Derek’s Favorites of 2014

As Above/So Below

The first Dowdle brothers collaboration to hit theaters since the 2008 [REC] remake Quarantine, As Above/So Below is well worth the wait. Following a group of explorers in search of the Philosopher’s Stone, As Above/So Below was largely shot on location in the Catacombs beneath Paris, and the film’s found footage shooting style convincingly places viewers inside the skull-lined tunnels where shadows threaten to consume you at every turn.

Claustrophobic jump scares, the psychological horror of having your past literally come back to haunt (and potentially kill) you, and the creepily crafted screenplay from John Erick and Drew Dowdle had me anxiously tugging at my shirt collar throughout most of the film’s 93-minute runtime. The scariest part for me? The mysterious wide-eyed woman that Edwin Hodge’s camera-holding character Benji keeps seeing. Her lingering looks into the lens still give me chills.

Fright Rags’ Dream Warriors T-Shirt

Reenacting Jack Kirby’s classic cover art for 1963’s The X-Men #1, Fright Rags’ Dream Warriors T-shirt replaces Marvel’s mutants with the empathetic cast of A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. Showcasing the super-strong Kincaid, punk warrior Taryn, cat-like Kristen Parker, energy-blasting wizard Will, and the tough-as-nails Nancy Thompson as they go up against the bladed boogeyman, Freddy Krueger, the T-shirt perfectly captures the comic book-like fantasy elements of Chuck Russell’s 1987 film—my personal favorite entry of the Nightmare series. Seeing some of my favorite horror movie characters depicted in a tribute to another beloved band of outcasts makes this T-shirt a treasured addition to my wardrobe.

Gone Girl

Watching Gone Girl was simultaneously one of the most satisfying and disturbing experiences I had at the theater this year. Adapted by Gillian Flynn from her 2012 book of the same name, Gone Girl begins like a standard mystery movie: Nick Dunne’s (Ben Affleck) wife Amy disappears on the morning of their fifth anniversary, and it looks like it could be foul play. From that starting point, though, Gone Girl spirals into an increasingly disconcerting story that contains enough jaw-dropping revelations for five films. Capturing the palpable gloominess of a house divided, David Fincher gives viewers a horrifying look at what can happen when fierce passion turns into bitter hatred.

Rosamund Pike gives a multi-faceted performance that is deserving of a Best Actress Oscar nomination. In the stellar supporting cast, Kim Dickens stands out as the skeptical Detective Rhonda Boney, while Carrie Coon gives a wonderfully accessible performance as Nick’s twin sister Margo. More a psychological horror film (highlighted by a primal bedroom murder scene that’s fantastically coupled with quick cut edits) than a murder mystery, Gone Girl left an indelible mark on my 2014 movie-going experience.

Fright Rags’ The Boys of Santa Carla T-Shirt

The boardwalk in Joel Schumacher’s The Lost Boys pulses with so much nighttime life that it becomes another character in the film. I’ve always wanted to visit the Frog brothers’ comic book shop, browse through the contents of Max’s video store, attend that energetic Tim Cappello concert, and, of course, take a spin on those vibrantly lit amusement park rides. So when I saw the eye-popping design of Fright Rags’ “The Boys of Santa Carla” T-shirt (a Midnight Madness offering), it took me about two seconds to hit the “Add To Cart” button.

Featuring the faces of new-guy-in-town Michael (Jason Patric) and vampire David (Kiefer Sutherland) illuminated in the red glow of the full moon, the T-shirt beautifully captures the film’s main hero and antagonist above the memorable California beachside carnival setting. Seeing the waves of the Pacific Ocean at the bottom of the shirt’s design, I’m reminded of G Tom Mac’s “Cry Little Sister,” a song that, like the boardwalk, helps make The Lost Boys a gorgeous 1980’s gem.

NECA’s Super Freddy Action Figure

“Faster than a bastard maniac, more powerful than a loco madman, it’s Super Freddy!” From a television set to a motorcycle, Freddy Krueger’s taken the form of many items and people to most effectively haunt the dreams of the Elm Street children in the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise. One of his most memorable forms that’s also on my list of personal favorites is the Super Freddy persona from A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child, and NECA immortalized this rendition of the dream stalker with their San Diego Comic-Con exclusive Super Freddy figure

With a puffed-out chest, a lightning bolt emblazoned on his striped sweatshirt, and a flowing cape—all displayed in black, white, and gray—the Super Freddy figure impressively replicates the version of Freddy that tormented budding comic book artist Mark Grey in one of Dream Child’s darkly comedic nightmare sequences. Limited to 5,000 items, NECA’s Super Freddy figure is one of NECA’s most unique Nightmare offerings to date, and one that I’m thrilled to have added to my collection.

Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys’ Elder Predator Sixth Scale Figure

Though he is only on-screen for a brief scene near the end of 1990’s Predator 2, the Elder Predator is remembered by fans for giving Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover) a flintlock pistol as a sign of respect, and Sideshow Collectibles and Hot Toys return that respect with their Elder Predator Sixth Scale Figure. From the blue rubber dreadlocks (complete with a movable hair band) to its clawed toes, the 14-inch Elder Predator figure displays Sideshow and Hot Toys’ knacks for impeccable detail.

The figure’s 22 points of articulation allow for many memorable poses with an amazing arsenal of weapons. Sharp-to-the-touch forearm blades, a machete that would be at home in Jason Voorhees’ grip, and the antique firearm with “Raphael Adolini 1715” engraved on its side can all be added to the Elder Predator’s towering frame for an even more menacing look. Along with the weapons, I still marvel at the intricate sculpting and painting job by Joseph Tsang and love how much care was put into this awesome rendering of perhaps the wisest Predator to appear on-screen.