Ever have a film totally surprise you, in a good way? That's exactly what happened with the little Japanese "horror" film, One Cut of the Dead. On the surface, it might look like an uninspired zombie flick using the one-take gimmick. However, what you actually get is a fairly clever film that is a treat for both horror and film fans. For the first 30 minutes, we watch a mock-horror film that fluctuates between parodying the genre, and kind of nailing it at points. It's about an indie film crew making a zombie movie with an insane director when some real undead turn up. As you watch things unfold, it's clear there's a third side to this story, and you're curious to find out what's really happening. Obviously I'm not going to spoil the twist at the 30-minute mark, but I will say that it's a fun one you genuinely won't expect. It adds a lot of heart and depth to the narrative, as well as giving a lot to look for on your second watch. ...

There are times when I find something so incredibly weird and out there, and I absolutely love it. The stranger gem I'm talking about is the incredibly Japanese horror (?) film Hausu, AKA House. On paper it is an extremely simple movie; a high schooler and her friends visit her aunt in the country, and things get paranormal. The movie you actually get is a psychedelic, cooky trip that's both hilarious and horrifying. House has a distinct, quirky character that makes its dated effects fit perfectly. It also has a bit of a satirical edge, with each main girl being an over-the-top stereotype of horror characters. This was supposed to be Japan's answer to Jaws, and in many ways it's the most Japanese response to a blockbuster. Find something to drink and/or smoke. grab your most open-minded friends, and experience something you'll never forget. House is a strange Good.

Did y'all know there's a new Grudge movie headed our way? One that is at once a remake, but also keeps the initial franchise going? Well, there is. And today we've got the poster for it. This flick takes place in American, and occurs at the same time as Sarah Michelle Geller's 2004 remake of the classic Japanese horror film. So it's kinda the Halloween 2018 of the franchise. Kinda. What's this one about: "A single mother, and a young detective, discover a suburban house is cursed by a vengeful ghost that dooms all who enter it to a violent death. Now she must run to save herself, and her son, from this demonic spirit." The Grudge is written and directed by Nicolas Pesce, and stars Andrea Riseborough, John Cho, Betty Gilpin and Lin Shaye. It hits theatres -- with an R rating no less -- Jan. 3, 2020. Source: Arrow in the Head

Is it possible for a remake to be better than the original? It's usually not the case, but there are exceptions... Like 2002's The Ring. This film and the original, Ringu (1998), are horror movies with pros and cons of their own. However, I feel the remake is an improvement on the Japanese version. The tone, characters and story are far more pronounced and effective. In The Ring, we feel a sense of dread throughout, established with the grim, de-saturated cinematography. The characters are far more believable, as the direction and acting commits to their personalities. The story is better structured, as it feels like a supernatural mystery unfolding. With Ringu, the film tries to have these things, but can't realize it's potential. The atmosphere is held back, making you forget you're watching a horror movie until the very end. The characters are believable when they're introduced, but the film forgets their personalities to focus on the plot, which ma...

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! Tonight, Bellamy learns that before he dies, he sees the ring.  Yeah, not that original. Sue me. Like many other acclaimed director's before him, Gore Verbinski (' Pirates of the Caribbean ', ' Rango ', ' The Lone Ranger ') made his big splash in the horror genre, a great creative outlet to hone your skills and work on your own cinematic voice! Now, unlike many other famous director's who also started out in that genre back in the day, Verbinski chose to go the remake route instead of carving out something original which can be very tricky unless executed with the utmost skill. Very happy to say that the American remake of ' The Ring ' is a huge success and one of the very best modern h...