28 Days Later (2002)

For the past week I have been in Pennsylvania dealing with some family medical stuff. While I was there, the weather was cold and I had plenty of time to ring in the New Year with some horror. The series I did for the holiday started with the classic 28 Days Later from 2002. 

Plot: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the United Kingdom, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

There is nothing like the Rage virus! I remember when this came out, the impression 28 Days Later made echoed throughout the saturated zombie genre. This movie was different, taking the traditional zombie film to a new level. It honestly was an influence on me as I was working my way through what would eventually become After the Static. The characters are amazing, the storyline navigates away from the traps that plague many horror flicks, the cast is outstanding, and the atmosphere is almost perfect. Plus, the zombie characteristics were fresh and new. This movie is outstanding and definitely set a standard. In the end, if you haven’t seen this one, you are missing out. Try to find it soon as a new installment is rumored to be on the way. 

Black Christmas (2006)

This has been a strange day, but that is somewhat normal around here. Between dealing with some business stuff around here and a couple football articles, I found myself scrolling on X and tik tok reading some of the latest in the crazy UAP/Drone flap reports. While doing that, I decided to put on some holiday horror before heading out tonight to watch a classic. Today’s selection was the 2006 remake of Black Christmas. 

Plot: On Christmas Eve, an escaped maniac returns to his childhood home, which is now a sorority house, and begins to murder the sorority sisters one by one.

I remember watching this in the theater when it came out and was rather disappointed. I was a fan of the original and felt like this one took too many liberties in trying to create something that wasn’t. Watching it today, I still have some of those same feelings, but I was surprised to see how well it held up and I can view it in a bit of a different light. This is a 90s slasher about a decade too late. The characters are flat, the storyline is all over, and there are some head scratching moments. However, some of the visuals are rather good and there is more to like than I originally remembered. In the end, it’s far from perfect, but if you view it as just a holiday slasher it is fun. The original is much better, but that is usually the way it is.

Mother of Tears (2007)

I sat down to find something to watch earlier after deciding to end my Hellraiser marathon and decided to give Tubi a try and I have to say,  I'm hooked.  After searching through their titles,  I decided on the finale of Dario Argento's Three Mothers Trilogy, 2007s Mother of Tears.

Plot: Grisly deaths await Italian citizens after an archaeology student (Asia Argento) accidentally releases a demonic witch from her ancient prison.

Let me start with the typical this one isn't for everyone, especially those looking for an Argento classic or something remotely close to the groundbreaking horror that put him on the map.  This definitely isn't they.  Although,  there are some good elements that can remind you of that era. The stylistic colors,  the soundtrack,  and even some of the pacing definitely have that feel. Even the gore is over the top,  like many of the Italian horror classics. What this one lacks is a solid script and is a bit disjointed with uneven performances.  Of the three movies,  this one is definitely is definitely my least favorite. Is it worth watching? Possibly,  if you are like me and wanted to finish the Trilogy,  it's a must. Other than that,  there are better Argento entries. 

The Descent (2006)

As the writers and actors style continues,  it has allowed me to drive back into some of the horror movies I have watched,  but failed write about four whatever reason.  Some of this is because when I started the blog,  I hadn't gone back to watch them and others may have been missed because of my work schedule. The first one of those is a gross mistake on my part,  as I reviewed the sequel. That movie is the 2006 entry The Descent. 

Plot: A caving expedition goes horribly wrong, as the explorers become trapped and ultimately pursued by a strange breed of predators.

I remember watching this the first time while deployed near the Horn of Africa, as a horror fan,  it was awesome when something that was not only new,  but so worth watching came up on our lackluster system.  This was one of the more memorable films i watched on the deployment,  and one that i really enjoyed rewatching all this time later. The movie features a tremendous claustraphobic and heavy atmosphere,  that creates a sense of fear and dread throughout. The cinematography is outstanding, the cast does an amazing job, and the script draws the viewer in and really never let's up.  Being deployed,  i have no idea what the reception was,  but this was a highly original movie that was definitely one of the best of that year. In fact, the movie holds up quite well, and was a fun trip back to that time period for me. If you haven't watched it, give it a shot. 

Kecksburg: The Untold Story (2004)

While the news (or hoax) coming out of Las Vegas has been interesting, the recent event that struck a cord with me was the recent meeting of intelligence officials at Wright Patterson airfield in Ohio. This facility has always been interesting to UFO enthusiast and this meeting stirred up even more interested.  For me,  it reminded me of a scene from the documentary Kecksburg: The Untold Story. Growing up near Kecksburg, this story had always fascinated me and this documentary is a great resource for researchers. 

Plot: Many people believe the government is not telling the truth about it's involvement in the retrieval of a crashed UFO in Kecksburg, Pennsylvania in 1965. Was there an object that fell from the sky? Was it man made, or a visitor from another world?

This lower budgeted documentary by researcher Stan Gordon is full of great information coming from eyewitness testimony, reenactments, and of course, research. To the people of Kecksburg, something definitely landed in the woods of Meteor Road (an ironic name), and the government swooped in and shipped up all the debris.  The orange acorn shaped craft (it does look similar to the Nazi Bell) has become the towns calling card,  and it should be.  With the Boehner silence,  no one knows what took place,  but it's clear something did. This documentary does lack the flair and expensive looking quality of many documentaries,  but it packs a punch.  This one is clearly for the viewer that is interested in the story and the facts as portrayed by the witnesses and not for those who are looking for some blockbuster production. If you are like me and are there for the research value,  check it out.

Darkness (2002)

It was another day day outside, but it was not a total loss as I was able to make some good progress in the toy building.  I can actually see my desk again. When I finished that,  I decided to kick back and watch the 2002 entry Darkness.

Plot: A teenage girl moves into a remote country house with her family, only to discover that their gloomy new home has a horrifying past that threatens to destroy the family.

I didn't know what to expect from this one,  but came away rather intrigued.  While,  it did have some of the typical supernatural elements,  it was armor to maintain  a suspenseful tone throughout. The scripting was awesome,  the performances outstanding, and the cinematography and direction created some tremendous atmosphere. Now, Iam sure there will be parts that turn viewers off with the slower pace and the lack of typical horror tropes, but those are only benefits in my eyes. In the end,  this one is an excellent independent film and one that should be watched. 

Supernova (2000)

After a long and tiring day yesterday,  I decided v to kick back and relax. While I had thought about doing side filming, I just didn't have it in me. My recovery from transplant surgery is definitely still ongoing; something I expected but I often forget about  because I do feel so much better already.  So, what did I watch? The 2000 Sci-Fi flick,  Supernova.

Plot: Supernova is a science fiction thriller that chronicles the high-stakes adventures of a deep space hospital ship and its six member crew. When their vessel, the Nightingale 229, answers an emergency distress signal from a distant galaxy, the crew soon finds itself in danger from the mysterious young man they rescue, the alien artifact he smuggled aboard and the gravitational pull of a giant star about to go supernova -- the most massive explosion in the universe.

During my recovery,  I have really been watching a lot of Sci-Fi. This movie was one that I couldn't believe that I hadn't seen or remembered. As a big James Spader fan,  I didn't remember seeing it when it came out, although I was on active duty back then and was in and out of the US quite a bit. Now, after watching it, I can understand why. Honestly, there is nothing remarkable or memorable inside this one. Yes, it is not all bad, as the storyline had promise, the performances were solid, and there was a touch of atmospheric tension throughout. Unfortunately, it was riddled with clichéd moments (I could almost see four different films as main influences), the scripting is all over with uneven dialog, and the visuals were flat and uninspiring. In the end, this was not a terrible movie, but unless you are a huge Sci-Fi fan, you will get nothing from watching it. Its up to you, but I think you could find something more entertaining.

Cthulhu (2007)

After spending the day Saturday attempting to get some work done and failing miserably, I decided that I wanted to dive into some of the works of H.P. Lovecraft. After a search of my streaming services, I was a bit shocked at the lack of material available from this horror master. After some time, I settled on the 2007 indie entry Cthulhu. 

Plot/ A Seattle history professor, drawn back to his estranged family on the Oregon coast to execute his late mother's estate, is reacquainted with his best friend from childhood, with whom he has a long-awaited tryst. Caught in an accelerating series of events, he discovers aspects of his father's New Age cult which take on a dangerous and apocalyptic significance. 

When I saw this one streaming on Amazon Prime, I was excited. I was in the perfect mood for some Lovecraft and hoped this would hit the spot. Unfortunately, this one never came together in a way to quench my desire for something from the Cthulhu Mythos. While not terrible, featuring a few moments of creepiness, some bizarre moments that worked well, and a story that made the perfect vehicle to bring this to life, still, the movie never took off or came together in a way that made it entertaining. The performances were uneven, as was the cinematography, the political and sexual overtones weighted too heavily inside the story, and the scripting left the atmosphere behind. It really played more like a flawed comedy than a horror movie. In the end, if you are a fan of Lovecraft and anything from the Cthulhu Mythos, stay away. I know there are much better choices out there.

Saw VI (2009)

After being disappointed by both Annabelle and Clowntergeist, I decided that it was time to finish what I started last week and write my last review from the Saw franchise. With that plan in place, here is the review of Saw VI from 2009.

Plot/ Agent Strahm is dead, and FBI agent Erickson draws nearer to Hoffman. Meanwhile, a pair of insurance executives finds themselves in another game set by Jigsaw.

I remember originally watching and now after watching it again, how much better this installment was than Saw V. This movie definitely channeled some of the power of the initial installments and created a movie that brought everything back to where it should have been. This one did make some needed changes to the formula and those were for the better. The performances were solid, the pacing felt perfect, the storyline featured a nice mixture of flashbacks and modern musings, and as usual, the traps were awesome. Yes, there were some uneven moments and the ending did not have quite the effect that the twist endings usually had, but those flaws are minor in comparison to some of the other flaws in the series. In the end, this entry was one of the better installments in the series and a film that must be seen by horror fans and those of the Saw franchise.

Saw V (2008)

Last night I took a break from the computer to go watch Jolene in her advanced theater production of The Elevator Family. With that now over, I figured it was time to get back to my trip into the mind of Jigsaw with Saw V from 2008.

Plot/ Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group is put through a series of gruesome tests.

It is funny how much things change, as you grow older, and this movie kind of fits in with that ideology. Up until re-watching the Saw franchise last week, I held this entry in higher regard, but now I have a completely different viewpoint. For me, this one lacked the tremendous plot twist and tension that made the other earlier installments memorable, and most of all not having Jigsaw as a true primary character on screen was quite depressing. While the idea was solid and the storyline had potential to deliver something amazing, this was the first time in the series that everything felt rushed. Sure, the effects were decent, the traps intriguing, and there was enough blood, but even those elements could not make up for the lack of the Jigsaw. On top of that, the performances were uneven and the atmosphere was rather flat. In the end, this entry had a chance to build upon the solid foundation that was left by the earlier entries but failed to hit the mark. More of a thriller than true horror film, this one did not deliver and was rather predictable. If you haven’t seen it, you aren’t missing much.

Saw IV (2007)

I was rather shocked when I discovered that I had never reviewed the entire Saw franchise, as it is one of my favorite series to watch. Of course, that also gave me an excuse to re-watch them for review purposes. Next up for review is 2007s Saw IV.

Plot/ Despite Jigsaw's death, and in order to save the lives of two of his colleagues, Lieutenant Rigg is forced to take part in a new game, which promises to test him to the limit.

I remember wondering after watching Saw III how the series would continue and went into this one with some trepidation. What I found when watching this one was a layered and complex storyline that took the Jigsaw storyline to a new level and darker depths. As a fan of the series, the twist that the end was perfect, and was something that seemed to almost transport us back to the original ending. The storyline is interesting especially as they dove back into Jigsaw’s history and take you through his journey, the special effects and traps are awesome, and the performances are solid. However, it is the way they overlapped time and stories that really made this one stand out for me. Yes, there are some moments where things seem too coincidental or random and there are a few times, where it almost feels predictable, but those are only minor flaws in the overall production and don’t really impact the quality of the film. In the end, while it did lack some suspense, it made up for that with a quality storyline that is extremely memorable. This is definitely one of my favorites in the series and an entry that must be seen.

Saw 2 (2005)

After spending last night at the Edgar Allan Poe reenactment, I decided that I wanted some violent horror for my Halloween night. Thinking back over the past month, I couldn’t believe that I had never reviewed half of the Saw franchise and figured that I would start that undertaking by revisiting Saw 2 from 2005.

Plot/ A detective and his team must rescue eight people trapped in a factory by the twisted serial killer known as Jigsaw.

The original Saw was one of the best horror/thrillers I had seen. It was atmospheric, dark, and the storyline was tremendous. Creating a sequel to a movie such as that is almost an impossible task. Yet, now after revisiting Saw 2, it is clear that Darren Lynn Bousman did just that with a tightly woven storyline that differs from the original but captures the essence of the classic perfectly. I remember when this one first came out and the clear differences between the two made it an uneven watch for me. However, today, that feeling is completely different. The change with having multiple players in Jigsaws game was the perfect step for the franchise and added layers to the legend of Jigsaw that would pay many dividends throughout the rest of the series. The cast is tremendous, the performances are solid, the dialog, scripting, and storyline were fantastic (the twists made it even more worthwhile), and the gore, traps, and special effects were amazing. Sure, the pit of needles was blah (and honestly still a letdown) and some of the arguments and decisions made by the participants were annoying, but those are only minor flaws. In the end, I am glad that I decided to revisit this one tonight on Halloween; it was so much better than I remembered and a movie that fans like me could have easily overlooked as it was sandwiched between the two best movies made in the franchise (and possibly the genre). If you haven’t seen it or revisited it in a while, I think you should. This is an outstanding movie and one that is perfect for the Halloween season.

The Invasion (2007)

The other day I went through a few movies before I started binge-watching Salem. The next movie I will review is the 2007 semi-reboot The Invasion.

Plot/ As a Washington psychiatrist unearths the origin of an alien epidemic, she also discovers her son might be the only way it can be stopped.

I had never watched this one and went into the movie not knowing what to expect. While this is not the worst body snatchers retooling, it is far from the best.  While the cast featuring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig are solid and their performances are decent, they really cannot do anything to save this film from spiraling out of control. The character development is non-existent, the film lacks atmosphere, for the most part, the film lacked originality, and there was an overall lack of action and effects. On top of that, the overt addition of political and social ideologies felt out of place and forced. Yes, there were some decent elements and there was some potential out there, but it in no way was able to reach that potential and it feels uninspired. In the end, while there were some decent visuals with the cinematography, the movie does not really ever create tension or give the viewer a reason to keep watching it. If you have not seen it, you aren’t missing anything at all.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

After watching Cujo last night, I decided that I needed something different before heading off to bed. Lately, I have been struggling with focus while trying to write and have been searching for something to just start that. Finally, while searching my streaming services, I decided on the 2007 horror musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Plot/ In the Victorian London, the barber Benjamin Barker is married to the gorgeous Lucy and they have a lovely child, Johanna. The beauty of Lucy attracts the attention of the corrupt Judge Turpin, who falsely accuses the barber of a crime that he did not commit and abuses Lucy later after gaining custody of her. After fifteen years in exile, Benjamin returns to London under the new identity of Sweeney Todd, seeking revenge against Turpin.

I will admit, I have a soft spot for musicals, especially if they trend in the direction of horror and this one did not disappoint. Being a Tim Burton movie and featuring Johnny Depp, it was hard to be excited, as their stuff has been hit or miss. Fortunately, this one was a hit and it is well worth watching. This one is a pure musical, but it does a great job at mixing the dark comedy and horror elements in a way that makes it extremely entertaining. The cast is amazing (although, I did feel like it should have been a Harry Potter reunion), Burtons’ imagery and cinematic choices were tight and crafted an atmospheric tale, the artistic elements were flawless, and the graphic horror elements, while brutal and gory, came across in almost a subdued way that fit perfect in this dark world. Yes, being a musical may turn some people off, but honestly, that shouldn’t be a factor as this one is much more than your typical musical. In the end, this is a movie that should be seen, and one that I feel does not get the respect that it deserves. It is everything a horror fan should enjoy and if you have not watched it yet, you are missing out.

Salem Witch Trials (2002)

After watching Witchery yesterday before practice, I found myself in a witchcraft mood last night when I got home. So, I did what I always do, and turned to my streaming services to find something that would help quench my appetite. I eventually settled on the 2002 entry Salem Witch Trials for my journey into the occult and witchcraft.

Plot/ A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.

This was another movie (mini series) that I somehow missed during my time in the Navy. In fact, when I saw it last night, I thought it was a documentary. I am excited that it wasn’t. What I found was an entertaining journey into the times of the Salem Witch Trials, one of the historical events that helped shape my interests as I have grown older. The ensemble cast led by Shirley MacLaine and Kirstie Alley was tremendous and the performances definitely were in harmony with the dark storyline. The cinematography was outstanding, the storyline was layered, and the entertainment and educational value really came together. While the film does have a drawn out feel, because it was a miniseries, that was to be expected. In the end, the story of the Salem Witch Trials and the hysteria that overtook society is something that can never be forgotten in our history. It is part of the fabric of our Nation and demonstrates what can happen when greed and panic become one. This may not be perfect, but it is a story (and movie) that must be seen and remembered. If you have not watched it, find it on Amazon and check it out.

Poseidon (2006)

Last night I decided that I wanted to watch something different and move away from the creature features of the past few days. After some searching, I decided on the 2006 action flick Poseidon.

Plot/ On New Year's Eve, the luxury ocean liner Poseidon capsizes after being swamped by a rogue wave. The survivors are left to fight for their lives as they attempt to escape the sinking ship.

As a kid, I remember watching some of the great disaster flicks of the 1970s. Unfortunately, not only has the use of CGI ruined those but also Hollywood seems to have lost the creative flair for those flicks. This film is a perfect example of a disaster flick gone awry with a huge budget. Honestly, there wasn’t much to like with this one and I wish I would have chosen something else instead. While the cast was solid, the performances and characterizations were flat, too safe, and underdeveloped. The CGI was spotty, the decisions with the scripting were uneven, and the overall feel of the movie lacks atmosphere and tension. In the end, this film is one that I could have skipped. Hell, I didn’t even know it was at the box office and thought it was a made for television entry. If that were the case, it may have been more entertaining. Trust me, you should stay far away from this one.

Zodiac (2007)

As this week wore on, I decided to spend some time revisiting some movies that I have seen many times but failed to review. The first one on the list was the 2007 thriller Zodiac.

Plot/ In the late 1960s/early 1970s, a San Francisco cartoonist becomes an amateur detective obsessed with tracking down the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorizes Northern California with a killing spree.

This is a film that I thought I had already reviewed. However, I realized that although this is one of my favorite films on the Zodiac Killer, I had never actually written it up. With that being said, I just had to watch it again and do what should have been done some time ago. This is a tremendous film that actually takes a surprising approach to telling the true story of one of the most famous unsolved cases in history. The storyline is thought out and compelling, the cinematography and direction create a dark and heavy atmosphere, and the outstanding cast all do an outstanding job at embracing their characters and pulling through with solid performances. Yes, the movie may run a bit long, and most of the murders take place early on, but those are only small hiccups that don’t bring the movie down. In the end, if you are fascinated by the Zodiac Killer this is a must see. If you aren’t, you too should watch this one, it offers a detailed look at this mystery.

The Prestige (2006)

As I mentally prepare myself for this weekend of softball, I decided to watch something relaxing and somewhat thought-provoking. After some thought, I decided on the 2006 sci-fi/mystery The Prestige.

Plot/ Two stage magicians engage in competitive one-upmanship in an attempt to create the ultimate stage illusion.

Any movie that features Nikola Tesla is an automatic winner in my book, plus when the amazing David Bowie is playing that genius, it is a home run. That is exactly what The Prestige is, an amazing journey to another time that doubles as a tremendous character study with a dark look at obsession. Complete with an outstanding storyline, an incredible cast with top-notch performances, and spot on direction and cinematography, this movie does not disappoint in any way. Not to mention the sci-fi/steampunk twist added into what was already a great trip into the world of illusion. Yes, it was a touch predictable if you pay attention to the dialog and hints that are sprinkled in, but that does nothing to bring the movie down. In the end, if you have not seen this film, you are really missing out. It is honestly one of Christopher Nolan’s best movies and a darker film that I could watch over and over again. Highly recommended.