8. Under The Skin
Another insanely polarizing movie is Jonathan Glazer’s Under The Skin. If you believe internet forums (which I don’t), you’ll believe that people who like this movie are film snobs who just want a glimpse of naked Scarlett Johansson, and people who don’t like it are thick Michael Bay fans who simply want to watch Black Widow from Avengers do sci-fi. However, it’s not that simple.
Under The Skin sees Scarlett Johansson playing an alien in human form. She seduces men and leads them to a nearby location where, under some sort of trance, they follow her across a seemingly endless room with a shiny floor. The floor unexpectedly becomes a tar like substance and the men walk into it, unable to stop themselves, eventually becoming fully submerged and turned into food for an alien life form.
The scariest part of Under The Skin is that most of the men Johansson’s character picks up are unsuspecting members of the public, some of which joined the production to film their death scenes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io92j2qqEGk
9. Troll Hunter
Troll Hunter is a found footage movie released in 2010. Written and directed by André Øvredal, it follows the story of a group of Norwegian college students who discover the man they suspect of being a bear poacher is actually a troll hunter. They follow him around and observe him fighting trolls and the Troll Security Service that covers them up.
I’m not a huge fan of the found footage genre and when they’re made they need to be made exceptionally well. Troll Hunter is a shining example of just that. The film was popular with critics and had a wonderfully dry Norwegian sense of humour. The trolls in the film are also heavily inspired by Norwegian folk tales and legend. If you like found footage but have not seen Troll Hunter, please change that.
10. Calvaire (The Ordeal)
Marc is a small time singer and entertainer. A purveyor of cheesy ballads and pop tracks (there’s Cliff Richard’s autobiography in his van), he travels to retirement homes and does small gigs around Belgium. After he breaks down on a remote road, he meets a man in the woods called Boris who leads him to a local bed and breakfast. The B&B owner, Mr Bartel, tries to fix the van and makes several phone calls to buy parts. Eventually Marc realises the phone is not connected and confronts Bartel. The pair fight and Marc is knocked out. He wakes to find he is dress as Bartel’s ex-wife.
And this is where things change, Bartel is not a well man, but seems to have a heart. While he is holding Marc hostage and believing him to be his ex-wife, Bartel comes across genuinely funny and sometimes sweet. He seems to be a man come to life after realising his wife has returned and on many occasions makes you feel sorry for this maniac.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn3oba5HmH8
11. Terror Firmer
Super low budget, rough and ready filmmaking is what Terror Firmer is all about. Directed by Lloyd Kaufman and co-written by James Gunn (yes, Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn.), it’s a movie about a group of low-budget filmmakers making The Toxic Avenger Part 4, which was also in production at the time. During the production, various members of the crew begin to get murdered by an unknown female assailant.
This movie is pure Troma, cheap effects and buckets of gore are glorified and it is very dark humoured. The case is impressive and features some great cameos, Lloyd Kaufman stars as well as directing alongside Trent ‘Deadgirl’ Haaga. Ron Jeremy appears in the movie as well as Lemmy Kilmister as a incredibly inappropriate news reporter. It’s a mixed film, wacky and violent, silly and sick. It’s not for everyone but low budget aficionados will get a kick out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JmZR7KAAz4
12. Dead Set
I’m sorry. This isn’t a movie, but I’ve always wanted to be a bit different so why not add a TV show into the mix? But why? Fact is I love Dead Set, zombies and Big Brother is such a bizarre choice to make a series out of, but it works. It feels as though Dead Set has been forgotten by viewers somewhat, considering writer Charlie Brooker’s other TV show, Black Mirror, has been taken to the hearts of viewers.
The main plot follows a group of Big Brother house mates, who are initially ignorant to the situation going on outside, and Kelly a runner on the show who finds her way into the house, as well as a couple of other side plots. Managing to be horrific and at times funny, Dead Set should be watched by any zombie aficionado.
13. Pontypool
Sticking with the subject of zombies, we have Pontypool. Swap the Big Brother house for a Canadian radio station though, guys. For the most part, the film feels like standard indie zombie fare; we’re inside, they’re outside. But that’s when things take a turn for the different. Their roving reporter, Ken, reports signs of a riot in town but he’s cut off by a message via loudspeaker telling people to stay indoors and avoid using terms of endearment and the English language.
I can’t say much more plot wise, but it’s certainly a different take on the zombie outbreak. I’ve read many people found this flick boring. While it’s not the most exciting film you’ll watch this year, it’s most certainly an interesting one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wId1z7Sy4F4
Honourable mentions
– Berberian Sound Studio made the list but I really need to watch it again to fully understand it.
– The same goes for Inland Empire, great film but needs more viewings.
– Ginger Snaps was a cracking 90’s werewolf flick well worth a look.
– Dark City was a precursor to The Matrix, a dark sci-fi movie about an amnesiac serial killer… or is he?
– Carry On Screaming is easily the best of the British bawdy comedies, the only Carry On movie to star Harry H Corbett. It features monsters and conspiracies.
– Hobo With a Shotgun has a similar style to Cannibal! The Musical and Terror Firmer, sick and twisted but wicked humour and Rutger Hauer acting his heart out in a low budget shocker.
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