Best New Releases: Psychological Thrill Ride

Hello, horror lovers! Today we have something extra special for you. Myself and fellow Media Buzz writer Isaac Mosna have teamed up to bring you the latest and greatest in new releases. Today’s theme is psychological thrillers – so get ready to have your mind blown!


Isaac’s Pick: Get Out

I don't like horror movies. Mostly. I find many of the latest ones besides the classic horror movies to be boring, repetitive and rely on the lowest scare form: jump scares. I mainly enjoy "horror" movies that focus on more of a psychological thriller premise, where the movie gets you to think for a while after watching, and appeals to your mind.


Well, Get Out directed by Jordan Peele is not totally either of these. It's not really a horror movie, but still has some horror elements, but more of a psychological thriller/comedy. The basic summary of the movie is that an African American man named Chris (actor David Kaluuya) is at the point in the relationship with his caucasian girlfriend named Rose (actor Allison Williams), where he visits her parents. Things start going crazy from here, when he notices that his girlfriend's family has multiple African American servants, her mother does hypnosis, and extended family members seem to be so incredibly fascinated with Chris. I don't want to spoil it, but the movie has a very interesting plot line. It plays on not only some horror and thriller elements, but also on racial prejudice themes that can still be present in our world today. The end of the movie is where the most interesting twist(s) of all occur. I really want to say what happens, but I'm nice enough not to spoil it. :)

Basically, if you're looking for a movie to see this weekend that's infinitely more interesting than the other movies currently in theatres, watch this one - a very fascinating and unique movie to start the year!

Pauline’s Pick: Split

It’s safe to say we all had high expectations for Split, the latest work directed by the legendary master of horror, M. Night Shyamalan. With an extensive resume like his, the bar was set to ridiculously high standards and Shyamalan delivered. Split is a true masterpiece.

The plot follows a man named Kevin Wendell Crumb, who suffers from dissociative identity disorder, also loosely known as multiple personality disorder. The audience watches as Kevin’s alters (alternate personas) overtake his very being, committing heinous acts in the process while Kevin falls helplessly further and further to the background, buried by the chaos of his own mind. We can call it horror but truthfully the film is more of a psychological thriller, or in any case we can acknowledge the fact that many people who suffer from this disorder must endure this type of horror every day of their lives.

The movie sheds light on a topic that is not widely spoken about, even if it is at moments hyperbolic. If we dig a little deeper, we discover that Split is much more than a thrill ride for our personal viewing experience. It poses some very interesting questions and suggests some compelling theoretical concepts. Have you ever heard those stories where someone, pumped up on adrenaline, lifts a car to save someone in a life threatening situation? Well, the questions raised in Split run along very similar lines.

Could it be that we as physical beings, are only limited by the parameters of our minds? Could there be something more to discover if we could access the deeper levels of our subconscious? What would we do – and what might we find? Maybe there is a monster lurking inside each and every one of us, fighting to break free. The mind is a complex thing. They say humans only use 20% of their brain power at any given time. Maybe Split is trying to tell us that we’ve only just scratched the surface.

Video Games to Play with your Pals

Mario Kart  

Mario Kart is a classic fun game, full of all types of different levels from easy to hard making it fun for everyone. There are many different versions of Mario Kart and many different consoles you're able to play on. Which is why Mario Kart an awesome game to play with friends, never ending racing fun. 

The different levels you're able to play can make or break friendships. [ PLAY AT YOU'RE OWN RISK] Mario Kart can fill your competitive needs against your friends and can become very addictive for gaming junkies. A classic game where you are able to unlock unique levels for even more fun. 

Just Dance 

If you're looking for a more psychical (get up and move around) kind of game Just Dance is the game for you! Just Dance is available for Xbox, Wii, PS4 & PS3- all pretty popular consoles making it a pretty good game choice to play. Up to 4 people can play at a time, some dances you're all following one person. Other songs you each take upon a roll, making your friends and you a whole new dance crew! Just Dance is not as competitive as the other games listed but probably one of the most fun games to play!

Have different types of music tastes? No problem! Every year Just Dance comes out with a game with the top most popular songs of that year. If you're very 'extra' in games don't worry! Not only can you just dance but every song features the song lyrics in the corner for you to sing along too. Maybe it's a good thing that you don't lose marks for you're "great" singing, just your dancing. 

Super Smash Bros

I know one of my personal favourite games to play with friends is Super Smash Bros. The Super Smash Bros franchise has been around for most of my life from the original Super Smash Bros on the Nintendo 64, Super Smash Bros Melee on the Game Cube, Super Smash Bros Brawl on the Wii and Super Smash Bros on the Wii U.  

Throughout the years, the Smash Bros franchise has retained that “nail biting” tension of your opponent being at 300% damage and trying to get that last hit in to send your opponent flying across the screen only to hear that announcer scream out “KO!” Super Smash Bros should definitely be on your list when it comes to playing video games with your friends. 

You don’t know Jack

You don’t know Jack is probably the best version on the standard trivia game that throws a whole bunch of questions at you, and you must battle it out against your friends.

What makes this game different is the out of left field question that you’re not expecting and much less have an answer for said question. Another factor that makes this game different is the witty commentary from the announcer voiced by Phil Ridarelli. 

The Death of HMV

To those of you who may not know what HMV is or why it is dying, allow to me to quickly explain. HMV is was a music and movie focused store that most recently was well known for selling DVD's, CD's, various merchandise and even some sweet vinyl.

Back in it's 'hey-day', HMV had some impressive achievements like how in 2005 they were able to take over a Virgin mega-store to hold the title of the largest media focused retail destination. In 2006 HMV was crowned "Canadian music retailer of the year', in 2009 HMV began including video games in their lineup, and in 2010 they had created their own membership program which had over 300,000 people sign up within four months. So what happened?

2010 also saw the creation of the now insanely popular Netflix, which at the time only seemed like the tip of the digital iceberg. Media as a whole was becoming more easily accessible digitally, and the previously used method of "going to the store" to "buy a dvd" was showing some age. Take Blockbuster or The Beat Goes On as an example: people just don't want to get up and drive to a movie or music store anymore, especially not when they can just Torrent Kanye's newest album or stream an entire season of Daredevil for only $9.99 a month.

Honestly, I'm disappointed with this closure. HMV was more than just a little shop in your local mall, it was a Canadian media retailer that had been selling families' their movie nights for more than 30 years. It was the last remaining example of what media once was: a special occasional event to be shared with those you care about, not two hours of flipping through the trending category from your couch or 'Netflix and chill'. Rest in peace, HMV. 

Best of Netflix: Horror Edition

Best of Netflix: Horror Edition

Today we’re coming at you with our first instalment of the “Best of Netflix” segment. These days, it seems Netflix has completely taken over the world. More and more people are opting out of cable television and saying goodbye to paying those nasty bills. Many people are even using Netflix as a more hassle-free and virus-free (and also much more legal) alternative to streaming shows online. In this day and age, people want choice; they know what they want and they want it on-demand. No more ads, no more missing your favourite show because you’re working late, and no more waiting a week in between new episodes of your favourite series (darn you, cliff-hangers)! Netflix is the new television and it’s safe to say, “Netflix and Chill” is here to stay.  

Us horror fans are always looking for the next thrill. Once you’ve become addicted to the scare, it can be a challenge to find a movie that truly satisfies your craving for fear. Which is why we’ve got you covered. So go ahead and renew that Netflix subscription and let the binge watching begin!

Here are the top 5 horror movies now streaming on Netflix:     

5) Creep:

Creep is a small time indie flick which follows a freelance cameraman on a job that turns really weird, really fast. From the surface, it’ll have you thinking you’ve seen it all before – but just when you think you’ve figured it out, it surprises you. This movie is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat all the way till the end.  

4) It Follows:

It Follows was a hit in the box office so naturally, we had to lend it a place on our list. The movie follows a group of people as they try to combat an unknown force. The reason why this movie is so terrifying is because you don’t know what they’re running from – even the characters don’t fully know what they are running from, and yet the sheer terror of this unseen, unknown force is so strong that it cannot be denied. In a way, It Follows makes us question what it really is about a movie that makes it scary – perhaps the unknown is far more terrifying than a monster in the closet. Either way, this critically acclaimed film is a must-see.   

3) Oculus:

Oculus follows a brother and sister as they attempt to face the source of evil within the antique mirror which they believe is the cause of their family’s suffering. In many ways, Oculus is a classic, archetypal horror film but the simply maddening plot which borders on psychological thriller prevents the movie from becoming too predictable. This movie will have you reeling and perhaps even questioning your sanity as the characters unravel the mysteries of their own past.    

2) Honeymoon:

Honeymoon is one of the lesser known of the horror flicks available on Netflix, but we decided that more people should know about it. Of the many B-list movies streaming on Netflix, this one is a true hidden gem. The film features everyone’s favourite Game of Thrones heroine, Rose Leslie, in the starring role and follows a young, newlywed couple on their honeymoon in a quaint cabin. Yes, we know what you’re thinking – another horror movie set in a cabin in the woods? You might think you’ve heard it all before, but you’re wrong. Honeymoon is unpredictable in ways that are so rare to find in horror films anymore. Just when you think you get it, it turns the corner into a whole new territory but no matter where the plot takes you, rest assured the feeling of unease never lets up.

1) As Above So Below:

As Above So Below follows a group of adventurers as they descend into the depths of the mysterious and centuries old catacombs beneath the city of Paris, where they are forced to face their deepest fears. This movie made it to number one on our list for many reasons. It is an ongoing challenge, finding a horror movie that is on one hand scary but that also has incredible depth and emotion. This one hits the mark. As Above So Below is profound and complex in ways that horror movies are usually not. It will have you jumping out of your seat with fear but will also leave you feeling like you’ve learned something, and there is no gift more precious than that.