THE FINAL GIRLS, WE ARE STILL HERE, THE TREATMENT, DEATHGASM, and LET US PREY reign supreme at Colorado’s annual horror film fest!
Article by Adam Mast
Photos and Video Blog by John Pugh, Jeff Sanders, and Cragun Clayburn
It doesn’t get any better for a horror fan than having an opportunity to experience a truly exceptional genre film at the very location that inspired Stephen King to pen “The Shining.” Welcome to “The Stanley Film Festival.” Located right outside of the breathtaking Rocky Mountains in Estes Park CO, the 3rd annual “Stanley Film Festival” dazzled (and scared the shit out of) attendees for 4 gloriously terrifying days and while there were plenty of films to get exited about at this outstanding fest, there were a handful of movies that are worth highlighting.
The terms “slow-burn” and “psychological horror” were thrown around quite a bit at the fest this year and while efforts like THE BOY, SUN CHOKE, and GOODNIGHT MOMMY, were well received and offered up discussion worthy attributes, the majority of the titles that appealed to the horror lover in our team were a little more straight forward in their approach.
Our crew took in 15 screenings and conducted 6 film-maker interviews (we’ll have our video conversations with Stuart Gordon, Elijah Wood, Leigh Whannell, Larry Fessenden, Glenn McQuaid, and Adrian Garcia Bogliano very soon) over the course of 3 fright-filled days. Here’s a look at a handful of “2015 Stanley Film Festival Highlights.”
“COOTIES”
In COOTIES, Elijah Wood plays a middle school teacher who joins forces with other staff members in an attempt to survive the night after the school’s prepubescent students contract a deadly virus and turn into rabid monsters. Screenwriter Leigh Whannell also co-stars and he’s an absolute riot in this picture as is Rainn Wilson as a physical education teacher with a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Admittedly, I wish COOTIES was a little more extreme, but the premise alone is a hoot and the cast is terrific. A really fun movie that never takes itself too seriously.
“DEATHGASM”
In this high energy horror/comedy fusion, New Zealand based writer/director Jason Lei Howden tells a tale of two metal head buddies who accidentally summon an ancient demon in an effort to escape their mundane lives. What follows is a hilariously bloody story of young love, friendship, and heavy metal music. This ode to Sam Raimi (EVIL DEAD 2) and Peter Jackson (DEAD ALIVE) is a blood soaked gem from start to finish.
“THE FINAL GIRLS”
One doesn’t generally use the words “affectionate” and “adorable” when describing a slasher flick but then, director Todd Strauss-Schulson’s wonderfully creative THE FINAL GIRLS isn’t exactly a conventional work of horror. This love letter to the likes of Jason Voorhees briskly cruises along by way of a meta vibe that might remind one of CABIN IN THE WOODS. In THE FINAL GIRLS a group of teens find themselves magically transported into an 80’s horror movie where they must fight off a mask wearing, machete-wielding psychopath. Think of it as THE LAST SLASHER HERO. What a joy THE FINAL GIRLS is. With its imaginative-innovative deconstruction and endless winks at the numerous films that inspired it, this flick is sure to appeal to fans of slasher movies but there’s so much heart, warmth, humor, and playfulness here, that even if slasher movies aren’t you’re bag, you too are likely to succumb to this film’s many charms. THE FINAL GIRLS won the Audience Choice Award at this year’s fest, and it was completely deserving of the honor.
“LET US PREY”
This Scottish import from director Brian O’Malley is a pitch black comedy about a stranger who comes to town and quickly throws a police station in to complete and utter chaos. Essentially, this is ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13 meets NEEDFUL THINGS with a dash of DEVIL thrown in for good measure. Beautifully edited, expertly written, and punctuated by razor sharp timing. A great cast led by a convincing Liam Cunningham as the mysterious stranger. This was the last film we saw at the festival and it was quite a high note to end on.
“THE TREATMENT”
THE TREATMENT had the honor of being the most upsetting film I took in at the fest this year. It was also one of the best. This Belgium import from director Hans Herbot features Geert Van Rampelberg as a police detective involved in a disturbing child abduction case. As it turns out, his obsession with solving this particular case runs even deeper because of a traumatic incident from his youth. This is a dark procedural thriller with shades of SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and SEVEN and while I found it profoundly disturbing and extremely upsetting, it is incredibly well made and transfixing in all the ways a great thriller should be.
“WE ARE STILL HERE”
This perfectly atmospheric (and funny) ghost story from Ted Geoghegan treats its haunted house as a character rather than just a mere location and the end result is the creepiest movie I’ve seen since THE BABADOOK. At the heart of WE ARE STILL HERE are Anne and Paul Sacchetti (played by Barbara Crampton and Andrew Sensenig), a married couple who move into a creepy New England home with quite a creepy history. While this throwback flick has shades of Lucio Fulci’s 70’s and 80’s efforts, it also reminded me a bit of John Carpenter’s THE FOG. WE ARE STILL HERE benefits from outstanding Monte Markham, Barbara Crampton, and Larry Fessenden performances but its Geoghegan’s sense of style that truly elevate the proceedings. WE ARE STILL HERE builds in spectacular fashion, and it’s genuinely scary throughout. Furthermore, the ghosts at the heart of this picture are sure to give you nightmares. Loved this one!
“WHEN ANIMALS DREAM”
This elegant, meditative, dreamlike drama puts a new twist on werewolf mythology. In fact, at the risk of misleading readers, I’d say parts of WHEN ANIMALS DREAM play like a serious version of TEEN WOLF. In this restrained monster movie, teenager Marie (played by Sonia Suhl) finds that she’s going through changes that she doesn’t entirely understand. Ultimately, WHEN ANIMALS DREAM suggests that there’s nothing at all wrong with being a little different. The film also points out that no matter how different you might feel, there’s always going to be someone out there who loves you. The most honest, heartfelt werewolf movie since GINGER SNAPS.
CHECK OUT OUR “2015 STANLEY FILM FESTIVAL” HIGHLIGHTS VIDEO BLOG (7 MIN.)
More “2015 Stanley Film Festival” coverage to come!
John Pugh's lifelong passion for film led him to partner with Mast in creating Cinemast.net, where he works as a content developer and writer. Pugh shares his love for film and storytelling with others and resides in Southern Utah with his wife and three children.
“COOTIES”
“THE TREATMENT”
“WHEN ANIMALS DREAM”
