Welcome to the new home of Creepercast.com. Where we let the fear creep in with all things horror genre. News, Reviews, and more! STAFF:
J.P.: Editor (EIC - Editor in Cheif), Writer (CC - Content Contributor);
Joel Kenyon: Editor (AE - Assistant Editor), Writer (CC - Content Contributor); William S Mayfield: Writer (CC - Content Contributor)
A psychological thriller set in an abandoned insane asylum known as Eloise. Four people break in with the intention of finding a death certificate that could land Jacob the rights to a hefty inheritance. While inside, the friends discover the terrifying history of the asylum and the truth about their own pasts. I am going to go against the popular critics on this one and mention the nostalgic reasons why I have included the film on my own “best of list”. When you hear critics talk about location as a character, The Wayne County Asylum in Detroit Michigan (a.k.a. Eloise), is a real place with its own colored and storied history. The film borrows heavily from the actual history of the hospital while sensationalizing and fictionalizing enough to adapt the location to the tale being woven. Eloise is definitely a character unto itself and filming it there is only the frosting on the cake. While watching the film I found myself remembering a time when I was very young that I had actually visited the hospital before it had closed for good. Now considered one the most haunted locations in Michigan, using the location as a major plot point seems only logical. Add in the star pawer of Robert Patrick as the sadistic doctor of the past and Eliza Dushku, I found the film entertaining enough. Granted, much of the story is familiar with only a few twists away from stereotypical fare, and sometimes the acting gets lost in exhibition. All that aside keeps Eloise grounded at number 11 on this list. The toying with claustrophobic fears makes this film one I loved, but will probably not watch again.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2017 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2017! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2016.)
12) 'Death Note'
Adam Wingard is one of the more recent directors that's revitalized horror. With his most recent entry, 'Death Note', he's split the fandom in half. Taking the beloved anime and turning it into a live action/American film, was never going to be an easy task. You can't please everyone. Not too mention, the source material has had years of history behind it and a rabid fan base. After viewing the entire series, I can see where he left lots of the original material out. There was just too much to encompass in one film. Personally, I enjoyed both and view them as separate entities. Regardless of your personal opinions on how the two compare, you can't argue that Adam's made a solid film and one that should be seen. A Netflix original and a fascinating entry into his ever growing body of work. He's now made my list two years running!
You have no idea how much it pains me to realize this film is undoubtedly one of the best horror films of 2017. I’ve professed to be a major critic of this writer/directors work and have been continually let down by everything he has created with Unbreakable being possibly the best film he’s actually made. This (Split) psychological horror-thriller film written and directed by M. Night Shyamalama-ding-dong stars James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Betty Buckley. McAvoy is brilliant as a man with 23 different personalities who kidnaps and imprisons three teenage girls in an isolated underground facility. Presented as a stand alone film there are two tweests to take note of by the end of this film, the most important one a not very well kept secret that Split is in fact the long awaited sequel to Unbreakable. This revelation may turn out to be a double edged issue since I truly enjoyed it as a stand alone but am really looking forward to a Bruce Willis vs James McAvoy film. For the record, although the film was gripping, tense, and mind bending, McAvoy’s brilliant portrayal of the quintessential psychotic antagonist is what put this film on our list. Watch every personality closely and enjoy.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2017 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2017! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2016.)
13) 'It: Chapter One'
2017 has been the year of Stephen King. Not since the late 70's through the mid 80's, has he had so many films produced, based on his books. The difference is, that he's been happier with the results this time. That's also been the feelings of audiences everywhere. 'It: Chapter One' proved to be a box office juggernaut and brought the master to a whole new generation. While this one didn't prove to be a perfect film, it was above and beyond expectations. Aside from some effects issues, this one earned a spot at the table. Pennywise has never been more frightening, than in this re-telling of the classic novel. I'm actually looking forward to the second chapter!
Suggested snack to eat while watching: cotton candy and blood sausage
Lucky number 13 is the only found footage offering on this years list and I’ve chosen to debut it here because it is a very entertaining take on the genre. The Monster Project is a tale about two aspiring filmmakers that find three cast members who claim to be real monsters. Filming in an abandoned mansion, the production soon becomes a nightmare as they reveal their true forms: a skinwalker, a demon, and a vampire. The Monster Project is exactly what you expect. It is a great premise presented by first time feature film makers that are happy to flaunt their naivete. It’s a fun film that delivers exactly what you expect from the convoluted storyline to relatively clean in camera graphics.
Every year, you never know what the horror genre is going to unleash upon the world. You have an unsuspecting audience, just waiting to have their deepest and darkest fears manipulated.... all in the comfort of an air conditioned theater or their home. Not every year has been full of winners, some have proven to be better than others, but 2017 has yielded some very interesting genre fare that is full of a little bit of everything under the sun. My fellow creeps, I've put together what I feel (in my humble opinion) to be the best of the best for this year. There were a few that were nudged out by only inches and that's not a bad thing. It just proves that there are more stories to tell and makes me dream about all the amazing scares yet to come. So, without further adieu, I give you my top 13 horror films of 2017! (based on release dates and not the years they were filmed.... although some may be in the last quarter of 2016.)
Honorable Mention) '1922'
As you'll soon find out, with my full list, this was the year for Stephen King. '1922' is one of the many chapters in this 2017 film going journey. A dark and brooding tale, that just barely missed the mark this year. One of many Netflix originals that set the bar incredibly high for big budget Hollywood films. However, the biggest thing going for this film was Thomas Jane. He produced one of the best characters to fill the screen in a long time. Granted, the story line was solid and the supporting cast and crew were phenomenal. Sadly, there were just too many other great films this year, that it barely missed the cut. However, I would have been remiss, not to at least give it a little time in the sun as it is well worth your time to watch. I don't know what 2018 will hold in store for Mr. King, but it appears that he is back in the limelight again.... as if he ever left.
Suggested snack to eat while watching: ratatouille
It’s the most wonderful time for lists! That’s right, the most important top list of the year has arrived. Welcome to the Creepercast top 13 (plus honorable mentions) horror films of 2017 according to our writing cast. IT is always interesting to see how each of us rates every film of the year and sometimes it breaks out in complete Mayhem. Usually we can be civil enough to Get Out before the blood flies, and sometimes we are Split and every choice feels just like The Killing of a Sacred Deer. But in the end this little Monster Project goes into the books, your favorite cast member commits their opinion to writing, and defensive arguments aside, this is our final testament for the year. Alas, this is our Cure for Wellness, and our addictive Devil’s Candy.
These lists includes films that we have seen for the first time in 2017, though they tend to include films released within that year they are not limited too or controlled by that rule. That’s why my lists also tend to preview a film you likely haven’t been able to see yet. Though that’s not probably to happen this year since I haven’t had a chance to see The Endless, Death House, and Tragedy Girls yet. But, I have every reason to believe they would have landed pretty high on this list. Well know for sure come next years list. That said, it is always a pleasure to debut films like Raw on these lists in the hopes that you will see them and enjoy them as I have. Speaking of Raw, the cannibal veterinarian from France is strongly dominating many of the lists you see out there this year. See, I told you it was worth it.
For myself, the real surprise with this list is how many are mainstream films and the inclusion of a film by a director I notoriously profess to despise. Don’t worry, there is plenty of off the wall, cerebral, psychological, eccentric horror on this list. This last year was one of the most prolific for horror and our lists were a challenge to create, but create we must! With no further argument (unless you choose to do so in the comments below) here is Jeff’s Top 13 Horror Films of 2017
The Honorable Mentions:
Never Hike Alone
It use to be that when someone said “hey check out this fan film” you knew what to expect. It was likely going to be some silly misrepresentation of the source material with bad acting, effects, and writing, that while entertaining, does very little to add to the mythos or understanding of the films they wish to sloppily honor. But thankfully there has been swing toward quality homages that includes not only great acting, avoiding cheesy effects, and storylines, with a love for the details and dedication to production values that adds to the mythos in ways one never could have imagined. One such “fan fiction” tale is the fan backed and brilliantly portrayed Never Hike Alone. Which is very sound advice when extreme hiking through Camp Crystal Lake. Brought to us by Womp Stomp Films and director Vincente DiSanti (who also brilliantly donned the mask as well) that promises there are still Friday the 13th stories to tell that don’t include Michael Bay. Please watch the almost feature length gem here and understand why it earns the least I can offer, a 2017 Honorable Mention...
Mosaic
From The Verge (11/08/2017) “In January, HBO will air Steven Soderbergh’s Mosaic as a six-episode series over five nights. But today, you can download a standalone app for iOS and tvOS, and take in its roughly 7.5 hours in interactive form, shifting your perspective among the story’s main characters in a branching narrative. Mosaic most resembles the sort of show you might binge-watch on Netflix — all of its episodes will be available at once — and yet it allows for a level of interaction only possible inside a custom app.”
“It’s not a TV show, and it’s not a movie,” says Soderbergh, “It’s something else.”
Soderbergh may be understating the artistic aspect of Mosaic, but that’s okay since it seems to defy standard conventions. What he definitely doesn’t want us to call this murder mystery with a winding plot is a “choose your own adventure” movie. Even though it feels like one when your clicking through evidence offered and watching scenes play out in ways that seems like you can control the outcome. Of course you can’t, Soderbergh is the only god in this world of sex, death, and secrets. Each scene is gripping and engrossing while the classic Susan Sarandon headlines the cast. Purely due its nature this thriller easily earns this honorary position. To be continued tomorrow...
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