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Posted on August 14, 2015

Brotherhood, the Bible, and Manhood in Treehouse (2014)

Gwen

Treehouse (2014) provides us with an underlying religious message about how living a righteous life brings about strength and salvation. I am not here to suggest anything about the writer or director’s affiliation, only to pull forth a narrative that seems too obvious to ignore. Throughout the 98 minute film, there are frequent references to Biblical passage woven in with similar, more subtle language and situations.

The film uses themes of brotherly love and an omnipotent father to elicit the evolution from boy to manhood. One is able to jump to this less obvious conclusion by following the overt signs…literally.

Posted on August 7, 2015

Starve (2014) Film Review

Gwen

Synopsis of Starve: “While researching an urban legend on feral children, three friends find themselves trapped in an abandoned high school, where they are confronted with an evil more sinister than the legend itself.” (imdb.com)

Review: Starve whets the palate but never satiates the horror lover’s appetite.

Posted on July 29, 2015

Zelda in Pet Sematary (1989) Revives Images of Family Repression

Gwen

Stephen King’s Pet Sematary (1989) revives the Gothic literature trope of the madwoman in the attic. This is not to say that it has not appeared in other facets of popular culture prior to his film but rather that Mr. King’s representation is arguably one of the most memorable. There is discussion of the madwoman character in feminist circles that view her as part of the binary representations of women in Gothic literature (as either putrid or pure). This article sidesteps this dialogue to suggest a more basic argument that horror film families repress difference through this same character. In the case of Pet Semetary, difference and/or imperfection is represented through a proverbial “black sheep” in the family. This member challenges the status of the family and must be locked up like a literal skeleton in the closet.

Posted on July 24, 2015

Top Ten Horror Film Hotties – Male Edition

Gwen

We can always count on horror films to provide us with some of the most memorable images. In some cases it is through special effects, lighting, or make up that provokes us to see the otherwise elusive demons and ghosts. Other times, the unforgettable images simply come from the beautiful people playing the parts. Horror never fails to deliver uniquely alluring characters and what follows is my personal selection of tempting male characters. What makes them so appealing varies across a spectrum of danger, confidence, charm, and sometimes yup…it’s those tattoos.

Posted on July 18, 2015

Top Ten Horror Film Hotties – Female Edition

Gwen

This motley crew has the horror trifecta of beauty, power, and resilience. These villainesses and final females used their brains, their gaze, and some pretty amazing one-liners to thwart the enemy and hold audiences captive. While they are all aesthetically pleasing, their beauty is enhanced by their character’s persona. You won’t find these women in the horror trope category because they always fight back and they certainly persevere both on the screen and in our minds.