My Top 10: Horror Films of the 2010's

While horror is pretty low in my genre rankings, the 2010's have given us a lot very interesting horror features with a huge amount of variety.

There have some great viewing experiences for different age groups, demographics and there have been many different types of horror's. From body to psychological, gore, comedy, animated, stop-motion, mockumentary and some that I struggle to fit into any category.

One thing's for sure, the 2010's have given me hope in a genre that I always felt have interesting ideas, but never fulfilling them.

I am happy to see that my top 10 has ended up being as varied as the genre has been in this particular decade.

I would normally give some honorable mentions. But there are so many that I could mention, that this would become more of an essay.

10) The Babadook - A chilling and very effective horror with a powerhouse leading performance from Essie Davis.

It may have effective scares. But the themes of grief, depression and motherhood enhance every bit of the story and make it an incredibly rewarding watch.

All of this from the directorial debut of Jennifer Kent makes it even more impressive.

9) Frankenweenie - A touching and heart-warming horror is not something you experience every day.

But Tim Burton gave us one that is ideal for family viewing.

While youngsters may not realise that it is paying homage to classic horror, this film shows a lot as to why kids do love horror, Halloween and all things scary.

8) What We Do In The Shadows - A very funny comedy horror with a mockumentary structure that could easily challenge 'This Is Spinal Tap'.

It shows three vampires struggling with the mundane aspects of modern life.

Director Taika Waititi's brand of comedy has gained a large following since then and has also given birth to a successful TV series.

7) A Quiet Place - A horror sci-fi with an effective concept, a well developed script and a viewing experience like no other.

Director John Krasinski along with his wife Emily Blunt both star in this tense and thrilling feature with countless memorable sequences.

When a film can make a packed cinema completely quiet, you know they have done something right.

6) Train To Busan - One of the best zombie films of all-time. This South Korean feature has all the thrills and tension you could ever want.

It goes at such a pace you won't have time to take a breather, there's many well drawn out characters and surprising amount of heart when you least expect it.

You won't find many zombie films better than this.

5) The Cabin In The Woods - Horrors that make fun of their own faults and tropes gets a big tick in my book.

Scream did it in the 90's and now director Joss Whedon gives us a super clever look at breaking down the Horror genre and making it a highly entertaining piece of work.

It also features a Chris Hemsworth before he became famous.

4) Split - M. Night Shyamalan's thriller that sees three girls kidnapped by a man with 23 different personalities.

James McAvoy gives a career best performance and Shyamalan's gives us another reason why we should never disregard his talent.

It's thrilling, exciting and has that vintage final act twist that only Shyamalan can pull off.

3) One Cut Of The Dead - If you think there are no more original films out there, then you clearly haven't seen this Japanese treat.

This comedy horror is incredibly clever, funny and constantly surprises you. Each act of the movie is totally different and still manages maintain its narrative. 

This will mess with your senses in the most refreshing way.

2) Mother! - Darren Aronofsky's psychological horror that could well his most divisive.

I'm certainly on the side of loving it. I found it incredibly unsettling, nightmarish, incredibly well designed and utilises its themes with great effect.

It's not for everyone. But one way or another, it will make you in an extreme way.

1) Black Swan - Aronofsky makes a second venture in my list with his 2010 Oscar-Winning ballet nightmare.

When a committed dancer lands the lead role in a new production of 'Swan Lake', paranoia sinks in and her sanity is tested when she believes everyone is after her role.

A masterful performance by Natalie Portman along with Aronofsky's style gives us a highly engaging viewing experience that many have it high up in their list of greatest films of the 2010's.

Review: The Witches (2020)

Another remake. However, this one is coming from Warner Bros. instead of Disney. Also, it is a remake of a 90's childhood classic of mine and many other generations.

The 1990 version from influential director Nicolas Roeg terrified me every time as a kid. But there was something about it that made me go back to it numerous times. It may have been the thrilling pacing of the story, the memorable score by Stanley Myers or the well written characters? Whatever power it had to make it stay with me, I still enjoy it today and it has gained a solid following with many people from my generation having the same amount of love that I have for it.

When I heard Robert Zemeckis was at the helm for this, I was certainly intrigued to check it out. We all know that when Zemeckis is on top form, he can make timeless classics such as Forrest Gump and Back To The Future. Also, he is never afraid to experiment with technology. We have seen it work with Who Framed Roger Rabbit and partly succeed with A Christmas Carol and Beowulf.

However, I was also nervous as remakes have a low success rate for many reasons.

I was so disappointed with this that I almost got to the point where I was angry inside. The themes that the Roald Dahl novel covers such as death and loss are portrayed really well in the 1990 version, especially in the first act. It builds the layers up perfectly to understand the journey our main protagonists have taken to get to encountering the witches.

But this version just seems to almost totally ignore that and just make it a tame and sanitised version. It's almost as if it was afraid to add that adult touch and be genuinely scary. My feelings for this new version felt similar to when I saw Steven Spielberg's re-imagining of The BFG with the tone of a Tim Burton trip-off.

Even if this was the first movie portrayal, this would honestly still look middle-of-the-road and fairly forgettable.

Most of the performances were ok. Kid actors Jahzir Bruno and Codie-Lei Eastick both did a good job. Especially Eastick, who perfectly enhanced his characters personality.

Anne Hathaway I think fitted the tone well and had a memorable presence. There was a certain channeling of Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn's performances from another Zemeckis feature Death Becomes Her. Once you see that comparison, you cannot unsee it. Sometimes Hathaway could go a bit over board. But it felt restrained enough to not be annoying.

Stanley Tucci was perfectly fine and had great potential. But a lack of writing towards his character never made him become a memorable side character.

Octavia Spencer was thankfully the one bit of shining light for me in regards of the performances. Her character is supposed to have that caring and comforting presence, and she had that in abundance.

Also in this as a narrator is Chris Rock, and his distinctive voice does not at all fit the tone for me.

Most of the minor roles felt over-the-top to the point of annoyance. There were also some strange moments where it was clear to see that CGI was used to enlarge the person's eyes for certain reaction, like the dream sequences in Tim Burton's Big Eyes.

Even Alan Silvestri's score wasn't up to scratch. It had a strange mix of being ordinary or over-the-top in a scene when the music didn't need to be that grand.

But what does save the film from being a total disaster is its look and the way its shot. The production design is neat, the lavish and colorful costumes are pleasing to the eye and the cinematography has some nice sweeping tracking shots at the right time to enhance certain sequences when needed.

So by Zemeckis' standards, this is poor and I feel this is his worst feature to date. As a film, it's not terrible, it's just not that good. It gets solid points for its cinematography, neat production design, colorful costumes.

But while the 90's version captured the spirit and themes of the novel, this modern remake did everything at a surface level and definitely had that feeling of it being it run by a committee. The story lacked the layers and depth we know it has and they quickly go over important plot points that they could have expanded to at least make it worth your time.

For any parents reading, this is purely aimed at kids. So I'm sure they'll enjoy it. Beyond that, I cannot see anyone remembering this. If you honestly want them to have an exciting viewing experience, getting scared during the Halloween season so much it will stay with them forever, I would just watch the 1990 version.

Rating: 6/10

Review: I Am Greta

I wouldn't call myself a dedicated follower of Greta Thunberg since her activism got noticed by the world's media. But I am certainly aware of her achievements so far and I'm all for what she wants our world leaders to do.

I am aware that Thunberg has her haters, and it honestly doesn't make sense for me. Going against the movement she has created of essentially healing the world's climate is something everyone should be behind or at least accept.

With all that in mind, I was certainly interested in seeing what this film documentary would show.

In terms of the information presented to you, most of it is nothing new for people who are regularly keep up with the latest news. For outsiders, this is a nice crash course into what Greta is all about and what she has managed to accomplish in a short amount of time.

For me, there were some nice moments that no-one would have seen before. It is amazing that we get the very beginnings of Greta's movement. It was all thanks to director Nathan Grossman being tipped off about Greta and that what she's doing could develop into something. Seeing those opening moments was quite captivating and how it quickly blew up into a global news item.

Other moments that were memorable was basically just seeing what Greta is like in between her public appearances. It was interesting to see her relationship with her family, how she is coping with the positive and negative comments on her in the media and the travelling that is required.

In terms of the film-making and production side of it, it was perfectly fine. It pretty much documents Greta's whereabouts. Unlike most film documentaries, there are no face-to-face interviews mixing in with archive footage. So I think the lack of those type of aspects of story-telling within this genre does prevent it from being an exceptional piece of work. But the content and subject matter still makes a perfectly watchable and engaging feature.

It certainly gives you enough to help you know more about Greta as a person and what drives her to keep this movement going. I do feel some added depth and maybe voices from elsewhere could have given the story added meat. But I don't think that was the director's intention. It is somewhat made up for this with the unprecedented footage of basically shadowing Greta everywhere.

I felt this was a solid and entertaining watch with enough inspiring moments that stay with you. Don't expect to learn how to save the planet's climate from watching this. This is more about the person, how they behave, think and react and I found all of that rather gripping.

There is clearly an audience for this as Greta has her fans. The structure and look of the film is functional, safe and rarely adventurous. Some moments and imagery are very powerful that benefit the subject matter and it's a nice piece of history that could be part of a school curriculum depending on how this movement impacts the world in the end.

Rating: 7/10

Review: Ammonite

The second feature from Francis Lee certainly had me excited.

I remember seeing his debut feature of God's Own Country back at the Leeds Film Festival in 2017. Having the director their for a Q&A afterwards gave me a great insight into his style and the type of stories he is looking for. You can tell he loves his work and it shows on the screen.

So with the added star power for his latest project, expectations were pretty high.

The experience I got from it was something I was not expecting. However, it still managed to meet my expectations. The general vibe it gives off as well as its colour palette and editing makes it a gentle and pleasant watch. Much like the coastal location, it felt like a brisk walk around the beach and harbour.

With a few welcomed added elements later on in the film, there was a solid story developing. All being told in a 'show, don't tell' way made it much more effective. With the ending not quite feeling resolved or satisfying, it did leave me wanting more and not in the usual good way.

But don't worry, there is plenty to like and appreciate.

The story is well developed and paced. Kate Winslet gives another memorable performance. Whenever we think of Winslet, it's usually a strong-willed actor that is never afraid to get their hands dirty. That is exactly what you get in her latest venture. You can feel the confidence in her independence. But also the underlying troubles all told through the face.

Her chemistry with Soairse Ronan was pretty good. However, I have seen more authentic and engrossing on-screen relationships in similar features. Plus, while Ronan was perfectly fine. I have seen her do far much better. Ronan for me has been the master of accents and always give great authenticity in her performances. This one never felt exceptional and it didn't give me a character I wanted to know more about.

As briefly mentioned before, it is gorgeous to look at. The production design and colour in the imagery reflects the location and period perfectly. Like with Lee's previous feature, you can feel the pacing and editing done with great care and attention.

But as well as the connection and development with Winslet and Ronan, the ending for me didn't make the film the complete package. I did enjoy the final shot as it leaves it open and giving the audience something to ponder and discuss. But the journey getting there didn't feel it deserved to end with that shot.

Those drawbacks I feel may make this forgettable for some demographics. However, many will find this a deeply effective watch.

In the end, I'm not far off the latter. A lot of its aspects I appreciated both in its craft and execution. But the story just felt short on giving me that strong pay-off compared with similar films such as Blue Is The Warmest Colour or Portrait Of A Lady On Fire.

It's certainly worth watching on the big screen for the imagery and Winslet's performance. The rest I feel will be up to personal taste.

Rating: 7/10

Review: Saint Maud

It's October, and even during these times we can still get a new release of a horror film in the build-up to Halloween.

I had heard a solid amount of buzz for this feature for the past year. It did the festival circuit and did rather well at the major film festivals such as Toronto and London in 2019.

If you know me well, then you will be aware that horror is a genre that I don't find much success in. However, I am always intrigued by the ideas and concepts these films have. However in the last decade, certain directors have caught my attention and have me particularly enjoying indie horrors.

Another one I can now include in that is Rose Glass, who is making her directorial debut with this rather striking and effective feature.

While the opening image of the film gives you an idea where we will end up, the first act lays the ground work well with solid character development. But the odd moments of surrealism and deep religious connections that almost come off as quite erotic gave you a nice hint of what's beneath the surface.

As the film goes on, the imagery gets slightly more disturbing. Going back to the religious aspect, we start to see old testament style of Christian worship which can be tough to watch. Even with the cinematography enhancing the disorientating and unnerving atmosphere, none of it ever felt gratuitous and always felt important to support the story and its themes.

The ending is probably where we get the films most accessible scene but also its most bold shortly after. But I feel Glass and her team managed to make this work and give me a level of comfort in completing the story arch of what I was experiencing.

I was surprised to see that it's only 84 minutes long. It's rare to find films these days that are of this duration. It just gets in, tells everything it needs to say and gets out while it can.

As for the acting, while the leading performance might not be a debut, it is most definitely a breakthrough for Morfydd Clark. I felt she did a great job of balancing the main themes of mental health, loneliness and extreme religious devotion. Clark definitely gave a performance something similar to that of Sissy Spacek in Carrie.

Elsewhere, Jennifer Ehle I felt was a great support in the first act especially. With almost channeling Gloria Swanson from Sunset Boulevard, her comradery with the lead really helped lay the foundations for Clark's character to blossom in the second and third acts.

The production aspects are of high-quality. The general production design by Paulina Rzeszowska fits in perfectly with the tone of the story. Ben Fordesman's cinematography enhances the unsettling moments almost to the qualities of Ari Aster's regular cinematographer Pawel Pogorzelski. I also have to give props to Mark Towns' editing and the score by Adam Janota Bzowski who both made noticeable contributions.

This film is certainly not for everyone. It has little in jump scares and focuses more on a gradual unsettling vibe similar to that of the successful indie/arthouse horrors of the last decade. The story has a lot of weight to it and a constant strangeness in its atmosphere that won't naturally draw in a mainstream audience. If you're into your philosophy then I feel you can get the most out of this. It certainly covers grounds and projects imagery that means more compared to someone with an untrained eye.

Plus, if you like films produced by the studio A24 or like directors such as Robert Eggers, Ari Aster or even Darren Aronofsky, then I feel the tone will best suit your taste.

For me, while I'm not quite going nuts for it, I still found it a memorable and impactful watch. I liked the themes it was going for and I felt I got plenty of it to give me enough of an understanding. This is a very impressive debut by Glass. She has great vision and ideas to match or even elevate herself above the best indie horror directors of today. It's beautifully shot and edited and has an effective cinematic quality to it. I will be excited to see where Glass goes next.

With this looking like the only horror release for cinemas in the build up to Halloween, I feel that whether you end up liking it or not, this needs to at least be experienced on the big screen.

Rating: 7/10

My Top 10: Horror Films

Horror has never really been a genre that I regularly watch. It is not just I am a bit of a wuss when it comes to scary stuff, but I just feel that horror does not regularly succeed each year. It might do in the box office, but not that does not necessarily mean that it is a good film. But after looking through the horror films that I have seen, it surprised me. I forgot how many great films there are, that I would relate to the horror genre.

A few films have recently left this list. One is The Others. One of the few recent successful horror films in my opinion. Nicole Kidman plays single mother who feels her new house is being haunted and scaring her two children.
Like most horrors, it ends up with a suspenseful twist, and it is quite a memorable one.

Another was The Cabin In The Woods. It is not often we see a smart horror that is not afraid to make fun of its own genre.
I had heard a lot of interesting review of this 2012 hit, but I never expected to be as clever as I originally thought. It is this generations 'Scream' and I hope you realise why once you have seen it.

The most recent was The Thing. From a novel by Stephen King, and directed by John Carpenter, this is quite a gruesome one from 1982. Lead by Kurt Russell, a group of scientists in Antartica stumble upon a shape-shifting being that ends up taking the shape of the thing it's killed. It is tense throughout, because you never know who to trust.

I am sure I have not seen all the great horror films, but I think my top 10 is still quite an impressive one:

10) The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) - Finally managed to see this and was very impressed. Not just in how well this simple story is made, but how much it still holds up even after 46 years of its release.

It sees a group of five kids visiting their grandfathers house, only to be hunted by a family with a brutal history. Its basic premise gives you time to appreciate how much it focuses on the tension instead of the gore and the clever use of editing and cinematography.

9) Poltergeist (1982) - A horror that manages to give off a perfect mix of horror and blockbuster to please both fans of the genre as well as mainstream audiences.

Even though Tobe Hooper is directing, it has producer Steven Spielberg's hands all over it.

It sees a family's home get haunted by a bunch of ghosts. The visual and practical effects are still as effective today.

8) Halloween (1978) - The classic slasher that stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasence.

The story of a murderer institutionalized since childhood manages to escape and cause havoc to a nearby town.

It's small budget gave this film wonderful simplicity that somehow managed to enhance the horror of the antagonist and vibe.

Also, the score is iconic and inspired many similar pieces in future horrors.

7) Rosemary's Baby - One of the few horrors that will quite literally scarred me for life.

It tells the story of a couple moving into a new apartment that has peculiar neighbors.

When she gets mysteriously pregnant, the weirdness gets cranked up and the astonishing ending will never leave my memory.

6) The Shining - Another Stephen King novel, this time directed by the incredible Stanley Kubrick.

This timeless classic is the ultimate psychological thriller about a family that heads to a hotel for the winter. But an evil presence takes the father (played by Jack Nicholson) and violence and madness ensues.

5) Invasion Of The Body Snatcher (1956) - When a doctor from a small Californian town realises that the residents are being replaced by emotionless alien doppelgangers, he must escape and tell the world before its too late.

The simplicity in its story-telling and themes of 50's America paranoia as well as the relentless pacing makes this such a thrilling viewing experience. Even over 60 years since it was made, it still manages to work.

4) Frankenstein (1931) - An absolute classic for so many reasons.

For many, this is the definitive version of the Mary Shelley novel. This is a film that is synonymous with actor Boris Karloff, who famously played The Monster.

It's an incredible piece of work for its time, and while many have tried to make a successful modern re-make, none have come even close.

3) The Sixth Sense - It is not often we see a horror that wins major awards, but this 1999 classic came awfully close.

After being nominated for 6 Oscars including Best Picture, this was director M. Night Shyamalan's film that made him a star. Shame he has not come anywhere near to the same stardom in the rest of his catalogue of films.

2) The Exorcist (1973) - Many peoples ultimate horror film. This is probably the most recognised film to be banned in several countries.

Despite my first viewing only being a few years ago, I can definitely see why some people would be so feared by it.
The level of horror reached new heights for the mainstream audience and it will become a timeless horror classic.

1) Psycho (1960) - Alfred Hitchcock's film that will keep him as one of the great directors of all-time.

Featuring probably the most famous scene of all-time, Psycho had everything and it continues to amaze each generation since its release which is now 60 years ago.

10 Films Ideal for Newborns or Toddler's

You might not realise this at the time. But introducing a newborn child to the world of film is a very important moment in their life. It can help them understand many things. So picking the right films could make them evolve to the person they eventually become.

Another approach to this moment is also finding the right film that can keep their attention and give the parent a necessary break. Some films can even make the crankiest of babies sit in perfect silence as they they get captivated by something totally new to their senses.

Whether it is to do with the story, characters, sound or colour palette, it is something that has drawn them in and will forever be etched in their memory and imagination.

I feel I have varied my chosen 10 films as much as possible. While all 10 are entertaining in different ways. They all should make the viewer unknowingly understand valuable lessons as they begin to understand the world they live in. Some of these choices come from personal experiences as well as films I've discovered in the future that I found an aspect that young children can get something out of.

Fantasia - For many years, I have always felt this is the perfect first movie for anyone. Firstly, it breaks any language barriers as there is very little dialogue. After that, it is just a series of short stories with eye-catching imagery and famous classical pieces playing to enhance each one.

It helps a newborn understand the use of colours, light and sound to help tell a story. It also introduces them to Mickey Mouse which as a parent will be an important moment for them to witness. Also, while I'm not fully on board that playing classical music to your baby will make them smarter. I do feel it makes them react in a positive way.

I do have to mention, that there are some moments that might scare a child. But as it's a U certificate, those moments I feel are open to interpretation as I know people who actually liked the supposedly scary moments as a kid. I personally feel it's never too early for a child to be scared and this film can certainly bring out all the emotions.

Dumbo - While this is here for personal reasons, I would have probably added this to the list anyway.

This was the first film I can remember watching and others have that same memory.

This Disney animated classic tells a great message of believing in yourself and accepting differences in people.

The music is bouncy, the characters are engaging, the imagery is pleasing and it has a snappy 60 minutes duration.

Bambi - My third Disney animated classic from the 1940's in this list and is my personal favourite Disney animated feature.

What I think makes it stand out above the rest, is its perfect way of showing its younger demographic about the balance of nature as well as life and death.

While these themes may sound mature and it does include that infamous emotional moment. The execution of it I feel is a great way for a kid to understand the world they have been born into.

On a lighter side, it's gives the opportunity to introduce children to certain animals and memorable characters.

Alice In Wonderland - This brilliantly bonkers Disney animation has all the ingredients of expanding your child's imagination.

With the fast pacing, bright colour palette, colorful characters and vibrant music, this film creates a world that your kids could not have possibly imagined.

It shows how puzzling life can be and it has a strong rewatchability factor as you can see this film in different ways as you get older.

Singin' In The Rain - You can't go wrong by showing your child a musical, and this particular classic is probably the happiest film I have ever seen.

For newborns, you can just fall in love with the music and the dancing.

Also, there is the added element of having enough of an understanding of the film industry and its history.

The Many Adventures Of Winnie The Pooh - Even though the stories are almost 100 years old, the timeless themes of Winnie The Pooh stories such as the importance of friendship, helping out those in need and facing your fears will always work.

This 1977 classic saw the big screen debut of Pooh and his friends. It's structure of having three short stories can be ideal for children with short attention spans.

My Neighbor Totoro - Japanese anime has become a global genre that continues to be accepted by more and more demographics and Studio Ghibli is the perfect introduction for all ages.

For young kids, the best one to start with I feel is My Neighbor Totoro.

When two girls move to the country to be near their ill mother, their discovery of nearby forest spirits takes them on many wonderful adventures.

The lovable features of all the characters as well as the metaphors explaining the mysteries of the world through the eyes of a child is what makes this film so beloved.

Anime, especially by Studio Ghibli will have a great collection of films that your child can discover as they get older.

The Lion King - What is there to say that hasn't already been said about the peak of 90's Disney animation.

From the opening note, you are instantly sucked into this world full of rich landscape, music, characters and story.

Also, it's themes of the importance of family, society and coming of age comes across well for even the youngest of children to understand.

Toy Story - A timeless modern classic that anyone can fall in love with. Even at a really young age, seeing a film that makes you wonder if your toys are really alive can blow anyone's mind.

Virtually any film from Pixar can work for a kid. But beginning their journey into films from this studio has to start with Toy Story.

If your child is ever felling down, this for many is a great pick-me-up.

Shaun The Sheep Movie - The most recent in this list and like Fantasia, is another one that breaks the language barrier.

It's silent cinema style of story-telling still engages audiences of today and with great effect.

Aardman Animations style of humor is perfect for all ages. It also has plenty of endearing characters along with a style of animation that is a must-see for youngsters.

However, if you want your child to see Shaun The Sheep before he went solo, then watching A Close Shave along with all the other iconic Wallace And Gromit shorts might be a wise option before seeing this.