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FS.net's Guide To The Summer of 2007's Horror Movies
May 20, 2007
by Alex Billington
For those of you that just can't wait until October when the horror season really kicks back into full swing, here's a guide to this summer's horror and thriller movies. We all know the movie studios push out their biggest blockbusters during the summer months, so we can hope that most of these will end up being good. Maybe they'll just become big money-makers, which is what all the studios want, but either way we'll look at the line up this summer and help you choose what to or what not to see.
Starting with William Friedkin's Bug this weekend and ending with Rob Zombie's Halloween remake on August 31st, there are a total of 10 big horror movies to watch for. Let's begin, shall we?
Bug
Release Date: May 25
Watch The Trailer
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr.
What It's About: Based on the prize winning play by Tracy Letts, Bug explores the boundary between paraonia and reality as a woman holed up in a seedy motel room (in hiding from her abusive ex-husband) falls in love with a stranger willing to protect her. Their relationship quickly spirals out of control when they begin to find bugs inside their skin.
The Buzz: The latest "horror" film from The Exorcist director William Friedkin, or so they claim in their marketing tactics to sell it. The film is really a character piece about two people but the trailers make it out to be one heck of a thrilling and twisted ride, which it is. It's been making the festival circuit all last year and they're promoting this one like crazy, but that doesn't necessarily mean it'll be good.
Worth Seeing? No, it's not really a horror movie, but a lengthy and sometimes boring character drama.
Hostel: Part II
Release Date: June 8
Watch The Trailer
Director: Eli Roth
Starring: Jay Hernandez, Lauren German, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips, Vera Jordanova
What It's About: The sequel focuses on three girls who are studying in Italy for the summer and they get lured back to a lot of familiar places. It turns out that the Slovakian stopover is actually part of a chain and you'll see the ins and outs of the whole organization and how they get people and kill them. Hostel 2 starts immediately where the first film left off.
The Buzz: Although not everyone likes director Eli Roth, this sequel is supposed to be gorier, uglier, and nastier than the first one, with females as the main characters who get tortured this time instead of guys. Will it live up to expectations or just be an overly gory film with nothing redeeming, which seems to be the trend with horror films these days. We have yet to see, but I've got high hopes for Eli Roth.
Worth Seeing? Yes, if you can't wait to feast your eyes on more gore than ever before seen.
Fido
Release Date: June 15
Watch The Trailer
Director: Andrew Currie
Starring: Carrie Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, Tim Blake Nelson, Dylan Baker
What It's About: Timmy Robinson's best friend in the whole wide world is a six-foot tall rotting zombie named Fido. But when Fido eats the next-door neighbor, Mom and Dad hit the roof, and Timmy has to go to the ends of the earth to keep Fido a part of the family.
The Buzz: I had to consider whether this fit on here, but remembering that it is a zombie movie with plenty of killing, it does fall into the category of horror. One of my favorite films of Sundance and a refreshing look at the zombie universe through comedy and pure entertainment, Fido is one of the better horror movies this summer. It's had stunning reviews from every film festival so far, let's see if it can live up to those high regards this summer in theaters.
Worth Seeing? DEFINITELY yes! One of the better films this year in general, not even considering horror alone!
1408
Release Date: June 22
Watch The Trailer
Director: Mikael Håfström
Starring: John Cusack, Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Shalhoub
What It's About: Based on Stephen King's short story, 1408 stars John Cusack as a debunker of paranormal occurrences who encounters real terror when he checks into the notorious Room 1408 at the Dolphin Hotel.
The Buzz: Without even hearing any real reviews yet, I've got a feeling this is going to be one amazing thriller. The trailer makes it out to be freakier than all hell, and I can only imagine what more is in stock once we see the full thing. The hype is pretty big too, as everyone who normally wouldn't consider it is adding it to their line up of films to see for the summer.
Worth Seeing? Yes, even if you aren't a horror fan, check it out.
Captivity
Release Date: June 22
Watch The Trailer
Director: Roland Joffé
Starring: Elisha Cuthbert, Daniel Gillies
What It's About: A fashion model and a chauffeur are kidnapped and held hostage in a small room by a serial killer. While the madman methodically terrorizes them, the victims draw strength from each other and fall in love.
The Buzz: This film is running high off of its troubles with the MPAA for running advertisements that were too gruesome, but that doesn't mean much for the film. It's been waiting to hit theaters for quite some time and the studio releasing it (Lionsgate) is fairly confident to put it out in such a premium spot this summer. I guess the biggest thing going in it is hottie Elisha Cuthbert in the star role.
Worth Seeing? No, unless you really want to see Elisha Cuthbert get chased.
Black Sheep
Release Date: June 22 (Limited Theatres)
Watch The Trailer
Director: Jonathan King
Starring: Nathan Meister, Danielle Mason, Oliver Driver, Tammy Davis
What It's About: There are 40 million sheep in New Zealand and only 4 million inhabitants. After a genetic experiment goes wrong, New Zealand's sheep start turning nasty, and it's the humans who begin bleating.
The Buzz: After getting rave reviews and hitting the world wide web hard from the Toronto Film Festival (where they pulled a publicity stunt bringing live sheep to the movie's premiere), the film has got a lot pushing for it. It's pretty much a campy B-movie that knows it's a B-movie but still pulls of hilarious entertainment. It could live up to some of the other great B-movie horror films of past (Army of Darkness) or it could just fumble over itself.
Worth Seeing? Yes, if you want to how sheep take over the world!
The Strangers
Release Date: July 13
Director: Bryan Bertino
Starring: Gemma Ward, Liv Tyler, Scott Speedman
What It's About: Strangers is a suspense thriller revolving around a couple in a remote suburban house who are targeted by three dangerous masked strangers. The resulting clashes force the couple to go well beyond what they thought themselves capable of in order to survive.
The Buzz: Mysteriously there is no trailer, no real poster, nothing for this film yet. However a few photos showed up online that scared the sh*t out of even me, and now I'm curious to see what the heck this is all about. Again, it's a confident move by the studio (Rogue Pictures) putting it in the summer without a single bit of marketing out for it yet. This could become a surprise hit, as it's at least got Liv Tyler in it, but we really need a trailer to really know whether it's worth it.
Worth Seeing? Unsure? Wait until there's a trailer.
Skinwalkers
Release Date: July 27
Watch The Trailer
Director: Jim Isaac
Starring: Natassia Malthe, Shawn Roberts, Jason Behr, Rhona Mitra, Lyriq Bent
What It's About: Skinwalkers is a horror action film about a 12-year-old boy who suddenly finds himself at the center of a battle between two warring groups of werewolves. One group of werewolves is sworn to protect him, the other group is trying to kill him — and the young boy's mother has to find out why her son is at the center of the conflict before time runs out.
The Buzz: This one was big news at Comic-Con last year where special effects maven Stan Winston spoke about some revolutionary new creature design for the werewolves, but after that, the movie disappeared. It kept getting delayed and delayed, and now they're throwing it into the summer line up. There really isn't any buzz for this anyway, as no one even knows what it is!
Worth Seeing? No, unless you liked that terrible werewolf movie from January, Blood + Chocolate.
The Signal
Release Date: August 10 (Limited Theatres)
Watch The Trailer
Directors: David Bruckner / Jacob Gentry / Dan Bush
Starring: Anessa Ramsey, Justin Welborn, AJ Bowen
What It's About: A horror film told in three parts from three perspectives, in which a mysterious transmission which invades every cell phone, radio and TV, turing people into killers.
The Buzz: Another independent film from Sundance, there are plenty of good reviews, but nothing that says it's as revolutionary as any of the other big horror films to come out of Sundance (Saw, Blair Witch Project). That doesn't mean it still won't be good or worth your time, and I think above all it's worth supporting as an indie film. It's got enough good buzz and intrigue to gain some attention, and the more it can get, the better.
Worth Seeing? Yes, if you're curious enough to see what it's about and help an indie film.
Rob Zombie's Halloween
Release Date: August 31
Watch The Trailer
Director: Rob Zombie
Starring: Scout Taylor-Compton, Tyler Mane, Malcolm McDowell
What It's About: After being committed for 15 years, Michael Myers, now a 21-year-old man and still very dangerous, escapes from the mental institution (where he was committed as a 6 year old) and immediately returns to Haddonfield, where he wants to find his baby sister. Anyone who crosses his path is in mortal danger.
The Buzz: There's a lot riding on Rob Zombie and this remake. Everyone is wondering if he can pull off a successful reboot of the franchise and have it return with the same force that it started off with in 1978. Even those who aren't fans of the Halloween franchise are just a bit curious and may hit the theaters at the end of the summer to see if they can scare the living crap out of you. However there's so much time until it comes out that the buzz still has time to build, and we still need to see a real full length trailer.
Worth Seeing? Yes, if you're a fan of the Halloween series or just curious to see what Rob Zombie has done with this revamp.
We'll be back at it again after August when the full-on horror season kicks in late September and October! For now, enjoy the summer and these horror films!
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Reader Feedback - 35 Comments »
1
I can't belive you called Bug a lengthy and sometimes boring character drama, geeze that's the worst comment I've read about this film ever, and you're wrong. Are you a very Christian person who has some personal issues with the crusifix in the Exorcist? I don't know, but this film is supposed to be his best in 30 years, as good as the Exorcist and the French Connection, and you just threw it down in the basement and stamped all over it. OK, thanks for letting me vent, have a nice day.
Keegan on May 20, 2007
2
3
Okay, wait, you haven't seen The Exorcist? You probably shouldn't be allowed to review horror films without seeing what is likely one of the best, no matter how young you are. In fact, I'm pretty sure there's a law… (just do yourself a HUGE favor and rent it)
I am looking forward to Hostel II, Fido and Halloween. Bug does seem kind of boring (like many Judd films), but I may see it anyway.
Dan on May 20, 2007
4
Just because a movie is horrible it shouldn't automatically be labled a "horror" film. Like the first Hostel. I think it was an steaming hot turd. Nothing scary about it. There should be a new genre called "gore" to lump these smoking pieces of crap.
I am looking forward to Zombie's retake on "Halloween" however. I think he's got interesting ideas.
"Fido" looks campy and interesting, but unless there's just some kind of Dario Argento like viceral onslaught, I'm betting this ain't a "horror" film.
And Alex, come on, man. How could you not have seen the Exorcist? Dude!
And to the guy who said that "Bug" could be as good as the Exorcist or the French Connection, come on. Lets not get carried away.
-30-
Julian in San Antonio on May 20, 2007
5
[...] Firstshowing.net posted this guide to the summer’s horror fare, complete with synopses, stills and trailers. [...]
Abattoir - Rue Morgue’s Blog » Guide to Summer Horror Movies on May 21, 2007
6
"The Signal" looks very much like Stephen King's "Cell". Is it based on that?
Frank on May 21, 2007
7
1408 is actually a truly scary short story. A lot of Stephen King's stuff relies on horror based on maimed bodies or other really ordinary ghoulies. 1408 is quite a departure from that, and as a result, it is very effective. However, I'm not sure how they plan to stretch it into a movie. It's a short story, and as a consequence, it's short.
orphrey on May 21, 2007
8
"I haven't even seen The Exorcist"
Your credibility as a movie reviewer just went to -12.
Tak on May 21, 2007
9
I'm tired of it. Every kid with a website or a blog claims to know something. You want to tell the world which horror movie to see? Who do you want to kid? SO you've "got a feeling this is going to be one amazing thriller." Well, you and the rest of the world got "feelings" about movies, based on trailers we see. My opinion is, most of the movies sucks, based just on their trailers. Especially "1408". You haven't even seen that movie, but recommend it. How pathetic is that, kid? Go start another "Top 10 List" of worst Album Covers or something.
Arthur Dent on May 21, 2007
10
hostel: part II? you know, gore alone doesn't make a good horror movie. the first hostel was shit, plain "torture porn". why should the second be better?
Frank on May 21, 2007
11
[...] Dessutom har FS.net släppt en lista nu över sommarens skräckfilmer där bland annat Black Sheep och Hostel 2 finns med. Ta en titt på listan här. [...]
Extra saltat on May 21, 2007
12
[...] “For those of you that just can’t wait until October when the horror season really kicks back into full swing, here’s a guide to this summer’s horror and thriller movies. We’ll look at the line up this summer and help you choose what to or what not to see.”read more | digg story [...]
Gary Stapleton - Paranormal Investigator » Blog Archive » Guide To Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies on May 21, 2007
13
Pardon me for being a dick, Arthur Dent, but if you're tired of "every kid with a website or blog" who "claims to know something", stay off them. Its like people who complain about there being too much violence on TV. The choice is simple: tune out.
While I am stunned that Alex hasn't seen The Exorcist, I'm not gonna break his balls about his website, his opinions or how he chooses to express them. I visit a lot of these sites and go to specific ones to get specific content. And to be honest, I don't always agree with whats on this site or several others that I visit. But if I'm gonna punch someone in the junk about what they've said, I'll at least have my own opinion to offer up instead of some smart ass comment.
So if you've got something smart to say to me, say it. In the meantime, I'll go ahead and start getting one of those album cover lists ready to work on after you've put me in my place.
Alex, please go rent The Exorcist.
-30-
Julian in San Antonio on May 21, 2007
14
The exorcist sucked I don't know what the hype is about. I laughed alot tho…
who cares on May 21, 2007
15
The real question is… does anyone know anything about a third 28 days release? This would tower over the films above.
ess on May 21, 2007
16
"who cares", you are retarded. The fact that you think The Exorcist sucked means you are to young or dim-witted to appreciate the kind of horror movie it is and your little head was no doubt saturated with pop-culture references and inside jokes from the few decades since the movie's release. You are a dumbass if you laughed a lot…even if you don't like the movie, it's not funny unless you are unable to value it for what it is — one of the greatest horror classics EVER made. Moron.
Horror Buff on May 22, 2007
17
No, the next 28 weeks/days/months later movie will not be good. The second one was ho drum at best. The beginning was alright, and the camera was fun when people were running and it was cnetered on one person, but other than that, it was mediocre.
*SPOILER*
Why was the father a smarter zombie? Why was he so fixated on kids? Why don't the 'zombies' eat each other when they start to run out of food? Why didn't the fire go down that one side street and incinerate the father 'zombie' as it should have? Is fire afraid of dark alleys now? Why didn't the chick immediately pull the trigger when the father 'zombie' attacked her?
IT was a mediocre movie at best. I'll probably weather out these movies and maybe go see fido and def. rob zombies Halloween, but other than that stay in and watch classics, like Ginger Snaps. its good, check it out.
John Doe on May 22, 2007
18
[...] FS.net’s Guide To The Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies [...]
blog.peter-noster.de » Linktour 22. Mai 2007 - 22. Mai 2007 on May 23, 2007
19
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tinder.tv » Blog Archive » Vorschau auf die Horror-Filme des Sommers 2007 on May 24, 2007
20
[...] FS.net’s Guide To The Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies [...]
blog.peter-noster.de » Linktour 23. Mai 2007 on May 24, 2007
21
[...] Read more! Tags:horror movies Like this article? Bookmark it! These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages. [...]
FS.net’s Guide To The Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies | Other on May 24, 2007
22
They should've just made hostel a porno and got it over with. The first one was pretty close to a porno and I bet this one will be too.
Motorcycle Guy on May 25, 2007
23
I agree with Motorcycle Guy.
Now, back in the day, when you saw a "horror" movie, you expected to be scared. Then you expected to see tits. Now you its best not to expect anything. Drugs, sex and rock & roll are fantastic. You know I love 'em. But this thing with Hostel is just overrated.
I like listening to Eli Roth's interviews and hearing him talk about film. He's really into the craft and he loves what he does, but as much as he expounds on how "scary" his film is going to be or how "scary" movies like the remake of 'The Hills Have Eyes' are… I'm sorry, but I'm not buying it.
I remember a friend of mine, a real horror buff, coming over and bringing some Dario Argento films with him. I remember that I wasn't scared, but at some points in the picture being shocked at the images that Argento sometimes comes up with. Like he took it upon himself to say, "If I'm not gonna scare the crap out of you, I'm going to make you really uncomfortable." Sometimes, uncomfortable is enough and can resonate.
I fail to see how any of these films are true to the "horror" genre.
-30-
Julian in San Antonio on May 25, 2007
24
i wont to know the really scary movies and indian movies thank you
jess on May 30, 2007
25
i agree how i dont think any of these movies are "horror"…but just because a movie isnt scarey doesnt mean it isnt a good movie, like hills have eyes-it wastn scary, but i stilled loved it.
wtfstfu on Jun 7, 2007
26
Can anyone tell me what are the best horror/thriller dvds to rent this year please i'm tryin to find something for tonight and havent got a clue cheers peolpe
Mark on Jun 24, 2007
27
hostel:part II……………………..is good horror movie…………i like it.
vishal poonia on Jul 8, 2007
28
Great compilation of horror movies. "The Exorcist" still remains the classic Horror movie of all time!
Exorcist on Aug 2, 2007
29
MEDIA HYPE! gotta love it lol.. um. you guys need to calm down honestly stop hating! its just a few reviews! everyones got their own opinion.
waaaay to much gore in horrors now days i rekn
helloween and 1408 are looking good! pitty about black sheep tho lmao! i bet the farmers are laughing their gumboots off xD
lol on Sep 1, 2007
30
[...] FS.net’s Guide To The Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies ” FirstShowing.net The latest movie news, reviews, interviews, rumors, trailers, hype, and everything related to movie … Guide To Summer of 2007’s Horror Movies on … [...]
moviesguide.moviez4u.com » Blog Archive on Oct 2, 2007
31
1. I am a horror-movie-encyclopaedia.
2. "The Exorcist" WAS a horror movie in its time because it used sophisticated sound and visuals.
3. On similar lines "The Shining" is hyped too. I found it sooo boring.. but the thing is that just because it is based on a novel by Stephen King and it was a classic in its time starring Jack Nicholson, people still rate it a 8/10…although it really is not so. For people who liked The Shining, please watch THE AMITYVILLE HORRR and compare. The latter is wayyy better and the concept is the same.
4.Having seen The Masters of Horror both seasons, I find that a LOT of people confuse horror with gore and/or thriller. As an example, Wrong Turn is a Thriller, Psycho is a thriller too, Hostel is gore, Omen is Horror… you get the idea…
5. I have read The Shining and have also read 1408, a short story by Stephen King featured in the short story collection Everything's Eventual. Trust me, even reading it was so boring that buying 1408 is too far-fetched an idea. The reason which Stephen King himself acknowledges to have written 1408 was that "every horror-genre author must write a haunted house/room story" in his own words. Wow! What an inspiration. And yet we have this for 1408 in the above review "Worth Seeing? Yes, even if you aren't a horror fan, check it out." Hype. A full 100% of it.
6. The Signal is based on a novel by Stephen King, The Cell. Not worth it, again.
7. Some good real horror movies in my opinion (in no particular order):
i) The Amityville Horror
ii) Carrie (watch it and if the last scene doesn't make you jump, the beer's on me)
iii) Dr. Terrors house of Horrors.
iv) The house of wax ( NOT THE RECENT REMAKE, the original one )
v) Omen - all parts ( NOT THE RECENT REMAKE again)
vi)…
8. Some must see thrillers.
i) Psycho III ( Yes, there is a psycho 3, starring Anthony Perkins. IMDB raters rate it as 4/10. Watch it guys, watch it, and if it doesn't rivet it to your chair, lemme know)
ii) Misery (based on a novel by Stephen King, the only movie remake that does justice to the novel)
iii)…
9. I have nothing personally against Stephen King.
10. Happy watching. 
Arnav on Dec 6, 2007
32
BUG was marketing at its worst. It was marketed as a horror or thriller at the very least and was clearly a psychological something or other. I agree, it should have stayed on stage. It was one of the worst horror films for the sheer reason that it was not a horror at all. I would barely rate it a psychological thriller. More like a psychological bore. Fortunately, the acting was great. But that's about it.
Melissa Rodriguez on Jan 1, 2008
33
I am a fan of horror films. The best one that I have seen was - THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE. It was simply really disturbed for the fact that the film is playing on your mind and imagination. There is no blood-gore or blood-bath needed to heat it up. Imagine it that you are sleeping and then suddenly woke up at three o'clock - you heard something and have a peek to see if everything is alright in your apartment. You smell something burning, but the stove is not on. And you see nothing and yet you can feel something is a presence in the room - something inhuman and unexpained and you are hell scared … There is no music in the background and the only thing that accompanies you is your heart beat and your chest breathing heavily. You fear the unknown and people has always hated what they cannot see or to understand.
This film did freak me out all the way. It was amazingly horrifying. I could not sleep without the light on for weeks.
See it for yourself and then … you wonder if you are being watched. And you asked yourself if there is something there, always lurking in the dark and see all the things that you are doing …
Sherry-Valerie Henry on Jan 29, 2008
34
HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am trying to remember the name of a movie. Please help it came out about the same time the remake of Halloween. It shows a old man sitting on his front portch telling a little boy what Halloween really means and then there are alot of pumpkins everywhere in the front yard.Thats all I can remember of the commercial. Thanks
alvin more on May 26, 2008
35
My husband and I just went and saw Strangers. Please do NOT spend your money going to see this movie. I haven't been this mad in a long time after watching a movie. There were no good death scenes, no real plot, and no identification with either the victims or the killers. I was actually bored and knew what was going to happen before it did. Plus they have ruined what could have been an excellent premise because no one will be able to try it again. 
Jasmine Yeager on Jun 2, 2008