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Top 10 Found Footage Films

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I can’t believe that in 2015 I am finally making this list, but I am.

A few years ago, I would have scoffed at the idea. I hated found footage movies, but after so many of them being shoved in my face, I’ve actually grown to appreciate them. If done correctly, they can be good. Very good, in fact. However, that is the exception and not the rule. Too many of them employ the same beaten-to-death jump scare tricks and poor storylines just to pump out a quick, low-budget movie for a nice profit. I’ve waded through the mud for you lovely readers and have compiled a list of 10 of the best found footage films that have been made thus far. The films on this list go above and beyond most movies in this horror subgenre, with unique storylines, scares, and overall production. I really enjoyed these ones, and I hope you will too.

The plot for about 7,506,405,450,540 films to date.

 

10. The Houses October Built (2014)[youtube id=”Yedl4lY9VgM” align=”right”]

This movie belongs on this list because of its original plot. I love the idea of a group of friends traveling around in search for haunted houses that go above and beyond your standard Halloween attractions. Evil clowns, psycho rednecks, and Haunted House freaks abound, this movie is filled with creepiness. Watch the trailer…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

9. Trollhunter (2012) [youtube id=”uvwEyHeRSvE” align=”right”]

Trollhunter is a Norwegian film about a group of students who aim to find out what exactly is going on behind a bunch of bear killings. As the title suggests, there is more than just bears in this movie. There are Trolls. Awesome, stop-motion styled Trolls at that. If you don’t like movies with subtitles, then you may want to skip this one, but I implore you to reconsider and just get over it. Reading’s not that bad. You’re a big boy or girl. You can handle it.

8. Paranormal Activity (2009) [youtube id=”F_UxLEqd074″ align=”right”]

This is like every 7th grader’s first scary movie. “Oh, that wasn’t even scary! That was funny. And stupid too, actually. Huhuhuhhuh!” Nice try. Look, it’s not universally beloved, and I get why some people don’t like it, but I also think that some people just don’t understand it. It’s not supposed to have some deep moral impact. It’s supposed to have some good jump scares, allow you to have some fun, and be entertained a bit. Watching a movie from the Paranormal Activity franchise is like walking into a haunted house. It works the same way.  And though I’ve already said that too many FF movies rely on jump scares and CGI, but this movie was a pioneer at the time. Most are copycats. So shove it.

7. Grave Encounters (2011) [youtube id=”g8FBRATbJoA” align=”right”]

Are you a fan of the show Ghost Adventures? If so, you’ll like this one. It’s like the main character is an exact replica of Zak Bagans, except slightly less of a jacked “bro.” Don’t get me wrong, I love Zak, but…he’s kind of an airhead. A loveable one, but an airhead at that. This movie follows the same formula as the show, but puts it on steroids and kills off a lot of people instead of having them find one tiny discrepancy  on a soundwave. The spirits in this movie are dangerous, and it works. Word to the wise, however; please, for the love of everything Horror, please don’t waste your time with the sequel. It’s probably one of the worst movies I’ve ever seen, without exaggeration. They should make posters that say: Grave Encounters 2: Not even once.

6. Frankenstein’s Army (2013) [youtube id=”dOF8GiIXtGY” align=”right”]

Now this is a found footage movie done right! This movie features some really awesome practical effects for the monsters in it, which is incredibly rare for anything in this subgenre. The hideous pieced-together “army” in this movie looks so, so good. Usually, you’d expect some CGI cop-out effects, but this movie decides to do things way better. Great movie. I really’ cannot recommend it enough. Plus, it’s been on Netflix for a while and I don’t think it’s going to be removed any time soon.

5. Behind The Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) [youtube id=”1tNrvDA_eE8″ align=”right”]

This is a genius movie, and one that is criminally underrated as well. I don’t know one person in my non-internet life that’s seen it, and that is a crying shame. It’s basically a mockumentary about the “business” of being a masked killer; they speak of other heavy-hitters of the industry, namedropping Michael and Jason. It’s really funny and  really good. Technically, it’s not fully a found-footage movie, but that’s all I’m going to say. You’ll have to watch it to find out why. Oh, and Robert Englund too!

4. The Taking of Deborah Logan (2014) [youtube id=”JiODgrdAJvo” align=”right”]

Is there anyone who hasn’t seen this movie yet? It’s gotten an insane amount of attention, and rightfully so. This movie is insane. I have to take a moment to talk about the acting in this movie. It is great, which is a rare commodity in horror films. Even the good ones suffer from poor acting from time to time. Everyone in this particular film is very convincing in their roles, and the movie feels like a breath of fresh air. If you haven’t seen it, then see it now. If you’ve seen it before, see it again.

3. The Blair Witch Project (1999) [youtube id=”pWiz6reVupA” align=”right”]

I’m going to be honest with you: personally, I had felt underwhelmed when I first saw this movie. However, I can’t deny its impact, and therefore, it will stay at  #3 on this list. I like pretty much all of this film besides the ending, which I won’t spoil. It just doesn’t do it for me. Everything leading up to it was highly enjoyable for me. The tension between the film crew, the little clues here and there, the grainy VHS footage of a decaying forest…I love it. Do I think it’s one of the best? No, but once again, I understand that legions of fans will disagree with me. So I’m taking one for the team here. Don’t say I never did anything for you.

2. V/H/S (2012) [youtube id=”Z_vPmmZpV4I” align=”right”]

I can say with full conviction that, at least for me, this movie will go on to be a classic of the horror genre. I absolutely loved everything about it. The sequel was good, but it can’t compare to the first. All segments in this one were fantastic, especially the first one. That girl! Wow. It’s one of the only movies in recent memory that’s actually scared me so bad that I had trouble sleeping. I know I may get heat for putting this at a higher ranking than The Blair Witch, but I stand by my opinion. Lay off!

1. Cannibal Holocaust (1980) [youtube id=”USSnC-1Oq2g” align=”right”]

Can you stomach this one? A gory masterpiece of exploitation cinema. The movie was so realistic at the time that the director was put on trial for obscenity and also possibly murdering some of the people that were featured in the film for real. Of course, he did not murder anyone, but he still had to prove how some of the effects were created in court for his case. Now if that is not a sign that your movie is convincing, I don’t know what is. Some call this movie trash; gory torture porn, and nothing more. Despite this, I don’t think there is a found footage movie that is more terrifying than this one.

 

There you go. The best of the best in a subgenre that is way too overcrowded with terrible movies. Thankfully, you have someone like me to save your precious time. Did I leave any of your favorites out? Do you think any of these movies don’t deserve to be on this list? Let me know in the comments!

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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Strange Darling Kyle Gallner

‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney Barbarella

Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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the first omen trailer

Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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