Horror Crush: Jessica McNamee

Hey, it's that time again! Time to add another talented beauty into the hallowed walls of this site's Horror Crush section! This time that honor is going to Australian actress Jessica McNamee!

McNamee was born in Sydney, Australia on June 16, 1988. Her sister, Penny McNamee, is also an actress, and they have two more sisters, as well, as a brother. Her niece Teagan Croft plays Rachel Roth on the DC/ HBO Max series Titans. Over in Australia in 2007, she gained fame for playing Lisa Duffy on a soap opera named Home and Away. In 2019 she married a property developer named Patrick Caruso. On February 2010, McNamee became an ambassador for The Hart Follows Foundation. They are dedicated to treating and preventing vision problems, including blindness.

Before that, though, in 2009, she starred in the phenomenal Australian horror movie, The Loved Ones. Writer/ director Sean Byrne's movie is the tale of a cute but utterly psychotic girl named Lola (Robin McLeavy) who is rejected by handsome heabanger Brent (Xavier Samuel) for the prom. With the help of her even more insane Daddy (John Brumpton) she kidnaps and tortures him. There is oh so much more to this absolute masterpiece. It's darkly funny, intense, disturbing, and graphically gory. It's also got great directing and a wonderful script by Byrne, who went to make the amazing The Devil's Candy. This is one of the best movies to come from the Land Down Under in many years.

The acting is phenomenal from everyone involved including McNamee, who plays goth babe Mia, a girl who our hero's friend Jamie (Richard Wilson) asks out on a date. This is the movie that made me a fan of hers (as well as of the lovely McLeavy would go on to star on AMC's wonderful western series Hell on Wheels). She is excellent here, being both sexy and sympathetic. Her character is kind of a dream girl, headbanging, drinking, smoking pot, and being very easy to like. 

I had shared my review of this excellent movie back when it finally got released in the US in 2012. I made a silly tweet (I admit I was considerably more immature back then), that I wanted her to have my babies. She actually RTed that. And, then a day later she RTed my review, and said she liked it! Even if I gotta admit some of my words on said review are definitely on the more immature side. But, all of this proved to me, that she is awesome and has a cool sense of humor. She made a fan of me for life! 

She wouldn't return to horror till the till 2018's admit ably underwhelming Jason Statham vs. giant prehistoric shark film, The Meg. She played Statham's character's ex-wife. I honestly forgot she was even in it. Then again, it is a completely forgettable, missed opportunity. All I recall is how disappointed I was (especially the more I thought about it), and how cute the little yorkie in it is!

In 2019, she appeared in Hulu's anthology horror series, Into the Dark. It was in an episode called "I'm Just Fucking with You". I never seen this show, much less this episode. Any thoughts from you guys who did see it? Let me know in the comments section below.

In 2020, she returned to killer water animal terror with Black Water: Abyss, which has a killer crocodile. This is apparently a sequel to Black Water, and I have never seen either or. Any thoughts on this one?

In 2021, she appeared in what might be her biggest flick yet, the awesome Mortal Kombat. In it, she played my second favorite character in that video game franchise, Sonya Blade (my favorite character is Kitana, if you must know). She was perfectly cast in this role and really embodied that character. I gotta say this is my favorite role of hers (that I have seen), since The Loved Ones. Now, I know this ain't horror, but it's got a shit load of gore and is a fucking total blast to watch. To me, it is hands down, the best live action movie take on any video game. She will be returning for the sequel. Fuck yeah!

 

Jessica McNamee is a fucking awesome actress who really brings her characters to life. She is also drop dead gorgeous! And, seems to be cool as hell in person. With at least one legitimate modern, classic horror film and everything else mentioned here, it is an easy decision to add her to Horror Crushes!

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The Top 10 Movies of 2012

2012 has passed us by, and as far as movies are concerned it was a great year. In particular for horror movies, as there were some of the finest genre films I've seen in sometime. In fact, this might be the year with the most amount of horror movies to ever make this list. I do want to say that the best horror movie I saw this year, the magnificent American Mary, is not ranked, only because it's official release is this year. I'm sure that when I make the list for this year it will rank among the very best, as it is as amazing a movie, as I have seen the genre produce in a very long time. As always, my list is probably not like other lists out there, but then again this blog isn't like most blogs out there. Anyway, no more wasting time here is my list:

10. The Expendables 2- Opening the list is this fun and badass, and to me, superior sequel to the original star-studded action-fest. It's a solid shoot-em up, with great ones liners, lots of kick ass, bloody action (and to think there were rumors of this getting a PG-13!!), allusions to the AWESOME cast's past action films, and a hot Asian chick. Lundgren was probably my favorite in the film, but Van Damme made for a damn (pun not intended) good villain. Bring on part 3!!





9. Mother's Day- Though it took two years (in fact I reviewed it last year) to finally get an official release, this superior sort of remake to the good Troma released movie of the same name, ranks as one of last year's most vicious horror flicks. The acting is great, in particular from Rebecca DeMornay and the reigning queen of quality horror remakes: the lovely Jamie King. It also features very tense directing. The moments of strong, graphic violence give the film a nice gut punch that you will surely feel.



 
8. The Raid: Redemption- Here's a kick ass, break-necked paced, and brutally violent action flick from Indonesia that got a wide-release in the US, and it totally deserved it. It also deserves all the praise that you've heard it get. It is the best martial arts film since The Protector. The action never stops, nor does the insane splattery violence. The fight scenes will leave your jaw dropping to the floor and the stunts are just insane!! If you have yet to see this one you're doing yourself a diservce. Of note: this movie's success probably hurt Dredd, which had a very similar plot (IE go up a building to battle the main baddie in a building filled with baddies). And, you should definitely see that one as well, though this is definitely the superior movie.

7. The Cabin the Woods- Co-writer Joss Whedon's flick is a loving tribute to the horror genre. There are so many cool moments and so many cool creatures, that you can watch this a million times over. In fact, i liked this one even more the second time around, enough so that I changed the position that it ranked in originally. Throw in the babes, nudity, gore, and, what is probably the best climax of the year, and you have the first of two big hits Mr. Whedon has on this list. For more on my thoughts, but not enough to ruin it, check out my review here: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2012/04/cabin-in-woods.html
 

6. Skyfall- The best Bond film since my personal favorite in the series, For Your Eyes Only, this one even manages to trump the greatness that was Casino Royale. The action is the most suspenseful the series has had in countless of ages. The acting is on spot from the whole cast, with a riveting Javier Bardem, who ranks amongst the best of the Bond villains. Craig continues to prove that he is THE best Bond, since Connery. The emotional story, riveting climax, and perfect ending make this one a loving tribute to the series as well as a must see (and, when it hits DVD/ blu-ray: a must own) for Bond fans.


 
5. The Loved Ones- It's a shame that it took three fucking years for US fans to see this masterpiece of modern horror, and then that it got a somewhat underwhelming DVD release, and no blu-ray!! Regardless this is one that is so well written and features what is some of the finest acting in the genre in the entire year. This smart, attention holding, tough as nails survival horror flick, is one that should be seen by all lovers of terror. For more on my thoughts on this masterpiece read my review here: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2012/06/loved-ones.html




4. Django Unchained- This tribute to the bloody spaghetti Django westerns, is Tarantino's best movie since Pulp Fiction. It is also his best looking movie, ever. It benifits from an amazing cast, including Jamie Foxx at his very best. DiCaprio makes for a dispicable villain, as does Samuel Jackson. Meanwhile, with this film Christopher Waltz cements himself as one of my favorite actors. Though long, Tarantino keeps the pace moving nicely, so you won't be feeling it (a problem with the director's lesser work like Death Proof). The gory shoot-outs will make you remember the type of films this is a love letter, to, as will the great music, some taken from the original Italian series, itself, as will the great cameo by Franco Nero. Horror fans should keep their open for cameos by Tom Savini, the lovely Amber Tamblyn, and her dad, Russ Tamblyn (who, of course, starred in the classic The Haunting).

3. God Bless American- This awesome jet-black, but hilarious comedy from Bobcat Goldthwait, is the single best comedy of the year. Playing like the ultimate liberal fantasy, this one that has our hero and his teen accomplice killing reality TV stars, assholes, and right-wing fascists. It's a fun, bloody movie, that will have you cheering them on, as they rack up the bodycount of the idiots and jackasses. The acting and the dialouge is priceless, with the whole scene where they talk about Alice Cooper ranking as what might be my favorite dailouge moment of the year.



2. Excision- Unquestionably the best image change of the year came from the lovely AnnaLynne McCord, who plays the misfit teen lead in this, the finest horror movie, to get an official release this year. McCord is amazing on very level, as is Traci Lords as her mom. I must say I'm one of those who thought it wasn't possible to get a great performance out of her, perhaps due to the earlier horrible roles, that she got. Alas, Lords proved me wrong, here. This film, a twisted coming of age movie, is alternately disturbing, hilarious, moving, touching, and gory. It is even that much better, the second time around. A true accomplishment for the genre this one will resonate with not just those of who always felt like the weird kid, but anyone, at all who views it. A new classic for the genre, without a shadow of a doubt!

1. Marvels The Avengers- When it came to pick the year's best, only one film remained at the top of this list, from the second that I finished watching it, and that's Joss Whedon's second movie to make this list: Marvel's The Avengers. This movie is perfect and a true geekgasm. One that I could worship and praise all day long, but I don't need to cause I wrote that praising review back in the summer of 2012: http://themastergio.blogspot.com/2012/05/marvels-avengers.html

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THE LOVED ONES

 

Title: The Loved Ones

Director/ Writer: Sean Byrne

Cast: Xavier Samuel, Robin McLeavy, Vicotoria Thaine, Jessica McNamee, Richard Wilson, John Brumpton

Date: 2009 (but finally released in US in 2012)

Min: 84

Brent (Xavier Samuel), the handsome metalhead, was involved in an accident that caused his father's death a year earlier. He lives with that regret. But, now he is a high school senior and is ready to take his pretty girlfriend, Holly (Victoria Thaine), to the prom. When cute Lola (Robin McLeavy) asks him out to the prom; he rejects her. He is too soon regret, this. While, listening to music and chilling with his dog, he gets kidnapped by her insane Daddy (John Brumpton). He is tied to a chair and forced to be her prom date where he endures such tortures as being forced to pee, having salt thrown on his fresh wounds, getting knives hammer into his feet, and more. Inter-cut between all of this is his friend Jamie (Richard Wilson) going on his prom with breathtaking goth beauty Mia (Jessica McNamee), who we discover more about as the movie progresses, as well as Brent's mom and girlfriend, who try desperately to find out what has happened to him. All this time Brent has to with stand the horrid torture he is recieveing, but how long can he last?

Made in 2009, but only now getting a release here in the US, this amazing Australian horror film is destined to be a future classic. It has been getting a lot of praise, all of which it deserves, as it is the single best horror film to come out of the country ever, and the best movie to come from Down Under since The Road Warrior. Byrne has crafted a funny, nasty, sometimes disturbing, and pretty much always intense teen horror flick, that is best described as Pretty in Pink meets The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. 

There is a great sense of dark humor that makes the movie quite funny, ranking it as one of the best black comedies out there. That said, it also is nail-bitingly suspenseful. The gore and violence is hard and vicious, cutting between what you see and what you don't see. Excellent gore effects keep this out of the safe zone, at all times. And, I was, quite honestly, on the edge of my seat when the climax finally hit.  

Much of this is not just due to credit of the excellent script and directing, but the acting, as well. Without such fine performances this one would have fallen apart. Samuel is a likable and strong protagonist. You cheer for him and are always on his side. Besides, he's a metalhead! It's always great to see a headbanger play the hero! McNamee is a goddess! I was seriously in love with her in this movie. She smokes pot, drinks, headbangs, and is both sexy and sympathetic. She is my new horror crush! A stunning beauty that looks like the hotter offspring of Angelina Jolie and Liv Tyler, she actually a big star in her native country. Brumpton is positively terrifying as a Daddy, a man who would do anything for his princess. But, it's the cute McLeavy that is the movie's standout. She is both cute and completely bat-shit crazy. Even if you crush on her at first, you will be cheering for her death, as the movie progresses, trust me. This is just such proof of the excellent quality that the movie has.

Those of you looking for some skin, will be happy, too. Thaine gets topless. McNamee also gets topless, but sadly covers the goods. That said she gives the movie's sexiest performance. You will be in love, trust me! McLeavy appears in bra and panties, so we get a little bit of skin from each of the movie's three females leads. But, it should be noted that when we see McLeavy in said state of semi-undress her dad is looking at her in a moment that will add to the disturbing aspect of this masterpiece.

Unquestionably, one of the year's best horror films, The Loved Ones, is a movie you need to see. I haven't been able to stop talking or thinking about this one, since I viewed it yesterday. And, the more, I do think about it, the more I like it. There are lots of suprises throughout the film, but I don't wanna ruin them for you. Just see it as soon, as you are able to!!

**** out of ****

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Rue Morgue #123

 

Much like Fangoria #314, this month's Rue Morgue #123 has the same ad wherein I and several others are quoted for our review of the ass kicking Dear God No!. Being in my all time favorite magazine, horror or otherwise, is fucking awesome!! And, hopefully someday, I'll have an article in this magnificent mag, as well.

As always this issue of Rue Morgue is filled with some truly awesome shit!! First off, the cover, is always the case with them, is cool as hell. The film featured on the cover, The Loved Ones, has been getting a lot of great word of mouth and looks to be a great, sick flick from the land Down Under. 

Also, covered in this issue are:

The Mar Attacks cards (who are coming back a;long with a comic book)- it's really cool to hear one of the people involved with the original, gory, classic card set and his disappointment with the Tim Burton flick based on them. Can't blame him. I always hated that film and wished it was the gorefest it was meant to be!

Lollipop Chainsaw, which happens to be one of my most anticipated games. I hope it's worth all the hype. It certianly is made with the right kind of love, as the cheerleader's outfit says San Romero's Knights. And, it's written by James (Slither) Gunn. Coincidentally, there was a cutie cosplaying as the lead character from the game at Anime Next, a con I went to this Saturday in New Jersey. A pic of her can be found below this:

Plus interviews with Marduk, whose new album The Serpent Sermon is one of the best, if not the best black metal album, I heard this year, so far. And, Garbage Pail Kids style art provided by GPK artist Tom Bunk for the promotional art for grandgore band Cattle Decapitation. Their newest album, Monolith of Inhumanity, is pure brutality!! And, GPK fucking rules so, it's a match made in heaven. Or hell, depending on how you look at it. 

Plus, there's tons more cool articles, reviews, and features in it. So, be sure to pick it up!

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