2013 has actually been a really interesting year for horror films. The genre is on a great trajectory.
Here are three films yet to drop in 2013 that show a ton of promise.
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01
“YOU’RE NEXT”
RELEASE :: August 23, 2013
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LIONSGATE SAYS :: “One of the smartest and most terrifying films in years, YOU’RE NEXT reinvents the genre by putting a fresh twist on home-invasion horror. When a gang of masked, ax-wielding murderers descend upon the Davison family reunion, the hapless victims seem trapped…until an unlikely guest of the family proves to be the most talented killer of all.”
MY TAKE :: For me, this is easily the genre film I am most looking forward to this year. I think it gives us so much to love — creativity, pulse-pounding carnage, Adam Wingard at the helm (“Home Sick,” “VHS,” “VHS2” and “Pop Skull”) and some really beautiful cinematography by up-and-coming new talent Andrew Droz Palermo.
The best two things to happen to the horror genre in the past 10 years are real style and true creativity. It existed in the genre, but a select few were doing it right. Filmmakers like these gents are bringing that to the forefront. Wingard’s creativity has been recognized with his previous releases. It makes a difference because as viewers exposed to a wider range of content than ever before, we’re very ready to watch really different stories told in interesting ways. From a style standpoint, take a peek at the shots in this music video shot by Palermo ::
Apart from their definite style, there’s a wonderful intimacy in the shots. That is so perfect for a horror project like this as it draws us in that much more. It creates those subtle emotional connections that make the best horror films work so well (think “Rosemary’s Baby”).
Watch for this one, all!
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02
“HORNS”
RELEASE :: October 11, 2013
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(Thanks to EW for the pic!)
MANDALAY PICTURES SAYS :: “A love story driven by horror, mystery and vengeance, follows edgy twenty-six-year-old Ig Perrish who awakens from a night of hard drinking to find devil horns sprouting from his own head. As the horns grow, Ig realizes that they enable him to hear the inner thoughts and darkest temptations of those around him — a nifty tool in solving and avenging his late girlfriend’s murder.”
MY TAKE :: Daniel Radcliffe continues to redefine his career after “Harry.” This may move him the furthest. With a cult-like following for the source material from Joe Hill (Stephen King’s Son), and Alexandre Aja directing (“Piranha” and High Tension”) this has a ton of potential to be really fun.
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03
“CARRIE”
RELEASE :: October 18, 2013
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SONY PICTURES SAYS :: “A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White (Chloë Grace Moretz), a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother (Julianne Moore), who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. Based on the best-selling novel by Stephen King, Carrie is directed by Kimberly Peirce with a screenplay by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.”
MY TAKE :: Normally, this sort of project makes me want to run away screaming. Remember 2002’s “Rollerball?”… SACRILIGE! Major ugh! And there is absolutely NO question that the original was a true crossover classic. Spacek and Laurie were just amazing, creating truly memorable characters out of the Stephen King book. HOWEVER, a lot of very interesting choices have been made for this version. Chloë Grace Moretz and Julianne Moore are two of those great choices. Annnd, an interesting selection on direction for the project… Kimberly Pierce of “Boys Don’t Cry” fame. This has the promise of capturing some of that emotional resonance that we feel with the original and that’s really the point.
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THE STRANGE, FAR PLACES 