Tinseltown terror - page 2

25-10-2008 08:15

Dawn O'Keefe (Jess Weixler) is a spokesperson for a Christian abstinence group. But the virgin eventually caves in to her passionate feelings for boyfriend Tobey (Hale Appleman), who soon discovers the inhospitable environment in his lover's toothy private parts.

Probably more scary for male viewers (is there anything more frightening?), but 'Teeth' is delightfully entertaining and confirms the 'no sex' in horror films commandment in the most vivid way possible.

The obligatory Halloween horror sequel 'Saw V' - released the week before October 31 jus like it's predecessors - boasts the tagline, 'You Won't Believe How It Ends'. What may be more unbelievable still is that a further sequel, 'Saw VI', has been given the green light - especially as the killer died in the third movie. But the franchise continues to reap in the box-office cash and has even inspired an upcoming rollercoaster at UK attraction Thorpe Park. Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) may have passed on two movies ago, but his traps continue to wreak bloody havoc as Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) is plagued by more of the killer's cryptic death puzzles which he left behind.

Of course, there have been some more run-of-the-mill fare - but some are still deserving of acclaim. 'The Strangers', starring Liv Tyler, depicts the apparently true story of couple Kristen (Tyler) and James (Scott Speedman) who become victims of a break-in by the titular predators who siege their home. Certainly worth a look, if not just to marvel at Tyler's incredible screaming ability, reminiscent of her Aerosmith singer dad Steven, but the far superior 2006 French film 'Them', does the same job, but better.

Less well received efforts include 'The Eye' - a remake of the Hong Kong horror classic - starring Jessica Alba as a blind violinist who is plagued by visions when a cornea transplant gives her clairvoyant powers, and the barely worth mentioning 'The Ruins'.

But what's waiting to jump out at us from behind the curtain in 2009? Director Joe Johnston's reimagining of the classic horror 'The Wolfman' sees Benicio Del Toro - there isn't really anyone else in Hollywood more perfectly suited to the role - in what looks to be shaping up as a major return to form for blockbuster horror. Meanwhile, British funny men James Corden and Mathew Horne are following in Simon Pegg's footsteps with 'Lesbian Vampire Killers', fate stalks accident prone teenagers in the fourth in the 'Final Destination' series and David Lynch's director daughter takes a stab at murder mystery in 'Surveillance'.

Cinemas may currently be offering little more than another inevitable sequel routinely churned out by studios at this time of year, but this Halloween is the perfect excuse to gorge on a few of 2008's horrific gems on DVD. Or if you must, re-watch the first four 'Saws'.

By Josh Saxon.