Nile Fortner reviews the Netflix horror film Gerald’s Game based off of the Stephen King novel. The film is directed by Mike Flanagan and stars Carla Gugino.
nile fortner
Retro Reviews: Escape From The Bronx (1983)
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – Imperium (2016)
by Nile Fortner
Daniel Radcliffe plays an FBI agent infiltrating a white supremacist organization in Daniel Ragussis’ debut feature.
An idealistic FBI agent, played by Daniel Radcliffe (Kill Your Darlings and Swiss Army Man) goes undercover to infiltrate a white supremacist group that’s plotting an act of terror. Based on the real-life experiences of former FBI agent Michael German, the thriller opens with a new and nerdy agent Nate Foster (Radcliffe) getting assigned to go undercover in a neo-Nazi organization suspected of planning a dirty bomb terrorist attack. The organization’s figurehead is Dallas Wolf, played by Tracy Letts (‘August: Osage County), a popular, hate-spouting radio talk show personality and author of Genocide: The Murder of White America.
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – Maniac (2012)
Frodo’s Gone Homicidal in ‘MANIAC’
by Nile Fortner
A socially awkward serial killer (Elijah Wood) removes the scalps’ of women and attaches them to his mannequins, to bring a new life to them.
A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Last House on the Left, The Amityville Horror, Cabin Fever, and The Wicker Man are all classic horror films. On the other hand, I believe these classic horror films have not been remade into classic remakes. Many remakes fail to capture the energy, wisdom, and likeness of the original. It is very difficult to capture lightning in a bottle twice, especially with horror movies. Many directors, producers, and writers of horror all tend to follow the same format, and end up being predictable, bland, and lifeless nowadays. However, director Franck Khalfoun (‘P2’ and ‘High Tension’) brings some new life into a cult classic, a new direction, and in my opinion a better film. I believe that Maniac (2012) is a rare exception of the remake actually being better than the original.
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – Knock Knock (2015)
by Nile Fortner
Remember When We All Thought Eli Roth Was Going to Be The Next Wes Craven?
Remember when us horror fans all thought writer, producer, and director Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel) was going to be the next Wes Craven (A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream)? His early films, like ‘Cabin Fever’ and Hostel, were fun, scary, funny, and Eli Roth had an amazing start and career into the world of horror films.
Fast forward a few years, and I now have a love hate relationship with this person. ‘Aftershock’ was in my opinion a decent film the first time I saw it. After viewing eliit again, the film is not as good. It is pretty much the cast of the ‘Hangover’ in a very mediocre horror film. ‘The Green Inferno’, could have been so much more. However, from what he delivered, I thought once again it was just decent. I actually like Eli Roth, he is one of my favorite directors, and even reminds me of myself in a way. He is has proven himself to be knowledgeable in the horror department, and from interviews, he seems to have a passion for the art of film.
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – The Guest (2014)
by Nile Fortner
Terminator Meets Halloween in ‘The Guest’!
Returning from combat operations in Afghanistan, soldier David, visits the family of a dead comrade, and is invited to stay. However, is David everything he claims to be? So what’s next for the makers of the film ‘You’re Next’? Some fans might expect another horror film from Adam Wingard and screenwriter Simon Barrett. I believe we get more than just another horror film. Imagine if John Carpenter’s ‘Halloween’, ‘The Terminator’, ‘You’re Next’, and ‘Drive’ all found a way to mix up into one bad-ass, bold, and a blast of a movie. We would get 2014’s The Guest!
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – You’re Next (2011)
by Nile Fortner
A badass Australian chick decides to kick some ass after some dudes in animal masks break into her family’s home. The hunted becomes the hunter! Director Adam Wingard (V/H/S & The Guest) and writer Simon Barrett (The Guest) infuse the home-invasion horror and thriller genre, with a breath of fresh air.
After a gory, shocking, and interesting prologue, the film then takes us to an empty, wooded, country estate (because nothing bad ever happens in those places). There, we meet a wealthy couple who are getting ready for an awkward family reunion. Our main character Erin, played by Sharni Vinson, (Bait 3D, & Step Up 3D) accompanies her boyfriend Crispian, played by A.J. Bowen (A Horrible Way To Die, & The Sacrament).
’31 Days of Horror’ Review – Hard Candy (2005)
by Nile Fortner
With the Flatliners getting horrible reviews, I decided to go back and look at some Ellen Page movies. Ellen Page has had an amazing career, everything from the awkward and lovable teenage girl Juno, to Kitty Pryde in two X-Men films.
Hard Candy is about a girl named Hayley (Ellen Page) that is a precocious teenager who goes to a coffee shop to meet a older man named Jeff (Patrick Wilson), the photographer she met on the Internet. Jeff thinks he is in for a real treat, but Hayley plays a trick on him. After drugging Jeff and tying him down, Hayley reveals that she knows Jeff preys on teenage girls and she has a plan to wring a confession from him.
Review – The Mist (Season 1)
by Nile Fortner
I am someone who is actually a fan of ‘The Mist’ novel by Stephen King. I actually consider it one of my favorite novels, and I have read it a couple of times. I even went back and read it before the first episode aired on Spike TV. This may not be the most popular thing to say, but I am actually a fan of the movie as well. I consider it one of my favorite movies because it works with a tight budget, and proves you can have a compelling story that is mainly character driven. The only thing that didn’t work for me was the ending of that film. I will never forget that ending, so that’s good. On the other hand, it’s an ending that makes your heart feel like it was hit by a ton of bricks.
Review – The Defenders: Season 1
The Avengers of Netflix are Here!
Now for years I’ve been a fanboy of Marvel, everything from the comics, movies, and even Marvel working with Disney. I love Marvel, and Marvel can do no wrong, unless your name is Iron Fist. Iron Fist was the last Netflix original series, and some people thought the show wasn’t that good, I personally didn’t hate it. In my opinion, it was just a bland “white yogurt” of a series.
I have enjoyed most of these original Netflix Marvel series that all take place in the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), I especially love Daredevil and Luke Cage. When Marvel decided to work with Netflix, all my nerd juices boiled up in my body and unleashed a good ol’ fashion geekgasm. It was such a great idea, because it takes place in the MCU, brings new traffic to Netflix, sets a new tone for this universe, and it’s an opportunity for our smaller scale superheroes to shine and all eventually come together as one big superhero team up.
Cinephellas 