Showing posts with label AnnaLynne McCord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AnnaLynne McCord. Show all posts

24 October 2012

Excision Review

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90210's AnnaLynne McCord leads the cast of Excision, a dark, visually rich tale, filled with stirring horror and tinges of black comedy. The unique style and self-awareness that fills Richard Bates Jr.'s film helps assert it as one of the finest features of 2012.

Pauline (AnnaLynne McCord) is a teenage outcast, infatuated with the idea of performing surgery. Her sinister behaviour alienates her from her image-conscious parents, Phyllis (Traci Lords) and Bob (Roger Bart) as well as her bitchy classmates and judgemental teachers. Only Pauline's young sister (Ariel Winter) who suffers from cystic fibrosis understands her, resulting in the young outcast attempting to perform life-saving surgery on her sibling.

Bates Jr. does not hold back in any way, fully transporting us into the mind of a twisted teenage outcast. Excision captures the gore-filled fantasies that clog Pauline's psyche with a trippy visual originality. This is paralleled by the cynical glistening sheen of middle class suburbia, a world that tries its best to subdue Pauline's warped fantasies. This idea of crude madness in suburbia gives vibes of the iconic work of John Waters (think modern day Polyester or Serial Mom), who has clearly been an influence on the young filmmaker. The teenage outcast theme in Excision also feels slightly reminiscent of the likes of Carrie, whilst the elements of body horror have David Cronenberg written all over them. It is essentially the best elements of many classic horrors and cult films finely crafted into one feature.

Part of the pleasure of Excision comes from the perfect elements of self-aware, dark comedy layered throughout the feature. From Pauline's no holds barred attitude with her parents and classmates to the frequent cynical looks at suburban life, Excision hits a perfect balance between horror and comedy.

Excision's cast is also likely to delight fans of camp and cult cinema. AnnaLynne McCord (90210) is completely unrecognisable in this dark role, managing to make us sympathetic to a highly unlikeable character. Pauline may be completely demented and her actions repulsive, but McCord's performance still connects with viewers - primarily when seeing Pauline bonding with younger sister, Grace. Roger Bart (The Stepford Wives) excels as Pauline's tired Father, whilst Ariel Winter's (Modern Family) pitch-perfect turn is likely to tug at your heartstrings.

The performance of the year, however, goes to the magnificent Traci Lords as Phyllis, Pauline's mother. Phyllis appears as a harsh, controlling figure to begin with - we see her judging her family every morning at the breakfast table, yet we still connect through Lords' stellar performance. We gradually see that Phyllis is a flawed character who simply wants the best for her children, however this is hindered by Pauline's actions slowly breaking her family apart. Lords is a revelation.

Excision also features an amusing appearance from John Waters' as a minister who counsels Pauline. Seeing the Pope of Trash as a devout representative of God is just another element of Bates Jr.'s clever, self-aware screenplay. Malcolm McDowell adds further star quality as a frustrated teacher, whilst Ray Wise and Marlee Matlin bring some further fun to the cast .

Excision is a must see for fans of cult cinema - it is the finest horror of the year.

Andrew McArthur 

★★★★★

Stars: AnnaLynne McCord, Traci Lords and Roger Bart  
Director: Richard Bates Jr.
Certificate: 18 (UK)
Ltd. Theatrical Release: 2nd November 2012
DVD/BR Release: 12th November 2012
Pre-Order/Buy Excision:DVD / BLU-RAY

17 September 2012

Monster Pictures release EXCISION theatrically In UK This November!

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Our friends at Monster Pictures have announced today that they will be releasing EXCISION, in select cinemas nationwide from 2 November 2012.  Excision is the story of Pauline (Anna Lynne McCord), a delusional teenage outcast. Pauline picks scabs. Pauline dissects road kill. Pauline fantasizes about performing surgery on strangers. Her fascinations disturb her schoolmates and her parents, Phyllis (Traci Lords) and Bob (Roger Bart). No one understands Pauline except for Grace (Ariel Winter), her younger sister who suffers from cystic fibrosis. An outcast at school and at home, Pauline is convinced that the best way to repair her estranged relationship with her family is to perform a risky operation to save her sister’s life...

Starring AnnaLynne McCord (90210) as Pauline, Excision continues a long tradition of horror films with compelling female leads, such as Scream, the original Halloween, the original A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Birds, and Psycho. The film also stars Traci Lords (Cry Baby, Blade), Ariel Winter (Modern Family), Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives), Jeremy Sumpter (Friday Night Lights, Soul Surfer), Malcolm McDowell and John Waters.

EXCISION is Richard Bates Jr.’s directorial debut adapted from his highly praised short film, Excision, which played in over 50 film festivals internationally and garnered 24 awards from festivals such as Austin Fantastic Fest, Sundance Film Festival and Fantasia International Film Festival. 

Excision will also  make an number of appearances at Horror film festivals around the UK&Ireland, here's the dates:


CELLULOID SCREAMS Closing Gala, Sheffield Showroom – 28 October 2012 
HORRORTHON, IFI, Dublin – 28 October 2012 
DUNDEAD, at the DCA, Dundee - 28 October 2012
TWISTED CELLULOID, IFI, Triskel Christchurch – 30 October 2012
And more to be announced soon

There will as be Preview Screenings at the PRINCE CHARLES CINEMA, Leicester Square, London from 28 October 2012, before the film is released cinematically.

Monster Pictures will release EXCISION on DVD & Blu-ray in the UK  Eire on 12 November 2012.  Available to pre-order now on DVD   Here and blu-ray Here