MovieChat Forums > The Gallows (2015) Discussion > An "expert" on found footage movies...

An "expert" on found footage movies...

posted 9 years ago by canarinhosayres
48 replies | jump to latest

And that would be.... me lol
Well I love them so here is my list of favs....

1 The Blair Witch Project 10/10
The best found footage movie ever, also in my top 10 movies of all time.
2 REC/Quarantine 9/10
Carbon copies, both excellent, small edge to the American version
3 Home Movie 9/10
A GEM, if you like FF movie this one is a MUST SEE!
4 Paranormal Activity 1 to Marked Ones 9/10
What else can be said about this amazing series?
5 Lake Mungo 9/10
I don’t care how tough you think you are, that encounter at the Lake Mungo will creep, ANYONE, for good.
6 V/H/S 1 to Viral 9/10
Found footage anthology, highlights to “amateur night”, “honeymoon”, “safe haven” and “Dante the great”.
7 The Conspiracy 9/10
Another MUST SEE movie, truly one of the best.
8 The Den 9/10
BRUTAL found footage movie, one of my favorites.
9 The Devil inside 9/10
The really low rating on this one at IMDB bugs me, to me one of the best FF ever, just give it a try.
10 Chronicle 8/10
Super hero FF movie, awesome.
11 Cloverfield 8/10
The best looking FF movie ever, wished I had seen this at the big screen.
12 Willow Creek 8/10
Big foot meets Blair Witch, the tent long shot is just amazing.
Devil's Due 8/10
I admit I didnt want this one to end.... I just wanted more of it lol
13 The possession of Deborah Logan 8/10
Creepy FF movie, excellent acting by the leads.
14 Grave Encounters 8/10
Some consider this the best FF movie ever, really good movie
15 Paranormal Entity 8/10
Almost as good as PA, shame about the plothole in the end.
16 The Possession of Michael King 8/10
I don’t seem to get tired of possession FF movies lol
17 Noroi 8/10
Japanese FF, has a PA feel to it, really good
18 Cybernatural 8/10
Watch this one on a computer monitor, more fun like that.
19 The Sacrament 8/10
Jim Jones story, good FF movie, although I don’t care for soundtrack in FF.
20 Emergo 8/10
Another one with some hate to it, I loved it.
21 The Tunnel 7/10
Nicely done FF.
22 As Above/So Below 7/10
Decent FF
23 Area 51 7/10
Love the subject, fun FF movie
24 The Gallows 7/10
Fun movie. Reminded me of Carrie a little.
25 Fourth Kind 7/10
Creepy FF movie, Milla is hot as hell.

If your fav is not here gimme time to watch it and update.
Waiting for suggestions.

[–] Rob_Brown78 9 years ago

The third VHS was garbage. That first segment alone (the magician one) is one of the worst and most poorly-done segments in the whole series and should be enough to banish it from any Top lists, much less in the Top 10 of this particular genre. You really can't rate any of these series as a whole, because with any series built around a gimmick, especially franchises that never really made it past being straight-to-DVD/VOD, there's usually a pretty tremendous drop-off. That said though, VHS 2 was the best of the VHS bunch, as there were fewer segments that were more consistent quality-wise.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

Although I admit the third installemnt IS the weakest I would not call it "garbage", I was entertained through ALL of the segments, BUT I am fairly "easy to please" as far as FF movies go and i really enjoyed the end of the movie....

And I just read there is still a "missing" segment, I am looking for it as I type.

Now if you can suggest any FF movie I would appreciate.

Thanks for replying

[–] SugarShane333 9 years ago

Exactly. These ratings just scream "I'm 14 and just realized I like scary movies and anything found footage is an automatic 7 or better!"

I wish Internet message boards required your age to be displayed after your username. It would help out tremendously in knowing which threads to skip and which posters to actually take seriously. I could easily see a 12 year old telling me how great this movie is, and I know at that age I liked every crappy movie I watched, but an adult knows this movie was just average at best.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

SugarShane333 And yet you dont make YOUR ratings public, mr "adult" ... lemme see some examples of movies YOU rated 9 or 10. On a second thought, dont bother... i dont really care.

Evidence 1 and 2 are at my watchlist, I will update it as soon as i see them.

[–] MissMisanthropist 8 years ago

The Magician segment was the BEST one the rest of them sucked, can I have whatever pot you are smoking? Like the skateboard one made any freakin sense ever. Right okay. The move as a whole was entertaining even if it made no sense but the first segment was rather creative speak for yourself.

[–] SugarShane333 9 years ago

Are you like 14 or something? I can't stand ppl who only rate movies between 5 and 10. 5 is supposed to mean an average normal movie, and even a 9 is reserved for best film of the year types of movies not trash like Paranormal Activity lol. And you even included the horrid sequels! Area 51 rated above a 4 is laughable. Found footage needs to be done correctly or just fade away. Hardly anyone does it well anymore.

[–] lone-foxx 9 years ago

I go by a system like this, so 5 is average/just passing:

10 = A+ (Instant Classic)

9 = A (Simply Amazing)

8 = B+ (Top Dog)

7 = B (The Sweet Spot)

6 = C+ (Good Enough)

5 = C (Average, Slightly Lacking)

4 = D+ (Meh)

3 = D (Please No!)

2 = F (Alone in the Dark level of bad)

1 = F- (Way Past Givin' a *beep*)

Personally I don't think most movies deserve less then a 5 because of all the effort it takes even to make what most would consider a bad movie. For a movie to deserve a 4 or less it needs to be so bad I have to question why anyone would waste time or money on its production. And when the main actors are lacking proper motivation/talent.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ghostberry 9 years ago

I've got 2 suggestions 1) Evidence (2012) 2) Evidence (2013). Both were pretty good.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

Evidence 1 and 2 are at my watchlist, I will update it as soon as i see them.

Here is my udated list in case you are interested

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] Tom-duh 9 years ago

An expert? but you've not seen "Behind the mask :The rise of Leslie Vernon" its not on any found footage lists and one of the best ones ive seen.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

AMAZING movie Tom, thanks, the beauty of IMDB boards is sometimes you have good surprises like the GEM that is Behind the mask :The rise of Leslie Vernon, the same goes for "home movie" another really good surprise i found here in the boards...

Anything else?

[–] Tom-duh 9 years ago

yeah im picked up "home movie" and a couple other ones on your list I haven't seen, cant wait to watch them. there is one that is pretty good but not English called "Troll Hunter" checked that one out if you haven't.

[–] lone-foxx 9 years ago

Not a bad list, though I must say that the original -REC- destroys the remake in every way. The North American version has nothing on the original. Literally nothing. The main actress is horrible.

Pretty lame the best parts are missing from Netflix (parts 1 & 2). 3 & 4 are fun but have nothing on the first two.

If you are reading this and you want good Found Footage Horror, do yourself a favor and watch the original if you care about things like atmosphere.

I have a list of Found Footage and POV titles here:
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls073050066/

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

I really dont understand the hate to jennifer carpenter, to me she is a talented actress, and i think she did great in quarantine, but, well and i am a hardcore dexter fan.

I have seen the original REC, of course, and i STILL prefer the american version, maybe coz i have seen quaratine BEFORE REC, by the time i saw rec i knew what the movie was about.

Your list is amazing, but is it random or by your favs?

[–] lone-foxx 9 years ago

Thanks mate,

I start with my favs then I arrange them by type/genre/setting/etc. My FF is not my best list, check out my Comedy/Horror/SciFi lists for the good stuff. The stuff at the end usually needs to be viewed by me, is somewhat lacking, or is so out to lunch that I hide it back there so as not to scare anyone too much, or too early. ;)

That movie the other poster mentioned, Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon, is very good, so TY Tom-duh, somehow I'd never heard of that one, what a treat. Similar to Man Bites Dog but different enough that I really like both of them. I am a sucker for (what I consider) good FF.

You are correct, I should not say that Jennifer Carpenter is horrible, she is alright, just kinda generic for my tastes. Dexter was cool but the last season was a crime against, well, everything. I mean, dat ending, right? First season was bloody amazing.

[–] mgreen9715 9 years ago

I feel like I've met a long lost family member.

Not many of us hardcore found footage fans out there!

[–] Mickayish 9 years ago

Me too😃

Of all the things I have lost, I miss my mind the most.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

Well it is ALWAYS good to hear people enjoying FF movies, they get enough hate from almost everybody, so we fans must make a stand. lol

It is very difficult for me to DISLIKE a FF movie, on a side note, i know i give FF movies a VERY HIGH rating, but it is to show the producers they HAVE a demand of FF movies.

I forgive the last season of Dexter lol, and it is still my favorite all time TV series, light years ahead of (to me) the overrated breaking bad and others.

My updated list here:

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] boelsara 9 years ago

Hi canarinhosayres..!
Found footage fanboy here. I think you've missed some title.
This list is just in random order and I wont give my rating. Just watch and see for yourself.

1. Troll Hunter
2. Apollo 18
3. Europa Report
4. Amber Alert
5. Skew
6. Project Almanac
7. Afflicted
8. Devil's Pass
9. Haunted Changi
10. Alien Abduction
11. and many more..

I guess I've watched over 60 FF movies (including your list).

and yeah, not everyone loves FF genre and not all FF has decent quality in my opinion though.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

Of the list you gave me I have seen Troll Hunter, Apollo 18 and Afflicted.

The rest of them are in my watchlist right now.

Well, I dont expect every FF movie to be great, but I find the experience more engaging in FF format, I just dont see the point with the hate to them, if you dont like them, avoid watching, problem solved.

But it is good to know some people like the FF format as I do...

Thanks for the suggestions boelsara, I will update the list as soon as I see them.

My updated Found footage list from best to worst.
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] boelsara 9 years ago

Basically all good FF Movies has been added to your list.
But I'm looking at your list again and want to add more to your list.

If you love Grave Encounter 1 & 2, then try these :
- 100 Ghost Street The Return Of Richard Speck
- The Crying Dead
- The Speak
- Muirhouse
- Sx_tape
Not as good as GE though but still fun to watch.

Love Blair Witch Project? then try :
- Nightlight
- Spirit in The Woods
Again, manage your expectation.

Some 'silly' FF related to dinosaur :
- Area 407
- Extinction Jurrasic Predator
- The Dinosaur Project
Bad, but still 'watchable' to me.

Another Bigfoot/Monster theme, try :
- Bigfoot County
- Bigfoot the Lost Coast Tape (bad acting)
- The Frankestein Theory
- Digging Up The Marrow
- Day of The Mummy
Not that bad for mediocre FF movies.

And the last, random FF theme
- Apocalyptic
- Evil Thing
- Skinwalker Ranch
- Occult
- Project X
- Earth to Echo
- The Prank
- The Ouija Experiment

There are still plenty I didn't mention since I haven't watched yet. Such as:
- The Gracefield Incident
- The Garlock Incident
- My Little Eye
- Montauk Chronicle
- The Poughkeepsie Tapes
- and many more...!

Guess I need to make my own list after all.

Happy watching!

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

So much to watch, so little time, boelsara, ty for the suggestions I am watching them all, lol, but it is gonna take me some time, as I am in deep financial *beep* lol.

So far of this list you gave me I have seen Skew, The return of Richard Speck, The Ouija Experiment, The Crying Dead, Occult (Okaruto,good japanese FF movie) and Skinwalker Ranch.

I had a blast with Skew, really nice, but impossible to understand ending, lol

YEAH you seem to have watched a good amount of FF movies, why not make a list?

On a final note, just out of curiosity, did you watch anything in FF that you consider BETTER then TBWP?

Check my updated list.

And here is my Found footage list from best to worst.
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] boelsara 9 years ago

Yeah me too, it took almost a year for me to watch them since I'm a 8-to-5 employee and only have free time on weekend. Some of them I bought the dvd, borrow from my friends, youtube-ing, or just torrent-ing.

I've read the Skew ending explanation directly from the director itself. But sorry I can't find the link though. It's somewhere in the IMDB SKEW message board. I will make my own list someday if I'm not too lazy.. lol

Well, the last one is kind of hard question. You know I'm a huge fan of FF so my opinion could be bias. Blair Witch was considered as the first FF genre ever made. So the originality and FF atmosphere are very strong here. After that, we tend to think that other FF movie was just 'imitating the concept' although there were so many sub-genre in FF movies. Some people consider Cannibal Holocaust is earlier but I don't think that as fully FF type though.

Actually, I don't have 'most favorite' FF movie. Really can't decide the best FF. So I just can say that Blair Witch is 'one of my favorite' FF movies beside Troll Hunter, The Tunnel, Cloverfield, PA series, REC, Grave Encounter, and Afflicted.

Last note, I don't think all titles in your list are full FF format. For example, Lake Mungo is more like mockumentary to me. The Fourth Kind is also a mix between mockumentary, FF, and regular movie. While I can't decide whether The Den and Unfriended is a FF or not. They are unique btw.(Found footage should be 'a lost recording/footage that found by someone' right ? lol). Feel free to discuss. We are entitled to our own opinion anyway. Cheers! :)

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

Sorry Boelsara, REALLY outta time here lol...

Yes, a lot of the movies in my list are not "full" found footage, but it is the "feel" of a documentury gone wrong that appeals to me lol, so I am not picking so much on details, I just find some of them entertaining and add them to the list.

Definition of movies sometimes can be tricky, to this day I dont agree with evil dead 2 being horror, to me that is a (very funny) comedy lol.

I have JUST seen Cannibal Holocaust, and it is in my list, but I agree, for a whole hour, no FF format at all! I thought it would be a better movie though... I still recommend it.

And here is my Found footage list from best to worst.
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] spicy_demon 8 years ago

For anyone looking up Boelsara's recommendations I really wouldn't bother. I'd not heard of a lot of them and I'm always up for new horror movies so I looked up most and none are even rated over a 7 let alone sound good. All the plots sound awful, the comments from other people destroy most of the films they've just watched and he's even listing kids films like Earth to Echo and teen films like Project X which isn't found footage horror last time I checked man!

Pointless list and they all sound appalling. I will be avoiding any films of his he suggests in the future and not wasting my time searching for them again cos if I've not heard of it it usually symbolises it's rubbish! Films I have seen from his list like The Ouija Experiment are really amateurish and poorly shot.

REC 1+2, GE 1, PA 1+2 and CLOVERFIELD beat the trash he's selected into the ground. I know film choices are subjective but it's an appalling list it really is IMO. Don't waste your time searching imdb like I just did!

Oh and on a side note, The Gracefield Incident isn't even out yet and there's only 2 months left of the year to release it to coincide with the now unlikely release date of 2016?!
And the The Garlock Incident has a suspiciously high rating (6.8) considering only 102 people have voted. I would have thought there'd be more votes for a 4 year old film, but as it's only been shown in 3 or 4 places WORLDWIDE, it sounds as rare to see as a fully complete copy of The Magnificent Ambersons! So don't bother searching for these 2 movies either.

[–] boelsara 8 years ago

Wow.. I'm quite surprise I've got notification from here after a year! lol

@spicy_demon
Are you referring to my first or second reply to @canarinhosaryes ?
Because I never said that I listed down horror FF in any of them. Found footage genre can vary from horror, adventure, to alien, etc. Try to enjoy FF from a different perspective.

The reason why I didn't mention a well-known FF like REC, GE, PA, Cloverfield is because @canarinhosaryes already mentioned them in the start thread. Basically @canarin already mentioned good FF movies in the beginning so I just tried to suggest him other titles that not on his list yet and he might like.

Like I've said to @canarin that not all FF has decent quality, and yes, the second list of my reply are kind of B or C movies. "Manage your expectation". I'm not saying they are very good though. Agree that so many FF movies are rubbish.

I've watched over 60 FF movies and I'm running out of new FF title nowadays. I know that blair witch has a sequel but didn't have a time to watch it though. So would you share us your FF list ?

[–] spicy_demon 8 years ago

Hello boelsara. Well respect to you, I was expecting you to come out swinging at me after my rather grumpy reply to you. I think it was just because I'd spent so much time looking up movies from your first reply to canarin that I was irritated at that point that so many looked shockingly bad. But hey, it's all subjective! If you like em then that's your prerogative.

I'll just do a list of FF films I like whether they've been mentioned before or not:
-REC, REC 2
-Grave Encounters 1 and (2nd half of 2 apart from the post modern ending and what happened to the nice girl which was an unfair death imo).
-Troll Hunter (such an original concept and the SFX would rival any Hollywood film for 1/10 the budget!)
-Noroi: The Curse (very slow but a great last 30 mins)
-Occult (by the same director as above but the FX are awful and it's quite slow again despite having an interesting concept)
-Last Broadcast (beat BWP by a year and was better but very few have seen it - it also has a genuinely chilling ending)
-Man Bites Dog (not sure if it's quite FF but again a shocking ending)
-Diary of the Dead (one of the few zombie FF and by Romero no less)
-The Poughkeepsie Tapes (on YT, very rare and some chilling killing scenes esp the last one which was freakish)
- Apollo 18 (not many liked this but I loved the original concept over the execution - pun intended!)
- Cloverfield (the biggest budget found footage movie ever perhaps?)
- V/H/S 1-3 (but esp VHS 2 and it's last segment which really deserved a standalone film of its own)
- Paranormal Activity (I have a soft spot for all of them, but only the first one is unsettling - and even then only in the night scenes)
- The Devil Inside (a rare demon FF movie which actually is scary AND well acted, the ending is well-realised too)

That's pretty much all the good ones I've seen, but I'm sure I'll add to the list.

I would also recommend a little-known TV Series called 'THE RIVER' by Oren Peli (creator of Paranormal Activity). It got cancelled after just one season but deserved better, and is as far as I know the ONLY Found Footage TV Series there's ever been. But I'll stand corrected if I'm wrong! Well worth watching as it had good acting, an original concept and good SFX!

[–] hairmetalmusic 9 years ago

Found footage movies only appeal to the simple minded. Kind of like people who think that McDonald's hamburgers taste good.

[–] canarinhosayres 9 years ago

I like Mcdonalds!

And here is my Found footage list from best to worst.
http://www.imdb.com/list/ls079112016/

[–] tucoify 9 years ago

If you're into horror quite a bit, you'll find there's a few gems amongst a lot of cash-in crap.

BTW only rather simple minded ppl tend to generalise,

and only insecure ppl do it in such an arrogant and patronising manner.