I've Seen It

Scandanavian entry into the Vampire genre is an intriguing story. The central character stands out strikingly with his pale complexion and blonde hair. He plays a troubled loner at school who begins an innocent friendship with disastrous consequences for those around him. It is quite poignant in a macabre way watching the dependency in friendship grow between the central characters. The remoteness and cold of the environment upon which the story is set really adds to the feeling of unease the viewer has throughout the story. This is a haunting tale certainly worth watching.

This film moved at a lightning pace at the beginning which I feel was a mistake. Obviously there’s time restraints in telling a story in a film, but the obsession to show all the major points from crime – caught – court case – revenge were done so mechanically it was tough to get a feel for the characters at all.

There were some interesting twists and turns and the final third did work it’s magic on me, but the first third I just felt was…terrible.

Apparently this story was spun out of a potential backstory for Saw’s Jigsaw. You can certainly see the similarities as a burglar finds himself trapped in house rigged with surprises by a serial killer. The burglar has a dilemma as the serial killer has a family trapped in the house and basically is going to torture these people to death very slowly. The angle of this particular is Serial is collecting -As per the title, I wont give anything away.

The game of cat and mouse between Serial Killer and Burglar I found quite engaging, of course the film being american means that the house is mazy enough in its size. There’s some suitably tense moments scattered throughout the film. The protagonist was likeable enough and the ‘traps’ set by the killer were quite interesting. Throw in the obligatory horny young couple and you’ve got yourself a decent enough horror flick.

Very good film which is firmly entrenched with the ‘torture porn’ stable of films. The director does a nice job in leading the viewer on a merry dance of becoming almost an accomplice to the action on screen. The set up is about the bleakness and unknown of travelling deep into eastern europe.

What it’s not: A travel guide for americans abroad

What it is: A superior entry in the whole gratuitous horror films arena

Don’t let the fact it’s based on Stephen King story put you off. This is a great backs against the wall, horror story involving a group of people trapped in a supermarket trying to survive a horrific onslaught from something in the mist.

What it isn’t: another shit ‘based on Stephen King story’ film

What it is: Good ol’ fashioned ‘up against it’ horror film.