Horror Films of 2009 Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Fourth Kind

Released in early November 2009 (the same week as Richard Kelly's "The Box"), "The Fourth Kind" is a film based on supposedly true events in Nome, Alaska. Cutting between actual documentary footage from sessions with Dr. Abigail Tyler's patients, sessions between herself and the director, Olatunde Osunsanmi, and between actual narrative (in which the doctor is played by Jovovich), the film investigated 'The Fourth Kind' of alien encounter: abduction.

The film doubled its budget bringing in $20,000,000 overall. Regardless, it didn't do too well with the critics. "The Box", on the other hand, was more successful with critics but couldn't recoup half its budget, only taking in $15,000,000.

Answer: The Last House on the Left

After almost forty years, "The Last House on the Left" was remade by director Dennis Illadis and starred Monica Potter and Tony Goldwyn. Receiving relatively mediocre reviews, the film took in just under $50,000,000 in the box office. The film followed a family whose daughter nearly gets killed and left for dead by a group of criminals.

The criminals sought shelter at her family's house, and when she returned home on the verge of death they found a way to exact their revenge. Though Wes Craven produced the 2009 remake, he wrote and directed the original in his film debut.

His other works, "The Hills Have Eyes" and "A Nightmare on Elm Street", were remade by Alexandre Aja in 2006 and Samuel Bayer in 2010 respectively.

Answer: My Bloody Valentine 3D

Adapted from a cult classic Canadian horror film, "My Bloody Valentine 3D" emerged in 2009 directed by Patrick Lussier, also known for his films in the "Dracula 2000" series and the sequel to "White Noise". Jensen Ackles starred as coal miner Tom Hanniger who returned to Valentine Bluffs many years after a horrible murder spree in which he was the only survivor. One of the earliest films of the year to come with 3D glasses (and becoming a forerunner in the reinvigoration of the 3D craft in the genre), the film earned over $100,000,000 in the box office hitting #3 in theaters.

It received mixed reviews from critics.

Answer: Orphan

Jaume Collet-Serra, also known for the 2005 film "House of Wax", brought "Orphan" to the screen in July 2009 earning $50,000,000 in the box office. Though the film was better-received than a number of others over the year, the film's oddly comical ending and strange jump-scares turned a lot of critics away. The film followed a family who adopts a foreign girl named Esther from their orphanage.

When they brought her home, everything seemed fine but they soon discovered that the little girl they've willingly let into their home is harbouring a deep, dark secret behind her mature facade. Leonardo DiCaprio was one of the producers for the film.

Answer: Friday the 13th

Although the "Friday the 13th" series has been around since 1980, the "Friday the 13th" remake released in February 2009 was the first attempt at rebooting the franchise. Directed by Marcus Nispel (known for the remake of the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", also from Platinum Dunes), the film was modestly well-received and earned just under $100,000,000 in theaters. The film took elements from the first three movies in the series though it featured a relatively newer story than its predecessors. Jason had the hockey mask throughout most of the film; his role was played by Derek Mears. Jared Padalecki and Amanda Righetti both starred in the film, the former of whom also starred in "Supernatural".

Answer: The Haunting in Connecticut

While not favoured by critics, "The Haunting in Connecticut" sold $75,000,000 in the box office and reached #2 in theaters during its first weekend. Starring Virginia Madsen (also known for starring in "Candyman" and "The Number 23"), the plot of the film followed a family with a sick son as they moved into a house closer to a local hospital, and discovered that it was once used for seances and funerals.

They soon found that the spooky apparitions keeping them locked up inside were out to harm them and they sought the help of a minister who knew the story. A sequel, "The Haunting in Georgia", was announced to be directed by Ti West (who also marginally worked on "Cabin Fever 2").

Answer: Paranormal Activity

Filmed entirely on a handheld camera, this film followed a couple who set out to find out if their house was haunted. Setting up a camera in their bedroom and moving it around the house during the day... then provoking it, they found that there really was something horrible going on. The film was a major success story. Showing in only twenty theaters, the film spread by word of mouth to become a success in a matter of weeks. Spending only $15,000 on budget, Oren Pell and his two principal actors managed to turn their film into a $100,000,000 title with critical acclaim.

It beat out "The Blair Witch Project", released a decade earlier, as the most profitable film ever made.

Answer: Drag Me To Hell

Perhaps one of the most critically-lauded horror films of the year, "Drag Me To Hell" was a return to form for Sam Raimi who had spent a number of years directing the "Spider-Man" series. Before this, Raimi previously directed the "Evil Dead" series, and in 2008 he founded Ghost House Underground, dedicated to the production of independent horror films. Starring Alison Lohman and Justin Long, the film followed an up-and-coming loan officer who accidentally found herself on the other end of a gypsy curse. With three days left to live, she strived to find a way to ward off an evil lamia, a demon from the underworld.

The movie earned just under $100,000,000 in the box office.

Answer: Saw

Although all of these franchises had films in 2009, "Saw VI" was perhaps the most notorious. While even "The Final Destination" (the fourth in its series) grossed more than the others in its series (with a staggering $150,000,000), "Saw VI" pulled in a meager $60,000,000, not even placing first in the box office as it did for so many years, despite being on a streak every Halloween. "Paranormal Activity" knocked it off the top spot in the franchise's sixth year, which saw even more people trapped in horribly gory, sadistic scenarios with little chance of escape. Tobin Bell, one of the only links to the original film, appeared in flashbacks.

Answer: The Unborn

Released on January 9th, "The Unborn" was the first film from Platinum Dunes to be original, and by this, I mean it wasn't a remake of a previous horror film. Although it received extremely bad reviews from critics, the film grossed over $70,000,000 in the box office being regarded as a success (especially for a January film).

It only reached #3 in the box office. The film revolved around a girl whose nightmares lead her to realize that she has, in fact, become possessed with a demon from Jewish folklore, a Dybbuk. Odette Yustman (of "Cloverfield" fame) played the leading role though she was supported by veteran actor Gary Oldman.