Day two of this year’s FrightFest and THN is expecting big things from Sundance hit and Internet darling V/H/S. After a number of lukewarm found footage movie these last few years, could this anthology be the one that saves the format? Less exciting is the prospect of [REC]3, the latest entry in the Spanish pseudo-zombie series. Whilst the first two are THN favourites, can third time really be a charm? Especially when the action has been completely removed from the quarantined building of the previous installments (surely the key to their success). THN is also hoping Irish horror STITCHES follows the previous evening’s GRABBERS as a low-key triumph for the genre. Also, star Ross Noble is so damn lovely, it’s bound to be halfway decent… right? As THN is about to discover, FrightFest day two is one of thwarted expectations…
V/H/S
Director: Adam Wingard, Radio Silence, Ti West, David Bruckner, Glen McQuaid, Joe Swanberg
Cast: Calvin Reeder, Jow Swanberg, Hannah Fierman, Helen Rogers
Plot: When a gang of degenerates burgals a house to steal a valuable VHS tape, they find a huge collection of cassettes, each of which contains footage of a horrific incident caught on camera…
Horror highlights: As a love letter to the genre, V/H/S is ambitious enough to deal with a diverse selection of horrors – the haunted house, psychological thriller, and slasher are amongst those included – and the collective filmmakers can’t be faulted for their attempt to update the horror anthology. Also, good efforts are made to bypass the questions of plausibility ‘real world’ found-footage always raises (hidden cameras and Skype make a welcome appearance).
Gory gash: It could easily have been titled ‘Americans Are Fucking Annoying’, because the unpleasant collection of frat boys and morons grate in a matter minutes. At least horror punishes the morally repugnant as regularly as possible. After the first two stories, things drop off considerably, and what promises to be a smart and unpredictable innovation of genre convention turns out to be ultimately pointless.
Overall: It’s been a year of disappointment on the big screen and thehighly-anticipated V/H/S is no exception. Whilst it’s not essential for an anthology to have interweaving plots and thematic coherence, V/H/S’s basic premise suggest it has bigger ideas that a random collection of scary stories. It doesn’t. Fine, but if that’s the case, why bother with the ongoing narrative arc? A why use found-footage? Further proof that the format has indeed outstayed its welcome.
[REC]3: GÉNESIS
Director: Paco Plaza
Cast: Leticia Dolera, Diego Martín, Javier Botet
Plot: A couple’s wedding day turns into carnage when the guests become rampant, demonic killers. Separated in the chaos, bride and groom Clara and Koldo fight for survival if they are to reunite and live happily ever after…
Horror highlights: The [REC] series once again reinvents itself, this time completely abandoning the found-footage after twenty minutes, acknowledging it’s served its purpose and it’s time to now move on. The series also acquires a sharp sense of humour, which sits nicely with the usual scares and inventive play on the zombie mythos.
Gory gash: Purists may not appreciate the complete overhaul as it shifts both stylistically and tonally. But they’d be wrong…
Overall: The previous [REC] films were amongst the very few to actually make found-footage work. Directing solo this time around, Plaza understands the format’s limitations and discards it at exactly the right moment. The series’ ability to keep itself fresh and interesting is an example to filmmakers the world over. If only other franchises could keep up the pace. [REC]3 is also very funny and brilliantly violent – Dolera’s chainsaw wielding bride is an absolute delight. If you like that sort of thing.
STITCHES
Director: Conor McMahon
Cast: Ross Noble, Tommy Knight, Gemma-Leah Devereux
Plot: When a prank goes horribly wrong at a children’s birthday party, Stitches the Clown dies a very unpleasant death. But years later, the kids responsible discover the clown has returned to ruin yet another party, and the joke’s never as funny the second time around…
Horror highlights: Ross Noble is likable as ever, and the first five minutes of his atrocious clown act and inappropriate foul mouth are quite amusing. But after that, STITCHES is no laughing matter…
Gory gash: Bad puns, rubbish jokes, irritating characters, plotting we’ve seen countless times before, and some quite unpleasant stereotyping.
Overall: Even the inventive violence can’t save this from being the joker of the pack (apart from one boy having his head inflated like a balloon, which is pretty entertaining). The whole thing unfortunately reeks of a good (albeit familiar) idea not backed up by any thought of ingenuity. Painfully underwhelming.
Check out all of our FrightFest 2012 coverage here!
