Saturday saw the third day for this years exciting Film4 Frightfest warm up to show off another batch of horror highlights from its new home at Leicester Square’s VUE theatre. There was plenty to check out including some interesting documentaries, suspensful found footage thrillers, a much hyped creature feature and ‘Game of Thrones’ star Sophie Turner becoming haunted by her mysterious doppelgänger.
Future Shock! The story of 2000AD 4/5
Engrossing documentary about the rise of 2000AD comic. I’ve never picked up a copy myself but the film was fun, informative and excellently made. You could tell a lot of love had gone into it. If you’re a comic fan you’ll love it.
Hang Man 3/5
Found footage surveillance thriller. A family is targeted by a sadistic killer who fills their house with hidden CCTV cameras and messes with their lives. It’s well acted, suspenseful and earns its jump scares. There is some very creepy an unnerving imagery as the intruder hides around the house and watches their every move. This is a solid film most likely to appeal to found footage fans, it’s nothing new but it’s excellently executed with a brutal ending. The best I’ve seen of its kind in a while.
Another Me 4/5
Slow burn supernatural doppelgänger drama starring Sophie Turner as Fay, a young woman struggling with her father’s terminal illness and a mother who’s becoming increasingly distant. She keeps seeing a figure that looks like her and is stalking her from the shadows. To top it all off she’s playing Lady Macbeth in the school production. She’s either haunted, crackers or the subject of a cruel joke. I found it subtle, engaging and eerie. The emotional scenes are handled well too and I really appreciated its atmosphere, no jump-scares hurrah! It’s taken a couple of years to make it to the UK so look out for it on VOD very soon. It’s based on the novel of the same name by Cathy Macphail. Macphail talked before the screening and revealed it was based on a recurring nightmare. So far this is no.2 in my top 5.
The Hallow 3.5/5
The Hallow has been much anticipated and tickets were scarce but fortunately I was able to see this gem of a creature feature. I don’t want to give too much away but it’s a simple narrative with great suspense and shocks and wonderful prosthetic creatures. It’s coming out Friday the 13th November and is well worth a look. It’s really surprising this wasn’t the opening film. It’s a strong movie and the audience loved it.
Remix / Remake / Repeat 3/5
Fascinating documentary about the wave of filmmaking in Turkey from the 60s to the 80s where copyright was non-existent and the huge demand for new films meant producers turned to unofficially remaking Hollywood films. Clips included the brilliant remake of The Exorcist.
Report by Richard Mansfield (@mansfielddark)
Please visit: www.MansfieldDark.com
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