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.

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. 

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.

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.

The Da Vinci Code (2006)

After taking a few days off from the blog, I decided that I needed to spend some time catching up with some different movies. With that, I went on a retro type binge and watched a few movies that I had not seen in some time. The first of those is the controversial 2006 thriller The Da Vinci Code.  

Plot/ Professor Robert Langdon is in Paris on business when he's summoned to The Louvre. A dead body has been found, setting Langdon off on an adventure as he attempts to unravel an ancient code and uncover the greatest mystery of all time.

Being based on a huge best seller that just happens to be one of the most controversial books of the 2000s, there was no way that this movie could ever live up to the stir that was created when the book was released. As a movie, it is a fun, thought provoking watch that has just enough parts drama, thriller, and action film to draw every viewer in. The scripting is solid, the cast and performances are wonderful, and the cinematography and visuals pull everything together in a manner that makes everything flow together. Yes, there are some slower moments sprinkled into to the flow that were unnecessary and the long runtime, while needed, may turn some viewers off. 

Of course, one cannot talk about this as a book or movie without discussing the storyline. For many, this subject matter is taboo, and an impossible topic that has been thoroughly chastised as heresy by different religious sects of Christianity. However, from different research materials that exist on the topic, the subject matter does not seem that far outside the realm of possibilities. Could Christ have had a wife? Anthropologically, that answer is yes. Still, because of the documents sequestered inside the depths of the Vatican Vaults, we will never know for sure what the true story is unless the Pope decides to open those doors and allow all of the forbidden gospels to breathe. Honestly, if the Bible is a book of history, why is it being censored?

In the end, this movie has aged well and I actually enjoyed it more today than when I did upon its original release. If you have not seen it, it is a movie that you should check out. Just watch it with an open mind.

The Illusionist (2006)

After taking Saturday off to recover from soccer, softball, and fishing, I decided to kick back and watch something with a bit of a lighter feel. After doing some football coverage with my first mock draft of the season, it was time to find something. That is when I found one of my favorite period pieces / mysteries; the Illusionist from 2006.

Plot/ In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

This movie is rare, as it took two genres and pulled off merging them into one entertaining and fluid pieces of cinema. Everything about this film worked extremely well. The cast bought into their roles and performed them perfectly, the cinematography and visuals are amazing, the scripting keeps you guessing, and the ending was perfect. Honestly, even after viewing it multiple times it is still fascinating to watch. If you have not seen it, yet, then I ask why not? This is a tremendous film and one that should viewed. Check it out!

Hollywoodland (2006)

While I was resting my back, which I injured the other day, I decided to find something a touch different to keep me company. What I wanted was a nice mystery, or true crime entry, to possibly help my creative mind focus. After some searching, I stumbled upon the 2006 entry, Hollywoodland.

Plot/ Struggling private investigator Louis Simo is hired to investigate the death of George Reeves, televisions Superman.

Hollywoodland was an awesome interpretation of historic event that remains a mystery today. While true crime movies often suffer from characterization flaws, this one is different. Between the solid script, standout performances, and heavy atmosphere, this movie delivers where many in the genre fail. While not my favorite actor, Ben Affleck does a tremendous job bringing the Reeves to life. Yes, some of the flashbacks add some unneeded confusion and the pacing may be a touch slow in parts, but that does little to stop this one. In the end, this was an entertaining movie that dove deep into one of the biggest unsolved Hollywood mysteries. If you have not seen it and enjoy crime/mystery dramas, give it a shot.

Saw III (2006)

After picking up a couple of Saw posters at Steel City Con, I was in the mood to revisit Jigsaw. This series, while a touch controversial in some circles, demonstrated that there was still originality inside the horror genre. In fact, this series is still what drives me to write, as I know that something original can be made. My next review is possibly the best of the series, Saw III.

Plot/ Jigsaw kidnaps a doctor to keep him alive while he watches his new apprentice put an unlucky citizen through a brutal test.

I will admit, I am a sucker for this franchise. Honestly, Twisted Pictures and the Saw series rejuvenated my love of horror, especially this one, Saw III, which may be my favorite of all the films. This movie had everything that a horror film should have, a non-linear storyline, solid overall acting, blood, guts, and gore. Truly, this had everything that a horror fan should be searching for in a horror flick. Yes, there were some confusion within the story and some of it did seem predictable, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this is one of the more entertaining films in the series, and was a perfect rebound from Saw II, which was a touch slow in comparison to the original. If you have not seen it, check it out! This one is definitely worth watching.

Satanic (2006)

After revisiting Lizzy Borden, I decided to venture back into the flicks that sit in my review backlog. Honestly, I had very few options.  Being in the middle of a deep freeze, it is hard to watch something I arm interested in with the girls constantly awake since school has been closed or delayed because of the sub-zero temps. In catching up, I decided to go back to the 2006 indie entry Satanic. 

Plot/ The powers of darkness converge to claim the soul of a young girl who may have made a deal with the devil. After a devastating car accident claims the life of her father, Michelle wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of the events leading up to the traumatic tragedy. 

Low budget horror can go many different ways, and often it leaves you scratching your head wondering what you just watched. That is definitely the case with this one, as there are very few redeeming qualities to even mention. Yes, there is nudity and some interesting cinematography moments, but that in no way can save this one from the weight of the incoherent and hole-filled script. The CGI is bad, the characterization worse, and the acting is extremely uneven. In the end, there are much better low budget flicks out there, you can definitely pass on this one.

Slither (2006)

After a trip into cannibalism and some global warming propaganda last night, I needed something with a little lighter feel. On top of that, having gone back to work today after a four-day break, it is always nice to find some humor to take some of the edge off the early week frustrations.  What did I find, the 2006 horror comedy Slither starring one of my favorites Nathan Fillion.

Plot/ A small town is taken over by an alien plague, turning residents into zombies and all forms of mutant monsters.

I do not know what rock I have been living under. I believe I had passed this flick hundreds of time until watching it tonight. Damn, I have been missing out. This homage to the classic old-school days of horror is everything in a horror / comedy that I have been searching for recently. Directed by Troma alum James Gunn, this one had it all zombies, aliens, gore, bugs, creatures and more. More importantly, the scripting was spot on with just enough humor and seriousness that you need. The effects are solid, the acting and cast work well with the perfect dialogue and the film is a joy to watch.  Yes, there is a B-movie feel, but that does not matter in this entertaining trip down memory lane. In the end, if you have not watched this one, you are missing out. Do not wait like I did, check it out!!!