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Movie review: Antibirth (2016)

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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THIS MOVIE slipped under the radar last year, and whilst part of me can understand the reasons why.

Largely this movie is not to everyone’s taste and it’s raw, independent vibe can put certain viewers off, who are used to the polished, Hollywood mainstream.

Antibirth though is definitely worth of closer scrutiny as it embarks in an area not often looked upon, body horror, and even more so, the effect of pregnancy.

It often feels like a strange hybrid between something that David Cronenberg would produce and 1997’s Nowhere, with its strange and complex tale.

Namely, we follow Natasha Lyonne’s (Orange Is The New Black, Yoga Hosers) character, Lou, a drug-addled, pill-popping woman living in a remote town in Montana.

Unwittingly, she had become a part of a science experiment when her dealers use her as a science experiment with a new drug that they are pushing.

The side effects of which, induce pregnancy in women.

The question is, without the ‘usual’ method of insemination, who are what is growing inside her?

Lyonne has her character down pat and infuses some of the type of roles that she has become known for struggling with drug dependency.

She is ably supported by some notable female actors though in the under-used Chloe Sevigny (potentially just ringing this one in) as Lou’s friend, Sadie, and the welcome sight of Meg Tilly on the big screen as a quirky, eccentric stranger with more than a few secrets of her own.

Ultimately, it’s a strange concoction though, which some critics have described as muddled and confusing, and with no sense of direction.

But I for one, for one found it refreshing, despite the feeling of swimming upstream in treacle.

There’s enough intrigue to keep you within the story as Lou’s plight and body transformation elevates into the bizarre and grotesque.

This is only Danny Perez’s second feature, (which he wrote and directed) and if he were able to harness his voice whilst maintaining that raw energy throughout, he could very well be a director to keep an eye on in the future.

  • Paul Farrell

Podcast: Full Moon Sessions – Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

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Crazed lycanthropes. Check.

A Wiccan cult lead by a vivacious vamp. Check.

A random dwarf. Err…Check.

And Christopher Lee donning some awesome shades whilst blending into a night club scene. Hell yes.

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French born, Australian film director, Philippe Mora takes the original movie, based on the Gary Brandner novels, takes it by the scruff of the mane and literally shakes the living shit out of it, so that it’s hardly recognisable anymore.

There is a notion that sequels are made to improve upon or enhance a franchise, but here, Mora takes the essence of the original and adds his unique flavour to the mix.

With Sybil Danning serving as his muse by playing the enchantress, Stirba, Howling 2 is a feast on the eyes and plays with your senses.

It’s an acquired taste that has gained a cult following as a result.

And would mark a strange and interesting direction that would prove to not be the last of the franchise, nor the last time that Mora would return to the director’s chair, as he would steer the follow up, Howling III: The Marsupials.

Check out more in the Full Moon Sessions podcast below to get the point of view from The Surgeons.

  • “Howling Mad Moon” MacGuire

Movie review: Train To Busan (2016)

12 Wednesday Apr 2017

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CRITICS AND AUDIENCES have been praising this film for sometime now.

And I may be a little late to the scene, but I finally managed to board the Train To Busan recently to see what all the fuss was about.

And boy did it live up to my expectations.

Not only was it enjoyable and action-packed, it also left you feeling satisfied as a result.

This film will stand the test of time and become a modern classic and should be on every horror fans must watch list.

Here’s 5 Killer reasons why…

  1. Plenty of heartThe first two points are all about character development.

    It’s the core to any good storyline. Make the people care about the characters by building up the relationships they have with each other and in doing so cement our relationship with said character before ripping out our hearts when they inevitably die.

  2. A lot of soul

    Continuing on the character theme, it’s also important to establish flaws in the key characters in which they will be punished for accordingly – death by zombie horde, or overcome and redeem themselves but sub sequentially meet their demise anyway, because  in horror, only the pure of heart and soul will survive.
  3. Stamina to stay the distance

    The perfect recipe for any decent horror is to establish the rhythm and build up the tension to the nth degree by the time you reach the climax.This is when of the key strengths in Train To Busan.

    Most horror films can find themselves derailed by the halfway point, but we’re kept well on track, thanks to the brilliant pace depicted by director Yeon Sang-ho and his crew.

  4. Fucking sick zombies

    When dealing with the big ‘Z’, you’re generally dealing with the archaic shuffling zombies from George Romero’s ‘Dawn of the Dead‘ or the kick-ass-quick in ‘28 Days Later‘.And although Train To Busan does lean more towards the latter, it does add another element to the mix – Mass.

    When these zombies strike, they come as a group and and hunt down their prey with viscous abundance.

  5. Killer instinctAnd finally, to top it off.

    If you’re gonna have a cracking zombie flick, you’ve got to deliver the gore and kills with as much relish and glee as possible to salivate the hungry horde.

    And in this instance I’m referring to the audience.

    It’s not just the methods of the kills that count here, but the brutal reality of it all as our heroes fight blood tooth and nail in the name of survival.

    It raises questions about how we would face such a dire situation, stares humanity in the face and shows us for the savage creatures that we are.

 

  • Paul Farrell

Movie review: Yoga Hosers (2016)

30 Thursday Mar 2017

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The second instalment of Kevin Smith’s True North Trilogy follows in the same vein of its predecessor, Tusk, in that it captures the quirky, dark, and curious side to Canada.

In this instance, the story follows two convenience store workers, Colleen Collette and Colleen McKenzie, played by Depp and Smiths daughters, Lily-Rose Depp and Harley Quinn Smith.

As expected the movie is infused with pop culture and gamification references such is Smith’s repertoire of language and style on screen.

Perhaps because of its leads, Yoga Hosers has a youthful vigour to the story, which just about makes it passable along with the style and substance involved.

All parties appear to be having fun in the making of this movie and that energy feels infectious as a result.

Behind the glitz though, the movie is simply that.

A facade of fun, but ultimately it’s logic is so far removed from reality that you have no sense of connectivity to the plot.

Essentially the girls end up fending off little yellow wiener men controlled by a Canadian Nazi, Andronicus Arcane.

It’s so convoluted and downright bizarre, that you’re only choice is to go with the flow or tune out.

As it stands it remains to be seen whether or not Smith will complete his True North Trilogy, by closing out with Moose Jaws.

Despite the two films generally negative reception, there’s a part of me that would like to see Smith carry out his vision, if only to see a killer Moose on the loose in Canada.

But I guess that’s just the quirky, warped side of my personality that identifies with the craziness of it all.

– Paul Farrell

Movie review: Tusk (2014)

30 Thursday Mar 2017

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The obscurity of this movie admittedly had me questioning how such a bizarre story could ever be entertained let alone actually pulled of as a feature.

But all ideas and inspirations have to start from somewhere.

When filmmaker Kevin Smith and Scott Mosier picked up on a bizarre advertisement of guys walrus fetish as part of the Smodcast discussions, the subject resonated with Smith to run with this crazy notion and turn it into a feature, Tusk, the first instalment to a trilogy that he’s dubbed, The True North trilogy.

The second having already been released, titled Yoga Hosers, and a final instalment called Moose Jaws is on its way.

The underlying theme that ties these movies together examines the quirky tales born out of the depths of Canadian lifestyle and translates as a warped cousin of the X-Files as Johnny Depp cameos as French Canadian detective investigator of the bizarre, Guy LaPointe.

The central story to Tusk follows repugnant and loathing, podcast host, Wallace Bryton.

His podcast, The Not-See Party is basically a chance for him and friend/ co-host (played by a welcome Haley Joel-Osmont) to mock viral videos of guys making fools of themselves.

This one in particular is of a guy playing around with a samurai sword in his garage when he severs his own leg off.

Wanting to milk this story and take advantage of this poor soul for all his worth, Wallace ventures out to interview him for the podcast only to arrive at the chaps funeral.

By chance however, Wallace believing to be down on his luck, stumbles across a written advertisement in the Gents toilets that piques his interest with a free room and lifetime of interesting stories.

Little does he know that he’s about to get his comeuppance when he meets up with wayward extraordinaire, Howard Howe and his curious obsession with walruses.

Kidnapped and drugged, Wallace then has to face a gruelling undertaking that allows his assailant to transform him into the creature of his curious fantasies.

Will his girlfriend and best friend be able to save him from his ordeal?

What will be left of him by the end of it all?

Tusk is a movie that lives up to its description with its strange tale, which was always going to be a tough sell for audience and critics alike.

It takes someone like Kevin Smith to carry out this vision and brandish it with his unique sense of humour.

And for that it hangs in there just barely by a single thread and may well generate an audience from his loyal fans.

Once again I find myself commending a director on their bold choice and pushing the boundaries of storytelling by challenging themselves and offering something new, even if the execution itself doesn’t eventually pay off.

– Paul Farrell

R.I.P. Bill Paxton

26 Sunday Feb 2017

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FOR MOST PEOPLE, (myself included) Bill Paxton entered our worlds as the unforgettable Private Hudson from Aliens.

As I heard the sad news today of his passing, I instantly started to reflect on Bill’s career and naturally of those films that fall into the sphere of horror.

So gifted a talent, Bill could transcend across numerous genres and even iconic film franchises, such as The Terminator, Aliens, and Predator 2.

As Private Hudson, Bill portrayed the cocky, loud-mouthed and patronising member of the Army Corp that would be slayed by a Xenomorphs on the Hadley’s Hope colony.

But it was a year later, playing Severen in Near Dark, that would capture the attention of this writer.

It’s a movie that probably deserves more recognition and sees Bill once again star alongside Lance Henriksson as renegade drifters, who just so happen to be vampires.

His past is never revealed but you get the sense that Paxton relished playing the more reckless, violent, and sadistic member of the crew.

It’s a role that stands out in a plethora of other movies, but to mention a couple more, Paxton’s performance of Jerry Lambert was another highlight in his career that I’d like to mention.

On face value, Lambert appears to be yet another brash and cocky performance from Paxton, but beneath the surface is a man of integrity and honour that belies this instinctive reaction to his character.

This is a testament to Paxton’s ability to portray depth to his roles and would later see him cast in the likes of Tombstone, True Lies, Apollo 13, and Twister to name but a few.

It’s little surprising that he would turn his attention to directing at some point in his career and what he leaves behind is possibly one of the most underrated movies at the turn of the century with Frailty.

The tale centres on a family led by a fanatical religious patriarch (played by Paxton) who leads them on a series of murders as they try to destroy the demons that are embedded through American society.

Bill Paxton leaves behind such an important mark on the history of film and the team at Surgeons of Horror will forever remember his stellar work over the years.

He will be deeply missed and put thoughts go out to his family at this time.

– Paul Farrell

Movie review: Under The Shadow (2016)

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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IF YOU’RE ONE of these people that is tired of the lack of original movies coming out of Hollywood and are constantly searching afield to the foreign section of the movie industry, chances are you may have already stumbled across this movie.

If however, you’ve not yet come across this Iranian movie, Under The Shadow, I sincerely recommend that your make the effort to put this at the top of your list.

Beautifully shot and set in war-torn Tehran in the 1980’s, the film’s choice of timing and location is no mere accident.

We’re thrust into a world that is literally being ripped apart by outside forces and is a scary place to be, but it’s what lurks inside that you should really be afraid of, and this is where writer and director Babak Anvari, really comes into his own.

Following the story of Shideh and her daughter Dorsa, as they face the demons or in this case Djinn that resides in their apartment building.

It is in part, the setting that allows for these trepidations to play on the mind, that you are left pondering whether or not the danger that faces them is inherently of their own imagination or an actual entity intent on destroying their souls.

The performances are incredibly strong, particularly by Narges Rashidi who plays Shideh, and delivers a compelling portrayal of a mother struggling with her place in the world.

She’s been ostracised from the medical world following her political protests.

And she also struggles in her relationship with her daughter Dorsa, finding the need for compassion lacking and constantly questioning her own worth and comparing herself to her husband, Iraj, who seems naturally gifted in this field. Dorsa recognises this too and often turns to her father for comfort.

So when Iraj leaves to aids the military in a heavy conflicted area, Shideh and Dorsa are forced together under trying circumstances and conflicts arise as a result.

It is however, the unquestionable love that Shideh has for Dorsa that is tested and the attention paid on their relationship that proves to be the real winner in this movie.

I cannot recommend Under The Shadow enough. I found it so rewarding to watch a movie that was intelligent, strong and impactful, much like the performances that were on display throughout.

And it’s a front runner for best movie of 2016 as a result.

  • Paul Farrell

Movie review: The Darkness (2016)

21 Tuesday Feb 2017

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WHAT HAPPENED GREG MCLEAN?

You delivered fine horror vehicles with Wolf Creek 1 and 2, and even croc shock horror movie, Rogue pulled some pretty deft punches in the genre.

But The Darkness leaves is decisively under par in comparison.

You have a strong A-Lister in Kevin Bacon and equally strong actress Radha Mitchell alongside him and yet the movie fails to deliver any scares or thrills.

My hunch is that this is perhaps down to a stark difference between McLean’s previous movies and The Darkness.

The previous films rely on exteriors and the external threats to our protagonists (which is no easy feat to convey so hats off to McLean on these previous outings) and how they deal with these attacks in order to survive.

The Darkness has to rely heavily on the internal struggle.

The audience must see the plight of the family and the fractures between them already that the Djinn can then exploit and take advantage of.

In other words the foundations need to be set in play before the troubles can really begin.

Instead, we see the family on a trip to the Canyon where they disturb a sacred ground.

In doing so, the demons follow them home and then start to ebb away at their flaws.

If enough focus was shone on their weaknesses beforehand there would have been more elbow room to play with here.

Instead, when the chances arise to cause a rift between them all, it feels too forced and contrived.

And in some cases, it feels like an after-thought to be tacked on after the plot line has been put together.

“Oh wouldn’t it be great, if we revealed that he has an affair?”, or “What about if we reveal that the daughter has bulimia?”

It would be one thing if the performances themselves were believable but they’re not and your left with one big mess, where nothing really ties together because of it.

It’s a real shame as I do like McLean’s work and hope this is just a momentary blip in his career. Based on the trailer for his next movie, The Belko Experiment, there’s hope that this might be the case as it does look promising. 

Fingers crossed.

  • Paul Farrell

Episode review: The Exorcist: S1 Chapter 8 “The Griefbearers”

06 Monday Feb 2017

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NOW THAT WAS a twist of epic proportions.

But before we get a-“head” of ourselves, I’d like to dissect this weeks episode “the griefbearers” and delve into whether or not THAT moment was a shocking one or if the writers are using gimmicks to wallpaper over the cracks that are starting to appear in the storyline.

  1. “It worms its way in and lays its little eggs”

    Those be fighting words.As the 2 priests ordain to complete the exorcism of Casey, they come together in an almighty clash.

    Tempers mount and the ‘handbags’ are laid down between them.

    Despite the rift, Father Marcus and Father Tomas are able to right themselves and see it for what it is.

    The devil forcing them apart for his own gain.

  2. Back to the basement 

    In an attempt to wring out every last ounce of the original story, why not go back to where it all began?In this case when Regan/Angela first encountered Captain Howdy.

    It felt like an obvious thing to do, and the scene tried to embody emotion but it just felt forced and empty.

    It’s a Catch 22 when you’re trying to pay homage to the original but compose enough of an originator to make it your own.

    But in this instance, it didn’t quite hit the mark.

  3. Elevate good times 

    So, with one final moment of elevation, it would appear that Casey’s soul has been saved and all is right in the world. But with 2 eps to go, how will the Rance’s come together and move on?And just because we see one possessed homeless guy lull himself, is it really over?

  4. Father Bennett is outnumbered 

    After confronting the Friars of Ascension last week, it was only a matter of time before the wolves would circle their prey.Father Bennett’s demise came at the hands of someone he wrongfully trusted.Which just goes to show how wide the cult had seeped its way into the Chicago community.

    And just when you started to become intrigued by his character, he’s written out in what is probably the first tragic death in the series. (But not the last – even in this episode)

    In the end Father Bennett played things by the book, unwilling to break the rules and in doing so he met his maker.

    A lesson to be learned there perhaps?

  5. The writings on the wall for Chris McNeil 

    It was inevitable that Chris McNeil would also meet an end, especially as predicted a few weeks back when she followed in the footsteps of Father Merrin’s grand entrance.It wasn’t predictable however, how her fate would be acted out, at the hands her own daughter Regan.

    Why does this leave things now?

    How long has Regan’s soul been taken over by the demon.

    Is there any hope left for the Rance’s.

With 2 episodes left to go, it’s hard to picture a happy ending.

Especially as the devil has such a firm grip on the community.

18 movies that shaped Australian horror

26 Thursday Jan 2017

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It’s Australia Day.

So here at Surgeons of Horror we thought that we would look across the years at the movies that helped shape the horror movie genre in our Southern Land.

So without further adieu, here’s our definitive list, let us know if you agree.

  1. Night of Fear (1973)
    Dubbed the first Australian film of the renaissance, (and closely resembling Texas Chain Saw Massacre in style, released another 2 years later) you can see why this movie is well respected among horror movie lovers.

  2. The Cars That Ate Paris (1974)
    The legendary director Peter Weir would debut with this fantastic comedy horror that he also wrote.
    Set in the fictional town of Paris where the towns inhabitants forage off the remains of car accidents, the movie has established something of a cult following.

  3. Long Weekend (1978)
    One of my favourites on this list and fittingly released on the year that I was born.
    Long Weekend wasn’t initially well received upon its initial release, but has a strong message from director Colin Eggleston, where nature fights back on a disrespectful couple.
    It has since been remade in 2008.

  4. Patrick (1978)
    The first of two films by Richard Franklin in our list, this science fiction horror is often cited by fans of the genre.
    Part of the Ozploitation movie scene, Patrick tells the story of a comatose boy with psychic powers.

  5. Alison’s Birthday (1981)
    It’s got all the right ingredients for a horror movie, with ouija boards, spirits from the beyond, demonic possessions, and that killer ending.
    All good reasons why this independent movie makes the list.

  6. Roadgames (1981)
    It’s the movie most noted more recently because of its vocal nod from Quentin Tarantino.
    Starring Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis it follows a truck driver and a hitch hiker who take it upon themselves to track down a serial killer on the loose.
    Oh and yet another soundtrack from Brian May.

  7. Razorback (1984)
    Australia’s creature feature and our very own Jaws movie albeit about a wild boar on the loose.
    Say all you like about it, but this is a classic in its own right.

  8. Bloodmoon (1990)
    This slasher film may have come late to the Ozploitation, but such was its impact and not necessarily in a good way that it nestles amongst some great titles here purely for its shocking comedy.
    So bad, it’s positively good.
    And features music from Brian May.
    Again this might not necessarily be a good thing.

  9. Body Melt (1993)
    The influence of Peter Jacksons early work is evident to see in this satirical horror.
    It’s got gore to the max and delights in every possible way.

  10. Saw (2003)
    Yet another Australian horror film that would ignite a genre with horror porn, which some don’t have the stomach for.
    In this instance it generated a horror icon in Jigsaw with its glorious deadly traps and launched the careers of both James Wan and Leigh Whannel.
    It also spawned a massive franchise with a success that only falls short of being the best in the entry by The Friday the 13th movies.
    All that could change though come the release of the next instalment, Saw: Legacy this year.

  11. Undead (2003)
    This movie should be better than it is, and goes all guns blazing in the first third of the film before losing the plot entirely.
    Film critic Roger Ebert to say it’s so bad that it’s bad, but despite its flaws, the film still resonates and is a bit of fun at the end of the day.
    And it did launch the careers of the Sperig brothers, who have gone on to direct bigger movies with a lot more fan fare.

  12. Wolf Creek (2005)
    Inspired by the afore-mentioned Roadgames, director Greg McLean has made a strong name for himself in the horror genre with movies such as Rogue, Wolf Creek 2 and the eagerly anticipated The Belko Experiment.
    Part of its appeal was capitalising on the daunting and dangerous world of the Australian Outback and made Mick Taylor on of modern horror movies most glorious villains thanks to John Jarratt’s chilling performance.

  13. Lake Mungo (2008)
    One of a couple of movies on our list to adopt the doco style of storytelling, Lake Mungo received fairly positive reviews of a family coming to terms with the loss of their daughter, hinged on a supernatural component.
    It’s a slow film but worth the wait for its gripping climax.

  14. The Horseman (2009)
    A revenge thriller with violence dialled to the extreme and may not be everyone’s taste.
    Personally though, I feel that this film speaks to the fringes of human emotion, evoking rage, heartbreak and empathy all in the space of its 96 minute running time.

  15. The Loved Ones (2010)
    Sean Byrne is still a director to keep an eye on and I for one can’t wait to see his follow up Devil’s Candy.
    His debut feature though would gain a huge following with its gender swap of a damoiselle in distress and a female killer played by the delightful Robin McLeavy.

  16. The Tunnel (2011)
    The second movie to adopt the doco style of storytelling, but through the medium of found footage horror.
    The Tunnel shook up the movie industry with its new approach to distribution, allowing viewers to buy frames from the movie as a means to raise the quota to cover the budget and leave room for a little profit.
    It was a business model that was both brave and rewarding for the producers, but more importantly, the film itself seemed to echo that sentiment.
    It’s a bold movie that keeps you hooked as a camera crew delve into the hidden tunnels beneath the city of Sydney only to find more than they bargained for.

  17. The Babadook (2013)
    One of the more recent movies to make the list and one that has the Surgeons sitting on both sides of the fence.
    Jennifer Kent’s debut feature deserves the recognition though as this psychological horror starring Essie Davis tackles a strong subject matter and tells it in a unique fashion.

  18. Wyrmwood (2014)
    Rounding out our list is this balls-to-the-wall bloody fantastic roller coaster of a movie.
    There is nothing predictable about this movie about a zombie horde let loose.
    Rumours are abound that there is a sequel in the works too.

    • Paul Farrell