Tag: Horror

BLOOD RELATIVES (2022)

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Written & Directed By: Noah Segan

Cinematography: Andrew Baird 

Editor: Patrick Lawrence

Cast: Noah Segan, Victoria Moroles, Akasha Villalobos, C.L. Simpson, Tracie Thomas, Doug Benson, Ammie Masterson, Jones Proudstar, Josh Ruben 

A vampire’s loner lifestyle is thrown into disarray when a teenager shows up claiming to be his daughter, and she’s got the fangs to prove it. On a road trip across America’s blacktops, they decide how to sink their teeth into family life.

This film is more comedy with horror movie or monster movie elements.

As it tries to stay in a certain reality, showing the modern-day problems with being a vampire, and just generally getting older, it also opens up the world for other supernatural mysteries, while dealing with its own central father-daughter storyline.

Dealing with the clips of what might be your own life for being the center of it and having to sacrifice for another.

As the film is built more around the character’s relationship with one another and find little adventures or distractions for them to go on to strengthen their bond and test their limits.

Nice to see Victoria Moroles in another film after she was so memorable in the comedy PLAN B 

Here she is in another comedy, and while not as distinct, she definitely is memorable as she is pretty much like that film star here, With a different look.

This is star, Noah Segen’s feature film, directorial debut and it’s not bad. It’s a cute little film that places character over story, plot, action, or visuals and by the end, it feels like a good time though not necessarily special it does have its own voice.

It’s a film with steaks where not too much happens and feels kind of laid-back. It’s cute to spend some time with though it will certainly not rock your world.

Grade: C+

BRAIN DAMAGE (1988)

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Written & Directed By: Frank Henlotter

Cinematography: Bruce Torbet 

Editor: Frank Henlotter And James Y. Kwai 

Cast: Rick Herbst, Gordon Macdonald, Jennifer Lowry, Theo Barnes, Lucille Saint-Peter, Vicki Darnell, Joe Gonzalez, Beverly Bonner

One morning, a young man wakes to find that a small, disgusting creature has attached itself to the base of his brain stem. The creature gives him a euphoric state of happiness but demands human victims in return.

This film has gained a reputation over the years as a cult film. It’s easy to see why.  This film is kind of an analogy of the writer and director, Frank Henlotter’s past drug addiction and trying to get clean. 

This is why even though at times, it might go over the top or feel ridiculous. It still feels personal and like it is trying to say something and or mean something.

The film stays campy with practical effects throughout. it also brings you back to a time when horror films were originally about something other than scares and the amount of violence, or necessarily being exploited there didn’t seem to be a set formula as much.

Of course, the film is a bit distasteful at times and dark-humored. Which leads to it being shocking, yet effective. 

The film does offer the highs of the addiction, and how magical and mystical he can feel, but also the downward spiral. Where, despite the amazing highs, they are ultimately bad for you, especially physically, and mentally. Even for those around you.

The film does crossover, or takes place in the same world as Frank Henlotter other films, with even a character from his debut film Brain Damage, making a cameo 

The film’s underground status makes the dangerous fascinating. As the film goes places most mainstream horror, films, or most films rarely do.

The film is not a combination, necessarily of drugs or a movie built on moral hierarchy yet it does show the damage and degradation that an addiction can have on a person.

Though dated the film definitely feels like a breath of fresh air. Especially watching it in modern times. This is definitely a film. I wish I had discovered sooner. Don’t make the same mistake. I did by waiting too long to finally watch it.

Grade: B+

SAW X (2023)

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Directed & Edited By: Kevin Gruetert

Written By: Peter Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg 

Cinematography: Nick Matthews 

Cast: Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith, Synnove Macody Lund, Steven Brand, Octavio Hinojosa, Michael Beach, Renata Vaca, Joshua Okamoto, Paulette Hernandez 

A sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable.

These films have certainly come a long way to be the 10th film. This is a franchise that I never quite foresaw making it this long, but the company behind it, Lionsgate seemed determined to keep going as long as they can.  

Some films in the series are better than others, most of them have been pretty solid and admire that film that at first seems to be a one-off of shocks that as the films have continued through various different directors. Each film helps to mythologize not only the main character behind it all but has allowed it to grow and spread into a weird kind of movement throughout these films.

While the films have at certain points become a little predictable, they still manage to shock with either their gore or how it all ties together.

Unlike a franchise like Friday the 13th where it seems like more of the same with a few curves thrown in but still the same blueprint this at least tries with each film to have its own flavor even though like Friday the 13th franchise I prefer the sequels, but respect the first one after all it is the original.

This sequel is better than the one that came before it. Which was SPIRAL actually had Samuel L Jackson, and Chris Rock in those films so some of the bigger names in the franchise. That comes across more like Friday the 13th part five. When a curveball is thrown, that could set the films on a different path.

Who knows the future of the franchise as this one is actually a prequel to where it all started even before the original saw movie started.

This has all the requisite things you would expect from a movie plenty of plenty of traps and plenty of tension. What’s this one a little bit apart other than characters who have perished in previous sequels, is the return of Tobin Bell, in the lead role, and Shawnee Smith as his assistant.

Here we get the requirements of the film the film does offer Tobin Bell, more of a dramatic arc throughout to see and get into the mindset of what set him off and the consequences.

So it gives him a kind of respect as he has been the face of this franchise for so long, as well as of course the voice here he gets a chance to stretch his drama muscles and be in the film throughout not just in pieces.

As well as bringing him back, there is a certain better quality of the film, where it feels a bit more grounded and going back to basics, rather than stretching the believability and managing to keep it small scale. 

Watching this film reminded me that while most of the sequels, and the first one seem to be based on revenge that might be the catalyst, there is a message behind it, and truly in its own twisted ways it shows more of the evilness of the characters who were caught up in the game and their selfishness he does give them a fighting chance even if seemed rigged to fail it’s never quite personal. That involves characters who have a history with one another.

This would be a fine starting point though it is better maybe to watch them in order. 

The film gives the franchise fans exactly what they want and expect only here it go back to basics. 

Grade: C+

DAY OF THE DEAD: BLOODLINE (2017)

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Directed By: Hector Hernandez Vicens

Written By: Lars Jacobson and Mark Tonderai

Based on The Motion Picture “DAY OF THE DEAD” By: George A. Romero 

Cinematography: Anton Ogbyanov

Editor: Damien Drago and Ivan Todorov

Cast: Jonathan Schaech, Sophie Skelton, Jeff Gum, Marcus Vanco, Lillian Blankenship, Shari Watson, Ulyana Chan

A small group of military personnel and survivalists dwell in an underground bunker as they seek to find a cure in a world overrun by zombies.

Why? It must be for the money and trying to continue in the franchise but this is a disgrace. It’s not exactly another remake but has a similar type of story. As far as having one zombie subject kind of different from the rest and using him for his blood which might be an anecdote to zombieism (yes the film Is that ridiculous) it also keeps the theme of having most of the action happen in a kind of compound with military types all around.

This film is bad across the board. The acting is subpar and no notable performances or recognizable faces. The directing is horrible as is the storyline. The sets look exactly like sets even when they are supposed to be streets and classrooms. No one acts or makes rational decisions. Even the naysayers.

The only thing o can say was decent is the zombie make-up applies to Jonathan Schaech as the main zombie of the tale. It is nothing too special but for this production impressive. His is the only ok performance but then again he is playing a zombie. As his character makes no sense before he turns he was a test subject giving blood to a medical school. Yet obsessed with one of the students for no reason. To the point of hurting himself over her and then he tries to rape her. She is saved by the zombie invasion and then once he is discovered and captured he still seems to have the same agenda.

The film tries to throw in a romance. This only explains why the main Character gets away with so much. When others would have refused her requests.

The other characters come off as weak cliches with no characterization besides their looks, attitudes, and relationships with one another. Like the flirtatious guy with muscles who the filmmakers find a reason for him to be only in a t-shirt.

The film doesn’t add anything new to the genre. In fact, it embarrasses the genre by not adding anything to it and failing in all ways. Even if bad usually there is some kind of excess to make up for it. This film doesn’t offer that either

Grade: F

MURDERCISE (2023)

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Directed By: Angelica De Alba and Paul Ragsdale

Written & Edited By: Paul Ragsdale 

Cinematography: Carlos Rodriguez

Cast: Kansas Bowling, Nina Lanee Kent, Jessa Flux, Ginger Lynn Allen, Drew Marvick, Luis Maya, Bryan Hurd, Adriana Uchishibia, August Kyss 

Phoebe is an obsessed fitness nerd who gets her big break on a sleazy workout video. After being ridiculed by her co-stars, Phoebe befriends a mafia princess wild child, who teaches her how to murder her way to the top.

This is a low-budget independent horror comedy. That takes place in the 1980s and is made like a straight-to-home video horror film Of That Aesthetic. However, some of the characters being covered in tattoos feel a little more modern-day. Either way, it feels like a lost USA UP ALL NIGHT movie 

The film is full of exploitation and just has an overall trashy tone. Though it is actually a fun and ridiculous film. That won’t be for everyone or their tastes. Though if you go with it, you won’t be disappointed. 

The film is filled with violence, sexual innuendo and plenty of nudity as well as acting that isn’t always perfect, yet fits the film and milieu like a glove. 

What works for the film though is that you can tell that the filmmakers. Truly have a love of these types of movies and showcase their passion for them. While making the movie their own. No matter how silly the film might be. As truly at times it feels like it is only a very short distance from using the same script and easily making it into a more adult-minded film. 

Especially in one scene where a character played by the hilarious Jessa Flux not only wants to have sex but show her breasts and have people look at them. When to her horror the man she was about to hook up with refuses to even look at them and she has a breakdown. 

The film is inventive with not only a serial killer on the loose but a main character who seems to have a mental break and can’t help killing others in her path. 

What helps the film is that most of the actors are so dedicated to their roles that they win you over with their characters and performances. Especially the lead played by Kansas Bowling.

The film never goes over the top to shock or disgust. It seems more devoted to keeping the audience interested. It moves fast enough to not ever be confusing. Though stops off for some extended comedic bits at times. 

This film came together from it appears crowdsourcing (going by how many associate producers are credited)  to make it become a reality that shows a lot of love and trust went into the film. It seems to have given all those who believed in it, what they asked for and expected. As it delivers that to a specific audience and hopefully gains more wandering eyes along the way. In this instance choose not to give it a grade. As not to dim any light on creatives and filmmakers out there whose sensibilities might be a little more singular. 

In the end, you get what you expect. This film was never made to win awards and gives the audience exactly what they expected and hopefully what they came for. It’s an homage while also being a film that could have easily fit in, in the time period showcased. 

TOTALLY KILLER (2023)

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Directed By: Nahnatchka Khan 

Written By: David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver and Jen D’Angelo

Story By: David Matalon and Sasha Perl-Raver

Cinematography: Judd Overton

Editor: Jeremy Cohen 

Cast: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Lochlyn Munro, Julie Bowen, Randall Park, Charlie Gillespie, Troy L. Johnson, Liana Liberto, Kelcey Mawama, Stephi Chin-Salvo 

When the infamous “Sweet Sixteen Killer” returns 35 years after his first murder spree to claim another victim, 17-year-old Jamie accidentally travels back in time to 1987, determined to stop the killer before he can start.

A movie that one can easily see why there is a comparison with the film FINAL GIRLS. Both involve trying to save mothers from a killer having a serial killer who seems unstoppable and being sent into a different period of world.

Though Totally Killer has its own identity and a mystery more at its heart as well as back to the future time travel element.

This movie really makes no sense but it also doesn’t try too hard to. It’s silly and funny as well as fun. This by the end comes across as a guilty pleasure. It is a horror film but feels more like a comedic send-up of slasher films as well as time travel films with some graphic violence.

It’s simplistic but half the humor Is having a character with modern sensibilities dealing with the less politically correct attitude of the past. As well as the movie is a bit tongue-in-cheek and has a sense of humor about itself. Though staying on the ball when it comes to the story and plot. As well as characters.

Kiernan Shipka is good in the lead role being equally dramatic and comedic when need be. It’s also nice to see a film that is more diverse when it comes to casting and not making it a big deal or obvious. 

Director Nahnatchka Chan’s second movie after the surprise hit ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE also brings along that film’s star and co-screenwriter Randall Park to play a small, pivotal supporting role in the film. 

This plays more like a teen comedy and is a film you have to experience to get the most out of it. Talking or reading about it doesn’t do it full justice. It has the right campy attitude with enough rebelliousness and inside jokes from the culture of that era and movies.

In the end, it is a mystery that has you guessing. Though when all is revealed it doesn’t feel like it matters as much as it should. 

Grade: B- 

SUITABLE FLESH (2023)

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Directed By: Joe Lynch 

Written By: Dennis Paoli 

Based On The Short Story “The Thing On The Doorstep” By H.P. Lovecraft 

Cinematography: David Matthews 

Editor: Jack N. Gracie 

Cast: Heather Graham, Jonathan Schaech, Barbara Crampton, Bruce Davison, Judah Lewis 

A psychiatrist becomes obsessed with one of her young patients, who she later discovers is linked to an ancient curse.

This film has that 1990s straight-to-video feel. That felt like Russian roulette between what the poster and back art promised and what you actually got. You tried to look on the back of the video for pictures from the film to hedge your bets and guide your decision before you took it home crossed your fingers and hoped for the best.

It feels like setting that error too just going by the cell phones used throughout the film. 

What you get is an erotic thriller that has all the elements and the score of one that works as a horror, or thriller with a sense of humor about itself. That has loads of sex though isn’t particularly sexy even though lead Heather Graham usually is. You can also tell she is having fun in the role and fully letting loose.

As here she is sexy in offers glimpses of nudity, but never quite full, but it is in full control of her own sexuality throughout.

The film is filled with practical effects, and Gore that are impressive, even if the red when it comes to the blood is not quite right. so it feels like a Hammer or Giallo film where the blood never quite feels real, which also helps to make the film feel exactly like it is more of a fantasy rather than any kind of reality

Watching it with its fast paste, nutty and horny humor. It kept reminding me of the television show Chucky maybe as they both seem to be over the top and dark-humored and seem to pack themselves on the back for humor, which some might see as wrong. Who would be the totally wrong audience for this film? This one seems to revel in trouble.

Hate to reference another thing, but this also feels like a tale from the Crypt episode and long luckily, one of the good ones. Not as over-the-top as I was expecting. It still is quite the wild ride.

Throughout the film, there’s obviously a threat that literally will not die but as you watch the film, you’re not necessarily worried you’re kind of rooting for both sides in their own way as you just want this story to keep going into see where it’s gonna go.

Watching the film you do they have saved themselves of trouble by just cutting off the tongue of the villain which would’ve made things a lot more easier I believe but then again, there’d be no fail either and that would be a shame.

This is a film for those who, like to take risks with what they watch never quite knowing what they’re going to get but now it’s going to be something different in a bit down and dirty.

As though the film surroundings always try to look glitzy and high-end at heart is the trashy little film.

Grade: B- 

NO ONE WILL SAVE YOU (2023)

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Written & Directed By: Brian Duffield 

Cinematography: Aaron Morton

Editor: Gabriel Fleming

Cast: Kaitlyn Dever, Zack Duhane, Lauren Murray, Dari Lynn Griffin, Dane Rhodes, Geraldine Singer

An exiled anxiety-ridden homebody must battle an alien who’s found its way into her home.

This is quite an inventive film, because just when you think you know where it’s going to go it manages to surprise you, as it starts off, as pretty much a movie that is good that it works like a silent film, as there is little to no dialogue throughout the film, but sounds a score And effort it sounds like a gimmick just to get you interested, but it manages to tell a strong story and uses this little challenge to its advantage that makes it a lot deeper and less common. It feels a bit experimental in that way. Though I am sure some will compare it a bit to A QUIET PLACE. Only this film is more singular and not as violent or bleak.

Kaitlyn Dever is excellent as always in the lead role as she’s almost in every scene and most shots and manages to be a believable character who is ostracized as an outcast in town so you can understand why she’s used to her loneliness 

Even though at first, we are not sure why the townspeople stare or treat her with so much anger, they essentially throw out this alien invasion film. We get to know more about her as she gets to know more about how strong she can actually be, and strangely, this is therapeutic for her, though it does offer an ending that no one could forget. 

Which also helped set this film apart and is definitely a conversation starter I congratulate writer, Brian Duffield on this amazing film, only the second film he’s directed, but he has written plenty others most in the Dean horror and sci-fi genre here this film is just as inventive, but more grounded he still build strong and memorable characters. This film just feels more, and I am not trying to insult his work, more mature than the others.

There is a certain nostalgia factor for some of the audience, who might remember the Steven Spielberg Produced show AMAZING STORIES. This feels like it could be an entry into that as there is action there is also developing character work here obviously sci-fi, a home invasion, film, and an alien invasion film that lasts more than one night and is not in real-time And takes place in a small town

So that it’s not so much Independence Day type, alien invasion film, where it’s more action and dealing with various characters. This is one woman trying to survive on her own with no one really to run to and her experience in this alien invasion. She’s not out to kill the horde she’s just trying to survive and Stay safe 

There’s a reason why he has so many films out there or in production as after this, one can’t wait to see what he’s working on next. No matter what you might think of some of his previous Scripted films and directed you can never say that any of them are basic or stupid. Which of these days especially for a studio blockbuster or popcorn entertain me filmmaker is a rarity.

Grade: B

SPOILERS

The end can be seen as anti-woke as spoiler alert. She gets to be the only one who stays by herself due to what she’s been through and her bravery after the aliens have pretty much gone through her brain to study her. They have decided to give her everything she could want where everybody is nice to her and happy to see her. They’re all under alien control yet she is still the same person allowed to be normal And she likes it that way for everybody is pretty much kowtowing to her.

Seeming, like the aliens, understand her, or respect her for all that she has done and been through, so this is their way of honoring her in their own way 

COBWEB (2023)

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Directed By: Samuel Bodin 

Written By: Chris Thomas Devlin 

Cinematography: Philip Lozano 

Editor: Kevin Greutert and Richard Riffaud 

Cast: Woody Norman, Cleopatra Coleman, Anthony Starr, Lizzy Caplan 

An eight-year-old boy tries to investigate the mysterious knocking sounds that are coming from inside the walls of his house, unveiling a dark secret that his sinister parents have kept hidden from him.

This film feels like Stephen King because it takes place in what looks like a small town suburb and its primary location for most of the movie is the boy’s house now of course adventures outside of it but yeah, that’s a little rare in the film 

That is also the reason why I might be a little bit M night Shymalan as again set in a small town but there by choice. Not to mention the secrets you can hide in plain sight. 

The film has a bit of the vibe of the movie PARENTS, a movie that I don’t think gets enough love. It’s a movie that scared me a lot as a child with the possibility of an overactive imagination and horrors not even contemplated. While through the eyes of a child.

There is a reason it is being called the 2023 version of BARBARIAN, as it reminds you of that film and the others I have previously named this far.

I’m not going to lie here and say that it’s one of the greatest films, but it’s one of those that for me well remembered because it gave you a child’s point of you. It scared the heck out of me as a kid it builds tension slowly, and while it was more of a dark comedy, it did add that element of you’re supposed to trust your parents, but can you in certain times or what is with these mysterious things that they do that might to the world be perfectly innocent but you seem like there’s a deep, dark secret or something wrong is happening. A lot of those same aspects are on display here only stronger and a lot more obvious.

Dealing with parents who are supposed to guide you, but at turns seem evil or even way too mean. Though they say it’s for your own good. Yet keep obvious secrets from you. Then tell you it’s all in your head whatever conspiracy. While your friends not ally is a nice teacher. Who can only help you so much, without l getting in trouble themselves. Though like your parents they are supposed to be your guiding light. Thought at times can be one of the major problems.

As it goes along, you think oh, this is the worst that could happen, then raise the stakes as that it’s like oh another scenario where you think oh now this is the worst that can happen. Then it gets worse again, and so on, and so on. 

It manages a lot in under 90 minutes and that is including the fact that it starts off slow.

This is one of those films you think about more after you watch the film as it stays on your mind.  As while you are watching you are busy reacting.

The film works best the less you know and is scarier when they hint at things instead of completely revealing them. 

Grade: B- 

BUG (2006)

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Directed By: William Friedkin

Written By: Tracy Letts (Based upon his play)

Cinematography: Michael Grady 

Editor: Darrin Navarro 

Cast: Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, Harry Connick Jr., Lynn Collins, Brian F. O’Byrne 

Having escaped her abusive ex-husband Goss, recently released from state prison, Agnes, a lonely waitress with a tragic past moves into a sleazy, rundown motel. Her lesbian co-worker R.C. introduces her to Peter, a peculiar, paranoiac drifter and they begin a tentative romance. However, things aren’t always as they appear and Agnes is about to experience a claustrophobic nightmare reality as the bugs begin to arrive.

This is a love story between two damaged individuals. As we can see from the beginning Ashley Judd’s character is not only lonely but also seems to be more willing to put up with abuse and the nature of whoever she is dating. As her ex, she has a court order o. Keeps coming over to beat her up and steal her money. 

So it’s not too shocking that soon after being with this new man that she is introduced to, she starts to suffer from the same psychosis.

The couple could be compared to what happens when two drug addicts get together. Where they seem to live off each other and in their own world. Watching this movie they do come off as meth addicts. Even in scenes later we see that they have been freebasing also. Something g strangely even his psychiatrist takes a turn with. 

though there is a more artistic rather than erotic sex scene. Which director William Friedkin has been doing constantly in his later films. As overly erotic as KILLER JOE was, the seductive or sexy scenes seemed more like going for pretty and meant much more. It could be that both these films come from the theater world. So these are the only moments where he can truly try to make it more cinematic with his own vision. 

It took me some time to watch this film over the years. So the anticipation builds up. So that when finally watching the film it is tamer than expected and feels like it needs to be seen on the big screen to truly feel the film. Unfortunately, I didn’t, but the second half of the film is truly graphic and disturbing. 

The film didn’t live up to certain expectations but it is effective to a certain degree. It definitely helps if you come into the movie blindly 

Which is why I believe the second half is so disturbing is that the first half has a few shocks but stays mundane. So the lunacy of the second half not only wakes up the Audience but disrupts them out of comfort and expectation. 

We also watch the breakdown of Ashley Judd’s Character whom we truly feel sorry for from the beginning though we also see how submissive she is.

The last act comes across as downright artistic when it comes to production design and the acting. 

Though he had been a working actor this Is the movie that truly made Michael Shannon a star or put him More on that path. After so far a career of bit roles and more theatrical work.

Harry Connick Jr. Even plays against type in this film. As Judd’s abusive not quite ex-husband 

Not your typical horror film or thriller. It is more disturbing about damaged people damaging themselves and each other. Involving those who are unlucky enough to cross their paths. 

It ends up not being what you first thought when you sat down to watch it, but luckily something much deeper.

There is some beautiful filmmaking here making the mundane interesting and you can feel its theatrical roots. The director and cast truly make the film feel bigger than the location it seems to be stuck in and make the hotel room seem labyrinthian 

Grade: B-