Kit Tinsley's Blog, page 4

Return of The Zombie

This week I want to talk about the film ‘The Lords Of Salem’, the latest film from writer/director/ rock god. The film is the third release from the Haunted Movies production company, the first two being ‘Paranormal Activity’ and ‘Insidious’. 

[image error]

It is the story of rock DJ, Heidi (, in her best role to date) who lives and works in Salem. 400 years earlier her ancestors, along with many other in the town, were responsible for the deaths of a coven of witches. Now the witches are back for a gloriously grisly revenge. Heidi, who is also a recovering drug addict, is sent a mysterious record, which she ends up playing on air. The record contains ominous, atonal music, that send many of the women who listen to the broadcast into strange trances.

Can local historian Frances, and Heidi’s fellow Dj, ‘Whitey’ save her from the clutches of an evil modern day coven, or will they succeed in resurrecting the long dead witches, and usher in the anti christ.

 

That is the plot of this film, many have complained online that it is a very thin plot, but by the standards of some horror films I think it is a strong enough plot. I was shocked that with the big name director, and big name production company, that this film didn’t receive a cinema release here in the UK, instead I stumbled upon it in ASDA’s DVD section, when I was expecting to see it at the cinema. This however is a sad trend in horror in the UK, great recent films like ‘VHS’ and ‘The Bay’ have bypassed the multiplexes entirely.

 

People who are fans of Zombie’s earlier films like ‘House of 1000 Corpses’, ‘The Devil’s Rejects’ and his two ‘Halloween’ movies, might very well go into this film expecting more of the same. The sort of in your face, brutal, action packed horror we have come to expect from Mr Zombie. ‘The Lords OF Salem’ however, is a very different beast. It is a slow burner, that gradually builds up the tension. Zombie’s visual style is still apparent in many of the scenes and design choices, but this film is not like his homages to 70’s horror by the likes of Wes Craven and John Carpenter. This film is much more akin to a different breed of seventies horror. Zombie excels in showing where his influences lie, without ever copying them. I saw hints of ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ by Polanski, ‘The Exorcist’ by Freidkin and most notably ‘The Shining’ by Kubrick, these films were woven into the fabric of Zombie’s own visual style. 

 [image error]

However it is Dario Argento’s supernatural masterpiece ‘Suspiria’  that most springs tom mind when watching ‘The Lords Of Salem’. They are both films about witchcraft, about vulnerable women falling prey to covens, and about dark secrets from the past. The most striking similarity between the two films though is the feeling of unease that both create whilst watching them (and late at night after watching them). There are jump scares in ‘Lords’, but they are more subtle than in many films. There is gore, but it is not as disturbing as the acts that create it. Like the first time I watched ‘Suspiria’ I felt an unsettling feeling of unreality, and unpredicatbility whilst watching ‘Lords’. There are many bizarre, and disturbing sequences in the film. Some of these are Heidi’s nightmares, but as the film progresses the line between reality and dreams seems to blur, and become unclear. Some would argue that it is style over substance in these scenes, but I disagree with that. Yes they overtly stylised, but they serve a purpose of creating unease, which they do very successfully.

 [image error]

If you like your horror, fast and action packed, and neatly resolved, with a clear delineation between good and evil, then ‘Lords’ is not for you. However, if you enjoy a slow burn of tension, and genuinely unsettling films, that ask more questions of you than they answer, then you will really enjoy this film. I am a fan of ‘House of 1000 Corpses’ and his ‘Halloween’ movies, but in my opinion this is Rob Zombie’s greatest movie to date. It shows a real skill for creating atmosphere, and hypnotically disturbing visuals.  I am going to give this film 10/10.

[image error]

Music

The Wonder Stuff, Rock City Nottingham, 13th April 2013

 

For this weeks blog I am stepping away from the worlds of horror, literature and movies and talking about the other great passion in my life music. I have been a musician, in many bands and solo since I was 15 years old. There have been many bands that I have followed, who have inspired me as a musician and as a writer. Yet there is one band who for me stand head and shoulders above the rest, that band is The Wonder Stuff.

[image error] 

I first encountered The Wonder Stuff in 1989 when they performed their song ‘Don’t Let Me Down Gently’ on Top of the Pops. I was 11 years old at the time, and from that night on they have been my favourite band. I first saw them play live in 1993, and unfortunately they split up soon after, which was devastating to my 15 year old self. 

 The band reformed for the odd gig in 2001, but it was in 2004 that the band returned with a new line up and a new album, since then there have been a few more line up changes and another album.

 This last few years though the band seems to have returned to top form, with what seems like a much more settled line up, and an album that is as good as ‘Eight Legged Groove Machine’ and ‘Never Loved Elvis’, and only slightly surpassed by ‘HUP’ but that has always been my favourite of their albums as it was the first I heard. 

 Last night I saw the band perform at Rock City in Nottingham, and was blown away. The set list was perfectly balanced with some of the songs from the latest album and classic songs from their back catalogue. Personal highlights for my self were new album opener ‘Clear Through The Years’ which they played first. This song had to be a show starter though, it’s pumping drum beat, stabbing violin, and catchy as hell chorus, make it perfect for the slot.

Other favourites of mine ‘Circlesquare’, ‘Who Wants To Be The Disco King’, ‘Here Comes Everyone’, ‘Mission Drive’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Down Gently’ were all played too, in fact my one complaint is that ‘Cartoon Boyfriend’ was not played, but hey you can’t have everything can you.

 The energy and joy that the band had in the performance was evident throughout the show, and infected the crowd. It was clear from the looks that they kept giving each other on stage that this line up really like playing together, and long may they do so. Credit must go to the newest member of the band, guitarist Stevie Wyatt, his playing was spot on and he seems to have fitted in perfectly.

 The thing I admired most of all was the fact that after playing a 90 minute set the band came straight out to the merch stand to sign items, pose for photographs and generally chat with the crowd. If only more bands showed this kind of dedication to their fans I think the world would be a better place. My wife and I bought a copy of violinist, Erica Nockalls solo album ‘Imminent Room’ which she kindly signed for us (but more on that in a moment) and managed a quick conversation with her and Miles Hunt.

 On the whole it was the perfect night out, and I hope they keep playing and releasing new material for a long time to come.

 

Erica Nockalls - Imminent Room

 

[image error]

 

I feel that I have to add this quick review of Erica Nockalls debut solo album. I had seen two of the songs and their videos on YouTube and had enjoyed them. Last night though seeing Erica perform her solo material live with her excellent band I had to purchase the album.

 Firstly I just have to say how great Erica and her band performed in their support slot with The Wonder Stuff, I have not heard all female harmonies done so well, and so tightly,  in a live performance for a long long time. The band were all great musicians with great stage presence.

 I am a little concerned after listening to the album ‘Imminent Room’ about four times on the drive home today. The reason for my concern is that it seems as though Erica has gone through my music collection and taken all the elements I love from my favourite bands and magically melded them into one insanely brilliant album.

 It is hard to really explain this album as it is so unlike anything else out there. In the sleve notes Erica explains that it was her own frustration at being unable to find music that moved her that set her about creating the album, and the result is somewhat mind blowing.

 The album opener ‘Manikin’ is one of the single most bonkers things I have ever heard, but I mean that in a good way. They haunting vocals at the start, leading into a processed drum beat and crazy slide guitar. It is a feast of styles in one song, an audible banquet for your ears.

 The rest of the album takes in many forms, from the haunting ballad ‘Serpentine City’ to the electro rock of  single ‘Cut Them Out.’  There is not a weak link on the whole album, and it stays with you long after you have switched off the CD player.

 From folk, to metal, from electro to pop, from goth to classical, the influence and amalgamation of all of these styles is perfect balanced on this album, with Erica’s vocal unifying them. Her voice is in turns sweet and fierce, haunting and sexy, gentle and aggressive. To me there is a definite similarity in her voice to that of the wonderful Siouxsie Sioux

 I am hard pressed to choose a favourite track on the album but I really like ‘Day One, One Day’ with it’s electro beats and guitars it reminds me a little of the band Garbage on a good day, but I have real soft spot for the album’s final song ‘Goodbye Spider’ this gentle acoustic guitar and strings song is mournfully beautiful and leaves you feeling peaceful and little happier with the world.

'The Wilds' 'The Bay' and James Herbert

 Hello all

 

I have now started work in earnest on my second novel. It is called ‘The Wilds’ and is a little different in style than my last novel ‘Beneath’, rest assured though it is most definitely a horror novel. It centres on a young man, Karl, searching for his brother who has gone missing in the countryside. He is aided by an ambitious local reporter, Jason. More people go missing, the local police are covering something up, and rumours abound of wild animals roaming the countryside. That is all I will say about it for now, hopefully that is enough to whet your appetite.

 

This week I will give you a few of my regular horror recommendations. Firstly, this week I watched the truly amazing film ‘The Bay’ Produced by the people behind ‘Sinister’, ‘Insidious’, and ‘Paranormal Activity’, and Directed by Academy Award winner Barry Levinson.

[image error] 

The film was miraculously not given a cinema release here in the UK and just arrived on the shelves of ASDA with no real warning. The film is basically a found footage horror, about a costal community infected with mutant parasites from the polluted sea. I have to admit even a die hard genre fan like myself was ready to sound the death knell for the found footage sub genre (and I enjoyed PA3, but 4 was too much for me). Then along comes ‘The Bay’ and completely changes the game, it leaves you with none of the annoying ‘Why the hell are you still filming this?’ feelings that you get from other films of its ilk. It is a master stroke, where every piece of footage seems justified. It is remarkably well acted by a cast of relative unknowns, and masterfully directed by Levinson. The film stay with you long after the credits have rolled. Its ideas infecting your mind like the parasites of the film themselves. This is a gory, and unnerving film, and one that feels as though it is completely plausible. I have no choice but to give this film 10/10.

 

Secondly, after the recent sad passing of the great James Herbert I have been revisiting his work. This week I have been reading his ‘Rats’ trilogy. So far I have got through ‘The Rats’ and ‘Lair’ and I am well into ‘Domain’ now. Though most of you have probably read these books years ago, if you haven’t and you like horror you must read them. Quite a few of his books (including this trilogy) are less than £1 on amazon kindle store at the moment. If you haven’t sampled his work yet please do. He was one of the greatest British horror writers of the last century, and when he is at his best he is miles ahead of anyone else.

 [image error][image error]

For now I will bid you farewell, and not so sweet dreams ;)

What a week!

Hello everyone,

 

For this weeks blog i'm just going to share some of the things that have been going on this week in the world of Kit Tinsley.

Firstly I have been hard at work trying to complete my second book, and can say that I'm very nearly done now. This collection of short stories, called Dark County, will hopefully be available on Amazon next month. The book will also contain an extended afterword, where I  will explain where the ideas for these stories came from.

Also I had a photography session with my good friend Brad at Something Wicked Photography, He is also working on the cover for the book, and the photograph is looking creepy as hell.

[image error]

I wonder who that mysterious figure in the background is? Anyone have any guesses?

Also as of today my debut Novel Beneath has sold over 1000 copies in the last four weeks, if that is added to the over 2500 people who downloaded it in the free promotion prior, that now means that over 3500 now have the book, this fills me with a great sense of pride. I hope you all enjoy it, the reviews so far have been incredibly positive on the whole.

Well that is what has been happening this week. Hopefully next weeks blog will be a little longer, but I'm writing this on a short break from trying to finish the next book. 

See you all again soon.

MAMA good film/bad CGI

Well hello everyone,

Thanks for dropping by my dimly lit corner of the internet. This week I have a little film review for you. SPOILER WARNING

Last night my wife and I went to see MAMA directed by and based on his 2008 short of the same name which is available to watch here , the film is also produced by  who's name attached to anything in my opinion is a sign of quality, and that is true in this case.

 

The film is about two little girls who are taken to a house in the woods by their father, who intends to kill them and himself. They are saved by a mysterious floating woman.

Five years later their father's twin brother has spent all this time trying to find his brother and the girls. They are found still alive and feral in the cabin. Brought back to society the uncle takes them in. The older girl Victoria () still remembers her old life and soon seems to start readjusting to life in the real world. The younger girl Lilly () was only one when they were taken to the cabin and is very animalistic. The two girls claim to have been looked after all these years by someone called Mama. The psychiatrist treating them believes that this protector figure is imagined, created to help them through the time alone, he believes that Victoria is Mama.

Soon after moving in with their uncle Lucas () and his girlfriend Annabel () things take a turn for the strange. Annabelle is a free spirit bass player in a rock band, and unprepared for the responsibility of raising to damaged children. She begins to see things, leading Lucas to go looking through the house at night, only to encounter Mama, he has an injury that puts him in a coma. Annabel is reluctantly left alone with the girls.

From here we get into the really creepy portion of the film, as the girls continue to behave in odd ways, and Annabel tries to deal with the situation. There is a lot of use of sounds and shadowy figures in this part of the film. It is very effective with some truly disturbing scenes that linger long after the lights go up in the cinema.

The psychiatrist also discovers that there is some truth to the girls story of where Mama came from, finding out that she was a murderous mental patient in the 1800's who ran away from the asylum with her baby, only to be chased to a cliff top where she threw herself off with the child, only for them to be separated in the fall.

The uncle wakes from his coma, the activity increases in the house and the psychiatrist seeks to solve the mystery of Mama. This part of the film is where it lost some points for me, due to the over use of CGI, I know that there was no other way they could make Mama do the things they wanted her too, but they could have used less of her, and kept her in shadow as they had done earlier in the film. There are several scenes here that lose some tension because of the obvious CGI, and this is sad in what is otherwise a fantastic horror film. When you watch the 2008 short film that the director made, Mama is barely seen, but she is so terrifying, because her posture and movement are so wrong. If he had kept this for the full length film I would have said this was the scariest film I've seen in a long time, instead though it loses some marks and fear factor due to it's GGI heavy scenes.

The film's climax on the cliff top is very good though. After a terrifying film it is actually very moving, bringing a lump to my throat and a tear to my wife's eyes. It is a very emotional and unexpected ending.

The little girls in the film are adorable, both the younger and older versions. Also they can act, which is always a blessing in films that rely on child actors, some good films have been let down by unconvincing kids. But  and  play these characters so well, and are utterly believable.  is very good in this film, though she is very good in everything she does. Yet she gives Annabel a simultaneous air of strength and vulnerability which is compelling to watch, she also gets some of the few moments of humour in the film.  is very good as both the girls father and Lucas, though personally I identify him so strongly with his character of Jamie Lannister in Game of Thrones that I found it hard to trust him in this film.

So all in all Mama was an excellent horror film, genuinely disturbing, good scares, creepy atmosphere, well acted, well directed and well written. The only thing that let it down was it's over use of CGI in the third act, but this is a complaint that can be leveled at so many films it is hardly worth holding it against and otherwise wonderful film

8 out of 10. (without the CGI would have been 10 out of 10)

 

 

 

The Nature of Fear

What is fear? Why does it have these physical effects on us? The increased heart rate, the shivers down the spine, the possible bladder or bowel failure.

Some say that it is a defense mechanism. Part of the primitive brain, the fight or flight syndrome. When something frightens us, or body responds by making us ready for action. Either in the form of running away from, or fighting whatever it is that has us afraid.

So why do we enjoy the feeling? Why do we seek it out? We read horror novels, or watch horror films. We take part in extreme sports, or ride roller coasters, just to get that thrill, that rush of fear.

On a physical level the fact that the body is preparing for actions means it is releasing all of those yummy hormones and endorphins that are released during exercise. These are basically the bodies own drugs, inducing a euphoric feeling.

On a much more psychological level, it has been claimed that the horror genre is a form of catharsis. A way of facing our fears in a safe way. This allows us all of the excitement of facing these thing, but without the danger.

personally I believe that the horror genre is most effective when it deals with very real, and universal fears. That is not to say I don't enjoy supernatural horror, in fact I prefer it. What I am saying is that no matter how fantastical the monster is, it should in some way represent a real concern.

For example, if you look at 'The Exorcist', on the surface this is the classic good versus evil story, The power of God Vs. The Devil, yet it is also a film made in the wake of the 60's and the cultural revolution that had occurred in that decade. This film is also about a fear of what children were turning into at the time. It's about the death of the morality of one period and the start of another.

My own novel 'Beneath', features a supernatural entity, which to the disappointment of some reviewers on Amazon is never fully explained. This was a conscious decision on my part. I wanted the nature of the beast to be ambiguous. There are hints scattered through the book that it is either a demon, a spirit, an old god, an ancient race of beings, or even an alien. I wanted people to make their own minds up as to what it was. I know what I think it is, but I'm not telling. Part of the problem is if you clarify the origin of the entity as a demon or one of the others, you alienate those who don't believe in that, I wanted people enjoyment of the story to be shaped by their own beliefs and not what i impose on them.

At the heart of the story though it is about a man who is afraid that he can't protect his family. Note that i started writing this book before my son was born and finished it when he was about 8 months old. It is safe to say that the fear of parental responsibility and all it entails were foremost in my mind at the time of writing the book.

well those are my musings for this week. See you all soon

Women in Horror - Heather Langenkamp

This Month is Women In Horror month. A celebration of the women who have contributed to, and influenced what is often considered a misogynistic genre. The politics of gender issues in horror is something I studied in depth in my university days, and is not something I am going to go to in depth in here, far better thinkers than I have written extensively on the subject. For those that are interested I recommend reading Carol J. Clover’s excellent ‘Men, Women and Chainsaws’ and Barry Keith Grant’s ‘The Dread Of Difference’ as two of the best books on the subject.

I think it is fair to say that few women have been as important to modern horror as Jamie Lee Curtis. She became an icon of the genre in films such as ‘Halloween’, ‘The Fog’ and ‘Prom Night’ to name but three. Not only that though, she helped to bring an oft maligned genre into the mainstream through her star power.

For me personally though, the single most important Actress in the horror genre is Heather Langenkamp who Played Nancy Thompson in Wes Craven’s 1984 masterpiece ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street. 

[image error]

 

The slasher genre, through ‘Halloween’ to ‘Friday the 13th’ had created a stock character known as the final girl. She was the one who would survive while all her peers met terrible fates. The final girl survived mainly through not indulging in the activities that were a death sentence in these films; Sex, drugs, booze, all of the stuff that society deems as bad. 

In ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ Nancy certainly lives up to the final girl stereotype; she is virginal, intelligent and responsible beyond her years. However, all of the other final girls have survived either by being saved (Laurie in ‘Halloween’ does little but try and hide until Dr Loomis turns up and rescues her) or being forced into a showdown with the killer (Alice in Friday 13th tries desperately to escape from Mrs Vorhees, and only decapitates her when there is no escape). Nancy, on the other hand, shows a kind of strength and determination that had not been seen prior, and has seldom been seen since. In ‘Nightmare on Elm Street’ She deliberately seeks Freddy Kruger out on several occasions, she does not sit and wait for him to get to her, she looks for him. She confronts him head on, and on her own terms.

I have read before criticisms that Nancy takes on masculine qualities to defeat Freddy, in particular, setting up boobytraps for him. Though this is true to some extent, the point is this approach fails to destroy Freddy. The boobytraps do little to slow him down. It is only when Nancy turns her back on him, and takes away the power of fear that he holds over her, that Freddy disappears. This is a very feminine way of dealing with him I feel. It is no different than an abused woman saying enough is enough and taking control away from her abuser by not letting them scare her anymore. 

Despite her tender years, Langenkamp played the role with a maturity that seemed perfect for the role. Sadly she has not had the success outside of the genre that Ms Curtis attained. She did reprise the role of Nancy in ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street 3 (the only decent sequel) and Played herself in the reality bending ‘Wes Craven’s New Nightmare’ (an underrated film in my opinion and definitely one of the best post-modern horror movies ever made)

So Ms Langenkamp, I salute you. To this writer and horror fan your contribution to the pantheon of horror is of great importance.

Where have all the monsters gone?

Lately I have been thinking that the horror genre has been lacking in great monsters. This is not to say that there have not been some great movies, American Mary by the Soska Sisters is one of the best films (not just horror) I have seen in a long time.  What I'm talking about is the villain of the piece, whether that be a supernatural entity or a human evil. Certain films have tried, Insidious for example created a potentially iconic monster in the form of the lipstick faced demon, who's first appearance in the film is one of the few times I have actually yelled out in a cinema. Unfortunately though he fails to become a 'great monster' due to over use visually, and under use plot wise. We see to much of him, but don't learn enough about him.

The fad of remakes that has been going on over the last ten years or so has given the old monsters an airing, to greater or lesser success. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre gave us a visually striking, and intimidating Leatherface, but in my opinion he wasn't as truly terrifying as the original version. This new Leatherface seems a little too in control, he stalks his victims with determination and skill. The original Leatherface was far more wild and unruly, Like a giant, grotesque toddler with a chainsaw. It was like he had no sense of right or wrong.

Freddy Kruger (my favourite movie monster, so much so I named my son after him) also got an outing again in the 2010 remake of A Nightmare on Elm Street, and despite a fine performance by , he is let down by a plot that leaves him less frightening than original portrayal. This version of Freddy seems a little more petty than the original.

With the remake of Hellraiser due to be made soon, I fear we will see a new incarnation of Pinhead who will not live up to the original. At a guess, he will either be played by an actor without the air of dignity and poetics that the character needs, He has always been the most articulate of movie monsters. Or he will be over used, as he is the Iconic character of the series they may feel the need to put him in the film too much, after all in the original movie he only has about 3 minutes of screen time, but what an impact he makes in that time.

So how can we rectify this situation? How can we bring back the iconic monster in a way they truly deserve? Perhaps we shouldn't, perhaps they should be left where they are, in classic movies that defined the genre, and not paler rehashes. What the genre needs is new Icons, monsters who will haunt our collective consciousness the way the likes of Leatherface, Freddy and pinhead have for so long. How is this to be achieved, well firstly the film industry has to stop relying on remakes and allow writers and filmmakers to create new stories with new monsters. Perhaps Insidious 2 will reveal more about the lipstick faced demon and elevate him from a 'good' monster to a 'great' one.

Kit Tinsley