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.

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.

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 Corpse Vanishes (1942)

The Corpse Vanishes (1942)

Actors:
Bela Lugosi, Luanna Walters & Tristram Coffin

Director:
Wallace Fox

Runtime:
64 Minutes


Plot:
A scientist, aided by an old hag & her two sons - a malicious dwarf and a brutish moron, kills virgin brides, steals their bodies, & extracts gland fluid to keep his ancient wife alive and young.

Trailer:

Review:
This is one of Lugosi's campier horror movies but as most Lugosi films very atmospheric and I, for the most part, love just about anything he's in. This is a Poverty Row production so it is a low budget film for its day.