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Netflix Canada: Top 10 Horror Films You Need to Watch

Published

7 years ago

December 19, 2016

Hello Canada! If you’re looking for a breakdown of the best horror films on Netflix, here’s a good place to start. Our guide to Netflix North will be updated regularly to include new additions and tried-and-true favorites. For now, here are my top 10 picks (in no particular order) to tide you over between those dreaded made-for-tv Holiday specials.

The Wailing (2016)

From the writer/director of The Chaser, this suspenseful South Korean horror thriller received widespread critical acclaim. There’s a genuine mystery at the heart of it. You are constantly wary of what to expect, who to suspect, and where to go next. The film is a simmering stew that gradually turns up the heat to a dramatic and unforgettable finish.

10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

This companion piece to Cloverfield is kind of like a bottle episode – but with a much higher budget. The small cast is confined to a single location where they must confront and resolve an increasingly suspicious problem. John Goodman’s performance as Howard is unnerving, captivating, and hauntingly reserved for a man who is best known for his more dynamic roles.

Green Room (2015)

Jeremy Saulnier gave us a knockout follow-up to Blue Ruin (2013). This film does not pull any punches, throwing our protagonists (lead by the late Anton Yelchin) into a hopeless and unyielding fight for survival. The peaceful opening act sets the stage for a mighty storm that perfectly matches the throbbing energy of the punk-rock theme

Bone Tomahawk (2015)

S. Craig Zahler’s Bone Tomahawk is probably one of the best Western/Horror crossovers you will ever see. The cast – Kurt Russell, Patrick Wilson, Matthew Fox, and Richard Jenkins (who absolutely steals the show) – are absolutely superb. It honors all the Western tropes, however, it goes full-throttle with the brutality. The climax is more savagely vicious than any Western and – to be honest – it ups the ante for Horror violence as well.

The Witch (2015)

For his directorial debut, Writer/Director Robert Eggers made a serious commitment to creating an authentic period piece. Most of the dialogue is taken directly from journals and court records from the era and extensive research was applied to find the right sound for the musical score (using Old World instruments like the Swedish Nychelharpa). The set was built using historically accurate materials and the film was mostly shot with natural lighting– the indoor scenes were done by candlelight. Eggers’ hard work has paid off. The film was a success with critics and horror fans alike. The Witch also caught the attention of the media when it was endorsed by The Satanic Temple.

The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014)

A faux-documentary is a fantastic way to work with the “found footage” sub-genre of horror. It provides a legitimate explanation for the presence of the camera and leads us to the action in a more believable way. The topic of this faux-documentary – Deborah Logan’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease – is carefully and respectfully presented. However, it becomes quite clear that Deborah’s experiences are not normal.

Hush (2016)

In Hush, a deaf writer must put her creative thinking to the test when trying out out-smart and outlast an unknown assailant. Her at-home-attacker (John Gallagher Jr. – who you can also find in 10 Cloverfield Lane) presents a continuous threat. He has come fully prepared; his story is never explained, but his intentions are clear. The concept is similar to Wait Until Dark, but with the modern struggle of disconnected WiFi to thwart a Skype connection.

You’re Next (2011)

Adam Wingard and Simon Barrett (V/H/S, V/H/S/2, The Guest, Blair Witch) are a formidable team. They’ve got a pretty solid track record of creating a film that thrills, chills and kills. You’re Next puts a fun twist on the home invasion horror and throws a badass wrench in the mix. With the rise of the New Scream Queen, we’re seeing a lot of strong, kickass women in horror films. In You’re Next, Erin (Sharni Vinson) is certainly one of the most capable victims you’ll ever see.

It Follows (2014)

It Follows is one of those films that is kind of timeless. There are no fancy new cars, no iPhones, nothing to really suggest any modern digital connectivity. Our young heroes are truly all alone with no help in sight. Their anxious terror comes from the knowledge that the threat is unrelenting and inescapable. The atmosphere is supported by the fantastic synth soundtrack and decaying locations. It’s bleak, it’s creepy, and it’s a great watch.

The Invitation (2015)

The art of the slow burn is coming up more and more in recent horror films. Actually, most of the films listed here are “slow burners”. Director Karyn Kusama uses a lighter touch than her previous films (Jennifer’s Body, Girlfight, Æon Flux) to really stress the tension of this Psychological Thriller. Due to the slower pace, it may require some patience, but there is a great payoff.

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Jake Gyllenhaal’s Thriller ‘Presumed Innocent’ Series Gets Early Release Date

Published

48 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Jake Gyllenhaal’s limited series Presumed Innocent is dropping on AppleTV+ on June 12 instead of June 14 as originally planned. The star, whose Road House reboot has brought mixed reviews on Amazon Prime, is embracing the small screen for the first time since his appearance on Homicide: Life on the Street in 1994.

Jake Gyllenhaal’s in ‘Presumed Innocent’

Presumed Innocent is being produced by David E. Kelley, J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot, and Warner Bros. It is an adaptation of Scott Turow’s 1990 film in which Harrison Ford plays a lawyer doing double duty as an investigator looking for the murderer of his colleague.

These types of sexy thrillers were popular in the ’90s and usually contained twist endings. Here’s the trailer for the original:

According to Deadline, Presumed Innocent doesn’t stray far from the source material: “…the Presumed Innocent series will explore obsession, sex, politics and the power and limits of love as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.”

Up next for Gyllenhaal is the Guy Ritchie action movie titled In the Grey scheduled for release in January 2025.

Presumed Innocent is an eight-episode limited series set to stream on AppleTV+ starting June 12.

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Movies

Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

Published

20 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

Published

21 hours ago

April 25, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

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Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.