Batman Year One

This was one of the many movies I asked for for Christmas and luckily Santa didn't hold out. Now I know it's not likely for me to do a comic/animation movie review but because it's Batman I'll make an exception.

The graphic novel of this title was great so I was really excited to see this movie. I really enjoyed it. I thought for what it was it was very cool and well done. The action scenes were done just right. The story was good and kept me entertained and the animations were on point.

This story centers around Bruce Wayne and how he became Batman and how Commissioner Gordon moved to Gotham and his struggle with corruption in and outside the police station. I liked how the stories of these two interacted and to see where Gordon and Batmans relationship stemmed from.

3 stars for me. Check it out if you're a Batman fan.

The Girl Who Played With Fire

This film lacked the feel of the first one in my opinion. The first one was more gritty and this one didn't seem to be or come off as limitless like the first. Don't get me wrong, still a good movie, just not as good as the first. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo set such a high standard for this one to live up to and it simply didn't.

The acting in this one was on point as was the story and plot. I found myself not as interested or entertained by this one as I was with the first. This one seemed to drag out a bit in the beginning and it took a while to get started but by the end I was hooked.

The violence in this one as well as the effects were also on point. I think the thing I liked most about this movie is seeing more of Lisbeth's past and getting to understand it. However, I don't think she's a well enough character to base the whole movie around. I think she's like Hannibal Lecter, as a supporting character she works well. But when you put the spotlight on her by herself she doesn't shine. Just look at how awful Hannibal and Hannibal Rising were. Sometimes you have to let a character stand aside to shine.

However I'm really looking forward to seeing The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest (which comes today via Netflix). And after that I'll be venturing to see the American remake by David Fincher hopefully. If not atleast I'm caught up with the originals.

I'd give this film 2 stars.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
Mikael Blomkvist, publisher of Millennium magazine, has made his living exposing the crooked and corrupt practices of establishment Swedish figures. So when a young journalist approaches him with a meticulously researched thesis about sex trafficking in Sweden and those in high office who abuse underage girls, Blomkvist immediately throws himself into the investigation.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

When I saw the trailer for David Fincher's American remake I was sold on having to see the originals. So I have David Fincher to thank for watching this movie. David Fincher, of course, is the guy who gave us Fight Club and Se7en. So before I see his more recent take on the 2009 movie I wanted to go back and give the originals a shot. P.S. I heard David Fincher and the gang are preparing to shoot the sequel very soon.

My first impression of the movie when I was watching was that I was going to really like it. I liked the build up and the true grittiness of this film. I knew I was watching a movie with no boundaries and that's exactly what it was. It was a near perfect movie. I'm truly impressed. I'm already itching to see the next one.

The acting in this movie was just so convincing and believable, it was incredible. The story was top-notch and was so twisty and turny that I was almost confused but then it all came together wonderfully, it fit perfectly.

This movie didn't hesitate to bare it's sharp little teeth at us and shock me as well as awe me and I loved that, I like a movie that isn't predictible. I'm even debating reading the books now. Maybe something to do for the new year.

All I can say is that if you haven't seen this film you really, really should. Really, really.

3 1/2 stars for me. Solid movie.
Synopsis taken from IMDb
Forty years ago, Harriet Vanger disappeared from a family gathering on the island owned and inhabited by the powerful Vanger clan. Her body was never found, yet her uncle is convinced it was murder and that the killer is a member of his own tightly knit but dysfunctional family. He employs disgraced financial journalist Mikael Blomkvist and the tattooed, ruthless computer hacker Lisbeth Salander to investigate. When the pair link Harriet's disappearance to a number of grotesque murders from almost forty years ago, they begin to unravel a dark and appalling family history. But the Vangers are a secretive clan, and Blomkvist and Salander are about to find out just how far they are prepared to go to protect themselves.

Super 8

It's hard to describe how I felt in the moments after watching this film. I had mixed emotions and I wasn't sure if I did or didn't like it. You gotta understand that I hardly ever have that reaction when finishing a movie. I either like it or I don't.

The train wreck in this film was incredible, a little over exaggerated, but still very very cool. I've never seen anything like this before. Well done.

The acting in this movie was surprisingly good and I found it more of a character study instead of a monster movie, like Cloverfield. And that wasn't what I was expecting.

The build up was well done, nice and spread out. But it got very serious very sudden and I enjoyed that. However, for some reason I don't feel that this film delievered or lived up to what it could have been. I felt like it was a waste. I just didn't get it although I admit I liked several parts. It just didn't work well for me. I didn't particularly like the Alien's look either.

Synopsis taken from IMDb

In the summer of 1979, a group of friends in a small Ohio town witness a catastrophic train crash while making a super 8 movie and soon suspect that it was not an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and inexplicable events begin to take place in town, and the local Deputy tries to uncover the truth - something more terrifying than any of them could have imagined.

I would rate this movie a solid 2 stars.

Captain America The First Avenger

I was never truely a Captain fan to be perfectly honest but I was pleasantly surprised with this movie. Other than The Green Lantern this was a pretty good year for comic book movies with Thor and X-Men First Class. But I heard that Captain was really good from some friends whos opinions I trust. I have been so backed up lately that I'm just now getting to watch this movie. But I'm glad I did.

This movie was stacked in all areas! Good acting, good story, good action, good effects and good direction. This is one of the best comic movies made, no doubt. It's not the greatest comic movie ever but it ranks high. I enjoyed this movie from beginning to end. Chris Evans did a great job as did Tommy Lee Jones. For a comic movie/period piece I thought it delievered.

Synopsis taken from IMDb

It is 1942, America has entered World War II, and sickly but determined Steve Rogers is frustrated at being rejected yet again for military service. Everything changes when Dr. Erksine recruits him for the secret Project Rebirth. Proving his extraordinary courage, wits and conscience, Rogers undergoes the experiment and his weak body is suddenly enhanced into the maximum human potential. When Dr. Erksine is then immediately assassinated by an agent of Nazi Germany's head of its secret HYDRA research department, Johann Schmidt aka the Red Skull, Rogers is left as a unique man who is initially misused as a propaganda mascot. However, when his comrades need him, Rogers goes on a successful adventure that truly makes him Captain America and his war against Schmidt begins.

Man Red Skull was awesome!

  

Savage Weekend (1979)

This movie was a total letdown. I don't really know what I expected out of it but it did not deliver. The suspense wasn't good. The acting was just as bad and the storyline was very cheap. There were a few scenes that made me think this movie was possibly redeemable, but it wasn't.

This movie is about a gang of couples go to the the country to watch a boat being made and they start being stalked by a weirdo in a mask. And of course they throw all sorts of suspicions out on who it could be and they try and make you guess who it is but honestly you just don't care. You want the movie to be over with.

The only kill that had potential was the final kill in which he has a woman tied down to a power saw. However, like the rest of the movie it failed. I was amused by the fact that it claims to be one of the original slasher films but now I know why I never heard of it. A totally forgettable film.

I really need to get back on a kick with some good horror films. Here lately I've been off.

1 star for me. Trailer below.

Don't Go In The House (1980)

 

Another popcorn horror movie night has come and gone as my latest Netflix movie arrived titled Don't Go In The House. I never really heard anything about it but it sounded like a winner to me (laugh).

Let me start by saying that there was a kill in this movie that was totally and utterly brutal! Not in the gory way, in the "totally screwed up" and "that was painful" way. This guy burns a babe alive while she hangs from the ceiling by chains! And they practically show the whole thing. Probably my favorite part of this movie.

The movie started off strong and then kind of got slow. It ended kind of dumb in my opinion but I still didn't hate the movie. I liked it for it's similarities to Psycho. It achieved a creepy atmosphere and just kind of had me yelling at the girls in the movie for being so dumb by letting this weirdo pick them up.

I did enjoy this movie although it isn't a favorite and could have been better.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A slasher film about a victim of child abuse (Dan Grimaldi) who grows up to become a maniacal construction worker. He stalks women at discos, takes them home, then hangs them upside-down in a special steel-walled room and sets them on fire.

2 1/2 stars for me. Trailer below.

He knows You're Alone (1980)

The title alone told me I had to see this film, topped by the fact that it is labeled as an 80's slasher. So I got this from Netflix the other day and I sat down and watched it...

I really appreciate what they were trying to do with this movie but they let the Halloween influence come on a little too strong to the point of it coming off as a rip-off Michael Myers film. Some of the shots were exact as in Halloween as well as the terrible attempt at mocking the music.

This film had potential and still wasn't terrible but I just felt that had they gone their own way and showed some creativity this film would have been alot better and wouldn't have come off as such a Halloween mockery.

I did appreciate the kills and the suspense as well as the atmospheric creepiness and that's what saved this movie by a thread from being disregarded as trash. However, this film was Tom Hanks' film debut, kind of funny seeing Tom Hanks in this kind of film.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A reluctant bride to be is stalked by a serial killer who only kills brides and the people around them. While her friends get whacked one by one, a hard boiled renegade cop whose bride had been killed years before tries to hunt him down before it is too late. Meanwhile, the bride has to figure out if it is all in her imagination or not, aided by her ex-boyfriend...

2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Mountaintop Motel Massacre (1986)

Reading the title says it all. This film feeds on the brutality of things and it really worked to a certain point. It came off like a Friday The 13th/ Sleepaway Camp film at first, so I was really digging it. The style, the kills, the creepiness. But after awhile you realize that the story didn't matter because they never went into anything, it just became a bloodbath and a body count movie and that's what ruined it for me.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
After several years in an insane asylum, Evelyn, the keeper of the Mountaintop Motel, is released and resumes doing business. She kills her young charge out of anger, but convinces the police it was an accident - and pushed into insanity, she then proceeds to target her guests, first by releasing vermin into their rooms, but then by using her trusty sickle...

I was disapointed in this film but still liked it due to it just having that 80's feel to it. Man, I miss 80's horror.

2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Night Of The Comet (1984)

I had heard from a friend that this is a film I'd like due to it being a total 80's film and that's my favorite genre for horror. And my friend was right! While this is far from great I still enjoyed it. It had cheese, humor and bad acting. But was a great watch and very enjoyable. A total popcorn flick like Killer Klowns From Outter Space.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
Two pretty high school girls (one a cheerleader!) don't like their stepmother or her new boyfriend ("Daddy would have gotten us Uzis!"). One morning, they wake up to find that everybody in Los Angeles has been turned to dust by a Comet except them, a guy who looks like Erik Estrada, some zombies and the occupants of a secret underground government installation.

If you have my kind of taste in films. Check this out. You may not love it but you'll enjoy it!

2 1/2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Alone In The Dark (1982)

This film has Donald Pleasence in it so I knew I should check it out. To be honest I enjoyed this film, it had a few good scares and jumps. And a twist that I didn't see coming at all. The ending could have been better and ultimately is what hurt the film.

The acting was great in this film, atleast by the main cast. And the story was downright creepy. There were a few scenes that throw you off but it all makes sense in the end. But man did that ending suck! It could have ended much, much better. I feel as if they just last minute threw the ending together without thought.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
Thanks to a major power cut, a gang of psychopaths breaks out of the Haven maximum security mental institute in order to lay siege to the psychiatrists who have tormented them over the years with their bizarre theories...

2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Let's Scare Jessica To Death (1971)

Now, I've always loved 70's horror films. The 70's had some of the best that still to this day stand the test of time. The Shining, Halloween, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, The Sentinel, etc.

So just by the title I knew that I'd like this movie and I was right! Very good movie. It relies on suspense and mystery to tell the story like most of the movies back then did and it works very well. The movie just gives off a creepy vibe while watching and so it makes the experience all the better.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
Jessica has just been released from a mental hospital. Wanting to "start over", she moves into an old New England farmhouse with her husband and a friend. Before they even arrive Jess starts having strange encounters, and after they find a young transient in their new home, things start getting rather nasty. Seems this redheaded hippie chick is in fact a vampire, a onetime resident of the house who drowned on her wedding day, and all the old guys in town are her harpies (they all have scarred necks and arms). Or is Jess really having another breakdown? Who knows...

The fact that you hear Jessica's voices in her head confusing her and the viewer as to what is really going on worked great for me. 3 stars. Trailer below.

Troll Hunter

Even though the title is ridiculous I had to give it a shot anyway.

This movie really, really tried but just couldn't pull it off. The concept was good and original and the acting was pretty good. But in the end it's Trolls and Trolls aren't scary to me so it was just kind of boring and laughable. I appreciate how they tried to be inventive with this movie but Trolls aren't good material for scary movies unless you intend on it being cheesy, which is what this film was.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A group of students investigate a series of mysterious bear killings, but learns that there are much more dangerous things going on. They start to follow a mysterious hunter, learning that he is actually a troll hunter.

I'd give this film 2 stars. Trailer below.

Cold Prey

Now here is a movie that comes all the way from Norway and is said to be one of the best slasher films ever. Now seeing as foreign films are usually good with horror and seeing as I love me some slasher films it was obivious I had to watch this.

Now being totally honest I do not agree that it's the most perfect slasher film ever made BUT I do agree that this movie kicks major ass! I loved every second of this movie, this is one that didn't disapoint. The kills were great, they were spaced out well and not overdone and the story was awesome.

A group of friends go skiing and on of them breaks their leg so they have to find help. But instead they find an empty building and take refuge in it until they can find help. Only the building insn't empty like they all thought. It's the home of a brutal serial killer and he starts picking them off one by one. It's up to the few survivors to try and find help and to survive the wrath of this psycho as well as find out why he's doing this.

This movie had good jumps, good acting and good effects. I'm a fan. IF YOU LIKE HORROR FILMS YOU NEED TO SEE THIS FILM.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It comes highly recomended from me.

3 stars for me. View the trailer below.

Don't Be Afraid Of The Dark (2010)

Saw this movie last night after some anticipation due to the screenplay being written by Guillermo del Toro, who I'm a huge fan of. But I have to admit that I was extremely disapointed in this film. I truly didn't find it scary at all, there were a few cheap jumps and that's it.

I overall wasn't impressed. I didn't care for the story, the creatures and the ending. I'm not saying I hated the movie but I definitely am not a fan. It could have been alot better. Since this movie is still in theatres I'll save any spoilers and not give anything away.

This film also had a great cast with Guy Pierce and Katie Holmes, I truly expected more. I just didn't live up to what I had envisioned.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A young girl is sent to live with her estranged father and his girlfriend at their new home. The father, Alex has plans to spruce up the home with the help of his interior decorator girlfriend, Kim. The previous owner of the home was a famous painter who mysteriously disappeared. Alex's daughter, Sally, soon discovers the cause of the painter's disappearance.

I'd give this movie 2 stars. View the trailer below.

Bereavement

Being a huge fan of Malevolence I have been dying to see this film. Especially after finding out about Malevolence being part of a trilogy. Malevolence was a true throwback to 80's slasher even though it took place in modern day. Bereavement is the prequel to the chaos that ensues in Malevolence and I gotta admit that I had alot of hype behind this movie.

So I'm very pleased to say that Bereavement didn't disapoint. It started strong and ended strong. I even thing I liked it more possibly, haven't decided yet. But this was a great prequel, well shot, acted and edge of your seat moments. Very glad it didn't let down.

This film centers around Allison (Alexandra Daddario) and how she has to live with her uncle, Jonathan (Michael Biehn) after the death of her parents. She soon starts to ask questions about the abandoned meat and poultry building that she saw a little boy in looking out the window. After being told by her uncle it's abandoned they figure the little boy she saw is just a vandal. Only it's not a vandal, it's a young Martin Bristol (our villian from Malevolence) and he's trapped inside by Graham Sutter. And he's being made to watch as Graham butchers women, making Martin his young apprentice. But things really get going when Allison goes poking around the abandoned building.

If you liked Malevolence you'll like Bereavement. I loved them both. Can't wait for the third film!

3 1/2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Mirrors 2

The first Mirrors was an okay horror film, still enjoyable but nothing great. It did have a few good scares and some great effects though. I'm a fan of Alex Aja's films so I did like Mirrors, just not overly impressed with it. And when I saw a sequel was out and that it went directly to video I was not expecting much and set my standards pretty low. And overall I can say that I enjoyed it, wasn't better than the first but not bad by standards of direct to video sequels.

Nick Stahl (Terminator 3: Rise Of The Machines) plays Max, our films lead. And he is still recovering from a traumatic accident that nearly killed him and did kill his girlfriend who he proposed to right before the accident. After going through alcohol and drugs he finally straightens his life out and gets a job as a security guard. But he keeps seeing his co-workers being killed in the mirrors reflections as well as a creepy girl that keeps showing up. But as his co-workers start to die he has to find out who the girl in the mirrors is an what she wants before more mayhem can ensue. And of course through all this he thinks he's crazy and it's not happening.

So I would watch this movie again on occasion, it isn't horrible. Just kind of predictible and weak. But the kills in this film are awesome. My favorite is when one of his co-workers is decapatated by a piece of shower glass. Ouch.

2 1/2 stars for me. Trailer below.

                                       

Scares That Care

On a website that I frequent I found this and seeing as we are all horror fans I wanted to share this. I support this and think it's a great idea.

Hello Horror Fans!

I'd like to Thank the Admins for allowing us to post about our organization!

I would introduce myself, but who I am is unimportant! I'm here representing Scares That Care!


Scares That Care! is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to uniting horror fans to help sick kids.

Led by horror film director and retired police officer Joe Ripple, this benefit will utilize the fan base of the horror, haunt and Halloween genres to raise funds and awareness for sick children in need. We plan to have a GREAT time holding benefits, by showing films, having silent auctions and maybe getting lucky enough to have a few celebrity appearances along the way. Our success depends upon YOU.

To date, we have raised a minimum of $10,000.00 for both the Johns Hopkins Children’s Cancer Center, and The Kennedy-Krieger Institute!

This year's proceeds will be going to the “Make-A-Wish” Foundation!

And when I say proceeds I mean 100% of all monies raised!

Scares That Care! functions solely on the generosity of horror fans, or those who just like to help kids. All proceeds go to the kids…we keep nothing.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in head on over to the main SITE and check out some of the great things you can get for your donation! Including Jewelery, Wrist Bands, T-Shirts, and Teddy Scares!

You can also like us on FACEBOOK

Stay tuned to this Topic for future Scares happenings, including an upcoming Auction and Charity Dinner!

If you have any questions or comments please feel free to post away!

Thanks all!

Hobo With A Shotgun

Hit up the Netflix streaming for this one, was very interested to see what this had to offer since I liked Death Proof, loved Planet Terror and thought Machete rocked.

This however was not like them both in the sense of being good and me liking it. This movie tried so hard to be over the top and ridiculous that that's exactly what it was. I can't say I expected much but this was a total disapointment. There were a few laughs to be had and the action was okay although it did have some good gore. But the acting was just awful, came off like a cheesy high school movie only with a named actor as the lead.

I can't say too many good things about this film but I will say that I'll probably never watch it again.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A vigilante homeless man pulls into a new city and finds himself trapped in urban chaos, a city where crime rules and where the city's crime boss reigns. Seeing an urban landscape filled with armed robbers, corrupt cops, abused prostitutes and even a pedophile Santa, the Hobo goes about bringing justice to the city the best way he knows how - with a 20-gauge shotgun. Mayhem ensues when he tries to make things better for the future generation. Street justice will indeed prevail.

1 1/2 stars for me. Trailer below.

Fright Night (2011)

The original Fright Night is my 2nd favorite vampire film ever after The Lost Boys. So it's to be expected that I was going to be very judgemental of a remake. The original has so much to offer as a horror film, it's fun, campy, scary and just overall a great vampire flick. So many great scenes and moments from that movie. A personal favorite scene is Evil Ed in the Raggedy Ann wig acting like Charlie's mother.

So I'm pleased to say that I really enjoyed the remake. I thought the cast was great and Colin did a great job as a rugged blue collar Jerry Dandrige, unlike the pretty boy Chris Sarandon played back in '85. I liked the similarities to the original and the throwbacks they threw in, but they made it quite apparent that this was it's own movie by changing alot about the characters and the story. And the cameo Chris Sarandon made was awesome. Good to see him in this film if only for a brief minute.

The movie is basically the same with Charlie Brewster (Anton Yelchin) having a new neighbor who is a vampire (Farrell). He finds out by his friend, Evil Ed (Christopher Mintz-Plasse) who has been following Dandrige around and found solid evidence to prove his case. Once Dandrige finds out they know about him and what he is he starts to destroy their lives.

The weakest point of the film to me was I didn't like Evil Ed nearly as much as in the original. Overall I still like the original more but this was a great remake and I'm proud that it did the original justice.

I'd give this movie a solid 3 stars. Good flick. Trailer below.

Prom Night (2008)



Let me start off by saying the only reason I watched this crap is due to being home alone and bored on my day off. And it just so happens that my better half owns this dvd and up until now I avoided it. But I figured now is the chance if ever to give this a shot. I should have kept avoiding it.

This was such a cliche PG-13 horror film that it made me throw up in my mouth a little. It was like watching a Halloween episode of Gosip Girl only worse due to the fact that I really liked the original and this one is nothing like it except the title.

What made it even more ridiculous was that the stalker/killer is taking out armed guards and pushing through being shot several times like he's some Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees, only he has a cheap pocket knife as a weapon and is a terrible character so it fails terribly.

Let me some it up for you. Ten years ago our lead, Donna (Brittany Snow) had an obsessive teacher in high school who stalked her and killed her family. Now in the present Donna is still overcoming the horrors of the past even though her stalker is locked up several thousand miles away in a nut house. And on Prom Night he escapes and shows up to kill her friends and to claim her as his own once and for all.

Hmmm sounds like the writers had a hard time coming up with this script...not.

1 star for me. Trailer below.

Tenebre (1982)

Another film by Dario Argento that I've finally gotten aroud to watching. This was better than the other films by him that I've seen, but I'm still just not immpressed.

Some of the kills were really good and the gore was done very well but what ruins it for me is the damn music that played throughout the movie. The music isn't scary, it's annoying and it's used as a means to add intensity to the scene and instead makes you just want the scene to end. The acting was terribly bad also, but i can forgive that seeing as I grew up on 80's horror and 90% of 80's horror is bad acting.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
With Argento's trademark visual style, linked with one of his more coherent plots, Tenebrae follows a writer who arrives to Rome only to find somebody is using his novels as the inspiration (and, occasionally, the means) of committing murder. As the death toll mounts the police are ever baffled, and the writer becomes more closely linked to the case than is comfortable.


I'd give this movie a 2/12 stars. Not great but not terrible. View the trailer below.

Tales From The Crypt (1972)

This was the one and only thing left of Tales From The Crypt I haven't seen so I had to change that. And I must say that I was impressed. It was a very fun film, especially to those who love the show, it was like the show but without the humor. I liked this alot more than Vault Of Horror, they are the same concept though.

Five people go into a crypt and are locked in and greeted by a shady character in a brown robe (Crypt Keeper) and when they all want to leave the crypt he simply asks them why they want to leave. Then he shows them a glimpse of what lies ahead for them when they leave.

The first story, which is my favorite of the five and actually my favorite episode of the show, is titled "...And All Through The House". Which is about a woman who kills her husband to cash in on his insurance on Christmas Eve night. After doing so, she hears a radio announcement that a person dressed as Santa has escaped the mental hospital. And of course he ends up at her house.

Our second story is titled "Reflection Of Death" which is about a guy who abandons his family to take of with his mistress and they get into a car crash. After the crash he wakes up and goes to visit his wife, only when she sees him she screams in horror. And her last name isn't the same anymore...hmmmm. Then he goes to visit his mistress and she's blind from the accident but keeps saying "it can't be you, it can't be you". I'll leave you to decide what's going on...

The third story is titled "Poetic Justice" which is about an old retired garbage man who keeps being hassled by his neighbors. They have his dogs taken, call him a pedophile and send him Valentine's Day cards from all the towns residents filled with poems on how they all hate him. This causes him to kill himself and puts a big old smile on his neighbors faces. Until he returns from the grave...

Our fourth story is titled "Wish You Were Here" which is about a coulpe about to lose everything so they resort to wishing on a statue that grants them three wishes to get them out of debt. Only the wishes go very wrong. It's very, very similar to the story "The Monkey's Paw".

And our fifth story is titled "Blind Alleys" about a guy who takes over as head of the home for the blind and treats the blind like crap. Feeds them slop while he eats steaks and drinks wine, doesn't get them blankets while he gets fancy paintings for his office, etc. Finally the blind band together and plan a revenge scheme.

I really liked this film, and you can get this and Vault Of Horror in a double pack for very cheap. I recomend it to any of you Crypt fans such as myself.

3 stars for me. Check out the trailer below.

Vault Of Horror (1973)

Being a huge fan of Tales From The Crypt and owning all seven seasons and Demon Knight, Bordello Of Blood and Ritual, I had to see Vault Of Horror. Vault Of Horror is the same concept as the show, even based after the comics by William M. Gaines.

My finest memories of my childhood are staying up late with my mom watching HBO, back when it was channel 14, and watching Tales From The Crypt together. I even had a Crypt Keeper doll while all the other neighborhood kids had their Power Rangers. Not that I didn't have my fair share of them also (laugh). So naturally my love for this show stayed with me over all these years.

Vault Of Horror litterally starts off with five guys entering an elevator and it takes them to the basement instead of the 1st floor, which is where they were heading. When they arrive in the basement there's a table with beverages in the center of the nicely decorated room. They all figure they'll just relax down there until the elevator problem gets fixed. And as they're all sitting around the table they get to talking about all of the terrible dreams they have.

So they take turns going in rotation of telling what their terrible dreams are. Our first guy's dream titled "Midnight Mess", is about how he hired a spy to track down his sister. After getting the location of her and killing the spy he goes to a restaurant where they have stopped serving food. So he leaves and goes to find his sister and kill her. After he does he returns to the same restaurant, finding that them not serving him earlier wasn't exceptable. Upon arriving he finds a whole new crew working the restaurant and it's quite packed.

After ordering a few things and finding them nasty he soon discovers it's a vampire crew working and serving vampire customers. With him being the only human there he gets eaten. And the last vampire to have a taste is none other than his dearly departed sister who he murdered prior to going back to the restaurant.

Our 2nd guys dream titled "The Neat Job", is basically about how he is a neat freak and always harasses his wife for being sloppy and not keeping his place up the way he likes. The stress becomes so unbearable that his wife eventually breaks down and kills him because she can't take it anymore. And she puts all his severed limbs in jars and placed neatly on shelves in the basement. Only then did she see peace.

Our 3rd guys dream is titled "This Trick'll Kill You", and it's about this magician who sees a magic trick performed by an Indian girl. The trick is that when playing her flute she makes a rope stand up and get out of the vase it's in and when the rope is totally upright she climbs it, without being supported by anything. He becomes obsessed with this trick and tries to buy it off of her but to no avail. So he tricks her into thinking his wife is sick and tells her his wife would love to see the trick, tricking her into his hotel room. He then kills her and takes the vase and flute and tries to perform the trick, only the rope knows what's happened and kills him and his wife faking to be sick.

Our 4th guys dream titled "Bargain In Death", is about him faking his own death for an insurance scam. And everything goes wrong, including his death being faked...

And last but not least our 5th and final story is titled "Drawn and Quartered", which is about our guy and how he is a good painter. Even though he's not making any money, due to being told by his agent that he isn't good enough. He finds out that it's a scam and his paintings have been selling great and everyone knew but him. So he goes to a vodoo doctor and gets some mojo to take down his foes. By drawing them and destroying them he kills them the way he destroys the painting.

But like all these stories, none have happy endings as our guy realizes he left his watch at his last victims house. He rushes to get there and get it back to avoid suspicion from cops and on his way there his painting of himself gets destroyed and our guy gets ran over by a truck.

Overall I liked the movie, enjoyable. Although I still prefer Tales From The Crypt anyday over this. But if you like one I guess you'll like the other.

3 stars for me, view the trailer below.

Evil Laugh (1988)

Here was yet another horror film I was really looking forward to seeing. It has a very underground following and not too many people know of it or seen it, but I wanted to check it out for myself.

I was instantly regretting wasting a rental on this when I saw the opening credits. It was so low budget and the acting was so bad it looked like a student film. However, after riding it out I started to actually enjoy it. Yeah, it was goofy and yeah the acting was bad, but then again so many 80's horror films that I love and even consider favorites have these same traits.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
An old orphanage has just been rebuilt after it was mysteriously burned to the ground over a decade ago following accusations of child molestation and abuse by Martin, whose own father committed suicide out of shame. Needless to say he couldn't prove his innocence, suffered a psychotic breakdown which subsequently led to him systematically slaughter the other occupants, including the kids, particularly the accusers, before perishing in the blaze that followed. Now a group of med-students are brought in by a seemingly benevolent doctor turned pediatrician, Jerry who seeks to fix the place up as less an institution more of a foster home. One of the students is set on dwelling there at this current position, while the others are set on helping them settling in. But soon they'll discover that our current owner has been secretly disposed of by an intruder, who is still lurking close by...

Over all I found the movie enjoyable and fun, far from great, but I would give this a second watch. It's not that bad if you give it a fair chance and if you love horror like me. Don't expect anything great when watching and you should have a good time.

Until next time gang, have a Grimm time.



2 1/2 stars for me. View the trailer below.

The Resident

Now to be honest, I wasn't expecting much of this film just due to the fact that I've been on a bad run of movies lately. Other than going through seasons of Scrubs I'm overall underwhelmed with everything else I've been seeing.

But I guess I pulled a rabbit out of a hat because The Resident rocked. Swank and Morgan were awesome. This kind of movie doesn't come around that often due to how overdone it used to be. But this is one stalker thriller I'd gladly rewatch. It isn't a long movie which surprised me, shorter than I'd imagined it would be. But the first half of the movie slowly builds and builds and then the last half is a rush. Good movie. And Christopher Lee's cameo was awesome.

When Juliet Devereau (Swank) splits with her boyfriend she decides to move into a new apartment for a new beginning. She starts to develope a thing for the owner of the building, Max (Morgan) and he seems to take a liking to her also. But all goes downhill when Juliet starts getting involved with her ex again, causing her relationship with Max to cease. Max however, we find out, is obsessed with Juliet and has been sneaking into her apartment to drug her and violate her.

Once Juliet starts to feel something is off she sets up cameras all over her place awaiting to see the footage she'll find of what goes down in her apartment while she's away. And while she's sleeping.

3 stars for me. View the trailer.

The Changeling (1980)

So finally got around to watching this, one of the few horror films I've been looking forward to. The concept and cover art really had me intrigued.

Now it wasn't as good or scary as I was hoping but it was a good watch. I thought they could have gone a little scarier and toned down how much story there was and just make it creepier. There were a few parts that had me ready to be scared but fell short. Although I did jump a few times (laugh).

This was a good movie for it's time and era and definately worth a watch if you like ghost stories. The Sentinel (1977) is still superior to all ghost stories of that era. Another film worth watching for sure.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
It was the perfect family vacation for composer John Russell and his family when a freak automobile accident claims the lives of his wife and daughter. Consumed by grief, John, at the request of friends, rents an old turn of the century house. Mammoth in size, the house seems all the room that John needs to write music and reflect. He does not realize that he is not alone in the house. He shares it with the spirit of a murdered child who has homed in on John's despair and uses him to uncover decades of silence and deceit. With the help of Claire Norman, the one who aided John in procuring the house, they race to find the answers and soon learn that a devious and very powerful man guards them.

Check out The Changeling and enjoy. I give this film 2 1/2 stars. Trailer below.

I Am Legend (2007)

This is one of those movies that I've been meaning to see but never got around to it and I'm glad I did. I really enjoyed this movie. Yes, it has it's flaws, my main flaw was how all the vampires were cg and not human. Kinda dumb. Other than that I really enjoyed it. Will Smith's acting was impressive as well as believable.

It wasn't as long as I expected and it didn't end the way I expected. I think those things were part of the reason I liked it so much. Good watch, check it out if you haven't seen this! I still prefer Vincent Price's The Last Man On Earth, however. But I'm a huge Vinnie Price fan.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
Robert Neville is a scientist who was unable to stop the spread of the terrible virus that was incurable and man-made. Immune, Neville is now the last human survivor in what is left of New York City and perhaps the world. For three years, Neville has faithfully sent out daily radio messages, desperate to find any other survivors who might be out there. But he is not alone. Mutant victims of the plague -- The Infected -- lurk in the shadows... watching Neville's every move... waiting for him to make a fatal mistake. Perhaps mankind's last, best hope, Neville is driven by only one remaining mission: to find a way to reverse the effects of the virus using his own immune blood. But he knows he is outnumbered... and quickly running out of time

3 Stars for me. View the trailer below.

Insidious

So finally got around to seeing this because I had to see if Insidious was really "the scariest movie since Poltergeist". It was not.

I was really disapointed with this movie, especially since it's a James Wan film and I've loved most of his movies. Yes, including Dead Silence. I know that film wasn't loved amongst alot of people.

Insidious starts off great and really pulls you in, even makes you jump your ass off a good handful of times. But the last 30 minutes of the film are horrible and ruin this movie. The demon was ridiculous looking and the movie just got dumber and dumber. The trailer said "Insidious is Insidious", well I think the punchline should be "Insidious is Ridiculous".


Synopsis taken from IMDb
A gripping story of a family in search of help for their son, Dalton, who fell into a mysterious comatose on one ordinary morning. Little do they know that there is much more to this endless sleep than meets the eye as they explore the paranormal, and rediscover the past; the key to getting their son back once and for all.


I've ranted enough so go ahead a view the trailer and if you're really really bored rent this movie....

House II: The Second Story (1987)

Being a huge fan of the first House (1986) I knew I had to see the sequel. I've just been so booked up that I haven't had the opportunity to watch it until now. So going in I was very excited to see what the second chapter of this series would bring us...

Was it entertaining? Yes. Was it disapointing? Yes. Did I like it? No.

I felt that they cashed in on the spoof way more than necessary in this one while forgetting one main and very important thing: The first House did have alot of humor, yes, but it was still scary which this one wasn't at all. It was Waxwork bad. Yet another sequel to a movie I love that I hated.

Synopsis from IMDb
The new owner of a sinister house gets involved with reanimated corpses and demons searching for an ancient Aztec skull with magic powers.

2 stars from me. Check out the trailer.

Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy

I've been wanting...needing to see this for a long time. 4 hours or not I had to see this, an in-depth look at the entire A Nightmare On Elm Street franchise.

To me this was just pure fun, I learned so much about the film series and it was great to hear what other people thought of the films, including those who made them and starred in them.

This is really hard to do a review for so all I can really say is that if you love A Nightmare On Elm Street and you like learning behind the scenes facts and trivia then give this a go. I'll be buying this for sure. Liked it alot more than His Name Was Jason and H25: Halloween 25 years later. And I prefer Myers and Voorhees to Krueger. That says something.

The one thing I learned was at the end of Freddy Vs. Jason they were supposed to be fighting in hell and Pinhead was supposed to come out and say "now gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?". But due to license issues they never filmed it and that is a damn shame. Would have made an awesome ending.

Give this a watch, you won't regret it.

Grimm

The Rite

When I heard that The Rite was "Anthony Hopkins best performance since The Silence Of The Lambs" I knew I was going to have to give this movie a watch. Not to mention it's a horror flick.

I was a bit disapointed in this film to be honest, but I guess that's to be expected from a PG-13 horror film. I was intrigued by the beginning of the film and then it got kind of boring, then Father Lucas Trevant (Hopkins) is introduced and the movie picks up. Then it gets kind of boring again and dragging on. My overall opinion is that it's not a bad flick but it could have been alot better and I expected it to be alot better. I think had this movie had an R rating we would have had seen a much better movie. Instead it falls through the cracks in a sad PG-13 horror generation.

The movie is not memorable but Hopkins performance is, I agree that this is his best role since Hannibal Lector in The Silence Of The Lambs. But it was wasted on this movie.

I give this movie 2 stars. View the trailer below.

Finally Evil Dead 2 action figures!!!!!

The action figure and collectible company, Neca, has announced that they landed the rights to make action figures from The Evil Dead 2! They said they're in the sculpting stage now and that we should see some prototypes at this years comic-com. And that we probably will see two Ashes and maybe a Henrietta and a few other characters.

Now I don't know about you but I am freaking out, I was so happy when I heard this news because there has never been collectibles made from the first or second Evil Dead movie (atleast not officially licensed products). So these are must haves and as those of you who collect know, Neca is a great company and makes great products, I own several hundred dollars in their products and so I will be getting these as soon as they're avaiable. Neca + Evil Dead 2 = hell yes. Just take a look at they're Army Of Darkness figures and you'll know what to expect.

I hope we get an evil Ash or atleast an Ash with the possessed hand.

Intruder (1989)

I've seen this movie several times and loved it. However it wasn't until last weekend that I've owned it and thus rewatched it. It had been a few years since I've watched it, so watching it again was like watching it for the first time. The gore and kill scenes are brutal. Hardcore. I loved it.

Although let me warn you that the fact that Bruce Campbell and Sam Raimi's names are on the cover is only for publicity and promotion. Bruce Campbell is in the movie maybe all of 2 minutes. Sam, on the other hand has a small part, but still has a part unlike Bruce Campbell. So don't run to see this thinking it's a Bruce Campbell flick, it's not. Watch this movie if you want to see a good old fashioned slasher film.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
The ex-boyfriend of a check-out girl at a supermarket returns at closing time to make trouble. They quarrel and the boyfriend is ejected from the store. After they lock the building up to take inventory, the employees start dying off, and the survivors must eventually find a way to escape with their lives.

3 stars for me. Now, the trailer gives alot away about the movie and it's twist. Cheaply made trailer. So I don't advise you watch the trailer but I'll throw it in there for those of you who want to watch it anyway.

My Bloody Valentine (1981)

I thought I'd take the time to review one of my all-time favorite horror and slasher films, My Bloody Valentine.

This movie came in a double feature DVD I got with April Fool's Day (1986) and it became one of my favorites instantly. It wasn't cheaply made even though it had a small budget, the acting is great, the story is fresh and original and the killer is badass. It was on of those rare movies that hasn't really been immitated (or atleast successfully immitated) and I was surprised by alot of things when watching it. It wasn't predictible.

The remake wasn't so horrible but it didn't touch the original. This is one of those gems in horror that too often get overlooked. For those of you who don't know there is a director's cut DVD out there with 3 minutes of addtional footage added in, all of which is said to be deleted kill scene gore that would've landed the movie an X rating. I haven't seen the director's cut yet but I sure as hell plan to.

Synopsis taken from IMDb
There's a big valentine-party planned in the little coal mining town of Valentine Bluffs, Nova Scotia. It is the first Valentine's Day party in 20 years, because then there was an accident in the mine, and the accident happened because the men responsible for the security was at the party. The sole surviving miner, named Harry Warden, later killed them, and told the town NEVER to arrange a Valentine's Day party again. The party begins, and so does the killing...

3 1/2 stars for me. Horror gold. Check out the trailer below.