Throwback Thursday Review: 'THE MONSTER SQUAD' (1987)

Directed by Night of the Creeps (1986) director, Frank Dekker, and starring Tom Noonan (Heat), Duncan Regehr (Air Bud 3), and Andre Gower (Sweet Deadly Dreams), The Monster Squad is a tale that adults and children alike can enjoy. It's a heartwarming story about a group of children who find themselves in a real life face-off against cinemas most famous monsters to ever grace the big screen.

'ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE' is a true-blooded vampire film

MILD SPOILERS THROUGHOUT 

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 123 Mins
WRITER(S)- Jim Jarmusch
STARRING- Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddleston and Mia Wasikowska
DIRECTOR- Jim Jarmusch 



Synopsis taken from IMDb
A depressed musician reunites with his lover, though their romance- which has already endured several centuries- is disrupted by the arrival of uncontrollable younger sister.




Honestly, I'm about sick to death of vampire films and all the baggage they bring. Mainly because, no one in this day and age seems to know what vampires are anymore, and make them your boyfriend instead of the monster scratching at your bedroom window. So, I can't say that I went in with high hopes to see Only Lovers Left Alive, simply off of principle. And, I'll be the first person to admit that I was wrong in judging it. Nowadays, big moviegoers like myself, are preconditioned at this point to just deal with whatever crappy vampire movie is out there at the time. There's some like me, who still keep their eyes open waiting to be surprised.

I want to suck your Blood: 10 Scariest Movie Vampires

Seeing as I've touched up on the best movie werewolves (if you missed it click here), I figured it's time to name drop the scariest vampires in cinema history. Again like in my lycanthrope post, this list does not reflect my opinion on the films listed, for I myself, don't necessarily like all of the flicks on this list. This is simply a look at the 10 scariest designs that blood suckers have had throughout history. We're talking the ugly of ugly, and the nasty of nasty.

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRACULA (Book Review)

"A journey in text and pictures to Transylvania and beyond"

Author Steven P. Unger, has officially (in my opinion) made the greatest travel book to Transylvania ever. The book is so rich in details and pictures. I really like how there's little excerpts from Bram Stoker's groundbreaking novel, Dracula, and then a text walk through with pictures. Helping to paint the image for you in your mind with such details and photos to back them up, you see where Bram Stoker based his novel, and the specific places he used as inspiration, and how they compare in person to what's written on the pages of Dracula. In most cases it's always identical, but there are some that you can tell Stoker elaborated a bit on. 

Throwback Thursday Review: THE LOST BOYS (1987)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 97 Mins
WRITER(S)- Janice Fischer, James Jeremias, and Jeffrey Boam
STARRING- Jason Patrick, Corey Haim, and Dianne Wiest 
DIRECTOR- Joel Schumacher



Synopsis taken from IMDb
After moving to a new town, two brothers are convinced that the area is frequented by vampires.




Last week, I told you all that I'd review my favorite vampire film of all-time....tada!

"The Lost Boys" was only one of many classic and memorable horror films to come out in 1987, the birth year of Grimm here. Although it's in the latter part of the 80's, that still didn't stop the 80's from kicking major ass. This was one of the first genre movies that I was exposed to growing up, and because of it's comical humor, it was always being played by my Dad, or my mom, or my sister. As a matter of fact, I still have the VHS from my childhood.

Throwback Thursday Review: FRIGHT NIGHT (1985)

RATED- R

RUN TIME- 106 Mins

WRITER(S)- Tom Holland

STARRING- Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, and Amanda Bearse

DIRECTOR- Tom Holland

Synopsis taken from IMDb

When a teenager learns that his next door neighbor is a vampire, no one will believe him.

When I say that "Fright Night" is my second favorite vampire film ever, the first question I'm asked is the obvious 'what's your first favorite?' So, I'll nip that in the butt now, and say that if you want to know what my favorite vampire film of all-time is, you'll have to pop back in next Thursday once I review it, and see. Tom Holand's classic blood sucker tale, "Fright Night" is an ageless classic that has stuck with me since my childhood. Still considered by some genre fans as the best of its kind, and still has as strong a fan base as ever. 

Boredom is all you'll be AFFLICTED with

MILD SPOILERS THROUGHOUT

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 85 Mins
WRITER(S)- Derek Lee and Clif Prowse
STARRING- Clif Prowse, Derek Lee, and Michael Gill
DIRECTOR- Derek Lee and Clif Prowse 



Synopsis taken from IMDb
Two best friends see their trip of a lifetime take a dark turn when one of them is struck by a mysterious affliction. Now, in a foreign land, they race to uncover the source before it consumes him completely.




The first things that came to my mind when I was watching "Afflicted" was how it's yet another found footage film. I understand these types of movies are hot in the filmmaker community, if not just for the financial benefit of them not costing much to make, but this trend needs to die off already. Or at least tone it down. Found footage features are getting to the point of zombie flicks now, with how many terrible genre installments there are yearly. I think that as of now, unless it's done by a well known director who I support, I'm staying away from this sub-genre. It offers nothing new, and has been used to death.

We meet Derek (Derek Lee) and Clif (Clif Prowse), and we find out that Derek has AVM. Basically he has a tangle of blood vessels in his brain, and his time in this life may be limited. If there's an accident, and he hurts his head, that's all she wrote. So, rather than bask in his own self-pity and misery, Derek decides that he and his best friend since childhood, Clif, should tour the world. Of course, they have to film the entire experience for a live travel blog that they title "Ends of the Earth". Clif, wants to spend the time with his buddy before it's too late, he may not get another opportunity like this again in Derek's lifetime.
I appreciate the character's chemistry and history, and you can tell that they're bond is real. Both seeing their interactions on screen, and the photos of them as children, it's easy to see that the friendship is legitimate.

After meeting up with some friends who are in a band, Derek takes a girl back to he and Clif's hotel room. When Clif arrives later, he finds an unconscious Derek who's also wounded on his face, and has a nasty gash on his left bicep. After refusing to see a doctor and get his head and wounds checked out, Derek starts acting strange, and he throws up a lot in a restaurant, causing a scene. And his face and hands start burning, turning red and covered in welts. After constant refusal to see a doctor, his 'affliction' worsens, and the film goes in a different direction than I expected.

Aside from feeling and looking ill, Derek realizes that he has the ability to now punch through rock walls, and break rocks in half. He can also run over 160 miles per hour on foot, and he can leap unnaturally high. Clif, is not okay with all of this, but doesn't want to force his friend to stay in a hospital. If you ask me, Clif should have manned up and made Derek see a doctor, instead of catering to his feelings. After a confrontation in the street with random guys, Clif posts the video online. He then reads the comments left by viewers, and a small detail is brought to his attention: Derek licks blood off of his hand after a confrontation.

I think anyone watching can figure out where this is going once that little incident happens. And being honest and blunt, the characters are idiots. I understand not wanting to make your trip miserable, but at what point do you break down, put your selfish reasons aside, and get examined by a doctor. Not doing so only results in a worse aftermath, and both of them get what they deserve for beings so soft and stubborn. Rather than insist on Derek seeing help, Clif aids him in killing a pig for the blood. Then Clif whines and complains that he's traumatized from the animals savage death.
Like I said, idiocy. It's really hard to like characters in a movie when they're doing ridiculously dumb things.

And things turn messy real quick because neither Derek nor Clif know how to clean up after themselves, and leave a trail of chaos behind them. There's one part that is surprising and got a reaction out of me, and that's when we see Derek in his semi-animalistic state from starvation. As it turns out, human blood is required to survive, animal blood won't do the trick. Derek remains unconscious for 11 hours. After complications involving Clif offering up his blood, Derek is solo the duration of the film, which leads up to the best scene in the movie; Derek's suicide attempt.

When Derek goes in the sun, we see some pretty well-rounded makeup effects for burns. And once he's on the run from the police, he ends up broke, trying to survive and looking for answers. From there on it's just silly, and I lost any and all connection with this film. I noticed that this motion picture was much better carried on the shoulders of two leads than one. Derek's journey isn't intriguing enough without the input of Clif. It's just a bunch of scrambling around to find a cohesive plot.
The first act was a lot better than the second and third.

The worst scene for me, involves Derek being totally animalistic and savage, yet he's still holding the camcorder, recording all of the violence. It makes no sense, and scenes like this are why the found footage sub-genre is on it's last leg. We're at the point now where we'll need a miracle in found footage for this style of movie making to become everything but the laughing stock of horror. But regardless, stick around through the credits for a last minute surprise.

2 stars out of 5

Cravings (2006)

A.K.A "Daddy's Girl"

RATED- R

RUN TIME- 90 Mins

WRITER(S)- D.J. Evans

STARRING- Richard Harrington, Jaime Winstone, and Louise Delamere

DIRECTOR- D.J. Evans

Synopsis taken from IMDb

A psychiatrist is confronted by a troubled teen, who's out for blood.

First off, let me start this off by saying how good it feels to be back! I had to take a short break from writing due to personal issues. However, I'm back, and ready to do what I do best. I've missed this writing life, and it's a great feeling to be back at it. I've gotten so many messages asking me where I disappeared to. It's always good to know people look forward to my reviews that much! I appreciate everyone and their support.

Secondly, let me say that the title of this film I'm reviewing is ludicrous. And what's even worse, is the cover. For the sake of attracting a bigger audience and cashing in on the vampire craze, this flick was marketed in a way that doesn't do it justice, and is misleading. Not to mention unnecessary. However, a misleading title and cover art aren't enough to make me not fairly assess the movie.The lead character Nina (Jaime Winstone) is not a vampire in the traditional way, but more in the most basic of terms way. 

I was turned on to this by a few friends who were talking about it. Although it was hard to track down and get my hands on, I did it. Most people wouldn't expect this to be as psychological as it is. It's a deep, slowly drawn out plot that ultimately shows how someones obsession and urge to help someone can end up harming them, and that some things are better left alone. There's also a huge underlining of bad parenting, and enabling. It's a refection of our will to overlook our troubles and cover them up.  

This isn't a flick for people looking for action in every second. This is slow paced, and takes it's time sinking in. If your a fan of atmospheric films, then this is worth a watch. It definitely leaves an impression, for better or worse. 

If found the the characters a bit drawn out and dry, even typical. But, the film was set in reality so it actually kinda works. It's not a very eventful piece of cinema, in fact it's sorta anti-climatic. But, for some reason it sticks with you, and I believe it's because it's unlike other films you're likely to see from the vampire genre. It tackles the vampire myth by coming at it from a mental and psychological standpoint. Breaking down the fundamentals of what makes a vampire work in the real world. For the realism and grounded approach, I tip my hat.

As the story carries out, it becomes apparent that there isn't any help that can be done for Nina. And really getting involved with her is a bad idea, period. We witness the downfall of a psychiatrist named Stephen (Richard Harrington) who had his life together until he became obsessed with helping Nina. Temptation rules over the moral in this picture, and that's a deep and profound point of view. 

Overall, there's plenty of flaws with "Cravings", but it remains entertaining. And it has a tragic and sickening ending that left me in a depressed mood. So if it can invoke emotions out of me like that, then it did something right. However, it's not something that I'd praise, as much as appreciate for the things done in this film that should have been it's marketing center. Such as the original and dark story. In the end it gets my seal of approval, but it's not as good as it could be. The acting doesn't stand out, and if it had, it'd be a much better movie.

10 Greatest Vampire Hunters in Cinema History

Vampires have been around for ages now, and the one thing that always accompanies them is a foe, stopping at nothing to put the undead to rest. I've narrowed it down to my ten favorite hunters, the ones that have had the most impact on me, as well as cinema lovers all around the globe.

Just like vampires, vampire hunters do exist. There's stories of people who claim to prowl the cemeteries at night in search of blood suckers. Some look at these people like they're crazy, but are they really? Or are they simply facing a truth we're all afraid of? I'll leave that one up to you to decide.

Like Vampires, hunters also spilled into cinema. And in this list you will only find real, flesh, and blood Vampire hunters. I love comics, but this isn't a list for comic characters or cartoons. The ten chosen, are the icons that we'll always remember and pay homage to.



10. Peter Vincent ('Fright Night')

1985's 'Fright Night' is my 2nd favorite vampire film ever, after 'The Lost Boys'. Played to perfection by Roddy McDowall, Peter Vincent is the host of local television show Fright Night. A show that showcases Peter's movies, portraying him as a vampire hunter. Only when a real vampire moves into town, he's faced with the real monster, and not just the fake ones played by actors in his movies.

The thing that's so likable about this guy is that he's a real guy, afraid like we all would be. Yet, he's able to overcome his cowardice and really be the hero he's always portrayed himself in movies as. Even though it's a small role, it was an awesome one. And it's a character no horror fan will ever forget about.


9. Jack Crow (John Carpenter's 'Vampires') 

The 1998 film 'Vampires' was a success, and a film that gets brought up a lot in conversations about vampire movies. Though some tend to forget about it, it's still echoing off the vampire genre's walls. Everyone was happy to see a good and original vampire film be made. Not to mention that it's by the master himself, John Carpenter.

Played by James Woods, Jack Crow is the leader of a pact of vampire hunters and mercenaries sponsored by the Vatican. This character is so memorable because of how gritty he is, and how he's not afraid to get his hands dirty. He's only a man and he's flawed, but he's one tough SOB and fights tooth and nail to stay in the game and to destroy vampires.


8. Sam and Dean Winchester ('Supernatural')

Though I've stopped  watching the CW show after the epic fifth season,  no one can deny the awesome duo Sam and Dean are! They hunt down every and any ugly, and scary thing that lurk in the shadows, including fanged freaks. The lore on vampires was well written on 'Supernatural', it was a realistic take on the blood fiends.

Even though their backs are always to the wall, they never cease to devise a brilliant plan to get the job done. It make cost them some blood loss and a few broken bones, but Sam and Dean are blue-collar workers who never stop until the beasts are at rest.


7. The Frog Brothers ('The Lost Boys')

Everything about 'The Lost Boys' is iconic! Including the two comic loving, rough and rugged Frog Brothers. These guys are just cool. If I went to school with them, they'd be my crowd. They're weird, funny, knowledgeable, and although they get by on the skin of their teeth, they're grade A ass kickers.

When Sam finds out his brother, Michael, may be a vampire, he contacts none other than the Frog Brothers for help. Although they're amateur, they take care of business and are a blast to watch. They never get old and neither does the film. I love these guys!

6. Gabriel Van Helsing ('Van Helsing')

Even though the 2004 film fell flat on it's face to a lot of critical abuse, no one can say that Van Helsing isn't an efficient vampire hunter. Hell, he turns himself into a werewolf, a beast he also hunts, in order to take out Dracula. If that's not dedication, I don't know what is.

Van Helsing is a member of the Knights of the Holy Order, stationed at the Vatican. He's sent on a mission to save the Valerious family from history's most feared vampire, Dracula. Gabriel is a tough, rugged and smart hunter that will forever be remembered as a character. Regardless of how you feel about the film itself.


5. Lucian ('Underworld')

Being the first ever werewolf that could transform into human form, Lucian started an army of his kind against his will, and under the ruling of Viktor. After being betrayed, Lucian breaks free from being the vampire's pet slave and starts a rebellion, wrecking havoc on the undead.

Lucian isn't a malicious man. He's forever tortured by the death of his beloved Sonja, and won't rest until his revenge tears the vampire clan apart. Stopping at nothing, he creates a half-vampire and half-werewolf being for his will to be carried out. And for Viktor, head of the vampires, to be burdened with facing off against a creature he once terminated when he killed his daughter due to her love for Lucien and the child she bared with him.


4. Abraham Lincoln ('Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter')

As crazy as it sounds, Abraham Lincoln being a vampire hunter really works, if only for the fact that it's such an off the wall idea. And while the film is only good for entertainment value, Abe is a pretty skilled hunter! He fought like Van Helsing, only with more grounded weapons.

After witnessing his mother's demise at the hands of a vampire, Lincoln seeks vengeance against the night breed and dedicates his life to training and becoming a masterful slayer before running for president. All through the ages, Lincoln downs the population numbers for vampires, and seals his legacy.


3. Blade ('Blade')

While in labor with her son, a woman was bitten by a vampire causing her son within her to come out at birth as a hybrid. Half-human and half-vampire, Blade was given his name by an old man and vampire hunter who goes by the name of Whistler. After almost killing Blade, Whistler knew he was unique, so he took young Blade in and trained him to become a hunter of his own kind.

Blade is a total badass. That's the only word that you can really use for this guy. He's full of dark humor, but he's very serious and vicious. He's a forced to be reckoned with. He wins every battle and has faced the badest of the bad.

2. Van Helsing ('Dracula')

Peter Cushing's legacy holds many characters and films under it's belt. His portrayal as Van Helsing in several Hammer horror films throughout years and years. Everyone loves watching Cushing slay the undead scum. He's such an iconic actor, and he gave this character a face.

I don't think I've ever met anyone who isn't a fan of this guy and these awesome films. He will always be the Van Helsing we all remember and cherish. His face is what you see when you hear the name.


1. Buffy Summers ('Buffy the Vampire Slayer')

Everyone knows who Buffy is. She's simply one of the most iconic television characters ever devised. Anyone, young and old, can tell you who Buffy is. Because she stole so many hours of our lives as we watched the show religiously. While I know most would say Peter Cushing deserves the #1 spot, I disagree. Buffy is the greatest vampire slayer ever. Period.

Chosen as the slayer, Buffy fights to keep her town, and the world safe. She's saved the world a total of 7 times. But she doesn't slay alone, she has her "scooby gang" who tag along and help. Consisting of her friends and relatives, Buffy was always close to those who surrounded her and has died to save their lives...and returned.

Dark Shadows (2012)

RATED- PG-13
RUN TIME- 113 MINS
WRITERS- SETH GRAHAME-SMITH AND JOHN AUGUST
STARRING- JOHNNY DEPP, MICHELLE PFEIFFER AND EVA GREEN
DIRECTOR- TIM BURTON




Synopsis taken from IMDb
In the year 1752, Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from Liverpool, England to start a new life in America. But even an ocean was not enough to escape the mysterious curse that has plagued their family. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Johnny Depp) has the world at his feet- or at least the town of Collinsport, Maine. The master of Collinwood manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch, in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death: turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive. Two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972. He returns to Collinwood Manor to find that his one- grand estate has fallen into ruin. The dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better. 




Dark Shadows the movie marked Jonathan Frid's final screen moment, he died shortly after on April 14th. To those of you who don't know who Jonathan Frid is, he's the original Barnabas Collins from the show. He only has a bit part in a cameo in this film.

I used to watch the show all the time, my mom is a huge fan of it and she got me into it. I used to sit in the living room and watch hours of it. I thought it was brilliant. I soap opera that's horror and dramatic. Dark Shadows is a landmark in TV history.

That being said, as I've mentioned in my Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter review, I don't like Tim Burton's latest films. I personally, think he's lost it. I don't think he's up to par with his old self anymore. I think he tapped out after Big Fish. Big Fish was his last truly great movie. After that it was all downhill.

When I heard Dark Shadows was being made into a movie I was actually excited. I wanted to see what could come of it. Then when I found out Depp was in it I was still stoked but I started to feel weary of  this film. Then I heard Tim Burton was director and I threw my hands up in disgust. Here's another movie that has serious potential and they're throwing it to the wolves, letting Tim Burton have it.

Honestly, I'm really sick of the Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team. It was good for a while but it's got to stop. It's all so common and predictable now, I think it's past the point of moving on. Do something fresh and get a new actor to add perspective to the films. Instead Burton wants to use the same people over and over and over.

The film starts off in the year 1760 and the Collins family comes to America for a fresh start. When Barnabas grows up he seduces Angelique, his maid. But he doesn't know she's a witch and he makes the mistake of breaking her heart. Josette, Barnabas' new love interest is forced to her death by Angelique as she jumps off a cliff. Barnabas follows suit and jumps to his death, but he doesn't die and instead realizes he's been cursed into being a vampire and Angelique as him locked in a coffin and buried for eternity.

In 1972, 196 years after his condemnation, Barnabas is freed by some construction workers digging on a work site. This is funny because Barnabas later in the film says he was dug up by a yellow dragon with steel teeth, referring to the construction vehicle that dug him up. Barnabas returns to his manor and although the Collins living in his manor are thrown off by his appearance and by his being a vampire, but they work out a deal where he can stay.

Barnabas throws a party to revive his families name and Alice Cooper plays at the party. It was an awesome surprise to see Alice Cooper performing some old goodies. Barnabas encounters Angelique and she tries to win him back to no avail. Barnabas is attracted to Victoria, who looks like his beloved Josette and Angelique witnesses them kissing, sending her further over the edge of anger and jealousy.

To be totally honest, I didn't know how to feel about this movie after seeing it. I mean, there's a lot to consider. The movie actually wasn't bad, I enjoyed it. If I wasn't such a big fan of the show I'm sure I'd love it. There were some genuinely funny parts in it, I snickered here and there and even laughed out loud a few times.

I thought the story was good and over exaggerated in Tim Burton's way, and although the film did fit his signatures with the weird coloring, it also had beautiful scenery and sets. The acting wasn't bad either, you could tell that they were going for the dramatic element that the show was known for.

There's a part where Barnabas can't figure out where to sleep, constantly changing spots throughout the film and I found it to be pretty funny.

I thought the cast was superb and great choices. It was great to see Jackie Earle Haley in this film as Willie Loomis. Jackie is an extremely underrated actor. That dude has talent.

But even through being entertained, it wasn't Dark Shadows to me. It isn't dark like the show was, it's very lighthearted and comedic. It's not the Dark Shadows I am used to or wanted, but the film still entertained me enough to like it and appreciate it. As a stand alone film, not compared to the series, it's good. I want better for the Dark Shadows legacy, but Tim Burton did this one some justice so I'll just be thankful I can say I like it.

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)

RATED- R
RUN TIME- 105 MINS
WRITERS- SETH GRAHAME-SMITH
STARRING- BENJAMIN WALKER, RUFUS SEWELL AND DOMINIC COOPER
DIRECTOR- TIMUR BEKMAMBETOV




Synopsis taken from IMDb
At the age of 9, Abraham Lincoln witnesses his mother killed by a vampire, Jack Barts. Some 10 years later, he unsuccessfully tries to eliminate Barts but in the process makes the acquaintance of Henry Sturgess who teaches him how to fight and what is required to kill a vampire. The quid pro quo is that Abe will only kill those vampires that Henry directs him to. Abe relocates to Springfield where he gets a job as a store clerk while he studies the law and kills vampires at night. He also meets and eventually marries the pretty Mary Todd. Many years later as the President of the United States, he comes to realize that vampires are fighting with the Confederate forces. As a result he mounts is own campaign to beat them. 




Here is a film that I have put off, I wasn't sure how I felt about it. And seeing Tim Burton as producer of this film didn't sell me on it. I like Tim Burton's old movies like Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, but as of late I haven't been a fan of his latest works. So I was wondering how much of Tim Burton's limited imagination of trippy effects and bright colors would be seen in this film. Not to mention the whole concept is silly.

The film opened to fair reviews, some liking and some hating. It made a smash at the box-office with total grossing's of $108,319,139 world wide.

The film opens and we see young Abe and his family working on a plantation. While on the plantation, Abe makes friends with a young African American boy about his age named William Johnson. Abe sees William being beaten and stands up for William, getting his father Thomas fired from the plantation. Later that night Abe sees a vampire break into his home and bite his mother. She soon after dies.

9 years later Abe attacks the vampire that bit his mother, but he's over powered and no match. He's saved from the confrontation by Henry Sturges, someone who trains him to become a vampire hunter. He tells Abe their weaknesses (silver) and how to kill them.

Although Abe was warned by Sturges to not form any relationship due to his line of work, Abe meets Mary Todd when he movies to Springfield Illinois and they become romantic.

Soon after, Abe fights the vampire who killed his mother and finds out a secret about his friend Sturges. Abe gives up his mission to hunt vampires.

Years later, Abe marries Mary and begins his political campaign to end slavery. Eventually he becomes President and moves to the White House, they soon later have a son named William.

Years later, Abe is forced out of retirement to fight the blood sucking undead one more time.

I have got to admit that this movie surprised the hell out of me! I was seriously entertained. I think that getting past the ridiculous concept is the hardest part for people. If you don't judge it for accuracy and understand it's a pure pleasure film, you'll love it. It's a fun movie.

The kills and gore were well done. The action scenes are awesome and well shot, there's always a lot going on so it makes the movie more suspenseful and entertaining.

I thought the acting was well done, Benjamin Walker did a great job as Lincoln, this movie wasn't over or under acted. It fit the movie well, they knew where they were going with this. They didn't go too far on the stupid side. Although I did not like the way the vampires looked. They were too cartoony. I think if they made them real scary vampires the movie would be taken as kind of a film like Constantine.

This film won me over. If you're in the mood for an entertaining movie that's fun and full of gore and action, you should check this one out.

THIS FILM GETS 3 REAPER SKULLS OUT OF 5

V/H/S (2012)

Synopsis taken from IMDb
A POV, found footage horror film from the perspectives of America's top genre filmmakers. A group of misfits are hired by an unknown third party to burglarize a desolate house in the countryside and acquire a rare tape. Upon searching the house, the guys are confronted with a dead body, a hub of televisions and an endless supply of cryptic footage, each video stranger than the last.



That's right! If you have Comcast as your cable provider you can view this movie now. I was waiting for this day since I first saw the trailer. I'm on a mission to see everything Ti West does or takes part in. For those of you who don't have Comcast, you'll have to wait to see the movie in theaters on October 5TH.


I'll start off by saying what I thought over all by the movie. I loved it. I thought it was brilliant. This movie has my vote for best horror film of the year thus far. Incredibly original. Every story is from a POV perspective.

Some people may complain about the movie do to there being some unknown dialog being said due to bad sound. However, this movie is totally authentic, they keep everything realistic. They didn't give you cliche's. It really felt like you were watching people and not actors. 

I thought the concept was engenius and top of the line in quality. I enjoyed every one of these stories. It's too early to say but it may be my favorite anthology movie. It definitely ranks among the elite.

The endings are really open and none of the stories explain anything. They kept it authentic. It's like you really just found someones video and watched it. It's very realistic.





TAPE 56
DIRECTOR- ADAM WINGARD
WRITTEN BY- SIMON BARRETT
STARING- CALVIN REEDEER, LANE HUGHES AND KENTUCKER AUDLEY

This story starts with a band of punks, guys looking for nothing but trouble destroying and graffiti-ing houses and running up on girls and pulling up their shirts all while recording it. We see them break into an old mans house, which they were hired to do. Their objective is to get a V/H/S tape from the house, only the old man has tons of tapes and this makes it impossible to know which is the right one. They then find the old man and owner of the house dead in his easy chair.


I liked this story and was intrigued to see where it was going and you knew that guys like this had something bad coming. 




AMATEUR NIGHT
DIRECTOR- DAVID BRUCKNER
WRITTEN BY- DAVID BRUCKNER AND NICHOLAS TECOSKY
STARRING- HANNAH FIERMAN, MIKE DOHLAN AND JOE SYKES

This story is about a group of guys who buy their friend glasses with a built in camera and go out on a guy night to score some chicks. And they do. And it's a night they'll never forget...

I loved this one and it may be my favorite of the bunch. I'm going to re-watch it again before I make my final assessment. I truly didn't know where this one was going and I was creeped out. 




SECOND HONEYMOON
DIRECTOR- TI WEST
WRITTEN BY- TI WEST
STARRING- JOE SAUNDERS, SOPHIA TAXAN AND KATE LYN SHEIL

This story is about a couple on their second honeymoon being stalked by an unknown female. While in their hotel room the couple receives a knock on the door to reveal a girl asking for a ride somewhere tomorrow. Later that night while they sleep, the girl returns to stalk them and watch them as they sleep.

This story had creepy written all over it. To think of someone watching you like that chills me and is disturbing. Ti West did another good job. The end has a pretty gnarly twist I didn't see coming.




TUESDAY THE 17TH
DIRECTOR- GLEN MCQUAID
WRITTEN BY- GLEN MCQUAID
STARRING-  NORMAN C. QUINONES, DREW PERLEIN AND JEANINE YOGER

This film was a new take on slasher. A group of teens go into the woods for camping only to find out they're in the woods of a maniac serial killer.

I thought this film was a very clever. The deaths are brutal and gory. This one is a salute to the slasher fans. The killer is somehow unable to show up on tape as other than a blur or pixelated. 




THAT SICK THING THAT HAPPENED TO EMILY WHEN SHE WAS YOUNGER
DIRECTOR- JOE SWANBERG
WRITTEN BY- SIMON BARRETT
STARRING- HELEN ROGERS, DANIEL KAUFMAN AND LIZ HARVEY

This one is about a girl named Emily who moves into what she finds out is a haunted apartment. She and watch the horror happening in her apartment through web cam.

What an original idea, right? I loved this one. This one stands out as one of the best to me. The ending is pretty crazy and twisted.




10/31/98
DIRECTOR- RADIO SILENCE
WRITTEN BY- RADIO SILENCE
STARRING- CHAD VILLELLA, MATT BETTINELLI-CLIPIN AND TYLER GILLETT

This bit is about a group of teens going to a Halloween party only to see a murder about to be performed in the basement. They rescue the girl but their troubles are far from over.

This one was solid, very chilling tale. This one gets good points for creativity.

THIS FILM GETS 3 1/2 REAPERS OUT OF 4

Fright Night Part 2 (1988)

This is such a hard movie to find and get ahold of that I'm very pleased I was finally able to see it after all this time. The DVD goes for almost $70 on amazon, and seeing as I've never seen it there was no way I'm spending that kind of money on a movie that I don't know if I like or not.

As I've mentioned I've never seen this film up until now and I'm glad the opportunity finally arose. I have a few friends who have seen it and whenever I asked them how it was I just got the generic "it's okay, not as good as the first" reply. So I didn't have high hopes going in to this because they didn't exactly make it seem appealing.

But as the movie played and I saw not only William Ragsdale reprising his role as Charley Brewster but Roddy McDowall also reprising his role as Peter Vincent. So right from the start my feeling changed and I figured this would be a good movie after all.

This film takes place shortly after the first with Charley no longer believing in vampires due to seeing a shrink. He believes Jerry Dandridge was just a psycho and he imagined the vampire scenario. Peter Vincent however is still hosting Fright Night and believes in vampires. When Jerry's sister comes to town wanting revenge for her dead brother Charley starts to realize he's not crazy and that vampires are real. This leads him and Peter Vincent on another vampire hunt.

There were so many funny moments in this movie as well as jumps. It turned out to be a damn good sequel and did the first justice. The story was strong, the acting was good, the effects were cheesy but awesome. Alot of memorable moments came from this film including the vampire and werewolf bowling scene! Yes, I know it sounds ridiculous but it's a great scene.

Now the big question- is Fright Night Part 2 better than the first?
No it isn't. It's like Halloween H20 to the original 1978 Halloween. It was a good sequel and it kept the feel of the first and stayed true to it but it just didn't have the same amount of lightning in a bottle the first had. Good sequel though and I would proudly own it one day when I don't have to spend $70 on a used copy of it.

I found Jerry's sister, Regina Dandridge, very seductive and beautiful. Good job on the casting as well. But really to experience this movie you have to see it. It's funny and very entertaining. I'm glad to say that after all these years of wondering that Fright Night Part 2 did it's job with flying colors. It puts a smile on my face. And as I said in my review for the remake, I liked the remake alot so that means that all 3 films made in this franchise have my approval.

Seeing Charlie and and Peter Vincent together again was so cool! I didn't even know they were going to be in it!

3 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.

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.

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.