You know, at this point, I don’t know why I bothered randomizing the movies for this whole event. But hey, at least I’m actually reviewing something rather than letting it all fall behind. So with that said, today we are talking about a rather unique film. One that is so strange, so niche, and yet, is probably one of the greatest horror films I’ve seen recently. It’s so good, it was actually an inspiration for the Silent Hill franchise, one of my favorites. So let’s gush- I mean review the 1990 classic, Jacob’s Ladder
The film follows Jacob Singer, a postal worker in 1975 and a war veteran of the Vietnam War. He has flashbacks to his platoon being killed by unknown assailants while others suffered from convulsions and seizures. Living with his girlfriend, he starts to experience hallucinations of horrifying images, such as faceless creatures that shake violently. As he starts to go mad from the sights, he learns from other surviving members of his platoon that there may have been more to it than they think, involving a government conspiracy and trying to gain access to Heaven or something. Honestly, I feel like the last part is all up to interpretation, but we’ll get to that later. Let’s talk about the movie itself.
This is not a movie I recommend to anyone looking for a dumb fun horror movie. If you want a simple, fun time film to watch for the hell of it, Jacob’s Ladder is not for you. This is a film that is on the same level of deep thinking as something like Silence of the Lambs or The Shining. It has so much layers and so much symbolic imagery, maybe a little too much for its own good, that you will more than likely miss some things on your first viewing. I do recommend it if you are big into horror, but just be prepared to either be confused or be ready to start surfing the internet for theories on what you just saw. It’s one of those movies that was made for discussions like these. I think the Shining did it better, but Jacob’s Ladder definitely does a good job on it’s own.
Now let’s talk about the horror of this movie. This films got it all. Disturbing imagery, deep psychological scares, tentacle rape, yes really. And all that, aside from the tentacle, I can totally see the influence for Silent Hill in this game. Especially with the hospital scene. This rusted, rotted building with blood dried on the walls, creatures with horrid expressions twitching violently, this looks like a more accurate Silent Hill film than Revelations could ever hope to achieve. Something about seeing something twitching violently has always been the sort of thing I like in creatures. I discussed this in an older article on how it makes a creature more creepy and frightening, so I won’t repeat it here. The horror of Jacob’s Ladder is real good… when it’s there. This film can be pretty slow with not a lot of actually scary things happening. If you think about it, as the machinations of a man losing his mind, it can be a little unsettling, but it’s never really scary until you see the world just go to hell around him. I think it works in the movies favor, though. You don’t wanna use those scenes too much. You wanna make the scary things just the right amount so people don’t get tired of it quickly.
Jacob’s Ladder is a film I recommend to anyone who is invested in the horror genre. This is a film that was made for hardcore horror fans like myself. It’s worth at least one viewing. It wasn’t such a success back then, but has currently started to gain traction as one of the all time horror classics, and I couldn’t agree more. Check it out. It’s worth a watch.
The film follows Jacob Singer, a postal worker in 1975 and a war veteran of the Vietnam War. He has flashbacks to his platoon being killed by unknown assailants while others suffered from convulsions and seizures. Living with his girlfriend, he starts to experience hallucinations of horrifying images, such as faceless creatures that shake violently. As he starts to go mad from the sights, he learns from other surviving members of his platoon that there may have been more to it than they think, involving a government conspiracy and trying to gain access to Heaven or something. Honestly, I feel like the last part is all up to interpretation, but we’ll get to that later. Let’s talk about the movie itself.
This is not a movie I recommend to anyone looking for a dumb fun horror movie. If you want a simple, fun time film to watch for the hell of it, Jacob’s Ladder is not for you. This is a film that is on the same level of deep thinking as something like Silence of the Lambs or The Shining. It has so much layers and so much symbolic imagery, maybe a little too much for its own good, that you will more than likely miss some things on your first viewing. I do recommend it if you are big into horror, but just be prepared to either be confused or be ready to start surfing the internet for theories on what you just saw. It’s one of those movies that was made for discussions like these. I think the Shining did it better, but Jacob’s Ladder definitely does a good job on it’s own.
Now let’s talk about the horror of this movie. This films got it all. Disturbing imagery, deep psychological scares, tentacle rape, yes really. And all that, aside from the tentacle, I can totally see the influence for Silent Hill in this game. Especially with the hospital scene. This rusted, rotted building with blood dried on the walls, creatures with horrid expressions twitching violently, this looks like a more accurate Silent Hill film than Revelations could ever hope to achieve. Something about seeing something twitching violently has always been the sort of thing I like in creatures. I discussed this in an older article on how it makes a creature more creepy and frightening, so I won’t repeat it here. The horror of Jacob’s Ladder is real good… when it’s there. This film can be pretty slow with not a lot of actually scary things happening. If you think about it, as the machinations of a man losing his mind, it can be a little unsettling, but it’s never really scary until you see the world just go to hell around him. I think it works in the movies favor, though. You don’t wanna use those scenes too much. You wanna make the scary things just the right amount so people don’t get tired of it quickly.
Jacob’s Ladder is a film I recommend to anyone who is invested in the horror genre. This is a film that was made for hardcore horror fans like myself. It’s worth at least one viewing. It wasn’t such a success back then, but has currently started to gain traction as one of the all time horror classics, and I couldn’t agree more. Check it out. It’s worth a watch.
#1:SULLIVAN:
As you already know.
I kinda stopped playing for a bit, Sullivan is why.
Not to mention. I was shocked the first time. I was starting to like Sullivan..
#2: CHEF ANTOINE:
I think we covered this one :)
#3: BACHMAYER:
Near the end of the 3rd game, Max Payne fights this guy.
It's hard to explain, why it's so hard, just have to see it yourself..
#4: BECKER:
Last boss of Max Payne 3.
And really holds the "last boss" feeling.
In a negative way..
#5: WESKER:
The main villain of Resident evil 5. And final boss..
#6: CEASER:
The final boss of Assasins Creed 3..
As you already know.
I kinda stopped playing for a bit, Sullivan is why.
Not to mention. I was shocked the first time. I was starting to like Sullivan..
#2: CHEF ANTOINE:
I think we covered this one :)
#3: BACHMAYER:
Near the end of the 3rd game, Max Payne fights this guy.
It's hard to explain, why it's so hard, just have to see it yourself..
#4: BECKER:
Last boss of Max Payne 3.
And really holds the "last boss" feeling.
In a negative way..
#5: WESKER:
The main villain of Resident evil 5. And final boss..
#6: CEASER:
The final boss of Assasins Creed 3..
What in the name of god. They are already ready remaking Grand Theft Auto 5.
Now, don't get me wrong. I love Grand Theft Auto 5. I think it is one of the funnest games I have played in 2013. But, seriously, it's only one year old, and already they are remaking it for Playstation 4 and XBox One. Seriously, you should at least give a game some time to age before you remake it. Look at Ocarina of Time, a game which people said is the greatest game ever, which was made back in 1999. The remake for the 3DS wasn't made until 2012, which is years later. Honestly, they are already remaking GTA 5. Sure, the graphics are better, but the thing is that the graphics were amazing to begin with. Why are you remaking this game so early, Rockstar. But, hey, that's only my opinion. What's Your Take
Now, don't get me wrong. I love Grand Theft Auto 5. I think it is one of the funnest games I have played in 2013. But, seriously, it's only one year old, and already they are remaking it for Playstation 4 and XBox One. Seriously, you should at least give a game some time to age before you remake it. Look at Ocarina of Time, a game which people said is the greatest game ever, which was made back in 1999. The remake for the 3DS wasn't made until 2012, which is years later. Honestly, they are already remaking GTA 5. Sure, the graphics are better, but the thing is that the graphics were amazing to begin with. Why are you remaking this game so early, Rockstar. But, hey, that's only my opinion. What's Your Take
*ding dong*
???: what is it?
Henry: hello Simon
Simon: Henry! you still wearing that tux?
Henry: every chance I get
Simon: heh... oh... you brought soldiers
Dex: why does everyone think i'm a soldier?
Marcus: no idea...
Henry: you seem calmer since the last time a saw you...
Simon: I take pills... anyway, why are you here?
Henry: we need you back
Simon: no way! i'm NOT going back to Klintsy!
Henry: we are close to taking down Harper and Dominic.
Simon: why don't fight your own war!
Henry: you are the only one that knows Harper and his tactics.
Simon: ok then, come inside so I can teach you
Henry: you and I both know that he still has some sanity left...
Simon: ... *sigh* lets go...
???: what is it?
Henry: hello Simon
Simon: Henry! you still wearing that tux?
Henry: every chance I get
Simon: heh... oh... you brought soldiers
Dex: why does everyone think i'm a soldier?
Marcus: no idea...
Henry: you seem calmer since the last time a saw you...
Simon: I take pills... anyway, why are you here?
Henry: we need you back
Simon: no way! i'm NOT going back to Klintsy!
Henry: we are close to taking down Harper and Dominic.
Simon: why don't fight your own war!
Henry: you are the only one that knows Harper and his tactics.
Simon: ok then, come inside so I can teach you
Henry: you and I both know that he still has some sanity left...
Simon: ... *sigh* lets go...