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The Best & Worst Horror Movies of 2014 – Glenn Packard’s picks

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I was lucky enough this year to watch most of the horror movies released in 2014, and there were a few notable movies this year. The list includes many different subgenres: possession, found footage, slasher, ghosts, horror comedy, home invasion, alien, vampire, demonic doll and finally, a Bigfoot film. With preference for slasher horror films, and a love for indie horror movies, here is the best and worst horror films of 2014.

HAPPY HORROR!

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THE BEST:


 

Honorable Mention or #16. WOLF CREEK 2

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2014 brought several additions to horror franchises such as Rec, The Dead, Dead Snow & Wolf Creek, and I had high hopes for them all. Many of these just missed making my list, if I did a top 20, you’d see all of them. I have to give honorable mention to Wolf Creek 2–beating out the others just by getting to the point, moving on to the next kill, and being in your face. Mick Taylor is here to stay.
Cool moment: Just when you thought you’ve met the lead characters, BAM off with his head…..and legs….and arms…and well all his body parts.
Sub-genre: Slasher
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15.  AFFLICTED

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This terrifying horror thriller follows two best friends who set out on the trip of a lifetime around the world.  Their journey, documented every step of the way, soon takes a dark and unexpected turn after an encounter with a beautiful woman in Paris leaves one of them mysteriously afflicted.
Cool moment: When Derek is discovering his new vampire powers and strengths, the film feels a lot like ‘Chronicle’.
Sub-genre: Found Footage, Vampire
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14. ODD THOMAS

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Based on the best-selling thriller by Dean Koontz, Odd Thomas is a supernatural action horror thrill-ride. Small-town fry cook Odd Thomas (Anton Yelchin) is an ordinary guy with a paranormal secret: he sees dead people, everywhere and he is destine to be in love forever with Stormy (Addison Timlin).
Cool moment: The last scene, which might just make you cry if you have a horror heart.
Sub-genre: Horror Comedy, Ghost
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13. ANNABELLE

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If you didn’t hear of this story of a doll that will drive you crazy or kill you, then you might have been living under a rock this year. I was surprised that this film did, however, have some good scary moments.
Cool moment: The elevator won’t work and you’re stuck in a dark basement with the devil, ummmm yeah a crazy scary scene.
Sub-genre: Demonic Doll
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12. THE POSSESSION OF MICHAEL KING

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This film came from no where for me, and boy did it get my attention. A cocky man who doesn’t believe in GOD or the Devil so he is out to proof to everyone that he is right by documenting him going thru all these different kind of spells and experiments.  Along the way you realize you are watching a man discover that he was wrong all this time and he is driven mad along the way.

 

Cool Moment: Daughter- “The monster……” Dad- “In your dreams?” Daughter- “It’s you daddy!”

Sub-genre: Possession, Found Footage

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11.  THE TOWN THAT DREADED SUNDOWN

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Okay first off- I didn’t see the 1977 version or even as much as heard of it.  Although, I have to say that I love the way this movie is done. Its not considered a remake or sequel, even though it shares the same exact title as the 1977 version, but the way this director continues the story made it feel very real. And I have to give a shout out to Addison Timlin for being my favorite final girl of 2014; she also gave a star performance in another one of my top 15 ‘Odd Thomas’. Not to mention the film is produced by AHS’s Ryan Murphy.  It’s also is my favorite horror trailer of 2014.
Cool moment: After just watching the 1977 film at the drive in theatre, a couple goes parking, only to have the same horror they were just watching come to them in real life 66 years later.
Sub-genre: Slasher
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10. THE DEN

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This film took found footage to the internet and did a awesome job of it. Every moment of this great horror film was believable and realistic. Also have to mention a great performance by the final girl (Melanie Papalia) who also was from the scary movie ‘Smiley’, and in another one of my favorites this year, ‘Extraterrestrial’.
Cool moment: The star of the movie wakes to find herself being held in a dark, dungeon-like room, and is unaware of how she got there, or who is kidnapping her. It was truly a terrifying moment.
Sub-genre: Found Footage
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9. 13 SINS

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A cryptic phone call sets off a dangerous game of risks for Elliot, a down-on-his luck salesman. The game promises increasing rewards for completing 13 tasks, each more sinister than the last.
Cool moment: One word- Backstory! Oh so good, so pay attention.
Sub-genre: Thriller
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8. EXTRATERRESTRIAL 

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I’m surprised at how much I liked this movie of alien abduction. It also has a very solid cast.  Still feeling from her parents divorce, April is dragged back to the vacation cabin she spent fond summers at as a child accompanied by a group of friends. Her trip down memory lane takes a dramatic and terrifying turn when a fireball descends from the sky and explodes in the nearby woods. Lead by April’s boyfriend, the group ventures out towards the crash site and discovers the remnants of a ship from another planet along with footprints that suggest its alien occupants are still alive. The college friends soon find themselves caught in the middle of something bigger and more terrifying than anything they could ever imagine.
Cool moment: When the 1st friend is taken up and I mean UP to the space ship. Also…. holy anal probe!
Sub-genre: Alien
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7. HOUSEBOUND

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Kylie Bucknell is forced to return to the house she grew up in when the court places her on home detention. However, when she too becomes privy to unsettling whispers & strange bumps in the night, she begins to wonder whether she’s inherited her overactive imagination, or if the house is in fact possessed by a hostile spirit who’s less than happy about the new living arrangement.
Cool moment: Every scene with the bloody brilliant mother (Rima Te Wiata).
Sub-Genre: Horror Comedy, Ghost
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6. TORMENT

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Even though it was released in 2013 in Canada, this horror gem didn’t hit VOD here in the States until June of 2014. It stars horror dream girl Katharine Isabelle.  She plays Sarah, recently a newlywed, visiting a remote rural home with their young son, only to find themselves at the mercy of sadistic cult-like family who secretly took up residence.
Cool moment: Extremely creepy characters include Mr. Mouse, Pig Lady, & Little Rabbit. If those names don’t get you to check out the film, then I give up.
Sub-genre: Home Invasion
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5. DELIVER US FROM EVIL


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I was surprised at how good this film was. I went into the theatre thinking it wasn’t going to be that hot, and actually the film made me jump out of my seat a few times. When New York police officer begins to investigate a series of disturbing and inexplicable crimes, he joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rituals of exorcism, to combat the frightening and demonic possessions that are terrorizing their city.
Cool moment: The end exorcism is pretty major.
Sub-genre: Possession
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4. EXISTS

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A good big foot movie, not possible…but Exists does what no other big foot movie has ever done with its found footage style of filming, I loved it!  Its the 1st time and maybe only time for me, I will have a big foot movie in my list.  Other Big foot movies don’t ever come close, so you have to give credit to this intense and, at most times, down right scary film! There were other Sasquatch films released this year, one of them making my worst list ‘Willow Creek’, a total rip off of the Blair Witch Project just with the Big Foot theme. The director of this film, Eduardo Sanchez, also the director of Blair Witch, learned his lesson with this creative found footage unlike the director of the snore ‘Willow Creek’.
Cool moment: Riding your bike on a trail in the woods, you are recording with your gopro a big foot chasing your ass, petal faster….faster….FASTER!!!
Sub-genre: Creature, Found Footage
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3. THE TAKING OF DEBORAH LOGAN

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This movie made it on a lot of best of list of 2014, and for good reason. This old lady is creepy, and I mean major creepy! What starts as a medical documentary about Deborah Logan’s descent into Alzheimer’s disease and her daughter’s struggles of taking care of her, transforms into a horror ride that will keep your eyes glued to the television.
Cool moment: Let’s just say I will never watch a snake eat something again the same!
Sub-genre: Possession, Found Footage.
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2. KRISTY

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My favorite slasher horror film this year. I was a huge fan of it when it was released in the UK. Why this film hasn’t been released in the states, blows my mind away. It’s that horror movie you haven’t seen and need to see! Its got everything I love in a horror film: a solid cast, a final girl that kicks ass, intense and gory kill scenes, and a 90’s feel to it with lots of twist, turns and suspense. When a college girl who is alone on campus over the Thanksgiving break is targeted by a group of outcasts, she must conquer her deepest fears to outwit them and fight back.  I don’t know how to get you to see this film, but maybe to write the Weinstein brothers to tell them them to release it here in the states.
Cool moment: Have to give it up for director Olly Blackburn for doing a music video-like character development scene that makes you feel like your watching a John Hughes film and fall in love with the leading lady, played by Haley Bennett.
Sub-genre: Slasher

1. THE BABADOOK

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This is the first horror movie that after I watched it, and went to bed that night, I dreamt not once but twice of the Babadook and even jumped up out of my bed thinking he was right there in the room with me.  I mean, if a film is going to do that to me, I have to put it at number one.  Writer-director Jennifer Kent was one of the year’s standout newcomers, with this chilling Australian horror film that touches on the terrors of both childhood (there’s a thing in the closet; your parents will stop loving you) and adulthood (I’m a lousy parent; I’m never going to get a full night’s sleep again). A mysterious pop-up book insinuates itself into the lives of a harried single mother and her troubled son, and both parent and child must fight their own inner demons before they can conquer their would-be boogeyman.
Cool moment: So many scary moments but lets go with the fact that the main creature reminds me of the terrifying Nosferatu, lets just start with that simple fact.
Sub-genre: Supernatural
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THE WORST:


5. SEE NO EVIL 2

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Even Danielle Harris and Katharine Isabelle could save this disaster of a horror movie.

4. WILLOW CREEK

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Like I’ve said before all this is, is a Big Foot movie done Blair Witch Story, so its been done meaning this time around this type of film is a bore!

3. AS ABOVE SO BELOW

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This is one of those movies I went into the theatre thinking this film is going to rock and came out saying this movie was garbage., The Pyramid was better then this horror film.

2. VHS: VIRAL

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If your into alien penis and vagina then this horror movie is for you.  I happen to not be into either.  Though the magician segment of the movie was good.

1. ANIMAL

Screen-Shot-2014-04-18-at-3.23.48-PMProbably one of the worst horror movies ever made, let me know if you find a horror movie worst then this waste of time.

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News

Brad Dourif Says He’s Retiring Except For One Important Role

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Brad Dourif has been doing movies for nearly 50 years. Now it seems he is walking away from the industry at 74 to enjoy his golden years. Except, there is a caveat.

Recently, digital entertainment publication JoBlo’s Tyler Nichols talked to some of the Chucky television series cast members. During the interview, Dourif made an announcement.

“Dourif said that he’s retired from acting,” says Nichols. “The only reason he came back for the show was because of his daughter Fiona and he considers Chucky creator Don Mancini to be family. But for non-Chucky stuff, he considers himself retired.”

Dourif has voiced the possessed doll since 1988 (minus the 2019 reboot). The original movie “Child’s Play” has become such a cult classic it’s at the top of some people’s best chillers of all time. Chucky himself is ingrained in pop culture history much like Frankenstein or Jason Voorhees.

While Dourif may be known for his famous voiceover, he is also an Oscar-nominated actor for his part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Another famous horror role is The Gemini Killer in William Peter Blatty’s Exorcist III. And who can forget Betazoid Lon Suder in Star Trek: Voyager?

The good news is that Don Mancini is already pitching a concept for season four of Chucky which might also include a feature-length movie with a series tie-in. So, Although Dourif says he is retiring from the industry, ironically he is Chucky’s friend till the end.

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Editorial

7 Great ‘Scream’ Fan Films & Shorts Worth a Watch

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The Scream franchise is such an iconic series, that many budding filmmakers take inspiration from it and make their own sequels or, at least, build upon the original universe created by screenwriter Kevin Williamson. YouTube is the perfect medium to showcase these talents (and budgets) with fan-made homages with their own personal twists.

The great thing about Ghostface is that he can appear anywhere, in any town, he just needs the signature mask, knife, and unhinged motive. Thanks to Fair Use laws it’s possible to expand upon Wes Craven’s creation by simply getting a group of young adults together and killing them off one by one. Oh, and don’t forget the twist. You’ll notice that Roger Jackson’s famous Ghostface voice is uncanny valley, but you get the gist.

We have gathered five fan films/shorts related to Scream that we thought were pretty good. Although they can’t possibly match the beats of a $33 million blockbuster, they get by on what they have. But who needs money? If you’re talented and motivated anything is possible as proven by these filmmakers who are well on their way to the big leagues.

Take a look at the below films and let us know what you think. And while you’re at it, leave these young filmmakers a thumbs up, or leave them a comment to encourage them to create more films. Besides, where else are you going to see Ghostface vs. a Katana all set to a hip-hop soundtrack?

Scream Live (2023)

Scream Live

Ghostface (2021)

Ghostface

Ghost Face (2023)

Ghost Face

Don’t Scream (2022)

Don’t Scream

Scream: A Fan Film (2023)

Scream: A Fan Film

The Scream (2023)

The Scream

A Scream Fan Film (2023)

A Scream Fan Film
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Movies

Another Creepy Spider Movie Hits Shudder This Month

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Good spider films are a theme this year. First, we had Sting and then there was Infested. The former is still in theaters and the latter is coming to Shudder starting April 26.

Infested has been getting some good reviews. People are saying that it’s not only a great creature feature but also a social commentary on racism in France.

According to IMDb: Writer/director Sébastien Vanicek was looking for ideas around the discrimination faced by black and Arab-looking people in France, and that led him to spiders, which are rarely welcome in homes; whenever they’re spotted, they’re swatted. As everyone in the story (people and spiders) is treated like vermin by society, the title came to him naturally.

Shudder has become the gold standard for streaming horror content. Since 2016, the service has been offering fans an expansive library of genre movies. in 2017, they began to stream exclusive content.

Since then Shudder has become a powerhouse in the film festival circuit, buying distribution rights to movies, or just producing some of their own. Just like Netflix, they give a film a short theatrical run before adding it to their library exclusively for subscribers.

Late Night With the Devil is a great example. It was released theatrically on March 22 and will begin streaming on the platform starting April 19.

While not getting the same buzz as Late Night, Infested is a festival favorite and many have said if you suffer from arachnophobia, you might want to take heed before watching it.

Infested

According to the synopsis, our main character, Kalib is turning 30 and dealing with some family issues. “He’s fighting with his sister over an inheritance and has cut ties with his best friend. Fascinated by exotic animals, he finds a venomous spider in a shop and brings it back to his apartment. It only takes a moment for the spider to escape and reproduce, turning the whole building into a dreadful web trap. The only option for Kaleb and his friends is to find a way out and survive.”

The film will be available to watch on Shudder starting April 26.

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