Lords of Chaos

"Lords of Chaos" (2018, Jonas Åkerlund, Insurgent Media, Scott Free Films, RSA Films, Eleven Arts, Vice Films, 20th Century Fox, Arrow Films) is the semi-fictionalised telling of the infamous events around the Norwegian Black Metal band, Mayhem.


The story is told from the perspective of band founder and central member, Øystein "Euronymous" Aarseth (Rory Culkin) from his creation of the band to his murder in 1993. Throughout the film we are introduced to Øystein's feelings and philosophies on Black Metal. He feels superior and in command and soon has a small clique of similarly minded fans and other bands. He begins his own black metal label and opens a record shop called "Helvete" where metallers can socialise, drink and hear Euronymous' sporadic dark sermons and venomous rhetoric as part of the "Black Circle".


After exploiting the death of Mayhem's troubled lead singer, Dead (Jack Kilmer), for some new and darker street cred, Euronymous hires new band members including Varg Vikernes (Emory Cohen), who had changed his name from Kristian after a previous embarrassing run in with the band. Varg seemed like someone Euronymous can exploit, but it becomes evident that Varg is committed to his extremist beliefs and happy to carry out the kind of dark deeds which Euronymous had only bragged about. As the chaos escalates Euronymous finds he's lost control.


A grim premise based on true events, but with a fair amount of artistic licence. As a viewer the film was entertaining, gory, shocking and exciting. The events unfold at a pace that keeps you watching and the characters are hypnotically flawed. The portrayal of both Øystein and Varg are truly captivating to watch as these two essentially weak characters with a disproportionate sense of grandeur clumsily circle and bait each other throughout the film during their power struggle. The shocking scenes of death and self-harm are very gritty and the effects work extremely well.


As a metal fan the film made more headway out of the contemptible actions of the characters than it did about how the band were fundamental in creating a now well-established sub-genre (though, thankfully not all bands take themselves quite as seriously as this line-up of Mayhem did) and the tone was a little hard to read in places, but I feel that this was never the intent of the film and the horror and thriller aspects really delivered for me. I was entertained.

[Image: Insurgent Media, et al]

Hani

You Might be the Killer

"You Might be the Killer" (2018, Brett Simmons, Chuck Wendig, Curmudgeon Films) is a horror comedy set at a Summer Camp in America.

Sam (Fran Kranz) is a camp counsellor who awakes from a blackout to find that there has been a massacre at the summer camp he works at. He can't remember much before the blackout, but while on the phone to his horror movie fan friend, Chuck (Alyson Hannigan) things begin to clear and he begins to question his role in the bloodshed.

A fun and extremely meta horror comedy which plays tropes from a range of genre favourites for laughs. Starting out as a viral Twitter conversation between authors, Chuck Wendig and Sam Sykes, the film is very playful, suitably gory and extremely tongue in cheek.

As a fan of both Kranz and Hannigan, I can't say I went into this film anything but keen and open minded, but I'm happy to report that the film was solid and irreverent enough that I know I would have enjoyed it anyway, even without those two filling the key roles. Kranz, however, continues to be able to get away with (on screen/in universe) murder while remaining a very sympathetic character.

Like most horror comedies, the main plot joke does lose some of its sting by the end of the run time. But its cheeky styling and ability to poke fun at the genre whilst remaining respectful of horror as a whole makes this a playful and entertaining watch.

Available to watch on Shudder.

[Image: Curmudgeon Films]

Hani

Society

"Society" (1989, Brian Yuzna, Wild Street Pictures) is a body horror film which was actually the directorial debut from Yuzna who brought us "Re-Animator" and "From Beyond" so... you know what you're in for.

Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) is a teenager in Beverly Hills. He lives with his wealthy parents and sister, Jenny (Patrice Jennings). Despite his luxurious lifestyle, Bill feels alienated from his highfalutin family, and this is the main focus of his weekly meetings with his therapist, Dr. Cleveland (Ben Slack). Bill becomes obsessed with finding out what's going on when Jenny's ex-boyfriend, Blanchard (Tim Bartell), gives him a cassette tape which seems to implicate his family in a disturbing and murderous act. As Bill begins to delve deeper into the mystery of his family and the apparent elite cult that they are a part of, he begins to suspect that he may be more alone than he thought.... And that his enemies may have gruesome plans for him...

An entertaining and gooey horror comedy which builds to a fairly disturbing and equally funny climax. The effects (by Screaming Mad George (Joji Tani)) are surreal, perverse and delightfully gruesome and are, in all fairness, the true star of the film which is admittedly a little clunky in the plot department.

This is definitely a must-see for any body horror fan and will leave you chuckling and possibly also a little traumatised.

[Image: Wild Street Pictures]

Hani

Perfect Skin

**This review contains spoilers**

"Perfect Skin" (2018, Kevin Chicken, Perfect Skin Productions, KEW Media Group) is a psychological horror film about an obsessive tattoo artist who goes way too far in his attempts to create a masterpiece.

Katia (Natalia Kostrzewa) is a Polish woman who moves in with her Australian friend, Lucy (Jo Woodcock), in her London flat. While out partying Lucy introduces Katia to Bob (Richard Brake), an American tattoo artist who Lucy had received some tattoo work from in the past. Bob offers to design Katia her first tattoo, but he becomes obsessed with her as a perfect 'blank canvas' and kidnaps her in order to turn her into his personal masterpiece.

An extremely dark and sinister plot which is well executed and creates uncomfortable but intriguing viewing. As Katia wakes to discover more and more changes to her body she becomes both horrified at the transformation being done without her consent and also interested in spite of herself in what Bob has planned, as well as in his other dark interests.

A study in obsession, dominance and retaliation which manages not to vilify the sub-culture of body modification, despite the antagonist's misuse of it. The film straddles the void between exploitation movies and torture films becoming fairly difficult to fit into any one box. While certainly not pleasant viewing, the cast deliver a haunting performance that may leave you looking for the wire brush and dettol afterwards.

Currently available to rent from YouTube.

[Image: KEW Media Group, et al]

Hani

Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers

"Sleepaway Camp II: Unhappy Campers" (1988, Michael A. Simpson, Double Helix Films) is the sequel to "Sleepaway Camp".

Angela (Pamela Springsteen) has supposedly reformed after her murder-spree at Camp Arawak 8 years prior and has opted to continue to identify as female. Having assumed a different surname, she has become one of the camp counsellors at Camp Rolling Hills. However, Angela is constantly disappointed in her campers and colleagues' behaviour... soon she's back to her old slasher ways!

Springsteen takes up the mantel of Angela from Felissa Rose from the original film. The young adult Angela is an enjoyable antagonist. She's funny, sneaky, a bit nerdy and violent. Plus she enjoys a good sing-a-long.

The sequel enjoys a lot more action than the original, and we are treated to some of Angela's witty slasher repartee and some homages to other slashers of the time. There's some fun gore and the film is certainly more of a comedy satirical horror than the original was, but is definitely bingeable as a double feature.

I feel Angela deserves more recognition as a slasher killer!

[Image: Double Helix Films]

Hani

The Video Dead

"The Video Dead" (1987, Robert Scott, Interstate 5 Productions, Highlight Productions, Manson International) is one of those 80s horror films whose cover art is the reason I got into horror in the first place.

A writer receives the delivery of a television by accident which turns out to be the gateway to the real world for the zombie antagonists of a black and white B-movie called "Zombie Blood Nightmare". Despite being unplugged, the zombies escape through the screen and begin to terrorise the neighbourhood. Some time later a new family buys the writer's house and discover the TV in the attic and the humorous zombie antics begin again!

Cheesy, clunky and bizarre this little gem of B-movie ridiculousness is one of those pizza and beer movies that will keep you and your friends laughing and eye-rolling in equal measure. From crazy characters, weird scripting and zombies in wigs this movie enjoys some amusing ideas.... and oddly no video tapes at all!

[Image: Interstate 5 Productions, et al]

Hani

Velvet Buzzsaw

"Velvet Buzzsaw" (2019, Dan Gilroy, Netflix, Dease Pictures Inc.) is a film about haunted art.

We follow several somewhat repellent people working in and around the Art world as they discover the art of a disturbed and isolated man named Dease who recently died in his apartment. Despite strict wishes of the deceased to have his art destroyed, art agent Josephina (Zawe Ashton), gallery owner Rhodora Haze (Rene Russo) and art critic Morf Vadewalt (Jake Gyllenhaal) become determined to make their fortunes and names selling the pieces. As Dease's work becomes a success and begins to garner attention, however, the people involved in the deal begin to mysteriously disappear or turn up dead...

A fun supernatural horror which satirises the Art world and delivers some humour along with some cheesy gore. The film takes its time to set up the scene and introduce us to its cast of colourful characters played by a collection of well respected names. In addition to those mentioned above we also have Toni Collette, Tom Sturridge, John Malkovich, Daveed Diggs, Billy Magnussen and Natalia Dyer all playing parts of artists, curators and others involved in the world of Art all keen to be the one to discover the "next big thing".

Once the set up is complete we are treated to some amusing deaths and some effective imagery delivered in a offbeat style while poking fun at its subject matter. The film has a slick art house feel while also mocking that exact thing but doesn't go out of its way to be anything beyond entertaining. And that is the point! The kill scenes are amusing and creative, if a little silly, and all in all I found it to be a pleasing 109 minute ride.

If you're looking for hidden layers, there aren't really any there. The film has the feel of a Goosebumps book plot turned into a film for a more adult audience. And that, in my book, is no bad thing.

[Image: Netflix et al]

Hani