Horror Film Reviews

Michelle Rodriguez, Opinion Editor

As an aficionado of all things film and cinema, the process of trying to pick just a couple of films to review was quite frustrating. The possibilities for me were endless, there’s so many genres to choose from…so many beautiful works of art that directors and producers spend countless of hours creating. Movies are a great pastime and showcase of craftsmanship and have become an everyday staple to my life.

I try to watch a new movie every day. With Halloween approaching I decided to review on of my favorite classic horror flicks of all time. With the recent passing of transcendent movie director, Wes Craven, I sat down and paid tribute to the master of horror and re-watched his iconic “A Nightmare on Elm Street”. It was released in 1984 and instantly became a cult classic. The film revolves around deceased child molester “Freddy Kruger”, who has come back from the dead in a blaze of hateful revenge to torment and terrorize a group of teenagers who are related to the people responsible for Freddy’s murder. He appears in their dreams and kills them in grotesque and gruesome manners that give the movie a cheesy yet terrifying feel, The film uses a great original musical score that gives viewers chills and leaves them with the creepy ensembles in their head. “A Nightmare on Elm Street” is a film that will remain praised and acknowledged for its originality and genius. I strongly recommend turning off the lights, grabbing a tub of popcorn and watching this amazing breakthrough of a horror film this October. Who knows? Freddy might even pay you a visit in your dreams.

With that set, the next movie I decided to sit down, analyze, and review is a little masterpiece titled “Night Crawler” directed by Dan Gilroy. It was released in 2014 and didn’t do too well in theatres. It is an underappreciated gem. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, who plays “Lou Bloom”, a persistent and determined individual who is completely and utterly desperate for work. He lands a job in the LA crime scene as an amateur journalist. He instantly becomes hooked and thrilled with the rush of filming accidents and gruesome crime scenes. His “passion” for his work and money consumes him and he begins to fall into a spiral of crime and insanity himself. He commits countless of intense and flat out wrong deeds in order to have something to work with and bring him more recognition the news-broadcasting center he works at. He becomes and abusive and manipulative person. It’s quite an unsettling thing to watch. The movie does a great job at making the reader sit on the edge of their seat and question what Lou is going to do next. The film takes an extreme turn at the end that doesn’t fail to leave all viewers in complete and utter shock. It’s a monumental ending that causes a whirlpool of emotions and leaves one with their mouths gaping wide. “Night Crawler” is a masterpiece from start to finish. It has become one of my personal favorites and I watch it religiously. I passionately recommend this movie to everybody. It will not disappoint.