THIS IS A SPOILER FREE POST - AS USUAL.It's been a while since I've posted anything. I've been sticking to my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TheHorrorSho/) and my Twitter page (https://twitter.com/TheHorrorSho) and leaving the blog alone for the most part.
However, last night I saw SOUTHBOUND and I thought I'd write a little short post about it. Not that anyone reads this blog, but..... :::grin::
I really enjoyed this new format for a VHS-style anthology. While I loved most of the VHS saga, I was starting to get a bit jaded with the format. It was starting to become a bit repetitive. This Southbound style is fun and equally based in storytelling and the anthology style, but the flow was much stronger - going from story to story seamlessly without stopping at the "station" every time between segments. Loved that aspect. I was thinking that this story style could be played out in various places in future releases (...he said, hoping they make more!) and not just out in the desert, though that was a fun little spot. This could easily work in a rundown area of a city, some snowy wasteland, or even in a jungle paradise.
If you have not seen the trailer yet, don't watch it! While it doesn't give anything away, it had to show a lot to get viewers hooked in, so I would have preferred to go in a bit more cold than I did. It would have been fun if they shot something special for the trailer that tied in with the film, but didn't give the goods of the stories within. But...you know...I went looking for it because I thought the trailer was so cool, so....
Southbound is a rather standard horror anthology for the most part. Folks are introduced (again, seamlessly) and you watch as they go through their own little, nasty story. The writing is fun and entertaining. The characters are a good mix of likable and unlikable, so you don't get caught up in a "set 'em up, knock 'em down" mentality.
The film was made by some familiar folks. The Directors this round were Roxanne Benjamin, David Bruckner, Patrick Horvath, and Radio Silence - many of the same folks involved with the VHS series. The writers were many of the same folks as well. Roxanne Benjamin, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, David Bruckner, Susan Burke, Dallas Richard Hallam (as Dallas Hallam), and Patrick Horvath.I just like calling out these folks when I like a film. :) Credit where credit is due.
So...the honest part now that all the sycophantic, butt kissing is over. hehehe
When I finished the film last night (mind you, after tons of yard work both Saturday and Sunday that wore me out physically) I said, "Well...yeah...that was good, I guess. Not super strong...but good. I feel good about dropping $7 on it and would probably do it again if I had the choice." I wasn't blown away like I was when I saw VHS in the theater, but I wasn't demanding my 90 minutes back, either.
HOWEVER, when I woke up this morning and thought about it again when describing it to a Horror Friend of mine, I told her that it really stuck with me. In that haunting, mind worm way. The visuals and situations swam around in my brain and I re-thought a few things and had myself a few chuckles whenI remembered how things played out. Most of my malaise about the outcome of watching was due to me being SO excited about the film - especially since it was being released on my birthday. I over-hyped it in my head. Thinking back, it was a super strong film with a great story, good acting, and some scenes that had me wincing and bashing my foot on the floor. (...in a good way.) :)My suggestion -
Go into SOUTHBOUND as cold as you can, avoiding the trailer and other reviews that go deep into the stories. Let it wash over you and pay attention. It's a great film and well worth a watch.
Great work, Folks! I'm looking forward to revisiting this style in the near future!
