I can’t even lie about this. I just watched Faster starring Dwayne Johnson and I enjoyed it quite a bit actually. No idea why this was touted as a fast car action flick, when it’s blatantly none of those things at all. This is a pretty hard faced, grim reality revenge flick.

No gun fights or fancy chase scenes, this was pretty ruthless, almost noir, single minded vengeance. Single point blank head shots are the order of the day here, so forget any outlandish CG nonsensical set pieces. Pretty standard plot, a twist that’s obvious from the word go, but solid acting, interesting sub-plots and decent character development throughout kept the movie buoyant for me. I know, I’m as shocked as you are believe me. 

The script is kinda minimal, which actually fit and added to the intensity overall. Direction was above average as well, thankfully, adding mood and pace in all the right places.

It was decent what can I say. Rock, leave the Disney slapstick shit alone dude, you did good with this one.  

So this afternoon I finally got around to watching Noroi: The Curse, a film which I’d heard about a while ago. It was release back in 2005, but I’d never managed to track down until a few days ago when I stumbled across it by chance. I’m glad I remembered it when I saw it as it turned out to be pretty damn good horror flick.

The basic premise is that of a shaky cam style documentary following a paranormal investigator and his camera man who together make videos about their investigations into the weird and unknown. Simple. Except that through the course of the film, their investigations take them into areas of EVP’S, Ghosts, animal mutilations, mass suicides, Clairvoyance, possessions, kidnappings, materialisation, murder, arson, demonology, ancient tribes, rituals, folklore and crazy people with tin foil on their heads. What’s great is that all these aspects play a part in setting up a bigger story which only revealed at the end, but they are all brilliantly utilized to amp up the tension from one scene to the next.

First off, this isn’t a mildly scary, jump filled gorefest J-horror like we’ve grown to expect. This is actually an unusually long, nearly 2hrs, complex movie that will creep you out off your skin leaving your nerves pretty much shredded. It’s an old fashioned horror movie I guess, but it’s told using the genre’s modern methods. This is a hand held camera, fake documentary type flick after all, but it’s way ahead of the likes of Blair Witch and Paranormal Activity as it’s chills are deeper and it’s characters way more believable. I’d say it’s closer to Lake Mungo or District 9 if anything as it cleverly weaves it’s tale in an unsuspecting and yet logical manner. 

What’s weird is that it actually feels quite slow in retrospect, but it’s actually pretty fast paced throughout. I think it seems that way as there’s so many different, seemingly unrelated things happening, that you get carried along pretty swiftly. That’s definitely one of it’s strengths though as it sets you on an unpredictable path that’s never boring for a moment.

Although it is a slow burner at times, the tension is always there and it’s always building, steadily and magnificently until your screaming for air. There’s always something weird or slightly jarring about something that you just can’t pin point. That is until the final act. 

Without giving anything away either, the end is pretty amazing when you step back and soak it up. This is no let down ending which we’ve come to expect from most horror movies today. This is a skilfully, satisfying ending that concludes enough so you can draw breath again. There is some slight suggestion leaving one or two threads open, but it’s necessary. It also enables a secondary concluding piece of evidence which grants you an even more terrifying insight just when you think your safe and you’ve seen it all. 

Very satisfying and very creepy. The acting and direction are all totally believable and as good as anything else you hold in high regard. I’d recommend watching in the dead of night as well if you really want total immersion and maximum creeps. A damn fine horror film if you can find it. 

Shall we do this?…. Ok, lets do this.

The Troll Hunter is seriously THE best shaky handheld style mocumentary I’ve seen to date. Totally engrossing and quite alarming at times, it carries it self with an unusual light hearted approach which adds to the whole charm of the experience. There are “Cloverfield” type moments of sheer terror and frantic running, but there are also moments reminiscent of the recent “Monsters”, with stunning cinematography capturing incredible Nordic vistas and mountain terrains that are simply breathtaking. This is a monster film with a fresh difference, which gives it a distinctive edge.

The film begins with a brief disclaimer regarding two newly discovered hard drives and the film contained on them. We are then introduced to three student film makers who have discovered an odd, loner character in their town. Eager to find any kind of story anywhere, they interview local people to try and discover more about this random man and eventually they start following him.

This then leads their two fates to become entangled and reluctantly, the hunter agrees that they may join him in his work and document his activities. Activities which involve tracking and killing rampaging and marauding Trolls all the whilst keeping the general public oblivious. Along the way we learn a great deal about the Trolls as well. Their history, culture, habits and social types etc. We also get a glimpse at the agencies and cover-ups which are employed to maintain the media’s ignorance. All of which adds to the reality experience the film wants you be apart of and for me it succeeded.  

It almost feels like the film makers have employed some “Borat” style gorilla film making techniques at times. They seemingly roll around real towns and countryside’s encountering ‘real people’ who are none the wiser to what’s really going on around their homes and businesses. Remarkable, this helps maintain the suspension of disbelief brilliantly as the scenarios are so well orchestrated that it’s easy to go along with it in the context of the film’s journey. The film also feels similar to Hellboy or Nightwatch in many respects as we learn about a fantasy world that exists just beyond our own society.

The student character’s are all pretty none descript as people. Who they are is of no really importance to the story really. They serve as a means to provide some narration around events for the most part and to follow ‘Hans’ The Troll Hunter, and the undisputed star of the show.

His performance is awesome. He feels natural, grumpy and awkward. Not particularly brave or strong, just a regular guy doing his job. It’s no big thing to him, it’s just a responsibility and service he has to perform for the greater good. Towards the end of the film he does begin to soften, giving into regrets from former decisions. This perhaps, we’re left to conclude, being the reason why he decided to let the filmmakers follow his normally secret craft in such detail. He’s had a enough in the end and starts to realize that the system could be better and needs to change.

The Trolls them selves are extremely impressive, totally believable and well integrated throughout the film. Solid effects in both audio and visual departments have created truly ugly beasts that feel and look as real as you’d hope. Given that the nature of the film is from a hand held viewpoint and, I’m guessing lowish in budget, the FX are easily on a par with anything you’d expect from the big budget boys, if not better. What is different about Troll Hunter compared to others in the genre, is that here the monsters are given full screen exposure when most of the encounters occur. This is so satisfying as a viewer. They are visible in sharp, crisp high definition which really adds to the danger and impressiveness of the effects. Your not left wonder what was that I just glimpsed? Your left wondering what the hell is that and then your given the time to examine it closely, in detail whilst still being shocked and awed.

It’s awesome, check this film out. It’s a fantastic piece of reality/fantasy film making which deserves your urgent attention.