***There be SPOILERS ahead***

The pre-release buzz indicated that Cabin in the Woods was “the horror movie to end all horror movies.” It isn’t (not that it tries to be or even has to - the horror genre will never die). I will say this, though: Cabin in the Woods is “the ultimate horror movie!”

Drew Goddard and Joss Whedon have crafted something special, a celebration of all things horror so ecstatic that it becomes every horror movie. They present moments and formulas of old that we all know and cherish so well in a wholly original and subversive manner. It is the rare kind of film that turns the focus onto its audience, aware of their standards and expectations and gives them exactly what they crave.

In the same way that Watchmen fits in the world of graphic novels, Cabin in the Woods is the new seminal horror film (Yes, I’m going so far to say Evil Dead now has to settle for second). It stands up and proudly proclaims, “THIS is horror.” If you haven’t witnessed it yet, hop into the Rambler right now and head on down to Tillerman Road. Just be sure and ignore the Harbinger on your way.

PS. Fran Kranz, who plays Marty in the film, is freaking amazing and makes Jamie Kennedy eat his own heart out. If ever there were decency in the Academy Awards voting system, he’d be on the short list for a nomination next year. Seriously… he’s THAT good.

After MGM’s bankruptcy caused it to sit on the shelf for over 2 years, The Cabin in the Woods is finally being distributed by genre saviors Lionsgate, and I couldn’t be happier. Finally, Drew Goddard (writer of Cloverfield) and Joss Whedon (Buffy, Firefly, like you don’t already know who he is) can rejoice as audiences take in their inventive mindfuck of a horror film. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a trailer so jam-packed with spoilerific awesomeness that still tells me not so much about what’s going on in the film it’s advertising, and that’s a good frikkin’ thing. April 13th can’t come fast enough.

I want to stay on a “wait and see” basis as much as possible so as not to get too excited, but, from where I sit and view right now, there’s a whole lot of “Woohoo!” going on in this trailer.

I just re-watched this over the weekend. You should, too.

I aim to misbehave this weekend. Anyone wanna watch with me?