Skip to main content

Jason reviews High Tension

The last of three movies I watched while holed up alone at a cabin in the woods, but certainly not the least. I hadn't screened High Tension, AKA Haute Tension to my Francophone friends, in about seven years, so it was nice hitting it from an almost fresh perspective.

Two college friends, Marie and Alexa, encounter loads of trouble while on vacation at Alexa's parents' country home when a mysterious, and brutally effective, killer knocks on the front door. 

Or at least that's the official synopsis as there's one fuck of a twist that would make M. Night Shyamalan jealous he hadn't thought of it first.

First off, this movie's still got it, and by got it I mean blood, gore and suspense. This is a throwback to the grindhouse horror movies of the 70s: grim, gory and downright nasty at times. The flick doesn't compromise in its razor-straight simplicity. But that's also what makes it so effective.

And, for reasons I'm still not sure of, it's fun. Not ha-ha fun, but a good time nonetheless. I can't say the same about Saw, Hostel or all those other torture porn movies, but I had a blast with High Tension, and could watch it multiple times without hesitation. 

As for the twist, some people will get it, some will be pissed right the fuck off. I got it, and enjoyed picking up all the tells with this second viewing. Maybe that's part of why I like it so much. Kudos to writer/director Alexandre Aja for crafting such an effective little horror thriller. 

This rates a Good, in case you hadn't guessed that by now.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

#CocktailHour: Slushtail

  Summer approaches, inspiring thoughts of sunshine, backyard parties, and having a tip and sip with friends.  With that in mind, I bring you this week sunny beverage. To make a slushtail, mix a can of frozen orange juice, a can of frozen lemonade (or limeade), a can of pineapple juice, a couple cups of black tea (or English Breakfast), and two cups of bourbon- such as Southern Comfort, in a pitcher.  When it's all nicely mixed, put it in the freezer until it's a nice slushy consistency. Scoop the slush into a cocktail glass, and pour in some Sprite or 7-Up.  Add a little umbrella for some frivolous fun, and a straw. Voila!  Ready to enjoy. This is a very refreshing drink.  The fruit juices, Sprite, and bourbon- when chilled makes for a great punch-like drink.  The bourbon doesn't overwhelm juices.   In fact, they are all nicely balanced in terms of flavors.  The sourness of the citrus fruits contrasts well with the slightly sweeter Southern Comfort.  It was refreshing enou

Unlock your fate with The Puzzle

When my dad wasn't working, building stuff or being my dad, he was making puzzles. It was a guaranteed way for him to unwind. So it was with great interest that I sat down to watch Italian filmmaker Davide Melini's award-winning short The Puzzle. You see, the mother in the five-minute film likes to relax with puzzles just like my dad. Unfortunately, her good-for-nothing son keeps harassing her for money. Losing herself in her favourite passtime, the mother soon discovers that completing this puzzle might unlock a nightmare. The Puzzle has been an official selection at more European film festivals than you can shake a stick at, and was voted Third Best Italian Film at the Rome International Film Festival in 2008. Having watched it, I'm not surprised. It's a tight little film that hits you hard in the final few seconds. You can tell Melini cut his teeth as an assistant director for legendary Italian filmmaker Dario Argento. But enough chit chat on my part. See if yo

The Animated Addict: "The Adventures of Tintin" (2011)

If you're a 40 + white dude, like myself, you may remember a comic series called " The Adventures of Tintin ".  I know I remember them.  This series, dating back to 1929, got turned into a animated feature film by Steven Spielberg in 2011. After buying a model of ship called The Unicorn, teenaged journalist Tintin finds himself on adventure that will take him from the high seas, to the low deserts, and from the distant past to the present.  With his trusty dog, Snowy, by his side, Tintin uncovers a story connecting two men across the centuries.. . The story is really quite good.  It's well crafted, and high paced- with just enough slow moments to build and develop the world and the characters.  This is the sort of adventure story you'd find in the old serials of the 1930's and '40's.  In fact, it felt like it was the sort of tale that you'd find Indiana Jones undertaking.  I found myself swept up, and swept along as our hero swung from one e