Editor’s note: During this year’s San Diego Comic Con, we were invited to attend a limited breakfast/press event for the upcoming Alexandre Aja-directed horror flick ‘Mirrors’. Ian, our intrepid and and relentless film troll, heartily agreed to attend this event… likely because there was free food. What follows are Ian’s musings on the event, the film and the steely reserve that it took to maintain his composure while having a full stomach. Here’s to you, Mr. Southworth… your efforts will be rewarded with more bacon!

I woke up early on July 24th and learned that my editor wanted me to attend a preview of an upcoming horror film called Mirrors. I’m not into horror films, though he mentioned something about breakfast and that, “No one else from PCZ could attend.” Too tired to argue, I agreed and we walked the mile trip down to the location. Once arriving, we found nothing to indicate that a press event was occurring that morning. No signs, no press… no free breakfast. It was then that I learned that we were misinformed and that the preview was to be held on the next morning. Sleepless and hungry, I trudged back to the hotel… I love my editor.

I woke up early on July 25th and this time was assured by my editor that, “Things would be better today.” To my amazement, he was actually correct! Arriving at the location, I gleefully sat down to a breakfast of bacon wrapped in bacon (with a side of bacon). Awfully nice of the Hollywood types to feed us before their presentation.

I really enjoyed the bacon…

After breakfast, we made our way to a private screening area and introductions were made. The film’s director Alexandre Aja, along with stars Kiefer Sutherland and Amy Smart were in attendance. After the director made a few opening remarks about the film we were shown various clips. I guess now would be a good time to tell you that this film centers around Ben Carson (Sutherland), a former cop who now works as a security guard at some mall due to an ‘accident’. The mall in question is of course haunted. In this film, the mirrors do all the haunting by showing people how they will die… at times even taking care of the killing themselves. In any case there are some pretty messed up scenes. The “jaw-dropping” scene is particularly disturbing! The crowd, comprised mainly of horror genre lovers, seemed really excited and impressed with this scene… which kind of disturbed me. It was also kind of odd watching a naked Amy Smart being killed onscreen while the actress sat next to me. Ok, not so much “odd” as… well, nevermind.

After the footage was shown there was a short Q&A session. Many of the questions centered around how the producers were allowed to include such gory violence into the film. Aja explained that because the characters were being attacked by something supernatural, as opposed to an actual person, there was surprisingly little discord among the studio.

At the end of the day… I’m still not a horror fan. I probably won’t see this film, not because it looks bad, but because it’s just not my cup of tea. I will recommend Mirrors to my friends who are gore-hounds, which I think is a glowing review in it’s self.

The day wasn’t a total loss… I did have me some good bacon.

Though I still hate my editor.

‘Mirrors’ is rated R and opens in theaters this Friday (August 15th).  If you can’t wait until then, head on over to IGN to get a sneek peak at the first few minutes of the film.  This clip is pretty gore-licious, so viewer beware.  Click here for the footage!