MovieChat Forums > The Borderlands (2015) Discussion > Recent found footage/mockumentary films

Recent found footage/mockumentary films

posted 10 years ago by alain-kapel5
16 replies | jump to latest

I thought this was a very good movie - yes, it was a bit slow, but I like British folk horror films and this could definitely be categorized as one. The ending? As bizarre as it is shocking.

Anyway, I just wanted to add that this year, together with 2013, just might be the best for found footage films - at least in this decade.

I've seen a whole lot of them, including some really crappy ones, but these were decent at worst IMO:

- The Den - short, but intense. Shame it loses some steam towards the end.
- Banshee Chapter - very fun, with a Lovecraftian vibe
- The Conspiracy - a hidden gem, definitely the best I've seen in some time.
- Europa Report - more of a sci-fi thriller, but still very good.
- Cult - it's Japanese, but well done (although weaker than Noroi or Occult, both of which impressed me)

... and now, The Borderlands.

The weaker ones include Mr. Jones, Devil's Due, Devil's Pass (which was actually not that bad until the ending), latest PA and Spirit in the Woods (which is dreadful).

I started this topic so people would discuss these recent mockumentaries (or "normal" horror films) and/or reccomend some that they think were good. There are never enough good genre films, especially lately when everyone seems to be remaking something. :)

My current watchlist includes Wer, Afflicted, The Sacrament, Alien Abduction and Taped, all of which are well received and currently available online (PM me if you want download links :) ). Some promising upcoming features are Willow Creek, Exists, Delivery, The Hunted, Raised by Wolves and As Above, So Below.

As said above, you are more than welcome to state your opinion. And excuse me if you find any grammar mistakes, english isn't my native language.

[–] TheHood 10 years ago

You seem to have watched most of the latest ones that are out. Good job. Found-footage is an oddly maligned part of the genre but I think it can be particularly good when done well.

You might to try more from the director or Noroi. (I would have suggested that, but you've seen it.) He's done a few more lesser-known found-footage films and the premises sound quite scary, especially The Slit-Mouth Woman, which I haven't found the nerve to watch yet.

[–] alain-kapel5 10 years ago

Thanks :) . I have lots of free time lately so I easily catch up with the latest releases.

I appreciate your input to this subject, you mentioned Slit Mouthed Woman which I wasn't even aware of, and it's definitely going on my watchlist.

As with the mockumentary subgenre, frankly it has started to grow tiresome since it is mostly used only for utilizing cheap scares through a paper-thin storyline. But, as you implied, when used thoughtfully, the ending result can be very good. IMO, it's still too early to dismiss this type of horror film, just because of these rare gems that show up every now and then. :)

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[–] cosmicgirl2011 10 years ago

I recently watched The Banshee chapter too, having never heard of it until someone mentioned it on here in a list of films they had watched, I decided to check it out, and agree with you about devil's pass though, although I did like last PA film. Check out Afflicted too.

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[–] smakar 10 years ago

I really liked The Banshee Chapter (I felt Ted Levine stole that one), and also this movie (The Borderlands).

Another movie I liked and had a Lovecraft feel to it was Mr. Jones.

Last, one of the best mockumentaries in the past 5 years was Lake Mungo (IMHO) - I have to admit I actually thought it was a documentary until I looked it up on IMDB afterwards - LOL.

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[–] [email protected] 10 years ago

I must confess the 'novelty' of 'found footage/mockumentaries was wearing thin but I highly recommend 'The Bay'..made up of CCTV, home movies, video footage, Skype conversations, news reports..and done with real panache.

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[–] nilkanth 10 years ago

Check these out as well...

Some good ones and some decent ones. All are not recent movies but still quite good.

I will not comment on the movies as I don't want to ruin it for you.

Lake Mungo (2008)
Afflicted
Grave Encounters
Devils Pass
Willow Creek
End of Watch - not a horror

[–] Iceflamez 9 years ago

Creep (2014) is definitely top shelf material in the found footage genre.

[–] james-mac 8 years ago

Hi. The term "mockumentary" already has a well-defined definition in English language cinema. None of these horror films you list are considered "mockumentaries" as there is no satirical content in any of these films as in mockumentary classics such as 'This is Spinal Tap', 'All You Need is Cash' or 'A Mighty Wind'. While many of these horror films use a documentary frame they aren't done so as parodies which is a defining feature of a mockumentary. Instead these horror films are called "found-footage films" or "pseudo-documentaries".

Here is a list of movies that are considered to be "mockumentaries": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mockumentaries

and here is one of found-footage films:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Found_footage_(pseudo-documentary)

[–] alain-kapel5 8 years ago

Thanks for bringing this up. I wasn't even sure if there was a difference. But I guess from my picks up there you can conclude that I meant found footage horror movies (or pseudo-documentaries, as you put it).

Thanks for the info though!

[–] washclothrepairman 8 years ago

I really like Grave Encounters.

Never trust a black man named "Chip." 

[–] chuggliams 8 years ago

I love Grave Encounters! Just like this film and Session 9, I didn't appreciate them initially but they had something about them that made me give them a second chance... Have now seen all 3 over five times! I'm prepared to be roundly mocked for admitting to G.E on a public forum