Scream

The fourth film in the Scream franchise, set 15 years after the Woodsboro murders, Sydney returns to her hometown to promote her book and spend time with her family. But like all reunions, there is always somebody there to spoil the fun…

God, I love the Scream movies. They are a nostalgic comfort for me, a "horror-soup for the soul" if you will.

I have seen them all so much, they hold no surprises for me. But maybe that is where the comfort lies- the comfort of knowing each and every scare as it is about to occur. The anticipation of the next scare (Ah, get it?!).

Today, we are here to discuss Scream 4. The last of the Scream franchise to be directed by Wes Craven. The movie was the best of times. It was the worst of times. As far as the franchise is concerned, I would say bottom two of the 5 (haven't seen the latest, so the verdict is still out). 

Scream 4 came out in 2011, 11 years after the previous installment. Sydney returns to Woodsboro on the anniversary of the start of it all, promoting her new book. Unfortunately, Ghostface the Great also returns, wrecking havoc on her niece and her classmates. As Sydney attempts to survive the rules of the newer generation slasher, she mustcask herself- what will her survival cost?

What did the movie do well? Well, there is a great cast for damn sure. Besides Neve Campbell, David Arquette, and Courtney Cox, the movie introduced some fresh young faces (including Hayden Panettiere 😍). The premise is also not too bad, though not entirely new or unexpected. But the movie never seems to pull everything together to make it a great horror movie. And it seems to run just a little bit longer than it should have.

Rating: I give this movie 5 Ghostfaces out of 10 for having a good cast and being a part of a great franchise.  But it definitely could have been improved upon as far as the story is concerned, and the kills could have been more intense.

Movie wise, Scream 5 was a great way to bring some fresh blood to the series. We (yet again) are introduced to a new group of youngsters, all tied to the original victims in some way. As Dewey warns Sidney and Gale about the return of their old friend, the group is drawn into a whole new kind of terror. You can also check out There's Somebody in your House. A small town is being ravaged by a koller picking off victims- while wearing masks made of their own face. It's a fun watch and a modern take on the slasher genre.

Bookwise, check out My Heart is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones. A horror movie fanatic witnesses a slasher movie unfold around her city.  As she attempts to save her town, the townspeople are hesitant to believe the girl with the sordid past- until it is too late. You can also check out The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix. A group of survivors or serial killers meet to support and comfort each other. After one of their own gets murdered, one of the girls begins to suspect that the killing cycle may be beginning again.

So what's your favorite movie? And what's your favorite Scream movie? Let me know in the comments!