I'm feeling better about the second draft of It Follows, but right now I'm essentially rewriting much of the story. It'll be more psychological and character-based, and even though it's a long process, I think it'll be a better book because of the changes.
My goal is to get this thing done in June. Wish me luck!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
IT FOLLOWS - 1st draft complete
A few days ago, I finished the first draft of my 2nd novel. Now I'm in the revision/editing stage. And as it is with most revisions I make, much of the central storyline has totally changed. So suffice it to say, the plot description of It Follows, as seen on my website, is no longer accurate. But fear not, the story is much more focused and probably works better now.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Horror Movie review: THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN
The Midnight Meat Train
Made in: USA
Language: English
Director: Ryuhei Kitamura
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Vinnie Jones, Leslie Bibb, Brooke Shields, Barbara Eve Harris, Tony Curran, Roger Bart
Year: 2008
Review by: Joe Yang
Originally published at: Foreign-films-for-you.com
Synopsis: This movie was adapted from the short story by renown horror writer, Clive Barker, and is from Volume One of the Books of Blood collection. Leon (Bradley Cooper) is a talented, ambitious, but broke photographer who specializes in taking candid, urban street shots. With the help of his girlfriend, Maya (Leslie Bibb), he's able to meet with Susan Hoff (Brook Shields), a famous art dealer.
Although she sees promise in his work, Susan bluntly criticizes his portfolio. She points out that Leon needs to be more courageous with his photography in order to capture the true emotional essence of the "city's soul."
While in a subway station late one night, Leon photographs several thugs who are about to rough up a young woman. He manages to prevent the crime, and his intense photos, once developed, have enough grit and raw realism to impress Susan. On the brink of success, Leon just needs a few more pictures like it in order to make it big.
Leon then becomes drawn to a quiet, dour, and scary-looking subway rider named Mahogany (Vinnie Jones). Unbeknownst to Leon, Mahogany is actually a serial killer who rides the trains late at night, brutally slaying unsuspecting passengers with the help of a heavy meat hammer. After slashing or decapitating his hapless (and often annoying) victims, he strings their messy corpses up like slaughtered cattle.
Leon soon becomes obsessed with Mahogany, who may be connected to a hundred year-old mystery involving a killer known as the "Subway Butcher." This leads the photographer down a dark path as he risks life and limb to find the bloody truth.
And through it all, everyone in this movie is still considerate enough to observe the no-smoking rule on the subway.
The Good: The Midnight Meat Train has a lot of solid suspense, and a great build-up. Bradley Cooper does a good job as the photographer who becomes obsessed to the point of becoming mentally unhinged. The psychological change surrounding his character is intriguing, and the mystery behind Mahogany and his gruesome purpose will draw you in.
Director Ryuhei Kitamura often moves the camera in creative ways, and makes use of a dark, bleak-looking atmosphere that perfectly captures the mood of the film. The editing and lighting give The Midnight Meat Train sort of an "indie" look, which makes it seem a cut above the average modern slasher.
Former footballer Vinnie Jones is perfectly cast as the mysterious Subway Butcher, and Kitamura masterfully pulls the viewer along, giving us enough clues to know that there's a well thought-out plot. But at the same time, he never gives so much away that the movie becomes predictable.
The Bad: The ending. Although it all comes together in a coherent, sensible way, the story sort of wraps up a little too quickly. Truth be told, I found it really disappointing.
Who would like this movie: Take The Midnight Meat Train if you like the works of Clive Barker. I haven't read the original short story (shame on me, since I myself am a horror author), so I can't guarantee that Barker fans will like it. But it's sure to spark a reaction.
As I said, the first half of the film is excellent and much better than a by-the-numbers slasher that's content to throw blood all over the screen for the sole purpose of grossing you out. That being said, this movie has plenty of blood and cringe-inducing graphic violence to remind you that, in the end, it is indeed a horror movie. So if you enjoy watching eyeballs getting plucked out of heads or corpses getting stabbed in the genitals, then this movie's definitely for you!
But despite a great build-up and some genuine suspense, The Midnight Meat Train gets a little off-track with a so-so ending.
(2 and 1/2 stars out of 4)
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
What's scary these days anyway?
By Joe Yang
A few years ago, when "torture porn" schlock such as the Saw and Hostel movies arrived in cinemas, people really started getting scared that the nation's youth was (yet again) headed down the path of destruction.
For a brief moment, people wondered if the initial popularity of such films was going to become a major trend. Parents to pundits, including Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, voiced concern over what these torture movies said about modern society. These movies, after all, were brutal. And they made millions.
But years later, the Hostel sequel and the Saw franchise haven't enjoyed the same kind of box office successes that they had when first released. Although still somewhat popular, they don't seem to pose any kind of major cultural threat.
In other words, the world didn't come to an end because of a few sick movies.
So what scares people these days? As a horror writer, who's undoubtedly also fascinated with horror movies, I wonder if there are any ideas out there that can grab people the way Tobe Hooper's original Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Hitchcock's Psycho did.
When director Wes Craven methodically deconstructed the modern horror movie with the Scream series, he exposed every laughable flaw and formulaic plot turn of most scary movies. This was fun for a while, but seems to have had unintended consequences for later horror movies.
Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees have practically become caricatures of themselves. Aliens and Predators have made more of a mess out of their reputations than Democrats and Republicans. Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead took the scariness out of zombies (albeit brilliantly), and now it seems that all we're left with are remakes. Sure, an original killer is created every now and then, but when's the last time a slasher's name carried the same weight as Freddy or Jason?
And with the rise of ultra-realistic video games on advanced game consoles, it looks like the horror film industry only has more to compete with.
However, I remain optimistic. Horror is an element of popular culture that will always be in demand. The basic instinct to purge our deepest psychological fears is as necessary as breathing. So what will they think of next? I have no idea.
But believe me, it's coming...
A few years ago, when "torture porn" schlock such as the Saw and Hostel movies arrived in cinemas, people really started getting scared that the nation's youth was (yet again) headed down the path of destruction.
For a brief moment, people wondered if the initial popularity of such films was going to become a major trend. Parents to pundits, including Fox News commentator Bill O'Reilly, voiced concern over what these torture movies said about modern society. These movies, after all, were brutal. And they made millions.
But years later, the Hostel sequel and the Saw franchise haven't enjoyed the same kind of box office successes that they had when first released. Although still somewhat popular, they don't seem to pose any kind of major cultural threat.
In other words, the world didn't come to an end because of a few sick movies.
So what scares people these days? As a horror writer, who's undoubtedly also fascinated with horror movies, I wonder if there are any ideas out there that can grab people the way Tobe Hooper's original Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Hitchcock's Psycho did.
When director Wes Craven methodically deconstructed the modern horror movie with the Scream series, he exposed every laughable flaw and formulaic plot turn of most scary movies. This was fun for a while, but seems to have had unintended consequences for later horror movies.
Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees have practically become caricatures of themselves. Aliens and Predators have made more of a mess out of their reputations than Democrats and Republicans. Edgar Wright's Shaun of the Dead took the scariness out of zombies (albeit brilliantly), and now it seems that all we're left with are remakes. Sure, an original killer is created every now and then, but when's the last time a slasher's name carried the same weight as Freddy or Jason?
And with the rise of ultra-realistic video games on advanced game consoles, it looks like the horror film industry only has more to compete with.
However, I remain optimistic. Horror is an element of popular culture that will always be in demand. The basic instinct to purge our deepest psychological fears is as necessary as breathing. So what will they think of next? I have no idea.
But believe me, it's coming...
Sunday, March 8, 2009
New Short Stories
I've posted 2 new short horror stories at my website. You can find them here.
They'll give you a good idea of what my writing style is like, so please have a look (unless you're too scared).
More stories will be posted as soon as I finish writing them. Enjoy!
Friday, March 6, 2009
I like horror, not extreme violence
By: Joe Yang
Every time I tell someone that I write horror stories, very often they assume that I must like watching horror movies too. The reasoning seems logical. I write "scary" stuff, therefore I must always be the first one in line whenever a new Saw movie comes out, right?
Wrong.
I'm not sure how it is with other horror writers, but for me, horror isn't actually my favorite cinematic genre (comedy is). That isn't to say that I avoid horror flicks altogether. For instance, Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is one of my all-time favorite scary movies. Tobe Hooper's The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (the original, not the terrible remake) was a brilliantly made psychological horror movie, in that there was very little (if any) gore but plenty of frightful stuff left to the imagination. Night of the Living Dead captured the nihilism and emotional despair of the Cold War 60s, and the recent Spanish film, The Orphanage (El Orfanato), is not only a great ghost story, but a moving drama as well.
Whenever I find myself talking about horror, I inevitably get into a discussion about movies containing extreme violence. Or "torture porn," as it is better known (what an overused term). I have not, and absolutely have no interest in seeing movies such as Wolf Creek, Saw, Hostel, or Barney vs. The Teletubbies.
But at the same time, I'm not going to rant about how depraved society is becoming, and that the movies mentioned above will breed a generation of desensitized Columbine copycats. The films of Eli Roth and his oft-criticized compatriots simply aren't my cup of tea, and I'll leave it at that. And for one, I don't think movies like Saw or Hostel will bring about the end of civilization as we know it.
After all, people thought that Elvis' swinging hips, the Beatles, and shows like The Simpsons were going to spell doom for the children of tomorrow. But did they? Hmmm. Let's see. Today, Elvis' songs are innocent, the Beatles were actually pretty well-dressed (in their early days, at least), and The Simpsons is now arguably one of the cleaner shows on TV.
So no. I don't think the fleeting popularity of "torture porn" movies is evidence that the world is going to hell in a Happy Meal. In my opinion, it's pointless shock value (but I can't say for sure since I haven't actually seen those movies). The controversy and hype will draw a lot of curious viewers. But like pinball machines, the new Volkswagen Beetle, and MC Hammer, it's probably just a fad until the next big thing comes around. And I'm almost certain that civilization, and all the iPods included therein, will still be intact when it does.
So just what kind of horror do I like, if you must know?
First off, I like the kind of horror story (a book and/or movie) that actually has a coherent storyline. Secondly, I like a horror movie that has some sort of purpose beyond the story being told. This can include, but is not limited to, social/political commentary, satire, the exploration of personal or collective fears, and why we shouldn't build giant robots that can't be controlled.
To me, a horror story that scares the piss out of you without being in-your-face graphic is always a winner.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
The horror of 80's videogames...
by: Joe Yang
With scary games such as House of the Dead, Resident Evil 5 (or 6, or whatever number they're up to these days), you practically participate in a horror movie where you get to control the outcome of the story.
With sophisticated game platforms such as XBOX 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii, computer generated gore has never looked more realistic. With the help of a game console or PC, you can almost experience the life of a mass murderer without the inconvenience of getting shot by the police, going to court, or dealing with the media.
That's today.
But what about the videogames of yesterday? Sure, those cute graphics, beeps, and boops seemed so innocent and harmless. But were they? Let's examine a few favorites, and before long you'll discover a darker side lurking underneath all of them. You see, I believe the next videogame-to-horror movie shouldn't be made from the likes of modern favorites such as Resident Evil or Silent Hill. Try this:
PACMAN: An old favorite. A yellow circle goes around eating a bunch of dots while being chased by a group of multicolored ghosts.
Why it's terrifying: The enemies are ghosts. Ghosts can't be stopped, because you can't kill what's already dead. The best Pacman can do is slow them down temporarily after he's taken one of those power pills. The game just goes on, and on, and on. It gets harder and the pills become less effective as you progress. A never-ending quest, unstoppable enemies, and drug use...sounds like a pretty dark premise if you ask me.
Who would direct if it's made into a movie: George Romero or Stanley Kubrick (if he were still alive).
DIG DUG: Here, the main character's job is to eradicate a group of critters that are goofing about underground. Yes, they're a nuisance. And yes, some of them breathe fire and are dangerous.
Why it's terrifying: All the hero has to do is go down there with a gun, and the problem can be solved in a timely, humane manner. But no! Not only does Dig-Dug, or whatever the hell his name is, NOT use a gun.
He goes down there with an air pump, methodically tracks the creatures down one by one, and when he finds them, begins inflating them full of air. Then Dug watches as the animals literally explode! Somewhere, Charles Manson and Ted Bundy are slapping their foreheads for not thinking of that first.
Who should direct if it's made into a movie: Paul Verhoeven or maybe Wes Craven
MR. DOO'S CASTLE: Little girls love unicorns. And even as guys, we associated unicorns with things that were good because some princess with an impressive rack was always riding one. Mr Doo's Castle threw me for a loop when I saw it in the arcade for the first time, because on the side of the game machine, there were these pictures of cute little red unicorns running around.
Then I realized the unicorns were bad.
The story is simple: Mr. Doo is a guy running for his life from a horde of rampaging unicorns that are bent on impaling, goring, or otherwise trampling him to death for reasons unknown.
Why it's terrifying: Mr. Doo, who also doesn't own a gun, never thinks to leave his castle to call animal control or the police.
Instead, he dresses up like a clown and picks up a giant mallet. As he's being pursued, he knocks out sections of the castle floor (that are all conveniently shaped like blocks). Whenever a unicorn gets stuck in a gap where a block has been knocked out, Mr. Doo has to quickly get to the level above.
The strategy is to whack out the block hanging directly above the trapped unicorn. The falling block then falls on the offending unicorn, killing it on impact. You pass the level once you've helped Mr. Doo massacre all the animals.
Who should direct if it's made into a movie: Rob Zombie. And I think Jason Statham would make a good Mr. Doo.
There are many more games out there to comment on, but the point is clear. "Simple" 80's videogames leave plenty of room for more in-depth storytelling, and their violent premises should satisfy the sickest gorehound among us...
With scary games such as House of the Dead, Resident Evil 5 (or 6, or whatever number they're up to these days), you practically participate in a horror movie where you get to control the outcome of the story.
With sophisticated game platforms such as XBOX 360, Playstation 3, and the Wii, computer generated gore has never looked more realistic. With the help of a game console or PC, you can almost experience the life of a mass murderer without the inconvenience of getting shot by the police, going to court, or dealing with the media.
That's today.
But what about the videogames of yesterday? Sure, those cute graphics, beeps, and boops seemed so innocent and harmless. But were they? Let's examine a few favorites, and before long you'll discover a darker side lurking underneath all of them. You see, I believe the next videogame-to-horror movie shouldn't be made from the likes of modern favorites such as Resident Evil or Silent Hill. Try this:
PACMAN: An old favorite. A yellow circle goes around eating a bunch of dots while being chased by a group of multicolored ghosts.
Why it's terrifying: The enemies are ghosts. Ghosts can't be stopped, because you can't kill what's already dead. The best Pacman can do is slow them down temporarily after he's taken one of those power pills. The game just goes on, and on, and on. It gets harder and the pills become less effective as you progress. A never-ending quest, unstoppable enemies, and drug use...sounds like a pretty dark premise if you ask me.
Who would direct if it's made into a movie: George Romero or Stanley Kubrick (if he were still alive).
DIG DUG: Here, the main character's job is to eradicate a group of critters that are goofing about underground. Yes, they're a nuisance. And yes, some of them breathe fire and are dangerous.
Why it's terrifying: All the hero has to do is go down there with a gun, and the problem can be solved in a timely, humane manner. But no! Not only does Dig-Dug, or whatever the hell his name is, NOT use a gun.
He goes down there with an air pump, methodically tracks the creatures down one by one, and when he finds them, begins inflating them full of air. Then Dug watches as the animals literally explode! Somewhere, Charles Manson and Ted Bundy are slapping their foreheads for not thinking of that first.
Who should direct if it's made into a movie: Paul Verhoeven or maybe Wes Craven
MR. DOO'S CASTLE: Little girls love unicorns. And even as guys, we associated unicorns with things that were good because some princess with an impressive rack was always riding one. Mr Doo's Castle threw me for a loop when I saw it in the arcade for the first time, because on the side of the game machine, there were these pictures of cute little red unicorns running around.
Then I realized the unicorns were bad.
The story is simple: Mr. Doo is a guy running for his life from a horde of rampaging unicorns that are bent on impaling, goring, or otherwise trampling him to death for reasons unknown.
Why it's terrifying: Mr. Doo, who also doesn't own a gun, never thinks to leave his castle to call animal control or the police.
Instead, he dresses up like a clown and picks up a giant mallet. As he's being pursued, he knocks out sections of the castle floor (that are all conveniently shaped like blocks). Whenever a unicorn gets stuck in a gap where a block has been knocked out, Mr. Doo has to quickly get to the level above.
The strategy is to whack out the block hanging directly above the trapped unicorn. The falling block then falls on the offending unicorn, killing it on impact. You pass the level once you've helped Mr. Doo massacre all the animals.
Who should direct if it's made into a movie: Rob Zombie. And I think Jason Statham would make a good Mr. Doo.
There are many more games out there to comment on, but the point is clear. "Simple" 80's videogames leave plenty of room for more in-depth storytelling, and their violent premises should satisfy the sickest gorehound among us...
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