The Monster (2016)

The Monster (2016)

Actors:
Zoe Kazan (Ruby Sparks), Scott Speedman (Underworld) & Ella Ballentine (The Calling)
Director:
Bryan Bertino (The Strangers)
Runtime:
1hr 31 minutes

Plot:
A mother and daughter must confront a terrifying monster when they break down on a deserted road.
Trailer:


Review:
The mother, Kathy is taking her daughter Lizzy to be with her father. On the way they break down in the middle of no where after hitting a wolf on the road. After which, a monster terrorizes them.
Zoe Kazan plays the alcholic, disfunctional mother and is great at it. Ella Ballentine, who plays the daughter, is has a great career ahead of her. This is an atmospheric movie. The monster's makeup was all practical and was beautifully done.
While this was a decent film, it was very emotional between the mother and the daughter and that is not really seen in horror. 

Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016)

Ouija: Origin of Evil  (2016)

Actors:

Lulu Wilson, Annalise Basso & Elizabeth Reaser

Director:

Mike Flanagan

Runtime:

1 hour 39 minutes

Plot:

In 1965 Los Angles, a widowed mother and her daughters add a new stunt to bolster their seance business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When the youngest daughter is overtaken by a supernatural spirit, the family confronts unthinkable fears to save and send her possessor back to the other side.

Trailer:

Review:

This film is the prequel to the 2014 film Ouija, which takes place in the same house but 50 years earlier. And is also directed by Mike Flanagan (director of "Hush" and "Oculus") and with his special touch makes the movie far better than the first film. This film has generic story plot said countless times before, but told in a brilliant way.

The cinematography makes a creepy atmosphere. The actors' skills are all around first rate for any film, not one bad egg. As for the special effects, though not original by any means, are done very well and on the creepy side. 

For horror fans, there is a surprise and the end of the credits.
All around I would give this movie a 7.5 out of 10.

31 (2016)

31  (2016)

Actors:

Malcolm McDowell (Halloween), Richard Drake (Doom) and

 Sherri Moon Zombie (Lords of Salem)

Director:

Rob Zombie

Runtime:

1 hr 42 minutes

Plot:

Five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned, Hell-like compound where they are forced to participate in a violent game. The goal of which is to survive twelve hours against a gang of sadistic clowns.

Trailer:

Review

In my opinion, you are either a fan of Rob Zombie's work or you're not. i for one am a fan, personally I think that he has the demented mind that today's horror needed. 

Sherri Moon Zombie always plays a bad-ass chic, whether or not she is a good guy or a bad guy and in this movie she comes through yet again. As always with a Rob Zombie film, the lighting, special effects and acting are some of the best in the genre. 

As far as the clowns are concerned, they are originally demented and sometimes it made me wonder what he was on when he wrote this film.  You have a little person, Mexican, Nazi clown, a pair of back-hills, chainsaw toting brother clowns, A tutu wearing, crossing dressing clown, a Anime-ish, Dom clown and a Victorian era jacket wearing ultimately demented clown. 

There is no lack of blood and guts in this film.

I would say this is a 8 out of 10 stars movie.

Not posting for a while

Due to some family medical issues, I will not be posting for a while. I hope you all have a great Halloween season. 

Let Us Prey (2014)

Let Us Prey (2014)

Actors:

Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones) Pollyanna McIntosh (the Woman) & Bryan Larking (London has Fallen)

Director:

Brian O'Malley

Runtime:

1 hr 32 minutes

Plot:

A mysterious man arrives at the police station in a rural secluded Scottish town and unleashes terror on the cops and criminals inside. 

Trailer:

Liam Cunningham plays a mysterious man (if you pay attention you can figure out who early on) and starts getting into peoples minds. 

Since starting this blog I have watched more foreign horror than I have before. And I have noticed that no matter what the budget they tend to be very well made (including this film). The set, plot, lighting and special effects (including the blood looking real not fake) are excellently done. Hot giving away spoilers, there police officers are worse than the criminals they have in the cells. This is one messed up film that I totally loved. 

  Highly Recommend.

The Blood Lands (2014)

The Blood Lands  (2014)

Actors:

Pollyanna McIntosh, Lee Williams & Joanne Mitchell

Director:

Simeon Halligan

Runtime:

1 hr 23 minutes

Plot:

It's Ed and Sarah's first night at their new home - an isolated farmhouse on the Scottish borders. Fleeing London's rat race they find unexpected horrors.

Trailer:

Review: (spoiler)

This film takes some time to get started. The set design, lighting and camera work are top notch. The setting is a beautiful country side. What is it about horror movies & pig masks? Just asking there.

While categorized as a horror/ thriller this film falls more on the thriller side. The male lead disappears when the action actually gets going leaving the female lead (Pollyanna McIntosh) to play the smart wife who has to save her husband. An evected family wants their land back, so they torture the new home owners to take it back.

P2 (2007)

P2  (2007)

Actors:

Rachel Nichols, Wes Bentley & Simon Reynolds

Director:

Franck Khalfoun

Runtime:

1 hr 37 minutes

Plot:

A woman who is the last to leave her office on Christmas Eve must rely on her wits to survive when she is trapped in a parking garage with a deranged security guard.

Trailer:

Review:

While upon theatrical release this movie bombed and critics had mixed feelings, I find that this movie is a hidden gem. This movie is a shining example of how studios under publicize well made low budget films. 

The camera work, lighting and set design were what you would expect from a high budget film. Angel's (Rachel Nichols) Christmas Eve goes from bad to worse. After working late and her car does not start, she gets locked in a parking garage with a security guard Thomas (Wes Bentley), who turns out to be a bit of a psychopath. While it takes sometime to get the action to get going, once it does you tend to over look the flaws in this film. 

The acting is done by two solid actors, both which make the film enjoyable to watch. ( can you say a horror is enjoyable?) Wes Bentley's performance is eerily, creepy realistic. This film is underrated by critics, precisely why I don't listen to their views. 

Among Friends (2012)

Among Friends  (2012)

Actors:

Alyss Lobit, Jennifer Blanc & A J Bowen

Director:

Danielle Harris

Runtime:

1 hr 21 minutes

Plot:

A group of friends get together for a 80's theme murder mystery party, but things take a dark turn when one hi-jacks the evening and is out for blood.

Trailer:

Review:

Kade Hodder has a cameo appearance in this film. B movie cinematography, lighting could have been better, but honestly I've seen worse. Has inspirations from "Saw" and "Would You Rather" located throughout.  The Plot/ Story line itself really are not that bad, if they had more money to make this film it could have been a real hit. The special effects not badly done at all.

Worth the watch, IMO.

Top 10 Must See Horror Movies

Top 10 Must See Horror Movies

This list is in my opinion of the must see Horror movies so far.

10. The Shining (1980)

9. Freaks (1932)

8. Dog Soldiers (2002)

7. A Nightmare on Elm Street (1983)

6.The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

5.  Would You Rather (2012)

4. Candyman (1992)

3. Nosferatu (1922)

2. Trick r' Treat (2007)

1. No One Lives (2012)

Devil Dolls (2012)

Devil Dolls (2012)  

Actors:

Phil Fondacaro, Ken Lyle & Fred Payne

Directors:

Charles Band & Peter Manoogian

Runtime:

1 hr 30 minutes

Plot:

Welcome to the haunted dollhouse where 3 devilish tales of twisted horror take place. From a re-animated rag-doll that seeks revenge to a child's doll graveyard where angry play things comeback to life.

Trailer:

Not really a trailer (movie intro) but wasn't able to find the right trailer for this flick.

Review:

First off each story is about 30 minutes in length and seems like much longer (yes they drag). You are able to tell in most instances that the dolls are hand puppets or are being controlled by the actors themselves. Most of the acting is poorly done or over the top. 

The plot in the first one starts off okay but turns weird. And I am still not sure what to think of the first story.  The second story was over all not a bad plot itself but the acting and effects make it hard to watch. The third story, well the acting was better than the first 2 but still sub-par and left you wondering wth are they doing at certain points.

 Over all, I am not recommending this to anyone, unless you like making fun of bad horror films.

The Hallow (2015)

The Hallow (2015)

Actors:

Joseph Mawle, Bojana Novakovic & Michael McElhatton

Director:

Corin Hardy

Runtime:

1 hr 36 minutes

Plot:

When a London man moves his family into a secluded mill house, he discovers that the surrounding forest is filled with creatures who prey on children.

Trailer:

Review:

A plot that has been told many times over in the genre but adds some Irish fables as inspiration. Joseph Mawle ,also known from Game of Thrones, and Bojana Novakovic, known from Shameless, are your lead actors for this film and you couldn't have asked for a better lead couple. Beautiful scenery of the Irish country side makes for a wonderful set. The special effects and props are extremely well done.

In all this is not a normal creature feature and will not disappoint. 

They're Watching (2016)

They're Watching (2016)

Actors:

Mia Faith, Kris Lemche & David Alpay

Directors:

Jay Lender & Micah Wright

Runtime:

1 hr 34 minutes

Plot:

When an American home improvement TV show visits a remote Eastern European village, the young crew thinks the lack of mocha lattés and free wifi will be the worst of their problems. But after their filming interrupts the superstitious villagers' private religious ritual, the situation takes a turn for the homicidal... and when the blood starts flowing, that's when things get really weird. With THEY'RE WATCHING, noted graphic novelists and animators Micah Wright and Jay Lender turn a classic horror premise upside down to create a fresh, funny, eye-popping twist on the genre.

Trailer:

Review:

*Warning: May contain Spoilers*

This film starts off as the tv crew filming an episode of a international house hunter type show. After the woman buys a home in a small European village, the film crew goes back 6 months later to film the renovated house. The town's people slowly start to creep them out, as well as watch them. They hear about a woman in town, 100 years before, thought to be a witch and was burned alive. Needless to say the town's people believe that history is repeating itself.

This movie is filmed in a POV format. The actors,  mostly a young cast, weren't bad as all. This film is worth the watch, as long as you don't take it seriously and set your mind to just enjoy.

The Black Gate aka the Darkening (1995)

The Black Gate aka the Darkening (1995)

Actors:

Jeff Rector, George Saunders & Rebecca Kyler Downs

Director:

William Mesa

Runtime:

1 hr 20 minutes

Plot:

A psychic visits a woman's seeming idyllic Bed and Breakfast where demons lurk.

Trailer:

Review:

This movie is one of the most cheesiest low quality special effects in 90's B-movies I have ever seen. I had a hard time watching this without wanting to turn the thing off. This film is pg-13, so please don't expect much on the scary parts. 

For those of you who like to sit and watch these movies for the comical aspect please feel free to love this movie for that, otherwise stay away for this film. 

The Ouija Experiment 2 (2015)

The Ouija Experiment 2 (2015)

Actors:

Shannon Snedden, Justin Armstrong &Sally Greenland

Director:

Israel Luna

Runtime:

1 hr 24 minutes

Plot:

A group of unsuspecting theatre goers are trapped, after a ravenous spirit is resurrected and released from a Ouija board.

Trailer:

Review:

Let's start with the special effects, I have seen better at haunted houses as well as the acting. The back story doesn't come out until the last few minutes or so, leaving you wondering throughout most of the movie. While you're able to sit threw it, it's not a well adjusted movie. For the most part, I do not recommend this film.

The Dead Undead (2010)

The Dead Undead (2010)

Actors:

Luke Goss, Matthew R. Anderson & Spice Williams-Crosby

Director:

Matthew R. Anderson & Edward Conna

Runtime:

1 hr 30 minutes

Plot:

A group of peaceful Vampires are infected and turned into crazed zombie like creatures whose only motivation is to feed on flesh, whether Human or Vampire. A group of Vampire commandos tries to keep their identity secret, while trying to stop the spread of the infection. Soldiers from across the ages, it's up to these vampires to end the zombie infection. Caught in the middle is a group of human kids on a camping trip, who team up with the Vampires in an attempt to survive. Written by Eddie Conna

Trailer:

Review:

So I saw this storyline and figure I had to give it a go, zombie vampires?? As far as the acting goes, some of it's bad (overplayed) but mostly not that bad even good at times. The story itself takes a few minutes to get going but overall not terrible. My only major concern is that I'm not convinced that this could be classified as a horror but more of a thriller/action with zombie vampires in it. The special effects are in the b movie category and could use some refining.

While this film could use some work, all in all it's not a bad movie. 

Black Sunday (1960)

Black Sunday (1960)

Actors:

Barbara Steele, John Richardson & Andrea Checci

Director:

Mario Bava

Runtime:

87 minutes

Plot:

A vengeful witch and her fiendish servant return from the grave and begin a bloody campaign to possess the body of the witch's look a like descendant.

Trailer:

Review:

This movie came highly recommended by a lot of people. This is a classic atmospheric film that made Barbara Steele a Horror Scarlet. Director Mario Bava's finest work as well as his first credited work launching his career. The original title was "The Mask of Satan." Everything about this movie was incredible from the set designs and wardrobe to the lighting. 

This is a MUST SEE for horror fans and is one of the best made horror films to date.

Hush (2016)

Hush (2016)

Actors:

Kate Siegel, John Gallagher Jr., Micheal Trucco

Director:

Mike Flanagan

Runtime:

1 hr 21 minutes

Plot:

A deaf writer who retreated into the woods to live a solitary life must fight for her life in silence when a masked killer appears at her window.

Trailer:

Review:

Everything about this film was well thought out and executed perfectly. While the general plot is nothing new, it does have a twist, the heroin is deaf. It isn't a perfect movie, slow in some part but the wrote the heroin to be smart not lucky.

This film turns the tides on the killer, who after discovering the girl was deaf, thought he would have an easy time tormenting her. I loved this movie for what it was and the original part the writer added to an old plot.

Would You Rather (2012)

Would You Rather (2012)

Actors:

Jeffrey Combs, Brittany Snow & June Squibb

Director:

David Guy Levy

Runtime:

1 hr 33 minutes

Plot:

Desperate to help her ailing brother, a young woman unknowingly agrees to compete in a deadly game of "Would you rather," hosted by a sadistic aristocrat (played by Jeffrey Combs).

Trailer:

Review:

By now we are all familiar with the game "would you rather." This film takes it to a whole new sick and demented level. It's rather fun to watch, in a horror kinda way. Some scenes are not for the weak at heart, they can be a tad hard to watch for non-horror fans. 

Jeffrey Combs plays the demented character, yet again like no one else can. Giving a phenomenal performance. The writer, Steffen Schachenhauten, must have had a great time coming up with the either/or's. 

Highly recommend this film to all.

Back up and running

Back up and Running

The reviews will be back up and running on Tuesday, August 16th, 2016 at 12 pm EST.  The first top 10 will be back in September.

I hope you all had a great Summer.

Taking the summer off.

I will be taking the summer off, well most of it. I will be posting again toward the end of August. And will be tweeting when I start up again.

Inside (2012)

Inside (2012)

Actors:

Luke Goss, Paul Rae & Derek Phillips

Director:

 Daryn Tufts

Runetime:

1 hr 25 minutes

Plot:

After succumbing to a drug addiction that cost him his job, almost all of his money, and his dignity, Miles Berrett (Luke Goss) is entering his new home: a tiny cell in an old, run-down prison. Determined to get his life back on track, Miles plans to serve his time and make things right with his wife and daughter.

While asleep on his bunk during his first night locked up, Miles is ripped awake by a terrifying crash. A moment later, in the dark, guards rush past his cell. Working with Anthony (Paul Rae), the "lifer" in the cell next to him, Miles tries to determine what is going on, but this is unlike anything that has ever happened in this prison. Soon, Miles and Anthony hear gunfire. And then screaming... the horrible, sickening screams of a man being torn apart. Something bad is happening in this prison.

Outside of his cell, through the darkness, Miles can hear other inmates talking, yelling—trying to figure out what is happening. A voice over a PA system instructs all of the prisoners to remain calm and quiet. "There has been a situation. It has been contained." But Miles and Anthony know that is a lie. Something is loose in the prison, and it is killing the guards.

After some time, Miles understands that there are no prison guards left and that the thing outside his cell is connected to him.

Trailer:

Review:

This is a small cast, small scale, low-budget movie. Simple plot but worth the watch if you like psychological horrors. The camera work is great and makes the movie. As far as special effects, I only saw one minor miss in the whole film. Luke Goss plays the lead in a very small cast and as always he doesn't disappoint.  Although this movie will probably never appeal to the masses, I  liked it alot and think others would as well.

Top 10 SAW Traps

Top 10 SAW Traps

10. Saw 3D: Final chapter --- Fish hook

9.  Saw ---- Flammable Jelly

8. Saw 3 --- Classroom Trap

7. Saw 1 --- Reverse bear trap

6. Saw 2 --- Death mask

5.  Saw 3D: Final chapter --- Pain Train

4.  Saw 3 --- The Rack

3.  Saw 3D: Final chapter --- Lovers' Triangle

2.  Saw 5 --- The Pit & Pendulum

  1.  Saw 3D: Final chapter --- Junkyard

The Black Magic (2002)

The Black Magic (2002)

Actors:

Daniel Lennox, Christina Wieber & Guy Bracca

Director;

Marc-Ivan O'Gorman

Runtime:

1 hour 31 minutes

Plot:

Three young men taking one last hurrah to Bangkok before one of them gets married. There they meet a Thai woman who ends up dead the next morning. Upon returning home, the men are haunted by the vengeful spirit of the woman.

Trailer:

Review:

This film was inspired to some degree by true event. The acting is average while some are just trying too hard. The story, well that takes a while to develop and than it was still just a basic story that has been told many, many times before. The ending was rather weak as most of the story was. To be honest even for a low-budget this movie is just not worth the time to watch it.

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

The Conjuring 2 (2016)

Actors:

Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga & Frances O'Connor

Director:

James Wan

Runtime:

2 hr 13 minutes

Plot:

In 1977, paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren come out of a self-imposed sabbatical to travel to Enfield, a borough in north London. There, they meet Peggy Hodgson, an overwhelmed single mother of four who tells the couple that something evil is in her home. Ed and Lorraine believe her story when the youngest daughter starts to show signs of demonic possession. As the Warrens try to help the besieged girl, they become the next target of the malicious spirits.

Trailer:

Review:

Based on actual events around Ed and Lorraine Warren, this film is about England's version of Amityville and is the most documented haunting to date. With James Wan as the director this movie lacks for nothing as per usual for him. The cast and crew did an amazing job. Special effects were great and no mess-ups that I could see.
There were plenty of jump scares and even got me on one (which rarely happens). I took my 81 yr old mother with me to see this (she's not a horror fan in any way) and she also loved this film as well. Even if she got scared a bit.  This being a brand new film I am not going into great detail so I do not include spoilers, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND  this to everyone, even non horror fans. This one surpassed the first one and is one of the few sequels that are much better than the original.  

Patrick: Evil Awakens (2013)

Patrick: Evil Awakens (2013)

Actors:

Jackson Gallagher, Sharni Vinson & Charles Dance

Director:

Mark Hartley

Runtime:

1 hr 36 minutes

Plot:

Kathy (Sharni Vinson) is a young nurse that is eager to prove herself in her new job in an isolated psychiatric clinic. She's intrigued by Patrick (Jackson Gallagher), a comatose patient that her boss Dr. Roget (Charles Dance) assures her is incapable of truly responding to any external stimuli. Kathy is horrified by the experiments that Roget and his nurse Matron Cassidy (Rachel Griffiths) inflict upon him, and she's initially pleased when she finds a way to communicate with him. This quickly turns to horror when Patrick uses his psychic abilities to interfere with her life outside of the hospital, as Patrick has grown obsessed with Kathy and will harm anyone that he deems to be interfering with his relationship with her.

Trailer:

Review:

This is a low budget (remake) Australian horror film. The special effects are very well done for a low budget, I've seen some higher budget films with worse to be honest. The cinematography in this film was done by Garry Richards and he did a splendid job. The lead actress Sharni Vinson (You're Next) was great as always. And the rest of the cast was good in general.

The plot itself makes you think twice about comatose people and telekinesis in a whole new light. Basically the movie is about a stalker in a coma with the ability to make your life hell. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

The Possession of Michael King (2014)

The Possession of Michael King  (2014)

Actors:

 Shane Johnson, Ella Anderson, Cara Pifko 

Director:

David Jung

Runtime:

1 hr 23 minutes

Plot:

Michael , who doesn't believe in God or the Devil. Following the sudden death of his wife, Michael decides to make his next film about the search for the existence of the supernatural, making himself the center of the experiment - allowing demonologists, necromancers, and various practitioners of the occult to try the deepest and darkest spells and rituals they can find on him - in the hopes that when they fail, he'll once and for all have proof that religion and the paranormal are nothing more than myth. But something does happen. An evil and horrifying force has taken over Michael King. And it will not let him go.

Trailer:

Review:

There are almost as many possession movies that have come out in the past few years as zombie movies. Along with the movie "Possession", this movie is another gem that stands above the rest. With special effects and trick photography matched along side a great storyline make this film worth the watch. The actors while some are over the top, the lead character, Michael King, played by Shane Johnson, couldn't have been played better.  

I highly recommend this film to everyone.