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22]
Dead Of Night
A very common problem with anthology films, I find, is a wraparound section that feels more like a plot device to deliver the other segments, rather than a cohesive foundation. Dead Of Night is a master class. A gripping wraparound narrative escorts us through a variety of tales, gradually building up dread, with one perfectly timed dose of comic relief before delivering the most chilling. The main character’s nightmarish traversal through all of the stories towards the end is a particular highlight.
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23]
Night Of The Comet
Night Of The Comet is one of those movies that are unmistakably a product of their time. Stuffed with kitsch 80s charm, big hair, bold colours, a soundtrack evocative of the period and attitude in spades, Night Of The Comet is gloriously fun. But underneath the gaudiness there is some striking cinematography, desolate landscapes filled with warm block colours that provide a backdrop to a post apocalyptic thematic that is hugely oversaturated at present, 30 years later.
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24]
The Babadook
There seems to be a really poor line up of horror films theatrically this Halloween season, and The Babadook is pulling in rave reviews, so it seemed like the perfect choice. It’s superbly acted, rarely do actors display such contorted terror convincingly, the storybook elements are suitably creepy and it’s maturely executed with a lot of heart. But I found myself a little bored at times. It lacks bite; the most memorable scene features a vibrator rather than anything genuinely horrific.
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25]
Creepshow
Creepshow is a love letter to horror comic books from the 1950s helmed by two legends of horror in their respective fields, Stephen King and George A. Romero. Delivered in a stylistically original and inventive way at the same time paying homage to the comic books, Creepshow is comfortably more enjoyable than any of the recurring spate of modern blockbuster comic book movies. A devilishly black sense of humour permeates in this riotously fun anthology of tales.
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26]
Robin Redbreast
I picked this up on DVD recently, and couldn’t wait to watch it. Originally shot in colour this made for TV movie sadly now only exists in its current black and white state thanks to cost cutting measures by the BBC. It’s very typical of a lot of British rural horror movies, isolation and alienation are the pervading themes with a cult folklore underpinning, but interestingly this was ahead of the curve being released in 1970. The close-knit sinister inhabitants of the town are a high point and the attitudes to contraception during the period hugely interesting.
I watched two last night, but haven't had a chance to write about them yet. So watching three tonight I should hit the target. Sleep has been catching up with me from my London trip though, I strugged through the second movie last night. Hopefully I'm all refreshed today. If not the sugary soft drinks, chocolate and pizza will likely aid in keeping me awake.