Haute Tension/High Tension (Switchblade Romance UK title) (2003)

A throwback to the old horror movies that were produce in the 70s and 80s, Haute Tension is an unrelenting, unflinching, uncompromisingly brutal and bloody affair. This second feature by Alexandre Aja (The Hills Have Eyes remake, Piranha 3D) has made a film where your nerves and guts will be shredded and shaken, you'll feel so unbearable and uneasy about the whole experience that you'll wonder what the hell is going on.

The plot revolves around two friends Marie (Cecile De France) and Alexia (Maiwenn Le Besco) on a trip to visit Alexia's parents who so happens to live in a farmhouse in the middle of nowhere (as you do...). In the middle of the night a stranger rings on the doorbell and the start of their nightmare begins.


That's all I really want to say about the narrative as to say any more would ruin the film. There is an insurmountable tension to the whole opening massacre. You will feel breathless as you hold your breath to ensure the survival of our protagonist, you don't want to make a sound in case the killer is tipped off... (or is that just me?) and when you think that they can't kill a certain character, they do....animals and children are no exception to the brutality. The unnerving quietness to the countryside and the whole lack of dialogue that goes on throughout the film just adds to the atmosphere and trepidation.

The acting by both leads are what you'd expect from two terrorized characters from a horror film. There's an intensity, distressing and excruciating panic when Marie is hiding from the killer and at times unbearable. It's credit to them both that they bring so much emotion and agonizing anguish, we are rooting for them we get away from this unknown and unmotivated killer. A mention should go to the actor (Philippe Nahon) who plays the menacing killer who fills the screen up with his intimidating and frightening presences. 

Alexandre Aja calling card to Hollywood is an affective little number where gore and suspense is thrown up in equal measures. A fast paced and tightly edited, the gruesome violent deaths are handled with such extreme flair you'll forgive the final 10 minutes where the plot goes up in the air and you will be left feeling wtf? You will embrace it with open arms and think "wow was that what really happened"...or you'll be really peeved off by the whole thing, needless to say I initial found myself frustrated but, watching it back (and watching someone else's reaction to the whole thing) I fell utterly head over heels in love with it. I was so taken in by the whole tension, suspense and overall dread that the film feel creates and how we are willingly and hoping for our victims to survival the ordeal when in fact.....well, I probably said too much but you'll understand when see it.

If you can stomach the visceral effects and want to experience a gruelling, savage and terrifying film, look no further. A film that totally sucks you in and then spits you out leaving you feeling like your senses have been psychological assaulted and won't feel the same for days to come...

16/20

Assault on Precinct 13 (1976) with Trailer

A modern interpretation of an old western classic (Howard Hawks' Rio Bravo), it is a tense and tightly movie directed by the master of horror John Carpenter. It uses the old classic formula of a siege film done with a really small budget and shot in a relatively small amount of time (20 days I believe).


This re-make is relocated to modern 1970s LA and the action is set primarily in a soon to be abandoned police precinct. The narrative is very simplistic but very effective. The screenplay is so efficient no action is played out without pushing the narrative further. Every little detail placed within the film allows the film to flow without any unnecessary dialogue.

Napoleon Wilson (Darwin Joston)

The film starts off with the mysterious and menacing street gang wandering through an alleyway where they are ambushed by the police and are shot and killed. The remaining gang members forge a blood pact and aim to take no prisoners for the consequences of the slaying of their fellow gang members. The whole set up is done very quickly thereafter. We are introduced to the hero, Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker) and the archetypal anti-hero Napoleon Wilson (played with glee by the late Darwin Joston) in the first 10 minutes. Other characters come on screen and within minutes we can follow their preordain destiny. The father and daughter's path is on a collision course with the gang and the near abandoned police station is the setting for the unrelenting siege by the gang ready to kill any and all who get in their way.

The build up to it, is very expertly handled and the emotionless and remorseless gang move with such determination and purpose they become almost inhuman in their actions. Almost zombie like. There is hardly any dialogue and when they are shot and killed they barely make a sound and die lifelessly. It bears a remarkable similarity to The Night Of The Living Dead, what with both having black actors as their main leads and both being about the struggle and their ability to handle the unrelenting siege from the masses..

Ethan Bishop (Austin Stoker)

It is without a doubt a remarkable achievement from John Carpenter and his gift as a composer is apparent (as with majority of his features) and is very effective at conveying a sense of dread and suspense. You can always tell if it's a John Carpenter movie just by listening to the atmospheric ambiance and his adept nature in efficient story telling. The acting isn't always great but what the film lacks in dramatic acting it makes up for suspenseful action. Always enjoyable to watch and one of Quentin Taratino's favourite films (but that shouldn't be the only reason to watch it). Search it out and you will not be disappointed. Oh and please try not to confuse this with the recent re-make starring Ethan Hunt and Laurence Fishburne, even though its has a bigger budget and bigger stars doesn't make it a better film... I'll just leave you this comment....Got a smoke...?

17/20