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OBSERVANCE (2015) is Overwhelmingly Strange

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There are a lot of films that start off with loads of buildup and ambiguity, only to lose the mystery later on in the film when everything finally gets an explanation. Usually, this explanation comes in the form of some type of monolog. Some sort of spoken epiphany or realization. They try and explain things as well as they can because, you, the viewer, can’t figure out things on your own. At least, that’s the feeling I get from many movies.

Observance does not care whether or not you understand what’s going on.

Everything about this film is soaked in mystery; it’s deep, dark, brooding, and overwhelmingly strange. This Aussie horror flick stars Lindsay Farris as Parker, a private investigator who takes on a job keeping track on a woman across the street from him while he stays in a decrepit apartment. His life at home is a wreck. His son has passed away and his wife will not speak to him. To keep up with an insurmountable level of hospital bills, he takes on this seemingly innocent job. Only, there’s something strange about this apartment. Something that is clearly beyond any human’s comprehension.

Who is this mysterious employer? What is this strange black liquid in jars around the house? What the actual Hell is going on here?

Observance is comparable to the early works of David Lynch. It’s artful; every frame seems purposeful and full of direction, though what direction it’s actually going is open to interpretation. The sound editing on this film is phenomenal – it’s wholly unnerving and tense. Every single thing about Joseph Sims-Dennett’s micro-budget film (it was shot for about $11,000) sets out to make you feel uncomfortable and upset.

It succeeds.

Scenes of a dreary ocean permeate Parker’s memory, coupled with the sound of the waves mixed with what sounds like a train roaring by. Sims-Dennett understands the impact that the film’s sonic frequencies can have on the viewer and pays careful attention to assure it’s dominance over the bleak mood. And while most of the imagery is not particularly gory, the sickly-green palette of the grimy walls help to make the viewer feel just plain dirty. You may feel the need to take a shower after the movie and wipe the filth off. That’s a compliment, I promise.

While some fans of conventional horror cinema may find the lack of explanation for the occurrences in this film a disappointment, those looking for a showcase of the bizarre will find the film a viable option to satiate their strange cravings. It’ll leave you scratching your head and wording what in the world you were just a witness to, but you’ll undoubtedly be pondering over it hours after the final frame.

Observance is now available on BluRay, DVD, and On Demand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBAEeBEuIKs

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Watch ‘The Burning’ At The Location Where It Was Filmed

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Fangoria is reporting that fans of the 1981 slasher The Burning will be able to have a screening of the film at the location where it was filmed. The movie is set at Camp Blackfoot which is actually the Stonehaven Nature Preserve in Ransomville, New York.

This ticketed event will take place on August 3. Guests will be able to take a tour of the grounds as well as enjoy some campfire snacks along with the screening of The Burning.

The Burning

The film came out in the early ’80s when teen slashers were being churned out in magnum force. Thanks to Sean S. Cunningham’s Friday the 13th, filmmakers wanted to get in on the low-budget, high-profit movie market and a casket load of these types of films were produced, some better than others.

The Burning is one of the good ones, mostly because of the special effects from Tom Savini who had just come off of his groundbreaking work on Dawn of the Dead and Friday the 13th. He declined to do the sequel because of its illogical premise and instead signed on to do this movie. Also, a young Jason Alexander who would later go on to play George in Seinfeld is a featured player.

Because of its practical gore, The Burning had to be heavily edited before it received an R-rating. The MPAA was under the thumb of protest groups and political bigwigs to censor violent films at the time because slashers were just so graphic and detailed in their gore.

Tickets are $50, and if you want a special t-shirt, that will cost you another $25, You can get all the information by visiting the On Set Cinema webpage.

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‘Longlegs’ Creepy “Part 2” Teaser Appears on Instagram

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Longlegs

Neon Films released an Insta-teaser for their horror film Longlegs today. Titled Dirty: Part 2, the clip only furthers the mystery of what we are in for when this movie is finally released on July 12.

The official logline is: FBI Agent Lee Harker is assigned to an unsolved serial killer case that takes unexpected turns, revealing evidence of the occult. Harker discovers a personal connection to the killer and must stop him before he strikes again.

Directed by former actor Oz Perkins who also gave us The Blackcoat’s Daughter and Gretel & Hansel, Longlegs is already creating buzz with its moody images and cryptic hints. The film is rated R for bloody violence, and disturbing images.

Longlegs stars Nicolas Cage, Maika Monroe, and Alicia Witt.

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Exclusive Sneak Peek: Eli Roth and Crypt TV’s VR Series ‘The Faceless Lady’ Episode Five

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Eli Roth (Cabin Fever) and Crypt TV are knocking it out of the park with their new VR show, The Faceless Lady. For those unaware, this is the first fully scripted VR horror show on the market.

Even for masters of horror like Eli Roth and Crypt TV, this is a monumental undertaking. However, if I trust anyone to change the way that we experience horror, it would be these two legends.

The Faceless Lady

Ripped from the pages of Irish folklore, The Faceless Lady tells the story of a tragic spirit cursed to wander the halls of her castle for all of eternity. However, when three young couples are invited to the castle for a series of games, their fates may soon change.

So far, the story has provided horror fans with a gripping game of life or death that doesn’t look as if it will slow down in episode five. Luckily, we have an exclusive clip that may be able to satiate your appetites until the new premiere.

Airing on 4/25 at 5pmPT/8pmET, episode five follows our final three contestants in this wicked game. As the stakes are raised ever higher, will Ella be able to fully awaken her connection with Lady Margaret?

The faceless lady

The newest episode can be found on Meta Quest TV. If you haven’t already, follow this link to subscribe to the series. Make sure to check out the new clip below.

Eli Roth Present’s THE FACELESS LADY S1E5 Clip: THE DUEL – YouTube

To view in the highest resolution, adjust the quality settings in the bottom right corner of the clip.

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