Skip to main content

The Month of Horror Day 12: The Loved Ones

Basement contributor Matt Bellamy has taken it upon himself to watch and review at least one horror movie a day for the month of October . . . because he's awesome that way! Today, Bellamy learns young love isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Wow, where to begin on one of the most messed up horror movies I've seen in quite some time? Let's see, if you've ever watched 'Pretty In Pink' or 'Sixteen Candles' and thought to yourself "Hmm, you know, this could really benefit from some blood, gore, and torture" then this is the flick for you! I understand this was one of the biggest horror releases ever in Australia and was quite a hit down under although it didn't make much of a splash in North America but you can watch it now on Netflix, as I did!

The story revolves around Lola who asks Brent to prom but he's already going with his girlfriend so he politely turns her down. Heart-breaking stuff for a wallflower but just like Molly Ringwald in those 80's John Hughes classics, Lola won't give up there! Along with her creepy father who looks like an Aussie version of Harry Dean Stanton ('Pretty In Pink' connection!) they kidnap the teen-angsty Brent and imprison him out at their farm for a night of dancing, punch, cake, and power drills to the forehead. Oh, there's also a bunch of cannibals living in the cellar as well because of course there is.

I liked 'The Loved Ones'. I wasn't crazy about it but I found it fairly original and enjoyable for what it was. There were a few missed opportunities that could have really put it over the top, such as cheesy high school dance songs that would have contrasted to the brutality of the torture scenes, a la 'Reservoir Dogs' but oh well, music licensing can be costly for a film with a small budget. The ending is also abrupt so that wasn't particularly strong but at a tight 85-minutes this movie really flies by and doesn't have any down time or fat on it so those are major bonuses.  

If you're squeamish then avoid at all costs! If you want to see a bit of a twist on the "torture porn" genre of horror then go for it, you'll have a lot of fun and probably utter "WTF!" at least a half-dozen times. At least.


Related articles

Enhanced by Zemanta
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

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 Sout...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
Post a Comment
Read more

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...
1 comment
Read more