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Showing posts from February, 2012

VLOG (2009)

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It is finally time to finish the last flick from my trip to Family Video last weekend. Of all the movies I picked up, this one actually seemed based in reality more than the others did. In these days of assaults and murders prompted and searched for online, this definitely seems right for the times. Being from the creators of SAW was just a bonus. The flick is VLOG from 2009. Plot/ From the producers of SAW, VLOG is a groundbreaking extreme-horror film about a real-life webcam girl whose online murder is not what it seems. When I saw this one at the video store, I was excited. The premise seemed interesting, and with all of the craziness that takes place online between blogs, vlogs and sites like craigslist, this seemed right up that alley. While it was all that, it was quite anticlimactic as well. Yes, there was a touch of realism, some awesome gore (but not enough) and the ending was a decent twist, there was just not enough. Unfortunately, the pacing w

A Short Script Attempt

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Two years ago, as part of the the 10th Anniversary Blobfest, they had a short film script-writing contest to offset their short film contest. As a writer it was a challenge to in 500 words or less, create the missing scene from The Blob. If you are familiar with the movie, this would be about what happened in the bar on Second Street that is talked about in the movie but never shown. In scene 240, Sgt. Burt recounts how he stopped at the Second Street bar while making his rounds, finding no one there. Also, when two of the teens stop in another bar to help rally the town against the monster, the bartender tells them about some excitement at the Second Street bar earlier that night. While my entry did not win, I held my head high as it was the first screenplay of any type that I finished.   Here is the Script:   239A. CAMERA PANS PAST HARLEY JOHNSON BEHIND THE BAR AND DOLLIES IN ON MARTY WATSON AND THE  DEER TROPHY HANGING ON THE WALL ABOVE THE JUKEBOX. TIGHT TWO

Blood Oath (2007)

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Now that we have been in Pennsylvania for roughly four months, I have really started to miss the Troma onDemand station on our Comcast cable system. I love schlock, low budget and independent flicks and Troma has delivered some awesomely entertaining ones over the years. Unfortunately, now my only chance to catch some are on Netflix, pick them up at a convention or maybe at Family Video, vice in my living room on a regular basis. I wish Atlantic Broadband got a Troma Channel, but Hell, I doubt that happens anytime soon. To my amazement Friday when I was at the video store, I saw those magical words “ Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz Present a Troma Team Release ,” the film Blood Oath from 2007. Plot/ A group of friends on a weekend camping trip decide to investigate a local urban legend. The trip will change their lives as they are forced into a fight for survival against a horrific monster. For me, I love films from Troma and there is no better example of

Solitude - (A New Piece For My Zombie Epic)

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This is going to be part of my zombie epic (if I ever get around to finishing it). Unfortunately, I am unsure which character is speaking to me with this one. I am sure I will figure it out in time... It haunts me in times of solitude A vague whisper of a dream I can almost remember The lingering warmth of a forgotten touch I sense it there, in the darkness In the quiet moments of times I can barely recall Resting on the limits of my reason It calls to me, urging me to cry out Only to have my voice echo into nothingness It is a history that was written in stone ages ago And every figure of it has faded away To leave me here to live in the shadow of a wraith A vision of what was and a lost wish of what may be I know it, and I know it is there It waits for me to discover it once more To unearth the secrets it holds and find myself Because without it I am but an undefined impression of possibilities It becomes me as I have always been a part of it A promise that h

Bio-Dead (2009)

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After watching Psychosis last night, I decided to change things up and watch something with a more post apocalyptic feel in honor of reaching the 300-day mark on the apocalypse countdown. While I have no doubts that we will all be here on December 22, the idea does make for some good fun (as well as an excuse to start hitting the bucket list). Fortunately, there is a lot of material out there to help quench my end of the world cravings; this one is the 2009 Sci-Fi /Horror entry Bio-Dead. Plot/ After a biological disaster wipes out millions, a rescue team finds themselves under attack from something even more deadly than they ever imagined - zombies in need of human flesh. This low budget Sci-Fi / Horror flick has a lot of unfulfilled potential. Once you get through the initial stages (half-hour or so), the film (for the most part) features surprising cinematography, decent scenery and a sound post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Unfortunately, some of the overall

Psychosis (2010)

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When I went to the local Family Video to pick up some stuff last night, I grabbed some lower budget horror as well as some darker stuff for the girls. OK, maybe Scooby Doo and the Lake Monster is not dark or totally for the daughters, but hey, who can pass up Scooby Doo? I know I am a sucker for Scooby. The first movie I decided to watch (after Scooby) was 2010s British horror entry Psychosis. Plot/ In 1992 a group of young Anarchists braved the snow covered wilderness to set up camp against the construction of a motorway by-pass. A terrible fate awaited them. 15 years later Susan, a successful horror novelist and sensitive soul relocates from her native California to the rural English countryside in search of peace. It is here that Susan's living nightmare unfolds. When I started watching this flick, I had no idea it was actually a remake of the 1986 anthology film Screamtime (the second segment Dreamhouse), but I got the feeling that I had seen it b

Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet (2009)

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As February starts winding down (still waiting on a picture of my Exorcist Birthday Cake), I decided to take a couple days away from the computer.   However, with it being Friday, and snow in the forecast, I ran to the video store for some flicks for the upcoming week. Before I get to those, it was time to finally sit down and finish the last movie from the previous group, the 2009 slasher starring Bill Moseley, Blood Night: The Legend of Mary Hatchet. Plot/ A group of teenagers celebrating Blood Night, the anniversary of the death of a local axe murderer, Mary Hatchet, suddenly find themselves face to face with the realities of her haunting. As they run from the bloody rampage left behind, they will need to survive the night to expose the truth behind the legend of Bloody Mary. Ahhh, hitting the low budget horror section again (one of my favorite venues). By now, anyone reading about this (or interested in) this movie should already know that it is a B-movi

Cyrus: Mind of a Serial Killer (2010)

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Growing up, I always liked mysteries, I always wanted to be a detective and work for the FBI. I wanted to go back in time and solve the Jack the Ripper case, yeah, I was a bit of a dreamer. I remember reading the book Journey into Darkness; for the first time seeing the demented minds of serial killers. The reality of what drove them and knowing that they could be standing next to me was a scary thought. Since then, I have always had a soft spot for movies based on serial killers (and occasionally write about them when I do write anymore). One of the latest movies I have watched on the subject was an interesting indie flick, Cyrus: Mind of a Serial Killer from 2010.   Plot/ An independent TV reporter and her camera operator interview a man in regards to a serial killer the man knew by the name of Cyrus. The man traces back through the story of the serial killer and why he became the monster he is. Reality can be dark, and serial killers often make the world

Headspace (2005)

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Yesterday when walking through the video store, I decided to venture into the discount area to see what gems I could find. In all, I came home with a handful of flicks that should make for some fascinating viewing material over the next few days. Of course, I could have watched more had I not worked today, but I guess that is what happens in the civilian sector. Oh well, the first flick that I watched was an interesting endeavor, Headspace from 2005. Plot/ Long-suppressed memories surface and Alex must face the terrors of his violent past, a vanished older brother, a father who abandoned both his sons, and a mother who was viciously murdered. The visions intensify and he begins to experience intense headaches that ultimately cause him to blackout. However, it is only the beginning of Alex's calamity. Friends and neighbors are disappearing, and people are whispering rumors of a serial killer. Menaced from all sides by the forces of evil, Alex must overcome his past

The Devil's Rock (2011)

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Turning 40 yesterday was so anti-climactic, although, I did get some awesome stuff for gifts from the family (plus an AWESOME Exorcist-themed Birthday Cake). Honestly, when you combine the Lonesome Wyatt CD and Those Poor Bastards shirt from last weekend, with a new grill, a discarded religious shrine box with real exorcism candles and a couple of sweaters, it was an grand day. Of course, my birthday would not have been complete without watching something dark. My selection for the evening was 2011s The Devil’s Rock. Really, could I go wrong with Demons, Nazi’s, War and the Occult? Plot/ Set in the Channel Islands on the eve of D Day, two Kiwi commandos, sent to destroy German gun emplacements to distract Hitler's forces away from Normandy , discover a Nazi occult plot to unleash demonic forces to win the war. Any time I see a Nazi and Occult themed piece, I am drawn in. Unfortunately, these flicks sometimes do not deliver and I feel unsatisfied. That

The Tunnel (2011)

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Finally, time to review the final movie I picked up at Family Video last weekend. Yes, it is decently early in the day for a quick review, but with it being my birthday, we will be having dinner at my mother’s house this afternoon and I have no idea what time we will be home. The last flick was pretty much the opposite of the other stuff I picked up, it was the 2011 Australian import (underground funded) The Tunnel from 2011. Plot/ An investigation into a government cover-up leads to a network of abandoned train tunnels deep beneath the heart of Sydney . As a journalist and her crew hunt for the story it quickly becomes clear the story is hunting them. For me, this Australian indie hand-cam docudrama style flick is definitely one of the best entries in this genre. Yes, it is not perfect, suffering from some poor pacing, strange plot development, little blood, guts, and some small editing issues. However, there is a great deal of solid acting, outstanding s

Slashers Gone Wild! (2006)

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Funny how weeks work, yesterday, I was exhausted as I was still recovering from the Hackensaw Boys, who put on a tremendous show at The Rex on Wednesday. I know that I wrote on here. Hell, I could barely remember that I did so. Tonight, after a small nap, I feel much better. I hope that feeling carries over into tomorrow, as my birthday finally arrives. With the birthday in the air, I decided to continue with the more comedic material I have watched recently with Slashers Gone Wild! from 2006. Plot/ In search of a headline that will make her a household name, a reporter uncovers a forbidden world of decadent madness and murder. She uncovers a horrific website where dark twisted souls upload footage of their crimes. These demented monsters are competing for their spot as SLASHER OF THE YEAR. Will she be able to withstand the gut-wrenching horror as countless lives are vanquished before her eyes? Will the slashers be relentlessly slaughtered by the demonic Kevin Tooler

Bitch Slap (2009)

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After a day away from the blog, I decided to jump back into things literally with a bang. OK, I do not have a gun or fireworks to shoot off, but there was enough of that kind of exaggerated action in this flick to make Republican’s smile or giggle inside. Hell, I bet the democrats cringe at stuff like this (especially someone as idiotic as Tipper Gore, who ruined the creative process in the United States ). What is it you ask? It is Bitch Slap from 2009. Plot/ When three curvaceous babes, stripper Trixie, business executive Hel, and the feisty ex-con Camero, arrive at a desert hideaway to steal a stash of diamonds from an underworld kingpin, things quickly spiral out of control. Allegiances are switched, truths are revealed, criminals are unmasked and nothing is quite what it seems as the fate of the world is precariously balanced among this trio of sexy femmes fatales. As soon as I read the case on this one, I had a feeling that it would be some sort of