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

MY BEST FRIEND’S EXORCISM (2022)

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Directed By: Damon Thomas
Written By: Jenna Lamia
Based On The Novel By: Grady Hendrix
Cinematography: Rob Givens 
Editor: Brad Turner 

Cast: Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Rachel Ogechi Kanu, Cathy Ang, Christopher Lowell,  Clayton Royal Johnson, Cameron Bass

Teen best friends Abby and Gretchen grapple with an otherworldly demon that takes up residence in Gretchen’s body.

First off let me say that I have read the book and I am a fan of it. 

Next, let me say that this film is pretty faithful to the material. It is also quite different. As the movie plays drier and less spirited than the book.

It’s like the film followed the recipe but seemed to skip some ingredients. I don’t know if this was on purpose or because of the budget. A nice attempt that never quite cuts to the heart. 

As while it does count as a horror film. It also feels more to stay in the safe realm of Pg-13 because it wants to appeal to a younger female audience. As it feels a bit disconnected from other audience members.

The cast is fairly unknown for the most part which works. As it leaves everyone open to being a victim or being taken out and not safe because of their stardom.

Through the film. Betrays them by making most of the characters so stereotypical or one-sided that again we never really get to know or feel anything for them except for the two leads. Even in some dramatic moments for the supporting characters it never reaches the level of emotion it could because you barely know them. 

It’s nice to see a film with a cast so diverse and Christopher Lowell as one of the lemon brothers is energetic and hilarious. Even though he is not in the film nearly enough. He is truly what helps keep the film afloat. As he is the only one here who seems to provide those qualities which the film heavily lacks most of the time. Making it come off as more workman-like and less caring.

It might also be that until Christopher Lowell’s character shows up the movie has no sense of humor. It seems set at playing it straight. Which kind of sucks the air out of the room instead of keeping your interests fully. As it comes off as bland as sugarless gum. Sure a hint of flavor, but for the most part you are just chewing your own backwash.

Elsie Fisher is the lead and makes for a truly memorable heroine as she does most of the heavy lifting throughout.

The film also shows the screenplay principle of constantly introducing something as minor and it coming back to be a major point or detail later in the movie. 

It’s not a horrible movie but a movie that needed maybe a draft or two more before the endeavor was taken into production. As there are the bones of a good movie here.

Can give it credit as trying to be for a certain audience and not ever going for exploitation and trying to stick strictly to its story. Even if it feels a little more cut and dry for it. 

For a film about possession. The film seems to lack a spirit of Its own. Yes, I read the original book which had plenty of it. It stays faithful in following the recipe but seems to be missing many vital ingredients

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+

THE LIE (2018)

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Written & Directed By: Veena Sud
Based On the Film “WIR MONSTER” Written By: Marcus Seibert & Sebastian Ko
Cinematography: Peter Wurstorf
Editor: Phil Fowler

Cast: Peter Sarsgaard, Mireille Enos, Joey King, Cas Anvar, Patti Kim, Nicholas Lea, Devery Jacobs, Dani Kind 

A father and daughter are on their way to dance camp when they spot the girl’s best friend on the side of the road. When they stop to offer the friend a ride, their good intentions soon result in terrible consequences.

I believe this is a sign that Blumhouse might produce too many movies.

Here they have a good cast and a decent filmmaker. What plays like a LAW & ORDER episode from the grieving parents of a suspect’s point of view. Which has been done before with great casts (BEFORE & AFTER with Liam Neeson & Meryl Streep)

That you know when you see the Blumhouse moniker you know what genre you are going to get but not necessarily the quality. As with this film and quite a few recently this film plays like Blumhouse’s version of a television movie. As there is nothing hardcore objectionable or hardcore. 

This film at least tries to be more dramatic though with so many questionable decisions and repetitious arguments. Then when the ending comes Along it doesn’t feel earned.

It feels like a film that chooses filler to justify an ending that feels like a cheat code by the director. So that it feels more like a trick overall.

Some might say the audience feels this way because they never see the ending coming, but it would be one thing when you shock the audience and that moment has been earned. Here it feels like the beginning and end were thought of first and the rest was just to keep the film going.

As the film has many directions it could have gone. It lays out plenty of motives but then lets the audience get a hint of them before abandoning for its dull and ham-fisted determination of an ending that the feel will be a roundhouse but is more a sucker punch.

The film is competently composed and filmed and the performances are on point, but in the end, the film feels like a cheap trick 

Grade: D+

ALL ABOUT EVIL (2010)

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Written & Directed By: Joshua Grannell
Cinematography: Tom Richmond 
Editor: Rick LeCompte 

Cast: Natasha Lyonne, Thomas Dekker, , Cassandra Peterson, Mink Stole, Noah Segan, Jack Donner, Kat Turner, Jade Ramsey, Nikita Ramsey 

A mousy librarian inherits her father’s beloved but failing old movie house. In order to save the family business she discovers her inner serial killer – and a legion of rabid gore fans – when she starts turning out a series of grisly shorts. What her fans don’t realize yet is that the murders in the movies are all too real.

This film is campy as hell. It feels like a lost John Waters-inspired script.

As it plays homage to horror films of the past but never plays it relatively straight or dramatic each scene feels filled with comedy more than anything.

As the film is over the top as is its Star Natasha Lyonne who is truly one of the only reasons I watched this film. As I have been trying to see it since it first came out and only have had a chance to finally more recently. As she was THE IT girl of indie cinema at the time. This is truly a star-making role for her as she truly gets to go off the wall and fully inhabits the madness of her character and the silliness of the film. 

As this paved the way for the type of roles and characters she would soon play after this. This is more of an introduction to those types, especially as a character who marches to the best of her own drummer.

You can Tell she is having a ball in the role. As it is truly a transformation. Her character starts off the film as meek and shy; throughout each kill, she gains confidence. Until she actually becomes a diva and star. Who gets more stylish and develops a different way of speaking. Like a classic movie star. She also gains a murderous entourage to help her with her kills and productions. Who seems scarier than she but they obey.

Noah Segal in particular is a hilarious scene stealer. As is a veteran actor Jack Donner. It’s also nice to see actress Cassandra Peterson in an actual character role that is not her infamous one of Elvira, mistress of the dark. Even though the film does throw in a joke about that. 

You can never take this film or anything in it seriously. Though it is silly and stupid at times it stays fun throughout. If you are into this type of humor. Even the ending that involves poison has to go grotesque in an absurd way. 

The deaths are inspired and gory. Most of the deaths happen to characters who are annoying or villains. 

It might warm movie fans’ hearts to see that the filmed death scenes were made to be short films. Usually, they are like public service announcements of what not to do at movies to disturb the experience and the consequences of what you do.

Thigh the killers are portrayed as scary they are demented and you enjoy the film more when they are on screen. The scenes of the supposedly normal characters are much scarier. As they are completely off but considered normal or sane. As everybody In This film is somewhat off in some way 

In the end, it just feels like a film of a different era. Yet very specific in its aim and intentions 

Grade: C+

NOT ANOTHER TEEN MOVIE (2001)

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Directed By: Joel Gallen 
Written By: Michael G. Bender, Adam Jay Epstein, Andrew Jacobson, Phil Beauman & Buddy Johnson 
Cinematography: Reynaldo Villalobos 
Editor: Steven Welch 

Cast: Chris Evans, Chyler Leigh, Jaime Pressly, Eric Christian Olsen, Mia Kirshner, Samm Levine, Ron Lester, Joanna Garcia, Sam Hunnington, Randy Quaid, Lacey Chabert, Eric Jungmann, Cody McMains, Nectar Rose, Samaire Armstrong, Beverly Polcyn, Ed Lauter, Paul Gleason, Mr. T, Molly Ringwald, Cerina Vincent

A sendup of all the teen movies that have accumulated in the past two decades. After breaking up with his girlfriend, Priscilla, a popular jock, Jake Wyler makes a bet with his friends that he can’t make ‘ugly girl’ Janey Briggs into prom queen. After spending more and more time with Janey, Jake really starts to think whether he wants to keep the bet on or not.

The first thing you’ll notice about this movie is that it looks ugly. The sets, the film everything looks washed out but still dirty, heaped, and grungy. One remembers how heavily this was advertised primarily by MTV at the time

The scenes never look Natural or even nice looking. The actors look like they have either bad hair dye jobs or bad wigs. The actors are all obviously too old to play teenage characters though that is part of the spoofing.

While this film has Its moments and makes a point here and there nailing its targets it still needs a major overhaul. A lot of jokes seem repetitive and are not clever, they are nasty. Just to be nasty. The film is not as smart as it likes to think it is.

The film feels like a rushed product. Like it is speeding along not aware of its Many flaws. As it seems fast and loose and doesn’t pay any respect or seem to have more than a general understanding of the films it is parodying.

The cast is likable but this film will only serve you with a few chuckles, but hardly a laugh. Even as a spoof this film needed to be better thought out. Like THE SIMPSONS or the NAKED GUN series of films. Which could be lowbrow and funny but still had a lot of well-thought-out and set-up jokes.

One of the good things in this movie is a lockable cast. Especially actress Chyler Leigh as the female lead. She is the only thing that shines bright in the pit of despair of this film. Also the abundant nudity of actress Cerina Vincent as the foreign exchange student. Which is like a work of art itself. On the opposite spectrum, it is sad to see Randy Quaid in this film. As he is a better actor than the material and he gives a bad performance. Then again he doesn’t have that much to work with.

Just like the characters, it highlights the film seems a bit too juvenile as it is obsessed with sex and nudity. Of course, the characters are but it feels like that is the main interest of the film Also. Which leaves it for only a certain kind of audience

When it comes to spoofing. Too many go for the easy jokes that they are supposed to be about, but a truly strung spoof will somehow raise above what they are spoofing to be a strong comedy in their own right and that seems to be a rarity. This is why when it comes to films such as these they never rise above a certain level

I can give the film credit that it hits all of its marks, but unfortunately not in a very clever way and all the cruder. At least not as bad as it seemed like a lot of spoof movies at the time that just tried to be year-end send-ups of whatever was popular or trending, this was better as it was more focused but barely. That seems to have needed a team of comedy writers to make skits and sketches and form into a story 

Grade: D+