Editor’s Picks: Ben’s Top 10 of 2010
by Ben Bussey, UK Editor
End of year reviews are difficult. They tend to imply that the one writing the list regards their film knowledge as all-encompassing, their taste impeccable, that they are inherently superior to Joe Schmoe moviegoer from the street. I for one am not about to go making such assumptions. I know very well I don’t always have the best taste, and even more so I know that my film knowledge is far from exhaustive. There are a great many notable films from the past twelve months that I have still yet to see: The Human Centipede, The Last Exorcism, Red White and Blue, Bedevilled, The Killer Inside Me, Let Me In, Paranormal Activity 2… God, I haven’t even seen the original Paranormal Activity. Yes, go ahead, lambast me, I deserve it no doubt.
So what follows is not an attempt to cement myself as an indisputable authority on the modern horror film. Rather, it is my attempt to compile, as honestly as possible, what I regard the ten best horror films I have seen this past year. (Not the ten best films overall, necessarily; there are of course plenty of non-horrific films I loved this past year, and try as I might I don’t think I could make the case for the inclusion of, say, Scott Pilgrim Vs The World, Inception, Iron Man 2, Toy Story3, Harry Potter 7 or How To Train Your Dragon in a Brutal As Hell list.) These are the horror films of 2010 which I most enjoyed, was most impressed by, and in some instances wish that more people had seen/hope more people will see in the future. And, much like any given commentary track, it is for entertainment purposes only and does not reflect the opinions of any corporate ruling body.
10. Not Like Others
My review.
One of the most sadly overlooked releases of the year. This tale of a night in the life/undeath of two vampire sisters is an atmospheric, intriuging and emotionally involving piece of work. The city by night setting is utilised to tremendous effect, by turns emphasising the cold sense of monotony and isolation, and also the danger lurking unseen in the dark places. It’s really quite a touching, memorable and different take on vampirism. And I must say, as quasi-realist horror goes, to my mind Not Like Others is a damn sight more effective than We Are What We Are.
9. F
My review.
Another entry in the curious modern subgenre of youthphobia, which the British in particular have specialised in of late with the likes of Eden Lake, The Children and Cherry Tree Lane. A largely effective balance between supernatural slasher and kitchen sink, F takes the nuts and bolts of Assault On Precinct 13 and applies it to that place where a great many of our lifelong nightmares are born; high school. The phantom hoodies with their faces permanently in shadow make for a haunting and iconic adversary, and David Schofield goes a bang-up job as the emotionally imbalanced teacher anxious to get out alive with his estranged daughter. One of the hits of Frightfest, F has to the best of my knowledge yet to gain widespread distribution. Once you’re able, I thoroughly recommend checking it out.
8. Night of the Demons
Marc’s review.
And so, intellectualism goes out the window. And why the hell not? As great as it is to find new horror movies which are intelligent, sophisticated, and offer something genuinely new, a lot of the time it’s nice to just kick back with something comfortable, predictable, and loaded with the simple pleasures of the genre. And if it’s another fucking remake, what the hell. This might not be music to everyone’s ears, but I have to say it: the original Night of the Demons really isn’t all that great. It has a cool premise and a few iconic scenes, but a hell of a lot of dull, meandering, standing-around-talking scenes. This remake doesn’t necessarily do away with the boring stuff altogether, but it sure bumps up the fun. Everything is played to excess. For example: why have one attractive, large breasted woman in a pussycat costume when you can have two? Yes, it’s a good old fashioned Three B’s flick, and when all is said and done we’ll always have time for those. Nor is it the last such movie you’ll see in this list.
7. The Loved Ones
Britt’s Review.
Another of the hits of Frightfest, which unfortunately I didn’t catch until it came out on DVD. On paper, there’s plenty about this film I wouldn’t like. The core premise – a boy is abducted and mutilated by an insane spoiled girl with the hots for him, and her equally insane doting father – seems to fit the parameters of the contemporary torture horror, for which I have little taste. However, The Loved Ones takes this idea and injects it with such an infectious strain of black humour, such a strong sardonic edge, that I couldn’t help but be seduced. I see the young male lead has since found fame in Twilight: Eclipse, and can’t help but smirk at the thought of demure and unsuspecting teenage girls picking this up and getting the shit scared out of them.
6. Meat Grinder
My review.
Another largely overlooked release, this film was badly mismarketed as a frenzied hack’n'slash gorefest when it’s actually something quite a bit smarter and more sensitive. Sure, when your central character is an unhinged mass-murderer who cooks her victims, it isn’t going to be another Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Even so, this is a powerful film which deals heavily with female midlife anxieties in the face of male oppression. And, yes, it packs in a hearty dose of blood and guts and a liberal dash of gallows humour to wash it all down.
5. Frozen
Britt’s review – Marc’s review.
What can I say that my colleagues haven’t already? This is really quite a remarkable movie, based around an idea so simple you wonder how no-one has thought to do it before. While the premise may ostensibly not seem too far removed from the likes of Open Water, Frozen does a far better job of drawing the viewer in thanks to three genuinely compelling central performances, and a script that effortlessly balances boyish banter with heartfelt anxiety and moments of outright despair. A great suspense movie, the likes of which we see too few these days.
4. I Spit On Your Grave
My review – Britt’s review.
No, I still haven’t seen the original. No, that doesn’t bother me much. I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be such, but this really is one of the year’s most entertaining films. Watching Sarah Butler metamorphose from ordinary city girl (in a jaw-droppingly good-looking kinda way), to brutalised rape victim, to avenging angel with a borderline-supernatural ability to materialise in the right place at the right time; it may leave a bad taste in the mouths of some, but for those that enjoy the catharsis of seeing bad people get what’s coming to them from the safety of a fantastical context, this is a thoroughly satisfying cinema experience.
3. Piranha 3D
My review.
Inconsistent? Moi? Don’t know what you mean. Yes, my review of this movie was a bit more lukewarm than most. I didn’t get swept up in that wave of gushing enthusiasm (these aquatic metaphors just keep coming, I’m sorry) that greeted Piranha 3D on release, and instead I felt it necessary to draw attention to the flaws that I felt many were overlooking. Several months later, I’m still well aware of those flaws. Seeing the film on home DVD such flaws are even more evident, in particular the often astonishingly poor CGI. But you know what? I don’t care anymore. Not a bit. As I said before, “the pleasure that is likely to be taken from Piranha is dependent on just how much the viewer appreciates those key attributes of gore and nudity.” And, damn it all, no matter how much I may try to feign sophistication and maturity, I really, really love boobs and blood. And Piranha delivers on those better than any other film in years. That something so delightfully sleazy and low brow could be made on a fairly big budget with fairly respectable movie stars in tow just adds to the joyous absurdity of it all. Fun with a capital F.
2. Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship and Videotape
My review.
Let’s not beat around the bush: yes, this film is of great personal significance for me and for this site, as it represents the first time a review of mine has been quoted in a trailer and on a DVD cover. But please resist the urge to cry nepotism. This is truly one of the best and most important films of 2010, and the jewel in the crown of the Video Nasties: The Definitive Guide boxset. And while it may be a documentary rather than a horror film per se, it’s a damn scary look at how those in positions of authority are able to promote their own agenda, subvert the truth, pevert the course of justice, and get clean away with it. As such, I say again, it’s a film that has something vital to say to everyone, not just horror fans.
1. A Serbian Film
Britt’s review – my review.
I was not looking forward to seeing this film at all. After all I’d read, all I’d been told, I was anticipating the most nauseating, unrelentingly depressing and horible experience of my life. And yes, much of what I’d read was true. But what most people seemed to leave out is just how brilliant a piece of cinema A Serbian Film really is. Is it excessive? Exploitative? Arch melodrama? Intensely distasteful? Absolutely. But much the same can be said (and indeed has been said) of Peeping Tom, Witchfinder General, The Exorcist; the films of David Cronenberg, Takashi Miike, and more besides. Yes, I think A Serbian Film warrants mention alongside these. I think that in the future, once this initial furore has died down, the critical community at large will recognise it as every bit as much of a seminal classic. Whether it is loved or loathed (and there appears to be very little middle ground on this one), it seems to leave an indelible mark on all those that see it. If any release from 2010 can be regarded truly unforgettable, it’s A Serbian Film. Because of that, I have no hesitation declaring it the film of the year.
But again, like I said, that’s just my personal opinion and I’m no indispensable authority…
Happy New Year everybody. May your 2011 be – wait for it – Brutal. As hell, in fact.
