Dog’s Movie House- “X” And “Fresh” Thrilling New Horror For The Weekend!

Let’s start with “X” from writer/director Ti West. The story is set in 1979 in Texas, where a group of ambitious filmmakers set out to film the ultimate porn film. (Yes, you heard that right.) Producer Wayne (Martin Henderson) has rented a boarding house on a piece of remote farmland for the crew to complete the shoot. Along for the ride are starlets Maxine (Mia Goth), Bobby-Lyne (Brittany Snow), stud Jackson (Kid Cudi), director RJ (Owen Campbell) and his girlfriend/co-producer Lorraine (Jenna Ortega). When they arrive at the farmhouse, elderly owner Howard (Stephen Ure) is none-too-pleased with the situation until Wayne bribes him with some extra cash. Meanwhile Howard’s elderly wife Pearl (also Mia Goth under some very good makeup) seems to appear everywhere the group is, barely concealed in the shadows, having taken a particular interest in Maxine. To say things get unsettling from there would be, shall we say, an understatement.

That’s all I’m gonna say about the plot because the story is a wonderfully contained look at aging, sexuality, and being true to oneself all wrapped in an atmospheric gorefest worthy of “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” (One of the films that this wonderfully movie pays homage to.) The first half of this movie is all set-up, creating an unsettling “don’t go in there” vibe that ratchets up the tension. At first I thought this as an arthouse type of horror film that gets by more on atmosphere rather than payoff.

I was wrong!

When the excrement hits the fan it does so in spectacular fashion. The kills are creative and sudden without becoming contrived, including a jump-inducing attack by a hungry alligator. West manages to keep the tension boiling without letting the action dissolve the film into a campy slasher flick.

Most of this is due to his smart script and a game cast that brings not only the victims to life but also the antagonists as well. Pearl and Howard may be extreme to the max but there are reasons for their actions that most audience members can relate to. As for the performances, Goth excels as both the shy but sexy Maxine and the unhinged pearl. Snow is both sexy and somewhat paternal as Bobby Lynne, and Henderson actually gets to show layers beyond the shell of overly horny amateur producer. Ure, Cudi (who is the object of one of the movie’s funniest scenes), Ortega and Campbell all do fine work as well. Overall “X” is one of the best horror movies this year and will probably be recognized as one of the best of all time. It’s now playing at movie theaters and deserves your attention! 4 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer!

Next we have Hulu’s “Fresh” directed by Mimi Cave (making an auspicious feature debut) and written by Lauryn Kahn. The film concerns a young woman named Noa (an excellent Daisy Edgar-Jones) who is having a great deal of trouble connecting with men during her online dating exploits. (An example of one of these dates in the form of a dipstick named Chad encapsulates her problem perfectly.) She’s about to give up on the whole thing when she has a meet cute in the grocery store with a young doctor named Steve (Sebastian Stan of “Winter Soldier” fame) who charms her almost immediately into a date that goes so well, soon the two are jetting off for a weekend getaway. However, Noa finds out that Steve is not who he says he is and soon Noa finds herself in a situation that makes her long for the days of bad internet dates.

Now if that sounds purposefully vague, it’s meant to. “Fresh” is a film that has to be seen to be believed. It takes the ideas of internet dating and toxic masculinity to an extreme level and creates an instantly iconic villain in charming psychopath Steve. While there are other characters (Jojo T. Gibbs as Noa’s best friend Mollie, Dayo Okeniyi as an initially helpful bartender who finds himself in over his head), “Fresh” is essentially a two person show.

And what a show it is. Edgar-Jones is terrific as Noa, a woman who pays for her impulsiveness but has the intelligence and calm to try to craft her way out of a potentially fatal situation. She’s matched by Stan in a career-making turn as Steve, a charming nutcase who is equal parts Ted Bundy and Hannibal Lector. The two make some beautifully haunting music together and the filmmakers are quite adept at combining horror and black comedy, sometimes in the same scene. (A dinner scene between the two has some legendary gallows humor that had me laughing in spite of the circumstances). While not for the squeamish, “Fresh” is a wonderful take on toxic relationships that is one of the most original films you’ll see this year. A wonderful debut from Mimi Cave. 4 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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