

Other notable comedies:

• A Very Harold and Kumar 3D Christmas
• Crazy, Stupid, Love
• Tower Heist

What movie made you laugh this year?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink

November 19th: A French Revolution!!

I'm french-canadian. Maybe some francophone readers have not noticed it because of my main use of the english language, but I am certain anglophones have caught on that I don't master Shakespeares language.

Quebec, the province I live in, is the only francophone province in Canada. We have our own television networks and radio stations that cater to our linguistic preferences and every year, a slew of movies from La Belle Province are applauded across the world.

If you speak french, you should check out these 19 Produits du Québec.


Grande Ourse
A rare gem in Quebec television. The only hard sci-fi show and ohmygod did it ever kick ass! Because there is so little funding for arts and entertainment in Canada, big shows like these only air for one maybe two seasons with only 6-8 episodes each. More of a mini-series, really. They eventually made a movie several years later but it lacked the depth of the series' storyline. Stars my favourite Quebec actress Fanny Malette as Gastonne.

Aveux

I blogged about this show before here. Once again, this is more of a mini-series since it's only one season long. The casting is flawless, the acting is amazing, and some scenes will seriously leave you crying. So good!

Bon Cop, Bad Cop
Probably one of the most famous Quebec movie out there. It is bilingual and is a satire/dark comedy about the stupid fight between anglophones and francophones in Canada. It is kind of funny but you have to be in a particular kind of mood to laugh.

Elles Étaient Cinq
This is a really sad movie about the reality of criminal rights. Five girls host a party at one of the girls parent's cottage. Manon and Sophie decide to head to town to get more alcohol. When they return, a guy in a jeep stops when Sophie sticks her thumb out. What happens next changes the lives of all five girls and shines a light on how tolerent we are at parole hearings.

Babine
The very first Quebec fairytale. It leans more towards Grimm then Disney though. But all in all, it's still very much a family film and it contains everything and anything that makes this type of movie magical.

La Guerre des Tuques
Oh a classic! Every Quebecker has seen this movie in their lifetime. It's a staple during the christmas holidays and it still has its place in 2011. Kids will be kids!

Nos Étés
This one is still too fresh to be a classic but it will hold that title in the future. An epic tale of family ties, families at war, and all set in different time periods that marked our nation. Stunning series!



Les Chevaliers d'Émeraude
A very popular children's book series about knights defending their country against the humanoid insects that come from across the sea. It has been rumoured that it would be made into a television series but that has yet to happen. A spin-off book series set after the events of the twelfth and final book of Chevalier d'Émeraudes was released a couple of years ago but I lost interest.

NRJ 104.1

The most popular french-speaking radio channel in Quebec. Many celebrities have hosted shows on this dial that has been refashioned from Energie to NRJ, the international chain of francophone music. Thanks to it we get french remixes of popular songs. Unfortunately we also get this:

Lance et Compte

This series has been around for 25 years, spawned 7 seasons, 6 TV movies and a big screen adaptation two years ago. It launched the career of Marina Orsini, who has become Quebec's sweetheart. It included real NHL hockeys teams into the drama and is the most sucessful francophone show in Quebec.



C.R.A.Z.Y.

This film travelled the world and won numerous prestigious awards such as the City Award at TiFF, the Jury's Prize at the Morocco Film Festival, the Genie award for Best Motion Picture, and won the Audience Award at the American Film Insitute Fest in Los Angeles. C.R.A.Z.Y. uses classic rock music - mostly Pink Floyd - as a backdrop to the movie. It tells the struggle of a homosexual boy growing up in the 70's with four macho brothers and a very strict conservative dad.

Les Boys

Oh another classic movie. It was a major sucessful movie that was followed by three sequels and an equally sucessful tv show which is in its fourth season. It got a lot of critisicsm for having similar plotlines and ideas as Lance et Compte and even have some of the same actors. The theme song for the movie has become Eric Lapointe's most requested song. Let's listen to it.





Roméo et Juliette

Almost every country - or nation with enough ressources to finance a film - has remade Shakespeare's tale of star-crossed lover. In the Quebec version, the story has been modernized and depicts a harsh-reality of our social classes and how we've grown to accept it as is. One of the better versions of Romeo & Juliet.

Le Collectionneur

This movie is based on Chrystine Brouillet's bestseller of the same name. I absolutely loved the book about a detective trying to solve a string of murders happening in Montreal. The movie came out almost at the same time as The Bone Collector with Denzel Washington and it had audiences confused as the french translation for the Washington flick was similar to Le Collectionneur. Suffice to say, it's now become a cult classic.



Aurore

This is a story most Quebeckers wished they hadn't heard. The true story of Aurore Gagnon - a severely tortured child who eventually died at the hands of her step-mother - has been told numerous times but none more painfully accurate then the 2005 adaptation by Luc Dionne, a remake of the 1952 film Little Aurore: Child Martyr.



Un Souper Presque Parfait

I guess you can compare this show with The Food Network's Dinner Party Wars, in which people compete for a grand prize by trying to out-perform their fellow competitors in the fields of hosting and cooking. In the Quebec version, it is five guests and and they are featured from monday to friday with each day reserved for one of the competitors. It is oddly entertaining!!



Karmina

A vampire movie with Quebec slang. Ya, totally fucking hilarious!



Wariwulf

From the author of the Amos Daragon series, Bryan Perro branched off several years ago to devellop a story set in ancient Egypt about a boy with the mystical powers to transform into a wolf. There is ALOT of characters in this one, in the same vein as Chevalier D'émeraude but the story is weaven so much more intricately.

Fanny Malette

I love this actress so much she deserves her own showcase slot! I first saw her in the supernatural series Grande-Ourse and have been feverishly stalking her every moves since. She stole my heart in Continental: Un film sans fusils, and her portrayal of the conflicted mother in Les 7 Jours du Talion can take anyone's breath away and reduce them to tears. Hands down, one of our bests. Her portrayal of Gastonne in Grande Ourse is an example of how much quirkiness is tolerated in television. She was cast against producers wishes in the series Nos Étés as Nora but soon convinced TV execs when her character became a fan favourite. I hated her, but I loved hating her.

 

 

If you are away from home, I hope you enjoyed this! What's your favourite thing Made in Québec?

Candles are out,

Eleven's Ink