Horror by Harrison

It’s been about a year since I covered the original Ju-On so it felt like a great time to revisit the sequel. It’s not on the schedule at the moment, but I’ll probably also be covering The Grudge at some point. Ju-On 2 was written and directed by Takashi Shimizu ( Hell Girl ) and was released on August 23, 2003. Ju-On 2 was made on a budget of ¥1.1 billion (roughly $10,120,000 in US dollars) and went on to make $2,705,820 worldwide. Ju-On 2 has received largely mixed reviews. Like it’s predecessor, Ju-On 2 follows the victims of the Ju-On curse in six vignettes which overlap with one another and are told in a non-linear fashion. Ju-On 2 is an interesting film. It’s largely “more of the same” in its relationship with the first film both to the film’s benefit and detriment. In its conversations with the first film, it does feel like a seamless continuation and expansion. However, that does mean that the film can feel a bit repetitive. Luckily, it’s a formula that works so even ...

  I didn’t intend to do two Clive Barker properties in a row (I had this on the schedule before Candyman (2021) was moved), but I’m glad that it worked out this way.  Hellraiser was written and directed by Clive Barker ( Lord of Illusions ) and was based on his novel The Hellbound Heart . Hellraiser was made on a budget of $1 million, made $4,453,232 upon opening, and went on to make $14,575,193 worldwide. Hellraiser was released on Sep. 10, 1987 and received generally positive reviews. Hellraiser follows young Kirsty Cotton (Ashley Laurence, Chill ) who finds herself caught in a bloody battle between her uncle Frank (Sean Chapman, Scum ), her step-mother Julia (Clare Higgins, Small Faces ), and a group of pain worshipping demons known as Cenobites. Hellraiser is a mean, nasty masterpiece. Barker’s direction is sublime, but the real star here is the practical effects. This movie is gory and gross and it is magnificent. I don’t think most people need a lot of convincing...

  After nearly a year and half of delays, we are finally getting Nia DaCosta’s ( Little Woods ) Candyman sequel and, let me tell you, it was worth the wait. The film is gorgeously shot, amazingly acted, and dreadfully tense. It was everything I hoped it would be. Candyman was written by DaCosta, Jordan Peele ( Us ), and Win Rosenfeld ( BlackKklansman ) and was directed by DaCosta. Candyman was made on a budget of $25 million, made $22,001,750 upon opening, and has so far made $54,389,280 worldwide. It was released on August 27th, 2021 to positive reviews. Set 30 years after the events of the first film, Anthony McCoy (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen ) lives in Chicago with his girlfriend Brianna (Teyonah Parris, WandaVision ). After he hears about the legend of Candyman (Tony Todd, Final Destination , and Michael Hargrove, Chicago P.D. ) and Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen, Sideways ) he creates an art piece surrounding the myth. After Candyman is summoned, a series of violent killi...