Australian Horror Movies

100 Bloody Acres (2012) Review

July 13, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: (from IMDb) Reg and Lindsay run an organic fertiliser business. They need a fresh supply of their “secret ingredient” to process through the meat grinder. Reg comes across two guys and a girl with a broken-down vehicle on their way to a music festival.

My Quick Review: 100 Bloody acres follows the steps of recent redneck horror comedies such as “Tucker and Dale vs Evil” and balances shock moments with crassy humor pretty well.

What could have been another “texas Chainsaw” copycat (with laughs) turns out to be a better movie than expected, thanks in particular to a strong cast led by Damon Herriman ( Justified) who plays Reg, the dumber of the two brothers, but also the one with a conscience.

The characters are particularly well written and could have found their own place in a Coen Brothers movie and some situations are unexpected and very hilarious (including a scene with an older woman that is probably the most shocking moment in the entire movie).

What prevent 100 Bloody acres to become an Indie classic are mainly pacing problems (I found myself looking at the watch sometimes) and a lack of visual flair/style. With that being said, I still have to recommend it to fans of Horror comedies.

My Rating: 6/10

Director: Cameron Cairnes, Colin Cairnes

Origin: Australia

Click Here to Watch 100 Bloody Acres Online Now!

Journal of an Epidemic_ Horror Short Review

June 26, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Synopsis: An end of the world story.

My Quick Review: Journal of an Epidemic is a very short movie (less than 4mn) about the end of the world following a global pandemy. It’s mainly made with news and documentary footage with only a few seconds of new shot footage but what makes the strength of Oliver Mamet’s short is its very well written voice over by Luke atencio.

My Rating: 6.5/10

Director: Olivier Mamet

Year: 2012

Origin: Australia

Watch Journal of an Epidemic now below!

The Snowtown Murders Review

May 25, 2013 by Eric S. Leave a Comment

Year: 2011

Director: Justin Kurzel

Synopsis: Based on true events, 16 year-old Jamie falls in with his mother’s new boyfriend and his crowd of self-appointed neighborhood watchmen, a relationship that leads to a spree of torture and murder.

My Short Review: For his first movie, director Justin Kurzel has decided to tell the story of Australia’s most infamous serial killer, John Bunting.

When you want to portray a monster you better find the best actor you can to fit the role. And if there is something that nobody can criticize, it is Daniel Henshall’s performance. He is so good at playing the charming guy that can go away with almost anything, even if it means bringing other people down in his spiral of violence.

Everytime Henshall is on the screen, you don’t know what will happen but despite his smiles and the attention he gives to people, he is always looking for others to agree with him, therefore the happiness and kindness are just an illusion to hide the grim truth.

Other actors performances are on par with Henshall’s and the gritty cinematography is appropriate and gives a documentary vibe to the movie.

Nevertheless, despite all of this, I never really could connect with the movie. I have to admit I even got lost at some points, not remembering which character was being kidnapped/tortured. I don’t know if it’s the script’s problem or the direction of Justin Kurzel but The Snowtown Muders, at times, feels like a draft of a better movie, an unfinished, unpolished product.

Maybe with a better screenplay and a better director this could have been a masterpiece. As it is, The Snowtown Muders is an average movie lifted by great acting.

My Rating: 5.5/10

Cargo Short Review

May 22, 2013 by Eric S. 1 Comment

Year: 2013

Director: Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke

Synopsis (official): Stranded in the midst of a zombie apocalypse, a man sets in motion an unlikely plan to protect the precious cargo he carries: his infant daughter.

My Short Review: Cargo was a finalist in Tropfest Australia 2013, a short movie festival and had a very high rating on IMDb (7.9). Plus it is a zombie movie, so I knew I had to check it out. I’m glad I did especially after having watched Warm Bodies, another Zombie movie just the day before.

And trust me when I say that Cargo packs more emotion in 5mns than Warm Bodies did in its entire run. If you’re a father, like myself, you will definitively relate to the problem that the main character is facing and the smart way he comes up with a solution to be able to save his daughter.

It’s a very well made short with an immensely touching story. Kudos to the director/writer Yolanda Ramke, I’ll definitively be following her next efforts.

Full movie hereunder.

My Rating: 8.5/10