Movies: Rare Exports

As much as I hate to admit it, it's now the middle of November, and Halloween has disappeared from most people's minds, as it does each year. Of course, there isn't really much difference for me, but sadly,  in general, the world is decidedly less spooky. So I suppose, in the UK at least, the next big celebration is...Christmas.

I have never enjoyed December 25th; not because of the religious elements, nor the annoying music. It's not even because of all the films that are so sickly sweet that just watching them is enough to cause sugar-induced vomiting. No. The reason why I dislike, and have always disliked, Christmas is simple...

SANTA.

Shoving innocent little animals into his sack

Okay, so I also hate the fact that Christmas is now being advertised not only in November and December, but also before and even DURING Halloween. Mainly, though, the problem is Mr. Jolly Red Nose there. "What?!" you say, "Santa? But he's just a magical, friendly old man that gives us presents!". Well you might think so, but you're wrong! Let's just think about this for a minute shall we?

1. He is watching you all the time. ALL THE TIME. Like a stalking serial killer, but worse.

2. He will sneak into your house, through the chimney, whilst you sleep at night. If you don't have a chimney, you can assume that he'll be smashing your windows with coal and picking your locks with his shiny Christmas knife (you know he has one).

3. He has a hoarde of evil minions (elves!) making toys traps all year, which he uses to catch puppies, kittens, children and housewives. Then again, maybe the elves aren't minions. Maybe they're being held captive and forced to work against their will.

And if that doesn't convince you, maybe the new movie from Finland, 'Rare Exports', will.

Yes, that IS Santa in a cage back there

Based on two earlier shorts by the film's writer and director, Jalmari Helander, 'Rare Exports' is set in the Korvatunturi mountains tells the story of a group of hunters that find out the true nature of Santa Claus, after he's uncovered by an archeological dig. Children start to go missing, and it soon becomes clear that Old St. Nick isn't the benevolent bringer of joy everyone thinks he is.

The movie is more of a dark comedy with occasional creepy scenes than a horror, but nevertheless, it shows the old man for what he really is, which is horrific enough. If you want to see for yourself, the UK release date is set for December 3rd.

Official Site: http://www.rareexportsmovie.com/

Animation: Ernest, le Vampire

I owe many thanks to my friend Nasu-hime for finding out that the cartoon I loved when I was a child so much that I forgot the title of it was in fact the French show, 'Ernest, le Vampire' (Ernest, the vampire)!

"Each morning as dawn breaks, after nights of lunatic activity, Ernest the Vampire settles himself comfortably into his coffin and falls asleep. Ernest is somewhat clumsly and does not exactly strike fear in the heart of others. He is never short of ideas but they invariably end in catastrophes."

So of course, I thought I'd share it with you!





Except that I watched it on a German TV station, so it was called 'Ernest, der Vampir', not that it really mattered anyway though, because there isn't any dialogue. If you want to buy the series on DVD you can do so from the ICTV website.

Ah, spooky childhood memories!

Speaking of which, if you happen to read this entry, tell me - what's your first horror/Halloween-related childhood experience? Anything from trick or treating to being completely freaked out by a movie to hearing an urban legend.

Movies: Let Me In

Based on the Swedish vampire novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist and the movie of the same name (directed by Tomas Alfredson), 'Låt den rätte komma in' (Let the Right One in) has been remade by 'Cloverfield' director Matt Reeves as 'Let Me In' and Hammer Film Productions and is set to be released in the US on October 1st.

A bullied young boy befriends a young female vampire who lives in secrecy with her guardian.

Having never read the original novel, I cannot really make any judgements about this film from the trailer. However, the difference between the two screen adaptations appears to be that 'Let Me In' seems to play up the horror elements of the story, whilst 'Let the Right One In' focused much more on the relationship between Oskar and Eli (Owen and Abbey in 'Let Me In') rather than the fact that Eli was a vampire. The setting too has been changed from Sweden to New Mexico, US as well as the character names, and that will surely have some bearing on the story too.

Like so many remakes, 'Let Me In' has the potential to be a good movie. However, I guess we'll just have to wait and see whether or not Hammer and Reeves take that potential and use it.

Offical US Site: http://www.letmein-movie.com/

Official UK Site: http://www.letmein-movie.co.uk/

Viral Site: http://www.helpme.net/
(solve the riddles to gain access)

Short Film: The Cat with Hands

"By animusfilms. A dark animated tale about a cat who, the legend has it, wants to become human.

Year: 2001
Director: Robert Morgan"

The Cat with Hands' is a bizarre, creepy, fairytale-like story...I love it! This was the second short film made by director Robert Morgan and was said to have been "inspired by a recurring nightmare Rob’s older sister Eleanor had when she was young". If you think that's weird, Morgan also went onto make a film partly inspired by finding a severed goose head outside his house as a child. Nice >.>;

To read more about Robert Morgan or to watch his other films, check out his page at Animus Films ⇒here.