Don’t Breathe

watch-now-on-amazon-instant-video   buyamazon-1

“Disability doesn’t always mean kind-hearted!”

A sub-genre of horror that sometimes gets overlooked is “Home Invasion.”  Some of the more well known entries in this category are films like The Purge, The Strangers, You’re Next, and Funny Games.  At the annual South by Southwest festival this past spring, a new and interesting take on this style of horror was unleashed.  This film is simply titled Don’t Breathe.  Co-written by Rodo Sayagues and director Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead-2013), Don’t Breathe has quickly gained notoriety for its clever delivery and extreme tension inducing cinematography.

THE PLOT

The film follows Rocky (Jane Levy), Alex (Dylan Minnette), and Money (Daniel Zovatto).  They are a group of common, but well organized, house thieves who are very good at what they do.  After collecting for their most recent job, Money is informed on a new target that could be the big payout they’ve been needing.  The three of them meet and discuss the job.  The target:  a middle-aged man living alone in the slums, who is apparently sitting on a huge lump of cash.  As the three stake out the place, they make a startling discovery.  The man is completely blind due to an old war injury.  This seems like the perfect job with an easy payout for the group.  Once inside, they realize that this is FAR from the truth!  The old man may be blind, but he’s very capable of using his other senses to fend for himself.  As soon as the blind man (Stephen Lang) realizes that he’s not alone, he quickly locks down his home and traps them inside.  With seemingly no way out, and being stalked by a very dangerous man, the three young thieves seem to be out of options.  What started as a simple in and out cash-grab, has now become a fight for survival with little hope for escape!

SHOULD YOU SEE IT?

I have nothing but great things to say about this one!  It was awesome and one of the best films I’ve seen so far this year!  I know that “edge of your seat” is a cliché that sometimes gets over used, but I feel that it’s the perfect way to describe this one.  The tension buildup is nonstop, from start to finish and to top it off….it had a twist that was unexpected and totally game changing to the plot!  When the end credits started rolling, I realized that I was sweating…a lot!  The tension was that great, and my wife and I couldn’t stop discussing it all the way home!  EXCELLENT MOVIE!


Not rated yet!

Don't Breathe

This house looked like an easy target, until they found out what was inside.

20161 h 28 min
Metadata
Certification R
Director Fede Alvarez
Producer
Runtime 1 h 28 min
Release Date 12 March 2016
Images
Trailer

High Tension

watch-now-on-amazon-instant-video  buyamazon-1

“Brutally intense and unnerving from start to finish!”

In the early to mid 2000’s the French were on fire with their contributions to the horror genre.  This “French Wave of Horror” gave us extreme films such as Irreversible, Inside, and Martyrs.  One of the early films of this nature was the extremely violent and tense thriller, 2003’s High Tension.  Co-written by Gregory Levasseur and director Alexandre Aja, it has become one of the most talked about French extreme horror films.  From the opening sequence to the jaw dropping conclusion, the film never lets up on the intensity and gruesome violence!

THE PLOT

Best friends Marie (Cecile de France) and Alexia (Alex) (Maiwenn Le Besco) are heading to Alex’s parent’s farmhouse for the weekend in hopes of relaxing and studying for their college exams.  They are greeted by Alex’s father and after giving Marie a quick tour, they have dinner and decide to turn in for the night.  Before long the doorbell rings, and without warning an unknown sadistic killer breaks in and goes on a gruesome rampage throughout the home.  Marie quickly hides under the bed, as the killer makes his way room by room, looking for his next victim.  Quietly Marie sneaks into Alex’s room to find her chained to the bed.  She tells Alex to stay calm as she goes into the parent’s room to try to call for help, but before she can do so, the killer approaches the room prompting Marie to hide in the closet.  The killer then drags Alex to his truck, and before he leaves Marie is forced to sneak into the truck as well, praying that she and Alex will escape this horrific night alive!

SHOULD YOU SEE IT?

My immediate reaction to this film as the ending credits started rolling were “I LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THAT MOVIE!”  It was a great horror flick to say the least and definitely lived up to its title!  That being said, it’s a VERY violent movie!  Full of blood, gore, and disturbing content, it can be tough to watch if you’re squeamish.  The driving force behind the film is the wild twist, which I definitely didn’t see coming!  I would warn a first time viewer to be careful to not read any spoilers, because if the twist is revealed, it will ruin it for you.  Once again, the French sure know how to deliver some intense and extreme horror, and in my opinion, High Tension is no exception!


Not rated yet!

High Tension

Hearts will bleed.

20031 h 31 min
Metadata
Certification NC-17
Director Alexandre Aja
Producer Alexandre Arcady, Robert Benmussa
Runtime 1 h 31 min
Release Date 18 June 2003
Images
Trailer