Five To Look Forward To

The warming weather can only mean one thing-the summer movie season is nearly upon us. Granted, that season keeps getting pushed forward and now seems to begin in April, but no matter. Listed below are five genre films I'm looking forward to in these coming months. Unlike last year where horror fans sat through an unbearable dry spell in between Scream 4 in the spring and whatever studios dumped out of the vaults in August, there's a lot more to look forward to this year. Without further ado: 

Cabin In The Woods After sitting on the shelf for nearly three years while MGM tried to sort through its tattered financial situation, this film finally sees the light of day this Friday. While it's entirely possible this film could collapse under the colossal weight of expectations and serve as a reminder that there's a world of difference between those of us who devour the web for info, plan vacations around film festivals and worship at the altar of Whedon and the casual movie fan that might look at the trailer, scratch their heads and plunk down their cash for American Reunion instead, I have a gut feeling that this Goddard/Whedon jam is going to go over gangbusters with we horror nerds. Roughly two billion sites have used the phrase “an open love letter to the horror genre” in their reviews, which is a lot more appealing than “seeing this movie hasn't absolutely proven to cause syphilis, but one can never be too careful”.

The gorgeous Mondo poster which, sadly, I'll probably never own.

Prometheus The trailer caused me to simultaneously geek out in short pants and bum me out at the same time. The geek out factor stems from the possibility that in a summer season already crammed with sure fire move awesomeness, Ridley Scott's attempt at revisiting the world of Alien might just sneak up on everyone and be the biggest treat of all. On the downside, like a spoiled tween that can't help but search the attic for his Christmas gift, thus ruining the surprises the day holds in store. But then again, FACE HUGGING SPACE MADNESS! Argh!

The Loved Ones About a year ago I wrote the same damn thing about how much I was anticipating this Australian import that looks like it takes all the best bits of a kooky eighties coming of age teen comedy and hurtles it on an out of control freight liner that's heading for an inevitable collision of a brick wall constructed solely of the mad lunatic ravings of a sociopath that's perfectly content to decorate house and home with strewn body parts. Luckily, Paramount has picked up the release rights to the film stateside, and despite a silly marketing gimmick where we're supposed to vote on what cities will actually screen the film, I have full confidence that come June I will be grinning ear to ear while munching on some sour Patch Kids whilst enjoying the best prom film since Carrie.

Lovely Molly Eduardo Sanchez hasn't done much since 1999's The Blair Witch Project scared up two hundred and fifty million dollars behind one of the first viral marketing campaigns and first “found footage” style of horror movies (if there are any Cannibal Holocaust or Last Broadcast fans diehard fans out there that want to punch me in the stomach, I understand). That film still remains the most terrified I've ever been in a theater, and for that alone I'm excited to catch this spiritual successor. Lovely Molly finds the director revisiting familiar themes whether or not it's supernatural activity or characters losing their marbles that's at the root of the problems. While not a found footage film, the action switches to first person whenever Molly suspects the entity is around so she can “capture” it on film. Other reminders of BWP (at least from the trailer) stem from the appearance of a “confessional” type scene with its lead actress and freaky doings in the basement.

Rather than post the standard trailer, here's a quick look at the "story behind the story" used as buildup before release:

REC 3: Genesis I know some fans are disappointed that the 1^st person camera point of view angle gets dumped in this film, but I believe that aspect had been taken as far as it can go with the first two films (which really should be enjoyed back to back in one seamless experience). The creative team from the first two have split the duties between them for parts three and four, with Paco Plaza doing sole duty on this film. The trailer promises chaotic mayhem and the shots of a bug eyed and blood splattered bride wielding a chainsaw make visions of a female Ash swim around in my head.