Will there ever be an epic horror movie?

[blackdragon6]

or will they continue being low budget cult films?.................the closest thing to a epic horror film was night of the living dead.

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

guillermo del toro is currently trying to get H.P.Lovecrafts at the mouth of madness off the ground.Del Toro has been quoted saying, "This will be my epic horror film." but as far as i know it has stalled,and he has moved on to hellboy for now.so that should answer your question.

honestly though no matter who is attached to direct or act.i do not see movie studios churning out a huge budget for a supposed epic horror movie.and del toro is finding that out the hard way.so did george romero before land of the dead finnally got off the ground.and all he wanted was 10 million.though not to be mellow dramatic i think del toro and romero is the horror genre last hope....................to me atleast.

[HomerJay]

Try to get your hands on George Romero's original unproduced script for DAY OF THE DEAD. It featured everything youd want in a horror film, even zombies vs. zombies warfare. He was unable to get the funding he needed to make it because he was unwilling to pull back the gore and make it an "R". He instead cut the scale down drastically to make the existing film that we've seen. The original script was like THE LORD OF THE RINGS of zombie films.
It does sound like LAND OF THE DEAD will easily be the biggest zombie film ever made though...

[Dennis K]

I'd say there have already been several epic horror films, or maybe my definition of what a horror film is is different than others.

The Shining
Psycho
Halloween
The Silence of the Lambs
The Exorcist

[pirulaso]

in the mouth of madness was pretty epic. (whats with all the carpenter remakes?)
i thought 28 days later was epic. i mean cmon most ppl in britain are dead.
i dunno i consider most zombies movies as epics. like the original dawn of the dead, ash vs army of darkness, dead alive.

[Shellhead]

guillermo del toro is currently trying to get H.P.Lovecrafts at the mouth of madness off the ground.Del Toro has been quoted saying, "This will be my epic horror film." but as far as i know it has stalled,and he has moved on to hellboy for now.so that should answer your question.

honestly though no matter who is attached to direct or act.i do not see movie studios churning out a huge budget for a supposed epic horror movie.and del toro is finding that out the hard way.so did george romero before land of the dead finnally got off the ground.and all he wanted was 10 million.though not to be mellow dramatic i think del toro and romero is the horror genre last hope....................to me atleast.

Sounds great, but I assume that you're talking about H.P.'s "At the Mountains of Madness", the epic exploration of an eldritch city in Antarctica, which was in turn inspired by a novella by Edgar Allan Poe, "The Narrative of Arthur Gordon Pym."

"At the Mouth of Madness" was a mediocre horror movie by John Carpenter, which tried to imitate Lovecraft's style but couldn't be bothered to have an actual plot. Carpenter did do one of the best Lovecraft style movies ever, "The Thing", based on a short story called "Who Goes There?" by John W. Campbell.

http://www.outpost31.com/books/who.txt

[pirulaso]

body snatchers was also epic..............i'm done

that would be cool to see a lovecraft movie.

[Phil Clark]

Nightwatch is looking pretty good.

[Donald M.]

I'd say there have already been several epic horror films, or maybe my definition of what a horror film is is different than others.

The Shining
Psycho
Halloween
The Silence of the Lambs
The Exorcist

Actually, I'd say it's more that your defintion of "epic" differs.

Epic basically means large-scale, like a horror movie where big stuff happens and lots of people are affected. Like a disaster movie with monsters.

I guess that would sort of make Godzilla epic, although Godzilla's more Sci-Fi.

Some of Clive Barker's horror novels have been fairly epic, though the ones that have been madeinto movies generally haven't been. The first two Hellraisers and Nightbreed come closest.

Specifically though, I'm thinking of The Great and Secret Show and Weaveworld, though they might be a bit too epic for big screen treatment. I remember a while back hearing that Weaveworld was being adapted into a movie or possibly a series for Showtime, but I think that fell through as I never heard anything else about it.

[marshal99]

Epic as in big $$$ budget ?

Wouldn't End of Days count as a big budget horror movie ?

[Jared]

Epic as in big $$$ budget ?

Wouldn't End of Days count as a big budget horror movie ?

Nah, it's just another Annuld Action flick, but with a supernatural enemy.

Anyway, I think Call if Cthulhu would be better suited for an epic horror than 'Mountains.

[DDM]

Clive Barker's Hellraiser & Hellbound: Hellraiser II remain epic; these films are based on Barker's novela, The Hellbound Heart (I recommend the book too!)

[Bakema NL]

I still keep my fingers crossed for a kick-ass (epic if you will) adaptation of the Necroscope saga. These books lend very well for a series of movies, horror, but with some other stuff added into the mix, just like in the books. If they do it I hope they don't hold back on the horror part............but that's probably what will happen would this saga ever be adapted. Just think of a movie with the Wamphyri flying from their stacks, or a view inside the stacks, the gas-beasts in their vats, the raids on the gypsies................Peter Jackson, dude, get your hands off that big filthy ape and make these movies, cinematically on par with what you can do now and with all the gory splatter stuff you did in earlier years. :)

[CHEYENNE-BLACKBIRD]

i think the gore factor also might hender a epic horror film from being made

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

now that peter jackson is huge maybe he will come up with something.

[Grant]

guillermo del toro is currently trying to get H.P.Lovecrafts at the mouth of madness off the ground.Del Toro has been quoted saying, "This will be my epic horror film." but as far as i know it has stalled,and he has moved on to hellboy for now.so that should answer your question.

Actually I heard he's doing this after Hellboy 2.

[Cash Lone]

Clive Barker once stated that Nightbreed was going to be the Star Wars of horror films. His Lord of Illusions also tried to be an "Epic" horror film, but both those films were pretty bad. I might give Nightbreed another viewing since I havent seen it since it originally came out.

I think Bram Stokers Dracula attempted to be epic in its storytelling but had several things holding it back (Keanu Reeves acting for one).

A trilogy of films based on HPlovecraft could work - with interweaving plotlines and re occuring characters. Start off small like "shadow of innsmouth" then move the storyline to a grander scale where the world is in turmoil. But again, the majority of movie viewers might be put off by the "weirdness" and gore.

I would just be happy w/ an over the top, gothic, horror, modern Dracula story - ala' Hammer style.

[Ryan K]

Try to get your hands on George Romero's original unproduced script for DAY OF THE DEAD. It featured everything youd want in a horror film, even zombies vs. zombies warfare. He was unable to get the funding he needed to make it because he was unwilling to pull back the gore and make it an "R". He instead cut the scale down drastically to make the existing film that we've seen. The original script was like THE LORD OF THE RINGS of zombie films.
It does sound like LAND OF THE DEAD will easily be the biggest zombie film ever made though...

That was gonna be it. Day of the Dead as Romereo originall envisioned it.

Man. If any movie should EVER be remade it's that one. I've read bits of the script and how I would kill to have seen that fully realized.

It almost makes me cry.

[blackdragon6]

That was gonna be it. Day of the Dead as Romereo originall envisioned it.

Man. If any movie should EVER be remade it's that one. I've read bits of the script and how I would kill to have seen that fully realized.

It almost makes me cry.yeah i read the script it was good...............

[pirulaso]

there is a preview out aat quicktime.com of some movie called nightwatch. its taag line is its an epic horror trilogy.

[blackdragon6]

there is a preview out aat quicktime.com of some movie called nightwatch. its taag line is its an epic horror trilogy.i'll see whats up with that.

[DoubleWide]

For there to be an epic horror film, first there would need to be a good one. I haven't seen one in years because they nearly all use the same plot devices: Screams, gore, loud music and special effects. Not to mention crappy writing. Give me "Inner Sanctum," the origional "Twilight Zone" or "Outer Limits" any day.

I would love a job where I can spend millions of dollars, lost that amount of money on a regular basis and not get fired.

[TCJohnson]

Epic basically means large-scale, like a horror movie where big stuff happens and lots of people are affected.

Like the Omen trilogy?

[blackdragon6]

omen 3 was but not the first two movies

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Actually I heard he's doing this after Hellboy 2.wich won't be anytime soon as hellboy 2 is in development hell last i heard.as far as nightwatch goes its uh......interesting.

[Ontir]

I loved Nightwatch, and can't wait for Daywatch, and the third installment!!!

[marshal99]

Nightwatch is a boring snoozefest , it's not an epic , it's a dull jibber jabber monotone confusing crap of a movie.

[Comic_Mobsta]

Nightwatch is a boring snoozefest , it's not an epic , it's a dull jibber jabber monotone confusing crap of a movie.What he said :D

[Ontir]

How do you get that?!? I first saw it, more than a year ago, at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, and people were amazed by it. I next saw it a few months ago, at the Nuart, and people were raving. With all the mythology, and the history fo the groups, not to mention the fights and the SFX, when, and how could you snooze through it?!?

[Comic_Mobsta]

How do you get that?!? I first saw it, more than a year ago, at the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, and people were amazed by it. I next saw it a few months ago, at the Nuart, and people were raving. With all the mythology, and the history fo the groups, not to mention the fights and the SFX, when, and how could you snooze through it?!?I mean yeah it looked good but,something about it didn't click with me.I have a strange feeling that i might like the sequels though.

[the film freak]

wich won't be anytime soon as hellboy 2 is in development hell last i heard.as far as nightwatch goes its uh......interesting.

Well over a year ago (when I wrote that post) it seemed like Hellboy 2 was happening.

[blackdragon6]

Well over a year ago (when I wrote that post) it seemed like Hellboy 2 was happening.
holy shit your grant?:eek:

[the film freak]

holy shit your grant?:eek:

Yeah. I can't post under that name for some reason anymore (some password issue).

[Leslie Lee III]

Kairo AKA Pulse and the Japanese Grudge felt pretty "epic" at points. The American Pulse may do the same if the trailers are any indication.

[G. Wayne]

wich won't be anytime soon as hellboy 2 is in development hell last i heard.as far as nightwatch goes its uh......interesting.

Yup, the company that finally gave Del Toro the OK and produced the movie went bankrupt. I think they tried pitching it to other companies again, but even with the succesful first movie, they're back to square 1 with the hell they went through the first time.

Why is he called Hellboy?
Why is he red?
Can he have a helldog?
Can he be a man who gets powers from a saying a magic word?

Etc, etc. Makes one wonder how movies /ever/ get made. I understand that a movie is seperate from whatever it's based on, but sheesh.

[blackdragon6]

they're back to square 1 with the hell they went through the first time.

Why is he called Hellboy?
Why is he red?
Can he have a helldog?
Can he be a man who gets powers from a saying a magic word?

Etc, etc. Makes one wonder how movies /ever/ get made. I understand that a movie is seperate from whatever it's based on, but sheesh.they wanna water it down...

[CaptainAwesome]

The most epic horror movie I can think of is probably the Exorcist. Eventhough you never really see anything other than what is going on in the house, there is definately hints to something bigger and far more apocalyptic going on. I think it really works on levels that arent exactly stated in the movie, but thats almost what makes it so scary.

[Pól Rua]

Nightwatch is a boring snoozefest , it's not an epic , it's a dull jibber jabber monotone confusing crap of a movie.

'Epic' doesn't have to be 'good'.
That said, I dug Nightwatch.
But feh, different strokes.

[EZMOHR]

I agree with the post several up that said Bram Stoker's Dracula, was Coppola's attempt at making an epic horror flick. As was Brannagh's Frankenstein.

But, sad to say, I don't think we will get a huge epic horror ala, Lord of the Rings, anytime soon...or at least until America tries to redo Nightwatch trilogy (oh, and I'll say it now, this movie was too freaking Russian, it wasn't good. All I kept thinking the whole time I was watching it was, damn, imagine if an American director, and good actors got into this. Now I would watch that movie.), or if an A list director (Spielberg, Lucas, Cameron, Jackson) decided they wanted to do one. Or, if someone wants to make a non-Courtney Solomon version of The Bell Witch legend, with all the bells and whistles, like good actors, good script, and The Bell Witch vs. Andrew Jackson, then we will not have an epic horror movie.

[the film freak]

I guess Van Helsing is an epic considering he did fight Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and Mr. Hyde in one movie. It wasn't good but I consider that epic.

[blackdragon6]

I guess Van Helsing is an epic considering he did fight Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolfman and Mr. Hyde in one movie. It wasn't good but I consider that epic.*twitches violently*

[Kirayoshi]

How about Neil Jordan's Interview With the Vampire? I know that Anne Rice isn't everyone's cuppa on CBR, but the movie adaptation was pretty riveting, and epic in scope and budget. Plus Kirsten Dunst freaked me out completely as a pre-teen vampire!

I know it's a TV production, but how about The Stand? That was almost Biblical in its scope, complete with the Devil in the form of Randall Flagg.

[EZMOHR]

How about Neil Jordan's Interview With the Vampire? I know that Anne Rice isn't everyone's cuppa on CBR, but the movie adaptation was pretty riveting, and epic in scope and budget. Plus Kirsten Dunst freaked me out completely as a pre-teen vampire!

I know it's a TV production, but how about The Stand? That was almost Biblical in its scope, complete with the Devil in the form of Randall Flagg.


Interview with a Vampire is a great movie, and coupled with Dracula and Frankenstein in the 90's, were attempts to make an epic horror except for one thing........Frankenstein and Interview with a Vampire were not scary or done for chills. And Dracula was a 90's orgasm, ie, it was dripping with all things 90's. (Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Broody/Intense Gary Oldman, Tom Waits, Sadie Frost....Dracula is basically Victorian times done in the 90's.)

[david r]

Epic? I just wish they'd make new horror movies scary again.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "epic"? You mean, like ambitious in scope? It seems to me, the best horror films are low-budget and small in scope.

2004's remake of Dawn of the Dead was somewhat ambitious and epic. Showing a future apocalyptic world of chaos and zombies. They did a nice job with it and I'd vote that as an "epic horror film".

[Donald M.]

Epic? I just wish they'd make new horror movies scary again.


No kidding. At some point Horror flicks stopped being about trying to scare started being about trying to make us puke.

Gore is the lazy man's horror. Why be scary when you spatter some guts around? *yawn*

Much of modern horror doesn't seem to be for people who want a good scare, but for sickos who get off on pseudo-snuff.

[EZMOHR]

Epic? I just wish they'd make new horror movies scary again.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "epic"? You mean, like ambitious in scope? It seems to me, the best horror films are low-budget and small in scope.

2004's remake of Dawn of the Dead was somewhat ambitious and epic. Showing a future apocalyptic world of chaos and zombies. They did a nice job with it and I'd vote that as an "epic horror film".


I love the 2004 Dawn of the Dead...yes even more than the original. It did have an epic feel to it...but I don't know how epic it is meant to be.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

I love the 2004 Dawn of the Dead...yes even more than the original. It did have an epic feel to it...but I don't know how epic it is meant to be.my feelings exactly the first 10 minutes of that film was the shit...too bad they just stayed in a mall for 70% of the movie.:(

[rick]

I have to jump in here and say that while the first 10 minutes of the remake of Dawn of the Dead were stunning and brilliant, the rest of the film quickly turned into a bunch of fairly uninteresting horror movie cliches.

I did like it, but it was neither epic in scope, vision or execution.

Let’s talk about the big one that everybody has been talking around but never quite getting too, and that is the original Dawn of the Dead.

It does not have a huge budget, but it certainly fits into the actual definition of ”epic”, which is a heroic journey filled with adventure and peril and not everyone making it to the end.

Hell, it even has a sort of cast of thousands.

Still if we are going to talk about the big budget kind of epic, I certainly think that the ABC television version of Stephen King’s The Stand certainly fits the bill.

It’s the end of the world, with a huge cast, lot’s of explosions and more then a few, truly creepy moments.

And speaking of King, even though both are actually stories of small groups of people, both the Kubrick version of the Shining and Cronenberg’s the Dead Zone certainly are epic in their scope, if not budgets.

I suppose even though I didn’t really like them, that to a degree the original Omen series of films were pretty epic as well. Also Hertzog’s remake of Nosferatu would probably qualify just because of Kinski if nothing else.

Certainly the Exorcist fits the bill, and maybe the Legend of Hell House too.

I’ll see if I can think of more.

[EZMOHR]

First, I have to get it off my chest....The Stand by Stephen King is one of the greatest books I have ever read. Between it and To Kill a Mockingbird, I alternate. So, to get to my point.....

IN NO WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM IS THE STAND A PIECE OF HORROR. IT IS STRAIGHT UP FANTASY. THERE IS NOTHING REMOTELY SCARY ABOUT IT (save the one scene of interaction between "The Kid" and Trash Can Man and the weasel's in Colorado in the book.) THE STAND IS A FANTASY BOOK AND THAT IS THE END OF DISCUSSION......FOR ME ANY WAY, AND NO ONE WILL EVER CHANGE MY MIND.

Now, while I liked The Stand mini series from 1994 (Especially Gary Sinise as Stu, Jamey Sheridan as Randall Flagg, and Bill Faggerbake as Tom Cullen.), The Lord of the Rings Trilogy proved that ample money, the right actors, and a good screenplay that takes some liberties with written word, but keeps the story in place, can make an excellent movie. Hell, The Stand even has a great place that could be an excellent mid way point for a motion picture. This could be the next great literary work turned into a motion picture (the original ending is just begging to come back.) This could be the next sci-fi/fantasy property that could hit big at the box office. There was a thread a couple of months back were I picked my cast....it went something like this...

Stu Redman: Matthew Fox
Frannie Goldsmith: Natalie Portman
Larry Underwood: Ryan Gosling
Nick Andros: Steven Strait (Warren Peace from Sky High)
Randall Flagg: Alan Tudyk (After is small role in Hearts in Atlantis, this is the only Randall Flagg I can see.)
Harold Lauder:Tom Felton (I'm sure he can do an East Coast Accent)
Nadine Cross: Eliza Dushku
Lloyd Hendried: Doug Hutchinson
Monther Abigal: Whoopi Goldberg (In Really Old Make-up)
Tom Cullen: Ethan Suplee (Blonde, a little more weight off.)
Ralph Brentner: David Morse
Glenn Bateman: Robert Duvall
Trash Can Man: Jeffrey Combs

As for Dawn of the Dead 2004, the first 10 minutes were epic. But, I think it was great the whole way through. The pseudo-relationship between Sarah Polley and Jake Weber was believable. The friendship between Ving Rhames and Andy was interesting. The comic relief was pretty engaging (Steve the dick was not as annoying as it could've been.) And the ending was pretty cool (I was kind of bummed when Jake Weber dies at the end.) But I agree the first 10 minutes have an epic feel to it. The middle hour doesn't. But I think the last 15 minutes gets an epic vibe in some parts. All in all, I would say this is a great movie, with some good acting, made from a commercial director, who I think is gonna hit it big one day.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

(I was kind of bummed when Jake Weber dies at the end.) .
this movie got so many cool points just because they had the balls to kill him off.i never saw that coming.

[EZMOHR]

this movie got so many cool points just because they had the balls to kill him off.i never saw that coming.


I agree, his death makes the film. Hell, I like his character the best in the movie.

[Pól Rua]

And Dracula was a 90's orgasm, ie, it was dripping with all things 90's. (Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Anthony Hopkins, Broody/Intense Gary Oldman, Tom Waits, Sadie Frost....Dracula is basically Victorian times done in the 90's.)

My main problem with Coppola's Dracula wasn't it's 90's-ness, but the fact that it came so close to being faithful to Stoker's original story, with some absolutely spot-on casting (especially Waits as Renfield and the three suitors), and then they decided to remake Dracula as a sensitive 'Anne Rice-style' vampire, whining and moping his way across the landscape instead of the conscienceless monster he is in the novel.

[EZMOHR]

My main problem with Coppola's Dracula wasn't it's 90's-ness, but the fact that it came so close to being faithful to Stoker's original story, with some absolutely spot-on casting (especially Waits as Renfield and the three suitors), and then they decided to remake Dracula as a sensitive 'Anne Rice-style' vampire, whining and moping his way across the landscape instead of the conscienceless monster he is in the novel.


I have no problem with Coppola's Dracula. It is great, even though it is a 90's'gasm. I think that is its charm. Plus, I like the movie. Anything with Bill Campbell gets my vote as good.

[the film freak]

Yup, the company that finally gave Del Toro the OK and produced the movie went bankrupt. I think they tried pitching it to other companies again, but even with the succesful first movie, they're back to square 1 with the hell they went through the first time.

Why is he called Hellboy?
Why is he red?
Can he have a helldog?
Can he be a man who gets powers from a saying a magic word?

Etc, etc. Makes one wonder how movies /ever/ get made. I understand that a movie is seperate from whatever it's based on, but sheesh.

Speak of the devil. (http://www.aintitcoolnews.com/display.cgi?id=24068)

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

I agree, his death makes the film. Hell, I like his character the best in the movie.his back story was kinda interesting too....

[Black Atom]

Epic? I just wish they'd make new horror movies scary again.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by "epic"? You mean, like ambitious in scope? It seems to me, the best horror films are low-budget and small in scope.


I agree. I think horror movies best on a smaller scope. When you're concentrating on a small group of a people or even one person who's trying to stay alive, it's a lot more compelling than when you have just masses and masses of people in danger. They tend to become fodder at that point.

[DDM]

my feelings exactly the first 10 minutes of that film was the shit...too bad they just stayed in a mall for 70% of the movie.:(

Have you seen the original Dawn of the Dead? The main characters use the mall as a sanctuary from the zombies; they stay in the mall 80% of the film until the two survivors must leave when the zombies infiltrate the locked doors with the help of the bikers.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Have you seen the original Dawn of the Dead? The main characters use the mall as a sanctuary from the zombies; they stay in the mall 80% of the film until the two survivors must leave when the zombies infiltrate the locked doors with the help of the bikers.yeah i seen the original,i just wish romero will stop isolating people by putting them up in boarded up buildings.i wanna see the chaos outside damnit.

[DDM]

yeah i seen the original,i just wish romero will stop isolating people by putting them up in boarded up buildings.i wanna see the chaos outside damnit.

Dawn of the Dead shows the world slowly moving into chaos as the zombies make up of 50% of the world population. Common sense says the survivors must isolate themselves from the dead to survive. Anyone living outside would not be living for long with the sheer number of zombies seeking out more living victims.

[blackdragon6]

yeah i seen the original,i just wish romero will stop isolating people by putting them up in boarded up buildings.i wanna see the chaos outside damnit.yeah most of the zombie films take place before or after the outbreak.but never in the middle of the outbreak.


oh BTW del toro is SUPPOSEDLY working on At The Mountains of Madness after Hellboy:The Golden Army.but i'll believe it when i see it.

[Shellhead]

Horror movies shouldn't be epic, they should operate on a very personal level. Watching a crowd of people running and screaming is chaotic but not scary. All of the best horror movies focus on a fairly limited cast, and then dig into who they are and what they do when in a scary situation.

[stealthwise]

Horror movies shouldn't be epic, they should operate on a very personal level. Watching a crowd of people running and screaming is chaotic but not scary. All of the best horror movies focus on a fairly limited cast, and then dig into who they are and what they do when in a scary situation.

Isn't that what most good epic films do? Like LOTR, which focused on the actions and choices and motivations of individual actors within a larger scope, or hell, any good war movie?

[Shellhead]

Isn't that what most good epic films do? Like LOTR, which focused on the actions and choices and motivations of individual actors within a larger scope, or hell, any good war movie?

Fear is easier to convey in a dark, isolated setting than in a crowded and well-lit setting. Epic implies large-scale situation, with lots of people in the picture. Resident Evil tried to be an epic horror movie, showing an entire city overrun by zombies, but it failed to work as an effective horror movie. By contrast, Night of the Living Dead focused on a very small group of frightened people trapped in a house, and it's considered a classic of the genre.

Another comparison: Alien and Aliens. Alien had a small crew of a large, dark and dirty spaceship hunting for and being hunted by a dangerous alien. Not epic, but definitely scary. Aliens had a platoon of space marines on a rescue mission to an entire space colony, then fighting a large number of those aliens. There were some horrific elements, especially the monsters themselves, but all of the explosions and gunfire made this more of an action movie and less of a horror movie. Still great, but not especially scary.

[Brad Barton]

Bram Stoker's Dracula was kind of epic Horror, wasn't it?

[jesse_custer]

Yes, "Bram Stoker's Dracula" was rather epic. Rather shitty, too. (Of course, Coppola went on to make "Jack" after this. Man's totally lost it.)

To me, "The Shining" is the only film mentioned that managed to be both epic and good.

As for Dawn of the Dead 2004, the first 10 minutes were epic. But, I think it was great the whole way through. The pseudo-relationship between Sarah Polley and Jake Weber was believable. The friendship between Ving Rhames and Andy was interesting. The comic relief was pretty engaging (Steve the dick was not as annoying as it could've been.) And the ending was pretty cool (I was kind of bummed when Jake Weber dies at the end.) But I agree the first 10 minutes have an epic feel to it. The middle hour doesn't. But I think the last 15 minutes gets an epic vibe in some parts. All in all, I would say this is a great movie, with some good acting, made from a commercial director, who I think is gonna hit it big one day.

Although it's not epic in my mind at all, that film was top-notch entertainment. Hell, I found it even funnier than "Shaun of the Dead" and a slew of other recent comedies.

[Legato]

Although it's not epic in my mind at all, that film was top-notch entertainment. Hell, I found it even funnier than "Shaun of the Dead" and a slew of other recent comedies.

For a horror remake Dawn of the Dead 04 was actually pretty good. The movie made the characters interesting enough to whare you actually hope they make it out ok.

The Sarah Polley and Jake Weber romance was good without it being too cliched, it felt almost real in a way.

The ending was kind of a bummer because it implied that they didn't really survive that zombie crisis.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

i think aliens had some goods scary tense momments,but of course it had alot of action.as far as lovecraft's ATMOM i think Del toro will have to set it in the past because current technology will make the story implausible.

[Donald M.]

I have fairly high hopes for the upcoming film based on the novel World War Z.

The book takes a much closer look than zombie stories typically do at the worldwide societal effects of a zombie outbreak.

A disaster story with monsters, in other words.

If it works it could be amazing, if it doesn't, it might still be okay.

[Monty_Cristo]

Freddy vs Jason wasn't epic? :eek: :D

[Donald M.]

Freddy vs Jason wasn't epic? :eek: :D

Epically silly.

When Freddy and Jason were actually fighting it was amazing, the rest was . . . meh.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Epically silly.

When Freddy and Jason were actually fighting it was amazing, the rest was . . . meh.i thought the set up was ingenious though.

[Monty_Cristo]

i thought the set up was ingenious though.

i actually did like the beginning; Freddy's monologue and plan to use Jason. too bad the kids that they were up against were failures at life.

[EZMOHR]

I have fairly high hopes for the upcoming film based on the novel World War Z.

The book takes a much closer look than zombie stories typically do at the worldwide societal effects of a zombie outbreak.

A disaster story with monsters, in other words.

If it works it could be amazing, if it doesn't, it might still be okay.

If World War Z is made into a movie, it can be a true "epic" horror movie. I'm interested to see how it is done though...........

Another epic could be The Walking Dead. Though, I think it would be the perfect to the nth degree new HBO TV series.

[ultramandingo]

......."ARMY OF DARKNESS " - way epic , or im a chinese jet pilot

[HectorP]

The ending was kind of a bummer because it implied that they didn't really survive that zombie crisis.

The odds of surviving that crisis were shitty to begin with. Mystery epidemic pops up everywhere? At least 28DL had (mostly) effective quarantines. But I could watch a whole movie consisting of events like the ones depicted in the intro movie to Dawn. Remember how a guy told in 28 Days Later about the Rage spreading through a terrified and packed crowd? We got to see it in the sequel, and it was one of the best parts of the movie.

i actually did like the beginning; Freddy's monologue and plan to use Jason. too bad the kids that they were up against were failures at life.

And the comic sequel only underscores how dumb these people can be.

[blackdragon6]

.as far as lovecraft's ATMOM i think Del toro will have to set it in the past because current technology will make the story implausible.
um,a modern setting alone would make it implausible.mostly cause the antarctic has virtually been fully explored.so theres no mountain ranges that are taller than the Himalayas,or giant blind albino penguins. (as far as i know)

[Shellhead]

......."ARMY OF DARKNESS " - way epic , or im a chinese jet pilot

Epic, yes. Horror? I dunno, it seemed too humorous to be horrifying.

[Jettison]

The Shining.

Epic horror....epic filmmaking...

but as far as Star Wars epic, or LOTR epic.....hmmm....what about Deliverance? Its kind of like Homer's Odyssey , but with inbred buttsex...

[Legato]

The Shining.

Epic horror....epic filmmaking...

but as far as Star Wars epic, or LOTR epic.....hmmm....what about Deliverance? Its kind of like Homer's Odyssey , but with inbred buttsex...

The Shining is more of an Intense Horror Movie than Epic.

George Romero's Dawn of The Dead Trilogy is the closest thing to a horror movie being epic.

[Shellhead]

The Shining.

Epic horror....epic filmmaking...


http://www.thefreedictionary.com/epic

ep·ic (pk)
n.
1. An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.
2. A literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats.
3. A series of events considered appropriate to an epic: the epic of the Old West.
adj.
1. Of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic: an epic poem.
2. Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: "A vast musical panorama . . . it requires an epic musical understanding to do it justice" Tim Page.
3. Heroic and impressive in quality: "Here in the courtroom . . . there was more of that epic atmosphere, the extra amperage of a special moment" Scott Turow.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/epic

ep·ic (pk)
n.
1. An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a legendary or traditional hero.
2. A literary or dramatic composition that resembles an extended narrative poem celebrating heroic feats.
3. A series of events considered appropriate to an epic: the epic of the Old West.
adj.
1. Of, constituting, having to do with, or suggestive of a literary epic: an epic poem.
2. Surpassing the usual or ordinary, particularly in scope or size: "A vast musical panorama . . . it requires an epic musical understanding to do it justice" Tim Page.
3. Heroic and impressive in quality: "Here in the courtroom . . . there was more of that epic atmosphere, the extra amperage of a special moment" Scott Turow.
what he said...

[nervmeister]

Dead-Alive (aka. Braindead) had "epic" amounts of blood. Does that count? :D

[Monty_Cristo]

not epic but did any of you rent 'Joshua' yet? i found this movie to be good and disturbing. but i find overly-bright children creepy, anyways. so if you haven't seen the movie, this is me recommending it. it has Sam Rockwell (Greenmile) and Vera Farmiga (the Departed) in it. what have you got to lose?

[Pól Rua]

or will they continue being low budget cult films?.................the closest thing to a epic horror film was night of the living dead.

Horror works best in short bursts. It's why horror as a genre works better in short stories than in novels.
It's difficult to sustain the feelings of discomfort that come with horror. We simply don't WANT to be scared, unsettled and uncomfortable for a long time. It ceases to be entertaining.
Most long-form horror stuff tends to veer off into fantasy territory, albeit with a dark or unpleasant veneer.

[Tish-the-Scorpion]

Most long-form horror stuff tends to veer off into fantasy territory, albeit with a dark or unpleasant veneer.fine by me,but i think a epic horror film can still be at least unsettling if they do a good job at actually showing the world at large falling apart.

[blackdragon6]

btw ATMOM is back in development hell due to DelToro being attached to the hobbit.

[Guy1]

not epic but did any of you rent 'Joshua' yet? i found this movie to be good and disturbing. but i find overly-bright children creepy, anyways. so if you haven't seen the movie, this is me recommending it. it has Sam Rockwell (Greenmile) and Vera Farmiga (the Departed) in it. what have you got to lose?

I saw it and personally I got so tired of the constant piano playing and baby crying that I just turned it off.

[Monty_Cristo]

I saw it and personally I got so tired of the constant piano playing and baby crying that I just turned it off.

yeah, the piano playing did wear on the nerves. you should have stayed for the end.

[Guy1]

yeah, the piano playing did wear on the nerves. you should have stayed for the end.

So what happened at the end? Feel free to spoil it for me.

[Monty_Cristo]

So what happened at the end? Feel free to spoil it for me.

i forget. all i know is that the kid winds up living w/ the gay uncle; whom he plays his final piano composition for. you actually hear the words to the song he's been playing throughout the movie. it was creepy.

[Frank]

If there's one horror epic to be made, and i'm taking about with the potential to go into LOTR territory it would be Bryan Lumley's Necrospcope. Pretty much the Ultimate Vampire Story. It spans about 8 books and it's great imaginative stuff, not for the faint of heart. Lumley started his career by being a Lovecraft specialist, writing several Chtulu spin-offs until he broke on his own and created a new myth with similar sensibilities.

[Tobias March]

Horror works best in short bursts. It's why horror as a genre works better in short stories than in novels.
It's difficult to sustain the feelings of discomfort that come with horror. We simply don't WANT to be scared, unsettled and uncomfortable for a long time. It ceases to be entertaining.
Most long-form horror stuff tends to veer off into fantasy territory, albeit with a dark or unpleasant veneer.

I would agree with this. Now all movie genres need their 'epic' because LOTR made so much money and the reasoning is 'epic' equates box office hit!

A long horror film that sustained a vast descent into terror across a landscape would to my mind dip into a fantasy flick. Much like Evil Dead Army of Darkness, or indeed Buffy the Vampire Slayer when it hit the television.

I am excited about Mark Brooks film adaptation though as I could see that being suitably broad through narrating the action via a series of vignettes.

That would work.

[Jared]

I consider the Cloverfield and the original Godzilla to epic horror. Godzilla (or Gojira, if you insist) is often overlooked because of the campiness that later became the hallmark of the franchise. But that first movie wasn't meant to be a pleasant viewing experience, not at the time it was made.

[Tobias March]

I consider the Cloverfield and the original Godzilla to epic horror. Godzilla (or Gojira, if you insist) is often overlooked because of the campiness that later became the hallmark of the franchise. But that first movie wasn't meant to be a pleasant viewing experience, not at the time it was made.

But Godzilla is not scary. It's almost a sci-fi flick. And Cloverfield is quite short for an epic and rests on a visual gimic that acts against it as a rewatchable film.

[Jared]

Well Godzilla scared me as a kid. The way the movie is presents the monster, such as the fact that you don't even see it for a while, rather you hear it, and see the effects of it, is very much horror. Moreover,scenes of post-nuclear devestation were pretty much everyone's worst nightmare in the 50s.

[Tobias March]

Well Godzilla scared me as a kid. The way the movie is presents the monster, such as the fact that you don't even see it for a while, rather you hear it, and see the effects of it, is very much horror. Moreover,scenes of post-nuclear devestation were pretty much everyone's worst nightmare in the 50s.

Over on YABs Charles RB has challenged me to prove Godzilla 1998 is actually an important movie, so I'm taking down everything you're saying :biggrin:

[Jared]

Over on YABs Charles RB has challenged me to prove Godzilla 1998 is actually an important movie, so I'm taking down everything you're saying :biggrin:

As long as you keep in mind I'm talking about the original, not Ferris Beuller vs. The Giant Iguana.

[Tobias March]

As long as you keep in mind I'm talking about the original, not Ferris Beuller vs. The Giant Iguana.

It's all related to my 'thesis' :-)