Last Seen Contemporary Movie

[FryeDwight]

REVIVAL 69: THE CONCERT THAT ROCKED THE WORLD (2022). Very good doc on a festival held in Toronto in September 1969 that focused mainly on the old rock and rollers from the 50's, including Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bo Diddly, Little Richard and Gene Vincent. When tickets sales were poor, the young promotors did almost herculean things to ensure it went on, adding The Doors (alas no footage), John Lennon's Plastic Ono Band (John, Yoko, Klaus Voorman, Alan White and Eric Clapton), Chicago and the Alice Cooper group while they were still a "cult" band. This is also the show where the infamous Chicken incident took place.

Lots of interviews with the promotors, security, the artists still living, fans who attended (including Geddy Lee of Rush) and some good performances from the artists-Chuck Berry and Chicago stand out and it's a hoot seeing Gene Vincent being backed by Alice Cooper Group while they are in their spangly clothes and he's in black jacket etc.. Their show after Gene was somewhat chaotic and really not musical, although Kim Fowley rightly declared them "The Group of The Future"; in a couple of years, their standing and fortunes did improve.

Good time capsule and just astonishing so many people seemed to be flying by the seat of their pants to make this event happen. ****

[Angra]

The Breach 5/10

An interesting cosmic horror story written by Nick Cutter (Haven't read the book) butchered by awful directing. It's kinda similar to "From Beyond".


No One Will Save You 8/10

A movie about alien home invasion, made by Brian Duffield, writer of "Love and Monsters", "Underwater" and "The Babysitter". And it's very clear why he's decided to direct this movie himself, because he's damn good at it. The movie is well shot and the story is really entertaining with a great pacing that won't let the main character catch a break from beginning to end. I just wish he'd directed the movie above.

Keep an eye on that director in the future, folks.

[classic_horror_fan]

Cocaine Shark is a comedy horror film that is meant to be stupid and campy looking but funny and entertaining, and it is funny and entertaining enough to keep interest through its hour and ten minute run. It is a follow up idea to the recent cult hit, "Cocaine Bear." The shark-related costumes are obviously fake, but that is part of the humor as it parodies the bad horror movies. It is about an undercover narcotics police officer who poses as an applicant to be a new muscle for a dangerous kingpin who is distributing a new drug made from shark teeth, and has muscles wiping out competitors and police officers who have attempted to bust him. The drug lord's main female assistant seems to fall for the undercover officer and introduces him to their new drug, while the drug lord eventually feels his new muscle filled his purpose and now needs to be disposed of. They escape to an island far from shore, pursued by the drug lord and his muscles, but they are also pursued by a giant shark that is strung out by the cocaine that was accidentally dropped in the ocean. Despite this not being good, it is still entertaining with funny, witty, and entertaining dialogue and well developed characters. Despite the story is not original, it still has its share of twists and turns to keep interest. This is not recommended for those looking for a major motion picture, but for those looking for a light parody.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Bayi Ajaib 2023 ★★★½

Amateur sales pitch: this movie opens with a pregnant woman being raped by what can only be described as Father Christmas in pyjamas. Just the right amount of what the hell to get you as a viewer intrigued.

The general story is nothing special. Life in exchange for wealth and prosperity and all the trouble that come with that. Add a conventional twist ending and you are done.

What comes in between can best be described as an Indonesian knock off of The Omen with some good effects (with the possessed child looking like a better version of Threefinger) and decently worked out dread. Not to mention the father, whose moustache and sometimes jovial and sometimes ruthless demeanor kind of reminded me of Daniel Day Lewis' character in Gangs of NewYork.

For fans of religious or non-English spoken horror.

Deathly 2015 ★★★

An entertaining short with a nice jump scare and a well worked out revenge theme.

I'm glad the makers got Alan Ruck to star in this one. Not just because it's nice to be able to recognize people in the cast. Also because he looks innocent and sympathetic enough to give him the benefit of the doubt, longer than one perhaps should.

That said, the last shot seems a bit redundant. Perhaps better to end on the family photo.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest 1995 ★★

Before anything: Credit where credit is due: it has some decent imagery in one or two scenes.

But "luckily", that's outweighed by a solid helping of silliness. And there's more than enough of it to, at the same time, keep it enjoyable and entertaining and yet far away from genuinely scarely.

The highlight being the suitably goofy finale with He who walks behind the rows and Eli attacking his "brother" with the Kamehame-meh.

For a night when you are nicely baked and looking for something to chuckle at.

Talk to Me 2022 ★★★★

In the past 20 years, Aussie horror has in my opinion built up a olsid reputation, what with titles like Wolf Creek, The Tunnel, The Babadook, Lake Mungo,...Now we can add Talk to me to that list.

The opening immediately has you covered. A guy wonders into a party (Aussie kids sure party a lot) in order to find his brother who seems in some sort of trouble. And it... all... goes... wrong... big time. Before you can say “what the hell”, we are left with two wounded bodies and a crowd dispersing in total panic. Solid opening.

Cut to our main protagonists. And credit where credit is due, they are well written. Mia and Jade and the others are not part of the cheap snark fests that plagued the 2000s, making for believable friends who just happen to get into all sorts of shenanigans. As young people do. But behind their tough and cool exterior, even the kids who provide the party trick have some good in them.

What is said trick? Trying to keep this as spoiler free as possible, it's a type of handshake and a quote that leads into a combination of some sort drug trip and an epileptic episode. A person who never moved beyond mellow trippy weed can not really see the fun in that (though he can see the solid jump scares and the amazing effects), but apparently, it seems to be the greatest thing ever since they all want a go at it. With one of them even French kissing a pitbull like dog in the process. And for the record that's the comic relief part.

Then, of course, it goes wrong at a point where a character does that typical horror movie stupid shit. Resulting in the main character Mia being shunned by both her best friend and Jade's Mother, played by Miranda Otto – who apparently played Tom Cruise's ex-wife in that awful War of the worlds remake #TheMoreYouKnow. She then tries to find a solution and right the wrong she caused. First alone and then with the help of her friends.

That's where the movie really picks up in the scariness. Because throughout all of this, you start wondering who the spirits are really after and wether or not they are playing the long game with one of the characters (and probably winning in the end). Trying to avoid spoilers, so not getting into details, but I am pretty sure that I can pinpoint the moment where Quentin Tarantino gave this movie four stars.

Solid horror efforts. For people who prefer solid scary cinema over a happy ending.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Interpreter 2005 ★★★

A solid thriller based on a good idea. Though not as solid as I remember it being.

Sean Penn has the gruff cop down, even though it makes his line about forgettable faces a bit funny. And Nicole Kidman is solid as the titular interpreter, with the many meaningfull whistful gazes and more to her than meets the eye.

Still interesting for thriller fans, mind you.

Pearl 2022 ★★★

Pearl may not entirely live up to the hype, but it was overall entertaining. You can sense the obsession and the nobody will stop me sense lurking underneath the surface. Resulting in good kills. Pearl is ruthless, no doubt about that.

Still an okay watch, though. And Mia Goth has the psycho gaze down pretty good.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Don’t Knock Twice 2016 ★★½

Turns out that, according to my stats, this was the third movie with Lucy Boynton I had seen this year. Blimey, could have fooled me, lemme tell ya that. Apparently, she had smaller parts in both Barbie and The pale blue eye.

Don't knock twice sees her starring as a girl whose life gets taken over by a ghost that haunts her and her estranged mother. Of course it starts off with her and friend doing something. Hey, that's why it's horror and chances are people do more stupid stuff in real life than in horror movies.

Now, your feel on this movie will probably hinge on your stance on jumpscares. If you don't like them, this is probably a skip. I personally see not that much of a problem with them as they are well done. And this movie does them well. Thus achieving the goal they are out for.

The few kills in this movie are also well done as well as the reveals and the red herring. The best friend gets offed in a way reminiscent of Unfriended and Host, while one of the other kills is highly related to the red herring.

The movie is not perfect. It lags a bit in the middle and, like with other ghostie movies (like Unfriended for one), it tacks on a final jumpscare that looks more like a studio note than like a genuinely necessary scene.

For ghostie lovers.

Ps: Ghostie lovers pizza (with mozarella with holes poked out for eyes), how great would that be for Halloween?

Anthropophagus II 2023 ★

Generic Wrong Turn sequel level torture porn with snarky and annoying characters (though perhaps with better special effects).

Should have seen this one at Bifff. The only fun is trying to pinpoint the moments where the Bifff crowd would crack a joke.

The Chair 2022 ★★½

An award winning short about a cursed chair that ruins the lives of its owners.

One or two good scares and the shot of the old man appearing out of nowhere works. But all in all more weird than scary.

OnlyFans 2 2023 ★

A bland short with clichés on new media and proof that Public Enemy was right about 911 being a joke in that town.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Holy Spider 2022 ★★★★

I remember missing out on this one when it briefly hit theaters last year. Kind of a bummer since I remember the trailer looking pretty good. So when a local streaming platform offered it for cheaper rent, I was of course chuffed to bits with this opportunity.

The film itself is a pretty stylish serial killer flick about a killer singling out prostitutes with a drug problem, set in Iran in the early 2000s. Though, to be fair, the only time stamp we get is a news report on 9/11 playing in the background while one of the girls is... let's say “hard at work”.

Contrary to most serial killer movies, it's no whodunnit with a lot of red herrings and such. In fact, we know fairly early who is responsible for these killings. A simple construction worker who claims to “clean” the streets in his conversations with a journalist (in the process reminding the viewer of the zodiac killer). The movie claims to be based on true events, so wether or not any potential similarities with some of his “colleagues” (Zodiac, Gacy,...) were the work of the actual killer or the makers of this movie or just coincidence remains unclear at the moment of writing.

More disturbing than the killer himself however, is the mood surrounding the killings. For one thing, I doubt wether Ted Bundy had a mob screaming in front of the prison for him to be released. Not to mention the politicking in what Mitt Romney once referred to as quiet rooms, with people actually trying to pull a “get out of jail free card” with, among others, a “whipping” scene executed with a simply hallucinating glee.

Also, the ease with which even his family glosses past this. Claiming that they were only sluts who deserved to die, resulting in a pretty disturbing final scene. Also disturbing is the way the country of Iran approached women at the time. Shown only in small scenes like when the reporter checks into a hotel room. Or when a local police officer makes advances at her later on. Only succeeding in underlining the courage this woman needs to put herself in these dangerous situations. Props to Zar Amir Ebrahimi for pulling this performance off as well as she did.

The idea of saying something along the lines of “it's nice to see this possible in that country” may sound a bit backhanded here, but there is no backhandedness to it, as the situation contains an element of truth. These slick big (budget) productions are usually still somewhat (perceived as) the exclusive property of Hollywood and perhaps England with the Pinewood studios. In countries like Belgium, Bulgaria, the Netherlands or in this case, Iran... it's simply not as easy or even more difficult to assemble the financial means to make this type of production possible. So compliments to Ali Abbasi for making it look the way he did. Especially when its subject matter is likely to cause controversy and with one shot of a blowjob that's risqué even by European standards. Sure, it's only for a few seconds, but still. If something already makes Europeans go yaips, then I can imagine that Iranian censors will not take to kindly to that either.

For who is this? Good question. Judging on the box office returns, it's not for everyone. But I would suggest that both fans of serial killer flicks and fans of art house movies in general will find something that appeals to them. Heck, even the somewhat more openminded general moviegoer could well be pleasantly surprised by this one.

Four stars. No doubt.

Swept Under 2022 ★★½

An okay short about a cursed rug. Guess it did not tie the room together.

The rug with the faces made for a nice shot as well as the American flag. Nice bit of satire.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Ignore It 2021 ★★★

An enjoyable short by Sam Levinson who also brought us The changing room.

Nice eerie atmos with the looming danger at the dinner table. But there must be better ways to keep your kids from asking if they may be excused.

[hammerfan]

The Haunted Mansion (2023) on Disney+

Not bad. Better than the piece of crap Eddie Murphy made.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Body Snatchers 1993 ★★★

Kicked off my first October Challenge with a flick that has been sitting on my watchlist for a good while now.

To be honest, I have some mixed feelings here. It's a bit of a lackluster remake with none of the paranoia of the previous versions. We also throw in some romance subplot for our bland leads and a whistful monologue, because... teenagers? Heck, even R Lee Ermey comes off less energetic than he usually does and the predictibility of some reveals makes the movie lose steam as well.

That said, as a stand alone movie, it's not so bad. There are some intense sequences. Forest Whitaker and Meg Tilly make the best from what they have to work with and Abel Ferrara does deserve credit for his good direction, showing off his potential. Some scenes totally benefit from that; if there is any tension in them (like the scene that the best friend has turned), it's because of the directing.

And also, if you see what they are up against, it's easy to see a just above average flick as tepid and boring. But this one deserves better.

For fans of Forest Whitaker (which should be anybody who has seen Ghost dog and Last king of Scotland).

New Nightmare 1994 ★★★★

Wes Craven finishes the original ANOES series with a meta take on it. Thus, in a way, (unknowingly) softening people up for what later would become Scream.

As most of you know, in this installment, Freddy is stalking the cast and crew from the original series in their very real lives. Which leads to Craven finding good ways to blur the line between fiction and reality. Like the moments where Heather Langenkamp reads the “script” Wes has been writing or the tie in where her movie husband has the same job as her real life husband.

The kills have also toned down from the cartooniness of the later installments. Both in the case of Chase and Julie, the makers have swapped special effects for intensity and relatable fears like falling asleep behind the wheel. Not to mention the final sequences where Freddy can go all out in his dreamland. Intense stuff with great special effects.

A worthy ending to a classic series. And while you are at it, head on over to Youtube to check out Dylan's New Nightmare, Womp Stomp unofficial “sequel” with Miko Hughes reprising his role here. Good stuff too.

Four stars.

Piranha 1995 ★★★

A pretty faithfull made for tv remake of the Joe Dante classic. With little budget and former love intrests, with the guy playing Tommy Ross and the girlfriend from Chrsitine as the leads. And Mila Kunis in her debut role.

*spoiler alert* If I recall correctly, the original had no suicide, though.

Also, between this and Seven, every scene that sees Leland Orser getting laid somehow ends poorly. What's up with that?

[Tommy Jarvis]

Piranha 1995 ★★★

A pretty faithfull made for tv remake of the Joe Dante classic. With little budget and former love intrests, with the guy playing Tommy Ross and the girlfriend from Chrsitine as the leads. And Mila Kunis in her debut role.

*spoiler alert* If I recall correctly, the original had no suicide, though.

Also, between this and Seven, every scene that sees Leland Orser getting laid somehow ends poorly. What's up with that?

Garden Tool Massacre 1997 ★★½

A zero budget British slasher about a psychotic serial killer escaping from a mental institution to go a killing spree with some of the titular garden tools.

Because of the budget, some of the images look to be straight from a student video. The acting and delivery are often times pretty questionable, with some of the highlights being one of the most lackluster make out scenes I've seen in a long time (ya dead f**k) and a "dancing style" that has Teddy and Jimbo spinning in their graves.

Nonetheless, I could not help but feel a certain fondness for this movie. Not in the least because it was clearly made by people who genuinely love the genre. Given the circumstances, the kills were still okay and they stuck in some nice nods to both the opening scene from Halloween and the pizza boy from Slumber Party Massacre.

Also, half star for the English kid in the Ajax-shirt.

Urban Legend 1998 ★★★

Pendleton U, where a serial killer stalks the campus, using urban legends as his leitmotif. Not to be harsh, but in my opinion, that's what you get for taking on the Well Manicured Man and appointing him as your dean.

Mind you, he is far from the only recognizable face in this movie. We have blonde frat boy Joshua Jackson (*sigh* Sir... the auditions for the Eminem video are at the end of the hall, thank you very much), Brad Dourif as the gas station operator, Professor Robert Englund (very tasty performance), Goth Danielle Harris, Jared Leto in one of his early roles,...

Together, they make for a decent nineties slasher. A solid opening with a well executed red hering and nice kills make up for the movie's qualities. Together with the okay character writing, it makes up for the predictable killer reveal and motive. All in all an enjoyable watch and Tara Reid as the campus' Doctor Ruth made for a nice touch.

For fans of Scream and I know what you did last summer.

Idle Hands 1999 ★½

A horror comedy about stoners that's neither funny nor scary. The scalping of Dexter Holland was the closest thing to a joke.

[Sculpt]

Body Snatchers 1993 ★★★

Kicked off my first October Challenge with a flick that has been sitting on my watchlist for a good while now.

To be honest, I have some mixed feelings here. It's a bit of a lackluster remake with none of the paranoia of the previous versions. We also throw in some romance subplot for our bland leads and a whistful monologue, because... teenagers? Heck, even R Lee Ermey comes off less energetic than he usually does and the predictibility of some reveals makes the movie lose steam as well.

That said, as a stand alone movie, it's not so bad. There are some intense sequences. Forest Whitaker and Meg Tilly make the best from what they have to work with and Abel Ferrara does deserve credit for his good direction, showing off his potential. Some scenes totally benefit from that; if there is any tension in them (like the scene that the best friend has turned), it's because of the directing.

And also, if you see what they are up against, it's easy to see a just above average flick as tepid and boring. But this one deserves better.

For fans of Forest Whitaker (which should be anybody who has seen Ghost dog and Last king of Scotland).

I should check the film out again. I did see it once in the 90's, and to put in plainly, it failed my expectations. Since it was the 3rd reimagining, it's going to have to wade through expectations. I was still entertained.

[Tommy Jarvis]

I should check the film out again. I did see it once in the 90's, and to put in plainly, it failed my expectations. Since it was the 3rd reimagining, it's going to have to wade through expectations. I was still entertained.

Same here. Though, odd as it may sound, there should actually be more versions of this one.

The way I see it, (almost) every generation has a group for whom the Body Snatchers can serve as a metaphor. "Whatever ism is getting out of control"

[FryeDwight]

BULLY (2001)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The director and some of the cast of 1995's KIDS (basically a group of aimless, promiscuous substance abusing Skater boys going about their daily business, with np decent parenting in sight) return in BULLY, which could almost be a continuation of their lives a few years later.

One boy, quickly going nowhere (played by Brad Renfro) has a "friend" who is physically/mentally abusive to him (and indeed, a true asshole although of all the characters in the film, his is the only future that seems promising). The boys meet a couple of girls and after sex, Brad's "girlfriend" decides it would be better for him if his friend was killed.

It's almost comical how badly arranged the murder is and how the group almost immediately folds. Lots of nudity and bad behavior and based on a true event.

Certainly not a cheery little flick, but not bad either. ***

[Sculpt]

Same here. Though, odd as it may sound, there should actually be more versions of this one.

The way I see it, (almost) every generation has a group for whom the Body Snatchers can serve as a metaphor. "Whatever ism is getting out of control"

That is very true. When ideology dehumanizes others it's right up this sci-fi alley. Demonizing the other side, like we see today, always brings everybody down... "the bell tolls for thee".

I could see a version exploring the destructive power of dogma not resisted. The current cancel culture certainly echoes the Red Scare and blacklisting of the 50s, only on a wider scale.

I thought Don't Look Up does a great job with that, in that I think it takes aim at the destructive dogma attitude and process rather than specifically "naming names" that would otherwise make it miss the forest for the trees. I think the film does lose focus in wacky ways and should have been edited down, especially the ending, but overall, I thought it was pretty strong. What did you think of it? (if you saw it)_

[Tommy Jarvis]

I could see a version exploring the destructive power of dogma not resisted. The current cancel culture certainly echoes the Red Scare and blacklisting of the 50s, only on a wider scale.

I remember reading interviews with parents of radicalised youths: one day, they were drinking and smoking weed and what not, and literally a week later, they were devout and growing a beard and so on. That reminded of the Body Snatchers as well.

Fitting for didvided times somehow, that at least two possible groups would come up.

[Tommy Jarvis]

I thought Don't Look Up does a great job with that, in that I think it takes aim at the destructive dogma attitude and process rather than specifically "naming names" that would otherwise make it miss the forest for the trees. I think the film does lose focus in wacky ways and should have been edited down, especially the ending, but overall, I thought it was pretty strong. What did you think of it? (if you saw it)_

I have seen it - and written a pretty lengthy review ::big grin::

One of the interesting things about this film is the division in opinions and the negative reviews.

Personally, I found it entertaining. It's perhaps not a genuine masterpiece (like Dr Strangelove), but for me, it worked as a a satire.

When it comes to the criticism, there is nuance to be added. For example, take the lack of subtlety: When things are too subtle, they can go over peoples' heads. It reminded me of Doug Walker's sketch where he represented The Matrix as a dumbed down, yet more successfull version of Dark City. Plus, it also fits a time where even country leaders don't seem capable of subtlety (or not as much as they used to be).

You could say that it's a bit all over the place. Then again, that sort of storytelling somehow fits the "interesting times" we are currently living in with a lot going on. Wether it's covid, climate, anti-vaxxers, polarisation,... We are so divided that we cannot even agree on what facts are or wether facts are even worth taking seriously. Which is what DiCaprio pointed out in his enraged monologue, an updated version of Howard Beale in Network.

On some level, we are pretty much involved in one way or the other (or one of the previous topics) and so we are all the butt of the joke at one point.

The people paid to review the film are represented by Tyler Perry, of all people (surprisingly well as the superficial TV host). Or the moments when the makers poke fun at on line comments being completely beside the point, stupid and/or petty.

Or take the politicians. Having read op-ed pieces in my neck of the woods on the farce of politics, where people don't even listen to each other, I can sort of relate to Jennifer Lawrence's line on how they're "not smart enough to be this evil". Or how they are too obsessed with polls and elections to excute a genuine policy.

I'm not sure where they wanted to go with Isherwell. Is he supposed to be a charicature of Bezos and Zuckerberg? Or is he supposed to be some sort of cult leader? Or how some brands look like half cults? On that note, I thought the legal disclaimer on the info line's add was a nice touch. It represents the kind of cynicism that some companies are capable of these days.

In a way, I liked how the main characters were flawed, with Kate losing her shit when confronted with the backlash and the unwillingness. Or Randall as a scientist so obsessed with his work that he becomes socially awkward/handicapped and does not know how to handle attention from other women. There was something sweet to the ending and how they all gathered for dinner. Though I understand how you would need a big spoon of suspension of disbelief to skip past the quick forgiveness of the infedilty.

So was it them and a case of a story not well told? Or is it us and have we become too jaded? Have not quite worked that out yet.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Ginger Snaps 2000 ★★★★

Around the time of her first period, a girl gets attacked by a werewolf or werewolf like creature, after which she starts changing, slowly turning into one. Would it to be too easy to describe this one as Goth Carrie? Let me know what you think in the comments.

I really enjoyed this one, a lot more than I did Idle Hands. For one thing, it's a very good body horror because the horror in the movie works as a metaphor for the real life fears and physical changes of the main characters. Making for an entertaining flick in the process and thus relatable for a large part of the audience. And who knows? It might even make some of the boys/men a tad more empathetic towards women on their period.

It also explores the complex nature of the relationship between B and Ginger, with the dynamic shifting throughout the film. With B going from following Ginger to being baffled and/or shocked at her sexual liberation to her standing up to Ginger at the end. Making for the logical ending with the confrontation between the two sisters. And making for an (un)intended pun in the title (Ginger snaps, get it?). Then the corn syrup bit – which HAD to have been a nod to Scream – was funnier.

Credit to the two leads. While most of the other characters leaned towards generic small town, both Emily Perkins and Katharine Isabelle had their respective characters and their arcs down. Katharine Isabelle went on to have a storied horror career with roles in Freddy vs Jason and American Mary. Making it a pity that Emily Perkins did not get more roles after this one. Maybe it has something to do with her personal choices as well. No idea on that one and I will not speculate either.

Four stars. Overlooked gem that needs more love.

The Devil’s Backbone 2001 ★★★★½

I loved this one.

It works on several levels. First of all, there is the threat of war which, if we are honest, is sadly always around and currently looms over us as well, yet again. On the nose symbolised by the bomb in the yard of the orphanage. Filled with children who have lost their parents in a war they had nothing to do with.

In another way, this tone of this story is quite reminiscent of fairy tales. Or at least it is to me. With “he who sighs” as the victim and the purpetrator who gets his cumuppance at the end when his greed becomes his undoing. This is all revaled in a cleverly built up story about comraderie with some scary moments like when Carlos is first chased by “he who sighs”. With a few powerful images to boot and a touching death scene.

Great film. If you have not seen it: check it out.

[Tommy Jarvis]

May 2002 ★★★★★

Talk about an underrated gem.

I don't know what's more disturbing about this one.

The way the characters speak in the first act. Is this real or is May living out a Arthur Fleck-like delusion?

The opening shot has you set up for a gorefest while, in fact, it turns into a very sad story about a lonely soul desperately trying to connect with someone who loves her for who she is. It's not until the end of the second or the start of the third act that May really goes off the rails. More specifically when the punk guy with the Everlong-hairdo is killed.

The fact that you see May descend into madness, until and beyond the point of “okay, yeah, she's a psycho”... but part of you still feels sorry for her. That part still wants to give her a hug. Which, I think, is best shown is best shown in the final scene. She wants a friend so badly that she's willing to even mutilate herself in order to get one.

Angela Bettis delivers a career making performance here, making May look both like a super sweet, well meaning girl while at the same time harboring a vulcano under the surface, ready to explode. I'm sure part of the credit also goes to Lucky Mckee for directing his actors so well. Even Anna Faris adds an extra layer to the type of ditsy character she so often played.

Last but not least, the fact that there are (more than) a few of us who can relate to May and her desperation in ways we cannot explain or put under words.

Five star classic. The saddest horror since Carrie.

House of 1000 Corpses 2003 ★★

Rob Zombie has neat visual ideas and I respect his vision.

His style will just not be mine.

Dumplings 2004 ★★½

This is a slow burn. We take a long time setting up why Mrs. Li looked out the shady lady who provided her with the titular dumplings. And how they provide her with eternal youth.

As an idea, it's pretty captivating. It just did not do all that much for me. It's not that it was bad, or that the the actors were bad. It just did not captivate me as much as I thought it would.

Maybe it's a case of the book being better than the movie. Maybe I will look at it differently on a future rewatch.

We'll see.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Cursed 2005 ★★★½

In 2005, the much missed Wes Craven gave us Cursed. A werewolf movie written by Kevin Williamson with a pretty well filled cast with either big names (Christina Ricci, Joshua Jackson) or people who would go on to do big projects (Jesse Eisenberg and that guy with the moustache from Parks and Rec).

And Chachi.
What's a chachi?
Fuck if I know.

Since it's written by the mind behind Scream, you know that you get a well written story. As a viewer, you understand Ellie's struggles – not in the least with the office bitch played by Judy Greer – and her brother is the type of annoying pipsqueak written to fit Jesse Eisenberg like a glove. On the other hand, the subplot with the bullying and the outing is a bit forced now.

Bo: I'm gay.
Jimmy: I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
(Jerry and George off screen: No, of course not!)

With Wes Craven, you get a director at the helm who knows how to work with actors. So he brings out the best in Ricci, Eisenberg and the others. Even Pacey looks good in a part somewhat different than what people know him for.

The only problem is the special effects. Especially the transformation scenes. Pretty sure Wes was not too happy with that either, since the CGI made it look atrocious. But that's probably where some studio exec steps in and explains how better CGI has not been invented yet and how practical effects are “too expensive”. And it looks good to him, so shut the fuck up.

Luckily, the fight scenes were better. Shame there were not more of those. Since in a movie universe with all these versusses, I kind of want to see this werewolf fight the one from The Howling. Talk about hell in a cell. Glen Jacobs would take one look at that and he'd be like: ah hell naw.

Overall a fun watch and a fun ride. For werewolf fans and a fun addition to your Craven collection.

Them 2006 ★★★½

For some reason, I remember this (partly) being a found footage. Turns out this was just filmed in the traditional style.

This is a good solid home invasion horror about a couple being terrorized by a gangof neighboring kids. For the fairly short runtime, it does manage in setting the characters well enough for the viewer to sympathize with the main characters.

Also good idea never to show the gang all too clearly. The few times you hear them talk... I don't know, prepubescent kids and voices just are not all that scary. Even though I am sure that kids that age are capable of this type of viciousness.

The final shot of Clem still holds very well.

For fans of films like Eden Lake.

P2 2007 ★★

Interesting way to create a confined space for the main characters. The resulting movie, however, keeps giving the impression that they could have done more with this idea.

Wes Bentley (aka Camera Guy frm American Beauty) is just no scary villain and the lead was not all that convincing.

Red Eye did a lot better with a similar premise.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Ruins 2008 ★★★½

Jeff: Four Americans on vacation don't just disappear.
Womp womp. Sometimes they just do, Jeff.

Netflix does us a solid. How about that?

The Ruins starts off with four friends enjoying the typical tourist zombie stuff: beach, booze, bed, repeat. Until the most cultured one of the group (do a shot for every time the script mentions he's going to be a doctor) gets an opportunity to actually see stuff and drags the rest into a hairbrained scheme that turns out to be their undoing. The scene with the masked road. Every fiber of your being screams out this is a really bad idea. But they... ah, fuck it.

The characters were a nice change of pace compared to earlier 2000s horror. With well written characters who were at least convincing as friends. Maybe they went a tad out of their way to make Jeff so gosh darn likable, but that's nitpicking. They were written well enough for me as a viewer to want to see them survive and the most sympathetic one gets it in a horrific way. Well done, mister Smith. Good job.

I also like the switch they pull on us with the locals and the plants. Shooting a kid, shooting their friend... yaips, these people don't mess around. But the genuine evil waiting for them is much worse. Crawling up on you if you stay immobil for too long, being able to mimic sounds, getting into your body through open wounds,... Which actually makes for a nice open ending. Will she save herself or infect the rest of the world and cause even more havoc?

For fans of Netflix horror. There is some good stuff on there. You just have to find/stumble across it.

The Loved Ones 2009 ★★★★

I have seen this one pass by on a few of the many many Youtube-lists (Top 10 horror movies so and so, umpteen horror who this and that... 8, 9, 10, 11, ball park numbers really). Now that I finally got around to watching it, I can only say that it delivered on its premise and cult reputation.

The loved ones is a solid Aussie horror on a girl named Lola. She is alone, the boys will not ask her to go the dance with them, and if the boys don't come themselves, well... guess we'll just have to bring them in then.

After we set up our main characters, it gets messed up real damn quick, with a scary kidnapping and an almost dead moment. From that moment, we go on to a progressively worse piece of torture porn, revealing throughout what has really been going on, with a full circle moment to round it off. Only made worse by the (forcedly) cosy atmos between the father and the daughter. The Tanners meet the Sawyer family from Texas Chainsaw. With a hint of incest thrown in for that extra bit of discomfort.

What can I say? I was into it. Sympathizing with the main character, rooting for him to escape. And the end delivers two punch the air moments when the main bad gets
run over.

Well recommended for fans of (Aussie) horror. Good stuff.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Saint 2010 ★★★★

A horror comedy centered to one of the most confusing holidays when you are not from these parts. Wether it's the Zwarte Piet issue or the fact that a lot of non Dutch cannot tell Saint Nicholas apart from Santa Claus. Or the fact that a nation whose inhabitants are notorious for their thriftiness have two occasions in less than a month where they go all out on lavish presents. This is set during the start of the 2008 bank crisis, but as a voice on the radio puts it: people spent more than ever on presents.

Being a Dutch movie, we get some of that standard Dutch cheekiness with a scene of students giving each other presents in class (Teacher: Gee, that's the sixth dildo this year. That beats the previous record of five.) and one of the girls takes the opportunity to break up with our lead boy.

So what about the bad stuff? Turns out the holy man from Spain was in fact, a murderer and a thief and now a ghost who goes on a killing spree every time there's a full moon on his day. That's when we get to the carnage and believe you me, there's a good chunk of it. Making this a sort of goresoaked Gremlins.

And a spectacular scene of the police chasing a man riding a horse over the rooftops. For practical reasons, all filmed in CGI now. So sadly, no repeat of the infamous canal chase scene in Amsterdamned.

It's all in good fun and Dick Maas proves he still has the craft that made his work stand out in the eighties with De Lift and the aformentioned Amsterdamned. Sure, the ending is a bit of your typical climax, with a post adventure scene and a bit of sequel bait to cap it off. But it was well done and deserves an attentive audience.

If you enjoyed Maas' previous work, you will certainly enjoy this one.

Grave Encounters 2011 ★★★

As a found footage, it did not really stand out all that much.

Don't get me wrong. The opening scenes had the whole style down of this particular type of “spectacular” reality show. Mythbusters is the first show that comes to mind, but I am fairly certain that there is other more supernatural related programming that they managed to mimic very well.

And then there are the special effects. Seeing them in a found footage is already pretty rare as such and having them as well executed as they are here definetily adds to the film.

So the film has its merits and the third star is deserved. But I have seen this formula better executed in other flicks. Decent, but run of the mill and vice versa. And I can certainly see why people would love this one.

For people who just discovered FF and are starting to dig.

Would You Rather 2012 ★★★

Would you rather is a horror about choices that's easily linked to similar flicks like Saw, The Belko Experiment or even Hounded or The Purge (Pretty sure The Purge: Anarchy had a similar storyline).

I liked it. Sure, it has the tropes of the genre: the self sacrifice, the mad host, the butler who is just as good at poaching eggs as he is at kicking ass, the arrogant, self-entitled son (let's call him Don junior),... but it keeps a solid pace, so I never got bored with it. Even though, it was obvious early on who it would come down to. I also kind of expected the half dead tough guy to make a comeback, but they did not go for that low hanging fruit.

The characters are no Shakespeare, that's true. Then again, normal, levelheaded people do not get themselves into the sort of situation where they have to rely on this type of maniac. So there are only two ways you can go with these characters: either make them the type of sleazebags John Heard does so well, or the sad orphan type character that's supposed to break your heart like with Brittany Snow's character.

The acting? Meh. I thought it was okay for what it was. John Heard and Sasha Grey got characters that suited them and Jeffrey Combs was delightfully hammy as Lambrick. His rejoicing in the suffering made him an excellent villain.

One more thing I would like to mention is the ending. I don't say this very often, but this one was needlessly cruel. I get the all for naught-feel it was supposed to get across. I just doubt wether or not this was really needed. If the writers had gone with Amy as their main characters, it might have worked as a cumuppance. But now? Torture! Huh! Good god, y'all. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

For fans of torture porn and Hunger Games-like survival stuff.

[Sculpt]

Grave Encounters 2011 ★★★

As a found footage, it did not really stand out all that much.

Don't get me wrong. The opening scenes had the whole style down of this particular type of “spectacular” reality show. Mythbusters is the first show that comes to mind, but I am fairly certain that there is other more supernatural related programming that they managed to mimic very well.

And then there are the special effects. Seeing them in a found footage is already pretty rare as such and having them as well executed as they are here definetily adds to the film.

So the film has its merits and the third star is deserved. But I have seen this formula better executed in other flicks. Decent, but run of the mill and vice versa. And I can certainly see why people would love this one.

For people who just discovered FF and are starting to dig.

Would You Rather 2012 ★★★

Would you rather is a horror about choices that's easily linked to similar flicks like Saw, The Belko Experiment or even Hounded or The Purge (Pretty sure The Purge: Anarchy had a similar storyline).

I liked it. Sure, it has the tropes of the genre: the self sacrifice, the mad host, the butler who is just as good at poaching eggs as he is at kicking ass, the arrogant, self-entitled son (let's call him Don junior),... but it keeps a solid pace, so I never got bored with it. Even though, it was obvious early on who it would come down to. I also kind of expected the half dead tough guy to make a comeback, but they did not go for that low hanging fruit.

The characters are no Shakespeare, that's true. Then again, normal, levelheaded people do not get themselves into the sort of situation where they have to rely on this type of maniac. So there are only two ways you can go with these characters: either make them the type of sleazebags John Heard does so well, or the sad orphan type character that's supposed to break your heart like with Brittany Snow's character.

The acting? Meh. I thought it was okay for what it was. John Heard and Sasha Grey got characters that suited them and Jeffrey Combs was delightfully hammy as Lambrick. His rejoicing in the suffering made him an excellent villain.

One more thing I would like to mention is the ending. I don't say this very often, but this one was needlessly cruel. I get the all for naught-feel it was supposed to get across. I just doubt wether or not this was really needed. If the writers had gone with Amy as their main characters, it might have worked as a cumuppance. But now? Torture! Huh! Good god, y'all. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing.

For fans of torture porn and Hunger Games-like survival stuff.
Grave Encounters
It's really hard for me to drum up much interest in seeing ghosty visuals and jump scares with the found footage and the institution settings cause it's just so, so old to me. But I know any genre or topic can be done really well. For me there would have to be a really good story and rich characters, and it's rare to find that in horror films like this. Blair Witch did it, but it's very rare.

As far as photo realistic found footage, Chronicle (2012) was eye popping, and good film in general. Ever see that?

The V/H/S 1 & 2 have some crafty photo realistic found footage shorts. Plus, each short is short, so if you don't like one, you don't have to wait long. Most are pretty nasty, but usually more of a ghost story, or just kind of explores a concept or technique.

Would You Rather
After watching it a while, I decided I would rather not. ::big grin:: It is what is : torture porn. Decent production value. They could have gone more the Saw route, or any route, but they really just put lipstick on a faux plot.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Grave Encounters
As far as photo realistic found footage, Chronicles was eye popping, and good film in general. Ever see that?

I don't think I have. What year is it from?

I like found footage, though, even if only for the few times they hit the nail on the head. My personal faves are Rec, The Poughkeepsie Tapes and VHS 2.

[Sculpt]

I don't think I have. What year is it from?

I like found footage, though, even if only for the few times they hit the nail on the head. My personal faves are Rec, The Poughkeepsie Tapes and VHS 2.

Chronicle (2012)

[Amaltheaunicorn2023]

[IMG]https://sta

[FryeDwight]

THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (1991). Sort of a parable of "The Haves" VS "The Have-Nots", a Young boy makes an effort to help his family and not lose their home by going to his Landlords residence. To say it's very strange there would be an understatement...think of a total Funhouse set up.

This had a decent premise, but was just a little too weird for Me and found it more amusing than anything else. **

[Sculpt]

THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS (1991). Sort of a parable of "The Haves" VS "The Have-Nots", a Young boy makes an effort to help his family and not lose their home by going to his Landlords residence. To say it's very strange there would be an understatement...think of a total Funhouse set up.

This had a decent premise, but was just a little too weird for Me and found it more amusing than anything else. **
Agreed. I was mildly entertained with People Under the Stairs. Definitely a weird one.

Speaking of Funhouse... what did you think of Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse?

[FryeDwight]

Agreed. I was mildly entertained with People Under the Stairs. Definitely a weird one.

Speaking of Funhouse... what did you think of Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse?

Not a bad little film; nothing I'd want to watch constantly, but some creepy parts.

[FryeDwight]

THE WHALE (2022). Brendan Frasier is very good (and deserving of his Oscar win) as a morbidly obese English professor in declining health hoping to reconnect with his estranged daughter before it's too late. Although, the teen is SO snotty, ones wonders why He would want to bother.
While Frasier gives a good performance, TW reminded very much of LEAVING LAS VEGAS where We get to see someone destroy themselves via their addiction and not really fun to see. **1/2

[TaeKwonZombie]

Friday The 13th (2009) the remake, yeah, its got that late 2000s vibe with some cheesyness, and annoying actors, but some of the visuals of Jason were pretty awesome, i wouldnt give it much more than a 5 out of 10, 6 at best....


also saw Us (2019), which i enjoyed, creepy lil movie, with alot of deeper meanings.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Agreed. I was mildly entertained with People Under the Stairs. Definitely a weird one.

Speaking of Funhouse... what did you think of Tobe Hooper's The Funhouse?


i enjoy both of those movies, the funhouse is one of my favorite tobe movies, and people was just like you said fucking weird...gotta give both of those a rewatch...

[Tommy Jarvis]

V/H/S/2 2013 ★★★★

Still holds up on a rewatch, even with the alien abduction segment losing a bit of steam.

The Usual Suspects 1995 ★★★★½

Still holds up as an amazing and very entertaining crime drama, even though the impression of the first watching can probably never be met. Largely due to the performances by Benicio Del Toro and Gabriel Byrne. Also a good idea to bring in classy actors like Pete Posthletwaite.

And yes, Kevin Spacey. Say what you will, but if you watch this without all the baggage you would go in with today, you would be blown away as well.

That does not mean that I'm oblivious. In fact, the irony about Kevin Spacey and his current situation is that the things that makes his best performances stand out (manipulation, calm menace,...) are the things that will make a possible comeback more difficult.

The Taking of Deborah Logan 2014 ★★★★½

A pretty impressive and scary movie. There's a lot to like about this one.

Like the idea of going in with the faux documentary style, because it gets you closer to the main characters. You get to live with them and their trials (Laura), their frustrations (Deb and Harris) and fears (the one camera guy who wants to make a run for it).

Or the notion that the makers found a way to visualise the horrors of suffering from Alzheimer's and its symptoms and consequences. For this and the next generation, this will probably be scariest disease to die from, making the explanation about its working less expositional and more fascinating. And best illustrated at the end. Before we even get the chance to have a “happy ending”, the disease is already there, ready to mercilessly pounce.

And of course the fact that this is all wrapped up into an entertaining horror flick, with good special effects and solid scares. Again, the possessing devil as a metaphor for the day to day fears of people related to a Alzheimer's patient. How will they be? Will they recognize me? Will they know my name? How does it feel when they don't?

Good stuff. Well recommended.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Deathgasm 2015 ★★★

Depending on where you stand, this little horror comedy can be either the raunchy comedy version of Evil Dead or the horror version of (a comedy like) Superbad. I know it's tempting to make the Shaun of the dead comparison, but Shaun is way too subtle with its callbacks and foreshadowing. This one is just a lot more staightforward. (Jerry: Not that there's anything wrong with that. George: No, of course not.)

A group of outcast nerds form a death metal group (with an obligatory quick dubstep joke) and the accidentally summon a devil. Don't you just hate it when that happens?

The movie does not reinvent the wheel. The shot of the adult shocked at the sight of the teenager's tastes or the winning over the bully's girlfriend subplot is something we have seen a million times, so nothing shocking there.

But it's not always about what you do, but also about how you do it. And this movie does it well. The pace is good, the jokes work and it's overall a fun flick with a happy end. The shot of Brodie in corpse paint and Medina having an icecream is just adorable, and everyone who has ever rocked out to one of their favorite tunes will recognize themselves in the scene where Medina discovers heavy metal.

Nice little discovery for horror comedy fans.

Better Watch Out 2016 ★★

In all honesty, I did not think all that much of it. The concept was okay. You know, the babysitting brat from hell. Go... to... bed! That's what you said. Go to bread.

So yeah, the idea was good and the kid portraying Luke did a good job. But it was not like it was very gripping or got a laugh from me. A good concept turned into a run of the mill.

I myself am not on reddit and I am not (really) familiar with the culture behind incels. I'm sure that they are annoying and such, that's not the point. But, like in other instances, it also sees a lot of people worked up and raging in either which direction over a movie that, at the end of the day, is pretty much just meh.

The best thing to do is to go in blind. Now the script was not all that captivating, the twists were not too shocking and, apart from Levi Miller, the acting was not bad, but not memorable either. At least we get an okay pay-off.

Two stars. For fans of holiday horror.

Gerald’s Game 2017 ★★★★½

For a horror fan, this is the stuff that makes a Netflix subscription worth its money.

From a simple set-up – sex game goes awry – we venture into a minimalistic horror thriller that manages to keep you invested for the duration of the movie.

As with other of these limited setting horrors (Frozen comes to mind), they make maximum use of the objects available. But most of the credit goes to the actors. Bruce Greenwood and especially Carla Gugino make Gerald and Jessie into complex and layered characters. While I have not yet read the book, some of the monologue passages really reflect King's style of writing, making the whole thing look like a faithfull adaptation.

In that aspect, it was a stroke of genius to tie in the hallucinations and the dream sequences. They help you understand so much better how Jessie's mind works and where she comes from. Especially the moments surrounding the eclipse are very unsettling. Compliments for the young actress for portraying the shock and starting trauma she conveyed there and then.

It uses its gore very effectively, making you squirm at every gory moment, especially the climax when she gets out of the cuffs. Keeping you on the edge of your seat while she is behind the wheel. And even then, her happy ending is not fully certain. For some, the ending scene might feel a bit tacked on, but it mostly shows the progress she made and how she is ready to move on as a person.

Great film and certainly one of the better King-adaptations.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Overlord 2018 ★½

To be honest, I don't see why this gets good reviews.

I've seen this type of war horror before, just with lower budgets and more B-movie appeal. Cruel nazis, brave soldiers, a doctor Mengele-ish figure,... It has it all.

Maybe I was not in the right place for this one, but it did not do anything for me.

The Lighthouse 2019 ★★★

A24 delivers a solid mood piece about the horrors of isolation with William Dafoe and Robert Pattinson as two maintenance men taking care of the lighthouse.

This is one of the movies that could have driven the final nail in the Twilight-coffin. Proving it only managed to reduce two solid actors to moon eyes. Kristen Stewart overcame that with solid or even great performances in The Runaways, Spencer, On the road,... This is the first I've seen of Robert Pattinson and it did not convince me all that much. He just does the generic insolent youngen and not even all that convincingly.

This becomes even more obvious because he's up against a powerhouse performance by William Dafoe. Dafoe had every last detail of his character down, right up until the old timey accent and the magnificent beard. While Pattinson's mustache, on the other hand, looked silly and glued on at the start.

Nonetheless, it was an entertaining piece of mood cinema. The isolation and the ensuing hallucinations are well shot and add to Pattinson's character slowly losing his mind. I also like the choice to film this in black and white, only further enhancing said atmosphere.

This also lends itself for a rewatch. Then you can pick up on details that you might elude on a first watch.

For fans of psychological horror.

Possessor 2020 ★★★★★

Good lord, I love the Cronenbergs.

The opening shot immediately has you hooked. Like any good Cronenberg-flick, it drags you into a surreal universe full of emotionally detached characters that you somehow end up getting attached to.

In this case, we follow a sort of hired killer who takes on the body of somebody else to do her job. Both men and women. Which should also be a clue for her “victim” wife. Anyway.

Sure enough, she gets stuck in this body and things get more and more sour with her fear and despair becoming ever more suffocating. Creating a great feel of unheimlichkeit with one or two shots that had me thinking “put that in one of Davids eighties movies and the people who are now bitching about how 'there are no more great horrors' would all call it brilliant and genious and so and so”.

I loved Jennifer Jason Leigh in her role as Girder. She did the manipulative part of her character really well and the dynamic between her and Tasya was very well done. Also, can we get Cara Delevigne to star in a Cronenberg-film? She'd be great for it.

5 stars. Highly recommended.

[Tommy Jarvis]

I’ll Be Watching 2023 ★★★

Of course, this one is not reinventing the wheel. If anything, it's a more subtle (and less funny) version of the treehouse of horror bit with Pierce Brosnan.

A woman best described as discount Allison Williams is left alone in an Alexa-like house where the house controls pretty much everything. Conveniently for the screenwriter, she has mental issues, so when she starts seeing and hearing all sorts of weird things, it's not that hard for the people around her to rationalise things, which of course only adds to her despair.

The acting is okay from the lead and her husband (1/3 Ben Wishaw, 1/3 young Jeff Goldblum and 1/3 Moss from the IT crowd). The story is kind of predictable, especially the fate of the cat. But the pacing is okay and overall, it is a well executed and an okay movie.

Good for one of those what-should-I-watch-on-Tubi kind of nights.

Malignant 2021 ★★★★ Watched 28 Oct 2023

James Wan delivers another solid offering, cementing his status as one of the finest genre directors of his generation. And certainly one of the most successfull.

We follow a monster escaping from a … hospital? Mental institution? My best guess: the same kind of place where Mulder and Scully would send the fluke worm guy. And at the same time a woman living in Seattle. Obligatory shot of the Space needle? You bet.

She's stuck in an abusive relationship, though that does not last long. Though what she's on to is not much better, since she and the monster are closer than you might think at first and though, it's clear how early on, I'm not going to spoil it just yet. More fun to you find out.

We get some pretty intense chase sequences, the gore looks pretty well (not sure wether it's practical or CGI, probably a mix) and the cast does a good job. All's well that ends well.

Four stars. One of the better recent releases. Makes your Netflix subscription worth its money.

Scream 2022 ★★½

The last offering with Neve Campbell is a mixed bag.

Are there things to complain about? Sure.

The metaness is so out the wazoo it becomes annoying, even for me. There's hardly any scene that can go without an on the nose wink wink moment. The characters went from streetwise to smartalicky. It felt like a rehash of the original. And then people complain about Friday-sequels being cookie cutter. Not to mention the far fetched tie in with Skeet Ulrich.

And of course, the killers had to be toxic fans. Of course. Am I the only one who thinks these toxic fans are only a minority and that most fans are genuinely nice people? That “elevated horror” and rollercoaster rides can coexist the same way burger joints and fancy restaurants do?

Also, I am pretty sure there are people out there now who complain about movies with subtitles (I do nothing but read, I don't get to watch the movie) and yet, at the same time, are totally cool with watching a scene where about half of the dialogue is in text messages.

That does not mean it was all bad. The kills have good ideas behind them. The reveal of the killers comes suitably out of nowhere. The main characters are believable as a group of friends. And we get some touching moments between the Sidney, Gail and Dewey. And of course the dedication to its creator at the end.

For fans of the franchise who want to see everything.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Conference 2023 ★★★

The Conference is a nice little Swedish slasher about government workers on an outing that's somewhere between the opening of a mall in smalltown and team building.

Most of the characters - with the exception of maybe Lina - seem to come straight from a sitcom like - I don't know - The Office(?), Arrested Development(?),... From that, we get a corruption subplot whose only goal seems to be setting up two characters as even more annoying. And you know what? As long as the pay-off is them (and us) getting two gruesome kills, I am okay with that. After all, we watch slashers for the kills, so any excuse for a good kill is a good one.

The identity of the killer is no big mistery, but that does not deter the fun in any way. I kind of enjoyed spending time with these characters and their respective quirks, like Torbjorn's obsession with food. Or the subplot about the nice guy - think Jim from The Office with a Dwight-like physique. No to spoil anything, but he meets his demise in a whoopsie Daisy-moment that's either sad or funny, depending on where you stand. I thought it was a bit of both.

I liked the killer's look with his NFL/MLB-mascotte like mask. And the kills look good. Suitingly brutal and gory. And, judging from the hammock kill, these people have their share of Fridays. Also, how the machete pierces both the body and the beercan... *chefs kiss*

For fans of slashers or Euro horror. Also... if you like this one, please check out a Norwegian flick called Cold Prey.

The Boy and the Heron 2023 ★★½

Visually stunning, but confusing as hell.

Don’t Look Away 2017 ★★★

A decent short about the world's deadliest staring contest.

More focus on the scares and that's actually well done.

[TaeKwonZombie]

resaw Saw 2 ::big grin::

also The Gallows from 2015....annoying teenagers ruined this movie for me and sense of any horror that is there...wanna be paranormal activities...meh....

[TaeKwonZombie]

Voodoo Apocalypse, feel like the cast and crew focused on having fun more than making a good movie, i liked some of it, than other parts seemed to drag on with too much weird dialogue.


also saw Boogeyman, that dvd with the cover of the arm coming out of the door has been in my sight for a while now finally bought it for 1 dollar at a pawn shop, so i gave it a try, and well i enjoyed the idea, and the cgi of the boogeyman and the different moments where it appears, but the characters/actors were very boring and could have used some work, so it was an alright experience all in all. i give it a 4 out of 10 simply for the moments when we see the boogeyman and its attacks/jump scares...

[FryeDwight]

A WOMAN SCORNED: THE BETTY BRODERICK STORY (1992). Pretty good TV film of the bitter divorce of Dan and Betty Broderick with the brutal yet somewhat expected conclusion. Meredith Baxter Birney is great as Betty. And always nice seeing Michelle Johnson::love::. ***

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Bye Bye Man from 2017, finally watched this, and i actually enjoyed it more than I thought I would, i like the urban legend, and though it has its problems, it had its good moments and clever scenes...especially the train moments, primarily the car crash on the tracks trick the bye bye man did, but other times annoyed at some of the characters...it is what it is, i'd give it a 5 or 6 out of 10. Some of the moments dragged on in a boring fashion, other times I enjoyed the macabre imagery.

[FryeDwight]

THE OUTFIT (1993). Pretty good DTV of a rogue FBI Man going undercover to undermine organized crime circa 1931. The main thrust of the story is what started as a pissing match between Legs Diamond and Dutch Schultz has escalated into extreme violence as both men will not back down. Pretty good all the way and pretty violent at times (especially in one instance) and a strong performance by Lance Henriksen as a growling snapping Schultz. ***

[FryeDwight]

TURN IT UP! CELEBRATION OF THE GUITAR (2014). Pretty good documentary narrated by Kevin Bacon about how guitars were electrified and various companies and the models produced. Lots of interviews with players like Skunk Baxter, Paul Stanley, Jerry Cantrelll, Slash, Nancy Wilson, BB King , Ana Popovic as well as a Southwest Airlines CEO, a young girl who uses guitar as a therapy tool and other regular people. It also answered a question I had as to why Gibson Les Pauls from the 50's could command such high prices.
While I can't play guitar well at all, it is a comforting feeling holding it or strapping it on. Plugging in with the knobs all turned to the right and smacking the E chord is extremely stimulating...just protect Your ears. ***1/2

[Tommy Jarvis]

District B13 2004 ★★★

This French action flick sets a nuke in one of the infamous banlieues (suburbs of Paris known for their high crime and poverty rate). A supercop, fresh off a mission, is sent in to stop it from exploding.

Let's be clear: you don't watch this for the story or for character development. This is Seagal level writing with some French machismo thrown in. With one woman in the main cast, who's mostly an afterthought for most of the film. The camera throws back to her to literally remind us like “oh yeah, she's in this too (in case you forgot)”.

If anything, you watch it for the pacing and the action. The action set pieces are filmed within an inch of their life, with a type of editing reminiscent of The Matrix and a little of Lola Rennt. What with all the running and spectacular jumping. The fight scenes are filmed equally spectacular, putting them above other martial arts films. (Could this be a gateway movie into Van Damme territory?) And, in all honesty, it still holds up rather well, even while approaching its twentieth anniversary. Good lord, how time flies.

For fans of fast paced action.

Oxygen 2021 ★★★½

Alexandre Aja offers us a horror sci-fi with an interesting premise: waking up from hypersleep with nowhere to go.

Melanie Laurent delivers a strong performance as she struggles to find out what's going on and where she can go. At first, you flub it off as screenwriter convenience, but it's not until the twist that you find what's really going on.

Aja develops his trade, among others with revolving shots adding to the character's (and the audience's) sense of disorientation. And of course the majestuous images that the genre allows.

The movie lagged a bit towards the end, though I will give Aja credit for not relying too much on easy flashbacks.

Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars.

Otherkin 2022 ★★

Unremarkable short about a woman returning to her family, only to find a bit more than she bargained for.

The main horror here is the fear of the inevitable. The atmos does not get all too creepy, but the actors try their damndest.

Fun watch for people looking for atmost horror.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Otherkin 2022 ★★

Unremarkable short about a woman returning to her family, only to find a bit more than she bargained for.

The main horror here is the fear of the inevitable. The atmos does not get all too creepy, but the actors try their damndest.

Fun watch for people looking for atmost horror.

The Autopsy of Jane Doe 2016 ★★★★

We start at a crime scene where the body of a young woman is taken away. She ends up in a morgue where a young coroner (Emile Hirsch from Into the the wild and The girl next door) and his father (Brian Cox) have to find the COD. However, as the night progresses, they will find out that this is anything but an open and shut case.

It starts with more and more oddities popping up. Hang on, this is actually more interesting than I thought it would be. We then build up more and more atmopshere as the two coroners start gathering evidence, trying to find out what had happened to this Jane Doe. This is where the actors do a good job. Cox as the father, jocular with the girlfriend and concerned over the wellbeing of his son. Hirsch as the son, torn between his relationship, his personal ambitions and being the dutiful son doing his job. Of course, there has been a tragedy in the family and the two protagonists suffer a great loss. Not going to spoil the ending, but suffice it to say that it's not very sunny and cheerfull.

This one was pretty damn good. I liked how they set up the atmosphere or used the radio to their advantage. How all these small, daily life appliances can be turned against you and drive you crazy. The actors do a good job and one horror cliché I like seeing confirmed is how the fans look at human death – oh yeah! – and animal death – oh no :'-(

Four stars. Underrated gem and well worth checking out.

Luckiest Girl Alive 2022 ★★★½

From what I can tell and from what I have seen of Mila Kunis, this is probably (one of) the most emotionally complex role(s) in her career and she pulls it off very well. In a way, Ani challenges the tendency of (a part of) the audience to overfocus on wether or not and how much a protagonist is likable.

Ani is ambitious and wants to do what it takes to get to the top (even change her name), yet she is not blind not to the backstage nonsense. That makes for an interesting duality between desperately wanting to fit in and at the same time loathing the less nice things that come with it. You can hear her the whole time saying to herself: ugh, I hate this shit, I feel like a fraud. Now now, you got this chance, your mama is expecting stuff from you, don't let her (and yourself) down. Leaves you as a viewer wondering how much of this is nature and how much is nurture, which is a lot more interesting than finding a character you can just blindly like and agree with.

It's a bit, for lack a better word, rich to hear somebody clearly on her way to better things complain about things other people would give an arm and a leg for. And at the same time, it's a nice change of pace from The devil wears Prada-ish characters, the small town girl making it big and who's just so gosh darn happy to be there. As if reality is that simple.

And of course, there are the demons from the past lurking underneath the surface, causing her to lash out at not necessarily the best possible moments. All adding up to an interesting character arc, told in an entertaining way and at a good pace.

Also makes a nice duality between what we know of someone and the full picture. Like the character of Dean. Somebody who was a jerk at first and then, for lack of a better term, stumbled upon something that somehow gave him the chance to morph into a hero/nation sweetheart, yet not wiping out what is/was underneath that surface. Sure, the reveal with the tape recorder was predictable and the montage of the reactions came with some cheesy music. But why base judgment on one part when the bigger picture has a lot more to it?

All this together makes for an interesting drama/thriller that you can enjoy on more than one level. Well worth checking out.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: The National Anthem 2011 ★★★★

A very nice first introduction to Black mirror.

An interesting premise that leads to an edge of your seat thriller with a very tense build up to a turn your head away climax.

A princess is kidnapped and then the Prime Minister is coerced into having sex with a pig. How the kidnapping happened with the Fort Knox security that royals enjoy and the motives for the request are beyond me. That said, it does not deter from tension and your compassion with the PM. You're really shaking for the guy in the final minutes before the inevitable. Great performance by Rory Kinnear.

Looking forward to see the rest. Based on this first episode, this could become a modern version of Brian Clemens' Thriller. Just to say that it looks promising.

Ps: The fact that this came three of four years before David Cameron and Pig-gate adds a unique touch. The cliché about truth being stranger than fiction.

Amber Alert 2012 ★★★

I don't really understand the hatred that this film gets. Not saying this is briljant, but as far as found footage, this is actually kind of okay.

Michael and Samantha are believable as friends. You can understand why they go for it and even their arguing... the shouting match may be annoying, but you can see them having this argument as friends. Maybe it would help to have a bit of background (a throwaway line or two should be enough) to help understand Sam's emotional reaction (help us see where she is coming from), but that's nitpicking.

With a runtime of 70 minutes, this movie does not overstay its welcome. It is a bit of a slow burn and most of the tension is in the last ten, fifteen minutes. But that's par for the course for the subgenre.

"fuck the haters" is an annoying cliché and I can understand why some people don't like this one. But if you go in with an open mind, this might turn out to be a pleasant surprise and a nice addition to your FF collection.

The Sixth Sense 1999 ★★★★

Undoubtedly one of the better Shyamalans.

Upon this rewatch, some of the original thrill is of course gone. We all know what's coming and the proverbial cat is out of the bag.

The funny thing is, that the build up still stands. Of course you still see the hints now towards the inevitable. But one of his strengths is that Shyamalan, on a good day, can create an atmosphere of unheimlichkeit. And of course Bruce Willis in a, at the time, uncharacteristic role.

And the main scares – the ones the movie revolves around – still work.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Dinner After 2021 ★★★★

Talk about an awkward dinner.

From the very start, you can feel the somewhat relatable awkwardness. You know what's handy about knowing people all your life? You get to know all of their buttons of how to push them. Or in this case, drive in the knife.

Even more so when this movie takes a hard left turn. Did not see that one coming. Turns out that mum and dad were not the only ones holding a grudge against Angela.

Recommended for fans of short films and people enjoying the feeling of unheimlichkeit.

Goodnight Darling 2021 ★★★

Mum went a bit overboard there.

Typical short. All build up to a jump scare and it pays off enough to warrant a third star.

Mercy Falls 2023 ★★½

In this Scottish 2023 release, a group of friends go into the woods to find a lost cabin. Though the term friends is used rather loosely here, judging from how quickly the group falls apart.

The cast is generic slasher fodder and the final girl is not all that captivating. In fact, from the very first moment, she is overshadowed by the villain, who has more charisma.

At least, we get some good kills from it and some of the tension moments do a good job.

Who would I recommend this to? Tubi fans? Fans of the Scottish accent?

[Tommy Jarvis]

Jackie Brown 1997 ★★★★

Back to the DVD collection for a rewatch.

For some reason, this one never stood out to me as much as, say, Reservoir Dogs or Pulp Fiction, but it is sort of growing on me with this rewatch.

The dynamic between Forster and Pam Grier, who makes for an amazing lead. Samuel L is always reliable. And holy shit, Chris Tucker is in this? Though I wonder what gave Quentin the idea to cast De Niro as the slow jailbird.

Tarantino himself of course remains a master of visual storytelling, showboating all the techniques that he masters and all the knowledge he absorbed throughout the years in video stores, turning himself the walking cinema encyclopedia that he currently is.

Damn good stuff.

Hatchet II 2010 ★★★★

I loved this one.

For one, it has all the genre lovies together for a big get together: Tony Todd, Kane Hodder, Danielle Harris, Tom Holland, Jon Carl Buechler... and, given the circumstances, they do a good job with the material.

Is that great writing or a baffling story? No. Danielle Harris' Marybeth escapes by the skin of her teeth, only to come back with a group of local bountyhunters who are in essence just there to be Hodder-fodder. And a sex scene that's appropriately stupid.

This is a love letter to gorehounds. If you're icky about blood and gore and can only stand the type of slasher where it's all stab wounds looking like paper cuts, then you better give this one a skip.

However, if you are looking for a heaping helping of splatter, then this is right up your alley. Each kill more ludicrous and awesome than the last. The special effects reaching Mortal Kombat levels in both these categories. Special mention for Doctor Zombie getting it the worst. Toasty!

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Night Flier, stephen king flick, 1997.

Finally saw this movie. It started off a little slow, but it picked up, and what a great ending! Kinda reminded me of an italian giallo in a way where it kills off people left and right and gives you that ending where the killer is revealed and something has to go down. ::devil::

[TaeKwonZombie]

Body Bags 1993.

John Carpenter, and Tobe Hooper directed and star in this movie, also apearances by Sam Raimi, and Wes Craven.

[TaeKwonZombie]

My introduction to Art the clown, Terrifier 2016, finally checked out this franchise, I enjoyed it for the most part, would be cool to have a Art Vs IT clown faceoff movie haha.

[Angra]

Hell House LLC Origins: The Carmichael Manor 7/10

I'm surprised neither Hammerfan or Bloof have revieved this already, but I guess they don't come around here anymore, since the site is so damn unstable.

Well,, for my part, this has been the best entry in the franchise so far. Both the actors, charaters and story worked better than the former. I'm not a fan of found footage, but bring on nr. 5.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Johnny Mad Dog 2008

No stars here, because it would be wrong to rate this in terms of entertainment value. Also because, as a straight forward film, it does not fit the custom definition of entertainment. There is not much plot to speak of: a young boy gets recruited as a child soldier and then goes on a rampage until the final scene where he gets some sort of cumuppance.

Can I judge the realism of this movie? No. It is probably a mix where some elements capture reality better than others do.

It is, however, a very raw and visceral piece of cinema. The seemingly chaotic plot line perfectly fits the way this ragtag gang of child soldiers goes about their business. Completely desensitized to the suffering that they are causing and keeping themselves in that zone with drugs and the type of army chants reminiscent of all the army movie classics.

For fans of raw cinema. Or fans of war films.


Maggie 2023 ★★★★

An old man living alone gets a visit from a nurse. In an atmosphere filled first half we build up tension with the nurse wanting to take the man to a home and him seemingly not wanting to say goodbye to his widow.

At the half point, Maggie turns into a pretty well made haunted house story with some solid jump scares. And even a bit of a callback with the line about how “it's never the same person twice” is not just an indictment of the health care system and what not.

Four stars. Well recommended.

The Night They Knocked 2019 ★★

Bland low budget home invasion flick with subpar acting, a John Wayne Gacy looking clown and little or no redeeming values.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Searchers 2023 ★★★★

When Alter does the atmosphere thing well, they do it really well.

The interview with the mother, the shot of the crow near the end,... it all feels like part of an episode of some supernatural investigation drama, like Millennium, The X-Files,...

And like a good concert, it leaves you wanting more.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw 2021 ★★

Chris Rock the comedian is great at what he does. Funny, incisive,... you name it. However...

His physique, his body language, his way of speaking,... they all feature a mix of brashness and cheekiness that work better for comedy (or voice acting) than they do for more serious drama. That's an extra hurdle he has to take, because it's so easy and tempting for the viewer to see the character and go “oh, that's just Chris Rock”. So as funny as the Gump bit is, it does not help you buy into his character Zeke.

The movie itself then.

It's about what you can expect from a SAW-sequel by now. Gory torture porn and speeches about why not-billy the puppet picks out this particular victim. The fact that this copycat – with an annoying voice nowhere near Billy's grunt – goes after cops might come across as criticism in an era of topics like defund the police. But I doubt that the Saw-sequels are capable of this level of subtlety.

This one does however continue the tradition of having mostly rather unlikable characters. The only two who do, well... one dies horribly, and the other... guess what? And the twist? I was expecting something else, but that did not make it less predictable.

Some people find this terrible, but I'm closer to meh. Second star for Samuel L Jackson and Marisol Nichols. And for the gore of course.

Black Mirror: Fifteen Million Merits 2011 ★★★½

The second episode of Black Mirrors does not grab you the same way as the first one did. Where the first one immediately grabs you by the neck, this one takes its time to set up the atmosphere and characters.

A Wall-E like dystopian world, except that, in this one, they stop people from getting fat. Also, apples are wrapped in plastic, because of course they are.

There's a lot to like about this story.

Wether it's the subdued performance by Daniel Kaluya (blimey, he's British?) or the obvious social commentary on things like peer pressure, social conformity or, on the other hand, the desire to stand out and succeed in places like the Got talent-ish contest . Desperately hoping to please a Simon Cowell-like snob, who in fact had more of a porn stache than the actual porn guy. Or the subplot with the “love intrest” being turned on its head. Making you wonder who is the hero and who is the jerk in this piece.

Not the most uplifting, but in retrospect great storytelling.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Last Halloween 2013 ★★★

Makes you wish your house was "just" TP'ed.

Nightmare at Camp Bloodbath 2022 ★★★★

As a horror comedy, this one goes full on College Humor.

And it was a lot of fun.

We Forgot About The Zombies 2022 ★★★½

A fun little horror comedy that looks like a crossover between Braindead and a Robot Chicken sketch.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Little Bone Lodge 2023 ★★★★

Well recommended. Check it out. Spoilers below.

I love it when you go in with little expectations and then end up with the pleasant surprise of a hidden little gem.

Little bone lodge (aka The Last Exit) is promoted as a bit of a home invasion movie. But in fairness, that is by default in this story.

From the first scene with this “innocent” family, you get an intriguing sense that there is a lot more to them than meets the eye. With the arrival of the criminal, the script does a great job at creating this amazing “who should be afraid of who” atmosphere.

I have to say that both the writing and the actors make for a good rendition of the major plot points like the tension between Jake and Mama. Or the bittersweet moments when Mattie and Maisy/Jenny get to some bonding, before its ruined by the radio. Making it more frightening when he snaps. Or the scene with the cop aka the moment when things really go south and you start feeling what is really going on.

The ending where (nearly) everybody dies is expectable, but well told. In a twisted sense, everybody is happy (except for one) and we also get the possibility of a sequel.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Underworld: Evolution, never really got into this series so i watched this 2006 film. I liked the visuals alot they swayed towards that blue tint cgi style. Action fantasy horror film with werewolves, knights and lore (which I didnt really understand).

[TaeKwonZombie]

king kong, 2005, peter jacksons try at a remake, i loved the bug pit scene, as many others seem to have, those tape worm things gave that guy quite the shitty death.

[TaeKwonZombie]

From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money


Only seen the first one which I liked, so continuing the series, this one not quite as good, so I dont even know what to expect with the third...

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: The Entire History of You 2011 ★★

Well, the first season of Black Mirror certainly had its share of talent: Rory Kinnear, Daniel Kaluuya, Jodie Whittaker,... wonder who I'll see in the next series.

This one did not do all that much for me. Guessing this is about how unlimited access to all data can make you paranoid. I was not all that engaged in the cheating wife subplot, so the removal of the grain did not feel as cathartic for me. Though it did reinforce the whole atmosphere at social gathering, the feeling of having to be on guard, having to be on every single second of the day.

In The Weeds 2021 ★★½

This twenty minute short relies more on atmopshere and suggestion than on actual scares and gore. That's commendable, but in my opinion the cast did not get that across as much as hoped.

That being said, there are good things to this flick. The shot with the aroused old lady, suggested only through moving her feet, worked well and the film had an overall nice aesthetic. Particularly the shots on the bicycle reminded me of Licorice Pizza and Linklater films.

For people looking for mood horror and for mystery and suggestion.

Asking For A Friend 2019 ★★★

A decent horror comedy. Maybe not hilarious, but funny and good for a few laughs. The blood dripping from the ceiling is funnier than it sounds on paper. I also liked the vegetarian joke.

No need to reinvent the wheel, but a good way to spend a half hour.

Check it out when you have some time to kill.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Til Death Do Us Part 2023 ★½

It starts off well with a nice premise, but then... it devolves quickly into the kind of “horror” that gets that label to rake in some cash from people like me who let themselves be suckered in.

Like Dollar Store Negan, this movie quickly lost its steam and all that we have left is “witty” dialogue and an endless slew of martial arts fights.

Half a star extra for Claudia Van Damme, the badass bride. And, if he did not devolve into a POS, maybe a half star for Dollar Store Dinklage. Well... tiny half star.

Teeth 2015 ★★★

An amusing animated short on Alter about a man obsessed with his teeth.

It goes from weird to creepy to abusive in order to end with a bit of dark humor when he finally get his perfect teeth.

King of the Ants 2003 ★★★

A crime thriller that ventures a bit into horror at times.

Chris McKenna plays an antihero of sorts who gets in way over his head when he wants to make a quick buck doing a job for a crooked construction company chief. Daniel Baldwin with a nice slice of ham in his performance, though he can be scary at times (the bit with the golf club).

It was an enjoyable as a crime thriller. McKenna makes for an okay anti-hero and I liked seeing George Wendt again. Sure, the first shot of him (sipping a beer, of course) had me giddily going “Norm!”, but that quickly changed, morphing into a bit of maybe a generic thug, but I liked the way he portrayed that.

The romantic subplot with the widow provided a nice bit of fresh air, even though you could see the end of that (and everything else) coming from a mile away.

I like how Stuart Gordon ventured into different genres and what little gore was in this flick was right up his alley. Norm's decapitation and the shots of his headless body were done pretty well.

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Skeleton Key (2005), interesting little voodoo movie, not too bad, not too special,

[FryeDwight]

The Skeleton Key (2005), interesting little voodoo movie, not too bad, not too special,


Very true...My wife loves this, but I'm less than thrilled with it.

WILD WILD WEST (1999). I enjoyed the TV show when I was little and took my pre-Teen daughter to see WWW when it was released. I could not believe how bad this was...Actors I like (Will Smith, Kevin Kine, Kenneth Branagh nd Salma Hayek) and a director of one of my favorite from the 90's (GET SHORTY), pissed away by historical inaccuracies, an awful script and lots of "Ha-Ha" moments that were anything but.
I had a chance to watch it again and still awful. *

[TaeKwonZombie]

what lies beneath (2000)

one of those movies that I seemed to have passed by, I actually really liked it, Harrison Ford's character was very interesting.

[TaeKwonZombie]

House of Wax (2005)

I really couldn't stand the cast and characters, and how annoying they were which made me anxious to see them die faster, the movie took too long to get to the good stuff but once it did, it definitely had some good moments, nothing special, but I do like the wax style horror idea.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Caved In: Prehistoric Terror (2006)

weird little made for tv movie you'd probably see on the scifi channel, love me some giant insects, kill those annoying actors ::big grin::

[TaeKwonZombie]

next up on the viewing experience is Dark Parasite (2023)

Have you ever seen those snails that get infected with parasites that control their bodies? This is the human version of that. Crime, parasites, aliens, and some serious dragging on stitches this movie together. I liked all the moments where we see the alien and the damage it inflicts, but I dreaded all the acting and background story of the characters...


Day of The Dead (2008)

Doesnt feel like a remake of the original classic, but I guess it is....I prefer the original by a longshot.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Territory (2016)

Uk movie, as much as I was confused, I was equally intrigued by the skinned looking human like monster creatures (maybe aliens?).

[TaeKwonZombie]

Black Pumpkin (2018)

slasher with some interesting kills, but nothing special...lots of teens and kids trying to survive some weird midget sized killer, and honestly alot of the movie bored me. I liked the cover art.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: Be Right Back 2013 ★★★½

This episode of Black Mirror taps into the same vein as Her and one or two similar titles.

Mind you, it does it pretty well. With an engaging story that I was completely into until the end. Compliments to Haley Atwell as Martha. And Brendan Gleeson's kid as Simon.

Tau 2018 ★★½

An home robotics thriller with a kidnapped women stuck in a house with a psychopatic tech mogul who has somehow has a experimental system which basically morphs Hal from 2001 and Ed 209 into one system. Scratch that, this robot beats the crap out of ol' Ed.

It's entertaining and Maika Monroe is still as solid as ever, but in her filmography, this would have to take a backseat to her other work.

Bombshell 2019 ★★★½

When #MeToo hit Fox News.

Is this movie “fair and balanced”? Well, it certainly goes a bit deeper into the complexities of sexual harassment cases. Not so much the cases themselves, the facts are clear. More in the portrayal of how each of these women come to the decisions and actions they (under)take in the end and the considerations they (have to) ponder. One significant moment is during Kelly's first testimony when she notices that she is witness W and asks “Am I number 23?”. How it only then fully dawns on her what's really going on. Kudos to Charlize Theron there. Good job.

If anything, the acting is pretty solid. Being from Europe, I only know Megyn Kelly and I have to say Charlize Theron was the most convincing out of all three. In the other case, I cannot judge the resemblance, but in all honesty, I just saw Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie. Best testament to the quality of the acting: this has a small role for Mark Duplass (the creep from “Creep”) and his, for lack of a better word, “creepy” star is outshined by a great John Lithgow.

Recommended for fans of period pieces. The big productions that capture the zeitgeist of an era.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Remnants 2013 ★★½

Decent found footage available on YT.

Nothing groundbreaking or mindboggling. Just, you know... okay characters, good build up, nice pay off, suitably vague,...

If you're a sucker for found footage (like me), this is a nice addition for your collection.

You can check it out here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAEuouBgXKU

High Tension 2003 ★★★

Alexandra Aja's debut does not lose much steam on a rewatch.

Interestingly, for a movie known for its brutality, it does not really spend all that much time on the actual torture and gore. Sure, there is plenty of gore and disturbing imagery, but just as much attention goes to the chase, with the main protagonist running from the killer. Until of course the big twist.

High Tension is still a very solid calling card for the man who went on to do The hills have eyes remake and movies like Oxygen. He masters the visual craft of setting up atmosphere and he can do his fair share of gore. Thus earning High Tension a place between other French extremes like Inside and Martyrs. And while I am not the biggest fan of their work, the choice to prominently feature Muse in the score does work in the movies favour.

Natty Knocks 2023 ★★★

Robert Englund, Danielle Harris and Bill Moseley feature in a nice little slasher with a bit of a Stranger Things-vibe in it. Though that's easy to say when the protagonists are kids.

Said protagonists are a duo of friends, consisting of a Ryder Strong facsimile and young McLovin', whose main merit was whining and keeping me wondering wether he was meant to be this annoying.

The legend (the faded B-movie star accused of withchraft and burned) is a tried and true concept, but it was well worked out here and it gave the killer a decent backstory. The kills were okay and at least one kill made me hate the killer even more.

The sequel bait at the end was obvious and predictable (yes, it involves the little black book being found), but it was still fun to watch.

3 stars. Well deserved for a fun style exercise.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: White Bear 2013 ★★★★★

Holy shit, is this great writing.

The opening scene immediately has you hooked in a way not unlike some of the better horror films, with a character waking up in a 28 Days Later-ish setting. What is happening? Why is everybody filming her?

It then sets up a dystopian narrative, but – when you least expect it – pulls the rug from under you. Not once, but twice. Second time in the end credits. And in such a masterful way, my goodness.

Five stars well deserved.

Goodnight Mommy 2014 ★★★★

A movie about unheimlichkeit from the people who invented the word. That should be a conving tagline.*

The story is shrouded in a bit of mistery since we never get to see the actual accident, only the aftermath (which I'm guessing involves fractures and/or burn wounds to the face). Neither do we get to know who this mistery woman really is or what her goals are.

What we do get to see is a tense story about estrangement, about the horror of having to walk on eggshells in your own home. Afraid to set off your own mother of all people. And what's worse: the slightest thing can. Making for an atmosphere where you as a viewer are constantly on edge, discomforted in one way or the other. Like in the scene with the Red Cross volunteers, or the game scene where they unmask “Mommy”.

Also: how much is Mommy an imposter and how much of a sociopath/psychopath is in the boys?Because it would not surprise me if you could make a case for the second theory as well. From their mannerisms, body language and the way they speak once they gain the upper hand. Cold. Measured. Dare I say callous at times? Are they innocent boys going mad after unmasking their abusive “mother” or are they psychopaths (like Eve 8 and Eve 9) torturing their “innocent” mother?

Four stars. Well recommended.

*K.Brockman-voice: That oughta hold those SOBs.

The Tent 2019 ★1/2

The tent that... oh, ok. (pause) Wait, what?

This short's main problem is that it plays it straight. Turn this into B-movie style campy schlock in the vein of Slugs, The deadly spawn, Troma, fifties and sixties stuff and you have potential.

Now? Nah.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Knock at the Cabin 2023 ★★★½

There is something about Shyamalan dialogue. I cannot put my finger on what it is, and I am certainly not claiming to be able to do better. But, unlike other directors, his dialogues nearly always have me involuntarily think “Who talks like this?”.

That said, Knock at the cabin qualifies as one of his better movies. Not as good as Split or The Sixth Sense, but still pretty solid. He knows how to build up this odd atmosphere that goes… more

Murdercise 2023 ★½

Murdercise is one of those schlockfests where you can tell that... the whole cast... they're in on the joke. They know what's going on.

It has all of the eighties sleaze in a good kind of way. Too many things to mention: the C-movie they watch together, the mousy heroine and her makeover reveal (“If you ladies will excuse me, Richard Gere will soon pick me up and take me to a polo game”), the nepo mom coming on to the nerdy assistant,...

It did nothing right, and because of that, it's great.

Lane 9 2019 ★★★

Fun little short with a nice retro vibe. Not sure wether Russell was really dead/alive or just a hallucination.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Independence Day 1996 ★★★★

The best way to deserve this movie? It did dumb well.

New fun drinking game: spot the lines that became funnier after "the slap".

Also: Bill Pullman is majorly underrated.

Also also: This movie probably has the best... extra... ever.

Teaching Mrs. Tingle 1999 ★★½

I remember seeing the trailer for this one and being intrigued by the plot summary, but for some reason never got around to watching it in theatres or on video. Then I got in my twenties and into more arthousey stuff and Mrs Tingle went off my radar, until now.

Kevin Williamson delivers his first and only directorial effort, while riding the wave of success after Scream and Scream 2. Maybe he feels he is better at writing than at directing? Who knows.

It's an entertaining flick, although more twisted comedy than horror. This is also where the Scream-success becomes baggage: while this movie has some good ideas and plot devices here and there, you expect more. From the writer portrayed as clever and witty, you expect more than your standard small town folk trying desperately to escape thing. In its own, it's okay. If you let Scream set the bar higher, then you'll be more likely to notice the plotholes.

It was fun to see a few familiar faces pop up in the background (Molly Ringwald, Vivica Fox, Michael “David St Hubbins” Mckean), but if anyone makes this worth the price of admission, it's Helen Mirren. She is simply amazing as the titular Mrs. Tingle, with an Anne Robinson in The Weakest Link-type meanness to her.

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Haunting (1999)

I've been meaning to watch this movie since the 2000's seeing it displayed at Wal-Mart.....The castle was beautiful in this, reminded me of the Bloodborne game...I actually really loved all the jump scares, and computer effects, not bad, but not a masterpiece either.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Lake Placid (1999) cheesy little monster movie with a giant crocodile in a lake. In this you get to see a giant croc eat a grizzly bear...not bad computer effects for its time? You also get to see an old lady who feeds it cows as if its her pet. Maybe she took some notes from the killers of Tobe Hooper's Eaten Alive.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Red Snow 2021 ★★★

Red Snow looks like a (halfway) decent vampire romcom-ish romp set at Christmas.

The cast was solid, the leads had chemistry and some of the jokes were actually pretty good. Though I am still in doubt about the season's greetings pun. Is it bad, good or "so bad it's good"?

What do you think?


Cocaine Bear 2023 ★★★★

Cocaine Bear delivered everything a movie with that title was supposed to.

This Braindead-light is situated somewhere in the middle between splatstick and movies like Zombieland. With one shot completely lifted from the latter. If you know, you know.

I understand Elizabeth Banks got a bit of flack for her take on Charlie's Angels. I have not seen it that one yet, so I cannot say if it's justified. But here, she did a solid job, delivering a very enjoyable bit of eighties retro. With one character looking kind of like Tom Delonge in the video for Blink 182's First Date. Cheers, Liz.

The characters and the plot were appropriately silly. The kills were a decent mix of gore and whoopsies. The time flew by, not in the least because the cast turned it into an enjoyable comedy with solid performances across the board. Wether it's Keri Russell as the mom or the kids or the hijinx with the gangsters or the park rangers. Ray Liotta plays a goofy version of his mob characters and Ice Cube Junior seems to be going for that same grump-schtick his father does whenever he does a comedy.

The question is: how can you say dumb shit? If you can say it with a friendly smile, then pull up a beer and some snacks and enjoy the ride. If you can only say it in a condescending tone while spurning, this is not for you.

Kinsey 2004 ★★★

Kinsey is a solid biopic. You get a pretty comprehensive picture of how Alfred Kinsey became the man he would eventually be known as: somebody whose impact on the sexual revolution and the acceptance of gays and lesbians can probably not be measured nor expressed in words. Though it is a bit of a cold shower (no pun intended) that this research stems from a boring intellectual and a bookworm who just happened to stumble across this topic by the dumb luck (pun intended) of being very well endowed.

It shows the adversity Kinsey and his research encountered, both from white and blue collar folks, from prudes and people who were just afraid of discovering new things (ie they only have one question (am I normal?) and they want the answer to be yes, end of conversation). And of course the ignorance that reigned at that time. Something the movie gently pokes fun at in the first act.

That said, it's not all fun and games. Kinsey comes under scrutiny, prudes try to become monkey wrenches and Kinsey's own character and his OCD/workaholic tendencies get in his way. It raises the question how accurate this portrayal of Kinsey was, because there is something fascinating about how somebody can possess the type of warmth that gets everyone to open up and spill their guts, while at the same time not being able to (or even interested in) reading the room and trying to find the appropriate tone in his day to day life.

It also shows just how revealing this research was in one of the more touching scenes. When his father (again a great performance by John Litgow) opens up about the sexual traumas from his youth and the subsequent torture he experienced, before clamming up again, overwhelmed by thoughts and emotions and frustrations he cannot comprehend or handle. But it ends on a hopeful note, with one testimony that stood for the many people touched/liberated by his work.

Odd to see Laura Linney get the Oscar nod. Like most people in this movie, she was very good, portraying a complex character torn between her love for her husband and his work (I think she both understood the relevance of his work and admired the passion with which he dug into it) and her own feelings (the infidelity argument) and fears (this is beyond my comprehension, this is more than I bargained for). She was good, very good, but to say that she stood out that much to justify that? That might be a bit much.

Maybe not earth shattering, but a good watch nonetheless.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Resurrected 2023 ★★

I do not really understand why this is getting good reviews.

They could a lot more with this concept and the main culprit for missing the mark is the acting. Terrible across the board - apart from maybe the wife - and especially the clergymen who were less The Omen and more a straight version of James Woods in Scary Movie 2.

Throughout the first hour, I regularly had moments where I just wanted to turn this off: from to… more

Final Summer 2023 ★½

A solid slasher has a good looking killer and gruesome kills. This movie has neither. Young Stephanie McMahon is the closest we get.

The only positives are the final girl and the Thom Matthews-cameo.

Past Lives 2023 ★★★★½

This certainly lived up to the hype. We get a beautiful story about love and profound friendship. About following your dreams and about the things you can do for a true friend.

It's a feel good story without being sappy.

It avoids the easy traps of this type of tale: there are plenty of moments where a lesser writer would go for the easy way out and go with a bitter reaction. This movie does not. It's equally easy to go for cheap sentiment and ditto regrets. 2 hours of: Oh if only I had... None of that here.

The cast is amazing. You completely buy them as their respective characters and they fully understand where their character comes from.

The only critical note I could bring up is that the opening scene is completely unnecessary. It could easily be dropped and you would not miss it at all. Granted, this is coming from somebody who considers this a cliché because of modern day horror, a genre that Past Lives has nothing to do with, and I recognise that this is nitpicking.

It's tjockfull of touching moments and beautiful shots. Too many to name here and too much risks to spoil the movie.

Highly recommended.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Reverend 2011 ★

One of the rare occasions where I was so bored I could not even finish it.

Only upsides were the cameos for Rutger Hauer and Doug Bradley.

Interstellar 2014 ★★★★½

One of Nolan's great epics.

Matthew McCounaghey (in the middle of his McCougnaissance) plays a frustrated engineer who somehow stumbles across a grand project to save what's left of the world at that point. Surrounded by an ensemble cast with – among others – Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon, John Lithgow, Michael Caine,...

Their space mission combines the grandeur of 2001 with the tension of the better sci-fi thrillers. As a viewer, you are constantly involved in the storylines of the various obstacles that our protagonists have to overcome.

Is this a movie with an explicit climate message, or more of a cuationary tale to people with (too) much faith in technology in regard of climate. The ones that say: Don't worry, somebody will work out something. All this in an epic tale that can equally be enjoyed on a surface level.

Black Mirror: The Waldo Moment 2013 ★★½

Well told stylistiscally, but pretty predictable and the least of the episodes I have seen so far.

[FryeDwight]

HOME ALONE (1990). A little boy from the Chicago area wishes his family would disappear before they take a trip to Paris for the holidays-Not that I blame him; most of them are pretty obnoxious, especially the Uncle ("look what You did, You little jerk!"). Due to misunderstandings, this does happen and while He has to cope with this, there are also two burglars trying to break in and as "the Man of the house", it's up to him to protect it.

A huge hit when released. this is still pretty funny, although some scenes only slow the action (especially the ones involving John Candy and when Kevin tries to buy a toothbrush) and the endless yowling from Macualey Culkin are grating; maybe if they used it only for where He's lip-synching to "White Christmas" by The Drifters, it would have been better.

Of course, the main draw are the scenes where the Burglars are tested and thwarted trying to get into the house and what gluttons for punishment they are. I also wonder how's Kevin able to get the house back together and the (lack of a better word) remove the booby traps? ***1/2

[TaeKwonZombie]

Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995) comedy horror with Leslie Nielsen, I actually loved the blood splatter, and I enjoyed it for the most part.

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

a movie about playing god and creating abominations, Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer star in this story that was always interesting to me. One of the remakes, I gotta see the other versions of this film.

[FryeDwight]

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

a movie about playing god and creating abominations, Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer star in this story that was always interesting to me. One of the remakes, I gotta see the other versions of this film.

The 1977 one isn't bad

The 1932 version is a total classic and still creepy. Very recommended.

I've heard all sorts of things of the '96 version, mostly of how it's a train wreck more than anything

[TaeKwonZombie]

Crow Valley (2022)

weird Australian movie, with psycho girl (and a little homage to Misery?)

[FryeDwight]

THE BONE COLLECTOR (1999). Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie are pretty good in this film that tries to be SEV7N light, A serial killer is following the guidelines of a book and a paralyzed Denzel and nervous Angelina try to stop him. Nothing great, but not at all bad either. ***

[FryeDwight]

BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE WILD BUNCH (2023). OK Western of how BC's gang breaks the "No Killing" rule and end up with Pinkerton agents pursuing them . Jeffrey Coombs is pretty good as the main agent and although he gets top billing, Bruce Dern can't be in here for more than 15 minutes. A nice performance by Dee Wallace and I like how the story sets up the relationship between Butch, The Sundance Kid and Etta; almost a prequel to 1969's BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID. ***

[Sculpt]

The Island of Dr. Moreau (1996)

a movie about playing god and creating abominations, Marlon Brando and Val Kilmer star in this story that was always interesting to me. One of the remakes, I gotta see the other versions of this film.

The 1977 one isn't bad

The 1932 version is a total classic and still creepy. Very recommended.

I've heard all sorts of things of the '96 version, mostly of how it's a train wreck more than anything

The 1996 version was a bit odd to me. I thought it was sort of more a Heart of Darkness story then The Island of Dr. Moreau. If you're not familiar, Heart of Darkness is a story about someone going mad because they're in the jungle, which basically the root story for Apocalypse Now.

Also, I think the film lacked urgency, drive, and because of that a bit lack of a cohesive feel. It just kind of plodded along. It was still mildly enjoyable. ::big grin::

FryeDwight, you should check it out.

[Amaltheaunicorn2023]

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[FryeDwight]

The 1996 version was a bit odd to me. I thought it was sort of more a Heart of Darkness story then The Island of Dr. Moreau. If you're not familiar, Heart of Darkness is a story about someone going mad because they're in the jungle, which basically the root story for Apocalypse Now.

Also, I think the film lacked urgency, drive, and because of that a bit lack of a cohesive feel. It just kind of plodded along. It was still mildly enjoyable. ::big grin::

FryeDwight, you should check it out.

Well, Sculpt, if You recommend it, it should be worth seeing.

THE DEAD GIRL (2006). Very good, albeit depressing story involving the discovery of a mutilated corpse and how it all ties together with various people (The Stranger, The Sister, The Wife, The Mother and The Dead Girl). Stellar cast with Toni Collette, Piper Laurie (channelling the mother from CARRIE), Rose Byrne (who is fantastic), Mary Steenburgen, Bruce Davison, Mary Beth Hurt (also fantastic with a somewhat bold eye raising scene), Marcia Gaye Harden, Kerry Washington (looking so un-glammed from SCANDAL) and Britney Murphy, a couple of years before she passed. I had never heard of this and found it quite intriguing and think I will give it another look and soon. ****

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Langoliers 1995 ★★★½

This made for TV adaptation of The Langoliers was actually pretty good.

Of course, the makers had to work with tv budgets, so the special effects were more funny than scary and the “scaring the little girl”-bit has been parodied more than once. And certainly in the first hour, Bronson Pinchot makes for a hilarious douchebag. Scaring the little girl!

That said, the premise gets worked out pretty good. Letting the premise sink in, the realisation of what's going on. David Morse makes for a believable lead and most of the cast do not too badly with what they are given. Also good to see the master himself being given a cameo, although the meeting itself and the hallucinations Pinchot has... that's the main challenge/problem: making the visualisation as scary as King makes it in his stories. With the budget for the effects here, it looks more like the first Children of the Corn movie. That said, I have to give credit where credit is due. The chase scene was intense and the final climax kept me on the edge of my seat.

A nice addition for your King-collection.


Land of the Blind 2006 ★★½

A political thriller that becomes interesting in that it strays from the classic narrative. Yes, the dictator in power at the start (a bouillabaisse with bits of Kim Jong Un, Goebbels and others) is a terrible dictator, but the swerve (and a dose of realism is that the supposed rebel turns out to be even worse.

Fiennes and Sutherland senior are okay, but like with most of this flick, nothing is really that compelling to keep you that invested or on the edge of your seat. The lack of a real conclusion might have been more realistic, but as a viewer, you're left empty. Also, bringing in the daughter at the end just to say “hi” seems a bit forced and out of nowhere as well.

Bringing in Nelly the elephant for the revolution scene was a nice touch, though. Shout out to The Toy Dolls.

The Virgin Suicides 1999 ★★★★½

A touching mix of tragedy and coming of age, of mistery and surprisingly lighthearted moments.

James Woods is actually pretty good playing this nerdy stuff shirt and Kathleen Turner is probably underrated here. Miles away from the action comedies that spelled her breakthrough in the eighties. Needless to say, she was great as the religious cook who probably had a big role in the tragedy that went down.

But they all take a back seat to the main stars: the Lisbon sisters. Enchanting beauties draped in misery. Ready to discover the world, yet suffocated by their mother and social conventions. Or at least that's what we as the audience think or are lead to believe. What were they really thinking? What did they really want? And what was the final straw that lead to their final decision?

A bittersweet tragedy that still stands twenty-five years after its release.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Stitches 2012 ★★★★

Stitches survived great upon this rewatch.

In real life, this clown is better off stage than on it. As a killer, it's the other way round, with assortment of cheesy gags and oneliners.

The kills are fittingly gory and ludicrous and I also liked the link back to who the kids were at first.

Solid horror comedy. Underrated even, I might say.

All Hallows’ Eve 2013 ★★★½

A suitably gory and scary introduction to Art the Clown. In anthology form, supposedly to try out stuff and see what sticks. But I'm pretty sure Damien Leone he had something with this clown.

The babysitter makes for a nice surrounding story, something you can cut back to. And a solid pay-off at the end.

The first story immediately has you set up for what's to come later in Terrifier. Art being a bully and a dick to an innocent person. Here it hints more at his nature as a demon with a few devil( mask)s that I'm sure look familiar from somewhere.

The second monster – Jack Skellington crossbreeded with an alien – was less memorable but with perhaps a few tweaks could make for a solid horror villain.

The last story is closer to what Terrifier would become. With actually more plot than the full length. Go figure.

It's everything a gorehound could wish for with decapitations and dismemberments galore. Already looking forward to Terrifier 3.

The Receder 2021 ★★★

A fun little comedy short with horror elements. Is this the whackiest role in Victor Löws career?

For people wanting to see a shot that feels like its on shrooms or acid.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Hangry 2021 ★★★

A pretty enjoyable short about an abuser who pushed his victim too far.

And when she retaliates, she does not mess about. How's that for getting rid of the evidence?

Free on YT, so well worth checking out.

Friday the 31st: Michael vs. Jason 2005 ★★

Bit of a lackluster crossover.

Michael pops up from out of nowhere and the fight between the two lacks in image quality.

Half star for the funny image of both killers on the hood of the car.

Black Mirror: White Christmas 2014 ★★★½

Like most Black Mirror-episodes, this one pulls a mindfuck on you, leaving you spenidng most of the episode how these two guys ended up in that cabin.

Jon Hamm is up to the smooth talking shtick he developed over the years, but in my opinion it's Rafe Spall who shows that there is more to him than the cheeky/snarky characters from Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the dead.

I don't want to spoil anything, but the writing turns it into something you do not expect and the concept of this episode takes shunning to a whole new level.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Lawnmower Man 2: Beyond Cyberspace 1996 ★½

Generic sci-fi action with a lot of techno babble that's somehow supposed to make it work.

Skip.

Willy’s Wonderland 2021 ★★

The King of Ham... in a role where he... does... not... FUCKING... SPEAK!

It has a good dose of cheese, but... I don't know,man. I just was not feeling it.

The Lawnmower Man 1992 ★★★½

This turned out to be a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be. I admit that the whole concept of virtual reality has had so many failed attempts at catching on that it's become a bit of a punch line. And the 1992 idea of VR will probably look silly by today's standards.

That said, the story at the base – a man escaping the clutches of his existence to then spiral out of control and become dangerous – is interesting and relevant. And in essence timeless: People try something with the best intentions, and then run into consequences that they have not foreseen.

However, leave it to Stephen King to turn this a story about a manchild living in abuse who would not harm a fly, but then a series of events turns him into a callous killing machine. Props to Jeff Fahey who goes from full R to callous calculated killing machine. Compliments as well to Pierce Brosnan. He does an excellent job as our lead scientist.

The storytelling and the build up keep you invested and the special effects look good in a science fictiony kind of way.

Glad to have this one in my collection. Definetily up for a rewatch some time in the (near) future.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Poor Things 2023 ★★★★½

Poor Things is a delightful mix of of sci-fi and comedy (with bits of fantasy thrown in because why not) with a touching tale about a noble simpleton who overcomes adversity in order to become a free spirit (with a bit of overthrowing the patriarchy for good measure). The Academy could not love it more if Meryl Streep taught her how to box. Especially because Emma Stone hardly ever goes full retard, if at all.

We start in a pretty Burton-esque decor where a surgeon/professor (played by a very funny William Dafoe sporting a look not unlike Mickey Rourke in Sin City – you'll see what I mean) performs a Frankenstein-like experiment on a young lady who took her own life. Leading to a lot of obvious consequences: her needing a babysitter/researcher who inevitably falls in love with her and the comedy that ensues from Bella's complete lack of filter.

She then needs an excuse to explore the world. Enter Mark Ruffalo, who plays the charming scoundrel with an amount of glee that ensures a performance that makes you understand why this character falls for him and fancies furious jumping with him. Because this movie may be Burton-like at the start, but I'm pretty sure Tim never included any fornication or finger painting, let alone in these amounts.

This voyage also (seemingly) marks a visual change in tone, going from Burton to Meliès in the sets and effects. She loses her innocence (in more ways than one), but also learns about philosophy and the hardship in the world, to then return home in order to say farewell to her ailing “father” and tie up all the loose ends. This is where the movie lags a tad. You could have done without the entire returning husband subplot and not really miss anything. From my perspective, it served little more than a overcoming the patriarchy metaphor and hinting at the idea Bella was once far from the angelic fairy tale girl she was at the start.

But in the bigger scope, that's nitpicking. It's a very entertaining story with both touching and laugh out loud moments in spades. Which is of course helped by the cast. Emma Stone is dazzling as Bella, especially with the way the non verbal part of her role evolves over the runtime. Starting uncontrolled – with facial expressions and body movements that for some reason reminded me of Bjork – and then growing over time. Along the way developing a speech pattern reminiscent of Amy Farrah Fowler (Yeah, easy comparison, I know. What of it?). Oscar-nod in the making. Same goes/should go for Dafoe who has had a very strong period these past few years (with The Lighthouse, Asteroid City and others). Ramy Youssef is not quite there yet, but this performance could/should serve as a springboard to other parts.

And it goes without saying, but well recommended.

Ready or Not 2019 ★½

A fun idea wasted on a bland, middle of the road Hollywood “horror”. The kind of blandness that even makes the exploding heads look tame. Half star for the gory moment with the hand and the nail.

With enough creative freedom, Joe Lynch could have made something much better out of this.

Eight Legged Freaks 2002 ★★★

An entertaining bit of campy fun with a cornball plot and plenty of nods to fifties horror movies. The characters are suitably goofy and there are enough solid jokes and stupid jokes to keep you invested.

Also, this role fits David Arquette perfectly. Seems to me he is at his best when some kind of bollocks is involved.

Granted, the love intrest subplot were hyper predictable, but that does not really matter in this type of movie.

If you like creature features from the fifties or horror comedy shenanigans like Tremors, Killer Klowns or The Blob, then this will be right up your alley.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Smile 2022 ★★★★

I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It immediately grabbed me and didn't leave much room for air afterwards. And for a mainstream horror production, it has a surprisingly bleak ending.

Sosie Bacon does a good job as the main protagonist. She has a future in the genre. Some may be annoyed by how the movie goes out of its way to make her so gosh darn nice, but that did not really bother me. Her descent into madness goes along well with the allround eerie atmosphere that does not let up. Except for a moment of false hope.

The only problem I have is the part of Kyle Galner. I don't know why, but I was just never really convinced by his performance. Either a miscast or a poorly written character.

Black Mirror: Nosedive 2016

Short version: It starts off as The Truman show, the middle is Planes, Trains and Automobiles and it ends with Yo momma so fat.

But to make it so short, that would be of ill will. This is Black Mirror's take on social media and it relies more on atmosphere than on reinventing the wheel.

Why the Truman show comparison? Because most of the actors here look and act like Laura Linney's character in that movie. Look at their facial expressions and you will see what I mean. All smiles on the outside, but constant panic on the inside. And for what? The desire to better your life that you cannot really blame her for. And she's determined/desperate enough to ignore the red flags and the people trying to warn her. Is it worth it? Her brother asks her point blank and she says: of course it f-in is.

But then at the big moment, it of course all goes wrong big time. That's where the road movie kicks in, with the check in scene literally going back to Steve Martin's profanity laced rant in PT&A. The encounter with the truck driver offers her a way out, but she is either so determined or too far gone to understand.

By the third season, BM apparently gained some notoriety and became a show actors wanted to be on. Something they could sink their teeth into. Enter Bryce Dallas Howard. She fully takes the opportunity to show off her talent. You may think differently after seeing Jurassic World, but Ron Howard's little girl can indeed act and not too little. Her breakdown at the wedding is a well done performance and she also does the ending well, leaving you guessing on wether she is now liberated or completely and irrepairably broken.

Good stuff, this. No star rating for obvious reasons.

Saw III 2006 ★★★

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. Then again, I was up for some gore and on those moments, Saw is always happy to provide. And The Rack, my goodness.

The movie was able to provide a sad moment with Kerry's death and te tension between Amanda and Lynn made for compelling drama.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Grey Matter 2014 ★★★

The horror comedy that asks “What would happen if Beetlejuice and the creature from Spaceballs' Alien parody had a baby?” Good for a few chuckles and some okay gore.

Sure, nothing spectacular, but some good distraction on nights when you need Oscar-bait woe is me dramas like you need a hole in your head.

The Gracefield Incident 2017 ★½

Let's start off with two stars.

Add a half star for the crash landing.

Dock a half star for the ludicrous ending.

Add a half star for some of the effects. By FF standards, this looks pretty good.

Dock a half star for the acting. I know, FF and all, but still...

Also, dock a half star for the whole subplot with the eyeball.

Soooo... yeah...

[FryeDwight]

THE ISLAND OF DR MOREAU (1996). After managing (just barely) to get through this, I read the history and endless tribulations in making the film....What a Shambles! David Threwliss truly lacks any charisma and I found both Val Kilmer (who has made some very good films) along with Marlon Brando (ditto) to be excessively hammy. And that's not even mentioning the bullshit activities they both engaged in during the production. It's true, both actors were going through hard personal situations at the time, but either do the job or return what they were paid, so the producers could get someone else.

On the plus side, nice photography, some decent Stan Winston makeup and Fairuza Balk who I felt gives the best performance in the film, but not enough to save it. As before I will stick with the original 1932 version where it was done right. *1/2

[FryeDwight]

MADHOUSE (2004). A young intern arrives at a Psychiatric hospital for some OJT before finding there are many unusual and unsavory practices going on. MADHOUSE has a decent premise, but the actor playing the intern (Joshua Leonard from BLAIR WITCH PROJECT) is insufferably dull and three are a lot of long stretches that don't help.

A nice albeit short appearance by Lance Henriksen and a pretty good turn by Jordan Ladd keep things moving and the film DOES pick up a little towards the end, but patience will be required. Directed by Bill Butler who was Tom in the 1990 NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD remake. **

[TaeKwonZombie]

Heart of Darkness is a story about someone going mad because they're in the jungle, which basically the root story for Apocalypse Now.




Right on. I loved Apocalypse Now...I have not seen Heart of Darkness, I'll look into it.

[TaeKwonZombie]

Anacondas: The Hunt For The Blood Orchid (2004) the sequel (if you can even call it that) the original didn't need...or ever needed any for that matter. ::roll eyes::

[Sculpt]

Right on. I loved Apocalypse Now...I have not seen Heart of Darkness, I'll look into it.

I just found out the book was made into a movie by the same name: Heart of Darkness (1993) starring Tim Roth and John Malkovich. I've never seen it, but heard it was faithful. I'm sure everyone would recommend you read the 100 page book, which is highly regarded, if the story interests you. Whereas the film has mixed reviews.

[FryeDwight]

BRAVEHEART (1995). Although there was some complaints on the historical accuracies involved in William Wallace fighting to have Scotland break away from England, I still feel this is an epic film with very good direction and turn by Mel Gibson. Also, spectacularly violent scenes, particularly the Battle at Stirling. ****

[FryeDwight]

UNSTOPPABLE (2010). Decent film of two railway men, one a newbie with marital problems (Chris Pine) and the other a vet being pushed into early retirement (Danny Glover) who have to put aside differences to stop a runaway train full of toxic chemicals heading towards a heavily populated area. Pretty suspenseful film, not too long at 98 minutes, OK performances by the guys and Rosario Dawson. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Living Hell 2008 ★½

Erica Leehrsen (aka Pepper from the Texas Chainsaw remake) stars as a scientist/soldier in this... action horrorry flick.

Man goes where they are not supposed to go and a monster escapes threatening to destroy the whole world. Yadda yadda yadda. Monster movie bollocks with a suitably ludicrous ending.

Terrifier 2016 ★★★★½

Art the Clown, Make Gorefests Great Again.

Let Her Out 2016 ★★★

Between the story, the dialogue, the hallucinations, the acting,... Everything is either just above or just beneath meh. I was completely ready to give this movie two and a half stars. And then the glorious finale earned the third star... by a hair.

Demolition Man 1993 ★★★★

A sneaky little action comedy that balances on that fine line between clever satire and dumb fun.

Snipes and Stallone exchange their quips in well paced action scenes and there are plenty to enjoy this on a surface level. And needless to say, it also has a little dig at Ah-nuld.* Sandra Bullock delivers the type of bubbly lighthearted performance that a) she's very good at and b) helps the medicine go down.

The medicine being a witty satire about an oversanitized society where everything (common) people would normally enjoy is outlawed: meat, swearing, smoking,... Looking at current day society and the offense-machine on the internet, it's hard not to see some kind of truth in it. I can see an older person being as confused by some of the new technology (popping out and changing at record speed**) as Stallone is by the three seashells. And let's not forget the gag where he uses the swearing tickets for toilet paper. The writers can also let Denis Leary do his shtick as Edgar Friendly without it feeling overly forced.

And that final exchange...

Commissioner H. Farnsworth: [confused; takes off his glasses] What will we do? How will we live?
Edgar Friendly : I tell you what we're do. We're all gonna go out drinking, get shit-faced, and paint the town, literally. I mean graffiti, slogans. It'll be a blast.
John Spartan : Whoa, Whoa. I'll tell you what gonna do:
John Spartan : [to Chief Earle] Why don't you get a little dirty?
John Spartan : [to Edgar] You a lot clean.
John Spartan : And somewhere in the middle... I don't know. You'll figure it out.
Alfredo Garcia : Fuckin' A!
John Spartan : [impressed] Well put.

So the truth lies in the middle. Isn't that something we can use in these partisan, overly tribalised times?

*Because duh.
**Because we can. Fuck you.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Loft 2008 ★★★

The original of the much maligned movie with Karl Urban. I have never seen the American version and it's been a while since I've seen this one.

The ending may look somewhat sillier on a rewatch, but the cast is good (special mention for Filip Peeters) and overall, it's still a visually well done thriller with a solid pacing.

The Haunted Studio 2024 ½

The scariest thing about this one is how unfunny a comedy can be.

The Howling Wind 2020 ★★★½

The apocalyptic wind makes for a good premise for a confined space horror. It also gives a good reason to shroud everything in mistery. What is in those winds? What caused the injuries on the arm? We will never know. The mist is an obvious comparison, but I am sure there are others as well.

Compliments to the actors. It's easy to overact in these circumstances, but these two pull it off. Wonder how much stage experience they have between the two of them.

Give it a watch.

The Armoire 2017 ★★★★

Excellent short with a believable main character, some solid spooky images and sounds - the finger tapping was gold - and a solid ending.

Four stars across the board. Good job, folks.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: Playtest 2016 ★★½

Evil game corporation going where they should not have, unsuspecting happy go lucky American tourist, quick English fling,... It starts off innocent, then gets a tad scarier, but overall not really. I am aware that the scary part is supposed to be that all of this took place in a period where this two finger typing son of a gun can hardly type two words, let alone an entire sentence.

But still. This is probably the weakest BM-episode up until… more

The Last Man on Earth 1964 ★★★★

A shot of Vincent Price's voice and a classic from the sixties. Because I can and because I felt like it.

Previous review here.

Badland Hunters 2024

★★★★ Watched 03 Feb 2024

This one was a fun ride. So let's get the possible criticism out of the way first: no, this is far from brain surgery. This is the sort of dystopian sci-fi action romp where you can see everything coming a mile away: the bad guy reveal, the happy ending, the set-up,...

What we get, is a very entertaining movie within the template set up by Mad Max and the likes. After a huge earthquake (with terrible looking CGI), the remaining survivors are forced to make due in the rubble. With our main hero introduced as a major league badass when catching a croc (or gator).

Enter the too good to be true promise of an apartment building with clean water that still stands after the big one hit (because the screenwriter said so). And cue the big reveal – “ehmagerd, they is evil and such and such” – in 5, 4, 3, 2,... Does it have a Doctor Mengele type doing unsavoury experiments? Check. A feisty heroine? Check. An unsuspecting happy go lucky best friend? Check.

Doctor: *goes off on a psychotic rant*
Me: Whatever you say, Jim Jones.

All in a well paced movie with amazing action set pieces and fight scenes (Bah gawd!), funny dialogues and an amazing main hero. Outside of Korea, the world first got to see him in Train to Busan, but in each of his movies I have seen since then, Ma Deong-Seok is becoming a better action lead. This is just my opinion, but he can become a sort of Bud Spencer for this generation (he certainly has the posture and the comedic timing for it). That or a funnier version of Steven Seagall.

Well recommended. Check it out.


How to Make A Ghost 2022 ★★½

Enjoyable short that relies on subtle imagery and suggestion. And on a score somewhere between Lynchian and Giallo.

Lost Highway 1997 ★★★★

David Lynch's groovy techno nightmare. That ironically gave the world Rammstein.

I love the trippy vibe of this film where you never know who is dreaming who. Is Bill Pullman a fantasy version of the mechanic? Or is the other way around? All emphasized by Balthazar Getty miming some of Pullman's facial expressions and body language, making it sometimes even a tad hard to distinguish them. Or the videos. Where are they coming from? Who is making them? How are they getting in?

This film is also bloodier than I remember, with the death of Patricia Arquette's character and the murder of the porn guy. What with the lingering on the table shot. Jeesh. Lynch going where PG 13 horror won't.

The cast is excellent. The more said about Bill Pullman, the better. Very underrated actor with an amazing range throughout his career. Robert Blake is very creepy as the mistery man and I saw Robert Loggia having a lot of fun playing Lord Boss Crime.

Fun ride. Glad to have this one in my collection.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Lost in Translation 2003 ★★★★

Is this the official start to a #Murraysance? Bill Murray's transition from the goofball/screwball comedies to the more arthousey quirky roles he is known for now?

In her song “Hypnotized” Ani Difranco sings: “I was surrounded/by a language/in which I could only say hello/and thank you very much” and to me, that sums up this movie. With Japan as a perfect setting. Through some reason, you end up in a place that you don't understand. Sometimes it baffles you, scares you, moves or amuses you. And sometimes all at once.

“But I had just enough sweetness to keep you hypnotized”. To me, that line is the essence of this dreamy story, about two drifting souls finding each other in an unlikely friendship and even more unlikely romance. And I still found it touching upon this rewatch.

Stuck 2020 ★★★★

Nicola did not screw Davey.

Davey... screwed... Davey.

A well filmed pre-emptive strike with a lot of fun gore.

Omegle 2022 ★★½

Well, at least there was no time for random penises.

One of those shorts that are fun as long as you "just go with it".

Make Me a Sandwich 2019 ★★★★

A funny horror comedy short about, for lack of a better word, peaceful resistance. It gets you to sympathize with Marcy and the image of the totally oblivious husband is pretty funny.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Machete 2010 ★★★★

Four stars once you enjoy Machete for what it is: rollercoaster B-movie fun with flip out moments like “holy shit, he jumped from one floor to another holding the dude's intestins”. Or “is that...? wow.”

Add a star studded cast with everybody involved clearly having a lot of fun with their respective parts and we're off to the races. Also props to Robert Rodriguez for casting Tom Savini and Cheech Marin.

Black Mirror: Shut Up and Dance 2016 ★★★★½

Talk about bleak. Good lord.

One of those rare occasions where I don't really know what to say. By the end, I was speechless.

Is it the soul crushing ending or the perfect use of Radiohead in the ending scene? Or the fact that Kenny was so successfully portrayed as a seemingly nice kid that the truth did not really dawn on me until a bit later? When all the pieces fell into place.

Not every episode can be a zinger, but when BM hits the mark, they can give a masterclass in writing and storytelling.

Macabre 2009 ★★★★★

This Indonesian flick was a true horror of the senses. Texas Chainsaw levels of intensity. It really glues you to the screen.

Don't expect the plot to reinvent the wheel. A group of friends do a good deed which ends up becoming their undoing when they are captured by an Indonesian version of the Sawyer-family. This is all about the looks, the actors, the delivery and the atmosphere.

Especially that mother. Holy crap, does she look creepy. Imagine a crossover between Vincent Price's mask from House of Wax and Kristanna Loken in T3 and you will get a vague idea. And her delivery. Everything she says has this emotionless, measured tone that makes it sound all the more frightening. Phoah. You are in control, madam.

This control extends to every bit of action. Like the daughter singling out the horndog of the group in a split second. Or the nonchalant way one of the sons goes to work torturing good guy Alam. Or the line about how “the others got tired too”. The tone and delivery on that one. Brr.

All of this comes with exquisite gore and mark out moments a mile a minute. Unless you OD on that, you will love it. Because this movie will NOT give you a minute to recover once it gets going.

Five stars across the board. As far as I know, there is no stream available at this point, but seeking out a copy of the DVD is worth your while. Well recommended.

Bodies Bodies Bodies 2022 ★★½

This looks like some sort of woke version of The breakfast club or St Elmo's fire. Except that, like Unfriended, it mostly begs the question why these people are friends in the first place. Thus providing drinking game material: depending on wether you want to be tipsy or bombed, you can either take a sip or do a shot for every bit of namecalling of every OMG in the dialogue.

Don't get me wrong, it's not terrible. It's enjoyable for what it is. Lightweight horror comedy fluff with a bit of a twist. Unlike other genre mates, it's less adolescent or jokey joke, with the final reveal serving as a good example.

It reminded me of what a friend once described as how women's humour generally is different from men's humour and how women's humour according to her more relies on laughing at situations (with a bit of you had to have been there as well) than on common jokes. If Schwarzenegger is the idea of “men's humour” – simple, bite size, with a bit of the look-at-how-witty-I-am-peacocking – then this seems closer to what she was trying to explain to me then and probably also somewhat connects to director Halina Reijn's own sense of humour.

It's never really scary, though it has a good fake out moment in the first act and at least it has the courage not to go for the low hanging fruit of turning this into an easy slasher concept. It keeps you guessing and no matter what you say, you don't see the final reveal coming. The type of rap that fills the score (catchy and energetic) is more memorable than the acting (not terrible, not great, nobody really stood out). That said, Pete Davidson is well cast as the annoying pipsqueak. Pretty sure there was or should be an SNL-sketch where he does a good Zuckerberg impression.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Recipe 2022 ★★★½

A short with room for a well inserted and (pun intended) fleshed out and well cut flashback. That's an example of a well panned out short in my book.

The actress who played the wife had a few good psychotic glares which fitted her methodicalness and her descent into madness. The guy playing the husband had the 70s vibe down.

My Bloody Galentine 2024

As a horror? Meh.

What with the paper cut kills (not every horror has to be Terrifier, but this was weak sauce) and the lame reveal of the killer and the motive. That's it? That's all there is to it?

As a comedy? Solid.

It got a few few chuckles from me. The break-up gag was well timed. The sass and the fake smiles had just the right dose of charicature to not cross the line where it became annoying.… more

Murder Camp 2023 ★★

An okay idea that has a hard time keeping up the pace. It's got a few funny moments, but it does not work as a comedy. It has two okay looking killers, but it's never scary.

It’s Not About Fear 2023 ★★½

The monster as a metaphor for the baggage of exes you carry with you.

A few somewhat creepy images and a bit of chemistry between the lead actors. But all in all not really out of the ordinary.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: San Junipero 2016 ★★★★

At first, the mood in this episode reminded me of a short story by Ray Bradbury. Something about people time travelling to escape a war. Can't remember the title.

It then turns into this love story and, while not as dark as some of the previous stories, does still hint at the time travelling aspect. All while unfolding a charming love story.

This, again, is where BM's major strength kicks in. Once you get your “twist” (it was old people travelling in VR all along), one character delivers a powerful monologue about things like choice, dealing with pain, euthanasia and eternal life. Leaving the viewer stunned. It then tacks on a happy ending, from where I stand partly still to counter the bleakness of the previous episode.

Excellent writing and very good cast nonetheless. Four stars well deserved.

Bella Mafia 1997 ★★

An epic mob tale of murder, betrayal, revenge, a whole bunch of arranged marriages and a lot of drama. In just under two hours.

One star for the idea of having women run a mob family. Add a half for Jennifer Tilly as the comic relief. And a half more for Vanessa Redgrave as the mater familias. Dennis also does his usual shtick here.

The rest feels so fucking rushed. Give me some to breathe, movie. It hardly takes time to flesh out the characters. It's just kill after marriage after kill. With a venging angel with such a cartoonish psycho look it becomes funny.

This should have been a (mini) series.

Night Swim 2024 ★★

PG13 horror with all the flaws that come with the territory.

A few good visuals earn the second star, but Blumhouse can do and has done better.

Desolation 2016 ★★½

Okay for a found footage.

Okay tension wise. You can tell the makers took a cue from the hands on the wall in Blair Witch. Also liked the shots of the nurse, they looked okay.

Half star extra for the last shot with the straightjacket.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Life of Belle 2024 ★★½

A bit divided about this one.

It does have scary moments. The mom going crazy makes for some eerie imagery and the idea of having children as a main character in a found footage turns out to work quite well.

The main cast is certainly better at acting than the folks we see at the start. Especially the reporter. Looks less like a reporter and more like a speech from a middle management person who spent the last few minutes… more

The Mechanical Dancer 2020 ★★★★

Doctor Caligari meets Edward Scissorhands. With a bit of Phantom of the opera-ish melodrama thrown in.

Excellent animation, likable characters, a great classical score and a good pace. Well recommended.

Sam and Doug 2023 ★★★½

One of the better shorts and one of the better zombie films. With Doug reminiscent of Brendan Gleeson's character in 28 Days Later.

The minimalistic setting makes for the budget for credible special effects. And there is at least a happy end. Hurrah!

Donnie Brasco 1997 ★★★★

Depp as an undercover Fed who brings down a good part of the mob. Does this explain why he has such good lawyers?

All jokes aside, this is a very good crime movie. About the people on the ground, the people who get their hands dirty and who are not always equally stable. Suiting Michael Madsen's style perfectly. And when the plot calls for it (ie things are going too easy), red tapes and bumbling colleagues get in his way.

You want me to do a chicken coop joke now? Fuhget about it! Oh yeah, there's an entire scene devoted to the meaning of that. And as funny as it is, you are still hardly any wiser by the end.

The two main stars excel above the others. Pacino as the hurt soul, broken after many years of unrewarded loyal service. Even getting to Pascone so much at one point that he's willing to give him a lot of money to realize his dream. Depp as your typical undercover cop with a broken psyche and a, shall we say, difficult family life. Separate mentions for Anne Heche as the neglected wife and Bruno Kirby as the kiss ass mobster.

Four stars well deserved. And it's on Netflix. Fuhget about it.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: Men Against Fire 2016 ★★★

BM do their take on District 9. With a bit of Holocaust like mood thrown in and a few games with a bit of a video game like feel to it.

A young soldier finds out that roaches that they are chasing are, in fact, people. And by the time the psychologist-like characters, played excellently by Michael Kelly, gets to him, he's already too far away in order to really get back.

Solid story. Solid cast. Solid across the board.

Triangle 2009 ★★★★½

I must agree with some of my friends here. At the end, this demands a rewatch.

This is an awesome psychological horror that relies on atmosphere and tension and even more so on the full-circleness of it all. Hardly any scene goes to waste here and the cherry on top is that you only realise that at the end.

Melissa George is simply amazing as Jess. You completely buy into her character and her plight.

Four and a half stars. Well recommended.

Audition 1999 ★★★★★

On a rewatch, I was mostly struck by the excellent build up. All the red flags that popped up throughout the film. Though some of it could attributed to hindsight as well.

Still... a five star classic of Asian horror. With a torture scene that will you squirm in your seat. And the glee in Ashami's eyes while at work just adds an extra layer.

Bob Marley: One Love 2024 ★★★½

For some reason, I came into this one thinking it would be a documentary. It turned out to be a biopic, with the flaws that come with the genre. You could tell that the family was involved in the production process. In any case, we get a lot of Bob's music and that's always a plus.

It also made me realize how little I know about the person Bob Marley. How I mostly look at him the way a lot of Europeans do. In the first place as a music icon with legendary songs. So I cannot exactly pinpoint a specific scene and say “this and this is inaccurate”.

That said, throughout the movie, Marley nearly always looked just a little bit “too good to be true”. For most of the film, he seems careless and happy go lucky to a point where you as a viewer get somewhat sceptical, while his darker sides (like the infidelity) are mostly glossed over. Or perhaps even forgotten.

What they do right, though, is make Bob look good. I'm not talking image wise, but cinematically. They use all the tricks in the book to make Kingsley Ben-Adir look as charismatic as the real Bob Marley was. That way, thee movie gives an insight into his god like status in Jamaica and other parts of the world.

Three stars for an entertaining film and a half star for Marley's music. If you can look past the flaws of the standard biopic, this is a solid piece of cinema. If you can't, I'm sure there are documentaries that more accurately depict Marley's life.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Excellent Cadavers 1999 ★★

A TV movie I got in a DVD box under the name Falcone. In short, it's a story about a huge investigation that brings down a large part of the Italian maffia.

Chazz Palmentieri (a man that can drop a coffee mug like it's nobody's business) stars as Giovanni Falcone, while sporting a Mario-stache that does not really become him. Judging from the pictures at the end, he does kind of resemble the real life Falcone, but that's about it.

The rest is the song and dance we know by now from Maffia movies with revenge and executions and the infamous omerta. Speaking of which, here's an interesting question: Can someone name me a mob movie without a marriage scene or talk of marriage? The actors do what they can, but there's only so much they can do. As far as I am concerned, mob movies is a subgenre where you can easily stick to the classics by Puzzo and Scorsese.

Nothing exceptional, but an okay tv movie.

When the Time Comes 2022 ★★★★

A pretty bleak post apocalyptic zombie flick.

We open with a man sitting at a CB radio trying to contact the outside world. Throughout the story, we get a clear look at how somber their situation is. Combined with hints to an earlier, more worryless life.

Very solid as a short, but not something to cheer you up after a long day.

Crocodile Swarm 2024 ★★★

This one was more fun than it ought to be.

On a surface level, it looks like a shitty low budget horror with terrible CGI. But it somehow ends up working as a campy romp reminiscent of the monster movies and creature features of the fifties. Unintentionally funny like when Sam is in tears for the umpteenth time. Or the moment when Lily lights the flare. Oops! Or the effects when the croc shakes Faith around like she's a rag doll (though the effects make it look like he's holding a mannequin between his teeth).

It's still entertaining in a weird way. With a few fun chase sequences towards the end and moments with Sharknado levels of bollocks. One at the end with Mike and the one with the jumping crocodile. If you know, you know.

Crocodile Swarm. Perfect for one of them tubi trash nights.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Nun 2018 ★★★½

Glad I finally got around to this one.

While the story – a secret entity that needs to be contained – is not very original, The Nun does manage to come with good moodsetting and some great visuals like the turning and burning cross at the burning cross.

Jonas Bloquet is good as Frenchie, floating back and forth between charming and flirty. Why they made him French Canadian is unknown to me. Taissa Farmiga delivers a well dosed performance. She does not take over the screen as in “here I am”, since her character is not written that way. But when necessary, she does command your attention.

Good stuff overall. Pretty entertaining with some good moments. Makes me want to watch The Conjuring 2.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba -To the Hashira Training- 2024 ★★★

I wonder what the anime definition of overacting is. When do they say “this was a tad too much”? With all the screaming and crying and giggling.

My impressions as someone not too familiar with the genre:
1) it's better to catch up before dropping in in an ongoing series. Sometimes, I had a bit of hard time following and sometimes, I had no idea what was going on.
2) The fight scenes are still filmed within an inch of their lives, feeding into my nostalgia for the time when I watched Dragon Ball and Saint Seiya on TV.
3) The comedy works and that plays in this movie's favour as well.

4) A fun watch inviting to start this series some time.

[hammerfan]

The Last Voyage of the Demeter 8/10

I really enjoyed it!

[FryeDwight]

YELLOWBRICKROAD (2010). The population of a small New Hampshire town walk onto a trail after seeing THE WIZARD OF OZ and dying off with one or two survivors. Many decades later, a group decides to hike the trail in their search for answers with all sorts of odd occurences coming their way.
This really had such potential...an interesting idea, lovely scenery (I thought the area they were hiking in was actually New Hampshire and was right, up in the Northern part of the state) and a couple of creepy moments. But soon, a BLAIR WITCH PROJECT ambiance takes over and it becomes a bunch of noisy irritating people meeting well deserved send offs. **1/2

[FryeDwight]

BORIS KARLOFF:THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER (2021). Very good doc on the Horror icon with good input by David Skal, Greg Mank, Peter Bogdonavich, Guillermo Del Toro, Dick Miller, Roger Corman and his daughter Sara Karloff, who is older than he was when He passed and looking very much like him. Plenty of clips from his better known films with some TV shows and audio interviews. Some good history of a somewhat contentious family background and info on how He help found the Screen Actors Guild. ****

[Sculpt]

The Nun 2018 ★★★½

Glad I finally got around to this one.

While the story – a secret entity that needs to be contained – is not very original, The Nun does manage to come with good moodsetting and some great visuals like the turning and burning cross at the burning cross.

Jonas Bloquet is good as Frenchie, floating back and forth between charming and flirty. Why they made him French Canadian is unknown to me. Taissa Farmiga delivers a well dosed performance. She does not take over the screen as in “here I am”, since her character is not written that way. But when necessary, she does command your attention.

Good stuff overall. Pretty entertaining with some good moments. Makes me want to watch The Conjuring 2.

I really liked The Conjuring. Conjuring 2, I didn't like the story as much, but it did star Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) and Ed (Patrick Wilson) Warren, who are just really enjoyable heroes, and it was directed by James Wan, so had good production value.

The Nun doesn't have the Warren's or Wan, and the previews made the film look disjointed and unnecessary. I saw a review saying it had "inconsistent logic and narrative slackness", which grates on my nerves.

BORIS KARLOFF:THE MAN BEHIND THE MONSTER (2021). Very good doc on the Horror icon with good input by David Skal, Greg Mank, Peter Bogdonavich, Guillermo Del Toro, Dick Miller, Roger Corman and his daughter Sara Karloff, who is older than he was when He passed and looking very much like him. Plenty of clips from his better known films with some TV shows and audio interviews. Some good history of a somewhat contentious family background and info on how He help found the Screen Actors Guild. ****

That looks really good. I see azm prime has it with ads.

[FryeDwight]

That looks really good. I see azm prime has it with ads.[/QUOTE]

Check it out, Sculpt..I'm sure You will like it. My wife has so much saved on TUBI, ROKU etc, it's sometimes difficult to make a choice.


FULL BODY MASSAGE (1995)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

A successful yet unfulfilled Art dealer is looking forward to visit from her regular masseuse (who she may have romantic feelings for) but finds a replacement waiting for her (Bryan Brown). As He works her over, they talk about past relationships, family backgrounds, differing views on art, etc and that's it for about an hour and a half,
Being from SHOWTIME and the title, You would expect this to be an "Erotic Thriller", but while there is nudity, there's more conversation than anything else, sort of along the lines of MY DINNER WITH ANDRE.

Depending on your outlook, this may interest You with the topics discussed or put You to sleep, but there are two good reasons to watch FBM and they are Mimi Rogers. All I could wonder is how Tom Cruise could have given up on a body like that::confused:: **1/2

[Amaltheaunicorn2023]

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/blTpMrN06e4/maxresdefault.jpg

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SblwiQlVIgY/maxresdefault.jpg

[Sculpt]

Road House (2024)
8/10

Really well-made fun action drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal. It's a simple story told tightly with Gyllenhaal providing some fun depth of expression as a kindly ex-MMA fighter who takes a job as a bouncer. Sort of a troubled Shane character. Conor McGregor does a feisty job as a fist for hire. Available as part of azm prime.

[FryeDwight]

MIMESIS: NOSFERATU (2018). A good premise-A young man with an extremely unhealthy obsession for the 1922 film NOSFERATU-that lose steam as the action shifts to a school planning to make a play of the film with lots of audio-visual support, but there are conflicting personalties and odd goings-ons behind the scenes.

I found this sort of compelling at first, especially with series of "In-jokes" involving the characters names, but the film can't seem to decide if it wants to be Art House or Teen movie . Trying to mesh the two just doesn't work. Also, MN is kind of a cheat with cast billing as the two "stars" should be classified as cameos. **

[Dead2009]

Destroy All Neighbors 7/10

[FryeDwight]

DARK BLUE (2002). Pretty good look at corruption and coercion in the Los Angeles Police Department on the days leading up to the 1992 riots over the Rodney King verdict. Quite gritty and profane, but Kurt Russell is superb as the alcoholic ask-no-questions loose cannon Third Generation Policeman. ***1/2

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

The Old Ones, 2024


https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w300//lSbVvilo6LvkRcxaYvJpnO44wXw.jpg



The First Omen, 2024

https://www.livemint.com/lm-img/img/2024/04/08/original/GKXjHg7XkAAsWma_1712567229761.jpg



Baghead, 2023

https://nevermore-horror.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/IMG_0129_1.jpg

[Amaltheaunicorn2023]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FGVixYCXwAUz8os.jpg

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Dogman, 2024, 7.5/10


https://64.media.tumblr.com/a40aab2fb1572581f8601ab817ded7ea/fb7917c38b36573b-24/s540x810/5898540b87125522271b53139b9bab009b484ccd.gifv



Monkey man, 2024. 8/10


https://64.media.tumblr.com/c0519970ca9c51ecf0f0a3b61d9f6ea5/c11e11574007d0cb-7f/s540x810/5fc2e4b57ed9117d6f4cf87970d60a2a56d70b3b.gifv

[Tommy Jarvis]

Time to play catchup again.::wink::

You Will Never Be Back 2020 ★★★

Fun little Spanish short about getting lost between dimensions.

Maybe not four star material, but an okay mood piece with a solid lead.

The Babysitter 2017 ★

Unfunny.

Unscary.

Unfinished.

Why did this warrant a sequel?

Black Mirror: Hated in the Nation 2016 ★★★★

Like with other episodes of Black Mirror, this is one of those cases of “the less you know, the better”.

I will say a few things, though, even if they are mostly in the category “if you know, you know”.

Kelly McDonald's character: I liked the contrast between the cop who's “seen it all” and who's like oh you kids and your stupid gadgets and her crushed appearance during the trial.

The story leads you somewhere before pulling a swerve on you like in most cases. Suffice it to say that it provokes deeper thought on what we do on social media and that it has what's best described as a Skynet launch moment where the endgame becomes apparant. Couple that with a moment from The Stepfather and you are set. Oh yeah, and they make bees scary.

The final scene seemed a bit tacked on, to give the viewer at least a bit of respite and redemption. But that's nitpicking, considering how great the rest is and how on point the actors are.

Four stars well deserved.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Gods of the Deep 2024 ★½

This poor man's version of The Abyss delivers a solid load of B-movie schlock.

It of course concerns a team of scienticians, this time lead by mister Pickman, aka Evil Santa. With a bit of a Vince McMahon-voice at times. We get your dollar store MacCready, the singer from Midnight Oil, Posh Evil British Lady, and a woman who can't stop talking about her kids. They especially love how... not dead she is.

The monster looks like a giant plastic Ctulhu, the effects are laughable and the end is suitably ludicrous.

Play Me 2023 ★★★½

A fun little short about disorientation and amnesia.

Add a bit of Joan Kramer and... you're good.

A Shot in the Dark 2020 ★½

Forgettable monster flick.

No memorable scares, monsters or performances.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Imaginary 2024 ★★★

Two and a half stars for an overall entertaining and solid PG 13 horror with some good visuals and a solid cast. The kind of movie that makes you want to imdb half the cast. Tom “Jesus” Payne kind of looks like a Dutch singer called Waylon. Also add a half star for at least an attempt to tackle a real life fear (will the family of my new partner accept me as a stepparent and what if they don't), be it perhaps not really subtle.

A few of the jumpscares are well executed, but they are certainly not all zingers. The story was also a bit too predictable with the stepdaughters turning around, the big reveal about the mom and the fake out near the end. Or with Gloria turning on them. As I said, subtlety is not this movie's strong suit.

That said, a fun night out for people who enjoy the Blumhouse style.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Prey for the Bride 2024 ★★½

Okay little slasher, but with a kind of predictable plot and killer reveal. Not so spoil but (if you know, you know) it contains a spoon of corn syrup

The kills are okay. Basically your standard stabbings and one to keep you eye on. Downside: the most bitchy character gets the most disappointing kill.

The Breed 2006 ★★

A house on fire explodes and Michelle Rodriguez comes out completely unscathed, because there's no bollocks like B-movie bollocks.

While the idea in itself has some good moments – granted, I was afraid of dogs as a child and recently watched Cujo again, so it's not all that hard for me to find violent dogs frightening – and in more competent hands, it could be better. Some of the chase scenes are well done, and Michelle Rodriguez is great in the scene with the cable line and the garage. Then again, other moments cannot help but look silly: the dogs on the wing of the plane, some of the dialogue (especially Dollar Store Paul Rudd and his “big brain responsible” brother), the ending,...

Not even Brad Pitt's boxer from Snatch would like these dags.

Black Mirror: USS Callister 2017 ★★★½

BM: We are taking Star Trek...
Me: Oh, a wholesome story about nerd escapism?
BM: And we will turn Kirk into a colossal sociopathic twat.
Me: There we go. That's the BM I know.

This was however written by a fan – I think – and the finale was more exciting than some of the original Star Trek episodes. Also good at showing the pettiness of dictators. Nonetheless, by Black Mirror standards a pretty staightforward and lighthearted affair. Which does not make it any less well written and made, mind you.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: Arkangel 2017 ★★★½

Helicopter parents end up having the helicopter blow up in their face and the rotor cut off their head. With a feminin spin of Oedipus to boot.

This can stand on its own and be a powerful social drama. Now it does not blow you away the same way some of the other BM episodes did, amongst others because - from a storytelling point of view - it's pretty staightforward and fairly predictable. Does that make it any less well executed, acted,...? Of course not.

El Conde 2023 ★½

Not sure why, but I totally was not on board with this one.

All I saw was a poorly done Spanish Wes Anderson-pastiche with neither the esthetics nor the charm of the quirky characters. I did not get a single laugh out of this one and the vampires often seemed like an aftertought.

The Teachers’ Lounge 2023 ★★★★

The teacher's lounge (aka Das Lehrers Zimmer) is a tought provoking movie on themes like prejudice, racism and jumping to conclusions.

We follow Carla Novak, a math teacher who seems like what we nowadays consider an old school liberal. Standing up for what she believes is right. When a thief is going around stealing things, she makes the bold decision to try and set up a trap. She then tries to work things out with the supposed suspect, but then of course things really go south.

This story is mostly carried by the actors and they all do a great job. Leonie Benesch as Carla, caught and torn between her ideals and principles and her professional surroundings. Tormented by the idea by whatever she does in good intentions only seems to make things worse. I wonder how much of a conscious choice it was to give this character a Polish background. Both actors in the Kuhn family. Both reacting so fiercely that the suggestion something deeper is involved also surfaces.

It also never really takes a side and it does not have a clear cut ending. In fact, the ending switches between different emotions. How the final confrontation between Miss Novak and Oskar switches between harsh and a beautiful shared moment with the Rubik's cube. Even the final shot of Oskar and the policemen can either be seen as sad and grand. While he will probably get in deeper trouble now, he is still carried out on a throne of sorts. Highlighting different emotions. How those who want to can find common ground. And also how well meant actions can inadvertently lead to far reaching consequences.

It's not the most comfortable watch, but recommended for people open to thought provoking movies. And to subtitles.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Immaculate 2024 ★★★★

After a few bad experiences, I started to feel like religious horror was growing stagnant again. Luckily, Immaculate (together with some recent Islam-inspired movies) picks up the slack. First four star horror of this year in my opinion.

We kick off with a strong opening, with a nun fruitlessly trying to escape from the monastery, with a bit of The Vanishing to top it off. Also to the credit of the filmmakers, they at least don't go for the “five weeks earlier”-trope.

Fast forward to the introduction of our main protagonist, sorella Cecilia. For a mainstream horror, it does its best to recognize the beauty of the Italian language, but they still could have done more. I'm cool with subtitles and we all know the main reason for not putting in more non-English dialogue was the fear of frightening American teenagers.

But let's stop the nitpicking. Immaculate overall is a well paced moody reli-horror where the short runtime works in the movie's favour, thus not allowing it to lag. In order to achieve that goal, they sometimes rely pretty heavily on jump scares. So if you hate them with a passion, that will be a downside. Personally, I thought they were well done and they did not bother me. On the contrary the first few worked rather well. As did the reveals. Why sister Isabelle is so cold and even the somewhat predictable bit of “ehmagerd, they knew this stuff all along”. Or the funny bit about how a convent has this fancy schmancy technology at its disposal.

The gore is sparse at first, but becomes more and more explicit (and exquisite) as the movie goes on. With a gruesome ending topping it off with the most intense birth scene since Inside.

Well recommended. Check it out.

The Herd 2014 ★★★½

Melanie Light delivers a more than decent horror short. With enough gore to tide the hounds over, an ending that's as happy as possible under the circumstances and a bit of a (Spaceship Troopers-ish) twist to boot.

The better this sounds to you, the more this is recommended. And vice versa.

The Farmhouse 2022 ★★★½

Fun little Spanish short about a foulmouthed, cool 12 year old.

All's well that ends well and a neat little twist at the end.

That spells solid short in my book.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Night Nurse 2022 ★★★½

Elderly lady gets chased by an Emma Roberts-looking vampire nurse. Who goes on quite a killing spree, it seems.

All's well that ends well, but then of course... oops.

Good stuff.

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel 2018 ★★

In this sequel to Hell House, we explore the backstory behind the Abaddon Hotel.

It's your typical FF romp with the typical screaming and running and oh my god what was that? And it has some kill fodder the same way a lot of slashers do.

Half star for the gore and another for the effect when the medium disappears.

The Conjuring 2013 ★★★½

After a good night's sleep, I'm still a bit on the fence about this one.

It is very well made and James Wan is without a doubt one of the better horror directors of his generation. The scares work, the cast is very good and Patrick Wilson and vera Farmiga make for a very believable on screen couple. And the ending is pretty intense.

Does this make it an epic masterpiece that warranted so many sequels and spin offs and what not? Not sure what, but something is keeping me from going that far.

Curve 2015 ★★

A sort of "confined space" thriller with a not very imaginative heroine, a generic villain and too many things that too obviously come and go when it suits the screenwriter. Second star for the flooding scene.

[Tommy Jarvis]

A Doll For Edgar 2019 ★★½

Predictable, but well done.

The Killer 2023 ★★★

What to say? In this one, Fincher is becoming more... fuck, what is the word I am looking for? It's certainly not mild, and poetic and philosophical here feel like these easy way out words when you cannot really think of anything else to say.

This time, he demands more of you as a viewer. You really have to be open to it in order to get into the story of mister You-can-fill-a-bingocard-with-all-his-aliases-and-then-some, partly because of his subdued and detached narration. Also, I love methodical criminals as much as the next guy (and like the next guy, I'm lazy enough to admit that this level of preparation is too much hassle), but this overload of constantly being on your guard and such... storytellingwise, it becomes somewhat monotonous after a while. And for such a methodical criminal, it sure seems like more stuff goes wrong than it should. The fuck up with the dominatrix, the botched sleeping pill with the dog. That somehow does not add up.

It does however add to a well done character sketch, of a killer with more money than he can ever spend, yet without a life to live with it. Too cold to really enjoy it and too distant to share that happiness with anyone else. Fassbender plays that pretty good and Tilda Swinton is as solid and reliable as ever.

If you come in looking for the edge of your seat adrenalin from Seven or Fight Club, this is not for you. This one is (by Fincher standards) more cinephile and, dare I say a tad more... whimsical? Whistful, perhaps? If you can get it, you will enjoy it.

Ps: Maybe it's me, but it seems like a lot of filmmakers nowadays have a thing for The Smiths. *Seinfeld-style* What is the deal with The Smiths? *cue the iconic bass line*

Susuk 2023 ★★½

Susuk is an okay Indonesian demon flick with a few solid scares.

I am not really sure what Susuk is, but based on what it looks like and the possible side effects, I'm at least hesitant to say that it's worth the bargain.

I can't say a lot about the cultural component of the story and wether or not it's an indictment of certain conservative beliefs. I mean, you don't have to be in Asia or have a Muslim background to see a conservative small village and a generic incel bully with his round up the boys moment.

What I can say is that the main actress did a good job portraying a woman that says “I love my sister and I will do everything in my power to save her, conformity be damned”. Particularly in the few sweet moment she has; one with her sister and one with her (hesitant) partner in crime and shy love intrest for the sister.

Susuk is not bad, just too twisty-turny to be really great. I am sure this is due to my cultural igonrance, but one fight looked a bit too silly (partly due to the CGI) in order to really clinch the third star. 2.75 stars, is that a thing?

For fans of Asian horror who want to make it easy on themselves with a Netflix night.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Bad Boys 1995 ★★

Why did I watch this? Because I saw it pop up on Netflix and I was like “yeah, why not?”.

It's a well produced action flick with a lot of buddy cop banter and it's Michael Bay, so we get an ending where everything explodes.

While eighties action flicks had a certain charm to them, these ones seem to become more and more interchangeable. If you've seen one... (and I am sure many people will say the same about horror, and I am okay with that)

Dream Scenario 2023 ★★★★

Aka: Careful what you wish for

The most important piece of the puzzle fell into place during the end credits. Produced by Ari Aster. Now it makes sense.

We follow Paul Matthews, a somewhat mousy (not unlike Beau from Beau is afraid) and quite uncharismatic biology professor. His life is in a rut, his students don't pay any attention to him and his marriage... well, by the look of things the fizz has gone out of the cola some time ago. He mostly just wants a bit of recognition and appreciation, let's say 1 or 2... no, 1.5 percent of what Neil Degrasse Tyson has – though he somehow apparently has never found the time to actually write his magnum opus. Yet at the same time, he does find a way to be annoyed when someone else is inspired by his work. He tends to get whiny at times and the movie does not go out of its way to make him likable.

Then, through no doing or fault of his, he somehow starts popping up in various people's dreams with one hell of a ripple effect ensuing. At first, he enjoys the attention, with scenes that say “You really like me?”. He enjoys getting the recognition he so craved. However, the dark sides of this instant fame soon pop up as well. Like the scenes with the marketing company (with a pretty funny Michael Cera) who are all about the sensation of the dreams. And what about the plant thingy? Wut? Oh yeah, errr,... We can squeeze that in too. Sure(, fine, whatever; as long as you hock Sprite and other shit for us). Quite reminiscent of the white house cabinet in Don't Look up, with people less listening and more looking for ways to spin the message in their favour.

When he starts appearing in wet dreams (like the darkly comedic “sex sequence”) and violent dreams, is when the tables turn. People tend to see this as a movie about cancel culture and I agree that there is an element of truth to that.

At the same time, it also seems to like a reflection on the uncontrollable, unpredictable and at times volatile nature of public opinion and how quickly it can turn on someone, even though that person himself/herself has in fact not changed. In this polarized society with little or no middleground, we of course immediately go from 0 to 100. Turning Paul into a social pariah over something he neither started nor has any influence over. Heck, he has as much of a clue how this came about as we as viewers do. Nonetheless, people spit in his food, beat him up, spray paint his car,... He loses his family and at one point even gets shot at with arrows. And while, yes, he does get a book deal, it's also mostly a reminder how his life has become a reality/freak show. He goes from a stuffy professor studying dull plants to a sort of sideshow who cannot really trust anyone. With the glove scene as a moment that could go with Spinal Pap and the dwarf Stonehenge.

Cage delivers a very good performance as Paul. While we do get small spoons of Cage-freakouts, he never goes full ham as in Face/Off, The Wicker Man, Renfield,... By his standards, he is quite restrained in this one, thus making this one of his better performances, showing just how much he can do when he takes a role seriously. Would the Academy dare touch this one? Not sure. Could go either way. Curious how it will do in Cannes.

To whom would I recommend this? Based on where they stand on cancel culture, some people have already made up their minds and nothing I can say will change or open their minds. But if you liked Beau is afraid or Ari Aster's material or dark comedies in general, you'll probably enjoy this one too.

Shut Eye 2 2017 ★★½

First four or five minutes seem like your standard fake doc/FF romp.

Then it takes a hard turn and condenses A Clockwork Orange and Trainspotting into the length of about a music video.

If that sounds like it's your bag... enjoy. For me? Certainly not terrible, but saying it stands out is a tad much as well.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Ritual 2017 ★★★★

Aka: The Blär witch mägik
Aka: Midsommar featuring the Sproose Moose

More than anything else, this is a showcase for Rafe Spall's range as an actor and the arc his character goes on. From cowardly turning away from his friend being killed in a robbery to ending up as the “final boy”, even helping along a limping friend who he clashed with earlier.

Is the story original? No. It's one of “those don't mess with nature, don't go here, cause here be monsters” stories. One of those horrors where, if you listen closely, at one point you can actually hear Cillian Murphy's character from 28 days later. “This is a bad idea. You know why? (pause) Because this is a REALLY bad idea.” The prologue is middle aged guy banter with nothing really standing out, except for the Belgium joke.

Does that matter? Horror aficionados will recognize that a good execution can make a movie just as well as a good concept does. And I must say that this one was executed very well. Well done jump scares, the monster's toying with Luke and his friends is well shot, the Wicker Man-like cultists are suitably eerie just like the hallucinations taking Luke back to the liquor store on that faithfull night.

Nice, moody and eerie with good acting all round. Good stuff.

Black Mirror: Crocodile 2017 ★★★

Black Mirror goes nicely bleak with a tale of an unwilling accomplice who gets in way deeper than she had wished for.

Movie buffs will recognize elements from I know what you did last summer and Shallow grave (ie you think you know your friends, but you don't really). Charlie Brooker makes for excellent writing with plenty of moments where Mia seems in the clear before having the rug pulled from under her. With a suitably bleak ending and with Andrea Riseborough (from Possessor, check that one out, btw) excelling as the frightened and determined Mia.

Maybe not top-3, but certainly one of the better episodes.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire 2024 ★★

Well... they tried. They certainly tried.

Some of the scenes did try (and even partially managed) to recall the goofy charm of the original. But in the end, it just did not work.

The bad jokes (the whole Stay Puft subplot) outweighed the good ones (the Spin Doctors joke or the one about Mary Todd Lincoln).

The callbacks to the original more often were forced in than adding to the plot.

The finale was predictable and never fully captivated.

Walter Peck was the best example: bring him back because William Atherton is still alive, make him mayor because reasons and them turn him into a watered down doing his shtick version of what once was.

The original Ghostbusters became a classic, even though logically it should never have worked in the first place. Now it's just become cookie cutter family friendly stuff.

Two stars.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Gentlemen 2019 ★★★½

This one had been spending some time in my watchlist. But it was not until it was recommended to me by a guy I had not seen in ages that I really decided to give it a go. Especially after it popped up on a TV channel's streaming platform. That's the upside to them airing a lot of films and putting all of them on their platform.

Guy Ritchie delivers a solid bit of gangster drama in the style that we're used to. At least this is about weed rather than coke or smack and the tone makes you hope for a forshadowing nature. It also has a good lead in Matthew McCougnahey with bits of both his usual charm and of his Killer Joe-callousness.

Now the first half of this movie mostly is not about him, but about a weazle-ish, slimy PI (Hugh Grant as a dirtbag tabloid version of his romcom parts) and Charlie Hunnam (here the classy version of Connor McGregor in a suit) who tell the story of the rise of Mickey Pearson and his position going in. Sort of similar to Layer Cake, save Daniel Craig is a different kind of cool.

Suffice it to say it involves Russians, Chinese mobsters, one villain with terrible Cantonese and a bit of a Jeff Goldblum-vibe and some twists and turns. Nothing mindboggling, but the former mister Madonna knows what he is good at and thus does so.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.
No! Of course not!

For the people who liked Lock, Stock and so on or Snatch. Or fans of Brit crime in general.

The First Omen 2024 ★★★★

This is a worthy prequel to the classic The Omen. You can watch the two back to back and it does not lag all that much.

The cinematography is really well done: the introduction of the main characters, the set up, the building up of the tension, the setting the mood,... Even when they are trying to reassure Margaret, director Arkasha Stevenson manages to set up this subtle atmosphere where you can tell that there is more lurking underneath the surface.

Also, and this is a real plus these days: the callbacks to the original never come across as overly forced or in your face or what not. Father Brennan is in here for logical reasons – he has to be in here because of the connection with the 1976 movie – and Ralph Ineson not only portrays him well, but the make up department even managed to give him a bit of a resemblance to the original Brennan. Same goes with the suicide scene. It never felt like “oh, they're doing the thing because the other people did the thing”. It all flowed naturally.

Speaking of which... when called for, the gore did not hold back. Where the nanny just killed herself in The Omen, this one sets herself on fire as well. And this movie sees the decapitation scene from the original and says “hold my beer”. Not going to spoil it, but it has an equally high wow-factor. Holy crap.

It's not all great. There are always things to nitpick.

Finding the mark on Carlita (excellently played by Nicole Sorace) could not help but look a bit silly. Really, nowhere else to go? Then again, the second whammy reveal is done much better.

Bill Nighy does a good job and I know this is mostly on me. I'm so used to seeing him in comedy roles that I half expect him to crack a joke any minute. But he did win me over over the course of the movie. Good job, there.

Also, the final scene felt a bit tacked on. The scene in the car with the picture and the exposition was a perfect place to stop and that last scene, apart from offering a moment of respite and cosiness, did not really have that much to offer.

As you can (hopefully) tell from my phrasing, these are nitpicks. This is a geat horror movie and I could be mistaking, but I'm starting to believe that we might be in the middle of a new golden age (with Hereditary, Get Out, A quiet place and a handful of others) and I hope that time and future releases will prove me right.

Ride Baby Ride 2023 ★★★½

The car salesman look a bit cartoony, but the clash with the car makes for a very entertaining, more body horror focused version of Christine. Yeah, obvious comparison. What of it?

Still fun, though.

Pruning 2023 ★★★ Watched 09 Apr 2024

An interesting "humans are the real monsters" short on the rise of a pundit (probably inspired by Ann Coulter, Tommi Lahren and the likes). The horror is in the hallucinations - again, probably meant to go with her ideas spinning out of control.

The "vomit" scene makes for a disturbing visual that earns this short its third star.

[FryeDwight]

SUPER DUPER ALICE COOPER (2014). Another winner from Banger films-their METAL;A HEADBANGERS JOURNEY and BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE (about Rush) are also recommended. This focuses on the singer/performer Alice Cooper AKA Vincent Furnier from his early bands to mega stardom with The Alice Cooper Group. Afterwards, his solo career and while doing well initially and finding enduring love (wife Sheryl who is still with him and performs in the show), his addictions begin to take hold and threaten more than his career-it's a miracle He didn't pass away. I knew about the alcoholism, but it's revealed for the first time that He was also addicted to Crack cocaine-News followed slower in the early 80's and I remember being shocked at how cadaverous He looked while appearing on THE TOMORROW SHOW. He managed to recover and return to performing in 1986, where the film ends. And while I thought it was odd to leave it at that point, it's explained it had been eighteen years since Vince "became" Alice Cooper and it ties in to the lyrics of their first big hit called "I'm Eighteen". Also showing how the man has learned to live peacefully with the stage character.
Lots of good music clips and audio, what makes Me enjoy SDAC more is there are no "Talking Heads", ie, no present day person sitting and talking about past events. Use of photos with the VoiceOver as well as clips from THE CABINET OF DR CALIGARI and the 1920 DR JECKYLL AND MR HYDE, which sort of make sense. Also, someone OTHER than Alice alone talks about the earlier days with thoughtful insight from Drummer Neal Smith and bassist Dennis Dunaway as well as other important people throughout the story.
And while I've enjoyed much of Alice's solo work (and also wondered what He was thinking on some of them) and He's been good every concert performance over the last 35 years or so (Eight times), it has to be stated that He will NEVER top the music He made with the group and while He seems to get along with them and praise their musical chops, He seems to often imply that He and He alone thought of the majority of their ideas. I'm also not happy that original Lead Guitarist Glen Buxton's 1997 is not included in the film's wrap-up and even more pissed off that R guitar/Keyboard Michael Bruce is not mentioned ONCE throughout the whole film-if You look at the credits on the albums, MB had quite the hand in almost all their songs. I know He and Alice have had differences , but "It was difficult to find him" just doesn't wash.
So while I'm not 100% happy with SDAC, I still quite enjoy it and think even a non-fan might be compelled to check it out. ****

[Tommy Jarvis]

In a Violent Nature 2024 ★★½

Well, this one added a new dimension the term slow burn. This is where a quickwitted, rowdy crowd comes in handy.

In a violent nature, answering the question “What would happen if Jason could not teleport and we had to follow him do more walking than Glen's group on their entire journey to Terminus?”.

Does that make this a one star shite bag? No. Not at all. When this movie's baddie does get to killing, it's often so mindbogglingly brutal that it veers into splatstick territory. Though there's too little of it and too far in between to really fit in with Braindead or Dead Snow.

Honorable mention for Lauren Taylor's cameo at the end. The cult heroine of eighties slashers such as Friday the 13th part 2 and Girls nite out appears as our knight in shining armour. Even though her story goes on for way too long and we end up on a weird “she is safe”/sequel bait shot.

It says in the blurb that this movie throws all the slasher rules overboard. While that certainly is true, that does not mean it makes for a gripping tale, though.

For gorehounds who like their slashers a bit out there.

The Deep Dark 2023 ★★★½

I enjoyed the isolated nature of the story and how help at the same time was so close and yet so far away. People compare this to Alien, but the closest thing was the scientist with his Ash/Burke-like backhanded attitude.

The backstory behind the monster was kind of convoluted, but I did like the gore of the kills and the opening bit in Morocco.

Overall an enjoyable flick for folks looking to expand their euro collection. Sacre bleu!

The Last Stop in Yuma County 2023 ★★★½

Your typical US roadside diner. No place to stop for gas for the next 160 miles. Nowhere to go until the gasoline truck arrives. But... you'll die for our rhubarb pie. Good one, that (and decent foreshadowing, mind you).

Of course, tonight's Gecko's (are they even brothers? Don't know, don't care) just happen to stop in this dinner on their way to the Mexican border. Needless to say, they don't take too kindly to folks messing up their game plan by tattling on them.

Last stop in Yuma county is a solid confined space thriller with palpable tention until the inevitable shootout. With one bank robber being a cool, ruthless killer while the other is more like a crossover between Stephen Baldwin in The Usual Suspects and Stephen Baldwin in Biodome (making for some well deserved comic relief). We get some solidly executed set pieces with amongst others a phone and some cups of coffee, not to mention a few laugh out loud moments (like the mother in law joke or the line “Does everyone have a gun here?”).

After the unavoidable firefight, the film can't help but slow down and drop in tension for a few minutes. Our unlikely survivor escapes by the skin of his teeth, only to finds himself in even deeper doodoo than before. This results in an unlikely final standoff and admittedly unexpected reveal about the truck.

A fun ride for thriller fans that horror fans will certainly enjoy as well.

[Tommy Jarvis]

The Funeral 2023 ★★★★

A lovely Turkish road flick with a subtle romance weaved in, in some aspects not unlike Let the right one in.

At the movie's opening, a young man who could double for Keanu Reeves' son is asked to transport a recently deceased young girl and lay low for a month. What could go wrong, right?

Of course, the girl (if there is an American version of this, she'll probably be played by Maisie Williams) turns out to be a zombie and needless to say, somebody needs to provide her need for flesh. Our reluctant hero does so and develops an odd but profound fondness for her.

Throughout the movie, our unlikely duo grows both closer to each other and further apart from the surrounding society, thus creating an reinforcing the us against the world feeling. The highpoint being the “delivery” to some sort of cult. Needless to say, it involves them kicking a lot of ass and taking even more names. With a perfect ending shot, making the movie not overstay its welcome but rather end on a great shot. With so many movies ending with the studio pressing the director to add one more jumpscare that has no rhyme or reason.

Well recommended. Don't fear the subs and check it out.

There Will Be Monsters 2020 ★★½

A short about a seemingly helpless lady and overly courageous rapists... with a first and then a second twist.

Not great, not terrible. A fun five minutes.

The Itch 2019 ★★★

Lady gets an itch and it all gets worse and worse... and worse... and then some.

Solid editing (adding to the surreal atmos) and a ditto ending. Makes for an okay short.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Braindead 1992 ★★★★★

Paquita: Your mother ate my dog!
Lionel: Not all of it.

Love how much brilliant quotable dialogue this one has.

A gem that survives every rewatch just as much as Lord of the rings.

Also: Imagine Leslie Nielsen had played the priest.

Cuckoo 2024 ★★★★

Da fuck?

This was...

Confusing: What was bad guy König's plan in the first place? I know it has something to do with pregnant women but what is it really? Fuck if I know.

Fascinating: Like the relationship between Gretchen and officer Mikkelsen-lookalike. Is he supposed her friend? Enemy? Frienemy? Or a figment of her imagination?

Gripping: The more it gets out of hand, the more my eyes were glued to the screen, even after a long and hard day. Drawn in by the visuals.

Surreal: What's with the at times looping shots and dialogue? Were the characters stuck in their own hallucination?

Unpredictable: No surprise given the confusing and fever dream-ish nature of this film. But at least two twists really come out of nowhere. With one being thoroughly depressing.

Also: Cool as hell.

Also also: What is the deal with people barfing in this hotel lobby (The food can't be that bad, can it)? Or with the lady chasing Gretchen? Was it me, or did she at one point even start looking like her?

This is not for everyone. But those who are open to it, will love it.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Civil War 2024 ★★★★

Alex Garland: So I was thinking of doing this war movie about a civil war in America.
Studio exec: Great idea. Keep going.
Alex Garland: It's all about this press photographer who's worn down by her job and became pretty jaded.
Studio exec: Sounds good. Who would you see play this part?
Alex Garland: Well I was thinking of Kirsten Dunst.
Studio exec: Good idea. (reflects) Wait, what? Lux Lisbon? The sweet, bubbly girl from Eternal Sunshine?
Alex Garland: That's what we're going with.
Studio exec: (exhales) If you say so.

In the days of John Carpenter and his Escape-movies, this would feel like pure sci-fi. Now, after the storming of the Capital, it comes across more as a cautionary tale. We never get an explanation for what started the war or why they want the president, let alone what he stands for. Only the consequences. We are at war, deal with it. How quickly things can go from (relatively) peaceful to utter chaos. With the camera lenses ready to capture the horrors of war.

Which brings me to my main point: Garland really did some excellent visual work here. With the aformentioned photographs capturing the madness of this conflict and with the wordless moments like the shock when Sammy dies (after his heroic rescue that costed him). Some people will hate this, but I think it visually really worked. The shot of Jessie in the mass grave makes for a haunting image. Or the random executions, like for example at the gas station. The way that one guy casually remarks he knows the guy who he is about to shoot gave me the chills. Same with the “What kind of American?”-line from all the trailers. You can taste the hositility and the distrust there. Brr. That's a long way away from what Barack Obama once said about how there is no conservative or liberal America, but the United States of America.

On a side note: I wonder how people who grew up in the final days of former Yugoslavia look at this story. What with a lack of two definable camps, but rather a plethora of different factions where it's never really which one the person in front of you adheres to or what is the safest way to conduct yourself. Or Syria, for that matter. No matter how somber or depressing this flick gets, reality still trumps fiction.

The cast is excellent. Kirsten Dunst is really great, with her ever tired look and her persona of (trying to) not letting what she sees get to her. Wagner Moura also shines as her partner in crime, using humour and weed in order te keep it together. I also liked the dynamic between Lee and Jessie, though everyone who's seen a few war movies can see coming that one of these ladies will die by the end of the film (with another touching visual to boot). And between this and Black Mirror, Jesse Plemons is really good at playing sociopathic assholes.

Entertaining and very relevant. Check it out.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Fragile.com 2019 ★★★

The horror of lover boys in a mix with cam girls and dream imagery.

Makes for an entertaining and bleak short with a somber ending.

Slay 2024 ★★½

Priscilla, queen of the desert versus rednecks and vampires... except that this one is a lot more B-movie like.

The jokes don't always land, but the drag queens get some good lines and the Transyvania-line was pretty funny too. The fight scenes are okay. The self aware off screen fight jokes (“Oh my god, they're ripping that guy's head off”) are a bit too goofy for my liking, but maybe I was not really in the right mood for this.

Nothing unforgettable, but I'm pretty sure that there is an audience for this.

Black Mirror: Hang the DJ 2017 ★★★★

Tinder to the next level, but now through the eyes of Charlie Brooker. Not only does “the system” select your new partner, it even tells you how long you'll be together, up until the very second. With a timer not unlike the ones people hand out at restaurants these days.

And since it's Black Mirror, it gets pretty bleak at times.

Is it okay if I think about her?
If you don't mind me thinking about him.

Jeez Louise, how sad is that.

And yet, by BM standards, this is beautiful. Both a bleak look at how the system toys with aspiring lovers and a (weird) celebration of love that endures time and odds.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Thanksgiving 2023 ★★★½

Thanksgiving is an Eli Roth-flick with the flaws and gifts that he has made his own throughout the years.

Writing characters has never been his strong suit, but he has grown in this department. The reveal of the killer was a bit predictable, but the red herring thread was okay too.

But his main talent are visual tension and kills. The scary scenes are certainly very well directed and set up the mood for exquisitely gory kills.

No need for a for who. I like Eli and I think it's worth a watch.

Don’t Hang Up 2016 ★★★½

Don't hang up fared very well on a rewatch.

Once Mister Lee joins in on the fun, the movie really grabs you. Not that you care all that much about Sam and Brady (or Mosley for that matter), but you do want to know what they will do next, not to mention if and how they will survive this. Not in the least because the killer remains very menacing, not unlike Kiefer Sutherland in Phone Booth.

You can disagree on what shot the movie should ended on, but we can agree that it's a very entertaining watch until that point.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Black Mirror: Metalhead 2017 ★★★★

For me, Black Mirror is usually at it best when its bleak and boy, does this one deliver in that department. Also pretty gory by BM-standards.

We don't know much and we do not need to. In fact, this makes for a good example of “show, don't tell”.

Everything's gone to hell in this post apocalyptic world where people suffer so much that their peers would travel far and wide to at least provide some form of relief.

That is until they stumble into what I can only describe as Ravage from Transformers with Skynet technology. It will not stop... ever... until you are dead. You get no relief whatsoever, not even when you are as resourceful as Bella and (eventually) manage to kill one. And needless to say, the final shot is utterly and completely heartbreaking.

Tiger Stripes 2023 ★★★★

A long anticipated watch and was it worth it? There certainly were a lot of great things to it and I will certainly go in for a rewatch in an attemmpt to better understand it.

It's mostly a coming of age story. Yes, there is some body horror thrown in but throughout the film's runtime it's more dosed – you certainly will not OD on it – but the main focus is more on the alienation and people being shunned for being different, with Farah becoming more and more of a bully as the story progressed.

The trailer and the plot synopsis led me into seeing this as a version of Carrie, with a big difference being that Zaffan's father is still around and pretty much the character she connects with the most. But Zaffan is also way more lively as a character. Living the struggles of most teenagers, like trying to find a balance between living your life and pursuing your passions while at the same time trying to fit in and making friends. Floating back and forth between her attempt to join the girl scouts and her more sass moments where she stands up to Farah. Showing the type of courage that her other friend does not have. She also stands up to her mother and Dr. Rahim.

And Dr. Rahim is... he sure is a piece of work. From the very first shot, he drips Charlatan with capital C – I love how letterboxd cast him as snake oil exorcist – and is of course out of his debt when shit gets real.

This is not for people who don't look like open endings. This movie leavers a lot unresolved or perhaps better “unelaborated” like some of the supernatural elements or the fact that some of the bullies suffer from some sort of epileptic episode. To be fair, it only adds to the mistery and the only thing I liked less was the way the Farah storyline was resolved. But going into details there would go into spoiler territory.

A fascinating watch and well worth looking out for.

[FryeDwight]

EXECUTIVE DECISION (1996). Decent action film of a huge jet airliner hijacked by Middle Eastern Terrorists and the attempts of a small group of commandos (placed on the huge plane mid-flight) to stop them. The always engaging Kurt Russell leads an all star cast and is worth a watch, although it's an over two hour watch. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Saw IV 2007 ★★½

The first entry in the Hoffman-saga looked better than I expected.

In spite of the monotonous nature of torture porn - work out the trap and move on - the pace did not lag all that much or often throughout the movie's runtime. Costas Mandaylor and Lyriq Bent make for a decent villain and a solid hero.

The convoluted soap opera-esque plot is both the charm and the flaw of this franchise. On the one hand, it's nice to spot the callbacks to part 3 and the elements hinting towards part five. On the other hand, it sometimes makes the story so convoluted it's not even funny.

But... we came for the kills and they were as gory, brutal and mean spirited as you would expect with the demise of Eric Matthews as the "icing on the cake". And a well executed (but in hindsight predeictable) reveal in the end.

In short, Saw is like Pringles: once you pop...

[Angra]

For Sale 7-8/10

A man tries to sell a haunted house.

Gotta say, I quite enjoyed this movie. It was well paced with lots of spooks. The main actor was rather wooden to begin with, but seemed to loosen up as the story progressed. An 80’s Bruce Campbell would have been perfect for the role.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Malcolm X 1992

This one has been sitting in my DVD collection for so long that I cannot even remember how it got there in the first place.

As a biopic, it has the merit that it does not sugarcoat things off the way other biopics do. It shows X's ugly side as well, like with his coke problem. It also does not shy away from the notion that, in spite of their talk of elevating, some people within the Nation of Islam were not above all too human treats like petty jealousy – brother Malcolm gets too much attention – or Malcolm's disappointment in Elijah Muhammad.

Now if you are not fully immersed, these epics tend to drag a bit here and there. As a viewer with a bit more distance from the subject matter, I sometimes if a few more cuts could have helped the tempo. That said, I understand that a lot of these details were necessary to paint the picture needed to understand the complex person that is Malcolm X. Where he came from, what he (and his family) had to endure on the way to become the person he ended up being.

With a lot of beautiful shots in the process. Because let's not forget that this is a technically very accomplished film. People talk about Denzel being snubbed, but an award in on of the technical categories ( likeediting or cinematography) would have been welcome, not to mention directing. Spike Lee turned this into a passion project. He really goes out of his way to turn this an epic historic immersing the viewer in the historical significance of X.

And if you thought young Will Smith was charming... Good lord. He had nothing on Denzel.

Lowlifes 2024 ★★★★

Talk about a pleasant surprise.

The plot synopsis and the opening had me set up for some Texas Chainsaw/Hills Have Eyes-ish mayhem with city slickers being tortured by hicks from the sticks. But then... sweerve!

People say the twist was predictable and judging from similar titles like Little Bone Lodge, one could see why. For me, however, it came out of nowhere and for the rest of the movie's runtime, it had me hook, line and sinker.

Rather than a genuine feast of scares, it turns into a dark comedy. And a good one at that, mind you. Fairly early, it gave me an idea about the final survivors, but the screenwriter still does a good job in keeping you guessing with some twists and turns.

The characters are often a bit stereotypical, but I liked them. Wether it was the Roy Scheider looking dad or the daughter (who kind of gave away a Maya Hawke-vibe). And to be honest, it was in the writer's interest to make the guys in the opening scene as cliché redneck as possible. Raising the question: is it harder to write a likable character or make an unlikable character interesting enough to keep you invested in the story?

In closing: a) don't sleep on this one and b) the less you know going in, the better

[Tommy Jarvis]

Roadkill 2024 ★½

A Hitcher-knockoff with a twist that's pretty obvious 20 minutes in, making the later reveal a tad underwhelming. And the reveal with the cop is ridiculous.

Nonetheless it's still an entertaining mess of B-movie schlock. With the type of offscreen kills and horrible greenscreens that are kind of adorable in their own way. Also, we get a bit of Danielle Harris, but her character is completely irrelevant to the story.

Half star extra for the coroner with the Friday the 13th T and a separate mention for the weed scene. I believe this strain is called Nancy Reagan.

For fans of B-movies and/or Danielle Harris.

Tarot 2024 ★

A crossover between Final Destination (minus the gore) and Evil Dead (without the intensity or the fun).

The result is Womp Womp the movie, where the “best” parts only remind you of better movies.

Character: Death is coming for me.
Tony Todd: And you don't wanna fuck with that mack daddy.

Character: You're bleeding.
Jesse Ventura: I ain't got time to bleed.

Character: Fuck faith.
Me: Hey! You leave Buffy out of this!

Also why do the above mentioned have… more

Liz Drives 2017 ★★★

A solid short with two sisters traveling to see their mother.

It's a decent moodpiece with the tension under the surface while they travel. Then they stop to get gas and a snack before everything goes south, leading up to a creepy ending.

Decision to Leave 2022 ★★★★

A very stylish and visually impressive thriller with a vibe that reminded me of Hitchcock.

One that also demands a rewatch some time in the future.

Well recommended, that's for certain.

[Tommy Jarvis]

28 Days Later 2002 ★★★★½

One of those gems that easily survive and even improve upon a rewatch.

Upon this rewatch, I appreciated how well structured the opening scene with the animal activists was. Not one shot too much. You see just enough to get a full picture of what's going on.

Then of course, there is the iconic image of Cillian Murphy in an abandoned London. A logistic masterpiece to get that all worked out. Only making you wonder if it gives more chills before or after Covid. Not in the least helped by that amazing song by Godspeed you black emperor.

Speaking of which, the score deserves a separate nod. Apart GYBE, there's Grandaddy accompanying the standard zombie flick shopping scene. I had kind of forgotten how beautiful that song is and upon this rewatch, I was also struck by the timing. How this song coincides with the relief after a nailbiter of a chase sequence.

Bringing me to the action scenes. Wether it's Jim being chased by the infected or the flat tire scene I just referred to. Edge of your seat stuff. No reinventing the wheel, bust excellently done thriller stuff and the horror of the scene where Frank is infected. With the relatableness of the characters helping in further intensifying the horrors they go through.

On this rewatch, I got around to flipping through the extras. While I like the ending as it is, I am also piggybacking between the more optimistic ending we have now and the one where Jim dies. I can imagine that working as well.

Up a half star from my previous rating. Great stuff.

The Pope’s Exorcist 2023 ★★

Between an unconvincing Russell Crowe, atrocious CGI, a dull plot and clichés like the ever growling "devil", this one only proves why Immaculate and The First Omen are good.

Also, what's with the dad jokes in an exorcism film?

The second star is for one or two scary moments with the family and Russell Crowe bothering to learn Italian.

There are better religious horrors out there.

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

The Strangers: Chapter 1, 2024.

This movie can join the other two POS. ::sad::


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[FryeDwight]

RUSH (1991). This involves the efforts of two undercover Police Detectives attempting to take down a local Drug Lord -taking place in late 1974, it's almost beyond genius to cast Greg Allman in that part, as He was seriously involved with them during that. The main part is going undercover and getting too involved in pulling off the part convincingly. Well made, but after awhile, You get weary of watching them descend into the lower depths-in fact, Jason Patric already looks strung out when introduced to Jennifer Jason Leigh. **1/2

[Tommy Jarvis]

Winston ★★★½

Solid mood piece by Aram Sarkisian on isolation, madness and paranoia.

Nice touch to make it an animated film as well.

The Camp Host 2024 ★★½

Based on the cover and the synopsis, I expected more of a run of the mill slasher.

Now it's a bit better than that and the two main characters do get a bit of a character arc. But it contains enough bollocks to make it a fitting Tubi-original.

With a at times suitably campy performance by Brooke Johnson, and Rachel Colwell has a future in the genre.

Not bad for a Tubi-original.

The Fall Guy 2024 ★★★★

The Fall Guy was a very entertaining romance action flick with for me a vibe that felt a lot of its contemparies from the eighties. Romancing the stone and Jewel of the Nile being the first that come to mind.

First of all, Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt have great chemistry and both deliver excellent performances. Between the charming meet cutes and the silly action banter, they alone make it worth the price of admission.

The stunts are well done and at least feel more practical than CGI. *insert cheapish rant about CGI cheap and lazy and the work of Satan and yeah, there's some truth to it, but... good God* I also appreciated the overt ode to stunt people and how they are still ignored by the academy, even though they often literally put their life on the line for their craft.

Another thing I wanted to point out was the humour. A lot of rollercoaster action flicks of this kind tend to go for easy and lame jokes and groanworthy puns. This one did not give that impression. The jokes landed and even made for some laugh out loud-moments, like the whole Jean-Claude bit with the dog. Was that supposed to be a Van Damme-joke?

Only time I noticed this was a remake was at the end credits, when they played the original theme song and mentioned the cameo for Lee Majors. Otherwise, this movie stands on its own and it looks good at it.

The Strangers: Chapter 1 2024 ★★★

Easiest full circle review in a while: a solid mainstream production.

A few scares were well executed and Madeleine Petsch and what's his face make for good leads. The killers – aka Betty Boop, Burlap Sack Jason and Baby Shark (duh duuh – duh duhduh duuh) – look better than in the original and the editing and the cinematography work in the movie's favour. Kudos to Renny Harlin there. First scenes that come to mind are the cheeseburger bit and the scene in the crawlspace. Ending with a serious whoopsie Daisy moment.

Does that mean it's all great? Nah. It is after all mainstream horror. So for one thing, the quality of the connection depends pretty heavily on the mood of thre screenwriter. Of course, we get a pretty on the nose “he's too good for us”-line and some other mainstream horror silliness and ditto bollocks.

It is my understanding that this supposed to be part 1 of a trilogy with parts 2 and 3 coming either later this year or even next year. Turning this story into a three parter is certainly off a big chunk or possibly more than the makers can chew. But for now, they get the benefit of the doubt. Make this the more psychological “warm up”, take some time in part 2 to add some more characters, rack up a bit more of a body count and then three part 3 as the big climax. Where the latest Halloween-trilogy could have gone.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Jack Frost 1997 ★★½

A fun little nineties slasher with just the right amount of stupid, a cartoony killer with plenty or either cheesy or groanworthy puns and an actor playing him with a nice, thick slice of ham.

Christopher Allport's performance is interesting in a sense that he kind of tries to play it straight, but at the same time... he's in on the joke. He knows what's going on.

Fun fact: this one has both Brad Wilczek (Ghost in the machine) and the diabetic cop that Scully was in love with.

Martyrs 2008 ★★★★★

If you talk about living up to expectations...

The opening with the shot of young Lucy running immediately has you hooked, just like the rest of the film.

It raises some questions, like how did Lucy and Anna become such close friends to stick together like this? A bit of a messed up version of Heavenly Creatures, even if only for a few minutes, could help give a bit of context. Does not have to be long, since the other moment of repose is quickly interrupted as well and pretty damn brutally as well.

Thoughout the movie's runtime, you can only wonder what happened to Lucy to traumatize her to this level and it's not until the final act that you get some genuine answers. Only that the answers are so gruesome that even the otherwise stonefaced Lady Of The Illuminati can not handle it.

Martyrs has shock moments galore (like the dad getting shot), disturbing images in abundance and equally disturbing gore and special effects. Best exmple is what I can only describe as the 99% Körperwelten-effect near the end. Good lord.

This is a five star horror classic. But not for everyone. No sirree Bob.

The Last Christmas 2021 ★★

Acting and dialogue were subpar. Second half did not really do much for me.

The Mask 1994 ★★

Cartoonish nonsense that completely depends on wether or not you like Jim Carrey.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Requiem 2021 ★★★½

A solid mood piece about forbidden love in the aftermath of the dark ages.

Nothing new - we've seen this before - but this is a more effective and better acted version of Fear Street 1666.

Boris in the Forest 2015 ★★★★

Excellent dark comedy about a fan's journey to Boris Karloff's birthplace.

Maybe a tad predictable, but it wonderfully pokes fun at fanboys.

Snakeeater 2024 ★½

This looks like a horror that wants to be surreal. But it feels too non sequitur to fully engage you.

Only fun came from recognizing Ghost Dog's ice cream buddy.

Black Mirror: Striking Vipers 2019 ★★★½

On a surface level, it looks like another story on tech going too far.

For those willing to delve in deeper, it provides food for thought on subjects such as monogamy, infidelity, friendship, gender,...

Anthony Mackie hits one out of the park here, further solidifying BM's status as something you as an actor can sink your teeth into.

[Tommy Jarvis]

Dr. Giggles 1992 ★★★½

For a 1992 release, this still looks and feels very eighties. The self awareness of Scream and its many, many knockoffs was still ways away.

This movie knows what it's doing and embraces it's silliness from start to finish. From the titular doctor's backstory to the fellating the sax moment. It pours a layer of cheese over all the doctor related kills, and if there is a doctor-pun this movie did not think of, feel free to put them in… more

The Forever Purge 2021 ★★

The Purge is an odd franchise.

First, the original Purge became a good idea turning into mostly a straightforward home invasion flick.

Then sequels like Anarchy and Election Year expanded on it, making for better movies. But this one mostly shows why it's time to end this series. Not in the least because the storytelling has the subtle flavors of chugging a bottle of hot sauce.

Baghead 2023 ★★

The opening scene had some lazy looking CGI effects. Baghead then picked up a bit of steam and all in all even looked a bit promising. But over the cours of the second half, the characters and the plot as well as the jump scares became more and more meh.

Slumber party fodder.

The Nest 2013 ★★★½

A short with a bit of a found footage vibe to it because of the POV style of shooting. With gonzo-ish production values to booth.

The story is a “psychologist/surgeon” in what clearly is a garage trying to talk a female patient out of breast surgery. You can see her unstableness throughout the course of this short and you can only imagine how he came to the conlusion that playing along with her madness is probably the only way to keep her from doing worse things to herself.

Perhaps not essential Cronenberg but a good way to complete your collection.

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Cinderella's Revenge, 2024


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Silence of the Prey, 2024.


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Pandemonium, 2023.::love::::love::


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Tarot, 2024

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[TaeKwonZombie]

The Lighthouse (2019)

https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fv7yn1qu99x661. jpg

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Kill Your Lover, 2023


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The Hangman, 2024



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The Watchers, 2024.



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Good Boy, 2022.



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Trim Season, 2024.


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[FryeDwight]

SE7EN (1995)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Many years since I've tuned in and while some of the luster is gone with repeated viewings, I still find this incredibly creepy with one of the most downbeat wrap-ups ever. I also think Morgan Freeman is superb as the meticulous yet burnt out detective and while Brad Pitt gets top billing, I found his character incredibly obnoxious, although You feel such pity for him towards the end. Watching yesterday, it just seemed to Me that He was not the right kind of person to be a detective; too impetuous, too hotheaded, too hung-ho and took comments as slights, instead of trying to learn from them. You can appreciate his wanting to do the right thing, but more training would have been better. Also, the HUGE mistake He makes in underestimating John Doe; even when in custody, Doe still has the upper hand. Very much worth a watch. ****

[FryeDwight]

GACY:THE SERIAL KILLER NEXT DOOR (2024). While Mike Korich looks a lot like the infamous murderer, the script, for some reason has him laughing out loud at just about every comment He makes, reminding Me of Cesar Romero's Joker from the TV series BATMAN. GTSKND also plays fast and loose with the facts, which I find insulting to his many victims , especially it's a teenager who finds out his secret, but the parents tend to veer towards belief then disbelief and they are incredibly dense. A stupid wrap-up and just a general waste of time. *

[NightOfTheLiving_Sam]

Late Night with The Devil: 2023

A lot of gave it a low rating but I personally loved it because it took place in a different setting. Most possession horror movies take place at home, I loved that this took place on live TV and everyone thought that it was fake. The build up was also something I enjoyed too. I give this 7/10

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[FryeDwight]

WACKEN (2014). Interesting look at the huge Heavy Metal festival held in Germany is put together and seems very organized; especially after watching the disaster that was Woodstock 99. A lot of veteran bands are featured like Deep Purple, Alice Cooper, Saxon (with Doro Pesch) and Rammstein. Also some up and comers, competing in a "Best Band" contest from around the world, as well as interviews with fans. And while there is drinking and some mild carousing, things appear to be a lot more temperate.
While I liked most of it, there is way too much footage of attendees whooping, grimacing and flashing the "Horns". Also, the band that wins the "Best Band" contest has NO footage at all , although the competition does::confused::. I would have liked to have had a little backstory of how the festival came to be and the steps taken in it running smoothly. **1/2

[FryeDwight]

BODY BAGS (1993). Anthology film presented by John Carpenter as a "Crypt-Keeper" type host introducing/afterwards stories with corny jokes/puns. Carpenter also directs two of the stories while Tobe Hooper handles the last one. The stories themselves aren't bad and tend to drag but salvaged by a lot of cool guest stars. If You like TALES FROM THE CRYPT, then BODY BAGS is worth Your time. ***

[FryeDwight]

THE LIFE OF DEATH (2015). Various celebrities who deal in horror (Caroline Munro, Debbie Rochon Lloyd Kauffman, Jack Ketchum,Tom Sullivan, Bob Fingerman) talk about what death means to them, what they think it involves and ways they would like to depart the mortal coil. Not a bad idea per se, the subject is too slight for a 90 minute plus film; a short subject might have been better. **

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Watchers (2024)

There were things I liked in this movie, aswell as things I disliked...some of the growling and chittering of the monsters was overdone and a litle annoying, I rolled my eyes a couple of times at some of the things the characters would say...like damn you guys really are not phased by whats happened to you? There was a robotic aura to some of those characters. I did enjoy the lead role character of Mina, and supporting role of Madeline. I also enjoyed some of the twists, but there was some all too corny things in it aswell. I guess give it a watch and decide for yourself.

[FryeDwight]

HERCULES (2014). While this takes its CGI-laden time getting started, it picks up and becomes a decent enough watch. Dwanye "The Rock" Johnson is a convincing enough Hercules, although I don't recall him having so many helpers in the stories, especially the annoying nephew. I can see a lot of LORD OF THE RINGS/GAME OF THRONES influences in some of the battle scenes as well. Also worth seeing as it has John Hurt (in probably one of his last films) ; He is awesome, even if his character is despicable. ***

[hammerfan]

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire

It was....ok

[FryeDwight]

WILD BILL (1995). Jeff Bridges is decent as Wild Bill Hickcock and a lot of favorite actors in here; sadly, the script by Director Walter Hill is just awful. You would think Bill is a Sports Star with all the fawning around him and the circumstances of his demise spin wheels endlessly...David Arquette is insufferable. Lots of favorite actors, but many are in here for one to two scenes and it's not worth wading through this very long 90 minute film to check them out. If You want a better Western, try TOMBSTONE instead. *1/2

[TaeKwonZombie]

The Autopsy of Jane Doe (2016)

I really liked it, the father and son characters and actors (emile hirsch and brian cox) were very likable, great acting, and it all played out very well. Also a new and unique story I have not seen this idea done before, if you've seen it you know what I mean.

[FryeDwight]

ABOMINIBLE (2006). A Yeti-type monster is prowling around an area and wheel chair bound patient (with an absolute tool for a Nurse) tries to help as best He can. A lot better than I thought it would be and although it's kind of a cheat listing veteran performers-who have two scenes max. Dee Wallace, Jeffrey Coombs, Lance Henriksen (who We have met at Cons) and Paul Gleason make the most out of it . Lance's recounting of The Darwin Awards is actually quite funny. ***

[LaurenDesouza]

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[TaeKwonZombie]

Alien Romulus (2024) I was suprised how much I enjoyed it, go see it.

[FryeDwight]

FALL (2022). While rock climbing with her Husband and best friend, a Young woman loses her husband and goes into a serious funk. A year afterwards (Why is it always "one Year Later"?), the friend shows up at the widows house and talks her into another extreme sport to, in effect, "get back on the Horse". The spot She picks out is a 2000 foot radio tower in a desert. What appears to be a fun challenge soons becomes anything but that.....


I found this in the $5 Wal-Mart DVD bin and for that price and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who we both like), I figured why not. FALL is one of the most intense films I've seen in some while. Very vertigo inducing camera work and my feet and palms were sweating big time! The two actresses are both decent and You wish they had done a little better planning; annoying at times both can be, but they don't deserve what happens to them. ****

[Tommy Jarvis]

FALL (2022). While rock climbing with her Husband and best friend, a Young woman loses her husband and goes into a serious funk. A year afterwards (Why is it always "one Year Later"?), the friend shows up at the widows house and talks her into another extreme sport to, in effect, "get back on the Horse". The spot She picks out is a 2000 foot radio tower in a desert. What appears to be a fun challenge soons becomes anything but that.....


I found this in the $5 Wal-Mart DVD bin and for that price and Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who we both like), I figured why not. FALL is one of the most intense films I've seen in some while. Very vertigo inducing camera work and my feet and palms were sweating big time! The two actresses are both decent and You wish they had done a little better planning; annoying at times both can be, but they don't deserve what happens to them. ****

I really liked this one. Very good use of limited resources.

I also enjoyed how un-Negan JDM was in this one. Only a small role, but I enjoy how he played a broken, vulnerable character.

[FryeDwight]

I really liked this one. Very good use of limited resources.

I also enjoyed how un-Negan JDM was in this one. Only a small role, but I enjoy how he played a broken, vulnerable character.

He was almost like John Winchester (SUPERNATURAL) in the beginning and was Denny Duquette (GRAY'S ANATOMY) at the finale.

You are right...pretty limited resources, but a job well done.

[Tommy Jarvis]

He was almost like John Winchester (SUPERNATURAL) in the beginning and was Denny Duquette (GRAY'S ANATOMY) at the finale.

You are right...pretty limited resources, but a job well done.

I can sometimes enjoy one of those. If you look at some of the other titles

Frozen: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323045/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

200 degrees: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4762592/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_200%2520degree s

The Pool: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9128686/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520pool

It's almost like a tiny subgenre in itself ::smile::

[TaeKwonZombie]

graveyard shift (1990) i remember seeing that part with the grinder and rats years ago and not knowing what this movie was...finally saw this and realized this was the one! Brad Dourif's in it too.

[FryeDwight]

I can sometimes enjoy one of those. If you look at some of the other titles

Frozen: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323045/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

200 degrees: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4762592/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_200%2520degree s

The Pool: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9128686/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520pool

It's almost like a tiny subgenre in itself ::smile::

Haven't seen the other two, but FROZEN was very good; suspenseful as hell!

WYVERN (2009). Pretty good little film involving a small Alaskan town at the end of a 24 hour sun being terrorized by a dragon like creature, released by melting ice caps. The only person in here I knew was Barry Corbin, but good performances and worth seeing. ***

[Tommy Jarvis]

Haven't seen the other two, but FROZEN was very good; suspenseful as hell!

Well, if you are interested: both are on Tubi. The Pool also on Shudder and 200 degrees also on Roku.::cool::

And Wyvern is on the watchlist.

[FryeDwight]

EAT LOCALS (2017). Very odd yet compelling Vampire film, directed by Jason Flemying (actor who played Nutley in FROM HELL and was also in SNATCH). about a group of the undead, composing all parts of Society coming together to discuss quotas and future plans. During this meeting in a farmhouse, a group of soldiers gathers round all but ready to strike, but are delayed for "Business Reasons", which is kind of funny, and at least a little different.
I found I enjoyed this more than I thought I would...it's similar in tone to WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS and definitely different from your average bloodsucker flick; some good true and a sense of humor that actually is beneficial to the film. ***1/2

[TaeKwonZombie]

blood and chocolate (2007) this one seems to get mixed reviews, not the worst movie ever, but not the greatest, I do enjoy werewolves whenever they pop up in movies, and this was on my watch list, so I went for it. ::devil::

[FryeDwight]

THE ROLLING STONES ROCK AND ROLL CIRCUS (1968, released 1996). After legal troubles and musical slippage, the Stones recorded BEGGAR'S BANQUET, a return to their dirty blues vibe. The "Circus" was filmed as if under a big top with several friends appearing also, with The Stones naturally playing last. After viewing the footage, Mick Jagger shelved this indefinitely as He felt the Stones set was uneven and they had been upstaged by The Who. While The Stones aren't bad (especially on opener "Jumping' Jack Flash"), they weren't properly rested and original guitarist Brian Jones was barely functioning, so they don't come off very well especially on an embarrassing "Sympathy For The evil".

On the other hand, The Who are magnificent here; "A Quick One While He's Away" is performed with incredible ferocity. Also some decent performances by Taj Mahal and The Dirty Mac, a one off with John Lennon, Keith Richards (Bass and quite good), Eric Clapton and Mitch Mitchell. Sadly, Yoko Ono does her primal wailing on a couple of numbers and is a matter of personal. Also, a very early performance by Jethro Tull with Black Sabbath's Tony Iommi on guitar!

So, musically, not all home runs, but a good time capsule to see many rock stars younger or who have passed on since, like Keith Moon/John Entwistle (The Who), Brian Jones, Mitch Mitchell (Jimi Hendrix Experience), Charlie Watts (The Stones) and John Lennon. ***

[Chevalier]

I watched Scream again.

[FryeDwight]

Well, if you are interested: both are on Tubi. The Pool also on Shudder and 200 degrees also on Roku.::cool::

And Wyvern is on the watchlist.

THE POOL (2018)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Not bad story of a young guy not sure of his position in life who after working on a film shot in a huge pool, is laying on a float relaxing when a colleague tells him the pool is being drained and to get out. Our boy dozes off and then finds himself unable to get out (pool is 6 meters deep), although oddly, every pool I've seen has ladders to exit-this one doesn't. From here on out, it's Murphy's law,to the nth degree, especially when a huge crocodile and his pregnant girlfriend manage to get in the pool with him.

While there are some good suspenseful scenes here, plausibility is stretched tight, considering how long everyone is down there and I absolutely HATE the way he is able to finally escape, especially the lingering on it. A not totally believable happy ending, but after all his travails, He's entitled to that. A good watch, but not as good as it could have been. ***

[hammerfan]

Watching John Carpenter's The Thing right now

[FryeDwight]

I can sometimes enjoy one of those. If you look at some of the other titles

Frozen: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1323045/?ref_=fn_al_tt_3

200 degrees: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4762592/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_200%2520degree s

The Pool: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9128686/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_2_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520pool

It's almost like a tiny subgenre in itself ::smile::

200 DEGREES (2017)>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>SPOILERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

This got really bad reviews on IMDB with many comparisons to SAW (which I've not seen yet), but I founds this a quite intense ride. A very smarmy wheeler-dealer wakes up imprisoned in a large metal kiln with a voice from the outside demanding He raise a million dollars in two hours or face a horrible death by heat (hence the title). Somehow, with a LOT of twists and turns, our protagonist is able to do it, but then finds out that it's not quite enough and there are more obstacles to face....

2D really was a good watch and I would recommend this, but You may yourself how a certain object manages to keep its power and You will shake your head at an incredibly DUMB suggestion towards the end. ****

[Sculpt]

Twisters (2024)
7/10

Uses the same formula as the original Twister (1996) about tornado chasers with past trauma. It was a good formula, so it's a decent film all around, but not as good as the original.

Not sure if I'd call it a remake... they're trying to do something else with a tornado... but close enough to call it a remake.

Fine acting performance for the lead, looker Daisy Edgar-Jones. And her relationship story with the co-star is mildly compelling.

I really didn't think the special effects were any better than Twister (1996), which was a little surprising and disappointing. Not to say they were poor or unrealistic, just that overall, they were good but didn't wow me. It's still a film best seen on the big screen and surround sound.

[FryeDwight]

BEYOND RE-ANIMATOR (2003). Completely unnecessary and awful sequel to the original classic RE-ANIMATOR, which is still so good. Basically the same story, although it takes in a prison with Herbert West still trying out his theories and still not figuring it out that his "successes" are anything but. You've seen this done before-and better- so use time on something more worthwhile. *

[TaeKwonZombie]

a quiet place part 2
American psycho


both I've seen in parts, finally saw fully.... quiet place 2 nice lil scifi monster horror survival I felt like the original had a better feel....american psycho the Jim Carrey of serial killers? Haha. chainsaw death was different

[TaeKwonZombie]

evil dead rise....I didn't hate it, but its nothing above average..I'll never consider this or evil dead remake part of the original movies, but fun little spin offs, I consider sam raimi's drag me to hell a way closer approach to the original style.

[Sculpt]

Alien 3
3/10

Watched the "Assembly Cut" of Alien 3 after seeing the original in the theatre. I think the AC is better, but an extra inch doesn't help you jump the Moon.

Woeful script... so much to mention... minuscule character development, suspense setup, look at religious/philosophy of penal group. No advancement on Alien theme lore. Outstandingly boring, non-creative action. It's almost always dark, dreary and without life.

Aside from the lack of new Alien lore, if the script (were altered) to include Newt, Hicks and Bishop it could have been a rich and fun film. Not only would you have breathed some life into the film with characters the audience already cares about; but it opens obvious subplots. You could have Hicks battling against the Doctor for Ripley's affections. You could have Newt and Bishop befriending, having interesting conversations and side adventure. Could have Bishop versus Alien battles. Hicks discovering a Warden deception. Hicks went to Sunday School.

You have this pseudo-christian group in the script for a contrast to nonfaith, evil or the banal, but at every crux it's disparaged. Everything denigrated as it seems the script was written by someone who hates the human race.

I could mention solid sets, sound, cinematography, etc, but it was just a waste of talent, except that it made a profit, surely off the back of Alien/Aliens.

[Angra]

evil dead rise....I didn't hate it, but its nothing above average..I'll never consider this or evil dead remake part of the original movies, but fun little spin offs, I consider sam raimi's drag me to hell a way closer approach to the original style.

Agreed.

[FryeDwight]

MATINEE (1993). Absolutely delightful Joe Dante film (which did zilch business in the heaters-a shame. When We saw it, there were probably only ten seats filled) concerning a William Castle like director-John Goodman is fantastic as the BS slinging huckster-who premieres his new movie MANT ("Half Man! Half Ant! All Terror!") in Key West during The Cuban Missile Crisis.

Loads of cameos by Dante regulars-Dick Miller especially is a hoot-with all sorts of nods to the time ; TV reels, albums, huge gas-guzzling cars, movie posters and oodles of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (although there is an error showing a recent one) and paraphernalia in the main characters room.

Very funny in parts, but showing a serious side as well. I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been living through that time. *****

[Sculpt]

Bamboozled (2000)
6/10

Spike Lee's satirical drama about a black TV producer, Pierre Delacroix (Damon Wayans), trying to score a hit by tapping into racial hot button tropes.

There are some genuinely funny lines to enjoy. Otherwise, it's hard to decipher what movie Lee is trying to create, as it plays very scattershot. The film regularly dips into the despicable portrayals of blacks in the past, often in a full documentary format, but Lee doesn't present a present-day parallel. The film notes a lack of black writing/production representation in TV but doesn't appear to be interested in demonstrating solutions. For instance, we are told some executives have modified Pierre Delacroix's show script, but we are never told what was added, removed or why it matters. And so, the film is often a Rorschach test.

There are the entertainment narratives and tropes such as "the rise and fall" of the Pierre Delacroix character, and artists dealing with their own pride, getting ahead, gender double standards and selling out. In that regard, Jada Pinkett-Smith character's scene dealing with gender double standards felt authentic while the other narratives felt stiff, forced and unrealistic, particularly Delacroix Greek tragedy final scene.

[FryeDwight]

SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004). British "Zom-Com" that revitalized the appeal of walking corpses (although 28 DAYS LATER got the ball rolling) leading to a fourth Romero film and a whole lotta zombies in various formats.

Parts of this film are quite good..the main character-Shaun- is so listless that one would almost think He is a zombie, but when trouble arises, He does rise to the occasion and proves his mettle to his parents (Bill Nighy and Penelope Wilton -DOWNTON ABBEY- are both good), his Ex-Girlfriend (who wants more of a meaningful relationship) and most importantly himself. It's downright hilarious as he staggers across the street after heavy drinking with signs of chaos around and He being too inattentive to see it. Some decent grue, as well.

I can't say the same for Ed, his ultra-slacker flat mate is annoying in the extreme and the scenes involving him drag the film down...or maybe because Ed reminds Me a lot of an old roommate from my first apartment. ***

[Amaltheaunicorn2023]

https://dnm.nflximg.net/api/v6/mAcAr9TxZIVbINe88xb3Teg5_OA/AAAABe2Fj7DMVN7nCRsuh4Fe5_3PTdhDHyD-fch6p2woB9-35dVq1CFYLhYrBdBg2bLtu-vGYayhgJ4UuROMKgpWgUji32hSg7NV9XAQTJVQjIMe4XYf05ra 2dZja8xfHFdhVeE4Qw.jpg?r=50d

[FryeDwight]

THE TOWN (2010). The jury may be deliberating on Ben Affleck's acting and the incessant coverage of his love life (particularly involving two Jennifers), but He's a great director as TT shows. Very good film about professional robbers who rob a bank, take a teller hostage and Ben finds out she lives nearby and has some clue about the identity of one of the felons. A relationship develops and conflicts arise as Ben wants to get out of "the game" and move away with his new love. It will not be easy to get away from the "front" that assigns his gang jobs and especially his childhood friend who is quite volatile and violent. ****

[Kelly Jenna]

Unfortunately, nowadays it is very difficult for me personally to find something good from contemporary films. Horror films are a painful topic for me, because I love them, and it's very difficult to find something really interesting

[Angra]

Unfortunately, nowadays it is very difficult for me personally to find something good from contemporary films. Horror films are a painful topic for me, because I love them, and it's very difficult to find something really interesting

What you said there. Right there. Didn't make any sense.

[sunnyesteemdispo]

Shakespeare Shitstorm (2020) anyone. Virtually no horror tv series or movies currently being released. If you want to prove me wrong, respond to my post and let us know

[Sculpt]

Shakespeare Shitstorm (2020) anyone. Virtually no horror tv series or movies currently being released. If you want to prove me wrong, respond to my post and let us know

Semi or sometimes horror... I think Black Mirror has some great eps, there usually good. Last season was 2023, has new s7 out 4/10.

[Sculpt]

What you said there. Right there. Didn't make any sense.
Kelly never even came back to look for a reply. Well, she got it off her chest. ::roll eyes::

[Sculpt]

The Spanish Prisoner 8/10

For the best ride, for those who've never seen it, I'll just call it a mystery suspense drama. It's a film you don't what to know anything about ahead of time. Lively and well executed.

Has Steve Martin in a serious role. Stars Campbell Scott, who did a great job in the novelty film Roger Dodger.

[DeadbeatAtDawn]

Bring Her Back, 2025. ::love::

https://64.media.tumblr.com/8e941cb4c1518db7ffd734431e2e52e8/bdad2623404e8cc4-1b/s640x960/1790999346acdfde6dfaa6edf7974cdaf9ed9ae0.gifv

[sfear]

Last seen horror movie: