Severance – also directed by Christopher Smith (Creep) – breathed some new life in to the slasher sub-genre as it details a group of corporate employees who venture out into the wilderness for some “teaming building” exercises.
Its chock full of British humor and really well-timed one liners. The cast – including Danny Dyer, Andy Nyman and Laura Harris – is likable.
The deaths are extremely brutal and the film is well-written, but, Severance received a joke of a U.S. theatrical run and even still hasnt fully found its audience. One thing that sets Severance apart from its contemporaries is that it actually has an interesting subplot that serves as more than just a means to see the cast meet their demise.
This is not a typical revenge-fueled killing spree type of horror film.
Eden Lake, directed by James Watkins (The Woman in Black), is rich with social commentary and lacks the satisfying ending that we often see in a film of its kind. The tale finds a couple, enjoying a weekended getaway, who are menaced by angry, violent teens.
Eden Lake really bothered me, but in the best way possible. It stuck with me after I watched it and I thought about it for some time. The film features Michael Fassbender before he became a hot commodity and, as always, he turns in an enjoyable performance.
The films domestic fate as a direct-to-DVD release is largely why the Eden Lake still hasnt really found its audience.
Based on Nicholas McCarthys short film of the same name, The Pact is a little rough around the edges, but damn it is fun.
What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in originality. Caity Lotz stars as a young woman investigating the disappearance of her sister.
The ending blew me away, the first time I watched it. It was fun to see Agnes Bruckner, of Lucky McKees The Woods, as Nicole. For the most part, the entire cast delivered authentic performances. What little gore we see is executed seamlessly. The Pact was amongst my top 15 horror films of 2012.
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