Disney + Prey review by Con
Available on Disney + 5/8/22 (16 years +) 5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
As good, if not better than the original Predator movie. Highly Recommended!!!
Scream Review
Back in 1996 when Wes Craven released the first of his iconic and highly successful horror franchise, no one thought it would be as influential as it ended up being. Cited as the main film to revitalise the slasher genre. Scream made over $173 million, more than any slasher film until 2018’s Halloween. Pretty good going for a first in its series horror film!
Now after 25 years and with the release of the fifth instalment, much has changed with Scream 5 not just being a one-off popcorn flick slasher like its first incarnation, but instead a further chapter in of one of the most successful and best loved horror film franchises of all time.
Scream itself was loosely based on the real-life murders of the Gainesville Ripper, an idea the franchise leans into heavily with pretty much all of the films. The series and story also links to the world of real life movie producing and with its ‘in movie’ parodic film franchise ‘Stab’, as lead character Sidney Prescot desperately tries to escape the attempts on her life by the mysterious ‘Ghost face’ killer.
Following a ‘Who dun it’ format, each film has the audience questioning who the killer is with even the lead Sidney being a viable suspect at one time or another throughout the films. No one is safe in these movies and Scream loves to show you the killing of old and new characters in very gruesome and creative sequences.
The series also provides a satirical commentary on the formulaic structure and tropes of the genre as each movie tackles its respected place in the franchise, eg; the original discusses the rules of a slasher, the sequel uses the laws of a sequel, the third, the rules of a trilogy, the forth, remakes and so on and so on. This is one of the things that makes these films so good as they do ‘self-aware’ better than almost any horror franchise I have ever seen.
The latest in the series takes on the most recent fad in movie making known as the ‘Requel’. A requel is where a franchise revisits the original subject material with new characters but also continues where the last film left off including the return of key players to the story. Highly successful examples of this type of storytelling have been the latest Star Wars movies, Ghostbusters, Cobra Kai and the Star Trek films. Often these movies will drop the number in the series and return to the original title, hence Scream 5 is called ‘Scream’.
One of the things that brings the fans back to these movies is the characters. The main cast, as vulnerable as they are to a knife in the gut, have been brilliantly developed over the past 25 years. Their likeability and flaws make them so watchable and loved by the fans worldwide and you sit on the edge of your seat hoping you don’t lose another one in each adventure.
If it’s Dewy and Gales ‘Will they? Won’t they?’ relationship or Randy’s ironic commentary criticising characters actions like going down into the abandoned basement alone along with saying “I’ll be right back!”. These characters have allowed the franchise to flourish and always remain fresh for new audiences to enjoy.
Scream has seemingly done the impossible by pretty much following the exact same format with the same characters for five movies, while never getting monotonous or repetitive and the fifth installment continues in that stead.
I can’t wait for the day when I can show my own Teenagers ‘Scream 12’ and the potential “Ghost face” stories, long after the demise of Sidney Prescot.
Does Sidney die in Scream 5? Or is she the killer this time? You’ll have to watch the latest movie to find out – we’re saying nothing.
Anything is possible in the Scream franchise and that’s what makes it the best horror movie series of all time!!!
Available Now to Download and keep and on DVD, Blu-Ray and 4K 11/4/22 (18) 4 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
If you love the Scream movies you are in for a real treat. This is the greatest Horror Franchise of all time with every film worth watching. Highly Recommended!!!
Scream 1-4 available on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K and Digital Download!!!
Chuck Steel Night of the Trampires review by Harrison
Available on Digital download 31/1/22 (15) 4 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
It’s very naughty, but nice with some of the best animation we’ve seen in years. There are jokes that may fall a bit flat with younger fans, but overall Chuck Steel is very funny. A Modern Day ‘Team America’ – Highly Recommended!!!
Harrison at the Chuck Steel Night of the Trampires UK Premiere CLICK HERE!!!
Antlers review by Harrison
In Cinemas 29/10/21 (15) 3.5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
This is a strong gateway horror for younger fans new to the genre. There’s some wonderful performances from the lead actors and overall it’s a fun outing to the cinema!!!
Arrow FrightFest – Harrison talks Horror Movies with the FrightFest Boys, Alan Jones, Ian Rattray, Paul McEvoy and Greg Day!!!
What film made you fall in love with the horror industry and why was it so special?
Alan Jones – It was the lurid posters that hooked me, always suggesting what they really couldn’t deliver, but you hoped they would time and again. That’s why I have a vast collection of the sleaziest and most shocking.
Horror is special because it can define us, for what scares each of us is so individual and personal. So when we meet someone to share that with, it’s a connection for life, the reason why FrightFest is such a tight community.
Ian Rattray – The Exorcist scared me silly when I first saw it. So much that I slept with the light on for a couple of weeks.
Paul McEvoy – It was DON’T LOOK NOW…..still my favourite horror film of all time…I watched it when I was far too young……the ending absolutely terrified me……I had to go and sleep in my parents bed that night as the ending played over and over in my mind……The film is an absolute masterpiece – but I still get terrified by that ending!
Greg Day – FROGS with Ray Milland. I was fourteen and had got into a late night horror bill at the then ABC in Hastings. I stuffed tissue paper into my shoes to make me appear taller.
I was transfixed and immediately fell in love with the horror genre.
If you could pick three films from the August 2021 FrightFest line up that defines the highest quality of Horror filmmaking in 2021 – what films would they be and why?
Alan Jones – SOUND OF VIOLENCE, THE ADVENT CALENDAR, THE SADNESS because they each move the genre into a new direction, the first two using disability in very clever and meaningful ways, the latter because just when you thought you couldn’t watch another pandemic movie, a new sexual wrinkle adds an incredible shock factor.
Ian Rattray – SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT – just because it is so much fun. BOY#5 – because something so good was made for so little. PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND – because it star Nicolas Cage and when he goes full on Nicolas Cage it is a sight and sound to behold
Paul McEvoy – A difficult one to pick just three from our bright bouncing babies…but of pushed..
DAWN BREAKS BEHIND THE EYES..a wonderful film that throws your expectations……this will look phenomenal projected up on that huge screen. THE SADNESS…which could / should be called THE MADNESS…absolute jaw-dropping insanity from start to phenomenal finish. THE LAST THING MARY SAW…a sombre, atmospheric tour de force from a sensational new talent.
But..can’t I have …KING KNIGHT / OFFSEASON/ THE RETALIATORS etc etc…
Greg Day – SOUND OF VIOLENCE – a film where sound is the vision, SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS – a true gory belter from Kazakhstan. (Think Carry on DELIVERANCE) and PRISONER OF THE GHOSTLAND – a brilliant Nic Cage aside, this is a surreal feast for the eye, worthy of Jodorowsky.
What adjective best describes the film festival and why?
Alan Jones – FABULOUS
Ian Rattray – Friendly. If you talk to others attending, they respond and many a friendship has resulted.
Paul McEvoy – EXCITING! Because as our audience have learnt overt years ..there is NOTHING better in the world than sitting in a dark room, surrounded by your friends and like minded souls watching and experiencing something together. And to any folks coming for the first time…we hope you enjoy the experience!
Greg Day – Shared. Everyone shares their experience, their warmth, their passion for the films.
Choose one aspect of the festival for why youngsters age 18-25 years love being at FrightFest?
Alan Jones – Because you always meet the genre stars of tomorrow today.
Ian Rattray – Discovery. Take a chance on some of our discovery Strand films, which are often the best films in the festival and who may just discover the hidden gem.
Paul McEvoy – Similar answer to the previous question, the atmosphere is unique, electric and SO very different to any other festival or film going experience. And we hope that it proves inspirational to young people to go out – be creative in any field and have fun doing it. Oh…and the free promo stuff!
Greg Day – The buzz. And Ian Rattray swearing on stage.
Arrow Video FrightFest Halloween 29th-30th October Programme CLICK HERE!!!
Con at ‘Graham Humphreys – The Colours of the Night’ Exhibition Launch Night!!!
Con with Artist Graham Humphreys!!!
Con with The Rocky Horror Picture Show Legend Patricia Quinn!!!
Con with Artist and Orbital Art Gallery Proprietor Billy Chainsaw!!!
Con with Resurrection Joe!!!
The Colours of the Night Art Show open from 3 September – 1st October at the Orbital Art Gallery, London. Click Here to see many of Graham Humphreys iconic movie Paintings and Posters!!!
Arrow FrightFest – Harrison talks Horror Movies with the FrightFest Boys, Alan Jones, Ian Rattray, Paul McEvoy and Greg Day!!!
What film made you fall in love with the horror industry and why was it so special?
Alan Jones – It was the lurid posters that hooked me, always suggesting what they really couldn’t deliver, but you hoped they would time and again. That’s why I have a vast collection of the sleaziest and most shocking.
Horror is special because it can define us, for what scares each of us is so individual and personal. So when we meet someone to share that with, it’s a connection for life, the reason why FrightFest is such a tight community.
Ian Rattray – The Exorcist scared me silly when I first saw it. So much that I slept with the light on for a couple of weeks.
Paul McEvoy – It was DON’T LOOK NOW…..still my favourite horror film of all time…I watched it when I was far too young……the ending absolutely terrified me……I had to go and sleep in my parents bed that night as the ending played over and over in my mind……The film is an absolute masterpiece – but I still get terrified by that ending!
Greg Day – FROGS with Ray Milland. I was fourteen and had got into a late night horror bill at the then ABC in Hastings. I stuffed tissue paper into my shoes to make me appear taller.
I was transfixed and immediately fell in love with the horror genre.
If you could pick three films from this year’s FrightFest line up that defines the highest quality of Horror filmmaking in 2021 – what films would they be and why?
Alan Jones – SOUND OF VIOLENCE, THE ADVENT CALENDAR, THE SADNESS because they each move the genre into a new direction, the first two using disability in very clever and meaningful ways, the latter because just when you thought you couldn’t watch another pandemic movie, a new sexual wrinkle adds an incredible shock factor.
Ian Rattray – SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE IT – just because it is so much fun. BOY#5 – because something so good was made for so little. PRISONERS OF THE GHOSTLAND – because it star Nicolas Cage and when he goes full on Nicolas Cage it is a sight and sound to behold
Paul McEvoy – A difficult one to pick just three from our bright bouncing babies…but of pushed..
DAWN BREAKS BEHIND THE EYES..a wonderful film that throws your expectations……this will look phenomenal projected up on that huge screen. THE SADNESS…which could / should be called THE MADNESS…absolute jaw-dropping insanity from start to phenomenal finish. THE LAST THING MARY SAW…a sombre, atmospheric tour de force from a sensational new talent.
But..can’t I have …KING KNIGHT / OFFSEASON/ THE RETALIATORS etc etc…
Greg Day – SOUND OF VIOLENCE – a film where sound is the vision, SWEETIE, YOU WON’T BELIEVE THIS – a true gory belter from Kazakhstan. (Think Carry on DELIVERANCE) and PRISONER OF THE GHOSTLAND – a brilliant Nic Cage aside, this is a surreal feast for the eye, worthy of Jodorowsky.
What adjective best describes the film festival and why?
Alan Jones – FABULOUS
Ian Rattray – Friendly. If you talk to others attending, they respond and many a friendship has resulted.
Paul McEvoy – EXCITING! Because as our audience have learnt overt years ..there is NOTHING better in the world than sitting in a dark room, surrounded by your friends and like minded souls watching and experiencing something together. And to any folks coming for the first time…we hope you enjoy the experience!
Greg Day – Shared. Everyone shares their experience, their warmth, their passion for the films.
Choose one aspect of the festival for why youngsters age 18-25 years love being at FrightFest?
Alan Jones – Because you always meet the genre stars of tomorrow today.
Ian Rattray – Discovery. Take a chance on some of our discovery Strand films, which are often the best films in the festival and who may just discover the hidden gem.
Paul McEvoy – Similar answer to the previous question, the atmosphere is unique, electric and SO very different to any other festival or film going experience. And we hope that it proves inspirational to young people to go out – be creative in any field and have fun doing it. Oh…and the free promo stuff! 🙂
Greg Day – The buzz. And Ian Rattray swearing on stage.
ARROW VIDEO FRIGHTFEST CINEWORLD LEICESTER SQ. LONDON (26 – 30 AUGUST 2021) – ARROW VIDEO FRIGHTFEST DIGITAL EVENT (1 – 5 SEPTEMBER) TO BOOK TICKETS CLICK HERE!!!
(Arrow FrightFest is Strictly a 18 Years + Film Festival)
Arrow FrightFest 2021 Official Digital Programme Live Now CLICK HERE!!!
FrightFest Digital Programmes 2011 – 2021 CLICK HERE!!!
A Quiet Place Part 2 review by Harrison
In Cinemas 3/6/21 (15) 5 Stars (Advance Previews Bank Holiday Monday)
Youth #Gottit View:
And so the story continues. The Empire Strikes Back/Back To The Future Part 2 of Horror – Highly Recommended!!!
Harrison at the Quiet Place Part 2 UK Gala Screening!!!
A Quiet Place Part 1 review by Harrison CLICK HERE!!!
Netflix Original – Zack Snyder’s Army Of The Dead review by Harrison
Available on Netflix 21/5/21 (15) 4 stars
Youth #Gottit View:
Is it a heist movie? Is it a horror film? Or is it an big budget action movie? It’s pretty much all of these and really good fun!!!
PlayStation 5 – Resident Evil Village
Being my first entry into the resident Evil franchise, ‘Village’ was both a treat and a mystery to me. I had previously perceived the resident evil games as mass shoot ’em ups but was presently surprised when I was greeted to a much more puzzle/adventure game as Ethan Winters (protagonist of the previous game, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard) is once again thrust into the supernatural world in search of his infant daughter, Rose.
The game begins some 3 years after the events of RE 7, with Ethan desperately attempting to live a normal life with his wife Mia and their newborn daughter, however, as you could probably expect with the Resident Evil games, all does not stay normal for long as Ethan finds himself waking up in the middle of a Romanian forest with no understanding of why he is there. After traversing through many a dead, strung-up crow and several decapitated goat heads, he finds himself faced with a middle ages-esque castle and a seemingly abandoned town to match. After some minor exploration and an attack from what seemed like hundreds of Lycans (werewolves for those who aren’t horror buffs), Ethan uncovers the villager’s weird cult-like obsession with the mysterious ‘Mother Miranda’ as it becomes clear his daughter’s kidnapping is part of a much deeper ploy.
Right off the bat, the game’s settings are beautiful and engaging, taking place in predominantly the castle and village with a couple of other areas sprinkled in for good measure. The beginning is relatively quick, throwing you into the action almost instantly. Many eery characters are introduced, being explored individually later in the game.
The characters are memorable and creepy, with interactions with the 4 lords, especially, being a highlight of the play through. These Lords make up the bosses of the game, with fights feeling unique, keeping me jumping out of my seat constantly. Lady Dimitrescu , the first boss of the game, is by far the best of the 4 Lords, with all 9 foot 6 of her Vampirical maliciousness shining through as Ethan tries to escape her castle. Unfortunately, the game’s highest point is this section with its start being one of the best I have ever played yet proceeds being of slightly less quality. This is a minor criticism, however, with its highs (of which there are many) being incredibly high and its lows being only ‘very good’.
Ethan is an engaging MC and Mother Miranda’s aura alone provides ample reason to fear her. The game is filled with twists and turns with major shocks throughout. There is an abundance of jumpscares, and just enough gunplay to satisfy anything a Resident Evil fan could want. With a playing time of 8 to 10 hours and a new addition of side quests which aren’t usually present within RE games, there is ample content to justify its £50 price tag.
Overall, this may be the best horror game I have ever played!!!
Available on PlayStation 5 7/5/21 (PEGI 18) 5 Stars
Youth #Gottit View:
It’s classic Resident Evil for the modern gamer. Full of Jumpy moments, Big Scares, Weird Creatures and Lots and Lots of Gore. Highly Recommended!!!
PlayStation 5 review by Harrison and Con CLICK HERE!!!
