American Horror Story NYC: Requiem 1981- 1987 Part 1 and 2

Summary

The AIDs epidemic finally begins as the season comes to an end.

I have bundled the last two episodes of this season together into one review as really they are one long continuous episode that is designed to be watched back to back.

In many regards I am deeply mixed on this episode. Certainly I admire it for tackling the AIDs epidemic in a serious grounded way, which is not something done very often by large mainstream shows, whilst also showing its effect on the LGBTQ+ community of people who were both losing friends and in some cases dying themselves. I think it is important for TV shows to show and highlight these somewhat forgotten about periods in history, not forgotten about by those effected or who lost people to it, but to the wider world who didn’t lose friends and to whom were only confronted by this in the form of nightly news reports.

However, my question is, is American Horror Story really the place for this conversation? As though this series was horrifying, it didn’t feel like American Horror Story which usually deals with the supernatural, when you think about it like that this could have easily been a different show as very little supernatural goings on were happening here. I didn’t find a lot of this season scary I found it to be depressing, and that really isn’t what you want from your horror shows.

Overall, whilst I appreciate the show trying to deal more in gritty reality this season I would say that it is the worse for it, as the campy dark charm of the show is lost in the pursuit and what we get is fairly unrecognisable to AHS.

3/5

Pros.

Tackling issues that aren’t often covered

The way the show highlights the effects of AIDs on the LGBTQ+ community

It is very watchable

Cons,

It doesn’t feel like AHS

It is depressing

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American Horror Story NYC: Fire Island

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Some of the characters take a trip out to Fire Island to get over the trauma that they have been through but all the while a spector is gaining strength in the background.

Honestly I think outside of the serial killer premise, now that the show has killed that off, there really isn’t a lot of substance left. A lot of the scares just seem to be random images and vaguely through ideas, this can be seen with all the visons and when Big Daddy comes in with the save at the end of the episode, none of it seems to follow a rhyme or reason rather it is just thrown together.

Moreover, regarding the obvious Aids epidemic that is right on the precipice the show again eludes to it but doesn’t commit. At this point with all these episodes showing the signs and symptoms the show needs to stop beating around the bush and directly address it. I know that is the plan for the season finale but the season feels too long getting to it.

In addition this episode really hammered home and issue I have been having with this season and that is that it doesn’t feel like American Horror Story anymore, it feels like a different show wearing its skin. This is mainly because the supernatural is such a small part of the season as well as the show instead trying to deal with more of a real world issue than a fictional and out there idea. In many senses this season reminds me of Cult and that is not a compliment.

Overall, the season is starting to lose its way and drag on.

2/5

Pros.

It is watchable

Big Daddy continues to be interesting

Cons.

It has lost its way and seems content to limp on

It doesn’t feel like AHS

It is depressing and far too abstract

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The Eternal Daughter: You Can Guess The Twist Just From The Title Of The Film

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A mother and daughter, both played by Tilda Swinton, head to an old manor house that has familial significance to both of them and slowly mysteries begin to unravel and things plunge towards the gothic.

I was very disappointed by this film. From the trailer I was expecting a classic British ghost story, with maybe a few modern twists thrown in to update things, however, what I got instead was a suitably creepy film that then delivers one of the most obvious twists used far too frequently within horror cinema which then puts the kiss of death on any hopes of the film being good. The twist, which is that the mother is actually dead and the whole time she and the daughter are interacting it is only in the daughter’s head is incredibly obvious and I could have guessed it from the title alone, I was hoping the film wouldn’t go in that direction and would instead do something more clever and creepy but clearly that was too much to ask for.

It is a shame as the film boasts quite a creepy atmosphere for most of its runtime that does deliver some unsettling moments and leaves a lot of unanswered questions to go over after the film ends, both of which are why this film hasn’t scored lower.

To briefly comment on performance, Tilda Swinton is very capable as usual, but I would say she is hamming things up just a little too much at times here and there are moments wherein you could claim she is overacting.

Overall, a sore disappointment.

2/5

Pros.

The creepy atmosphere

The unanswered questions

Cons.

The twists is incredibly obvious

Swinton goes a little too hammy in her performances

Pacing issues

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Chucky: Chucky Actually

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Dr Mixter, played by Rosemary Dunsmore, gets her karmic payback and the kids start to heal.

I think the last episode would have worked a lot better for an ending to the season as this one feels as though it was just tacked on at the end in order to meet episode quotas. I suppose you could argue that this episode is a sort of epilogue for the season but really it just feels like filler.

I think my big problem with this episode is that I just don’t care about the central trio of teens, as such all of their healing and their big emotional breakthroughs within the episode don’t hit for me as the teen characters are easily the weakest bit of the show. The more interesting plot points of this episode for me is seeing that Nica, played by Fiona Dourif, is now on the course of revenge and that things look all over for Tiffany, played by Jennifer Tilly. Again the episode is guilty of teasing things that are yet to come, but you would expect that from a season finale.

The gore and seeing Lexy, played by Alyvia Alyn Lind, finally snap and kill Chucky, played by Brad Dourif, in a really bloody way feels satisfying and Lexy’s dealing with this new found urge to kill could be something worth exploring come the next season. I would like the next season to separate the teens and have them go on their own journeys as the idea of them all together again in a new location which Chucky can then invade just seems a little old hat and played out at this point.

Overall, a fine epilogue to the series that sets up some interesting ideas and things to explore next time around, however, it is a big step back from the heights of the penultimate episode.

3/5

Pros.

The gore

The set up for Nica and Tiffany

Lexy snapping and bloodily dispatching Chucky

Cons.

The focus on the teens is dull

It feels like a step back from the previous episode

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Chucky: Goin’ To The Chapel

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Things finally come to a head over the battle for Chucky Prime, played by Fiona Dourif.

This was one of the best episodes of Chucky in the whole history of the show, there were so many great moments such as the interactions between Nica, played by Fiona Dourif, and Andy, played by Alex Vincent, and Kyle, played by Christine Elise, in the Chucky support group as well as the flashback to Child’s Play 2 there are just so many rewards in this episode for long time fans. Also let me just take a moment here to say how Fiona Dourif is the underrated best actor in this show and her performance as both Nica and Nica possessed by Chucky are both great, the show needs to use her more.

In addition I am glad the show finally gave Father Bryce, played by Devon Sawa, his hero moment and had him try and help the kids, it was nice to not see him be a dick to everyone around him even if it was for only a few minutes. Moreover, his death has to be one of the most over the top gore kills of the series thus far, that is not a complaint by the way. I also thought the death of Jennifer Tilly in doll form was a hilarious highlight of the episode.

The one area wherein I thought this episode wasn’t great was with Lexy’s, played by Alyvia Alyn Lind, storyline about her drug addiction and suicide attempt. Honestly, I thought the whole thing was handled poorly, I feel like the show only gave Lexi a drug problem so that she has something to do this season moreover it never really hit true on an emotional level for me so I didn’t care about it and was just counting down the moments until we could get back to the actually interesting stuff.

Overall, the best episode of the second season by far.

4.5/5

Pros.

The rewarding moments for long-time fans

The deaths of Father Bryce and Jennifer Tilly

Fiona Dourif’s great performance

The flashback

It felt like a really good pay off

Cons.

Lexy’s breakdown is boring and makes you want to skip ahead in the episode

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Interview With Writer/Director David Bryant: Splinter

Written by Luke Barnes

I recently had the chance to interview Writer/ Director David Bryant about their new horror thriller film Thriller, which follows a guy, played by Bill Fellows, who sinks into the abyss after the death of his wife and child, and whilst there he believes something is watching him with the question then becoming is it a benevolent or malevolent presence. In this interview we discuss processing depicting mental health on screen, the metaphorical significance of Christmas, and the labour of love that is filmmaking.I hope you enjoy.

Q: What was your message with this film?

DB: On Splinter, as with many of my screenplays, I try to bring in a social aspect, something relevant and contemporary. I knew I wanted to base the film inside a single location, a house; So, why is someone trapped inside their own home? This is where I wanted to make the film about a mental prison. A man dealing with multiple issues from anxiety and OCD to agoraphobia but place him in a horror/thriller. It’s more an examination and depiction of the failing of someone’s mental state than a message. I prefer to pose questions than give a complete answer with my work, so people can discuss how they read the film compared to other people.

Q: How did you try to approach the topic of grief with this film?

DB: My whole approach to the film was to play it as real as possible. To create a genre film but stage it like a kitchen sink drama. This extended to how John, played by Bill Fellows, deals with his grief and loss. I felt this approach would form a stronger link to the character, an empathy that would bond you to him. Hopefully you feel his grief in a deeper way because of the down to earth depiction.

Q: In what way does Christmas play a role within the film?

DB: Christmas is a wonderful visual metaphor for family and joy. It instantly places you in a safe place. Then I wanted to twist that, a man trapped in a time capsule, literally it is “Christmas everyday”, but it’s not as fun as Wizzard told us! The tree and cards also give the film a sense of time and place and on a low budget, creates a more interesting environment.

Q: Would you call this film a Christmas film?

DB: Ah, the age old question. I think it falls into the category, though most of it is not set at Christmas. I think Christmas horror/thriller is a big market so I say a big YES. I have co-written a very cool Christmas anthology horror that I would firmly put as a Christmas movie plus a family non horror Christmas movie. I sound like the new Shane Black… Which would be nice.

Q: What is your favourite moment from the film?

DB: I’d call the film a slow burn that builds to a crescendo. I like when Bobby enters the story. It’s the most visceral and violent moment. The finale with Michael and Bill I really like too. Bill certainly enjoys playing off another actor whether Michael McKell or Jane Asher.

Q: Any funny stories from production?

DB: It was a small shoot, just a three man crew most of the time and shot over several weekends so not a lot of time for hi-jinks. Wish I did have a funny story, just tales of hard bloody work.

Q: What does the future hold for you, any other films in the works?

DB: I hope I get to make more movies. I’m working on several feature screenplays including a sci-fi UFO horror, a pirate horror and a Western horror and have numerous completed scripts ready to send out that have placed in screenwriting competitions. I work mostly in genre and have two projects I am working with producers on to develop; Flesh & Blood, a vampire story and a female led revenge thriller, Scavenger. I want to move on to a higher level and both these films have a real cinematic feel. We just need funding! I’m also open to offers of writing or directing!

Q: Any words of advice for future filmmakers?

DB: My advice is always to not wait. Many filmmakers think they need a million dollars to produce this incredible film that will catapult them to legendary status. It can happen, but not often. So I suggest you practice your craft. Learn the art of screenwriting by reading and writing dozens of shorts or features. Get a camera, find a few actors and go make a short film. There is a lot of pressure filmmakers put on themselves that everything they make has to be outstanding- it won’t be, and if you see getting out and shooting your film a chore, maybe filmmaking is not the life for you?

If you would like to check out Splinter for yourself it is currently out now on iTunes and Amazon Prime in the US and Canada with it coming to the UK and other territories next year.

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Splinter: The Darkness Stares Back At You

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

After the death of his wife and son John, played by Bill Fellows, sinks into himself. Whilst gazing into the abyss he begins to feel as though someone or something is watching him.

I thought this film was a smart psychological thriller, it played with you in all the right ways whenever you started to feel like you knew what was going on it then veered in a completely different direction and kept you guessing. The way the film approaches ideas of grief and mourning are also really well formulated and written as it brings a sense of grey tinged moral nuance to things and reflects deeply on a shared sense of emotion that most people can on some level relate to.

In terms of the scares/ thriller aspects of the film I thought they landed really well. Like a lot of good horror films Splinter is very focused on building and establishing an atmosphere, that feels just the right amount of oppressive, throughout the film and doesn’t waste its time stuffing in tons of jump scares.

The performances across the board were strong with Fellows being the obvious standout as the haunted man, the man out of touch with time and reality, the man lost in his grief. Fellows gave a very believable emotional performance that really powered the film forward.

Overall, a good film with an intriguing premise, definitely one to watch.

4/5

Pros.

The themes and message of the film

How it plays with grief

Fellows

The ending

Cons.

The pacing dropped a little bit in the mid-second and it started to lose me a bit

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Chucky: He Is Risen Indeed

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Good Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif, finally turns bad and there is a traitor inside the School’s ranks.

The Colonel is easily the best thing about this episode once again, and his killing of Chad Chucky with the communion wafer is both shocking and a good use of the setting. It is a shame he gets killed off so quickly, but it does give Andy, played by Alex Vincent, a nice hero moment after he was rendered fairly helpless in the previous episode.

The defecting of Good Chucky and the death of Nadine was a mixed bag for me, it was sad to see Good Chucky turn bad as it could have been interesting for the wider universe of the show if he had stuck around longer and then the question of could Chucky be redeemed ever could have been tackled, but it was fairly obvious he was going to fall to the darkness. The death of Nadine didn’t hugely hit me as much like with the Colonel she wasn’t set up enough to have her death be impactful, if she had survived into the next season and died then that would have hit harder.

Overall, a good episode as exciting things are happening, but the impacts are a little stunted.

3.5/5

Pros.

The Colonel continues to have a lot of good moments

Andy gets a lot of good hero moments

It is very watchable

Fun things are happening

Cons.

Nadine’s death doesn’t hit as hard as it could have done

The Colonel is gone too soon.

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Christmas Bloody Christmas: A New Christmas Classic Is Born

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

A military grade robotic Santa Claus goes on a rampage.

I am very much a fan of the rising talent that is Joe Begos, VFW was fantastic and Bliss I was less keen on but there was still a lot of talent there, but this I think might be his best film yet. There is something so undeniably fun about this film, yes the premise is a little like Terminator minus the science fiction stuff, but that doesn’t take away the gory spectacle we are treated to.

In addition the early part of the film before the slashing even really begins is incredibly strong and that speaks to the strength of both the writing and the characters created. Riley Dandy is fantastic as the lead and is instantly likeable, her and Sam Delich also have great chemistry together and play off each other really well. I ended up caring so much about them as a couple that I was actually sad when his character died and they were parted from each other. The film does all of that emotional work before the first act is even over, that is no mean feat.

I really do hope that Begos and Co bring this back for a sequel with a juiced up robo Santa Claus now even angrier, and have Dandy back as the Ripley of this burgeoning franchise. I think this will probably be a new Christmas classic for me and something that I come back to every year.

Overall, a great film, watch it.

4.5/5

Pros.

Dandy

The gore

The threat

The mania of the final showdown

The commentary, comedy and good back and forth at the start of the film

Cons.

Robbie’s death still makes me sad now when I think about it.

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Chucky: Doll On Doll

Written by Luke Barnes

Summary

Chad Chucky and Good Chucky, voiced by Brad Dourif, face off.

I think following on from last week’s episode this was definitely a step back, though the episode was not all bad.

I enjoyed the fight between the two Chuckies, however, I thought the idea of Good Chucky slowly starting to turn bad again was super obvious as it would break the status quo of the show to have Good Chucky permanently amongst the heroes roster for this universe, he always needs to be evil. The crucifixion turned raising from the dead was a nice touch though.

I also liked that Andy, played by Alex Vincent, makes a return right at the end of the episode, I knew the series wouldn’t just kill him off, hopefully he can be a larger part of the last few episodes of the season. Moreover, I thought the Colonel was chilling certainly an interesting take on Chucky and a fun persona to follow, hopefully they are not just one and done.

I would say what held this episode back for me is the very obvious fact that it is a filler episode more content with setting things up for later in the season then delivering for this episode in particular, when thinking about it it is hard to say very much of anything happens in this episode.

Overall, a few neat moments and its nice to see Andy return but other than that a fairly dull episode.

3/5

Pros.

Andy is back

The Chucky fight

Seeing the Glen/Glenda doll return

Cons.

The Tiffany stuff grinds the plot to a standstill

It feels very filler esque

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