Cinephile’s Digest Podcast Episode 21: The Florida Project and The Meyerowitz Stories

‘Tis the season to be spooky. We all love Halloween here at Cinephile’s Digest, so to celebrate we created a bracket of what we feel are the 16 best, most important horror films released since the year 2000. We pitted them against each other in order to crown the greatest horror film of the new millennium. We also have full reviews of new releases “The Florida Project” and the Netflix original “The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)”. Crack open a pumpkin beer, cuddle up with your black cat, and enjoy.

Crimson Peak Review (2015)

With Crimson Peak, Guillermo Del Toro has proven (to me, anyway) that when it comes to making horror movies, his wheelhouse is small. Don’t get me wrong; he makes very, very pretty movies. But they’re ultimately shallow affairs once you figure out what makes him tick as a filmmaker. His movies have become predictable. Ghosts, dark places, insects, sparse (but brutal) violence. Crimson Peak? Check, check, check, and check. There’s a lot to like, but some major issues drag down the experience as a whole.

Goodnight Mommy Review (2015)

Goodnight Mommy (German title Ich seh Ich seh, which translates to “I See I See”) feels like if Michael Haneke set out to emulate early Roman Polanski films. There’s something cold and calculated about the way the movie plays out, both on a visual and narrative level, but it’s an entirely human story. And that’s part of what makes it so freaking disturbing. Realistic, violent and detached, it plays out like a home invasion movie, but where any character could be the intruder in their own home.

HORRORFEST: Knock Knock (2007)

There are good pieces of shit, and then there are bad pieces of shit.  This movies falls into the latter.  I would rather watch both of the Princess Diaries back-to-back than be subjected to this abortion of a movie again.

HORRORFEST: Paranormal Activity 3 (2011)

By now I’m sure you have realized that these movies are a one-trick pony.  That being said, the trick is still just as effective as ever.  We’re three films into the franchise, and while things certainly aren’t as fresh as they were in the original installment, Paranormal Activity 3 has more than a few surprises in store for you.

HORRORFEST: The Burning (1981)

The Burning has everything you could possibly ask for in a slasher flick.  Gratuitous nudity, a bad-ass murderer, and lots of blood and severed limbs.  Despite its uneven pace, it just might be my new favorite 80’s slasher.