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. 

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. 

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. 

Top 10 Creatures/ Monsters in Horror

Top 10 Creatures/ Monsters in Horror

 

Honorable Mention : Hybrid Micheal – Underworld 1 & 2  

 Because I couldn't not include a hybrid vampire/lycan.. TOO HOTT!

 

 

10. Mr. Boogie – Sinister

He's just plain out creepy.

 

 

9. Clover – Cloverfield

A truly new over sized monster well made.

 

8. Crawlers – The Descent

Whether you like the movie or not practical effects were awesome.

  

7. Brundlefly (Hybrid Fly) – The Fly 1986

By far surpasses the original.

6. Jackal – 13 Ghosts

While the Jackal was one of many from this movie, IMO he was the best and none of the

monsters were bad.

 

5. Pumpkinhead – Pumpkinhead Series

Stan Winston's effects team, no need to say anything more.

4. Roaches – Mimic

Over-sized creepy roaches, eww.

 

3. Dogs – Resident Evil

Who ever designed these, is just a sick puppy.

 

2. Licker – Resident Evil

Okay, Resident Evil could have taken more than two slots but had to narrow it down.

 

1. Monster – Jeepers Creepers

Well thought out design, works well in light and dark lighting. Never seen anything like it before. Absolutely beautiful design work.

Castle Freak (1995)

Castle Freak (1995)

Actors:

Jeffrey Combs, Barbara Crampton & Jonathan Fuller

Director:

Stuart Gordon

Run Time:

1 hour 34 minutes

Plot:

A troubled couple and their blind daughter come to Italy to visit a 12th century castle they have inherited. Soon they are plagued by unexplained noises, mysteriously broken object sand  the daughter's claims of an unknown nocturnal visitor to her bedroom. When the housekeeper and a local prostitute and are discovered savagely murdered in the castle's dungeon, John must unlock the castle's secret to save himself from jail and his family from the castle's secret inhabitant. 

Trailer:

Review:

 Jeffrey Combs, plays a normal husband and father with a troubled marriage in this film, quite the opposite from many of the roles he ususally plays or is known for and its rather refreshing to see another side of his acting chops.

 There are some greatly gruesome practial special effects in the horror. If you get squemish this might not be the movie for you. There are not alot of squemish parts but just enough. This is for a select audience only or what I call "an under the covers" watcher. 

While the plot and special effects are fine, this film lacks something to make it great.

Leprechaun Origins (2014)

Leprechaun Origins (2014)

Actors:

Dylan Posll, Stephanie Bennett & Andrew Dunbar

Director:

Zach Lipovsky

Run time:

90 minutes

Plot:

Two young couples backpacking through Ireland discover that one of Ireland's most famous legends is a terrifying reality.

Trailer:

Review:

This version of a leprechaun is not 3 feet tall and wears a green suit and hat, it's more of a medieval creature on which the legend is based on (sort of reminds me of Pumkinhead). This is more of a horror than the rest of the movie franchise. To be honest this film wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Fright Night (Original vs Remake)

Fright Night
Original	Remake
1985	2011
Actors: Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale & Amanda Bearse	Actors: Anton Yelchin, Colin Farrell & David Tennant
Director: Tom Holland	Director: Craig Gillespie
Run Time: 1hour 46 minutes	Run Time: 1hour 46 Minutes
Acting: I was not impressed with the acting chops in this version. Lack luster casting.	Acting: With the cast being made up of accomplished actors as it is the acting in this one out ranked the original.
Effects: There wasn't really that many effects to   be honest and the few they had were okay.		Effects: Both practical and cgi effects were used in this and well done at that but nothing you haven't seen before.
Intensity: The intensity was lacking in this version, but a lot of mid 80s horror did.		Intensity: Higher than average intensity but not thru the roof.
Review: Hands down over all the Remake wins special effects, better storyline and casting. Over all the remake was a much better movie than the Orginal.

The Fly (Original vs Remake)

The Fly
Original	Remake
1958	1986
Actors: David Hedison, Vincent Price & Patricia Owens	Actors: Jeff Goldblum, Geena Davis & John Getz
Director: Kurt Newmann	Director: David Cronenburg
Run Time: 1hour 34 minutes	Run Time: 1hour 36 Minutes
Acting: For me was not that impressive as a matter of fact it was ordinary for the 50s & 60s.	Acting: Jeff Goldblum shined in this version and played his role like only he could.
Effects: Not that the 50s had the best special effects but even for it's day this film lacked for quality effects.		Effects: In the 80s, special effects were starting to evolve and this film was (imo) very much in the forefront of that evolution.
Review: While both films had the same basic plot, the storylines itself separate these two movies. To me, there is a clear winner between them, the remake.

Rumpelstiltskin (1995)

Rumpelstiltskin (1995) 

Actors:

Kim Johnston Ulrich, Max Grodénchik & Allyce Beasley 

Director:

 Mark Jones

Run time:

1h 27min

Plot:

In the 1400s, Rumpelstiltskin is imprisoned inside a small jade figurine. In modern-day Los Angeles, the recently widowed wife of a police officer, with baby in tow, finds her way into a witch's shop and purchases a certain figurine, resulting in the cackling beast being freed and demanding possession of the baby. 

Trailer:

 Review:

The story and acting are pretty weak for the most part. This film is a hot mess even for low budget. Bad one-liners, special effects nothing special. "Leprechaun"feel to it but the director/writer, Mark Jones was on this film as well. Not a movie I would recommend watching.

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)

Actors:

Richard Carlson, Julie Adams & Richard Denning

Director:

Jack Arnold

Run Time:

1h 19 min

Plot:

After Dr. Carl Maia finds unique skeletal remains, a group of scientists led by David Reed head down the Amazon to see if other remains can be found. They have little luck at first until hearing that further downriver lies the Black Lagoon where other fossils might be found. They get more than they bargained for when they discover a living prehistoric creature - a half-man, half amphibious reptile - that doesn't take kindly to their attempts to capture him. The creature takes a liking to Kay Lawrence and kidnaps her but goes to war against the scientists and won't let them leave the lagoon. 

Trailer:

Review:

One of the original classic creature features. Cinematography and effects were great for its time. The creature makeup was innovative for its era. Must see creature feature.