Leviathan Review

 "Leviathan," a 1989 science fiction horror film directed by George P. Cosmatos, nestles into the depths of underwater terror alongside other genre fixtures of the era. While it might not achieve the cult status of its peers, such as "The Abyss" or "Alien," "Leviathan" offers a unique concoction of suspense, horror, and the claustrophobic fear of being trapped underwater with an unknown entity.

The film stars Peter Weller, Richard Crenna, Amanda Pays, and Ernie Hudson, among others, as a crew working on an underwater mining facility. The ensemble cast delivers performances that oscillate between serious drama and the occasionally campy tone that characterizes many late 80s horror films. Weller, as the stoic leader, grounds the narrative, providing a central pivot around which the chaos and horror unfold.

"Leviathan" delves into the familiar theme of human greed and the relentless pursuit of progress, regardless of the ethical or environmental cost. The crew discovers a sunken Soviet vessel, the Leviathan, and retrieves a safe containing documents and a flask of vodka. The decision to consume the vodka leads to a horrific transformation in one of the crew members, kickstarting a series of events that escalate into a fight for survival against a mutating creature.

The creature's design, a combination of practical effects and limited CGI, reflects the era's limitations and ingenuity. While it may not hold up against the high-definition monsters of contemporary cinema, there's a tactile realism to the creature that CGI often struggles to replicate. The design borrows elements from both aquatic life and human anatomy, creating a grotesque amalgamation that is both alien and disturbingly familiar. This visual choice amplifies the horror of the creature, making it a tangible manifestation of the crew's fears and the consequences of their intrusion into the depths.

George P. Cosmatos directs "Leviathan" with a keen eye for tension and atmosphere. The claustrophobic environment of the underwater facility and the omnipresent danger of the deep sea serve as a backdrop to the unfolding horror, making the setting itself a character. The director uses shadows and confined spaces to great effect, building suspense and a sense of impending doom. However, the film occasionally succumbs to genre clichés, with some characters making predictably poor decisions that serve the plot but detract from the realism of their predicament.

The screenplay, penned by David Webb Peoples and Jeb Stuart, weaves themes of corporate negligence and the expendability of workers in pursuit of profit. The mining corporation's indifference to the crew's plight and their decision to abandon them reflects broader societal concerns about the dehumanization of workers and the moral vacuity of corporate entities. This theme resonates with contemporary audiences, making "Leviathan" more than just a creature feature; it's a critique of capitalism's darker facets.

One of the film's strengths is its score, composed by Jerry Goldsmith. The music enhances the atmosphere, adding layers of tension and emotional depth to the narrative. Goldsmith's use of synthesizers alongside traditional orchestration creates a sound that is both of its time and timeless, underlining the film's suspenseful moments and the isolation of the underwater setting.

"Leviathan" is not without its flaws. The pacing can feel uneven, with some stretches of the film lingering on character interactions at the expense of advancing the plot. Additionally, the final act feels rushed, with a resolution that seems both convenient and underdeveloped. These shortcomings, however, do not entirely detract from the film's ability to entertain and horrify.

In retrospect, "Leviathan" can be seen as a product of its time, reflecting the late 80s fascination with underwater exploration and the unknown depths of the ocean. It captures the zeitgeist of an era that stood on the precipice of the digital revolution, clinging to the practical effects and storytelling techniques that defined a generation of horror films.

Comparatively, "Leviathan" may not stand shoulder to shoulder with the giants of its genre, but it offers a compelling narrative, memorable performances, and a glimpse into the fears and hopes of its time. For fans of sci-fi horror, it remains a worthy dive into the depths of underwater terror, a reminder of the genre's capacity to explore the unknown and reflect the anxieties of the human condition.

In conclusion, "Leviathan" is a testament to the enduring appeal of sci-fi horror. It combines the fear of the unknown with the terror of man-made horrors, encapsulating a moment in cinema where the depths of the ocean were the final frontier. While it may not redefine the genre, it remains a noteworthy entry, a piece of cinematic history that continues to entertain and provoke thought about the cost of human ambition and the mysteries that lie beneath the waves.

Thanksgiving Review

Thanksgiving: A Middle-of-the-Road Feast for Horror Enthusiasts

In the realm of horror, few films manage to serve a dish that's both familiar and surprisingly fresh. Thanksgiving attempts just that, situating itself comfortably within the genre while trying to carve out its own niche. This review promises a casual and entertaining stroll through the film's highs and lows, catering specifically to the pallet of horror aficionados.

Plot at a Glance

Thanksgiving unfolds in a typical small town where the holiday spirit is as thick as the November fog. But this year, the town's tranquil veneer cracks when a series of bizarre incidents begin to spoil the festive mood. As the townsfolk's Thanksgiving preparations turn into a fight for survival, the movie cleverly uses tension and suspense to keep the viewers on the edge of their seats. While the narrative occasionally trots down the well-worn paths of the genre, it's the unexpected twists that keep the feast interesting.

The Meat of the Matter

For horror movie enthusiasts seeking the next film to add to their 'best horror movies' list, Thanksgiving offers a mixed bag. The cinematography adeptly captures the eerie atmosphere of a town caught between tradition and terror. Performances are robust, with characters that, while archetypal, provide a solid foundation for the unfolding horror. However, it's the special effects where Thanksgiving truly shines, skillfully blending practical effects with CGI to create a visceral horror experience that's as unsettling as it is visually captivating.

A Slice of Critique

While Thanksgiving succeeds in many aspects, it's not without its shortcomings. The pacing, brisk in some sections, feels sluggish in others, making the film's narrative flow feel slightly disjointed. Character development, although adequate, misses some opportunities to deepen the emotional impact of the story. Nonetheless, for fans scouring through horror movies free of pretense and filled with genuine genre love, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise enjoyable watch.

Final Thoughts and Rating

Thanksgiving is a film that, much like the holiday itself, offers comfort in the familiar while sprinkling in enough novelty to keep things interesting. It's a solid addition to any horror fan's collection but doesn't quite reach the pinnacle of the genre. This cinematic dish earns a hearty 3 out of 5, making it a worthy watch for those who enjoy their horror with a side of dark humor and traditional scares.

Craving more after the feast? Grab your copy of Thanksgiving on Blu-ray for the ultimate horror experience, complete with bone-chilling bonus features that are sure to keep the holiday spirit (and scares) alive in your collection!

Midsommar Review

I didn’t catch up to Midsommar until recently. I was definitely not sure what to expect, but I kept getting told that it was up my alley. I finally sat down, and was a little intimidated because the run time is longer than the average horror film. The first thing I noticed about the movie was how well it looked. It is bright, full of life, and has an interesting backdrop overall. I loved the scenery, and the cinematography off the bat was good. It took a little bit to get to the locales but it was worth the wait as it really did showcase a great deal of beauty. I love a well shot film, and this one was well shot from the start.

The plot starts simple enough, a group of students go to Sweden after the death of the main character’s family. They go to there with the premise of studying a festival that only occurs every 90 years. Upon seeing some of the things going on, a sinister plot brews, and they see themselves trapped in a cult’s arms. The plot thickens slowly, and things really get out of hand as some of them start to get killed before they could leave. As the body count rises, things get out of hand, and our main heroine is placed as a queen, meanwhile her boyfriend is used to breed a child, and things just keep getting nuts.

Visually this movie is superior to a lot of movies in the horror genre. The cult is sensationalized, and really well done throughout, with some very interesting moments. The acting from Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, and the rest hits hard, especially when things start to go awry in the cult and people start getting killed. Even the sex scene is shot with immense attention to detail, and the horrors therein are shown with a sinister spin.

Midsommar hits you in the head really hard a few times, and shows you some extremes in terms of cult behavior. It also shines light on the horrors of outsiders coming into a new locale. I’m not saying that all communities are going to gut you, but this one certainly did. The movie is long, but it unravels into a sinister story if you stick with it. There is a lot to unravel with this one, but I don’t want to spoil things for you, but rather am going to tell you to see it. There’s some hard moments, and a bit of gore, but the majority of the film is shot with cinematography in mind and detailed throughout. It will leave you unsettled, especially towards the end, as it really is a movie with dread and obscenity in mind. It’s presented in a good visual, and wow, I was impressed. I recommend owning this one.

The Tank Review

Another day, another horror movie, and this time around we are dealing with a creature feature. I like a good one, and I don’t want to reveal my thoughts too quickly, but I will say that this one had me guessing at first, and with a solid trailer, I thought it was going to be a lot better than what it turned out to be. ”The Tank” has a story to tell, and it doesn’t hold back, it’ll just take a little bit of effort to et yourself through the slow pacing.

This movie has a simple plan of action. It features a couple with their child and dog, they own a pet store and are told that they have inherited a house. They visit this house and odd things start to happen. The kid starts to see things trying to get into the house, meanwhile the parents start to explore a water tank that is connected to the house. As the film progresses, we are shown a scary salamander type monster, and it eats alive the realtor, and then some as it terrorizes the family.

There’s a side story that tries to tie together the past and present, but overall, I found that the movie was slow moving. It is a slow progression to get through to the end, and if you invest in the movie, it will reveal itself to you in a good way. However, I’m not going to lie, it’s a slow burn. Once the suspense gives way to the monster, you start rooting for the family to take on the monster and escape. That doesn’t happen right away, as the monster takes them on head first, and attacks. There’s even a point where the kid gets kidnapped, and the dad gets almost eaten alive as well, making this a true monster flick.

“The Tank” isn’t half bad, but it isn’t half good either. It is slow, but it has some redeeming factors here and there. The monster itself is ugly, strong, and attacks with relative ease in water and out. The family is loveable, so you start to root for them towards the end. I found myself hoping that they beat the monster, and in the end, well, I won’t spoil it for you. The movie was slow, but there was enough to make it worth checking out, especially if you’re a fan of monster flicks. The monster is CG for the most part, and it’s not terribly done. If you can suspend your belief, you will find this to be an entertaining popcorn flick. It’s not grand, but it doesn’t suck either.

I recommend “The Tank” to horror fans that need a new movie to check out and are out of ideas. I wouldn’t watch it again, but in my quest to see it all, it was a nice feather in the cap.

Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich Review

“Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich”  is a 2018 movie that came out in the series of Puppet Master films. I have the box set, and was surprised when there was another one released, and of course this isn’t even the last one, as there are more to review as well. But before we get into the rest of the series, let’s take focus on the movie at hand, “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich”.

 

The plot is simple enough, and doesn’t need over simplification, it’s just a straight forward slasher. The puppets in question come alive again and this time they are targeting people of color, homosexuals, Jewish people, and are basically creating hate crimes. They each do their bidding when you least expect it, and they kill without remorse, since they are puppets afterall. They are possessed, and it’s up to Thomas Lennon as Edgard Easton to fight back, alongside his friends. 

 

Overall the movie is well shot, it’s got some good tone to it. The movie flows easily and there’s a good sense of dread throughout. Thomas Lennon makes the movie worthwhile, in my book, as the rest of the actors are set pieces for the most part. Lennon’s performance really makes you believe at times, the depression is real, and moving along we get some glimpses of characterization you don’t usually get from a horror movie. Aside from that, you can expect the same horror elements that made the other Puppet master movies shine. “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich” is balanced, straight forward, and really comes to life with a variety of different kills and spills. 

 

While there’s a bit of gore, and the pacing can slow down here and there, “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich” is a solid horror movie with some good points of interest. I liked it, and found it to be a good jump into the series, and well, I’m a fan of Thomas Lennon so maybe I’m a little biased. Overall I recommend this movie as part of the greater lore of the Puppet Master series. It’s a chap dvd you can pick up and well worth it. 

 

Pick up “Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich”  on dvd by clicking here. 

Bones And All Review

Can you make a cannibal movie and a love story? Well, I didn’t think you could, but there’s something interesting about those that dare to mesh the two and create something of substance. “Bones and All” begins with a shocker of an opening, and it carries through such innocence at first glance. You wonder why things are the way they are, and then after the first glimpse into flesh eating, you realize that something is awry. 

 

The movie begins like a detective story. The story features a young woman looking for her mother, trying to find out why she left. As her father leaves her, she carries on the notion of finding her birth mother and asking questions. This carries a major arc of the film, but along the way she meets some interesting characters, including a love interest. 

 

Things seem to flow through a love story, and one that is quite interesting and dare I say beautiful. You forget that you’re watching a horror movie, as it becomes very dramatic, and easy going. There’s something nuanced to the film, shot with a great deal of attention to details. It’s a wonderful landscape of cinematography, and it moves forward with ease. 

 

Things go off the rails at several instances, and you are reminded that you’re watching a horror movie because of the cannibalism aspect of the movie. I found that aspect to be a bit scary, especially when a maniac appears. It becomes scary at times, but the cannibalism isn’t the scariest of things. You have to watch to fully grasp the tense nature of the movie. 

 

Overall, “Bones and All” is an interesting character study. It has some nice moments of endearing love, but there’s a horror element to the story as there’s cannibalism, stalking and more. The film has an interesting style to it, and it hit me hard. It is an interesting movie, and it mixes the horror genre, drama, and love all in one. It’s a good movie that will haunt you at times. 

Swallowed (2022) Review

I was told that there was a new movie that had a mix of body horror and crime thriller, and I was all in. I have been watching a lot lately, but haven’t reviewed them in a while. That’s why I decided to sit and think about a recent movie, called “Swallowed”. 

 

The premise of the film is easy enough to follow, a couple of friends get caught up in a drug running option. However, they are in over their heads, especially when they realize that they have to swallow the drugs, and carry them through to a new location. If that’s not bad enough, they get stuck amidst the run, and have to deal with a biological horror. 

 

The movie is tense. It has a great deal of tense moments and really gets you hooked overall. Cooper Koch and Jose Colon do a good job of moving through the script and making you believe things are happening in real life. A sign of a good actor, of course, is to make you feel what is going on. The movie is not fast paced, and it unwinds slowly, moving through a crime caper to a horror element, to a kidnapping. 

 

“Swallowed” is a tense thriller, with a science fiction element thrown into boot. It’s a serious movie with a serious premise that really shocks at times. You’ll find yourself lost in what happens scene for scene, especially with a lot of full frontal nudity, lol. “Swallowed” is one of those movies that gets under your skin, and really works. I recommend it greatly. 

The Evil Within Review

Creepy movies usually have stellar openings, and some of my favorites come to mind when it comes to that notion. “The Evil Within” goes for the gusto right away, with a full blown creep factor of nightmares. In fact, you aren’t going to expect it, as the movie pulls no punches in positioning our  main character in the nightmare that is unbalancing his core. Is he dreaming? What is real? In first person narration you hear the story start to unfold and it’s one that features an unnerving juxtaposition of dream and reality, with set pieces that are truly macabre.

There’s a real creative push in this one, and while the plot slowly develops, it does so with good imagination. By the time you’re introduced to a more horrific creature, you’re ready for it, and you feel for the main character, especially with his mental disability. You cheer for him, even though the nightmares and the mirror become the central pivot of the scary moments. The scares are done well, and there’s a bit of gore overall.

The effects are good, there’s a good practical nature to some of them, and there’s CG involved too. However, it looks good throughout, and the story unfolds with great focus on the growing nightmares that our main character has, even if the pacing stalls at some points. Despite the hiccups, the threat of the nightmares grows and we get a centralized horror figure that wants everyone dead, and our hero conflicted, and being pushed into things further and further through the mirror that is setup.

The identity crisis in movies is not my favorite, I’ve written about that beforehand. I don’t appreciate the lazy element of it, but in this movie it works. It works in a lot of movies, I admit, but I used to hate it more. This one plays on that and really pushes your buttons, making it a crazy movie at times.

“The Evil Within” is a good psychological horror picture. It slowly tightens your senses, and squeezes your synapses, making you empathize at times, and then realize you’re hero is not really a hero at all. It has heart, it has fear, it’s a good character study, and I recommend it for sure.

Add “The Evil Within” to your DVD collection or stream it byclicking here.

Nope Review

I was at Universal Studios the past week, and was able to tour a set of Nope for a short time. I had no idea what to expect from the movie, nor the set, and it was interesting to see overall. I was fortunate enough to see Nope in Imax, and it definitely was a spectacle. I would recommend seeing movies in Imax overall, the picture and sound is second to none and really immerses you in the movie overall.

Nope, I thought was going to be a horror movie. While there are horror elements, it is not necessarily that, it leans heavily into science fiction and while there are some moments of horror, it really is a science fiction movie with a twist like you would expect from the Twilight Zone or the Outer Limits. Either way, there’s something afoot in the movie, and you’ll get a little lost at first glance.

There’s a juxtaposition in the film that I won’t spoil, but there’s the main plot point and a juxtaposition of another story, and the two work hand in hand to explore a central theme of spectacle. The notion of capitalism and spectacle versus nature is something that is explored in a nuanced manner. The story follows a show horse rental company and disturbances on their ranch. There are several elements that are out of control, including a grid of power that keeps going down, without warning. Over time, it appears that ta UFO is causing the issue, and from there, the story starts to unravel to reveal more complexities over time.

Nope doesn’t have a lot of gore, it is a slow moving movie, and it is science fiction. I cannot stress that enough. I had to explain that to my sister, as she isn’t a big fan of slow burns, and this movie ended up not being on her top movie list to watch this year. She’s a horror fan. After seeing NOPE, I can truly say that Jordan Peele is one of the finer directors in the horror and now science fiction game. He takes on the notion of horror and implements it deeper into story line that features aliens, but not in the traditional sense. There’s a visual design flow that is great in this film, and though there is a limited amount of actors, there’s a lot going on, it is just presented in a slow moving manner. Imagine this like a slow boat ride attraction at an amusement park, with a stellar ending. The third and fourth act is where things really take off for NOPE and you really start to get startled, as the tension builds greatly throughout. The set pieces are great, the visual design is good, and the story juxtapositions itself with ease, making this an interesting movie, and one that you’ll think about long after you’ve seen it. I would see it again, and recommend it to anyone that likes Jordan Peele’s work. This one is a good one.

The Black Phone Review

There are a lot of modern horror movies coming through the woodwork, but none of them have garnered as much attention as some of the ones coming from Blumhouse Productions, and once again they put out a film that is getting a lot of attention. This time around it’s an adaptation of the story from Joe Hill, son of Stephen King. Adapted and made into a full length could very well mean trouble as there have been some misses in the past when adapting stories, ala “Thinner” for example. But here we are, the movie “The Black Phone” has come out and it garnered quite a bit of attention and movie goers went to see it, including myself and my girl Lynette.

The plot of the film revolves around a mysterious psychopath that is abducting and killing children. When he targets a kid named Finney, and puts him in a basement, a broken phone starts to ring, and a supernatural element comes through when the dead begin to talk. Meanwhile, there’s a secondary character having dreams about The Grabber (the psycho), and we get that thrown into the mix for good measure.

“The Black Phone” was slowly paced, and difficult to stay awake in if you’re not ready for it. I was beginning to get bored during the movie, but I stuck with it and throughout the movie there are moments that speak volumes to the ending, which is satisfying. I won’t reveal it, but it takes you on a slow moving trip, and then punishes your senses with some stellar moments. The acting is good, the movie tightens up a lot, slowing the pace just when you think things are going to speed up, and then brings forth quite the impact in the end.

While I didn’t like the pacing of “The Black Phone” I appreciated the villain, the pay off, and the overall cinematography. It is a well made film, and something that is going to haunt some for sure. If you can get past the slow moving process, you’re in for a treat, as this movie does well as a whole, not in pieces. I thought it was good, and well worth price of admission, albeit lacking in gore. That’s just a nitpick of course, otherwise this is a tight thriller of a horror picture that is sure to delight horror fans of all backgrounds.

Head Count Review

I love a good creature feature, and when presented with an option to watch I jump at the chance. That’s what I was told about “Head Count”. It was supposed to be a creature feature, and when I sat down to watch it, I was treated with something else, and while it may be creative, it definitely was not what I was expecting. In fact, it could very well be one of the worst executions of a film in a long time.

The premise is simple enough at first glance. A group of teens go to the desert for a party, and they begin to drink and have fun. In their fun, something sinister appears, and they can’t figure it out. It turns out that it’s a shapeshifting creature that emulates each one of them, and causes them to attempt suicide. This occurs after a chant is accidentally spoke of, similar to “Candyman”, if you recall that film.

There are no deep connections in this movie. The characters talk a lot, and not in a good way, it just falls flat. The creature is awful CGI and the story is convoluted at best. There are moments of dread, but it falls short of impact because there is something missing here, and I am not sure how to put my finger on it.

Overall, “Head Count” tries to be different. It has some gusto at times, but overall it’s a movie that you can skip. I haven’t seen a movie this bad in a while, and honestly, I don’t know if I’d recommend this to anyone unless you really like bad convoluted horror. It’s got horror elements, it just falls flat.

Eaten Alive Review

The year was 1976 when the movie “Eaten Alive” came out, and it was directed by Tobe Hooper. The movie is a mix of genres, but it is definitely a horror movie. It is a fast moving genre flick that mixes a creature feature with a slasher. It plays with several emotional elements that was easy to get away with at the time, but is definitely hard to watch in modern times. That’s why you have to really consider the time frame, 1976, and try not to apply modern cliché to it.

The plot of the film surrounds a hotel proprietor that is insane, and feeds people to a killer crocodile that lives near the hotel. We are not introduced to him right away, instead we focus on a side character that is played by Robert Englund. He is at a brothel and tries to go too far, that forces what looks to be a main heroine to get banished from brothel. She ends up going to the hotel, and the rest of the movie lies within that location. She goes in, and the proprietor tries to grope, leading to a fight, and away we go, to the crocodile! The crocodile is hidden in the shadows a bit, and you have to remember we are in the 1970s, so there is no CGI or anything that is going to cause this to be too much or anything. Instead, it’s a rubber creature, and it’s laughable at times, but there’s nuance to the cinematography so you don’t dwell too much on it. You also have to contend with the main slasher, Judd, who comes through with a scythe to cause issues. He’s lurking, the crocodile is eating dogs, and people, and you are thrown into the mix as new people come to the hotel.

This is a crude slasher flick, but it has a creature feature element to it. It also has some gratuitous nudity, harsh sexual elements, and redeeming qualities here and there. You’ll be surprised by how far some of the acting goes, and how believable the fights can seem at times. Tobe Hooper’s direction really does well in these sequences, and you really get a good sense of horror and dread throughout. As the movie progresses, we get some taboo moments, including a near killing of a child.

“Eaten Alive” gives you a sense of dread, a bit of creature feature glory with the crocodile, but also hinges on slasher with Judd and the scythe. You are going to find this to be a worthy addition to your collection as it pushes all the buttons of a good horror movie. It’s a slasher at heart, but the crocodile makes it a bit more redeeming, especially in the final act. It’s a good romp, solid acting, and classic Hooper direction. It’s a good one to watch at random, especially for a young Robert Englund.

Pick up Eaten Alive on BLU RAY Here. 

Scream (2022) Review

We are five movies into the franchise, and I did not think we would be able to get this far, but here we are another movie titled, “Scream”. This isn’t called Scream 5, but it is the fifth one to come out. Wes Craven is gone, but there are subtle moments when you know that the filmmakers are careful with the way they are handling the source material. That being said, is Scream any good? Well, it’s really up to a few ideas that you’ll have to ask yourself when watching.

Is nostalgia bad for movie making? There are some movies that are purely pushed into the nostalgia train, and turn out a bit bland. This time around we get the same concepts from all the Scream movies, with new characters, and links to the past that aren’t too bad. We see the original concept recycled again, but this time it’s done with a new sense of urgency. The nostalgia elements of it aren’t front and center throughout, but there are nods to the past within the framework, including the main character being the daughter of the original killer.

The plot is known, and the killers are not, that’s the basic plot of “Scream” and it once again comes at you fast. The pacing is quick, and there’s not a lot of slow down throughout, giving you what feels like a shorter movie than it actually is, which is a compliment to the filmmakers that put this thing together. By the time you get towards the end, you start to really get the tension that the first movie gave, and you’ll find that it’s a nice way to move along with the larger framework, especially when older characters mesh well with new ones, and fight alongside.

January horror releases usually don’t bode well, but this time around “Scream” does well in showcasing a mix of old school slasher horror, and new school depth. There’s a lot to dissect within the movie if you want to, or you could sit back and enjoy the fifth installment in what is one hell of a franchise. “Scream” is good, it’s fun, and it’s got enough gore to remind you that the story is in fact a horror gem.

The Sleeper Review

The slasher genre is not what it used to be. It is not getting as many releases as it once did, but they are still out there. In fact, if you look below the mainstream, you will find that there are a lot of options to select from, and some that aren’t even that old. Today, we look at one such film, which is none other than “The Sleeper”. 

“The Sleeper” will immediately catch you off guard, it looks like it was filmed in the 1970s or 1980s. The film grain is such that it definitely lends itself to a different era of cinema, and it follows through the entire movie. It also shares a lot in common with other horror movies in that it immediately throws you into the scares, with a kill happening right away. We are introduced to the villain and his hammer. He immediately goes after someone at a sorority house, and then we get to the crux of the film. There are prank phone calls that come through the sorority house on a night where they will have a party. They continue to move forward with a party, including a pretty lame sex scene, and each new victim is called out. 

As far as slasher movies are concerned, this is one that is standard. It features your killer that is faster than most, the weapon which is a hammer, and the milky eyes that you see here and there. What caught me was the use of “Giallo” elements. You get that throughout with the focus on black gloves and the hammer. The camera follows the black gloves a lot, and you don’t see the face of the killer a lot, even though it happens. 

The movie is not without criticism. There is some slow pacing here and there, the killers motives are never revealed nor his back story at all, and we just get straight forward nonsense. The Joe Bob Briggs cameo was good though, but the overall sense of dread and slashings are trumped up and you get some gore effects here and there. 

“The Sleeper” is soaked in nostalgia. From the way it is filmed, to the way it is paced, to the kill spots and even ending. There is something for those that love that era here, meanwhile nothing for the modern horror fan. I did not find this to be updated in anyway, but that doesn’t mean it is a bad movie. In fact, I liked it a lot. It is a throwback, and it’s one that takes a little getting used to, considering we are in modern times. Filmed in 2012 from Gamma Knife Films, this is one movie that really goes for the gusto at times, and works well in the frame of nostalgic slashers. Outside of that, I’m not sure it works or holds up well, but maybe it doesn’t have to. It’s a fine film to check out, especially when you’re out of ideas on what to watch via streaming. 

Vicious Fun Review

Once again, we have an awesome poster that has drawn me into watching the movie. There’s something about a good poster, and it’s something that you have to agree with. They say don’t judge a book by the cover, but hey, there’s a lot of graphic designers that work hard to design those covers. Then again, this isn’t a book. “Vicious Fun” is a streaming only movie from Shudder and it has a lot to offer, even if I don’t agree that it is strictly horror. Horror comedy? Perhaps it’s a little funnier the second time viewed, but let’s see what we got here, as we review this Shudder exclusive. 

The movie has an interesting plot, a lovable loser stalks the date of his roommate, only to find out that he’s not what he seems. Upon drinking way too much, and passing out in a closet, he wakes up to find himself in a support group for serial killers, and the fun goes off the rails when they discover that he isn’t one of them. From there we are thrown into a loop of fighting as one of the killers is actually a bounty  hunter persona, and is there to extinguish the villains, and that becomes the crux of the movie overall. 

The movie starts a little slow, and you really aren’t sure where it’s going. If you read the premise and tag line, then you probably know what to expect slightly, but things get out of control in the second act and continue to escalate from there. That being said, the movie picks up the pace  midway through, and you are treated to plenty of kills, gore, and fighting. There’s a few tropes of horror including the unstoppable villain that seems hell bent on attacking, and of course the gore of limbs, eyeball gouges, and more. The gore is played up to comedy standards at times, but it still there as a valuable element. The movie earns their horror card several times, but it is definitely leaning towards comedy a lot. A horror comedy is truly what this is, even though it isn’t always playing up scenarios for laughs. There is plenty of humor found in this film, however, if you have a dark sense of it. 

Overall, “Vicious Fun” is just that, fun. It’s a dark comedy horror movie that delivers on a lot of levels. It’s funny, it’s gross, it features enough gore to make even the most jaded fan happy, and well, it’s worth your time. If you have Shudder you’re going to want to check this one out, and if you don’t have Shudder, fork over the $6 for it, it’s well worth your time. 

Synchronic Review

A drama turns into something a bit more sinister as you navigate the set pieces of “Synchronic”. The movie details a few story lines leading to an interesting concept, and one that is deserving of mention, time travel. Those long time readers of mine know that time travel fascinates me from a scientific stand point, and really that’s what the movie is about, but not in the traditional scope. In fact, it comes with a little bit more nuance, and that’s what makes this movie a little more than meets the eye.

You get started in the movie with a simple premise, a couple of EMTS are dealing with constant overdoses. They are dealing with overdoses with a designer drug. This drug is starting to show up at all the calls the EMT crew gets, and they are starting to cause deaths. When one of the calls finds an EMT’s daughter missing, things go off the rails and the search goes on for them, meanwhile our main hero is diagnosed with a specific form of cancer in the brain. This all ties together somehow, but I won’t reveal how.

Through the course of the film we discover that the drug of choice is really a mechanism for time travel, but with a limited scope of resonance and time. This introduces our hero to a whole new set of possibilities, and lends itself into a rescue mission concerning time travel, limited resources, and of course past and present colliding.

Overall “Synchronic” is going to either bore you to death or it is going to intrigue you with some above average acting, and set pieces that are really well done. While this is not a movie that gained a lot of attention upon release, it is definitely one that holds up well in the chronicles of time travel movies. It’s slow paced, but it draws you in with every larger set piece, and eventually gives you something to cheer for and doesn’t let go of the tension. It’s nuanced, it’s cinema worthy, and definitely a movie you don’t want to miss if you’re a fan of time travel.

Slumber Party Massacre 2 Review

Once again, I’m drawn to a movie with the poster in mind. I reviewed the original Slumber Party Massacre before, and I finally sit down to watch the sequel. The poster features a greaser with a drill guitar and it’s the ultimate weapon in slasher films if you ask me. The movie follows the events of the first, and you even get a little bit of a flash back to start things. We move forward with the final girl from the past, and we are moving forward to a new day, putting the past behind us. 

The plot of the movie seems simple enough, a group of teenagers have a sleepover, and are stalked by a greaser with a killer guitar, no pun intended. The movie is a slice from the 1980s and it shows, with musical queues that are very specific, and of course the wardrobe that screams the date out a bit. In a way you will have to put yourself back into the past, and watch this as someone who’s not living in modern times, but rather in the 1980s or 90s, as there are moments that throw you back into the era. 

The majority of the plot comes through with simplicity, pacing being fast, and going through the motions of setting up the rest of the film. Courtney, our main hero, starts having bad dreams and the killer shows up without much of a forewarning. As with many sequels, the killer shows up and terrorizes the group without much of a backstory, considering the first movie already did that. That way the slasher runs through and starts to cause a shake up for the teens. Of course cliches abound, including those that are having sex and get killed, and of course a wrench is thrown into things with the third act, as well as the final act. I won’t spoil the movie, but suffice to say there is a psychological twist to the movie that definitely makes me mad as a reviewer. Long time readers will know what I mean when they get to the end, knowing how much I loath certain aspects of horror. 

There is some insane rockabilly moments, including a song and dance that you're going to laugh at. There's a mix of horror, gore, comedy, and more, and honestly, I can appreciate that overall. The movie takes a few weird turns, and you can't take it too seriously. 

Visually the movie isn’t going to win any awards, it is straightforward, with some blood splatter here and there. It’s definitely a slasher flick, so you don’t have to worry about it being tame in that regard. It follows the original film trope with slashing, the guitar, and the evil greaser. It’s a fun movie that really doesn’t cause you think too much and honestly, what do you expect from a late 1980s slasher? I found it to be good, and definitely worth checking out as part of the series. The poster, however, is what really sold it for me, and will probably sell it for you too. It’s within that poster framework that makes this movie interesting for me, as I’m a sucker for a good poster. Check out “Slumber Party Massacre 2” on dvd while you can. 

The Loved Ones Review

A good revenge flick needs a hook. “The Loved Ones” did not have that initial hook, but it certainly carried itself away in the revenge horror category, albeit with a twist. The plot of the movie is simple, and ramps up heavy with gore, and more. The story simply puts you in a “what if” world, that is kind of scary to say the least, and then drives the point home. 

The plot of the film features a simple premise. A young woman asks a young man to the dance, and he declines. She gets mad, and instead of just blowing it off, she decides to seek out revenge by kidnapping him and forcing him into a somewhat deadly twist of events. 

This is an Australian horror movie, and it is fast paced. It starts swift, and continues to throw you through the revenge plot and fight to get out. You don’t have a lot of time to breathe, especially once our main hero is trapped and being held against his will. By the time you get through the first two acts, you are treated with a twist that definitely didn’t get broadcasted at first. I won’t reveal it, but it’s definitely something that I liked and thought was clever to say the least. 

The movie is shot well, it has some good overall direction, acting, and hits all the right buttons for a horror movie. The drawback may be the accents for some, but other than that, you’ll find that there are some cliché moments overall. “The Loved Ones” brings about a good sense of dread, revenge plot, and even feels like a grindhouse picture at times. You root for the hero, you jeer the villain, and you hope for the best, until you get more dread than you bargained for overall. In the end, this is a horror flick you want to check out, and possibly add it to your collection. 

House of Wax Review

For today’s horror movie, we are going back to 1953. A remake, but something that has been heralded as a classic by many people. Fans of Vincent Price are immediately going to perk up, because today we are going to be looking at “House of Wax”. The first ever 3D movie to come through in color, and something that has to be considered with the way the movie plays out. You’re going to notice the call outs to 3D in some of the film, and while I don’t have a 3D television or anything, it’s still somewhat noticeable. 

The plot of the film starts out fast, with a wax artist that learns his business partner plots to burn down the place to collect insurance money. As that goes down, the two fight, and things go horribly awry, with an explosive end to this plot starting line. Following that up, there are bodies disappearing from the morgue, and they start popping up in a new wax gallery, alongside a phantom looking dude stalking victims to murder and stock his new wax museum. This leads to quite the reveal in the third act, and of course a final confrontation as is the case for horror movies in general. 

The movie shows its age with a lack of gore, and a lack of horror elements that you get with modern movies. That is not to say that it’s bad, but you really have to set yourself up for something a bit more mild than you would today. That’s not to say that there aren’t horror themes in “House of Wax”,  but it definitely feels aged. To enjoy this movie, you have to set yourself up for the past, and set your expectations back some. If you approach this movie with the same kind of expectations that you would a modern horror movie, you’re going to be disappointed with the pacing, the features and the reveals that the movie has for you. 

While “House of Wax” has a good share of story telling, it definitely feels a bit slow at times. I didn’t like the pacing, but by the time I was getting tired of build, there would be a shocker, or a poignant effect to break up the slow and steady pacing. The final reveals are good, and you really get some shocking revelations with the course of the movie, even if they are predictable to modern audiences. Vincent Price shines in this movie, and definitely makes it a strong contender for a horror movie of the past. 

“House of Wax” shows its age in a lot of regards. However, you’re going to find that there are moments that are often used in modern movies too. The 3D is dated, but it’s cool to see a bit of history on the screen, and it’s definitely not a bad movie. In fact, I recommend it, horror buffs are going to want to see their roots, and Vincent Price is a classical actor in the horror genre and things of the macabre. 

Santa Jaws Review

And now we present a review by our new contributing writer, Lennie. Enjoy! 

Santa Jaws is coming to town with her eyes all aglow. Listen for the jingling in the water and watch out for her Santa hat situated atop her fin. And yes, this is a real movie. Real money went into making it.

The film opens with an intense fight scene on a dock that starts rather abruptly. I was unsure if I was even at the beginning of the film. A deranged looking Santa Claus has a woman tied up, and our hero is trying to save her. I lost it immediately when he kicked Santa in the jingle bells, and the sound effects were relative to my euphemism. I was more than intrigued at this point, but knew I was in for something very bizarre when I first saw her, Santa Jaws.

Suddenly we are transported to a comic book shop where two young boys are working on their own story. Our lead, Cody, is the artist, and his best friend Steven is the writer of Santa Jaws. We now realize that the opening to the movie was the story the boys were working on. The owner of the shop encourages the kids to keep working on it and invites them to the comic book Christmas Eve party the next night. Cody is sure he won’t be allowed to go, but he has his heart set on it.

With family coming into town and a big Christmas Eve dinner planned, Cody wanted to escape even more. On Christmas Eve morning, Cody’s grandpa, “Papa”, invites him to go fishing with him and promises to sneak him to the Christmas Eve comic book shop party later that night. Before this, Papa gives Cody an early present: a magical pen in an inscribed wooden box. Cody is especially fond of this gift as he realizes he can use it to finish his book. He starts drawing with it right away, unknowingly opening a world of chaos and death.

Without giving too much away, Cody’s family and friends start dying off one by one. The cause of death: Santa Jaws. The magic pen had brought this imaginary creature to life. Cody bands together with his older brother, aunt, best friend, and crush to try to stop the monster he created. When Georgia, Cody’s aunt, is almost attacked, she stabs Santa Jaws in the eye with a candy cane. It seems to be the only thing that has been able to injure her so far. The crew realizes that he can only be hurt by things from his world, the Christmas world. They fashion together multiple weapons wrapped in lights and garland and try to put an end to all of this.

The movie doesn’t have many twists or turns or surprises. The shark is bad CGI, but very festive. And overall, most of the characters are not very likable. However, for a horror Christmas shark tale, this is a win in my book. Don’t expect a masterpiece but expect to be entertained. It is definitely worth a watch during the holiday season.

For those with Amazon Prime, this is available streaming, enjoy!