I love Popcorn Frights. It is one of the best film festivals I've run across, genre or not. It's not only well programmed but it makes an effort to reach out to people who aren't able to go to the screenings by having a virtual component. (Tickets and information can be found here)
Most importantly the festival highlights some truly great films. While I had seen a large number of films that are playing before I sat down to provide coverage, the festival put a good double baker's dozen on my radar and on to my films seen check list. There are some absolute winners here such as EXORCISMO which is a history of Spanish horror films, EL INSTINTO which is a twisted Spanish film about a man trying to cure his agoraphobia, THE ONLY ONES which is a further twist on meta horror, and WHAT THE TIDE DRAGGED in a deliberate horror film that has an "oh crap" moment that hits hard. Reviews of everything I'm watching is coming.
There is some great stuff here and if you can you need to either go or use the virtual component. (As I said details are here)
There is something for everyone so if you see something you want to see, go see it. I have been to enough editions of the festival to know that if somethin interests you you should just but a ticket and go because odds are you'll like it.
Because I am still working on going through the slate I'm not going to do a recommended list, I recommend everything. That is unheard of but Popcorn Frights is unlike any other festival- it's all good. That said I will give you a list of films I've seen prior with either comments or links to previous reviews:
CUJO is the Stephen King tale of a rabid dog that traps a moher and sick son in a car on a very hot day. It's the best sort of cinematic ordeal.
DAY OF THE DEAD - George Romero's third zombie film is unlike any of his other films. It's less a horror film than a character study of isolation, and humans in crisis. It lulls you into thinking it won't be horrific and then it takes its gloves off. If you have never seen this uncut it is a must.
FROM BEYOND -Stuart Gordon's follow up to REANIMATOR is another mix of horror and humor. It's magnificent and one of the best HP Lovecraft adaptions.
MATINEE- In 1962 a small theater in Florida is about to show a new science fiction film. History collides with humor in a celebration to classic movie hucksterism. Joe Dante's film is a classic.
NIGHT OF THE DEMONS-1980's classic film about a bunch of teens unleashing some demons. Back in the day this was huge renter at old school video stores. If you can't see it on VHS a big screen is just as good.
PHANTOM OF THE OPERA is a classic. Lon Chaney is the Phantom in a film that rewrote horror films. If you've never seen it big- you must go.
PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE (PAUL WILLIAMS INTERVIEW)
HILLS HAVE EYES - Wes Craven story of a feral famil hunting another family. Its a classic.
TRICK OR TREAT - wrongly forgotten horror film about heavy metal rockers raising hell- literally. If that doesn't sell you Ozzy Osbourne is in it
For tickets, details on the virtual screenings and other things click on this link.
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