Category: Movie Review

JEEPERS CREEPERS (2001)

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Written & Directed By: Victor Salva 
Cinematography: Don E. FauntLeRoy
Editor: Ed Marx 

Cast: Gina Philips, Eileen Brennan, Justin Long, Jonathan Breck, Patricia Belcher, Brandon Smith 

A brother and sister driving home through isolated countryside for spring break encounter a flesh-eating creature that is in the midst of its ritualistic eating spree.

When it comes to this film it will always come surrounded by controversy. Not only because of the director’s past crimes and their horrific nature of them but also because he has continued to make films for the general public. Not to mention in his work since he got out of jail for his crimes. His films have alluded to or given a showcase to his fetishes so to speak. At least that is what those who know of his past have been able to notice.

Especially when it comes to scenes such as him sniffing the boy’s underwear and seemingly intent on hunting the male lead down more than anything.

When it comes to Victor Salva he is a talented filmmaker. His film before this POWDER seemed to come across as a thinly disguised apology and a kind of begging for forgiveness about his past. Like this film, it was a surprise hit. Even though it was more of a family drama.

Here he gets to sink his teeth into an original tale. Where he even created a new iconic horror movie monster for a generation. The film definitely goes for jump scares and the element of surprise as it builds up the tension and sense of dread. As it is a film the audience has to have patience.

The protagonists of the film use back roads to avoid traffic. Which also sets the film’s mood of desolation. As we barely see any people other than The leads and the monster for plenty of stretches.

The film is a low budget yet still feels like a movie that could have been made in the 1970s or 80s where there is an emphasis on the special effects which are practical but it stays somewhat a mystery and instead focuses on the characters. Mainly the two leads who are playing siblings and as the film goes along.

The brother played by Justin Long goes from being more the happy-go-lucky joking character to the most haunted. As his sister becomes more and more tough and protective. 

The film is almost like THE PREDATOR. Not as action-packed but it is essentially a film about a monster hunting its prey.

One scene In Particular truly saves the film And is truly noteworthy the police station massacre. As this is a film that whenever there is the action you are thankful as the film truly becomes exciting.

The film truly never offers too much information on the creature; it could only go two ways. Part one in a series that will get into the origins of the creature (which it did) or remain a mystery as a one-off film (which might have been better. Especially for it having a more lasting legacy)

This is a film that is more In tune with watching it in a theater or the closest to a theatrical experience that you can manage to get its full impact. 

The film is seen as a classic by a few. As the scares are original yet feel cheap. It doesn’t help that the film was followed by two sequels that felt somewhat needed but didn’t do anything to deepen the lore or impress that they needed to be told. 

The other aspect that made me enjoy the film is it’s dark ending. Which really feels like a gut punch. 

Grade: C

THE SADNESS (2022)

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Written & Directed By: Rob Jabbaz 
Cinematography: Jib-le bai

Cast: Berant Zhu, Regina Lai, Ying-Ru Chan, Emerson Tsai, Wei-Hua lan 

After a year of combating a pandemic with relatively benign symptoms, a frustrated nation finally lets its guard down. This is when the virus spontaneously mutates, giving rise to a mind-altering plague. The streets erupt into violence and depravity, as those infected are driven to enact the most cruel and ghastly things they can think of. Murder, torture, rape and mutilation are only the beginning. A young couple is pushed to the limits of sanity as they try to reunite amid the chaos. The age of civility and order is no more. There is only “The Sadness”.

This movie was a challenge. As it wasn’t the gore that disturbed as this is a zombie movie that was kind of expected. Even as it went far beyond what we might be used to in a zombie film. 

This was a movie that truly lived up to Its title as This was well Made but disturbing at least to me so much I can’t really recommend it. It is generally a disturbing film  As it all had no point 

Not only For the general fire but the film as a whole. 

As if it just wants to be a more realistic and downbeat horror film that is one thing, but it goes above and beyond to be more provocative. Its general disturbance includes sexual assault and other depravities and there are other Films that are worse, but they don’t seem to kind of revel in it so much. Where you wonder ? What is the point? Just to be the worst.

Albeit though this is a zombie film it is more like 28 days later where it is more of a virus that makes everyone violent and can be killed like any other human. There are no special rules. As there is a minor explanation, but mostly seems to take the narrative of Will we see the two leads introduced in the beginning. Finally, make their way back towards one another.

The film is depraved and cynical throughout. It just seems to go above and beyond to shock the violence and atrocities. Maybe I am getting old and prudish but I need some reasoning if you are going to go that far. I am usually a horror film fan also. 

This is obviously not a film for the lighthearted. If this sounds like your type of film, go for it. Unfortunately for me, it is not my cup of tea. 

Again not a badly filmed movie. Just too much for no real reason.

CURE (1997)

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Written & Directed By: Kiyoshi Kurosawa
Cinematography: Tokusho Kikumura
Editor: Kan Suzuki

Cast: Koji Yakusho, Tsuy Oshiujik, Masato Hagiwara, Anna Nakagawa 

A frustrated detective deals with the case of several gruesome murders committed by people who have no recollection of what they’ve done.

This is a film that the less you know about it the better. Though it still will have no overall effect on your enjoyment or feelings. It does help you to discover things as the characters do.

This movie is a marvel, not one to easily describe. It plays as a psychological thriller and horror but is more like a piece of art above all Else.

The film is tightly composed and contains a stillness. As well as staying very quiet no matter the violence that is shown.

Where the violence is shown more in the aftermath. Rather than actual attacks or actions. 

The mood and tone of the film never managed to rise. It stays dry, quiet, cold, and measured at its own pace. Which whole being a thriller is impressive as we watch pieces come together. Though still, some remain unexplained. 

The film manages to keep us interested and learning as it goes on. As this is a film that is best to pay attention to all the details though at Its speed it would be hard to miss certain elements.

The film eventually breaks down into a cat and mouse game between the suspect and the detective but it involves so much more that might be red herrings such as conspiracies. 

Some of the film’s threads that seem to connect to one another unravel or come off as some kind of coincidence. 

What helps throw the audience off is that there is no lead-up to the violence or actions of the characters. It just seems to happen and we are presented with it offering no rhyme or reason at first. Seemingly random and dealing with the aftermath. Which can be scarier than knowing the motive where you can rationale or understand 

Grade: B+

EVIL DEAD TRAP (1988)

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Directed By: Toshiharu Ikeda
Written By: Takashi Ishii 
Cinematography: Masaki Tamura 
Editor: Akimasa Kawashima 

Cast: Miyuki Ono, Aya Katsuragi, Hitomi Kobayashi, Eriko Nakagawa, Masahiko Abe

A late-night TV presenter receives a snuff tape, in which a woman is brutally killed. She decides to take a crew out to a location indicated in the tape, but only death and despair await them.

This is a movie best to go in blind as even if described it can never match the experience of watching it and what actually happens throughout the film. 

The location of the film the warehouse that the characters go through Is a character In itself as it seems the deeper and longer they stay there it seems to get bigger and as they journey along it seems like they are going deeper and deeper into hell on earth. A demented funhouse that seems to be a playhouse for the killer. 

This is a movie I had heard about for a while but from its title believed it to be an Evil dead movie Rip off. 

The irony is that the film actually does at times seem to have homages to the film of Its title’s inspiration with scenes of a rampaging camera going throughout the location. As seemingly whoever the evil is seeking.

You also have to consider when the film was made and released. As it’s a refreshingly original film where you can see the inspiration for many other horror films. In its, DNA is definitely in the SAW movie franchise with the boobs traps and graphic violence and consequences. 

The special effects and make-up are impressive and practical. Especially for the time as you can tell this was a film made with love of the genre 

Unfortunately, one of the few weaknesses of the film is that while trying to serve us sec and nudity, which seemed more common for the genre at the time we get a graphic sec scene but we also get a totally unnecessary graphic rape scene. That really adds nothing but gives the film an unneeded sense of depravity. Punishing certain Characters even more cruelly than needed and for no reason.

This is the kind of film where after a while you kind of give up all hope of sense or the film comes to a logical conclusion and just goes with it the chaos that it offers up and hopes it is worth it or it stays as unpredictable as it has presented itself so far. 

The film doesn’t have a big body count but makes up for it with impressive and original kills. Not to mention piling on the tension at times. Even if towards the end it feels a little long and overplayed. 

Grade: B

IL DEMONIO (1967)

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Directed & Story By: Brunello Rondi

Written By: Brunello Rondi, Ugo Guerra & Luciano Martino

Cinematography: Carlo Bellero

Editor: Mario Serandrei

Cast: Daliah Lavi, Frank Wolff, Anna Maria Aveta, Dario Dolci, Francs Mazzoni, Rossana Rovere 

A lonely, sexually-uninhibited young peasant is subjected to an exorcism after she hexes a man who rejects her advances.

This is a film I had never heard of before and stumbled upon. Definitely did not regret it.

What will attract many to this film is the lead played by Daliah Levi, She is amazing in her role and quite gorgeous. That you can see why so many are tempted by her. She throws herself into the role even more physically in one acne where she continuously contorts her body. She is as beautiful as the cinematography throughout.

This is an obsessive love story that turns into madness and questionable passion or a growing mental illness that seems to grow into group hysteria. By the end of the film, there is barely anyone who is truly innocent.

This film can be seen as a precursor or maybe even an early inspiration for Isabelle Adjani’s Iconic performance in POSSESSION

The film is a neorealist Italian movie with religious overtones and folk horror elements.

The film plays out a tragedy really as for all of those supposedly scared of her. She is ultimately a victim throughout. Most of the men trying to save or cure her violate or viciously attack her. All of them so-called holy and come down with her throw her away. Even the man she is in love with the man who blames his lust for her. All on her as some kind of spell. 

At first, her lover does come across as a victim but becomes a villain by the end. As the film tries to showcase what has led him to this path. His own mind of mental breakdown is tied to religion, lust, and folklore. 

This film definitely shows how misogynistic and exploitive those so-called true believers are when it comes to women and especially if they show any sexuality or seem to enjoy sex 

GRADE: B-

UNHUMAN (2022)

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Directed By: Marcus Dunstan 
Written By: Marcus Dunstan & Patrick Melton
Cinematography: Lyn Moncrief 
Editor: Andrew Wesman

Cast: Brianne Tju, Benjamin Wadsworth, Drew Schneid, Uriah Sulton, Ali Gallo, Peter Giles, Joshua Mikel, Lo Graham, C.J. Leblanc 

A group of high school students whose school bus crashes on a field trip. Relationships are tested once they realize they are being stalked by an attacker who intends to drive them out and straight into a horrifying fight to survive.

This might have been better off as an MTV original movie rather than an epic original release. Maybe even a television series to stretch it out and back itself up when it comes to plausibility. As it would explain thoroughly who the audience is more aimed at and would make more sense with the direction and twists.

As it tries to do something different or new with its premise in the zombie genre. Which works for it and against it depending on certain audience members. As it tries to do something original, that one can admire and probably helped it get made, but ultimately doesn’t exactly work.

Though the film can be quite entertaining. It remains that way only If you take it for what it offers and don’t try to think too hard. Then it is perfect popcorn entertainment with a twist. That you might be able to see coming. 

As the camera angles and shots are distracting as they are more used in music videos and make the film come off more as jittery. This is why it feels more like an MTV-style production. Other than most of the cast being teenage characters as the adults are taken out quickly 

As it goes for a THE BREAKFAST CLUB explanation of showing that the characters are more than Initially thought and are more well-rounded. While we see them break out of their so-called roles. 

Though ultimately the hero is the one who seems to have no identity through all of this seems to create one. Even though we are never quite sure she is the way she is. Though she does give us a hero who can be physical but is more defined by her quick thinking and ultimate smarts.

Luckily the movie isn’t as exploitive as it could be. It sticks To the genre rules and even has a  final girl of sorts. Though it is heavily edited like it has its own problems when it comes to attention spans and feels rather aggressive. 

This film reminds me of DETENTION directed by Joseph Kahn. Though that film is stronger visually and in theme. This feels like a more lighthearted and cleaner version.

GRADE: C

NIGHT TEETH (2021)

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Directed By: Adam Randall 
Written By: Brent Dillon
Cinematography: Eben Dolter
Editor: Dominic LaPerriere 

Cast: Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry, Raul Castillo, Alfie Allen, Megan Fox, Sydney Sweeney, Marlene Forte, Ash Santos, Jaren Mitchell 

A college student moonlighting as a chauffeur picks up two mysterious women for a night of party-hopping across LA. But when he uncovers their bloodthirsty intentions – and their dangerous, shadowy underworld – he must fight to stay alive.

This feels like a film that is more interested in being cool and having street credentials. Rather than being good or at least entertaining.

Even when it is good, which is rare, it feels like it wants to be stylish over everything. One of the film’s few saving Graces is that style. Not to mention a likable cast.

Which includes a familiar cast as well as two cameos for no real reason but pads the cast list with some more recognizable names.

The story tries to do modern updates and add action. While also having a dive-read cast that makes it become more urban and offers an Us Vs. Them outlook. As the vampires are usually European in lineage and caucasian. Also, the differences seem more upper crust and prejudice against others, not of their lineage.

Whereas the vampire hunters are more people of color but also made more to look like gang members. Even though they are more the heroes of the film.

The film’s story is kind of a horror movie version of the film COLLATERAL. While the film is heavy on the action at times that seems more focused on the horror aspects. The film also feels more inspired by BLADE overall but not quite as good or original as that film. Maybe trying to offer one for a new generation of sorts to claim as their own.

The villain of the film played by Alfie Allen seems more like a brat and not as dangerous. Due to us more being told how bad and dangerous he is but rarely seen. Especially as he barks orders and threatens. Rather than take any Action.

The film seems to show more strength for a character who can only come with power overall. As it plays into too many Hollywood and nightlife cliches of hipness 

In the end, the film feels like a time waster with barely a point other than everyone looks good. While also planting an obligatory love story.

Grade: D 

PATRICK (1978)

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Directed By: Richard Franklin 
Written By: Everett DeRouche 
Cinematography: Don McAlpine
Editor: Edward McQueen-Mason 

Cast: Susan Penhaligon, Robert Helpmann, Rod Mullinar, Bruce Barry, Julia Blake, Helen Hemingway, Maria Mercedes

A comatose hospital patient harasses and kills through his powers of telekinesis to claim his private nurse as his own.

This is one of those films that has been recommended over the years as a horror classic; it has even been remade once. Which I have yet to actually watch. Just as I kind of wish I never watched this movie. 

The film has a great premise and story but the follow-through is mostly dull and feels protracted. With a slow follow-through. 

It tries to have an atmosphere and come off more as a drama that’s trapped and has some horror elements. 

The film does have some chills but does little with them. You wait around for something to happen or at least become stronger. Which rarely comes and when it does it feels lame.

There is some decent jump Scares especially at the end but it never feels worth it. As the film doesn’t bother too much with the why’s.

The film feels more quaint than a horror film. As if looking for blood or violence this do not the film. It gets by with more scares and suggestions. Almost like an improv 

You will be able to predict the victims, but not necessarily the deaths. Maybe this is more if a think audience members horror film because of a keen lack of flash and excitement

GRADE: C-

THE STYLIST (2020)

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Directed By: Jill Gevargizian
Written By: Jill Gevargizian, Eric Stolze & Eric Havens
Cinematography: Robert Patrick Stern 
Editor: John Pata

Cast: Najarra Townsend, Brea Grant, Jennifer Seward, Sarah McGuire, Davis Derock

A lonely hair stylist becomes obsessed with the lives of her clients and descends into murderous madness.

When first encountering this film with its premise one would think the movie would go for the more campy or over-the-top ridiculous route considering its storyline. Shockingly it doesn’t.

It doesn’t even go for a female version of MANIAC. What it does manage to do is set a specific creeping tone that is delicate and feels like a tragedy as it goes through the motions.

While it is bloody the violence doesn’t feel gratuitous. Which makes it a little more shocking when it does. Especially the initial scalping.

It also makes the deaths in the film feel a little more personal and tragic. Even when not really getting to know the characters being killed. So it makes the film feel all the more realistic. 

It also paints the character with a fair amount of sympathy. As the film keeps her past a little more mysterious. You can tell there is mental pain and an Illness going on. This leads actress Najaraa Townsend to express and communicate with very little dialogue and plenty of body language. 

Brea grant also makes an impression as her client and the person she reaches out to most of all which gives the film also a kind of homoerotic feel in scenes between them. Even when trying to bond.

The film mostly comes off as a dark character study and ends up being deeper than expected and admirable for it.

Grade: B

THE RENTAL (2020)

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Directed by: Dave Franco
Written By: Dave Franco & Joe Swanberg
Story By: Dave Franco, Joe Swanberg & Mike Demski
Cinematography: Christian Sprenger 
Editor: Kyle Reiter 

Cast: Alison Brie, Dan Stevens, Sheila Vand, Jeremy Allen White, Toby Huss 

Two couples on an oceanside getaway grow suspicious that the host of their seemingly perfect rental house may be spying on them. Before long, what should have been a celebratory weekend trip turns into something more sinister, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the four old friends come to see each other in a new light.

This is a fascinating film, as at first, it seems like it will be a relationship movie mixed In as a thriller, but then in the third act it goes full-on horror film.

It is a film that is best to go blind into. As part of its charm are the surprises and twists. Which won’t be told but will be hinted at throughout this review. 

Like the nature of the film We sit back and just watch the characters. We are rescued to them more in the middle as they are coming upon this rented house. We start to get the feel of the characters and their relationships toward some another.

Which takes over the first half of the Movie. It becomes more claustrophobic when an action happens that ends up In a secret that two of the characters are desperate to keep. Which is where the terror starts. What could have easily been settled by calling the cops grows into more problems than pushes them apart and complicates the situation.

It also helps that there is a lot of set up’s that are hinted at before. As it gets deeper there is much more interference in the characters’ lives. 

I give credit to director and co-writer Dave Franco for making a film that most actors making their debut films Don’t do at first. It seems he is making a more melodramatic film. But then he ends up making a more popcorn audience-friendly film. That is a bit more commercial while being able to stick to its indie and dramatic roots.

The characters aren’t dislikable but do come off as a bit privileged and annoying. At least two In particular do the ones with the secret. Though the actors are all solid. 

Though not as gory or action-oriented as the collector films and franchises. This film does remind the audience of those films in the fact that it almost can easily be designed as a franchise or sequel. Though if there is one since the secret is out, they have rearrange the film to be surprising. 

Grade: C+