In addition to the usual reviews and comments you would find on a horror movie blog, this is also a document of the wonderfully vast horror movie section of the video store I worked at in my youth.

Monday, January 5, 2009

2009 Preview

January. The start of a new year and a clean slate. Here are my top ten (okay, ten-ish) most anticipated genre films for 2009. I found it much more difficult to rank them this year, so I ended up just listing them alphabetically.

Dead Snow (TBD)
The zombie horror comedy flick has its debut at Sundance this month, so I’m hoping it makes it to at least one of the three festivals in my sphere of influence this year. Judging by the trailer, it looks like some good quality fun.




The Descent: Part 2 (May 15th, UK)
At first, I looked upon this follow-up to the now legendary 2006 film with disdain when I learned Neil Marshall wasn’t returning to direct. Now, after seeing D2 writer James Watkins’ recent genre effort Eden Lake, I feel much better. He’s got the balls to go just as far as his predecessor did.

Drag Me To Hell (May 29th)
A lot of people say Sam Raimi has a lot to answer for after Spiderman 3 and Ghosthouse’s shoddy record. I say 30 Days Of Night evened everything out. Hopefully, his triumphant return to horror will silence all the naysayers. I have my fingers crossed that Mr. Raimi hasn’t contracted Lucas disease from all that time in Hollywood.

Humans/The Pack (TBD)
Since modern French horror exploded onto the scene some years ago with High Tension, genre fans look to the Parisians each year to see what new sick and depraved shit will be soaking their screens. In 2009, it looks like we are getting a double shot with Humans and The Pack. Oh, and Paris By Night Of The Living Dead too. Awesome. I cannot wait!

Jennifer’s Body (Sep 18th)
Though I liked Juno, I’m in no hurry to hear more of Diablo Cody’s over-precocious dialogue. However, the one thing that keeps pulling me in is that Jennifer’s Body also happens to be MEGAN FOX’s body. ‘Nuff said.




The Lovely Bones (Dec 11th)
Peter Jackson’s long awaited indie is finally going to see the light of day in 2009. His return to low budget (well, LOWER budget anyway) horror should be welcomed with open arms. Rachel Weisz is a big draw for me. As for Mark Wahlberg, well… I just hope he can rebound from that whole Happening debacle.

My Bloody Valentine 3-D (Jan 16th)
2009 will be the defining year for 3-D and its viability as a mainstream film format. This remake of the 1981 Canadian slasher is the first on the schedule. I, for one, am stoked. When you can actually get me excited to see a remake, you know you are doing something right. I can’t wait to crack a Moosehead and revisit this old ditty. As a side note, 3-D will also be instituted for the newest Final Destination installment and the upcoming Piranha remake. Gorsh, technology is fun!

Perkins 14 (Jan 9th)
The After Dark Horrorfest lineup has some promising titles this year with this one being the most intriguing. It really sells itself on the premise alone and the fact that the entire thing was written and cast via an online community makes it an interesting experiment. Additionally, The Broken with Lena Headey and the Korean flick Voices also look like pretty cool Horrorfest offerings too.

Whiteout (Sep 11th)
Another graphic novel to film adaptation, this one is a cat-and-mouse thriller set in the Antarctic. My favourite lass Kate Beckinsale stars as a U.S. marshall on the trail of a killer. Love it!






There are also a bunch of titles expected on DVD that I’m looking forward to, as well.

Midnight Movie (Jan 6th)
The premise and cool website sell the movie for me. There have been variations on this theme done in the past, but I’m ready for a new go-round.






Dead In 3 Days (Mar 3rd)
Dimension Extreme is releasing this Austrian slasher in March. It comes highly recommended from a few different sources, so what the hell, I’ll give it a whirl.

Trick r Treat (TBD)
The long shelved horror project finally got a limited Halloween release in 2008, so hopefully a DVD will be here in the spring. I remember seeing a trailer for this, like almost two years ago. Treat was on a few top horror lists of ’08, so I look forward to seeing it.



Splinter (TBD)
I’ve wanted to see this movie for a while now. It had a limited release a few months ago, so the DVD can’t be far behind. Apparently, the gore work is top notch, so that’s always a plus.

And finally, I hope My Name Is Bruce finally makes an appearance on video store shelves. I’ve heard a lot of negative buzz about big B’s little indie, but I’ll reserve judgment until I get my hands on it.

Here’s some other stuff I’d like to see in 2009.

Doghouse
Jake West’s new movie looks good from the trailer, creature design models and great British cast. Get this out already! If it’s ready by September, it’s a shoe-in for Midnight Madness at TIFF, as West is MM alumni (Evil Aliens was here in ’05).




Trailer Trash
Eli Roth’s faux trailer project was #5 on my 2008 list and has all but disappeared from existence since then. I’d still like to see it though. I know Grindhouse was a financial disaster, but this is the kind of thing that can be done on the cheap and really thrive on DVD.

Paranormal Activity
This unconventional little ditty made a big splash at Slamdance last year. There are more than a few people that are tired of the whole cinema verité craze, but this one looks really, really good.

Lastly, I haven’t forgotten about the blockbuster reboot of Universal darling The Wolfman, it’s just that everything I’ve seen so far has been underwhelming. Maybe I’ll get more excited closer to the date.

And away we go!!!


Addendums:

-Friday The 13th is nowhere near this list, for the same reason The Unborn isn’t. A certain dolt named Bay.
-Rob Zombie’s Halloween pretty much killed any momentum he had as a filmmaker, so H2 and Tyrannosaurus Rex are pretty much dead to me.

3 comments:

DirtyRobot said...

Funny, I just watched DEAD IN 3 DAYS... THREE days ago! :P Meh, the sequel is much better.

SPLINTER is a great little flick, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY bored me to tears.

Serena Whitney said...

2009 should hopefully be a better year in terms of horror. I love 3-D..so I'm psyched for that.

One movie I think you should check out is 'Laid to Rest.' It's a sophomore effort from Robert Hall (Lightning Bug) The trailer looks crazy and I'll support anything Bobbi Sue Luther is in...because she is one of the coolest ladies I met in my life! (Even...gulp...Night of the Demons remake.) :P

Jay Clarke said...

Is Laid To Rest one of those 8 Films To Die For titles? I liked Lightning Bug more than most did, so I'll be sure to check that out.