I started a double bill on Monday afternoon with Clown In A Cornfield, a film that does what it says on the tin.
More amusing than scary, there were a lot more clowns than I expected, with a twist borrowed from an Edgar Wright film (I won’t say which one, as that would be a spoiler!). I had a lot of fun watching this one, and although there are some jumpscares along the way, your nerves won’t be particularly shredded, unlike a fair few of the characters.
The story opens in 1991, and then moves to the present day, as Quinn and her dad move into a creepy old house in Kettle Springs. It’s a ‘hillbilly’ community tinged with generational tension, after the old Baypen Corn Syrup Factory burned down, and teens making a YouTube video copped for the blame. To rub salt into the wound, Frendo the clown is wreaking havoc. One clown is bad enough, but this is not the best town for anyone who suffers from coulrophobia, as many more begin to appear from the corn. Listen out for those squeaky shoes!
I thought this was stylishly done, and didn’t take itself too seriously. Many elements are not particularly original, including the creepy wind-up box which reminded me a bit of recent horror The Monkey, but it worked well here. Although not a classic, it was an entertaining way to spend an hour and a half. It was also less disgustingly gory than Terrifier 3 (don’t have anything tomato-based for tea before you watch that one), but you wouldn’t invite Frendo round for dinner, as you’d probably end up being the main course
Next, I treated myself to How To Train A Dragon in 3D 4DX, a remake of the 2010 animation, and a film that has garnered one of the highest Rotten Tomatoes scores ever. I loved it, and if you’re not familiar with the 4DX format, this is a good film to try it with. There’s smoke, squirts of water, puffs of air in your ears, and you’ll feel like you’re the one hitching a bumpy ride from lost black dragon Toothless.
If you’re not familiar with the story, it’s essentially a tale of a Viking boy called Hiccup (Mason Thomas) who defies his dad and befriends a dragon rather than following in the footsteps of his peers, who are being schooled in slaying them. Perhaps they are not the enemies everyone makes them out to be, after all. His dad is apoplectic with rage when he discovers his son’s secret, and all hell breaks loose.
Nick Frost and Gerard Butler (the latter also featured in the same role in the 2010 animation) are both brilliant in a remake that arguably doesn’t need to exist, but I’m pleased it does. It’s well above average, and will keep your little ones entertained. I’m almost 48, and I was captivated! The film’s message of peace is much needed in a tumultuous and fractured world right now.
Alex Cann's weekly film blog - 9th January
