Netflix: August 2015 Horror Roundup
We’re about midway through August, and that means we’ve got the monthly Netflix roundup for you. We’d love to tell you the popular streaming site is loaded with amazing new content aimed at passionate horror nerds across the map, but we’d be lying. The truth is, August is looking a little shoddy for Netflix.
That said, we’re talking about a company that consistently delivers strong content to its subscribers so they’re certainly entitled to an off month or two every year. Here are a few decent recommendations that may hold you over for the next few weeks until we see another spike in top-notch cinema return to your favorite dot-com!
The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death: The Woman in Black 2: Angel of Death is an interesting piece of work. On one hand it delivers a few very chilling sequences, and the bulk of the performances are respectable. On the other hand, it doesn’t feel particularly fresh, doesn’t seem to add much to the franchise, and is awfully damn dark (literally, it’s almost hard to see details in a number of shots). Far from a true failure, it’s hard to label this one a home run. If you dug the classic Hammer vibe of the first Woman in Black feature, there’s some similar atmosphere here, and that should be enough to keep you tuned in for 90 minutes.
Inner Demons: Here’s the thing about Inner Demons; it’s probably only going to work for hardcore fans of found footage or possession films. The truth of the matter is, it isn’t a very memorable pic, and there are a few very unlikable characters to deal with. It didn’t do much for me, personally, but I’ve since seen a number of positive responses to the movie from genre followers. It obviously left more than a single fan pleased. If you like your pictures handicam style, and possession tickles your fancy, give it a go.
These Final Hours: It’s apocalyptic terror done right in Zak Hilditch’s These Final Hours. While the flick veers far closer to thriller than horror, it’s an enjoyable piece of work that extends its characters’ respect. Fortunately for us, it also respects the viewer by being a generally intelligent and taut film. There’s fine character study at work here, and Nathan Phillips (whom you’ll recognize from gems Wolf Creek and Chernobyl Diaries) does an excellent job in tackling a somewhat complex persona. This one has flown under the radar, and while it isn’t a brand spanking new addition to Netflix, it is relatively new and most certainly worth a look.
Entity: This is a trippy little flick that isn’t even close to a new release on Netflix. But this month is so terrible for horror additions that we’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel in order to offer you a few satisfying recommendations. And Entity, though flawed, is at least somewhat memorable, featuring a decent filming location and a couple of inspired performances. The idea of a television crew hunting for answers to an unsolved mystery certainly isn’t new, but it’s been done with a whole lot less finesse than this, more than once.
Venom: Guilty pleasure? Sure. Fun for a lot of reasons? Absolutely. Venom has some cool things going for it. First off, the absolutely stunning Agnes Bruckner stars as the final girl, and she’s not just sexy as hell, she’s a solid heroine. Jonathan Jackson (who turned in a sound performance in Riding the Bullet) does a good job in the film, as do D.J. Cotrona (one of the key players in the “From Dusk Till Dawn” television series) and wild child Bijou Phillips. The cast works well. So do the scares, as Ray Sawyer proves to be an intimidating force of nature. This one isn’t remotely near close to the perfect film, but it’s a lot of fun on a dull Saturday night. Fill your fridge up with the brewskies, as they make the viewing experience even more enjoyable.
Sorority Row: One thing that cannot be denied is that Sorority Row is brutal. In fact, it’s brutal enough to sate the hunger for the ghastly. It’s a popcorn flick through and through, but it’s a stronger remake than say, The Fog or Conan the Barbarian or even Carrie, all of which offered virtually nothing rewarding from a viewing experience. Sorority Row won’t leave you on the edge of your seat as you struggle to work out the mystery, and it won’t have you walking away praising any mesmerizing characters, but it might gross you out, and it will certainly help you pass the time. Winner? Maybe not. Failure? Not entirely, no.
Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein: As a parent, I can tell you first-hand this movie is a blast. I watched it with my youngest, who’s still too young to form a sentence, and he was captivated for a full 78 minutes. Watching Alvin and his buddies link up with Frankenstein’s Monster proves to be a lot of fun, and there’s a throwback quality to the animation that is awfully endearing. If you’re bored and looking to travel down memory lane, or if you’re looking to introduce your young children to the genre, this is an excellent pic to check out.
Cabin Fever: Patient Zero: The reviews were quite mixed for the third film in the Cabin Fever franchise, so there’s no telling what you’ll think of Patient Zero until you see it. You cannot trust the opinions of others in this instance. For my buck, the movie was appropriately nasty, and seeing Sean Astin in a new genre film was extremely rewarding. There isn’t too much in the way of creativity here, and it certainly pales in comparison to Eli Roth’s inaugural franchise feature, but again, it’s a gross flick and for the gorehounds out there, there’s joy to be found in Patient Zero.
Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead: Okay, zombie lovers, it’s time to offer up a recommendation that can actually be considered an all-around strong piece. Wyrmwood: Road of the Dead is a bloody zombie story that has an awesome Mad Max feel to it. “Charming” isn’t typically a word used to describe zombie fare, but somehow Wyrmwood manages to be just that. Even if the acting leaves a bit to be desired, the rest of the film does a good job of making up for that. It is indie, and it does lack marquee appeal, but don’t let that stop you from looking into Kiah Roache-Turner’s feature-length debut. It’s a surprise waiting to be discovered.
Byzantium: Byzantium doesn’t arrive until the 27th, which is a shame. But regardless of the impending wait, the movie is more than worth it. This is hands down the finest film on this list, boasting absolutely jaw-dropping visuals (the picture is so vibrant it’s almost hypnotic), truly top-notch performances and a few scenes so jarring (look for a brilliant decapitation scene in the earlier portion of the flick) you’ll find yourself rewinding for repeat viewings. If you’ve become convinced that vampire stories simply cannot feel new or refreshing, Byzantium might just be the movie that changes your mind. Worst case scenario is this: You’ll see the super sexy Gemma Arterton, often donning revealing attire. Doesn’t sound so bad, does it?
There you have it. To be as blunt as need be, it’s a pretty shitty month for Netflix. But we did want to share some features that will hold your attention. Outside of Byzantium and These Final Days, there isn’t much in the way of genuine genius to tune in to. But there’s some decent entertainment that should hold everyone over just long enough to see September arrive and hopefully get things back on track for genre freaks.
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