GEEKADEMIA

Twelve Hours of Terror: Detention

November 30th, 2012

Detention (2011), dir. Joseph Kahn. Sony Pictures. The final film for the 2012 season is the new release Detention. Some critics have hailed it as the next Donnie Darko, which considering my views on that particular film, filled me with apprehension. We open with popular girl Taylor (Allison Woods) talking to the camera. In the level of comedy we can expect throughout, we are told she is well liked while she screams at her parents. She talks to the viewers, letting us believe that she is going to be the protagonist. She is killed minutes later by someone dressed up as ‘Cinderhella’, ...[Read More]

Twelve Hours of Terror: Society

November 28th, 2012

Society (1989), dir. Brian Yuzna. Wildstreet Pictures. The penultimate film is Brain Yuzna’s directorial debut. Released in Europe in 1989, but not seeing an American release until 1992, Society is an interesting little yarn. Bill Whitney (Billy Warlock) is a kid who seems to have everything going for him. Living in the most exclusive part of Beverly Hills, his rich parents indulge him, his classmates admire him, his cheerleader girlfriend loves him, and he just got a brand new Jeep. So why is he so depressed? An old friend might have the answer. The friend in question gives Bill a tape, with the ...[Read More]

Twelve Hours of Terror: Demons

November 28th, 2012

Demons(1985), dir. Lamberto Bava. DACFILM Rome. The fifth offering is the oddest of the lot so far. Demons, directed by Mario’s son Lamberto and produced by the legendary Dario Argento, this is a film that takes such time honored concepts such as plot, characterization, and logic and throws them all against the wall and dances in the pulpy remains. The story begins with college student Cheryl (Natasha Hovey) having a strange encounter with a masked man in a subway. The man gives her tickets to the reopening of the Metropol Theater. Cathy doesn’t question this and invites her friend Cathy (Paola Cozzo) ...[Read More]

Twelve Hours of Terror: Twitch of the Death Nerve

November 26th, 2012

Twitch of the Death Nerve (1971), dir. Mario Bava. Hallmark Releasing Corp. The fourth showing of horror is the legendary giallo film, Twitch of the Death Nerve, also known as Bay of Blood, Bloodbath, Last House on the Left, Part 2, Carnage, and about a half dozen other titles. Made by famed Italian director Mario Bava, Twitch of the Death Nerve is a film with enormous significance. Note the reference to giallo, instead of horror. Giallo, Italian for yellow, is a separate genre of film in Europe. At a glance horror, they have their origins in pulp detective novels, which in Italy ...[Read More]