2014: Bedlam in Print
2014 was an above-average year for books in my view. Quite a few terrific titles turned up from both established and debuting authors, with a few, I’m certain, that will go on to become classics
THINGS
A film that allegedly “defines what cult really is,” the Canadian THINGS has also been called the worst movie ever made. Yes, that claim is one that has been made about innumerable films over the years, but in this case it may well be accurate
THANATOMORPHOSE
The spirit of David Cronenberg is evident in this profoundly disquieting art-horror film about a young woman’s body decaying from the inside out
DR. FRANKENSTEIN ON CAMPUS
Below average Canuxploitation from 1970 that remains a low point in Canadian horror cinema
THE REFLECTING SKIN
A gorgeously scenic yet profoundly grim and disturbing 1990 film that, in direct contrast to most movies of the period, has improved with age
THE DARK
A disappointment. This 2004 film is plenty weird, yes, and fairly well made, but also clumsy and misconceived
COWARDS BEND THE KNEE
A typically whacked-out mock silent movie from Canada’s Guy Maddin, one of the most brilliant, visionary filmmakers on the scene
YOU’RE NOT DEAD UNTIL YOU’RE FORGOTTEN
For horror/exploitation aficionados this is one of the standout publications of 2014
The Dregs
One of the unfortunate realities of being a movie buff, especially a bad movie buff, is running into—or better yet, stepping in—“films” like those listed below
THEY CAME FROM WITHIN: A HISTORY OF CANADIAN HORROR CINEMA
This well researched and eminently readable overview is the closest thing there is to a bible on Canadian horror cinema, a subject that isn’t discussed much