Sunday, September 30, 2012

SEPTEMBER 'WATCHED' LIST (2012)

I've been lacking with the amount of horror that my eyes consume, mostly because I've been trying to squeeze in movies I've put on the burner for too long like the Mission Impossible films. And I figured since October is right around the corner I'll make up for the lack I've watched this month. Next month I'll get back into watching my normal supply of horror films.

Remember this is a list of movies that I've never seen before until the month of September (2012). All of these a first time watches.




  1. The Possession (2012)
  2. V/H/S (2012)
  3. Silent House (2011)
  4. The Mummy (1932)
  5. Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
  6. The Tall Man (2012)
  7. Lovely Molly (2011)




TOP 3 PICKS OF THE MONTH

3.

2.

1.

Saturday, September 29, 2012

The Final (2010)







RATED- R
RUN TIME- 93 MINS
WRITERS- JASON KABOLATI
STARRING- MARC DONATO, JASCHA WASHINGTON AND WHITNEY HOY
DIRECTOR- JOEY STEWART



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A group of high school outcasts get revenge on the students that torment them.





After work the other day I had time to squeeze in a movie and relax, so me and the girlfriend picked "The Final". It sounded decent and since I haven't seen it before I went for it. The synopsis got me intrigued, anything that has to do with bully's getting their just deserts always peaks my attention.

I was never really bullied in school, I kept my head low and kept to myself, but I hate bullies. Even though I wasn't a victim of any myself, I can't stand the idea of people being picked on or beaten up and humiliated all for the satisfaction of making the bully feel good about himself. It angers me at times to think how cruel people can be for no reason but to further their own popularity. To me, there's nothing cool or funny about making people's lives a living hell.

In this film however, the victims take it a bit too far. A good swift ass kicking would have worked. But instead these outcasts pretty much throw their lives away to get revenge on those who have mentally and physically scarred. The kids in this movie are really pushed to the edge and it's sad because when you see them before they exact revenge you see that they're good kids, they just had too much humiliation for a lifetime.


It angers you as the viewer to see the youths having milk thrown at them and laughed at, to see them get jumped in the bathroom and break their camera. It's a sick feeling in your stomach to see people victimized like that for no reason.

At first you can see the youths are planning something, but you're not exactly sure what it is. But you know it isn't good news. None of it. The bullied youths have put a plan together to get all the bully's that have tormented them for so long. And seeing as they're nerds, you know their plan is more than likely a good one.

I really liked the costumes the teens wore in this movie. They're eerie, creepy and haunting. Their costumes showed you that underneath the masks and outfits you knew they're emotions matched that of the costumes. Cold, heartless and broken. Nothing left but to get the satisfaction of revenge.


All the bully's that have taken joy in their belittling are all invited to a private party, and little do they know that they're heading straight for their demise. They wake up chained together on the floor of a house. And they're hosts are hidden behind creepy masks and they find out quickly that this isn't the party they were wanting it to be. 

It got truly chilling to see how far these teens were pushed by the bullying, they're stone cold brutal and have no remorse. They have one simple goal- to make sure that none of them leave without something to remember them by. The torment they endured day after day turned them into a group of psychopaths who take things to far. They not only stoop to the bully's level but then do worse and damn near traumatize them. They cut off fingers, put cream on some of the popular girls' faces that is some sort of acid and eats away the flesh on their faces.

The worst for me is when they sever one of the bully's spinal column with a knife. You started to feel really bad for these bully's and they beg for forgiveness and to be released. But there's no sympathy left in these teens.


Dane, who establishes himself as the leader of the pack of outcasts calls all the shots and even starts to kill off some of his own pack for showing signs of weakness and sympathy. He's drunk on power and revenge and he's ruthless. He only wants to inflict pain. 

However, the film starts going down hill once Dane takes his mask off. With his mask on his voice is distorted and mean, but when he takes it off and you can hear the emotion in his voice the his inflection it takes away from the effect the voice distortion had. Mostly because the acting was bad, so bad it makes the movie a little cheesy. 

As the movie progresses we see the pack fall apart and inner turmoil arise. It's a downward roller coaster and you don't know what's going to happen next. Although you're grinding your teeth at how bad Dane's acting is and it makes it hard for you to take the movie serious anymore. It's like the first half of the film was a different movie then the 2nd half. It changes and not for the better. The first half was really, really good.


The movie has a tragic ending, not one I'm surprised with, but it was a good ending. But the taste of cheese is a bit hard to shake at this point and it's taken it's toll.


THIS FILM GETS 2 REAPERS OUT OF 4




Friday, September 28, 2012

The Collection (2012) Trailer Is Here!




I, personally loved The Collector, and I've been looking forward to seeing this movie for a while. I'm glad to finally see the trailer. It looks very promising, maybe better than the first.


This film is about Arkin escaping The Collector's grasp and is kidnapped and blackmailed by a group of mercenaries who are hired by the father of one of The Collector's latest victims. He has to lead them to where they can find the twisted psychopath known as The Collector. And in doing so they become caught in a game of cat and mouse.

THE NEW FACE OF AMERICAN HORROR IS HERE




Monday, September 24, 2012

Thomas Jane Returns as Frank Castle/ The Punisher in Fan Made Movie



For those of you that missed this, Thomas Jane who played The Punisher in 2004, is back in this short film that is actually fan made and very well done if I must add. This may be an attempt at really bringing Jane back as The Punisher for the next Punisher film, assuming of course that there is one. I haven't heard any news on that.

This film also has Ron Pearlman in it as well, making a guest appearance as the liquor store owner. This gore and brutality in this is top notch and I love the ending.

Well here it is, Dirty Laundry.






Sunday, September 23, 2012

Resident Evil: Retribution (2012 3D)








RATED- R
RUN TIME- 96 MINS
WRITERS- PAUL W.S. ANDERSON
STARRING- MILLA JOVOVICH, SIENNA GUILLORY AND MICHELLE RODRIGUEZ
DIRECTOR- PAUL W.S. ANDERSON



Synopsis taken from IMDb
The Umbrella Corporation's deadly T-Virus continues to ravage earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race's last and only hope, Alice, awakens in the heart of Umbrella's most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex.  




This was the movie I was looking forward to most in September, and I got to see it last night in 3D. I usually don't make it a habit to see movies in 3D, but I thought this would be one worth seeing because it's bad ass action literally in your face. This is the first Resident Evil movie I've seen in theaters, but I've been a fan of the movies since the first one hit DVD, I got it as a birthday present.

Now, I know these movies get alot of flack because they don't follow the game and yadda yadda yadda. Truth is, I was never a big gamer. I played video games here and there and still do, but I never followed a game the way real gamers follow them. So to me, I could give a damn if the movies are following the games or not, as long as their entertaining. I played the first RE game as well as part 4, and they were good, but I didn't get into it enough to hate the movies.


This movie has a awesome beginning; everything happens in reverse during the credits and it's the aftermath of what went down in the ending of the last film, Afterlife. Explosions, bodies and bullets everywhere, I loved this opening.

This movie has a scene in it in the beginning that reminds me strongly of 2004's Dawn of the Dead remake, where they wake up in the best of spirits only to find the world outside has gone to hell. Wreckage and death everywhere. Not to mention the zombie infestation. I like the scene in Dawn of the Dead better, but this one was still well done. There were quite a few jumps in this scene as well.

As you've seen in the trailer they've brought back some familiar faces such as Jill Valentine, Rain, Luther West and Carlos. But they've also brought in some new characters such as Ada Wong and Leon. Johann Urb looks just like Leon, they did a great job on his appearance.



One thing you should know is that this movie was made for 3D. It's not like The Avengers, where it's a regular movie and they release it in 3D, this movie was made for 3D. So if you don't see it in 3D you may not find it as entertaining because it's not as visually stunning.

The action in this movie is non-stop. It's just bang, bang, bang. Fight after fight, explosion after explosion. My favorite fight scene is the scene between Alice and Jill Valentine. That was a great scene, and the 3D during these action scenes was top-notch.


The Umbrella Corporation is out of control and has gone to far. Humanity is on it's last breath and it's a bitter fight to the end. The dialog in this movie wasn't exactly the best, it was cheesy one-liners alot of the time and some very bad acting at points. But these movies are about the ass-kicking action and the bloody deaths of zombies and the spread of the sickness killing the world. If you're out there and still expecting that Academy Award winning Resident Evil film, I'm sorry to disappoint you. I, however, knew what I was going in for and I enjoyed myself.

As Alice tries to save the world she uncovers more mysteries and no answers, adding to the total darkness we're kept in throughout this series. At any second they can twist something and drop us on our heads. Nothing and no one is ever safe. 


The movie unravels and leaves us with a cliffhanger leading up for a sequel, and I say bring it. These movies are great movies on the scale of entertainment value. I see them as nothing but over-the-top action/horror films, and I watch them to see great action and scary scenes. I don't have anything invested in them, just the fact that I expect to be entertained, and so far this series is doing it for me. Some are clearly better than others, but I'm always up to watch a Resident Evil film. They're fun, plain and simple.

The ending is grim and doesn't look promising. But that means one thing- that there is going to be some serious things going down in the 6TH installment. And more action packed zombie slaying action.


THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPERS OUT OF 4






Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Vile (2011)







RATED- R 
RUN TIME- 93 MINS
WRITERS- ERIC JAY BECK AND ROB KOWSALUK
STARRING- ERIC JAY BECK, APRIL MATSON AND AKEEM SMITH
DIRECTOR- TAYLOR SHERIDAN



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A group of friends stop to pick up a hitchhiking woman only to end up getting drugged by her with a gas. They awaken to find that vials have been implanted in the base of their skulls- which are of course instantly fatal if they are removed, a grinning professional looking woman informs them on TV screens that they have 22 hrs to fill these vials with a specific amount of brain fluid, a fluid that is produced during times of extreme pain. Along with another group of unlucky test subjects and with time ticking away they decide to work together and share the burden or reaching their painful target. 



I believe this was under Netflix's "recently added" category and I added it a few days ago. I didn't really know what this film was about but the title got me as did the cover.

And instantly I thought "this is going to be a Saw ripoff".



As I watched the film I noticed from the bat that the film's picture quality is bad, it's one of the straight-to-video Blockbuster movies. So I knew this film was going to blow, but I was hoping that it'd surprise me and be a diamond in a rough.

The film starts off with a group of friends in a car. The scene was poorly shot, the dialog was awful and the acting was just as bad. I almost turned the film off here, but I decided I'd torture myself and see it through to the end.

My original impression that this was going to be a Saw mimic was wrong, it was a Saw AND Hostel mockery. It was so unoriginal it hurt. They took people and wanted them to torture themselves in brutal ways in order to get the brain fluid they need in the vile on their necks. They do this and add sad music to it, and by doing this they make you try and feel horrible for these people. They try and make it a sympathetic sort of thing, only the characters have no character so you really don't care what happens to them.


This was a torture film pure and simple. They want you to watch horrible acting with a horrible plot and feel bad for them as they have to torture each other and themselves for ridiculous reasons.

I don't really think there was a redeeming quality for the film. They tried to fill it with a couple of twists but it wasn't pulling this sinking ship afloat. The ending was dreadful. Typical and redundant. Totally unimpressed.

I think the worst torture of this film is the one the viewer goes through watching it.


THIS FILM GETS 1/2 OF 1 REAPER OUT OF 4




Monday, September 17, 2012

Dread (2009)







RATED- R
RUN TIME- 108 MINS
WRITERS- CLIVE BARKER AND ANTHONY DIBLASI
STARRING- JACKSON RATHBONE, HANNE STEEN AND LAURA DONELLY 
DIRECTOR- ANTHONY DIBLASI



Synopsis taken from IMDb
The outcast cinema student, Stephen Grace, does not drive cars due to the trauma of losing his brother in a car accident. He befriends, Quaid, who since the age of 6 has experienced dreadful nightmares and daydreams about the death of his parents. Quaid purposes they research about each one's innermost fear. Stephen sees the chance of developing an original thesis for college, and invites his friend, Cheryl, to work with them. Among the interviewees, Stephen talks to his colleague, Abby who works with him in the library. Abby has a complex about the way she looks. When the work is almost complete, Quaid has an outburst at one of the interviewee's and ends up destroying the camera and editing equipment. Stephen begins to re-evaluate the situation.



When I first heard they were doing this movie I was instantly skeptical. Because what we have here is the potential to make a landmark horror film. Totally original concept and it's from the mind of Clive Barker.

Dread is my favorite short story off all-time. I got Clive Barker's Books Of Blood Volume 2 at a Farmer's Market for only about fifty cents. I read it and Dread stood out to me the most out of the overall engenius  book. Dread had balls. It took you places that you weren't sure you wanted to go but you go anyway. Dread instantly became my favorite short story I've ever read.

So I was instantly prepared for failure when I heard the movie was being made, because I knew it was damn near impossible for the movie to be better. Unless they followed the book to a T. But let's face it, who does that anymore?

The ending to the book was so brilliant! I actually passed the book along to about 3 or 4 friends and they all loved it as well.


I liked the cast right away, I thought they were young, attractive kids who fit the parts. Shaun Evans did a good job playing Quaid, especially when Quaid starts to lose it. They were sympathetic characters who get caught in a mess.

The story is different. They changed several key things about the book and I noticed the differences right as I started watching. Noting them in my mind to see how this changes the outcome. And what you got was a watered down version of the book. I don't know why they would feel they needed to change the ending, but regardless, it wasn't for the better. I don't blame the cast for this, I blame the writing. The cast did their jobs well, the story just wasn't what it was supposed to be.


The film still has some "turn your head" moments, and it goes pretty deep on the torture factor. But like in the book, it isn't about the physical torture, it's about the mental torture of confronting your worst fear. This part of the movie was good. The best part in the book as well as the movie is the part where Cheryl has to eat the steak. For those of you who haven't seen this, I won't spoil it, but I don't recommend eating while watching this scene.

It all gets worse once Stephen discovers that Quaid is a twisted man in need of help. Quaid won't stop though. He won't stop until he gets his answer. What can you do to stop your own Dread. He plans on finding out by making his victims confront theirs.


The things the people go through in this movie are horrendous and vile. They don't deserve what's being done to them. But Quaid the coward, wants to make his companions face their dread so he won't have to face his. He claims this is helping his victims, sort of like Jigsaw from Saw, but he's only torturing them for his own research.

There's a scene involving a guy who used to be deaf and isn't anymore, and his biggest fear is to be deaf again. To feel that desperate and hopeless again. And let me say it isn't pretty when Quaid decides he wants to use him as a test subject.


I love the relationship between Stephen and Quaid and how they start off becoming good friends. And seeing the character development between them as Stephen starts to realize Quaid is off his rocker. However, this was better done in the book. I didn't feel the chemistry there between them like they portrayed in the short story.

The basic elements of this story are in the movie but they updated some things that didn't really need it. For those who haven't read the book you might like this movie more. For those who have I believe you feel MY Dread.



This film isn't terrible, but I hold Dread in high regard and so I expect a certain standard that I did not feel they were able to execute for this movie. All they had to do was keep it as true to the book as possible and leave the ending alone. But I guess that's a hard question to ask of them. I'm disappointed in this movie. This story deserves a better adaptation.




THIS FILM GETS 1 1/2 REAPERS OUT OF 4









Sunday, September 16, 2012

Grimm Reviewz Remembers: An American Werewolf in London (1981)






I'm so excited to do this one! This is one I've been itching to do, and lets face it, anything about An American Werewolf in London will put a big ole smile on my face. 

This movie changed the face of horror cinema. It's an elite. Werewolf movies are always lagging, there's hardly ever any real good werewolf movies and this one hits it out of the park. It is amazing special effects, funny, scary, thrilling and satisfying.

This was one that was under my radar for far to long and when it surfaced I was telling friends and family about it. I was telling people to watch it and I went out and bought Innocent Blood (1992) when I found out that John Landis did that as well.


DID YOU KNOW?
An American Werewolf in London was actually filmed in sequence, the opening scenes filmed first and the closing scenes filmed last.

John Landis said that he often hears that people think it's a comedy and although the movie has alot of good humor, it isn't a comedy by far. It is however a monumental movie in the werewolf genre, it planted it's flag and claimed the territory. And it's kept it ever since. 

I remember hearing "Blue Moon" playing and the overlook of some beautiful scenery. We see a old truck transporting sheep stop and open the back of the truck to let out 2 young american males. Jack and David. They're best friends touring the world together and you instantly love their characters and their friendship. It all changes however, when they enter a small pub called The Slaughtered Lamb to be greeted by a group of fishy looking rude Englishmen. 



FILM QUOTE

JACK: NOW, I'M REALLY SORRY TO BE UPSETTING YOU, BUT I HAVE TO WARN YOU.

DAVID: WARN ME?

JACK: WE WERE ATTACKED BY A WEREWOLF.

DAVID: [PUTTING HIS HANDS OVER HIS EARS] I'M NOT LISTENING TO THIS!

JACK: ON THE MOORS, WE WERE ATTACKED BY A LYCANTHROPE, A WEREWOLF. I WAS MURDERED, AN UNNATURAL DEATH, AND NOW I WALK THE EARTH IN LIMBO UNTIL THE WEREWOLF CURSE IS LIFTED.

DAVID: SHUT UP!

JACK: THE WOLF'S BLOODLINE MUST BE SEVERED; THE LAST REMAINING WEREWOLF MUST BE DESTROYED. IT'S YOU, DAVID.

I remember when I first heard the wolf's howl as David and Jack are leaving The Slaughter'd Lamb, I was terrified. This wolf's howl seemed so much more savage and vicious than any other howl I ever heard from a werewolf. There was some aggression and and savagery in that howl and a little bit of what sounded to be pain. The pain of having that curse, the pain of being damned.

The attack was just as horrendous. The wolf tears Jack apart, poor guy. But he makes a better zombie, and you'll find that out more as you watch the film. I thought what they did to Jack was brilliant and a perfect use for his funny and sarcastic personality. 

One reason I like this scene alot is because David runs instead of helping Jack at first. He totally takes off leaving Jack to be dog food. He has a change of heart and comes back to the rescue only to be scratched by the wolf himself. The damage to Jack was already done. I like that David ran. It was a real reaction and emotion, that's why it's impactful  to me.


DID YOU KNOW?
ALL SONGS IN THIS FILM HAVE THE WORD "MOON" IN THEIR TITLES.

The impact that scene had on me was severe. I was terrified of this wolf and more than anything I wanted to see what it looked like. Funny thing, John Landis said that he thinks he showed the wolf too much in the final edit of the film. He said he would have cut some of the wolf out. I however, think the wolf wasn't overused at all. I think they show the wolf enough, I wouldn't say they should cut any of the wolf's footage out.

David waking up in the hospital after a ridiculous amount of sleep and finding out that his pal Jack is dead and that the police reports say it was a "mad man" who attacked he and David. David detests this but its disregarded due to his lack of memory and state of mind.

You instantly see the attraction between David and the Nurse and the whole time thinking how bad this is going to go if he pursues her as a girlfriend. And at the same time wanting him to do it so you can see what happens when he turns into a werewolf.


FILM QUOTE

JACK: HOW COULD THERE HAVE BEEN WITNESSES? IT WAS SO DARK. WE WERE RUNNING AND I FELL AND JACK WENT TO HELP ME UP, AND THIS THING CAME FROM NOWHERE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT.


As David stays in the hospital we start to see David and Nurse Price acting out their attraction with silly flirting and laughs. They both sense something's there and aren't hiding from it.

I remember seeing David going to the market with Nurse Price and seeing how "carefully" she lived on her budget and with the prices of food being outrageous. I know how she feel's I've been there. But more importantly, she's bringing a werewolf home with her...




DID YOU KNOW?
AT THE CLOSE OF THE CREDITS IS A CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE FOR THE WEDDING OF PRINCE CHARLES AND PRINCESS DIANNA (AS LADY DIANA SPENCER). IT WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE DURING THE SCENE WHEN DAVID IS TRYING TO GET ARRESTED, HE SHOUTS, "PRINCE CHARLES IS GAY!" THE FILM WAS SHOT MONTHS BEFORE THE PREPARATIONS FOR THE COUPLE'S JULY 1981 WEDDING. 
  
After David and Miss Price make love, David gets up to take a leak and sees his good ol' pal Jack for the second time (the first being when David's in the hospital). And Jack brings doom in his words, warning david not to do anything stupid and that he's going to turn soon. A full moon is coming. David disregards Jack again and goes on about life, thinking he's going crazy for seeing such morbid visions.

What got me right away was how every time you see Jack, he is more decomposed than the last time you saw him. Becoming more rotted and weathered. I thought that was a brilliant touch.


FILM QUOTE

JACK: IT'S A FULL MOON...

JACK, DAVID: [REMEMBERING THE WARING THEY RECEIVED] BEWARE THE MOON...

DAVID: AND STICK TO THE ROAD. OOPS.

JACK: I VOTE WE GO BACK TO THE SLAUGHTERED LAMB.


I remember how antsy I was to see David turn. We all knew it was coming. We the viewer knew Jack's word's were true. It was David who didn't listen. 

The whole scene was suspenseful and brilliant. Even though CCR's "Bad Moon Rising" was playing as background music to David being bored all day while Miss Price was at work, I wasn't being fooled. I knew this was the calm before the storm.

Finally after finding nothing to eat (he's not hungry all day), and there's nothing on TV, David decides to read a book to pass the time. Meanwhile some clouds move revealing a full moon.


DID YOU KNOW?
JOHN LANDIS ORIGINALLY WANTED THREE OTHER SONGS ADDED TO THE SOUNDTRACK: CAT STEVENS WOULDN'T ALLOW "MOONSHADOW" TO BE USED BECAUSE HE STOPPED ALLOWING HIS SECULAR MUSIC TO BE LICENSED FOR FILMS FOLLOWING HIS CONVERSION TO ISLAM; BOB DYLAN WOULDN'T ALLOW HIS VERSION OF "BLUE MOON" TO BE USED IN AN R RATED FILM, AS HE HAD JUST BEGUN HIS BRIEF CONVERSION TO CHRISTIANITY; AND ELVIS PRESLEY'S VERSION OF " BLUE MOON" PROVED UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THE ONGOING LAWSUITS INVOLVING HIS ESTATE. 

The transformation scene was incredible, I even heard that the latex used in the scene showing his muzzle grow only lasted a few minutes due to how stretched it was, but it lasted long enough to shoot the scene. And that's what counts.

It was shot so painfully, you felt for David, watching his body morph and he has no control. Just an abundance of pain and suffering. They way you hear bones cracking, popping and tendons stretching. All while he screams for mercy in the background. This reminds you that although werewolf's may be cool, it ain't easy being one and you certainly don't want to be one. If werewolf's were real there'd be no way around a painful transformation.

By far the best shot and well done transformation scene ever. As well as most painful. They nailed this scene. This scene will forever echo in the horror vault of memorable film moments.


FILM QUOTE

JACK: HAVE YOU TRIED TALKING TO A CORPSE? IT'S BORING. 

You still barely see the wolf at this point and after such an amazing scene you want to be satisfied with finally viewing the monstrosity. But John Landis doesn't let you in that easily. What's he do? He waits until David attacks some people to show you the wolf in it's entirety, which is ingenious. And what a way to make an impact when you show it in an attack scene. 

The Kessler Wolf is the finest werewolf design ever made until recently, and I honestly think it still may be the best. It looks like a wolf, but it isn't a Twilight or True Blood wolf where they cheap out and give you basic wolves. And it wasn't a wolf-man. It doesn't stand on it's back legs and walk like a man. It doesn't movie like a man either, it's something new. It's a ferocious beast and is terribly vicious.

 I was so scared for the fellow at the subway station. Putting myself in those shoes. Being chased by your lonesome by a beast of unknown origin that's growl and posture made it clear to you that you're dinner. Terrifying. 


DID YOU KNOW?
JOHN LANDIS WROTE THE SCREENPLAY FOR THIS FILM WHILE HE WAS A GOFER ON THE KELLY'S HEROS SHOOT.

After he awakens the next day in a zoo naked, David feels great! He's energetic and rejuvenated. But when he finds out that there was some brutal animal attacks last night he puts 2 and 2 together and realizes that the animal who savagely murdered innocent people was him, and that Jack's words were really words he should have listened to.

David then freaks out and takes off, leaving Miss Price  and goes to call home to say goodbye to his family. He's decided to end his life.

He then sees Jack walk into a porno theater viewing a film called "See You Next Tuesday" and follows Jack in. They get a seat in the back and have a talk discussion what went on last night. This is the coolest look for Jack,  because at this point he's so decomposed you can see his skull through his skin. This was done by puppet because when doing make-up it's easy to add to something. But taking away and making someone look like a corpse is easier to execute with puppeteering.


FILM QUOTE

LITTLE BOY: A NAKED AMERICAN MAN STOLE MY BALLOONS.

David and Jack aren't alone in the porno theater. They're joined by David's dinner from last night. All of them telling him to end his life and let them free of limbo. They aren't exactly polite but I can't say I would be either.

David then turns again when the full moon arises and he's in the middle of the theater. This is my 2ND favorite scene in the movie after the transformation scene. There's so much chaos and destruction and death. People killing other people in car crashes piling up due to the wolf prowling the streets. The body count rises.

Once Miss Price remembers a thing David said to her, "I think only someone you love can kill you", she comes to the scene to see if she can confront the beast and save David.


DID YOU KNOW?
THIS IS THE FIRST FILM TO WIN AN ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST MAKEUP. THAT CATEGORY WAS CREATED IN 1981.

The ending to this film was sad and tragic, as well as good for a laugh. With the music that plays at the end giving you a little reprieve from such a dark ending. This film truly evokes every emotion from you. It's a masterpiece for the ages and the measuring stick in which all other werewolf films are compared. And it is my favorite werewolf film of all-time.





COMING NEXT MONTH!!!
GRIMM REVIEWZ REMEMBERS: HALLOWEEN (1978)



Saturday, September 15, 2012

Texas Chainsaw 3D Official Trailer





I honestly think the remake was pretty damn near perfect and on of the rare occasions where I liked the remake more than the original. This one looks like a generic movie attempting to cash in on the success of the recent remake and prequel. To me, this film is pointless and is probably going to be lackluster. I don't like the way the trailer is put together either, they're openly bragging about how "it's happened before and it's happening again". That's not a good thing.

I don't know why I'm complaining though, I know I'll end up going to see it just because the small part in me will scream and shout until I see for myself how the film turned out. As I'm sure most of you will to.

What do you think? What's your opinion?



Friday, September 14, 2012

Exclusive Interview With Blair Webb: Creator/Writer Of Ghostman (Comics Series)




This week I had the pleasure of interviewing one of the most interesting and creative people I've ever know. After planning the interview Blair invited me to his beautiful, comfortable home to discuss his underground comic sensation Ghostman. Some of you may never have heard of Ghostman, and that's okay, but if you're an avid comic fan of comics and are looking for the next step in Superheros keep on reading.

While sitting in his studio I got to ask Blair what goes through the mind of the creator of such an interesting comic creation. Blair is a fantastic artist with a great knowledge of comic books, he's also a co-worker of mine. So it was good to get to put the work aside and talk about the good stuff.

For those of you who don't know, Ghostman is a independent supernatural thriller/action comic about a detective named Preston Cannon who is half human and half fallen angel. Not fallen like Lucifer, God picks an angel and puts them on earth as Preston Cannon's other half. And thus Preston Cannon becomes Ghostman and is constantly battling the evil forces unleashed on earth.

Be warned that this interview does have SPOILERS.



GR: Who do you credit for you becoming an artist?

BW: I'd have to go with my grandfather Joe Sheeran, he started me with art. He gave me my first pencils. Once I was 10, I go my 1st comic book. It was the 1st issue special edition of The Punisher.

GR: How did Ghostman come about?

BW: In 1999, I started writing a story. It just got bigger and I started dabbling with religion. Having peers commit suicide and wondering if you really go to hell for doing so really got me looking for answers and arose a few questions. Like is there a loophole? If someone had split personalities and only was half evil, how would he be treated by God or the Devil if he committed suicide to rid the world of his half evil existence. 

It started as a detective story and evolved into spirits, and souls and where would you go? What if one side of you was a good cop and the other side a serial killer? I wanted a good solid base and origin. I wanted something deep that made sense and was a struggle between good and evil. 

If you killed yourself is it possible to face yourself in Limbo? That was the beginning.


GR: What comics did you grow up reading?

BW: Batman and Wolverine. Eventually branching out into Spider-Man. I didn't read Superman until Jim Lee became involved.


GR: How many hours a week do you spend working on the comic? I see you at work always working on it every chance and break you get.

BW: I usually do 2 to 3 hours a day. If I'm not drawing I focus on the writing. All of my villains are from history, tons of research is done to make it possible. Then I add my twist to them.




GR: What makes Ghostman different?

BW: I don't take classic, I do it until it's perfect. I'm not trying to touch fame, I just want people to read it. My fans always have an influence on me and my work.


GR: You mention your Grandfather Joe Sheeran, the late, great owner of our workplace influenced you. How long have you been drawing?

BW: I officially threw myself into it in December 2ND 1993. I was working on a comic with several other kids my age. It was a fun experience.

GR: Would you consider Ghostman to be somewhat of you child? I mean this of course because I know you're very enveloped in this character and I can only imagine how it's become sort of a child to you. You're creation.

BW: Absolutely. All the time and hard work I put into it just to see it happen. It's my baby.


GR: What can be expected from Ghostman in the future?

BW: Continue with The Devil's Seven. The Devil's Seven are 7 souls of the most horrendous and evil people and they're plagued upon earth. I always want Ghostman to fight something. There should be humor and darkness at the climax. There's alot of humor in Ghostman but it's equally as dark I guess you could say.




GR: Now you mentioned a crossover going on in the Ghostman series. Can you explain?
BW: I met Patrick Thomas at a signing and we discussed comics. He always wanted to do a comic book. I told him to write up a story (since he's a phenomenal writer) and we collaborated. I came up with a villain, the "Moon Maniac". This ghost of a serial killer from history Albert Fish, comes back to terrorize. It really worked well with Ghostman and the villains he usually takes on. It came about after Patrick Thomas asked me to do some illustrations in one of his books.


GR: In your own words why should people reading this read Ghostman?

BW: To be entertained. In today's society we need a new hero. Not the common hero. It's all new characters and an all new concept. This isn't just what sells or makes money. I wanted to go a new route. I'd like more comics to be the same way.  

It's all about the new stuff. There are so many new Superheros out there now. More modern. Just go to a small press expo and see all the ideas people are coming up with. It's incredible and inspiring.  




It was very inspiring to get to talk with Blair and have this sit-down. It opened my eyes to alot of new things and gave me an even higher respect of the guy. He's a talented dude and he deserves the credit and I thank him for giving me his time as well as welcoming me into his home. He's a class act and if you're into comic books there's no reason why you shouldn't give his books a shot.


TO PURCHASE GHOSTMAN COMIC BOOKS VISIT:
http://www.cafepress.com/ghostmanbook1


AND TO VIEW BLAIR'S BIO VISIT:
http://www.talenthouse.com/blairwebb




Tuesday, September 11, 2012

The Mummy (1932)







RATED- UNRATED
RUN TIME- 73 MINS
WRITERS- NINA WILCOX PUTNAM, RICHARD SCHAYER AND JOHN L. BALDERSTON
STARRING- BORIS KARLOFF, ZITA JOHANN AND DAVID MANNERS
DIRECTOR- KARL FREUND





Synopsis taken from IMDb
In 1921 a field expedition in Egypt discovers the mummy of ancient Egyptian prince Im-Ho-Tep, who was condemned to and buried alive for sacrilege. Also found in the tomb is the scroll of Thoth, which can bring the dead back to life. One night a young member of the expedition reads the scroll out loud, and then goes insane, realizing that he has brought Im-Ho-Tep back to life. Ten years later, disguised as a modern Egyptian, the mummy attempts to reunite with his love, an ancient princess who has be reincarnated into a beautiful young woman.



Let me start this one with some respect to a horror legend and icon. A face everyone knows.





BORIS KARLOFF 1887-1969

Grimm Reviewz salutes you, sir.




It is one of my shames to admit that one thing that I have never done, even though I was seriously watching horror films as a child, was finish the Universal Monsters series. The Mummy was one that I never got around to. You gotta remember, I was born in the late 80's so growing up these movies weren't as big to my generation. We had R.L. Stein's Goosebumps series. But it is one thing that I wish was different, I would love to be a kid when this film came out and having the excitement of going to see it and talk about it at school. I was just born a few generations later.

So time came for this one to come to the surface and be watched. I've seen alot of the classics but this was one that slipped through the cracks for far to long.


First of all, the make-up in this movie was insane for it's time. Not that Frankenstein and Creature From The Black Lagoon weren't up to par, The Mummy was just as good. The way they made movies work back then amazes me. Today everything just goes to CGI but back then you had to be creative if you wanted to make a scene work. True movie magic.

I thought that the acting in this movie was over dramatic like all the other Universal Studios Monster movies. It was endearing and appealing.


Ardeth Bey, who was The Mummy 10 years after being brought back from the dead who was also portrayed by Mr. Karloff was such an interesting character. You could see the malevolence in him under the surface, but he wasn't a bad guy. He had only good intentions. Just don't get in his way. He gives a guy a heart attack via mind power for crossing him.

The young female he gets to be his bride is so gorgeous and just radiates beauty. Even though she doesn't live up to today's standard of beauty I find her very attractive and fitting for the part. She did a great job as well.

The ending of the film was great. It was a great time watching this movie and feeling the thrill of seeing a classic horror film of such standard.

What it boils down to is how back when movies were in black and white, the horror was romantic, dramatic and poetic. There was always a reason for the villain to be how he or she is. They weren't ever just evil. They had reasons and more likely than not they were just misunderstood. If only today's horror held such elegance and charm.



THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPERS OUT OF 4