Day: October 12, 2019

31 Days of Horror, Female Characters, Halloween, Personal Essays, Women in Film

The Horror of Hormones

The trope of the ‘Final Girl’ is a hallmark for slasher films. But what hallmark for women is seen in supernatural and possession movies? Oh, haven’t heard of it? There definitely is one, and it is not always the most flattering.

When it comes to demon possession or ghost hauntings, the fear of losing control comes to mind. A sinister presence creeping in. The women of those films tend to have one thing in common: hormones. From “The Conjuring” to “The Exorcist”, women in possession films are at a flux in their own lives, but that vulnerability is weaponized against them. Continue reading The Horror of Hormones

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31 Days of Horror, Female Filmmaker, Female Filmmakers, Halloween, Retrospect Reviews

31 Days of Horror, Day 12: Pet Semetary

In the book The World According to Garp, John Irving explores the theme of parental fear of being unable to protect one’s children from harm. “Pet Semetary” (1989) shares this theme as only Stephen King could interpret it, with a screenplay written by him based on his book with the same title. Directed by Mary Lambert, it is a twisted tale of grief and what horrors can be unleashed by those suffering from a loss that is too much to bear.

The Creed family relocate to a rural New England town where father Louis Creed (Dale Midkiff) will be the new resident doctor for the local college. With two young children in tow, their beautiful new farmhouse comes with a troubling location right next to a busy highway that is frequented by speeding semi-trailers. A grand tour of a pet cemetery located behind the house is conducted by their new neighbor, Jud Crandall (Fred Gwynne). Apparently, the highway has claimed many pets in town and all have been buried coincidently and conveniently near the Creed’s new home. Continue reading 31 Days of Horror, Day 12: Pet Semetary

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Female Filmmakers, Female Writer, Film Festivals, Reviews, Short Film

Short Film Review: Rehearsal

“Rehearsal” is an exceptional short film by director and writer Courtney Hope Thérond, and was recently screened at this year’s LFF. The film follows a young actress who is forced into an uncomfortable situation on a film set during a rehearsal. With the film industry still reeling after the news of Harvey Weinstein and the rise of the #MeToo Movement, Thérond’s film feels very relevant and will more than likely connect with many viewers especially females, who have unfortunately found themselves in similar situations, afraid and unable to speak up. Continue reading Short Film Review: Rehearsal

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