ISL Task 1

Glossary of terms

Composition

Rule of Thirds- Points of interest occur where the lines cross.

The Golden Mean- Points of interest occur along the line.

Camera Shots:

Extreme Long Shot –The establishing shot, it shows where the action is taking place.

Long Shot- Can be used to show a character in their environment.

Mid Shot- Shows some part of the subject in detail.

Medium Close Up- Shows the face more clearly, without getting uncomfortably close.

Close Up- Emphasizes the characters emotional state. Draws the viewer into the characters personal space and share the characters feelings.

Extreme Close Up- It is too close to show general reactions or emotion except in very dramatic scenes.

Cut Away- It is used as a ‘buffer’ between shots.

Two Shot- Establishes a relationship between subjects.

Over the Shoulder Shot- Cut between two characters, usually during a conversation.

Noddy Shot- A shot of a person listening and reacting to the subject, usually in interviews.

Point of View Shot- Shows a view from the subjects perspective.

Camera Angles

Low Angle Shot- Gives the subject a sense of size, power and authority.

High Angle Shot- Gives the subject a sense of helplessness.

Pan- Gives a sense of moving with the speed, on a tripod.

Tracking Shot- Gives a sense of moving with the speed, on a dolly.

Tilt- Can give the size of height and size.

Canted/Dutch Angle Shot- Gives a sense of chaos, insanity or things being out of the ordinary.

Zoom In/Out- Camera focuses in or out on a detail.

Stedicam/Handheld – The camera moves around with the action.

Crane Shot- The crane can track,pan and tilt.

Aerial Shot- Gives a sense of location.

 

How does Hitchcock use cinematography to create tension in the palour scene in Psycho?

How does Hitchcock use cinematography to create tension in the parlour scene in Psycho?

Hitchcock uses a mid-shot in the parlour scene; it is used to create tension. This is particularly evident when Norman starts to get angry and the camera shows Marion from head to torso, this creates tension by showing her body language and her reactions towards Norman’s overprotective behaviour about his mother. Also when the mid-shots are shown this could link to another technique used; there are no two shots. Due to the clip having no two shots it gives the viewer an idea of an invisible barrier between Marion and Norman. The barrier is not broken until Norman gets angry and leans forward, this shows his dominants and how he controls what happens. This makes the audience feel exposed, as there is no barrier to protect them/Marion, and this then makes the tension of the clip rise.

Hitchcock uses the composition of shots to create tension in the parlour scene. This is particularly evident when there is a shot of Norman with the wall full of birds and pictures behind him; this is when Norman talks about defying his mother. Firstly the owl on the wall is larger than Norman’s head; this shows its significance in this scene. This owl is significant because it begins to show how he is psychologically dangerous, it shows him killing for his benefit for the first time. The owl has its wings up; this is also a sign of danger and the attacking nature of Norman. Norman is also shot from a low angle showing his dominants and making him seem dangerous. This is exaggerated by Marion being shot from a high angle showing her vulnerability and how she cannot be protected from Norman. All these techniques remind the audience of Norman being psychologically dangerous.

Hitchcock uses camera angles to create tension through dominants. This is particularly evident when Norman begins to become protective of his mother, and saying she does not need to go to a ‘mad house’. Norman is shown through a low angle shot, making the viewer feel small and the less dominant. This shot also shows Marion as less dominating than Norman and showing she should be threatened and scared of Norman, due to her being smaller. This shot is also Marion’s POV, this again shows the dominance of Norman due to it being high angled but also makes the audience feel empathy for her. After this shot the camera cuts to Marion with a higher angled shot this shot shows her as vulnerable. This shot is also a close up of Marion’s face; this shows her emotions and reactions and makes us feel sorry for her. Marion is in a high angle shot throughout the scene up until she gets up and leaves, she then is in a low angle shot showing she is no longer as vulnerable as she was before she decided to leave. These shots create tension by showing dominance and vulnerability between the characters.

Hitchcock uses shadows they are used to create tension. This is particularly evident when Norman begins to get angry. In this shot Norman is talking about his mother and the main part of his face (eyes and mouth) are shadowed; this effect hides his emotions and therefore creates tension. However Marion is not shadowed, she is in full light. She stays in the light until she takes dominates over Norman by standing up and leaving, as she stands up she takes both the dominates and the shadow. This effect could be linked to the high/low angle shots as it adds and reduces the dominates that each character has throughout the scene. Shadows are used well when Norman talks about defying his mother, the owl is the largest object in the shot and it also has a very large shadow making it stand out. It is important that the owl stands out as Norman being a taxidermy shows his a psycho. Shadows create tension and also make important objects stand out.

Hitchcock also uses framing to create tension. This is particularly evident through Marion and Norman never being in the same shot. This gives the idea of a physical barrier between the pair, this barrier also makes the audience feel safer as they know Marion is safe whilst the barrier protects her. The barrier also creates tension by not allowing the audience see reactions of the other character, this creates tension because we don’t know how to feel or how the characters are feeling. This effect isn’t always good because it does not allow the viewer to feel empathy for either Marion or Norman and without empathy the scene is not as effective or emotional.

How is gender represented in Shallow Grave?

How is gender represented in Shallow Grave?

 

Boyle uses cinematography to show gender. This is shown when a low angle, which is also a POV shot, is used to make Juliet seem more intimidating and powerful than Alex. Boyle uses low angle and POV shots to represent females as being dominant, the POV shot also makes the audience feel part of the scene and exaggerates the power that Alex has lost over Juliet. This shot also shows the femininity of Juliet’s character because we see her keeping Alex down with a high heeled shoe, this shows that Juliet is both feminine and masculine. Boyle also uses a lot of two shots of Alex and Juliet this shows them as a pair, they are more fun loving. The pair are never really apart this shows that they are equal, however David keeps out of their way for most of the scene. This is also shown by the pair drinking and dancing together, without David. Boyle uses the two shots to show the pair as symmetrical and David as being submissive to the pair being together, this shows Juliet and Alex as more of a couple that David and Juliet. The shot changes to have all three characters together after David shows his aggression and masculinity by getting angry with a man who asks Juliet to dance, he is then put in the shot with the other two so has gained his place.

 

Boyle uses sound to show gender. This is best shown (with diegetic dialogue) by David swearing “f*cking binbag” this shows Davids masculinity through aggression, this shows his character as powerful and so he dominates the scene. Boyle uses dialogue (diegetic) to show men as potentially violent and dangerous. This dialogue is used near the end and because David has been very quiet and hasn’t got involved with the conversation it is a big contrast for him to get angry instead of being the quiet and feminine person we expected him to be. Also brunettes are stereotypically fun loving and like to joke about, this is evident when Juliet sarcastically says “do you think you could be a little more forceful next time” to David after he has just got angry with a man for asking Juliet to dance, this shows Juliet as being fun and jokey.

 

Boyle uses mise-en-scene to show gender. David is wearing a suit, this shows him as being powerful or classy. However the suit also shows that he is in touch with his feminine side and wants to dress nice for events, such as parties. This shows him as a boring person. David’s clothes show his job, as a businessman, this is quite a boring and mind numbing job and shows his less masculine/more feminine side. Alex also has a suit on but shows his more masculine side by having no tie and his top button undone. This shows he is scruffy and more masculine than David. Also Alex wears a tweed jacket instead of the less extravagant black suit jacket worn by David.

 

Boyle uses editing to show gender. This is used by cutting between Alex and Juliet when she pushes and holds Alex done with her shoe. The cutting is between a low angle shot from Alex’s POV and a high angle from Juliet’s POV this shows the power and almost masculinity of Juliet. It also shows strength and compares it to how Alex cannot get up showing that Juliet has more strength than Alex and so females are shown as stronger than the men. Another technique used is fast paced cutting it is used when Alex and Juliet dance together, the shot cuts between Alex and Juliet showing their expressions and reactions to each other. Also the shots of Alex and Juliet, during the fast cuts, are both close ups or mid shots of the two dancing with no high or low angle shots. This shows the pair as equals, but David is not involved and is shown as the masculine person who sits and watches.

All in all gender is represented through all four techniques, editing, cinematography, mise-en-scene and sound. The main message Boyle is showing about gender is that although Juliet is female she is one of the most powerful characters and can take control of the two men. This is best shown through the cinematography, mainly the high angle shot from Alex’s POV showing Juliet as higher powered and more intimidating. However Boyle also shows that although David may seem like the gentle feminine male, he is in fact the most masculine and aggressive of the three. This is shown through his dialogue (diegetic) and him being uninvolved with the dancing and festivities. Alex is shown as both masculine and feminine. He is shown to be masculine by his costume; he is wearing scruffy clothing e.g. his top button is undone and he is not wearing a tie. However he is shown to have less power than Juliet through not being able to get up when she holds him down with her shoe and he therefore seems more feminine.

How does Wilder convey the characters and their relationship in the penultimate scene of Double Indemnity?

How does Wilder convey the characters and their relationship in the penultimate scene of Double Indemnity?

Wilder uses expressionist mise-en-scene in the form of a cigarette, a gun and the use of doorways; these all show different relationships between the characters. The doorway is particularly evident at the beginning of the shot; before Walter first walks into the room we see his shadow on the wall, near the doorway. This creates tension as you can’t see his facial expression and so you can’t see the relationship between him and the femme fatale. The gun is only used near the end of the scene; this shows a bad relationship between the characters. The bad relationship is particularly evident when the femme fatale begs for forgiveness and acts as though she is in love with Walter. However Walter does not believe her and shoots her. All of these objects show different relationships between the characters therefore they show a relationship that changes throughout the scene until Walter believes the femme fatale deserves to die and she believes she is in love with Walter.

Wilder uses lighting to show relationships, and how they change. This is particularly evident when Walter is standing by the window and shuts the blinds as this puts him in the dark and shows he is not the kind man you would expect a hero to be because he also has a dark side. However the femme fatale is left in the light showing she only does what she believes is right, the light also makes her seem innocent and undeserving of her death. Also when Walter closes the blinds we hear a shot, this could be a way of showing both light and life fading away, as both Walter and the femme fatale both are shot after the light has left the room. It is important that the light leaves when the first shot is taken as it shows a change in relationship between characters and also shows that the relationship is not what it seems to be.

Wilder uses costume to show the characters in more detail. This is particularly evident by the long white clothing the femme fatale is show as pure and vulnerable, however the clothing is something that the femme fatale hides behind (really she is manipulative and shoots Walter). However Walter wears a suit showing he has power and this is not something to hide behind because he takes the gun of the femme fatale and kills her with two shots. This creates higher power for Walter over the femme fatale and shows a relationship that is dominated by Walter. The hero having power over the femme fatale is a common occurrence in the noir film genre, as it shows that as much as the woman flirts and manipulates the man, he will still have the larger amount of power and dominance.

Wilder uses high angle and low angle shots to create dominance and show the relationship between the two characters. The hero (Walter) is always higher up that the femme fatale. This is particularly evident when Walter first walks in the room he is stood up and the femme fatale is sitting down therefore he is higher up and has dominance. This is carried on when Walter sits down as he sits on the arm of the chair and so is still higher up and has dominance, the only time this was changed is when Walter is shot, as the femme fatale has dominance as she stands up. The dominance then is the same when the two characters hug as they are the same height and so both have as much dominance as each other; this shows the relationship is equal.

Wilder uses camera shots to show relationships. An over the shoulder shot is used to show both characters together and their reactions to what each other say. This shows the relationship between characters and their emotions between each other. Also close ups of both characters faces are used to show the emotions of the characters and what they believe at certain points in the film. During most of the close ups of the femme fatale she is smoking and seems very laid back and relaxed showing she believes she has dominance and until she is shot she still believes she controls the situation. However Walter is dominant through his stance and the low angle shots used to show he is the more dominant as the hero (over the femme fatale). This shows a higher power in the relationship for the hero which is a common thing to happen in a film noir.

How does Thompson create an atmosphere of threat in the schoolyard scene in Cape Fear (1962)?

How does Thompson create an atmosphere of threat in the schoolyard scene in Cape Fear (1962)?

 

Thompson uses non diegetic sound to create an atmosphere of threat. This is evident when the soundtrack gets louder; the soundtrack gets louder when the scene gets more dramatic. This shows the soundtrack as a way of changing the atmosphere of the scene. Also the soundtrack builds up pace to show that the scene has a threat occurring. However the soundtrack then has a discord when Cady grabs Nancy. This shows that the threat has grown and is very dangerous. The soundtrack starts when Cady is seen first showing him as the threat towards Nancy. These non diegetic sounds make the viewer feel the threat that Nancy feels due to Cady chasing her. The soundtrack speeds up in pace when Nancy starts being followed by Cady. This makes the soundtrack a sound match with the pace of the action and the rising of the threat in the scene.

 

Thompson uses diegetic sound to create an atmosphere of threat. This is shown by Cady’s footsteps compared to Nancy’s. Cady’s footsteps are almost robotic showing him as detached and uninvolved with his feelings. Also he walks slowly which makes him seem dominant than Nancy who is running. However Nancy has footsteps that are lighter and quicker. This shows her steps as clumsy and makes the viewer feel sympathy towards her. Nancy’s footsteps show her as threatened and Cady’s footsteps show him as uncaring towards Nancy. Another diegetic sound that creates threat is the water fountain as it hisses. This sound reminds the viewer of snakes and the devil and bad temptation. This water fountain is next to Cady and so the hiss is played when he walks by. This makes Cady seem like the devil and he is the threat in this scene. Another diegetic sound is Nancy crying. This again makes us feel sympathetic towards her. Nancy also pants a lot due to her running. This makes her seem scared and inferior.

 

Thompson uses the mise-en-scene to create an atmosphere of threat. This is evident from both the set and costume. The bars around the school as it makes Nancy seem confined when she is being followed around the school by Cady. This creates tension by making Nancy seem helpless. The bars also remind the viewer of the prison from where Cady came from and makes him seem dangerous and a threat for what he did to be put in prison. The bars have spikes on them which makes them seem more dangerous and scary now that Cady is following Nancy, this shows even the safety of school is not enough to protect her from the threat of Cady. Cady holds the bars around the school and holds his face to them. This makes him look like a prisoner and reminds the viewer that if he got out of bars once he can do it again and get to Nancy. The costumes also create an atmosphere of threat. Nancy is wearing her uniform, this shows her as young, vulnerable and innocent making her seem exposed to threat. Cady has a cigar which he uses as a sexual threat as he looks at Nancy. This shows him as a threat towards her. Cady also is wearing a white suit which is prominent in the dark and makes him the main focus. The white suit is also a deception of Cady being pure and innocent when in reality he is a threat and is very dangerous.

 

Thompson also uses cinematography to create an atmosphere of threat. Thompson uses a mid shot which focuses on the pelvis of the janitor, who the viewer think is Cady. This reminds the viewer of the sexual threat Cady poses towards Nancy. Extreme close ups are used a lot on Nancy’s face to show her emotions and make the viewer feel like part of the threat. Thompson also uses a low angle shot on Cady when he grabs Nancy. This shows him in a threatening view of height. There are shadows on Nancy’s face when Cady is shown in front of the car watching her. These shadows foreshadow the danger to come. A follow shot is used when Nancy first starts running from Cady, this makes the audience understand the threat that is posed towards her. Thompson also used a long shot to show Cady walking towards the car. However everyone around him is walking the other way, this makes Nancy seem abandoned and vulnerable to Cady’s threat.

Evaluation of my preliminary task

Evaluation of my preliminary task.

 

My task was to film and edit a sequence to show a person entering a room and starting a conversation. This film was to be a maximum of two minutes long and the task should demonstrate well portrayed editing and cinematography. We should have demonstrated such techniques as the 180° rule, match on action, shot reverse shot and continuity.

 

We used many shots e.g. long shots, mid shots and extreme close ups. We used ECUs (extreme close ups) to create tension. This creates tension for the audience because the audience feel dangerously close to the action, our first ECU was of Emma tapping her fingers on her desk (as shown above) the camera was focused on her fingers instead of her face. This makes her seem dangerous as she has no identity, the audience do not know what she looks like. Also the sound of her tapping her fingers on the table mimics a heartbeat which is a sound commonly used to create tension in thriller films. Both of these techniques make the scene have high tension. This shot is well framed as the point of focus is on Emma’s fingers tapping. This is because we made sure her fingers were in the centre as this makes the viewer focus on them. We could have improved this shot by zooming into the fingers even further so they took up the whole shot. This would have made sure the viewers attention would not be moved from her tapping.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The continuity of the above shots is almost most perfect. These shots are effective because they make the viewer get closer to the action instead of being at a distance. Being close to the action makes the viewer feel like part of the action and feel involved. This also makes the viewer feel empathy of the person in the shot. These shots also stick to the 180° rule. This is important because if the 180° rule is broken it can confuse the viewer. Unfortunately the 180° rule is broken in our film, it is only broken once but it could confuse the audience. The breaking of the 180° rule is shown below, as you can see the camera is filming from the left when my feet are being filmed. However when I am being filmed from behind the camera is slightly more to the right. This breaks the 180°rule and so this is an area we could have improved on.

One of the strengths of the editing we used was the use of shot reverse shot. Throughout the interview the camera continually switch between the two characters. This showed reactions of the characters after the other had spoken. Shot reverse shot helped to show how the interview was going through expressions on the characters faces.

 

The lighting of my preliminary was very successful. We filmed during the day so natural lighting was used throughout the film. We thought natural lighting was good because it doesn’t make the shot to light or dark and the lighting that day was fine as it was.

 

 

 

 

Making a preliminary film has help me learn many things in terms of technical skills and organisation that will help me both shoot and edit an effective thriller. First of all I have learnt that to create a good film you need to take more than one shot of each scene because if one shot is slightly missed then it is very hard to keep continuity unless you have a cut away that can be used. To prevent this from being a problem in my final piece I will take at least three shots of the same scene. Also I have learnt that if the dialogue is not fully established before filming the scene can be ruined and it can make the whole film out of sync. I will plan any dialogue I may use in my final thriller film so this is not a problem in my final piece. In this preliminary task the 180° rule was broken. I now know how easy it is to break this rule and so I will be especially careful with this during the filming of my final piece.

 

 

ISL Task 6

A timeline of thriller films from the last 50 years

 

1.

The Woman (2011)

  6.0/10 

When a successful country lawyer captures and attempts to "civilize" the last remaining member of a violent clan that has roamed the Northeast coast for decades, he puts the lives of his family in jeopardy. (101 mins.) 

 

2.

Jug Face (2013)

  5.3/10 

Jug Face tells the story of a pregnant teen trying to escape a backwoods community when she discovers that she may be sacrificed to a creature in a pit. (81 mins.) 

 

3.

American Mary (2012)

  6.1/10 

The story follows medical student, Mary Mason, as she becomes increasingly broke and disenchanted with the surgical world she once admired... (103 mins.)

 

4.

I Saw the Devil (2010)

  7.7/10 

When his pregnant fiancee becomes the latest victim of a serial killer, a secret agent blurs the line between good and evil in his pursuit of revenge. (141 mins.) 

 

5.

Freeway Killer (2010)

  5.3/10 

The true story of William Bonin a California serial killer. (85 mins.) 

 

 

6.

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

  6.6/10 

A lawyer takes on a negligent homicide case involving a priest who performed an exorcism on a young girl. (119 mins.)

 

7.

The Innkeepers (2011)

  5.5/10 

During the final days at the Yankee Pedlar Inn, two employees determined to reveal the hotel's haunted past begin to experience disturbing events as old guests check in for a stay.(101 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

8.

Julia's Eyes (2010)

  6.5/10 

The story of a woman who is slowly losing her sight whilst trying to investigate the mysterious death of her twin sister. (118 mins.) 

 

9.

The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

  7.1/10 

Five friends go for a break at a remote cabin in the woods, where they get more than they bargained for. Together, they must discover the truth behind the cabin in the woods. (95 mins.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.

Mother's Day (2010)

  6.1/10 

The sadistic members of a villainous family return to their childhood home to terrorize the new home owners and their guests. (112 mins.) 

 

11.

Ils - Them (2006)

  6.5/10 

Lucas and Clementine live peacefully in their isolated country house, but one night they wake up to strange noise... they're not alone... and a group of hooded assailants begin to terrorize them throughout the night. (77 mins.)

 

 

 

 

 

12.

House at the End of the Street (2012)

  5.4/10 

When a teenager and her mother move to a little town, the girl finds that an accident happened in the house at the end of the street. But things get complicated when she befriends a boy who is the only survivor in the accident. (101 mins.) 

 

13.

[Rec] (2007)

  7.5/10 

A television reporter and cameraman follow emergency workers into a dark apartment building and are quickly locked inside with something terrifying. (78 mins.)

 

 

 

14.

The Conjuring (2013)

  7.6/10 

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren work to help a family terrorized by a dark presence in their farmhouse. (112 mins.)

 

15.

American Psycho (2000)

  7.5/10 

A wealthy New York investment banking executive hides his alternate psychopathic ego from his co-workers and friends as he escalates deeper into his illogical, gratuitous fantasies. (102 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

16.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)

  6.1/10 

After picking up a traumatized young hitchhiker, five friends find themselves stalked and hunted by a deformed chainsaw-wielding killer and his family of equally psychopathic killers. (98 mins.) 

 

17.

Shutter Island (2010)

  8.0/10 

Drama set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is investigating the disappearance of a murderess who escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is presumed to be hiding nearby.(138 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

18.

[Rec] 2 (2009)

  6.5/10 

The action continues from [Rec], with the medical officer and a SWAT team outfitted with video cameras are sent into the sealed off apartment to control the situation. (85 mins.) 

 

19.

The Last House on the Left (2009)

  6.5/10 

After kidnapping and brutally assaulting two young women, a gang led by a prison escapee unknowingly finds refuge at a vacation home belonging the parents of one of the victims -- a mother and father who devise an increasingly gruesome series of revenge tactics. (110 mins.)

 

 

 

20.

The Chaser (2008)

  7.9/10 

Joong-ho is a dirty detective turned pimp in financial trouble as several of his girls have recently disappeared without clearing their debts... (125 mins.)

 

21.

Oldboy (2003)

  8.4/10 

After being kidnapped and imprisoned for 15 years, Oh Dae-Su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in 5 days.(120 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.

The Iceman (2012)

  6.9/10 

The true story of Richard Kuklinski, the notorious contract killer and family man. When finally arrested in 1986, neither his wife nor daughters have any clue about his real profession. (105 mins.) 

 

23.

Identity (2003)

  7.2/10 

Stranded at a desolate Nevada motel during a nasty rainstorm, ten strangers become acquainted with each other when they realize that they're being killed off one by one. (90 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

24.

The Crazies (2010)

  6.5/10 

About the inhabitants of a small Iowa town suddenly plagued by insanity and then death after a mysterious toxin contaminates their water supply. (101 mins.)

 

25.

I Spit on Your Grave (2010)

  6.2/10 

A writer who is brutalized during her cabin retreat seeks revenge on her attackers, who left her for dead. (108 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26.

Inside (2007)

  6.8/10 

Four months after the death of her husband, a woman on the brink of motherhood is tormented in her home by a strange woman who wants her unborn baby. (82 mins.) 

 

27.

Vacancy (2007)

  6.2/10 

A young married couple becomes stranded at an isolated motel and finds hidden video cameras in their room. They realize that unless they escape, they'll be the next victims of a snuff film(85 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

28.

The Others (2001)

  7.6/10 

A woman who lives in a darkened old house with her two photosensitive children becomes convinced that her family home is haunted. (101 mins.)

 

29.

Eden Lake (2008)

  6.8/10 

Refusing to let anything spoil their romantic weekend break, a young couple confront a gang of loutish youths with terrifyingly brutal consequences. (91 mins.)

 

 

 

 

 

30.

Martyrs (2008)

  6.9/10 

A young woman's quest for revenge against the people who kidnapped and tormented her as a child leads her and a friend, who is also a victim of child abuse, on a terrifying journey into a living hell of depravity. (99 mins.)

 

31.

Disturbia (2007)

  6.8/10 

A teen living under house arrest becomes convinced his neighbor is a serial killer. (105 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

32.

Lady Vengeance (2005)

  7.6/10 

After thirteen and half years in prison for kidnapping and murdering the boy Park Won-mo, Geum-ja Lee is released and tries to fix her life... (112 mins.)

 

33.

The Call (2013)

  6.6/10 

When a veteran 911 operator takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life. (94 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

34.

The Uninvited (2009)

  6.2/10 

Anna Rydell returns home to her sister (and best friend) Alex after a stint in a mental hospital, though her recovery is jeopardized thanks to her cruel stepmother, aloof father, and the presence of a ghost in their home. (87 mins.)

 

35.

The Orphanage (2007)

  7.5/10 

A woman brings her family back to her childhood home, which used to be an orphanage for handicapped children. Before long, her son starts to communicate with an invisible new friend. (105 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

36.

Frailty (2001)

  7.3/10 

A man confesses to an FBI agent his family's story of how his religious fanatic father's visions lead to a series of murders to destroy supposed "demons." (100 mins.) 

 

37.

Devil (2010)

  6.2/10 

A group of people are trapped in an elevator and the Devil is mysteriously amongst them. (80 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

38.

Battle Royale (2000)

  7.7/10 

In the future, the Japanese government captures a class of ninth-grade students and forces them to kill each other under the revolutionary "Battle Royale" act. (114 mins.)

 

39.

Prisoners (2013)

  8.1/10 

When Keller Dover's daughter and her friend go missing, he takes matters into his own hands as the police pursue multiple leads and the pressure mounts. But just how far will this desperate father go to protect his family? (153 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

40.

The Purge (2013)

  5.5/10 

In the future, a wealthy family is held hostage for harboring the target of a murderous syndicate during the Purge, a 12-hour period in which any and all crime is legalized. (85 mins.)

 

41.

The Hills Have Eyes (2006)

  6.4/10 

A suburban American family is being stalked by a group of psychotic people who live in the desert, far away from civilization. (107 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

42.

A Tale of Two Sisters (2003)

  7.2/10 

A family is haunted by the tragedies of deaths within the family.(115 mins.)

 

43.

Rampage (2009)

  6.2/10 

A man with a thirst for revenge builds a full body armor from Kevlar and goes on a killing spree. (85 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.

Mean Creek (2004)

  7.2/10 

When a teen is bullied, his brother and friends lure the bully into the woods to seek vengeance. (90 mins.)

 

45.

Shutter (2004)

  7.0/10 

A young photographer and his girlfriend discover mysterious shadows in their photographs after a tragic accident. They soon learn that you can not escape your past. (97 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46.

Outrage (2010)

  6.8/10 

The boss of a major crime syndicate orders his lieutenant to bring a rogue gang of drug traffickers in line, a job that gets passed on to his long-suffering subordinate. (109 mins.)

 

47.

Hostel (2005)

  5.8/10 

Three backpackers head to a Slovak city that promises to meet their hedonistic expectations, with no idea of the hell that awaits them. (94 mins.)

 

 

 

 

 

48.

Saw (2004)

  7.6/10 

With a dead body lying between them, two men wake up in the secure lair of a serial killer who's been nicknamed "Jigsaw". The men must follow various rules and objectives if they wish to survive and win the deadly game set for them. (103 mins.)

 

49.

The Devil's Rejects (2005)

  6.8/10 

The murderous, backwoods Firefly family takes to the road to escape a vengeful police force which isn't afraid of being as ruthless as their target. (107 mins.) 

 

 

 

 

50.

What Lies Beneath (2000)

  6.5/10 

The wife of a university research scientist believes that her lakeside Vermont home is haunted by a ghost - or that she's losing her mind. (130 mins.) 

 

51.

The Stranger from Afar (2004)

  6.1/10 

A fear-obsessed freelance cameraman (Shinya Tsukamoto) investigates an urban legend involving mysterious spirits that haunt the subways of Tokyo. (92 mins.)

 

 

 

 

 

52.

World War Z (2013)

  7.1/10 

United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself. (116 mins.)