The Hills Run Red (2009)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HorrorsHiddenGems/requests/

'Everybody is expendable for the good of the film.'

Directed by Dave Parker

Starring: Sophie Monk, Tad Hilgenbrink, Alex Wyndham, William Sadler

Released Date: September 29th 2009

Concept

The Hills Run Red is considered by many to be the scariest film anyone has ever seen,at least according to the plot of this film. The film is so notorious that obsessive horror movie fan Tyler wishes to track down the director of the film Wilson Wyler Concannon (boy that's a mouthful). 

The film itself is a slasher film, a lost treasure that encapsulates the slasher genre of the 1980's. The murderer or 'bad guy' in this slasher is Babyface, a crude figure in a red jacket wearing the face of a doll. 

Tyler begins tracking down Wilson, and discovers his daughter works nearby as a stripper, named Alexa. Upon meeting it is discovered she has a drug habit, he weans her off it without her consent and forces her to help him. Tyler, Alexa, his girlfriend Serena and good friend Lalo venture into the woods to find the origin of this lost film and its director. In a matter of time they soon discover a much darker secret to 'the scariest movie ever made'...

Review

Screaming out onto DVD this slasher erupted out of nowhere in 2009. A time where, Rob Zombie was remaking Halloween 2 in all its gory fashion, Friday the 13th, the Hills Have Eyes and Nightmare on Elm St where coming out and when Paranormal Activity took control of the genre in the mainstream and has continued its washed up gimmick force for the past seven years. 

 Taking a little inspiration from The Blair Witch Project there are several 'interviews' in the beginning of the film where Tyler asks several civilians who watched the movie back when it originally came out. 

If you're a fan of the slasher sub-genre especially from the 80's you should check this movie out. The recipe is there, a fairly simple but more complex story as you get into it based around the deaths of teens, a horrific and rememberable villain, sex, nudity, drugs etc etc.  

The Hills Run Red is not to be discredited it deserves a rental at least, at a pinpoint time in horror movie history with bad remakes and 'found footage' this film is the wheat from the chaff.

Cockney's vs Zombies (2012)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HorrorsHiddenGems/

'Shut up you soppy tart. Those are Zombies!'.

Directed by Matthias Hoene

Starring: Harry Treadaway, Michelle Ryan, Georgia King, Rasmus Hardiker

Released: August 23rd 2012 

Budget: 2.25M           Box Office: £110,000

Concept

The outbreak in this British horror comedy begins when two construction workers come across a tomb from the Seventeenth century, hoping to find treasure instead they find Zombies...

Elsewhere a group of misfits attempt a robbery of a bank, Terry and Andy McGuire; the two clumsy brothers trying to save their grandfathers Ray's retirement home from demolition. Helping them out is their badass cousin Katy, a clumsy idiot friend named Davey and Mental Mickey, a war vet who is mentally unstable. 

Upon escaping the bank, 2.5M on them they discover that London has been overrun by the dead! And now must save the elderly in the retirement home and escape the hordes of dead cannibals. But it is not as easy as they think...

Review

It's of no mistake, this film was a major flop. Which is a shame really I find it to be a funny and remembered film. It does share its similarities to another British comedy horror about zombies... such as the protagonists are clumsy lunatics and they are trying to save person X and get them to destination Y and wait for all this to blow over.

I personally found this film funnier than Shaun of the Dead, because that film to me is not funny. However Cockney's vs Zombies did make me laugh quite a few times. The only thing missing was quotable lines and it could be stuck in my brain constantly.

This is a must see film is you love zombie movies and comedy. Basically if you liked S.O.T.D. you'll certainly like this one. It's a good laugh and it's a shame this film doesn't get the attention it deserves, definitely an underrated film and certainly classed as a Horror Hidden Gem. 

Cabin Fever 2 (2009)

'It's a skin disease man. It's a skin disease'.

Directed by Ti West

Starring: Rider Strong, Noah Segan, Alexi Wasser, Rusty Kelly

Released: October 24th 2009 (Screamfest Horror Film Festival)

Concept

In this sequel to the bizarre gorefest the original was, this time the infection has spread rapidly. Taking place after the first Cabin Fever the disease has spread from the desolate woods into a small town via the water supply, a company has bottled the water and it is now distributed at the local high school. 

It follows a roughly new set of characters aside from the creepy strange policeman from the first film (paarrty man). It contains the usual quirky guy trying to get the girl who's with the unflattering jock boyfriend and that obese friend who somehow manages to score with the popular girl. 

It is a lot more claustrophobic specifically because it is in a school soon locked down by authorities, there's no running through trees from wild dogs and hermits this time, but it does have that style with it.

A strange headmistress, a janitor that does something unforgivable to the punch, jock boyfriend who is a complete... well. And a scene in which uses a prosthetic penis that made me threw up in my mouth. Amputation is involved and diseased breasts. Oh boy, you best not eat before watching this.

Review

I watched this film before I watched the original Cabin Fever. And let me tell you, in terms of making your stomach churn, this is worse. This film is so grotesque I wouldn't be surprised if you felt uncomfortable watching it throughout. The trailer itself might put you off.

However if you are a gore fanatic you will enjoy this crude, ridiculous film. It is in no way a bad film in my opinion but it is not the best. It has the same elements as before, aside from a different crew working on it and just two members of the original cast this film is a good ride for gore seekers. 

I recommend this to anyone who likes the original, or the Human Centipede franchise, oh and zombies. 

If you have any suggestions please feel free to comment below, i would also appreciate if you followed me and shared me. Take care fiends.

The Host (2006)

The Host (2006)

'You are dimwits, Right to the end. I'll see you in Hell'.

Directed by	Bong Joon-ho
Starring	Song Kang-ho Byun Hee-bong Park Hae-il Bae Doona Go Ah-sung
Running time	119 minutes
Country	South Korea

Concept

In this South Korean monster film a clumsy young father who sells food to tourists finds himself in a parents unimaginable nightmare when a creature climbs out of the local river and kidnaps his young daughter after a menacing killing spree. Having had 200 bottles of Formaldehyde dumped into the river years prior. There were strange sightings and rumours and even a suicide linked to the myth. Now along with his grandfather, graduate alcoholic brother and professional archer sis they must track down this creature and rescue their young family member. With quite a mix of comedy and tragedy this amazing film brings into it some psychological elements as well.

ReviewThis is likely to be my most favourite Asian horror film. It can give you a good laugh and make you feel sad the next. The camera angles in this partiular film are just amazing especially when the monster is first shown on screen. The CGI doesn't look fantastic but it can be forgiven for a great plot you can't help but finish. An absolute must-see 8/10. Once again there is a lonk for this DVD down below.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Host-2--DISC-DVD/dp/B000KRNMVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464206484&sr=8-1&keywords=the+host+2006

Ghost Train (1941)

Ghost Train (1941)

'They know no train runs on these lines past 10 O' clock. Only one thing can come from looking at the ghost train- death!'

Directed by	Walter Forde
Written by	Marriott Edgar (dialogue) Val Guest (dialogue) J.O.C. Orton (writer)
Based on	play The Ghost Train by Arnold Ridley
Starring	Arthur Askey Richard Murdoch
Release dates	3 May 1941 (UK)
Running time	85 minutes
Country	United Kingdom

Concept

In this fantastically thrilling black comedy a group of passengers on a train are trying to get to Truro. Unknown to each other they all find themselves in a similar situation where they miss the last train and are then forced to stay at the station during a heavy storm. They are told the legend of the ghost train by the reluctant stationmaster. He tells of the old tale where Forty-Three years prior a man named Ted Holmes died of a heart attack before he could close the bridge, plunging it into the river. They then spend the night together trying to get to morning without little incidence.

Review

This black comedy is pure hilarity with a good few spooks thrown in. Certainly a film for horror novices, there are so many elements that make this a brilliant film. The characters are unique and perfect, everyone has a role to play. There is a lot of suspense of the  ghost train itself that cuts into your mind and frightens you as the film climaxes. There are plenty of twists in this flick to keep you guessing and great spooky add ons. From the thunder and lightening, to a suspicious death, a young delusional woman, the apparent mad man thrown clear of the train itself and even Nazism. You should watch this film the comedy is cut finely and will make you chuckle at least once, the suspense is curdling and the plot never bores. Even when it seems the set is moving it keeps you locked in its gripI give it a great 10/10.

Here is a description for where you can pick up this clumsy masterpiece.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ghost-Train-DVD-Arthur-Askey/dp/B000BSQR0S/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464023679&sr=8-1&keywords=ghost+train+1941

Dead Silence (2007)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HorrorsHiddenGems/

Dead Silence (2007)

'Families found...without their tongues'.

Directed by  James Wan

Starring: Ryan Kwanten, Amber Valletta, Donnie Wahlberg. Michael Fairman 

Released: March 16th 2007

Concept

Jamie Ashen is thrown into his own personal hell from the very start when a mysterious package arrives. When he and his girlfriend open it they find a very creepy doll. There is no clue as to where it cam from except a small card that states 'my name is Billy'. James runs out for some food and when he returns his love is found murdered without her tongue.

  Convinced the doll did it somehow he then proceeds to go visit his estranged father and discovers a terrible secret. A terrible secret the townsfolk have kept for many many years. 

 Being the prime suspect hot on his trails is a detective who is certain Jamie is the murderer and is using Billy as a scapegoat. Can Jamie solve the mystery and somehow prove to police that Billy did it? An excellently tense and creepy film. There is not much I can say without spoiling the ending. Go watch it...now!

Review

I love this underrated film. It didn't score well on sites such as Rotten Tomatoes or Metacritic but forget what the critics say listen to what a fan says; this film is awesome. It's got great atmosphere with it as well as a compelling story with highly tense scenes and a thought out backstory.

It has an amazing twist ending.  Don't spoil the ending for anyone who hasn't seen it please. From the creators of the SAW franchise I beg you to seek this out and please watch it at least just the once. 

I watched this film in my teen years when friends came round for the night, we'd sit in the dark watching films and this has a great nostalgic feeling for me. if you get the opportunity to see this film I highly recommend watching it...now!

Would You Rather (2012)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HorrorsHiddenGems/

Would You Rather 

'There'll be other people there...people who just haven't received...a fair shake in life'

Directed by David Guy Levy

Starring: Brittany Snow, Sasha Grey, Jeffrey Combs,  John Heard

Released: October 14th 2012