Harald Eilertsen - harald@hub.volse.no

Harald Eilertsen

harald@hub.volse.no

Volse Hub admin

Homepage:: https://volse.anduin.net/~haraldei

Charlotte Wakes (UK, 2017)

Harald Eilertsen

Sun, 09 Jun 2019 12:59:39 +0200

Aka: Darkness Wakes, The Sitter

A fairly decent old-creepy-house film. Charlotte is offered a rather well paid job cat-sitting in a creepy old mansion out in the countryside. The lonely elderly couple who lives there seems rather odd, but the pay is nice so she takes the job. From there on there's not many surprises in this film. It's well made, though, and Aisling Knight does a good performance as Charlotte — the rational student who shouldn't really be afraid of creaky old houses. It gets an extra half a point for the British atmosphere.

#film #horror #uk #british

Film Horror

I Saw the Devil (South Korea, 2010)

Harald Eilertsen

Sat, 01 Jun 2019 11:37:35 +0200

Original title: Ang-ma-reul bo-at-da

Another Korean revenge flick I've been wanting to rewatch for a while. What starts out as a fairly superficial detective/revenge story, twists into a reflection on both the morality and the price of revenge. Is revenge at any cost worth it? And is it right? And who is the devil? All this mixed with beautiful, yet brutal cinematography, this film stands out and is a joy to watch all the way through its 2 hours and 25 minutes!

#horror #film #SouthKorea #revenge

Film Horror

Riget (Denmark, 1994/1997)

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 31 May 2019 11:32:10 +0200

English title: The Kingdom

I normally don't write about TV series, but Lars von Trier's surreal hospital horror/comedy/soap/monster/ghost story from 1994 and 1997 is worth an exception. Over eight episodes we follow the bustling life at the Danish main hospital Rigshospitalet which in common speak is shortened to Riget (The Kingdom.) A place where science, rationality and the most precise medical expertise is exercised. At least on the surface. However, the walls of rationality is begining to crack, and the dark secrets of the kingdom is slowly coming to the surface. Highly recommended!

#horror #comedy #tvseries #LarsVonTrier #film

Film Horror

Lady Vengeance (South Korea, 2005)

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 30 May 2019 21:46:20 +0200

Original title: Chinjeolhan geumjassi

I remembered this one as way more violent than it is. Seeing it again now almost 15 years after it's release, what stands out is the story and the solid visual work. By all means it has it's disturbing moments, but the way the story builds up to them I can not help but think the alternate title is even more fitting – Sympathy for Lady Vengeance. At least this part of Chan-wook Park's revenge trilogy stands the test of time.

#film #SouthKorea #vengeance #horror

Film Horror

Found some films

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 10 May 2019 16:41:54 +0200

Found a few films at a local second hand shop. Particularly happy about discovering the complete Riget at this price (about a dollar a disc.)

#film #horror #classics #norwegian

Film

kalastaja@flokk.no

Fri, 10 May 2019 17:56:58 +0200 from Diaspora

you know what you'll be doing this weekend then? :D

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 10 May 2019 18:14:29 +0200

@kalastaja@flokk.no Yep :) Seen most of them before though, but a long time ago, so there's always time for some rewatching :)

Program for Dead by Dawn out

Harald Eilertsen

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 15:56:51 +0200

Also the complete program for Scotlands Dead by Dawn horror film festival is out!
http://www.deadbydawn.co.uk/news/dbd-2019-full-schedule/

This takes place next weekend in Edinburgh. I visited this fine festival last year, and had a great time. Highly recommended if you have the chance.

#horror #film #festival #deadbydawn #edinburgh #scotland

Horror

Program for Blodig Weekend is out

Harald Eilertsen

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 15:45:41 +0200

The program for Blodig Weekend, the danish horror film festival is out: http://blodigweekend.dk/program/

Quite a nice selection of films it you happen to be close to Copenhagen this weekend. I was hoping I'd be able to go this year, but work came in the way. Looks like a great festival though, so will try again next year.

#horror #film #festival #blodigweekend #copenhagen #denmark

Horror

show all 4 comments

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:39:09 +0200

@noisebob@diaspora.1312.media Århus isn't that far away?

noisebob@diaspora.1312.media

Thu, 11 Apr 2019 08:50:10 +0200 from Diaspora

With a toddler everything is far away :D

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 12 Apr 2019 02:09:17 +0200

Ah, yeah that changes the parameters significantly. :) Enjoy that though, there will allways be other festivals later.

Mother! (USA, 2017)

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 23:34:22 +0100

Darren Aronofsky is a director that dares (and is allowed to) go his own ways. My first reaction after watching Mother! was a bit reserved. A bit like what was this all about, then? Waking up the morning after however, the film had set itself, and I now agree with myself: this is a great film!

Mother! is a surreal and nightmarish suspense drama. Whenever it seems to approach any of the regular horror film clichés, it pokes nose at you, and goes in another direction. It may not be everybody's cup of tea, but it definitely was mine. Recommended!

#horror #film #aronofsky #mother

Horror Film

Rebeka Catalina

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:40:08 +0100 from Friendica

Sounds interesting and I'll gonna watch it a day. I have put it on my TOWATCH list - thank you

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:37:56 +0100

Hope you will like it too. From his earlier films I also recommend Black Swan, Requiem for a Dream and π. All great films.

Rebeka Catalina

Fri, 22 Mar 2019 19:40:04 +0100 from Friendica

Absolutely! I like them all

Hereditary (USA, 2018)

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 23:19:13 +0100

I've heard a lot of good things about this film, and I was not disappointed. It's not nearly as scary as the reviews would have it, but has a well told story with enough twists to keep it interesting until the end. It does have its chills, but nothing that spooked me out of the comfort zone. (Yes, I watched it alone at night!) The story is original enough though, and the characters are given enough room to evolve and become beleivable. All in all a good, but not exceptional film.

#horror #film #hereditary

Horror Film

Phantom of the Opera (USA, 1943)

Harald Eilertsen

Sun, 17 Mar 2019 15:51:06 +0100

This is a film worth seeing for it's historic significance, not so much for being a great film. It feels a bit out of place compared to the other films in the Universal Studios classic monsters series. The slapstick humour which was one of it's selling points in the day, doesn't really work, and the phantom fails to be scary since his identity is known from the start. It's elaborate set, the costumes and the operatic performances, on the other hand are quite good. All in all a classic worth watching, but not nearly on par with the other films in the series.

#horror #film #classic #monster #universal

Horror Film

Satankulten på Anholt (Denmark, 2012)

Harald Eilertsen

Mon, 04 Mar 2019 21:39:01 +0100

English title: The Island Of Lucifer

A series of mysterious coins and letters adressed to named persons of power all over Denmark appeared throughout the 1970's and up to the 1990's. Both the coins and letters suggest there was an active satanic cult whose rituals were held at the small island of Anholt in tha Kattegat sea – just in the middle between Denmark and Sweden. A crew of friends decides to find out what this was all about, and make a documentary as they go. Is the infamous cult still alive? Was it ever real? Who is (or was) behind it?

The journey to uncover this quaint modern day mystery, and the people involved is quite enjoyable. At first I was unsure if it was a mockumentary or not, but it seems real enough. It's available as a DRM free purchase at Vimeo, for - as we say in Norway - a lick and nothing!

#horror #documentary #film #satanism #denmark #anholt

Horror Film

Winchester: House of Ghosts (Australia/USA, 2018)

Harald Eilertsen

Sun, 24 Feb 2019 23:44:50 +0100

An decent enough, but sadly a bit forgettable ghost story. The madness of the Winchester mansion should provide ample fuel for great stories, but the film never manages to materialize this potential. It gets too predictable, and the characters appear flat and lifeless (in the wrong way.) Some nice scares here and there though, but over all this was a bit disappointing.

#horror #ghost #film #winchester

Horror Film

Ravenheart International Film Festival, Oslo 29-31 aug, 2019

Harald Eilertsen

Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:38:42 +0100

A new festival for horror, sci-fi, fantasy and cult films in Oslo, Norway: https://www.ravenheartfilmfestival.com/

Takes place at the Cinemateque in Oslo, August 29-31, 2019!

#horror #film #festival #oslo #norway

Film Horror

A Quiet Place (USA, 2018)

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:07:30 +0100

There's quite a few horror movies where silence plays a role, but I can't think of many where silence almost has the leading role. Don't Breathe (2016) comes close, but not quite to the level of A Quiet Place. The sound design is not the only thing about this movie, though. The attention to details, the way the story unfolds and the performance of the actors all play well together to create an intriguing story and just the intensity it needs. I think the monsters are a bit too much, and we see too much of them – a very common mistake, but it does not hurt the film too much. All in all a great film!

#horror #film #silence

Film Horror

h.EAR.t

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 17:07:52 +0100

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 07 Feb 2019 19:28:57 +0100

Yes, sound design and foley are things that interest me too. It's quite incredible how much imagination that goes into creating some of the sounds!

That said, while I definitely think this film belongs in the horror genre, it's not a monster flick. It's mostly about suspense and trying to figure out what's going on. I think it's a good film regardless of genre. Give it a try!

Thelma (Norway, 2017)

Harald Eilertsen

Sat, 19 Jan 2019 15:03:45 +0100

Joachim Trier is a director that gives a story time tell itself. There's no rush, and no unnecessary dialogue to explain what's going on. We are let to observe and draw our own conclusions. This is exactly what makes a film like Thelma stand out.

We follow young Thelma as a freshman student in the big city (Oslo,) haunted by her rural childhood home and strict Christian upbringing. The conflict between her past and the temptations of her new life in the city brings out something inside her she has no control over. This is a far darker film than what it seems on the surface. I was unsure whether to classify this as a horror film or not, but decided for it due to its atmosphere and its slant towards the supernatural. It is definitely a film that can be appreciated by people outside of the regular horror fans as well.

#horror #film #norway #thelma

Film Horror

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (USA, 1974)

Harald Eilertsen

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 19:43:04 +0100

It's been ages since I saw Tobe Hoopers timeless classic for the first time, and it's been on my list for a rewatch for quite a while. While the legend is probably greater than the movie itself, I think the film still holds a good grasp on its audience. It was not the only, but definitely one of the main reasons the Norwegian film review board for home videos were established in the early '80s, and thus caused a thriving underground scene for trading uncut and banned horror films in Norway. Ah those were the days... But I digress.

The film is remarkably restrained in it's portrayal of violence compared to the later films it has inspired. There's virtually no blood to be seen, and while the chainsaw is waved about ferociously, we never (with one exception) get to see it actually cut into any humans. At the same time it's sinister score, cinematography and narrative style is unsurpassed in the genre, even though it has been attempted copied many times.

That said, this is a disturbing and exceptionally violent film which definitely isn't everybody's cup of tea. If on the other hand, you only have seen the films it inspired, or the imo quite bad 2003 remake, check out the original and you're in for a treat!

#horror #slasher #film #movie #legendary

Film Horror

Get Out (USA, 2017)

Harald Eilertsen

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 17:16:23 +0100

A film I didn't expect too much from. I've heard really good things about it, but for some reason it never excited me. How wrong I was! This is a masterpiece of good old fashioned suspense horror at it's finest! The story unfolds slowly, and keeps you alert and wondering throughout the movie. The complete lack of jump scares and most of the now almost mandatory tropes in every film is refreshing and a joy to watch. An intense film based solely on its story is rare in todays cinema. Highly recommended!

#horror #suspense #film #movie

Film Horror

pianomad

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:06:24 +0100 from Diaspora

Thanks for the recommendation. I rarely admit to being a fan of horror, because most of the genre has become so formulaic and crass that people regard my taste in film to be low-brow. In fact I can’t remember the last time I actively sought out a recent horror film. I’m looking forward to checking this one out.

Birne Helene

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 18:21:12 +0100 from Diaspora

Good to know, thank you! Like pianomad I'm not a fan of horror movies, but I'll remember your recommendation the next time this film crosses my way (so to speak).

Harald Eilertsen

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 22:28:16 +0100

@pianomad @Birne Helene Hope you will like it too!

I am a fan of the genre, but would be lying if I didn't admit there's a lot of crap too. Still I find horror to be a genre where both story and form is allowed a lot of freedom compared to the standard hollywood recipe. As with all genres the gems are usually to be found among the independent or non-US films. Get out is one of the rare exceptions.

Låt den rätte komma inn (Sweden, 2008)

Harald Eilertsen

Wed, 26 Dec 2018 12:55:23 +0100

English title: Let the right one in.

I loved this film when I watched it in the cinema on its release. Finally got to watch it again this weekend, only took me ten years (Hell how time flies!) I still find it a great film that holds up very well. This is much more a romance than a horror as such. The growing relationship between the young bullied Oskar and Eli is at the centerpiece of the film making it warm and cozy, all the while not saving on the horror elements. As a kid more or less on the sme age as the main characters at the same time (early '80s,) it hits the nostalgia nerve quite well too. I highly recommend this one, even for people who don't traditionally like horror films.

There's also an american remake of this, of course. If you were unlucky enough to have seen that one instead of the original, you have been deprived of a great film!

#horror #film #movie #sweeden #1980s #nostalgia #romance

Film Horror

Martyrs (France, 2008)

Harald Eilertsen

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 19:47:52 +0100

I've been wanting to see Martyrs for ages. I can't remember when I first saw the trailer, but it has been on my list for years! While known for it's violence, I think the story, and how it unfolds are the real strengths of this film. It's a unique, chilling and well told story that only reveals its full plot at the very end. Well done!

There's also a US remake from 2015. Why anybody would want to bother with that is beyond me! See the original!

#horror #film #movie #france #martyrs

Film Horror

Tanja

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 21:26:26 +0100

Why anybody would want to bother with that is beyond me!

Well, that's pretty much all that Hollywood can come up with these days - remakes, reboots, and sequels. They don't have any new ideas.

Harald Eilertsen

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 22:51:10 +0100

They manage sometimes, but not very often. Luckily there's plenty of great movies from the rest of the planet, sadly they're not always easily available.

Ramaskrik 2018 - Day 4

Harald Eilertsen

Tue, 23 Oct 2018 11:19:55 +0200 last edited: Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:07:33 +0100

Sunday was the fourth and last day of the Ramaskrik Horror film festival. Only two more films on my programme until the festival was over, and there was time to catch the train back home.

Image/photo

The House That Jack Built (2018, Denmark): Lars von Trier is an artist, and has always been one of my favourite directors. So I was quite excited about this one. The film does not disappoint. This is probably the most lighthearted film he has made since The Idiots (1998, Denmark), but as always there's a dark shadow the underlines everything. Humorous, philosophical, dark. Well worth the two and a half hour of your life!

Image/photo

Videomannen (The Videoman, 2018, Sweden): A trip down nostalgia lane for those of us who grew up with VHS, 80's horror films and video rental shops. As director Kristian Söderström said himself when introducing the film, this is not a horror film, but a film about horror and VHS fans. A great film and a great ending of the festival on my part.

Then it's all over. The big empty sets in, and it's time to look forward to Ramaskrik 2019! Which according to unconfirmed rumors is to happen at Oct 17 - 20, 2019. Hope to see you there!

#horror #film #ramaskrik #ramaskrik2018

Ramaskrik Film Horror