Karl Hungus Recommends...

Karl Hungus

I was actually considering writing this for a blog entry, but I thought that nobody really looks at that much, so I was going to post a thread similar to this on the Films board, but lastly I came to the conclusion that the Horror board would probably benefit from a bit more action.

So, here are 10 films I recommendend you people see. This is by no means a stupid "Top 10" list, or anything definitive, it's simply films that I think are underapreciated, deserve more viewing, and that perhaps the readership of the Horror board could benefit from seeing, if you like. So in no particular order:


The Devil's Backbone

Although he's more famous for Hellboy and Blade 2, here director Guillermo Del Toro creates a fantastic ghost story that's eerie, mysterious, touching and absolutely beautiful in equal doses. Set in an orphanage during the Spanish civil war, it's a remarkably human tale, with extremely well written characters, all of them unique. Just see this phenominal film.


Blue Velvet

Not exactly a Horror, but Blue Velvet remains one of the most dark and disturbing films in cinematic history. It's worth seeing just for Dennis Hopper's preformance as the psychotic and terrifying Frank Booth.


Ring

No, I couldn't go without recommending this film. Chances are anyone who's worth their salt with reguards to Horror has seen this, but just in case, see it. At this stage, Asian Horror is increasingly typical and formulaic, but nothing comes close to the brooding tension this film conjures up.


Don't Look Now

Oh what a masterpiece this is! Mysterious and beautiful, Don't Look Now is a pivotal film in Horror, slowly building the intruige and atmosphere untill it's climactic finale. I cannot recommend it enough.


The Changeling

As with Don't Look Now, The Changeling is a fairly overlooked, but incredibly influential film in Horror. The creepy haunted mansion theme has been done do death, but here it's done to absolute perfection. It's a very creepy film that relies on atmosphere, suspense and mystery, as a man who's lost his wife and child struggles to uncover the secrets of the house he's moved into.


Profondo Rosso

Dario Argento at his best. Stylish, mysterious and utterly brilliant, you can see where this classic has left it's mark. See it and you'll know what I mean, because it's easily one of the most meticulously plotted and intruiging serial killer films there is.


A Tale Of Two Sisters

With all the mediocre Asian Horror films that have been doing the rounds post-Ring, this is probably one of the very few that actually stands up in it's own right, and doesn't reek of yet another ghost story by numbers. It's chilling, frenetic, claustrophobic and quite easily one of the most downright terrifying films I have ever seen in my life. Just see it.


The Dead Zone

No, not the series of the same name, but the David Cronenberg film from the 80's starring Christopher Walken as a man who wakes up from a coma after 5 years and has a psychic gift. Walken is just absolutely phenominal in this film, the sense of isolation he portrays as a man who wakes to a world he doesn't recognise anymore. It's one of the few Stephen King adaptations that actually makes an excellent film, and it's also fairly overlooked.


The Kingdom

Lars Von Trier's miniseries about the occult going ons at a hospital, which has recently been remade as Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital, is definetly one of the stranger horrors out there. It's grainy, jarring and low-budget, but it's one fantastic and disturbing piece of work that scared the pants of me when I first saw it. Well recommended.


Audition

As you've probably guessed from what I've been recommending, I've a big thing for slow-burning films, and Audition is definetly a slow-burner. I was lucky to have seen this before the hype sat in, which really gave the wrong impression about the film. I think people had expectations of a non-stop gore fest, when in fact it's more of an art-house film. It's still absolutely fantastic, but don't watch it with the wrong mindset.


Anyway, there we are. I've spent a great deal of time thinking about what films to recommend, and it's been difficult to narrow it down, but I think I've picked a very decent selection of films. So, if you've not seen any of the above films, then do so, and perhaps reply with comments.

Enjoy.

TerrorFirmer

Its a shame that I have only seen half of those films, and whats worse, that I still haven't gotten around to seeing The Devils Backbone...another one on your list there I haven't seen despite constantly telling myself I'll get it next week, and next week is Don't Look Now.

I think you'd have a stroke if you saw my top ten list in comparison to yours - think Land of the Dead, Re-animator, Braindead, Demons, Bad Taste and Beyond the Limits, not to mention my unashamedly public love of the recent wave of US remakes, more so then their original incarnation actually (for the most part)

tbh

Some I've seen, most I've not. So, I'm going to pick one at random, and watch it this weekend:

And the wheel stops aaaattttt:
A Tale Of Two Sisters

cool! will get back to you.

Karl Hungus

HavoK wrote:

Its a shame that I have only seen half of those films, and whats worse, that I still haven't gotten around to seeing The Devils Backbone...another one on your list there I haven't seen despite constantly telling myself I'll get it next week, and next week is Don't Look Now.

I think you'd have a stroke if you saw my top ten list in comparison to yours - think Land of the Dead, Re-animator, Braindead, Demons, Bad Taste and Beyond the Limits, not to mention my unashamedly public love of the recent wave of US remakes, more so then their original incarnation actually (for the most part)

I don't think I'd have a stroke. Why those are all good films there, just leaning much more towards the gore end of things than films I've mentioned here. Although your love of remakes is an unforgivable sin.

Anyway, you should definetly see Don't Look Now before the remake, and the inevitable ruination of The Devil's Backbone with Brad Pitt and that annoying Haley Joel Osment.

Out of curiosity, which other films there have you not seen?

TerrorFirmer

Speaking of remakes, I haven't seen all of the Wicker Man either, which I really wanted to do before seeing the Nic Cage version - even though I didn't particularly like what I saw. As for the Devils Backbone, I don't think I'd exactly be queuing up to see Brad Pitt in the remake.

I haven't seen the Devils Backbone, Don't Look Now, The Kingdom, The Argento movie, or the Changeling.

Also, looking at the kingdom (which I must seek out now), have you seen the recent TV adaption of The Shining? Heard great things, its for sale pretty cheap locally but have not yet gotten around to seeing it.

Maybe this thread will give me the motivation to actually get out there and get those movies....Oh, and I was really hoping to be able to add "Snakes on a Train", especially after the thread you made about it, but it was just that bad, I couldn't do it

Karl Hungus

I've heard the TV version of The Shining was abysmal. I've not seen it, but usually Stephen King & made-for-TV send up warning lights in my head.

Out of my recommendations though, I'd say you should see Profondo Rosso (The Argento movie) the most as that's easily the most grisly and brutal of the lot, there's some serious nastiness in there.

Tusky

Good post Mr Hungus, I still havent seen the devils backbone...I'll have to order it on play.com

AlienGav

Hey Karl,

Could you recommend me a decent motorcycle for under 5,000 euro?

Thanks in advance.

Karl Hungus

AlienGav wrote:

Hey Karl,

Could you recommend me a decent motorcycle for under 5,000 euro?

Thanks in advance.

No I couldn't.

Necronomicon

The Devil's Backbone is probably the stand-out film in that list that I've been telling myself to find. I'm a little confused though, has it been remade or is there a remake in the works?

Karl Hungus

Necromomicon wrote:

The Devil's Backbone is probably the stand-out film in that list that I've been telling myself to find. I'm a little confused though, has it been remade or is there a remake in the works?

As far as I know, there's not a remake in the works at all, and my mention of one was entirely speculative.

TerrorFirmer

I mis-read that actually, I thought you were telling me there was a remake already in production...oops.

Wicker Man out in three days, anybody waiting in anticipation? I wouldn't be, other then the fact I rather like Nicholas Cage so for that very reason I have to say I will definately be hoping to go and see it.

Karl Hungus

Well honestly, it wouldn't suprise me if there were a remake in the pipeline. Most of the films I've recommend have either been remade, or are being remade. The Devil's Backbone, Blue Velvet and Profondo Rosso are the only ones not up for the chop, so far.

I'm dreading the supposed Olsen twins version of A Tale Of Two Sisters. But to remake such incredibly influential films such as Don't Look Now and The Changeling, that's just plain wrong.

CraggyIslander

eeek olson twins ... their scary in their own right And they'd better leave Frank Booth alone .... a remake would just be plain wrong, just like they should have left Norman Bates and his mother alone.

Bah, hate them unoriginal hollysplut remakes of remakes. :rolleyes:

ps: Just ordered the devils backbone today

Fysh

Actually, since this seems to be The Big Karl Hungus Love-In, I figure I might as well get in on the action and get some more Asian cinema suggestions. On your advice I checked out Visitor Q a while ago and thought it was great; I think it was you that suggested The Happiness Of The Katakuris as well, which is one of the best and weirdest films I've ever seen. So, with a brief rundown of what I've seen and thought of it, and a few things I already know about, can you suggest some asian films for me to check out?

Ring (original version & remake; both sequels. Liked original, didnt like sequels)
Grudge (original version & remake; original ok, remake pointless)
Dark Water (original version & remake; liked original, remake pointless)
A Tale Of Two Sisters (story got a bit too tangled up in itself but some lovely camerawork and atmosphere)
Audition (magnificent)
Ichi The Killer (spectacular, and some brilliant laughs along the way to boot)
The Wishing Stairs (crap, generic asian ghost story)
R-point (reasonably good, would've been great if I hadn't already seen Deathwatch)
Old Boy (great)
Visitor Q (broke the most cinematic taboos ever in one go, masterful)
Happiness Of The Katakuris (brilliantly weird and entertaining)
Battle Royale (very good)
Spring Summer Autumn Winter...and Spring (fantastic)
Tetsuo : The Iron Man (brilliant yet freaky)
The Eye (a bit meh, sadly)

I know I've missed a few, but you get the idea. I know about films on Tartan's Asia Extreme label and can seek them out for myself. What I'm looking for specifically is more...groundbreaking, I suppose. Stuff like Visitor Q, Happiness Of The Katakuris, Save The Green Planet. Although pointers to decent Asian Horror would be much appreciated too in light of some of the crap being released now.

I await your words of wisdom, master

Karl Hungus

Fysh wrote:

I await your words of wisdom, master

Groundbreaking you say? Onibaba is extremely groundbreaking in the sense that it's one of the most original and influential horror films you'll find in Japanese cinematic history.

You're obviously into Takashi Miike's work, so I'd recommend Gozu if you've not seen it already. Very Lyne-esque headphuckery, and a lot of people hated it, but if you've managed to love Visitor Q, Audition, Ichi The Killer and Happiness Of The Katakuri's, then see it with all haste.

Vital. See my review here for details.

Definetly see Memories Of Murder, which is easily one of the best Korean films I've ever seen. Based on the true story of South Korea's first serial killer, it's gripping, intruiging and utterly brilliant.

See how you get on with those.

doonothing

its weird, i saw the changeling on tg4 a few years back (best channel ever) and id just seen the others in the cinema around then, maybe its just me but it really feels like the others is a prequel to the changeling! watch it again, there's a lot of hints and nods to the changeling... great film

calliopeia

I've seen almost every movie mentioned so far. And they are all great.
But no one has mentioned Switchblade Romance!!!!!!! 11 people walked out of the cinema the day I saw it!!!!! It’s a great horror film and should be watched by all!
And THE DECENT........

TerrorFirmer

Switchblade Romance is ok - I found for all its attempts to the contary it was very predictable.

The Descent, yes I enjoyed that one immensely as well.

Now that Fysh mentioned it, does everyone like Ichi the Killer? I sat down to it in extreme anticipation, and was somewhat - actually, totally - disappointed, yet I've not encountered anyone else who felt the same to date.

Necronomicon

HavoK wrote:

Switchblade Romance is ok - I found for all its attempts to the contary it was very predictable.

The Descent, yes I enjoyed that one immensely as well.

Now that Fysh mentioned it, does everyone like Ichi the Killer? I sat down to it in extreme anticipation, and was somewhat - actually, totally - disappointed, yet I've not encountered anyone else who felt the same to date.

Haven't seen Ichi yet, although I'm not overly pushed. I thought Audition was good, but I'm not the biggest Miike fan by any means. Visitor Q was just a non-sensical mess imo, completely over the top for the sake of being weird.

TerrorFirmer

Necromomicon wrote:

Visitor Q was just a non-sensical mess imo, completely over the top for the sake of being weird.

Have not seen Visitor Q yet, and like all the others mentioned in the thread, its one I've genuinely been wanting to see but have yet to motivate myself into actually renting it...

But interesting you say that, because thats how I felt about Ichi the Killer after watching it, I thought it was far too strained to that effect in some - actually alot of - parts.

And again, Miikes Dead or Alive - good film, totally stupid ending, what did anyone make of that? Even though I know its not a horror, just while we're on the subject.

Dead or Alive had a fantastic opening though, I'll give it that.

Necronomicon

With your description of Ichi there, I wouldn't hold any high hopes for Visitor Q. You'll probably just feel the same way.
Although if you're really curious, it's almost worth it. There's some sick **** in that movie!

Karl Hungus

If it means anything, first time I watched Ichi The Killer, I was pretty underwhelmed by it. It felt convulted, and overly strange, but on second viewing I really loved it. It's practically a live-action comic book mixed with some more David Lynch-esque moments, in the fact that it's very abstract, especially towards the end.

I found it was a film that just got better with repeated viewings.

Dead Or Alive is probably one of Miike's worst films, so the less said there the better. Visitor Q, is a very strange film, and I personally loved it even though I still don't know what to make of it. I'm suprised anyone else likes it either.

Xcom2

Karl Hungus wrote:

Visitor Q, is a very strange film, and I personally loved it even though I still don't know what to make of it. I'm suprised anyone else likes it either.

It's a great film,I especially like the milking the momma scene(now that's a first)thank you Sci Fi for showing it uncut!

Dirk Gently

If people are going to randomly pick out one or two films from Karls list I recommend Audition above all the others. It's fairly rare that horrors affect me emotionally in any way as I've become desensitised to them at this stage but I found this film genuinely disturbing. Well worth a viewing.

TCamen

I love the movies that I've seen off this list:

Don't Look Now -- supremely unsettling and the payoff chilled me to the bone (that's a good thing )

A Tale of Two Sisters -- I loved the atmosphere and pacing, and the scares were just the kind of ones that really get to me (again, a good thing!)

Blue Velvet -- definitely a disturbing 'normal' movie, which doesn't really have any obvious horror components, yet is far more effective than a lot of films with the horror tag.

I haven't seen the rest, mostly because of not being around or too busy when they had theatrical releases (Audition & Devil's Backbone), and just haven't gotten around to renting or buying the DVDs.

As for other asian films:

One Missed Call (being remade) -- quite formulaic as Ring/Grudge movies go, but still quite entertaining and has a couple of scares.

Phone -- avoid this one, it just plain sucks. A bad attempt to copy the J-Horror formula.

I'm sure I've seen more but can't think @ the moment (brain's a little fried after work!)

Necronomicon

I thought Phone was okay. Nothing spectacular, but had its moments. The little girl was very good in it I thought, very creepy!

TCamen

Necromomicon wrote:

I thought Phone was okay. Nothing spectacular, but had its moments. The little girl was very good in it I thought, very creepy!

The little girl was good alright, I just can't recall anything scary that happens in it.

Necronomicon

To be honest it didn't last too long in my memory either, all I can remember is feeling those hairs stand up once or twice
Although there is one part that sticks out in my mind,

when the little girl is possessed and she seems to be having a fit, then throws herself down the stairs.

TCamen

Re: Phone, I mostly remember

when she kisses the dad

Necronomicon

Oh yeah, that came flooding back when you mentioned it as well!

spooky donkey

Nice list the KH, ive only seen a few of em but intend to get the rest now.

OH and BTW while talking about horror movies to TV I thought Blade the series was very good. OK perhaps not a real horror but not bad all the same for a TV conversion.

djkeogh

Nice list. I've seen maybe 6 of those and have taken note of the others to put on the fast track to viewing. I've been meaning to indulge in the Devils Backbone for quite some time but like others have just not gotten around to it. I like your mention of the Dead Zone here. I've seen this film plenty of times but It's one I like to forget about for a few years and then watch again. It's great.

Audition really got to me when I saw it as well. It just got sooooo nasty. Very hard to watch. Must dig it out from the bottom of my collection and give it another go soon. I'm also a huge Miike fan. Gozu didn't do anything for me and having forked out €25 for it at the time I was disappointed. The local Xtra-Vision has a copy of Visitor Q which I keep meaning to pick up.

Fysh

You know what I think? I think it's time for Our Lord And Master, Sir Hungus, to add to his list. And yes, I know this is an ancient thread, but you know...what the hell.

So.

Since last posting in here, I've picked up a few new additions to my collection, and am looking for some more ideasb (aside from things Karl has already recommended). I've picked up Gozu and Vital, and have Abnormal Beauty on its way to me. I've got the following on my list to look up and I'm wondering if there's anything I should add to (or, perhaps, remove from) it:

Versus
Tetsuo 2 : Body Hammer
Sympathy For Mr Vengeance
Lady Vengeance
The Isle
Dumplings

Karl Hungus

Fysh wrote:

You know what I think? I think it's time for Our Lord And Master, Sir Hungus, to add to his list. And yes, I know this is an ancient thread, but you know...what the hell.

Sir Hungus has kinda fallen behind. Lately, he hasn't been keeping up a lot of recent horrors, what with him not having seen the likes of Hostel, Wolf Creek and many others that have either been out recently.

He even has a few on DVD he's not yet got around to watching, such as Pulse (Original) and Acacia. Just got Pan's Labyrinth though, and hopefully will have The Host soon, he has high expectations for those.

Fysh wrote:

So.

Since last posting in here, I've picked up a few new additions to my collection, and am looking for some more ideasb (aside from things Karl has already recommended). I've picked up Gozu and Vital, and have Abnormal Beauty on its way to me. I've got the following on my list to look up and I'm wondering if there's anything I should add to (or, perhaps, remove from) it:

Versus
Tetsuo 2 : Body Hammer
Sympathy For Mr Vengeance
Lady Vengeance
The Isle
Dumplings

Sir Hungus loved Gozu and Vital, but has not seen Abnormal Beauty, The Isle, or Dumplings. Versus, Tetsuo 2, and the two films with Vengeance in the title are all excellent, although some people didn't think Lady Vengeance didn't live up to Chan-Wook Park's other films, but Karl says give it a chance, it's extremely good in it's own right.

Karl is at a bit of a loss as to what else to recommend. If you like the style of Versus, then he would say pick up Azumi, from the same director, and that if you like The Isle, it might be worth picking up more of Ki-duk Kim's films, but none of them are exactly Horror, so it's a little off-topic?

Perhaps you've seen it, but he would also recommend Memories Of Murder, which is a phenominal South Korean film, from the director of The Host. More drama though, so it might not be quite what you're looking for.

Oldschool Jap Horror Onibaba is well worth a look too.

TerrorFirmer

Host is out already actually, and I'm looking forward to watching it immensely.

Tetsuo, now that you mention the sequel, is it any good? Another I've always meant to see but never got around to it. I thought the Isle was poor but that's just my opinion. I actually own Versus, or at least used to (can't remember if it's lying around or not still), and watched the first five minutes and no more. Not that it was bad, mind, just seemed so....meh in comparison to all the praise surrounding it. That wasn't the reason I stopped watching it though, I'm usually one to give any film a chance. Just something came up, and I never returned to it...

Necronomicon

The last horror I bought was The Devil's Backbone which, as mentioned in the OP, is excellent. A powerful drama as much as a horror, but not without its scares. Very atmospheric, very creepy at times.

The part where Carlos is hiding in the closet with the spirit of Santi trying to break in from the outside was very intense

Karl Hungus

HavoK wrote:

Host is out already actually, and I'm looking forward to watching it immensely.

Yeah I know it's out, but my copy got lost in the post.

HavoK wrote:

Tetsuo, now that you mention the sequel, is it any good? Another I've always meant to see but never got around to it. I thought the Isle was poor but that's just my opinion. I actually own Versus, or at least used to (can't remember if it's lying around or not still), and watched the first five minutes and no more. Not that it was bad, mind, just seemed so....meh in comparison to all the praise surrounding it. That wasn't the reason I stopped watching it though, I'm usually one to give any film a chance. Just something came up, and I never returned to it...

Yeah, Testuo 2 is quite good. Well worth a look in my opinion.

Seriously try and give Versus another look. I don't know how you couldn't absolutely love the film though, Samurai, Zombies, Yakuza... It's brilliant!

c - 13

Dammit, I just read back over this thread and went and bought -
The Happiness Of The Katakuris
The Eye
Visitor Q
and completely unrelated to the thread I also bought this

Total cost - €42

TerrorFirmer

c - 13 wrote:

this

Troma make some of the most offensive, goriest movies around. If you like Rabid Grannies try 'Killer Condom' or especially, 'Toxic Avenger IV' - that one has so many offensive scenes it almost isn't funny!

c - 13

Yeha i've been trying to track down the killer condom one, I fouund a copy but it was in german. And i've seen most of the toxic avenger ones too - I dont think i've seen the one your referring too

//adds to list

TerrorFirmer

Toxic Avenger was good, the second one despite a brief good start was poor, and the third one terrible. The fourth one is easily the best of the lot, with the highest production values as well as the most offensive by a mile. You'd be hard pressed to find a universally more offensive movie. No one is spared - pensioners, handicapped people....the list is endless.

niallon

I'm afraid I don't share the love for Asian horror, not that I have a hatred of it, rather that it just doesn't do it for me!

In the general field of underrated/unknown horror I'd recommend I'd have to say this:

Frailty - A cracking good movie directed by and starring Bill Paxton. You'll love it even for the fact that it reeks of underdog

They Nest - Ok so not exactly in league with any of the others mentioned here and not entirely original but if you're not too familiar with creepy crawley flicks then watch his made for TV flick. Very tongue in cheek!

Thats all I have ontop of what everyone else has mentioned! Can't recommend Frailty enough though

Karl Hungus

niallon wrote:

I'm afraid I don't share the love for Asian horror, not that I have a hatred of it, rather that it just doesn't do it for me!

Mind if I ask which Asian horror films have you seen?

niallon wrote:

Frailty - A cracking good movie directed by and starring Bill Paxton. You'll love it even for the fact that it reeks of underdog

Fraily is a very good film indeed, and pretty much all the cast are phenominal in it, especially the child actors, but I kinda had problems with the ending:

The whole film was building upon the abuse of the kids, and I felt the ending justified the abuse in a extremely sanctimonious way. It works as a simple "Twist" movie, if you disregard what is a fairly deep drama story as you see the lives of the two children, and likewise, if you disregaurd the twist ending, the film works as a serious drama of the boys abused by their mentally ill father. But the two elements practically seem unable to fit together, but moreso the ending cheapens the guts of the film.

So yeah, good film, but I'm very ambivalent about it.

niallon

I haven't seen a wealth of Asian horror, more so what I have seen didn't cause much of a spark for me: Ichi, Battle Royale, Ju-On, Ring off the top of my head.

As for Frailty's ending, I agree in a sense. As I said about the underdog issue, I am slightly biased when it comes down to it. I heard Paxton was at work on his directorial debút, I'm a big fan, and next thing I hear it's slipped under the radar. The biggest problem I've seen with the ending is the debates. Spoiler (Now in shiny inviso-text!)

People debating whether or not he was ill, then it suddenly becomes a religious argument and I then run out to find the nearest pub!

faceman

regarding Argento, I always preferred Suspira to Profondo Rosso. BUt i find some of argento's stuff can be a bit over indulgent and sometimes poor. I didnt like The Church for example.

Dont think it was mentioned yet but i thought The Eye was good, particular the scene in the lift....

TerrorFirmer

niallon wrote:

They Nest - Ok so not exactly in league with any of the others mentioned here and not entirely original but if you're not too familiar with creepy crawley flicks then watch his made for TV flick. Very tongue in cheek!

I think I recommended this is another thread before as well. Excellent film. Production values were low but the film was fairly decent quality throughout....to be honest I enjoyed it just as Arachnaphobia.

niallon

HavoK wrote:

I think I recommended this is another thread before as well. Excellent film. Production values were low but the film was fairly decent quality throughout....to be honest I enjoyed it just as Arachnaphobia.

I just loved the fun factor of it to be honest. Managed to pick it up in Tower for a tenor too!

DerekP11

For Asian B Movie horror, they do it with sheer abandon in this little number which I rented in Xtravision on VHS many moons ago.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262753/

I couldn't believe that imdb had an entry.