A group of college students doing a report on recent bear attacks meet a man who turns out to be a Trollhunter which are actually the real explanation for the attacks and they begin traveling with him as he hunts the Trolls and document their experience to inform the world of their existence.

They can be rented like any other piece of AV equip. Filmmakers, please for cinema's sake, use them.

I was waiting so long for something to happen, that by the time the end credits rolled, I felt CHEATED. No story exists in this dark, beautifully-shot film, except for a bunch of characters who are hippy just for the sake of it. Tom Hiddleston looks awfully out of place (maybe I am too obsessed with his Loki), and Swinton is really very dull. Mia perks up things with her arrival, but it's like a temporary spark in the darkness, which goes off almost as soon as it was lit. There are gags just for the sake of inducing chuckles, some of which make no sense at all. And that horribly slow pacing - which would make the 2 hours a real hair-pulling exercise.

It may win a few Oscars, but it was not my cup of tea.

* *

When I saw the trailer, I had a feeling it might be all style and no substance.

^I really liked it and was surprised at how Tom Hiddleston was in it..Different strokes I guess.

Oh good, at least it wasn't just me. As much as I love Tom Hiddleston, I was VERY bored with this movie. It felt like it was being artsy just for the sake of being artsy. I'm usually OK with a slow pace, but this was excruciating.

Nazis at the Center of the Earth (2012)
http://thehollowearthinsider.com/blo...-the-Earth.jpg

More greatness from The Asylum, this time they are ripping off low budget fare. Lots of fun, some gore but it is the badly animated Robo-Hitler that steels the show.

SLIGHT SPOILER FOR LAST LOVERS: NOT NOT READ IF YOU INTEND TO WATCH IT


I also saw Last Lovers and found it felt like it was paced in a 70's Man Who Fell to Earth way. Very subtle, very artsy. Well filmed. The lighting and framing was beautiful. Enjoyed the wall of fame as well as the Jack White references. The sonic backdrop lends itself well to the outré nature of Hiddleston and Swinton's performance. In fact it felt as much a character as the actors. However, for a subtle film the last scene was far to heavy handed for my taste. They should have cut it just before the bared fangs. To me that would have been more in keeping with the overall feel. I liked it for a lot of reasons. Didn't love it though. I especially enjoyed the reaction to consuming blood. It also make vampires romantic without going the Twilight direction. A much more mature Vampire romance. Vampires for grown ups. Swinton is a chameleon. Look at this compared to Snowpiercer. She makes me want to watch her.

Ok now:
I watched The Orphan Killer. An indy with franchise potential all over it. The kind of killer that could/should command sequels. As well as the Dead 2: India. No decision as yet. I want to watch it again. 1 viewing is not sufficient to like or dislike a film.

Right, sometimes I have to do it three times.

Loved it. Sharlto Copley needs to get more films, seriously. He carries off this little gem almost entirely on his shoulders, ably supported by a decent-enough cast and a wonderful storyline which unfolds more surprises as it goes on. Similar to You're Next in big-film-feel-on-a-budget, wonderful atmosphere, some really genuine scary moments, and a very memorable ("holy sh-!") climax.

NE, you have to watch this, if you already haven't.

* * * ½

Martyrs

Disturbing to say the least......


I was surprised by the outcome of this one, I enjoyed it. I also would like to see more of this and You're Next style of films.

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"Don't Blink" 7/10

A script Koontz or King (whos name is actually mentioned) could've written. If you've seen either "Identity" or "Phatoms" you know what kind of movie this is. The mystery holds your attention throughout the story and the performances, for the most part, are decent. And then comes the ending. W....T.... FFFFFUUUUU!!!.. It's the writer and directors giant middle finger to the audience.

Still a pretty good watch if you'e into the aforementioned movies.

Open Grave & Don't Blink...tonight's most wanted download!::cool::

Thanks for the rec, guys!

Debris Documentar, 2012 4/10.

The Signal
 

"The Signal" definitely is not for everyone. It's a movie that really isn't *about* anything. It has a premise, but there's really not much of an organize plot. Think "Eraserhead", for example. The acting, for the most part, is top-notch. Brenton Thwaites, hot off the set of "Oculus", gives a very compelling performance, and Laurence Fishburne puts on his best Morpheus impression to unsettling results. The film starts out as a road-trip movie until it's turned upside-down into a sort of jail-break type movie. The first half of the film is very mysterious and intriguing while the second half is more intense. The special effects and cinematography look amazing; you wouldn't tell that its budget is a meager 4 million dollars. Some ideas become as lost as our main characters at points, however, and the ending isn't as mind-blowing as the film let on. If you're used to big-budget action-packed sci-fi films, stay far away from this film. However, if you enjoy slow-burners with interesting ideas, don't miss this one.

Leprechaun Origins

I actually enjoyed this. It wasn't as campy as one might think. I was a little disappointed that Warwick Davis didn't make a cameo.

Kristy (2014)

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Somewhat similar with You're Next, considering the basic plot line...a group of "hunters (killers)" become the hunted after picking the wrong girl for their next victim; but this time the killers goes online as they likes to upload the video of their hunt on their website. I'm not a big fan of You're Next, thought it was okay, didn't impressed me much. But this one is better in terms of production value & execution of the story. While watching the movie...I was thinking as here the killers gets knocked down one by one, just for a change next time it'd better if they make this sort of story in the killer's point of view while keeping the target individual in a mystery whether he/she has a dark past or not...bla-bla.

Overall, a decent slasher.

>>: B

The Signal (2014)

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Agree with horcrux. First half was better & more intriguing but falls bit flat somewhere in the 2nd half and yeah...that's kinda a cookie-cutter ending.

>>: B-

[SPOILERS]



The one thing that they should have explained was Nic's "condition". I get he has muscular dystrophy, but why would they choose him. Maybe the aliens were researching muscular dystrophy?

Axeman -

I really don't want to write a review on this one because in short the movie is crap or that other word that begins with "s" but people should be warned. Somehow this movie according to wiki had a limited theatrical release and a movie as good as Triangle didn't get released in theaters here.

I did read some reviews before watching this movie. Some were calling it an 80s type of slasher. Or that it was in that style. There are only four reviews on IMDB, only one of which is real. The other three have to be from friends of the production. I saw Brinke Stevens in the credits, I think she was a Vampirella model at one time. Also Tiffany Shepis had a small part in the Night of the Demons remake. She was funny in that. But this movie pulls the sort of stunt I thought only relegated to Syfy movies. Namely list known actors and have them disappear or barely be in the movie. I noticed in the IMDB that the guy who directed it also wrote and acts in the movie. Why not give it a try? How wrong I was.

The opening scene is pretty much pointless. The movie is basically people who I'm surprised are even friends and that you don't like are going to a cabin in the woods to get killed. It feels very much like what a horror porn movie would be like. As soon as they get to the cabin almost everyone starts making out. Only the actresses who play lesbians put in somewhat of a good performance in this mess. The guy who plays the killer seems to enjoy not just killing but playing the role of the killer if that makes sense. Like I'm in a movie playing a killer look at me! I don't even know why the guy was killing people. There is the usual story at night but it all feels and looks very cheap.

And get this, the director put himself in the movie as the token black guy without a girl. Yes he wrote himself as the same type of character as in the recent Friday the 13th remake complete with the geek friend who is a fat guy in this movie and not Asian. At one point he becomes kind of a peeping tom type looking at a drunk girl alone in the woods. This is his dream girl and the twist is that he finally gets her kind of. Although something really disgusting happens with throw up. It's all really bad. I guess you could commend the guy for the dialog as it has some of the crudest lines I've ever heard.

I watched this movie over two days. A TV test screen stopped the first segment, I probably should have stopped after the opening scene or not finished it at all.

Death Proof (2007)
Second viewing since the release.
Like it better than the first time because I knew what to expect.
Still think there's a bit too much boring dialogue between the women and not enough Kurt Russell.
Also confirms my idea that Kurt Russell is an underrated actor.
I kinda miss that guy.

22 Jump Street (2014)
Not as good as the previous one but still good and entertaining.
I love it that they don't take everything too serious.

Bad Neighbours (2014)
Not as funny as I expected but still good.

The Purge: Anarchy (2014)
Better than the first one but still hasn't reached its full potential.
Some bits reminded me of Manhunt, the video game.
Could have used some more blood and a bit of gore.
Some things are still a bit unclear. They say weapons above Class 4 are forbidden but what happens if you break the rule? Does the army interfere?
Wouldn't mind seeing The Purge: Bloody Rampage, from the point of view from some bad guys.
And Purge: Total Chaos. Gangs, cartels, mobster fighting it out at the same time. Or something like that.

***SPOILER***
Then why they gave the 'Hulk Smash' power to his friend Jonah? Did he also had some sort of muscular dystrophy? Moreover, what actually happened to Haley also never explained. As we seen in movies, sometime Aliens do this kind of things to humans just to make them a better or superior species like them or wanted to help them with their limitations. So it didn't bother me much. I was hoping to see the story would take more interesting & unexpected twists & turns inside & outside the complex.

Blood Glacier (2013)

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"STOP EATING THAT BANANA WHILE YOU'RE CRYING!" that line from the old lady cracked me up right away!!::big grin::::big grin::

Overall, a pretty decent Thing inspired horror flick from the director of Rammbock/Berlin Undead.

>>: B

I would guess, You are no longer immune to prosecution for your crimes - I imagine you will be dealt with after the Purge unless you are endangering people who are protected from the
Purge.

Mission to Mars

"The Substitute" 8-9/10

A guilty pleasure of mine. Tom Berenger at his most badass. ::cool::



"The Substitute 2" 6/10

Treat Williams did a decent job trying to fill out Berengers shoes. But not enough classroom action.



"The Substitute 3" 5/10

Definitely not enough classroom action




"The Substitute 4" 7/10

More classroom action than the former 2. Yay. Teachers kicking their students ass is fun. ::cool::

WRONG TURN (2003). Despite the basic idea being used in a lot of 70's movies and TV (THE X FILES/SUPERNATURAL), still think this is one of the better recent horror films. Decent acting for the most part, quite suspenseful and scary, not too long and eye candy for both genders.
Only thing that bugs me is the stupid "Boo" at the very end which of course was setting up for sequels...think they are up to WT6? Have not seen them and have heard all are pretty bad. ***1/2

http://i1281.photobucket.com/albums/...psc151fdff.jpg

3/10

I'm watching Munger Road right now.......


Agree.....what a disappointment

little big league

Killer Joe is a good one!

Honeymoon (2014)

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>>: B+

ABCs of Death 2 (2014)

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What a load of craps! :shocked:
Only O & Y were bit interesting & watchable, rest of them sucks, IMO!
Btw, I think the last one (Z) is missing in this version that I downloaded few days back.

>>: C-

Grand Piano (2013)

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It'd be better if they kept the identity of the "killer" in secret till the climax like the way they used do in Giallo movies. Not exactly like "Phone booth" for the Piano lovers but overall it was a decent thriller.

>>: B

Oh, I loved Grand Piano! There were some unbelievable bits, but it was still pretty thrilling.

Banshee Chapter (2013)
Meh. Didn't make much sense to me.
I did like the Hunter S. Thompson inspired character played by the police captain from Monk.

Yesterday I watched Side Show starring ugly skull faced guy and the lovely Curran Sympson. ::love::

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4/10

I read the synopsis on IMDb, and it sounds a hell of a lot like Oculus.

It's handheld hell.

It's been a while since I've posted in here... Here are a few that I've seen that are worthy of note (but not part of my or Villain's marathon)...


Blue Ruin (2013)

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This movie has been on my radar for a while because I really loved the director's first film, Murder Party (I seriously recommend this one if you haven't seen it - perfect for Halloween especially!). And, ultimately, this was a damn good revenge flick. I found it interesting because it seemed to try to make a more "real" revenge flick; our anti-hero is just your average Joe who is sad, desperate, and lonely, and looking to avenge his family. He's not that great at it and where he falters, it's both funny and sad but not over-the-top in either way.

The acting was superb, especially from our anti-hero Dwight (Macon Blair) - One of my absolute favorite things about the movie - POTENTIAL SPOILERS BELOW...



You know how in revenge films there is the trope of the hero doing a "makeover" to themselves - Typically it's cleaning themselves up, making themselves look more badass - What was great about this movie is that when Dwight does his "makeover," shaves off all his beard and cuts his hair... He doesn't look badass or menacing... He looks just pathetic...


Ultimately it was a good, intense movie. Definitely recommended. I already want to see it again (which is good because it's streaming on Netflix!!)

3.75/5 (I think I need to see it again and it'll probably get better with each successive viewing)


...


Her (2013)


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I'm going to have a hard time writing about this movie because I don't think that I could possibly do it justice.

In short: This is a perfect, beautiful little movie about love and technology and relationships... Relationships between two people... And our cultural relationship with technology... A non-dystopic near future that is beautiful and transhuman...

So many things to love about this movie - The writing, the warm glow of the direction, the characters - Acting by Joaquin, Scarlet, Amy Adams... The costumes, the world-building, the beautiful and melancholy music - I just loved, loved, loved this movie...

I also loved how it touched on technology - We're in the near-future but it's not a dirty dystopia - Sure, we're still plugged into our devices, but it's not about how technology is taking over - It's about our relationship with technology (both literally and figuratively in the movie) and it also explores the philosophy of AI & Turing... Touched on some very interesting science fiction themes and has a very well-done conversation with the audience...

I know that was a really mushy review but honestly, I loved loved loved this movie - I definitely recommend it, especially for science fiction-lovers who were intrigued by its premise.


5/5.


...


The One I Love (2014)


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Interesting little character piece/romance/comedy/drama with a twist - I watched the movie because I heard good things on the many pop culture Podcasts that I listen to and, well, I absolutely love Mark Duplass (moreso than I should a celebrity ::embarrassment::) and I love Elizabeth Moss in Mad Men...

So what do I think? ... Well, I just enjoyed watching Duplass; he was quite amazing in the films... I think that Moss was a little out-acted (OR it could be that she was directed to be oddly awkward in some scenes)... The direction was solid and created moods successfully - I don't want to say too much as it's the kind of film that you're probably better off going in without any knowledge of it...

My only issue is that the "twist" or main conceit is much grander than its writing - Once we get let in on the conceit, I think the movie falls apart a little bit, probably because the journey there was so interesting that the explanation couldn't possibly live up to imagination or expectations...

Regardless, it's not your average drama or romance or comedy or combination of the two and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something light and different on a Sunday afternoon (and it's on Netflix Instant).


4/5 (rating is probably inflated because of my undying love for Duplass... That an regardless of how disappointed I may have been, this movie did stick on my mind for a few days, and I like that in a movie)


...


Mars (2010)


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Just as with The One I Love, the reason why I needed to see this movie was Mark Duplass. What I was expecting out of this movie was mumblecore (a la Puffy Chair, Hump Day, Your Sister's Sister, etc.) and what I got was, yes a mumblecore movie... But also a mumblecore movie filmed through a bizarre animation process - I thought it was going to drive me insane but ultimately it worked because I got wrapped up in the characters and dialogue.

And Mars was just beautiful.

I really really liked this movie - Very simple and very beautiful.


4/5.


...


Black Rock (2012)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...psd1c73ea6.jpg


Wow. So I just realized as I type this that this is the THIRD movie in a row that involves Mark Duplass... In fact the only reason why I saw this despite its mediocre reviews was that Duplass wrote it... And, well, it stars his wife, Katie Aselton, whom I really like, and Lake Bell, whom I also really like...

Anyway...

So this is a movie about three women camping on a remote island where they had traversed in the past... And then soldiers happen... I actually really liked the movie up until the soldiers showed up - Duplass is a great writer and I just enjoyed listening to these women unravel their past and present together... But ultimately I thought that the horror part of it was mediocre and predictable. It's been labeled as a "feminist horror movie" I suppose because these three women fight back against the soldiers but I don't really think that their revenge was all that impressive or that that portion of the movie was particularly novel.

I mean, it's not a BAD movie (geez, as a horror fan I've seen much worse), it's just not great. OK movie to watch if it's free, you're bored, and want to see a man-hunts-man type of film.


3/5.


...


SPEAKING of Oculus (2013)...


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I was really damn impressed with this movie... I had my misgivings going into it... I mean, Karen Gillan was NOT my favorite companion... I had NO IDEA who Brenton Thwaites was (and he had one of those too-good-looking faces that I thought would distract me)... The ad campaign had something like "THE SCARIEST MOVIE EVER"... And Villain didn't like it...

BUT

I thought that this was a very successful little horror movie. I liked the premise (haunted mirror; not novel but definitely well done), I loved the present day story arc (siblings want to destroy mirror) with its twists and turns and creepy, unsettling atmosphere, and I loved the flashbacks with its own twists and turns and creepiness...

I don't want to say too much but suffice to say, I really liked the way the movie was structured, there was plenty of suspense and moments that made me cringe, the acting was OK (the aforementioned Thwaites was NOT great but the fact that I still loved the movie just shows how good a movie it was)... And Rory Cochrane & Katee Sackhoff were FANTASTIC (oh, Katee Sackhoff - I LOVE YOU - PLEASE GET MORE WORK STARBUCK!!!) - She was especially great. And Gillan, turns out, actually has some acting chops (I guess it's not her fault that Amy was written poorly!)

I really really liked that movie. It seriously creeped me out and unsettled me. Great ending, too. I have a hard time recommending it only because I know that what scares one person varies from one person to the next but I think that if you're a fan of supernatural movies, you'll dig this one.


4/5.

I remember everyone in the theatre gasped and cringed at the part with the apple...

*criiiiiiiinge* Me too ::EEK!::

Absentia
 

B-

While not much happens in the movie, "Absentia" is genuinely creepy and memorable. The film is somewhat left to the viewer's interpretation which leads to lots of questions and few answers. It does suffer from an extremely low budget, but when the movie wants to be scary, it's very scary. This film, like the director's later film, "Oculus", has an unreliable point of view, making you question what really happened. I can't recommend this to everyone, but don't miss it if you like independent horror movies.