Magnet Releasing Picks up Horror Anthology ‘V/H/S’ for Distribution
It seems the horror anthology is getting bigger and bigger with each month that passes by. Do filmmakers think it’s an easy way to make a genre film? I don’t think it is. When done right (CREEPSHOW, III SLICES OF LIFE), it’s a beautiful thing. But done poorly (DEADTIME STORIES, NIGHTMARE ALLEY), the horror anthology becomes an exercise in trying not to kill yourself. But obviously Magnet Releasing (the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures) saw something in V/H/S at Sundance and swooped it up for distribution. According to deadline.com, the deal was in the low severn figures for the U.S distribution rights. Here’s a brief plot summary:
V/H/S is about a group of misfits hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house to acquire a rare VHS tape, and discover more found footage than they bargained for. The film is basically a found footage anthology of various VHS tapes that tell different horror tales, with different segments directed by Adam Wingard, David Bruckner, Ti West, Glenn McQuaid, Joe Swanberg, and Radio Silence.
Uh oh, Ti West is involved. I guess that means there’s gonna be at least one segment that’s TV-quality and on the boring side, having a big build up with no payoff!! Apparently one movie-goer passed out during the midnight screening of V/H/S at Sundance:
EMTs came, after the moviegoer passed out–during the first particularly gruesome scene. Another audience member was treated for nausea about 20 minutes later.
This kinda smells like a publicity stunt to me. I mean seriously; have any of you ever fainted or gotten nauseous in a movie theater while watching a horror film? Never. Either the Sundance movie crowds are a bunch of pussies or this was a staged publicity event; you know, like the girls paid to cry and act hysterical when the Beetles landed in America.
But what do you think? Willing to give Ti West another chance? Think this was a publicity event?
Stay Bloody!!!
Attended VHS at True/False Film Festival last eve w/my teen son in tow. Movie (from what I saw) was smart & inventive, especially the last segment directed by “Radio Silence” collective. Seemed like near capacity crowd dug it. I didn’t mind the gore but couldn’t stand the ADD/Shaky Camera Work! WAY TOO MUCH Shaky Cam throughout the majority of the movie. Got Motion Sickness Big-Time normally reserved for a Warm Day after Big Lunch on a Six-Flags Coaster Ride. I understand this is a Found Footage Film but past movies like Paranormal Activity, Cloverfield & Chronicle can achieve the same style without the nausea. I easily missed half the film by having to leave several times due to dizziness. Seems like the Filmmakers/Distributors are riding the advance buzz by milking the “Film Goer’s Getting Sick” hype at previous screenings. Turns out its due to the (Intentionally) cheap camera work. At first it seemed like the Festival Staff & Filmmakers present went out of their way to warn audience this was a Violent/Sex-Filled Trip but then failed to mention this film might cause seizures (Hmmmn???). Even though I noticed many more adults than usual at this type of Late-Nite screening, I’m guessing the shaky cam may not faze many of younger adults weened on Hyperactive Video Games. YOU DAMN KIDS KEEP YOUR LOW BUDGET HORROR FILM OUTTA MY YARD!!! Man I feel so old!
Thanks for the impromptu review, Robby!! I don’t mind a good ‘found footage’ flick, but the whole shaky cam has got to go!!