WHERE THE SCARY THINGS ARE EPISODE 57

Where The Scary Things Are Episode 57: THE TENT with Director Kyle Couch, Tim Kaiser and Robert Skates

In this Episode we try and survive THE TENT with Director Kyle Couch, Cinematographer Robert Skates and Lead Actor Tim Kaiser. A truly great movie with amazing acting. Tim Kaiser gives a brilliant performance in this apocalyptic event that really hits you in the chest. Muse gives her Heart Breaking Movies in the SINISTER 6. HorrO rewrites THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS and Chris The Creature gets choked up with his review of THE TENT. Ken tells a unsolved mystery....Enjoy.

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LA LLORONA REVIEW

An aging paranoid dictator, protected by an witch crafting wife, faces death and the uprise of his people in Guatemala.

Starring: María Mercedes Coroy, Margarita Kénefic, Sabrina de la Hoz, and Julio Díaz 

Directed by: Jayro Bustamante

Written by: Jayro Bustamante and Lisandro Sanchez

  Some people think of horror just as spilling a lot of blood and guts, or scaring the hell out of people. However, horror has grown a lot over recent years to include many of the issues we face everyday, and in history. “Get Out” brought together racism and horror in a way we rarely see. “Relic” touched emotions of those who have seen family members suffer at the hands of mental illness and dementia. “Host” even reminded many of the dangers of using Zoom. Alright, maybe that’s a stretch, but the movie came to life because of the current circumstances in the world. And now the legend of La Llorona will help tell the story of a society that suffered at the hands of a dictator.

   Enrique (Julio Diaz) is an old man whose health seems to be declining. Before feeling sorry for him, the audience finds out that he’s a former general, and now on trial for genocide and rape of the indigenous people in Guatemala. While being found guilty of his crimes he manages to get off, and spends his remaining time in his nice house with his wife Carmen (Margarita Kénefic), daughter Natalia (Sabrina De La Hoz), and granddaughter Sara (Ayla-Elea Hurtado). It seems like a good situation for him except that most of the staff has left in fear, and protesters surround the house everyday. 

    They can’t go without staff so the only remaining staff member Valeriana (María Telon) calls for people from her village to help out. The only one who shows up is a seemingly young woman named Alma (María Mercedes Coroy). She’s quiet and a little strange as she gets settled in on her duties. It doesn’t take long before a bond is formed between Sara and her. A bond that’s going to help turn this family’s story upside down. 

  This film is really a tale of two kinds of horror. First the true horror and the most important horror displayed in the film, which is what happened to the indigenous people. The film goes out of it’s way to tell their story, and the effects of their suffering. In a courthouse scene, the audience gets to hear a reporter give some history on the genocide that has taken place. Inside the courtroom, a woman testifies on what’s happened to her people, and herself. The audience also sees it with the protesters who surround the house daily with pictures of loved ones they’ve lost.

  Of course the second kind of horror and one fans probably expected to see more of is the horror surrounding La Llorona. While both the audience and the servants in the house are always aware of her presence, the family in the house isn’t at first. Much of the attention is on Enrique’s health to start, but then the sins of his past start to take over. He’s the most aware of a woman’s cry haunting him, which makes the family think he’s losing his mind. His wife is next, as she starts to have a dream that plays a big role in telling part of this story. Natalia even starts to question why Sara’s father has left them. All of these things happen because La Llorona is closer than they think. Just think of her as the orchestrator of this family’s torture for Enrique’s crimes that have gone unpunished.

  As you might be able to tell by now, this isn’t your typical La Llorona horror story. It’s not built on scares, or how many children she can steal. The most important thing about this movie is sharing the story of the indigenous people with the world. To show the pain and suffering they went through, and only able to get justice at the hands of a supernatural force. A legend to some, but extremely real for believers. Yes, there are some creepy moments, but just having her around manages to make things eerie enough. “La Llorona” proves that sometimes the most important horror to show is the historical kind. With that, I cry out to give this film 3.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

More info about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2020/08/05/la-llorona-comes-to-shudder-august-6th/

STAR LIGHT REVIEW

A teen’s life is turned upside down when he helps a world-famous pop star on the run to escape her violent pursuers.

Starring: Scout Taylor-Compton, Rahart Adams, and Cameron Johnson

Directed by: Mitchell Altieri, and Lee Cummings

Written by: Mitchell Altieri, Jamal M. Jennings, and Adam Weis

  Whether it’s a movie, or music star most of us have had a crush on a few of them. We’ve seen all their movies, or listened to their songs all day long. Most of us will never meet that person, but what if you did. What if the universe actually gave you that opportunity? Would it be everything you thought it would be? 

  Well a young teen named Dylan (Cameron Johnson) is about to find out. He’s a big fan of a music star named Bebe (Scout Taylor-Compton), who he has listened to all her songs and watched her videos. While she fills his dreams he’s stuck in the reality of an average teen boy. He’s not exactly getting along with his mom’s new boyfriend, and is still finding his place among his friends. He leaves a party early to have some time alone only to have the woman of his dreams literally crash into him. 

  Bebe crashes her car, and then crashes into Dylan while trying to run away from the scene. She gets knocked out so Dylan takes her back to his friend's house, and they decide what to do next. Unknown to them is that Anton (Bret Roberts) is on the lookout for her, and has already killed several people during his search. Things have already gotten a little weird at the house, but when Anton shows up things begin to go bad.

  What’s interesting here is that while this story is supposed to be about Dylan and Bebe somehow Anton steals the show. Early on he just plays along with people before eventually doing away with them. Then he just gets creepy with the teens showing up in windows, and whispering in their ears. He does a lot without having to do too much. On top of that he has something in the trunk of his car that will leave the audience dying to see. 

  Instead of going in the house after the teens, Anton gets in their heads. That doesn’t mean damage won’t be done because the first death inside the house is a lot more brutal than expected. Actually there’s a decent amount blood spilled once the teens start turning on each other in their attempts to leave. Of course everything comes back to Bebe and what’s going on with her. Without giving too much away, lets just say singing isn’t her only talent. She has a few more tricks up her sleeve because of where she comes from. 

  Dylan probably never thought he would meet Bebe, and things certainly didn’t go the way he expected once he did. He lost some friends, but established a unique bond with Bebe in their short time together. Yes, this is a good, but strange story. A lot is revealed in the final act, but it feels like they needed to go a little further. They do go far enough with the deaths in the house making it nice and bloody. Again, the star is supposed to be Bebe, but Anton really takes over the movie. With that, I give “Star Light” 2.5 pools of blood.

  HorrO

More info about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2020/07/27/star-light-out-on-digital-and-on-demand-8-4/

SHE DIES TOMORROW REVIEW

Amy thinks she’s dying tomorrow…and it’s contagious.

Starring: Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams, and Kentucker Audley 

Directed and written by: Amy Seimetz

  When we think about things that are contagious usually the flu is at the top of the list. Nowadays that’s probably been replaced by COVID-19, as people are masked-up and socially distant. However, there are other things that can be contagious like emotions. Imagine being sad and having the happiest person you know talk to you, and without noticing your sadness goes away. Perhaps that person’s happiness wore off on you without noticing. Now imagine someone spreads an idea that's a little darker like dying tomorrow!

  Amy (Kate Lyn Sheil) is acting a little strange because she absolutely believes that she’s going to die tomorrow. She does random stuff around her house, and starts preparing for her death. Her friend Jane (Jane Adams) calls her only to end up talking about death. Jane doesn’t believe Amy’s crazy talk of dying tomorrow, and insists that she’s going to be fine. Soon enough Jane starts acting weird as well. Yes, she now believes that she’s going to die tomorrow.

  It’s almost as this needs to be passed on because Jane and her strange behavior rushes over to her brother’s (Chris Messina) house where a party is happening. It seemed like it was going well, but it all changes when Jane starts talking about her death coming tomorrow. Of course the party goers are thrown off by this, and the birthday girl is left extremely upset. Well the audience can guess what’s going to happen to this group of people once Jane leaves. 

  As these events and a few more play out, the audience is left to wonder what’s really happening here. Well, this isn’t a movie with a whole lot of explanations. They’re just going to have to watch and put a few of the pieces together. One of the most interesting things that happens with some of the characters is how honest they become when they believe they’re going to die. It’s a little shocking how some of them feel especially about the people around them. Is their new belief in death tied with their guilt? Just one of maybe a few theories the audience can play with.

  Really, the movie wants the audience to get more caught up with the imaginary, and the performances. As one might expect, there are some unusual scenes and awkward conversations to go along with them. One of those conversations is about a special leather jacket that Amy wants made, and another is an amusing scene where Jane enters a house and ends up going for a swim. The performances are really good especially from the characters who have the further mood swings. The ones who seem the happiest, but end up just dreading where they are in life as it nears an end.

  Over the course of quarantine, audiences have seen several films that were made before quarantine but oddly fit their current reality in some way. “She Dies Tomorrow” kind of exercises the contagion theme that many of us find ourselves in these days. People are interacting with family and friends, and without noticing it become infected. Not with a virus, but a message that their lives are over. Each person reacts differently as they come to terms with it creating an effective, but strange movie. There are no clear answers, but plenty to absorb from the interesting scenes to the strong performances. With that said, I give it 2.5 pools of blood, and hope not to die tomorrow!

  HorrO

More info about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2020/07/31/she-dies-tomorrow-in-drive-in-theaters-today-on-demand-august-7th/

HOST REVIEW

Host is the story of six friends who hire a medium to hold a séance over Zoom during lockdown, but they get far more than they bargain for as things quickly go wrong. When an evil spirit starts invading their homes, they begin to realize they might not survive the night.

Starring: Haley Bishop, Radina Drandova, Edward Linard, Jemma Moore, Caroline Ward, and Emma Louise Webb

Directed by: Rob Savage

Written by: Rob Savage, Gemma Hurley, and Jed Shepherd

  COVID-19 has taken lives, and changed the world we live in. Obviously it has created a lot of bad, but it has also given a chance for creators to do what they do best. In this case, it gave filmmaker Rob Savage, and this cast and crew the opportunity to make a film within the limits of quarantine. A big credit to them for taking the risk, and making a film that many in quarantine will be able to relate to until the horror begins to set in, and boy does it set in!

  So one of the things that has become quite common in quarantine is the use of Zoom. Many have used it for work, some for podcasts, and others to talk with friends. However, there are probably very few who have used it to hold a séance. Any horror fan can tell you that’s a horrible idea, but this group of friends do it anyway. Yes, some of them have a little fear in what could happen, but overall they don’t take it too seriously. 

  The audience gets to watch the movie as if they’re in a Zoom meeting. This meeting has been created by Haley (Haley Bishop), who has invited five of her friends to join her. As each of them enter the room, the audience gets to learn a little about them, and possibly get tipped off at what’s in store for them. Then comes the introduction of Seylan (Seylan Baxter), who’s the medium that’s going to be running the séance. Things start off in a casual manner, but quickly turn dark.

  An evil spirit begins to haunt this group of friends, and things spin out of control. No more joking around, as each will experience fear like they never have before. Of course this is the fun part for horror fans. There are all kinds of scares from some that are just plain old creepy to those that will get them jumping out of their seats. Not all of them will be new to fans, but that doesn’t mean they won’t be effective. There will be no spoiling of what happens to each of these friends, but it’s not going to be a happy ending.

  What really works for the film and helps drive home the scares is how real it seems with obviously excluding the paranormal happenings. It will probably be particularly real for those who have used Zoom, or anything like it. They also don’t ignore some of the Zoom and computer options that are available. One of the girls uses a popular Zoom option that turns out to help make a very good scare. Another girl uses an option that adds a little humor at such a bad time for her. And because it’s a chat the audience gets to see each character right in front of their faces from each of their homes. This formula of realism and the paranormal worked for movies like “Paranormal Activity” and “Unfriended” so why not this one?

  Some of the scariest horror films come from situations that appear all too real. In an unfortunate sign of the times, Zoom meetings are becoming part of the routine for many people, and now horror has used it to freak out audiences. This group of friends enter one of the most unforgettable Zoom meetings of all time. The film makes the most out of technology to combine some new scares with familiar ones. “Host” is dark, creepy, and will definitely leave audiences thinking twice about entering a Zoom meeting! Because I will now remember this film every time we record a podcast on Zoom, I give it 4 pools of blood!

  HorrO

More about this film at: http://promotehorror.com/2020/07/29/shudders-new-zoom-based-horror-film-host-from-award-winning-filmmaker-rob-savage-premieres-july-30/