Demonic (2015)

As the snow started to fall in this frigid weather,  I had to find something to watch.  While I internally debate on whether to continue having down the giallo path,  I couldn't bring myself to search for another one.  Instead I turned to something more modern,  2015s Demonic.

Plot: A psychologist and a police officer investigate the deaths of five people, who were killed while trying to summon ghosts.

If the plot sounds familiar,  it is.  Like many movies in the genre this one suffers from the lack of originality that seems to plague horror from time to time.  However,  that's not saying this is a bad film.  In the contrary it was rather emtertaing featuring a solid cast,  decent performances,  and some nice direction and cinematography.  In fact,  the main issue is the story,  which is both predictable and rather vanilla. Everything else works if you can deal with that. In the end,  there is nothing groundbreaking here,  but it isn't a total waste of time.  Something I found useful on this snow file evening.  I'm not saying it's a must watch,  but know,  you could do much worse.  

Krampus (2015)

As I continue to count down the days until Christmas, I decided to continue with some holiday horror. After some searching, I settled on the 2015 entry, Krampus.

Plot: While the holiday season represents the most magical time of year, ancient European folklore warns of Krampus, a horned beast who punishes naughty children at Christmastime. When dysfunctional family squabbling causes young Max to lose his festive spirit, it unleashes the wrath of the fearsome demon.

I was actually pleasantly surprised by this one.  Is it perfect? No,  it does have some slow moments (especially in the middle), but this one is much better than many of the other Krampus films that are out there.  This horror conduct has a nice mixture of those elements along with some solid performances,  decent effects,  and a nice array of creatures. In the end, this one is worth watching and perfect for this holiday season.  

Circle (2015)

It's been a busy few weeks as I prepared for Monster Fest 19 this Saturday. Fortunately,  things have been slowing down,  which has allowed me time to watch a bunch of stuff as I did into the heat of Spooky Season. First one I watched was the 2015 Netflix entry is Circle.

Plot: Held captive and faced with their imminent executions, fifty strangers are forced to choose the one person among them who deserves to live.

I had put this one off for a long time.  Now,  i have to ask myself why.  While this one is not perfect,  it is an interesting and strange trip into a weird world of unknown.  Personally,  i found this one very entertaining and worth watching.  Yes,  there is a ton of dialog and some head-scratching moments,  but there is a lot to like.  The storyline works and creates an array of characters that you could love or hate.  The cinematography is pretty good,  and the overall feel is solid.  Unfortunately,  it does lack tension, probably because of the shorter run time,  but it is a great way to open this wonderful time of the year.  This will not be for everyone,  it is one that can easily be streamed and be more than background entertainment. 

Salem - Season Two (2015)

For some reason, I have been trapped in a Saw mood lately and while I could continue with a review of Saw V, I decided that I needed to go a different direction tonight and catch up on something I should have written about a few days ago. The next review is for Salem Season Two from 2015.

Plot/ the consequences of the Grand Rite are apparent: Salem is afflicted by a terrible plague and a witch war is on the horizon. Mary is reunited with her son; trying to seize power, Mercy kills the Elders, effectively starting an open fight with the remaining witches; Anne is learning about her powers while keeping them secret; John's fate is revealed; Cotton deals with his failures and his father's death. But Salem's biggest threat comes in the form of the Countess an original witch that is trying to raise the devil. It's soon revealed that the Dark Lord himself possesses Mary’s son, and this starts a full-scale witch war that could destroy the town—and the entire world.

After thoroughly enjoying season one of Salem, it was a no-brainer to dive back into it during the month of October with season 2. What I found when venturing into this is something that pushed the limits even further than it did during the first season. While this fictional tale was interesting and at times somewhat over-the-top, the quality and depth of the storyline made it interesting and the subject matter was perfect for viewers like me that love dark and violent period pieces that are loosely connected to real events. This one definitely continued with the action, the torture, the blood, and the explicit sexual tension that made the first installments adult friendly. In this case, the added details to the storyline with the Grand Rite and the Dark Lord may turn some viewers off, but for me, this was the perfect step that the series should take. As in season one, the characters are interesting and the cast is solid, the cinematography and effects are tremendous, and the action and atmosphere do a great job working in tandem to create an entertaining show. Unfortunately, the series is still littered with historical inaccuracies and the performances are still a touch uneven, and the dialog isn’t where it should be for a period piece. Fortunately, these flaws are easily overlooked and do little to bring the series down. In the end, while this one may not be on the top of the list for some people, it is an entertaining and dark journey into a different time and a series that talks about some subjects that should be talked about. In many ways, the social commentary sprinkled into the storyline speaks volumes about where we are in society today, and that alone makes it a must-see.

Hell House LLC (2015)

Last night after a couple of episodes of season two of Salem, I decided that I wanted to see something based in a different style. After searching my streaming services, I settled on the 2015 entry Hell House LLC.

Plot/ Five years after an unexplained malfunction causes the death of 15 tour-goers and staff on the opening night of a Halloween haunted house tour, a documentary crew travels back to the scene of the tragedy to find out what really happened.

When I saw this one on Amazon Prime it seemed like something different and the premise seemed interesting, so I gave it a shot. I am glad that I did, as this was one of the better found-footage/mockumentaries that I have seen in some time. This one stands out in that overcrowded genre featuring some solid performances, a strong and interesting storyline that mixes the found footage and documentary styles seamlessly, decent pacing, and enough added scared to make it feel right and not forced. Of course, it is not a perfect flick having a few dialog hiccups and the tension never seems to reach its full potential, but those issues are easy to overlook. In the end, this was definitely one of the best movies to come out in the genre and a movie that must be seen. If you have not watched it yet, give it a shot.

Mr. Holmes (2015)

After watching the Argento classic last night, I decided that I wanted to dive into some type of mystery for my viewing pleasure tonight. In the end, I settled on the 2015 mystery, Mr. Holmes.

Plot/ An aged, retired Sherlock Holmes deals with early dementia as he tries to remember both his final case and a mysterious woman whose memory haunts him. He also befriends a fan, the young son of his housekeeper, who wants him to work again.

When I first saw this one on the shelves of Family Video, I had no idea what to expect, so I continually passed it up. That was a huge mistake, as this movie took me back to my youth when I really enjoyed reading the different books and catching an occasional classic on Saturday afternoons. Ian McKellen is amazing in this role and truly brings the character to life. In fact, all of the performances were solid, something that matched the outstanding cinematography, the layered script and storyline, and the make-up and effects were tremendous. Honestly, other than some small pacing issues, there was nothing that brought this one down. In the end, this is an exceptional film and a movie that any true fan of Sherlock Holmes will enjoy. If you haven’t seen it, definitely find it and give it a shot.

The Blackcoat's Daughter (2015)

One of the movies I caught during my absence into the softball void was one that I have heard many different things about (both good and bad). For me, that just means I have to check it out for myself. That movie was 2015 independent entry The Blackcoat’s Daughter (AKA February).

Plot/ Two girls must battle a mysterious evil force when they are left behind at their boarding school over winter break.

A couple people at Family Video tried to steer me away from this one, luckily, I held my own and rented it. For me, I in no way agreed with the synopsis they gave me, although I can definitely understand them, as this will likely be one of the more polarizing films to come out in some time. More of a psychological thriller than a traditional horror movie, this one will not be for everyone. Armed with a tremendously dark atmosphere, this slow burn builds tension throughout. The scripting is outstanding, the storyline develops in a subdued manner, the performances solid, and the cinematography matches the atmosphere and soundscape perfectly. Of course, there are some flaws with a bare-bones plot and the ending felt a touch uneven, but those are but minor flaws in the grand scheme. In the end, if you are looking for a typical clichéd horror flick this one is not for you. However, if you enjoy atmospheric and dark slow burn thriller that can leave an imprint after you watch it, give this one a shot. It is an outstanding choice.

Bigfoot: The Movie (2015)

As I sit down and try to catch up on some of the flicks I missed reviewing over the past week, I would be out of my mind to forget this one. While it is far from Oscar worthy, it is what it is. This is the local (for me) 2015 creature feature Bigfoot: The Movie.

Plot/ Bigfoot has come to the town of Ellwood City, PA and is causing BIG problems. Now it's up to four town locals, Chuck, Dale, Burl, and Kate to take him down.

When I rented this one at Family Video, I expected a no-budget schlockfest that would harken back to some of the great low-budget, straight to VHS entries, and that is exactly what I got. This Kickstarter-funded entry may not be the best movie, it may be completely unbelievable, and it may lack the big budget effects that many films have, but it is funny. Being from SW PA, I could relate to the characters as I see many of those stereotypical characterizations in real life on a daily basis (believe me, these people are real and this is likely how some would act if a sasquatch was on the loose. The performances are definitely uneven and the there are some head scratching moments, but honestly, this adds to the campy fun that is contained within the storyline. Who knew that a female Bigfoot could become a potential tourist destination? In the end, if you are searching for a serious Bigfoot flick, this one is definitely not for you. However, if you are looking for a creature feature that is more camp than substance, this one is for you; especially if you are from Southwestern Pennsylvania and grew up with some typical yinzers and jagoffs.

Man Vs. (2015)

Now that I am settled back into a routine, it is nice to mix some horror/sci-fi flicks with working on a nonfiction project. After a lot of debate, I was so motivated after the Pennsylvania Bigfoot Camping Adventure to not only head back into the field but to revisit Searching the Abyss and update it with some new information and material. While I was working on that last night, I decided to kick back and watch the 2015 horror/sci-fi entry Man Vs.

Plot/ As host of the hit TV series, MAN VS., Doug Woods is forced to fend for himself for five days in remote locations with no crew, food, or water, only the cameras he carries on his back to film his experiences. Doug's in the remote woods for a routine episode until he's awoken by an earth-shaking crash. Things get weirder as it becomes clear Doug isn't alone. Someone or something is watching him.

As days go by this week, I think I am stuck in one of those cycles with my movie selections. In this case, I was somewhat optimistic that this one would break that streak, but it didn’t quite make it. While I love the premise and was excited about the atmosphere and feel as the movie progressed, the subpar CGI makes this one collapse in a major way. The storyline is interesting (albeit cliché), the performances were solid, and the visuals are decent. Unfortunately, that is where the typical found footage trappings and CGI come in and destroys the equity the film built in the early stages. In the end, there is nothing new or memorable with this one (unless it is the poor CGI). The flick starts well enough but ends with a thud. Stay away, you could definitely do much better.

Hunting Grounds (2015)

Now that I am settling in after my cold weekend camping trip, I have one last Cryptozoological based movie to finish before moving on to another genre. This one I actually finished last Thursday before the trip, the 2015 Bigfoot themed movie Hunting Grounds (AKA Valley of the Sasquatch).

Plot/ After losing their home following a devastating tragedy, a father and son are forced to move to an old family cabin. Neither reacts well to being thrown into this new world. The son's attempts to relate to his father are complicated when two old friends arrive for a weekend of hunting.

I am usually all for low budget B-movie creature features, especially if the creature is Bigfoot. Unfortunately, this one did not resonate with me in any way. Yes, the setting and cinematography seemed to be above average considering the genre and some of the storyline was interesting, but those elements could not overcome some of the flaws and allow this film to reach its potential. The character development was slow, the effects (especially the Bigfoot creatures) are poor and unbelievable, and while they tried to break some of the clichéd moments, it does not work in a coherent manner. In the end, while this one is not a complete waste of time, it is far from memorable. While it did not really strike a cord with me, I could see how some viewers would enjoy it as a mindless creature feature. If that is what you are looking for as a midnight movie, give it a shot. But, id you are like me and want something more believable, stay away.

10 Days in a Madhouse (2015)

While working on some edits on my 2017 NaPoWriMo epic poem Salvation, I decided to put on a period piece to keep my mind focused and entertained. After some debate, I decided on 2015s 10 Days in a Madhouse.

Plot/ In 1887, at age 23, reporter Nellie Bly, working for Joseph Pulitzer, feigns mental illness to go undercover in notorious Blackwell's Island a woman's insane asylum to expose corruption, abuse, and murder.

I had debated myself about this movie for a few weeks and what I found was both interesting and disappointing at the same time. While the overall story is amazing and one that must be told, the execution was not there to back up the quality contained in the story. This is extremely surprising considering the budget was larger than some of the small budget flicks I watch and the pull everything together in a robust fashion. As a whole, the film felt disjointed and confused about what direction it wanted to take, the scripting was uneven, and the performances were flat and uninspiring. In the end, it is a shame this film did not ever reach its potential. The chance was there to make something that would leave a lasting impression; instead it is another movie that has already basically been forgotten.

Tank 432 (2015)

There are times when I become overwhelmed by all of the stuff that I have going on. This weekend was one of those, as between Art All Night 20 and then my busy day yesterday, I couldn’t find time for any movies until late last night. The movie I chose to end my weekend is the 2015 entry Tank 432 (AKA Belly of the Bulldog).

Plot/ With nowhere else to hide, a group of mercenaries and their two prisoners take cover inside a long-abandoned Bulldog tank. But, while they try to keep the forces outside at bay, the real enemy is already among them, locked inside the Belly of the Bulldog.

When I saw this one at Family Video, I was excited about the premise. Unfortunately, the movie really did not back that up in any way. While I did like some of the atmospheric elements that seemed to pop up from time to time, the pacing felt slow and disconnected from the potential that existed. The performances were nothing special, the scripting was uneven, and there were not any true horror elements. In fact, I found it more of a dark drama than anything else. In the end, I usually like slower paced films, but this one did not move me in any way. I would find something else.

Skyquake (2015)

After taking a night yesterday to get caught up in the past few episodes of Riverdale, I decided that it was time to get back at it tonight with something a little different before I get back to my National Poetry Month project Salvation. After some debate, I decided on the 2015 Brain Damage Films entry Skyquake.

Plot/ Since 2012 reports of strange sounds coming from the sky have flooded social media, now Adam, a recluse, struggling with his own demons, believes whatever is causing them has followed him home.

When I picked this one up, the synopsis seemed interesting, as I have heard (and read about) many accounts of this phenomenon. While this movie takes on this subject in a different manner that leaves much of it to the viewers interpretation, something that I love as a writer. The visuals are really well done with solid cinematography and direction; the storyline is intriguing, and the performances are decent. Yes, some of the special effects and audio tracks are uneven and the pace does feel a bit slow, but those issues seem to fit in with this strange tale. In the end, for a lower budgeted film, this one is a thought-provoking journey into something that we really do not understand as a civilization. If you are like me, and are fascinated by the unknown (especially the 4:44-time symbolism), give it a shot, you could do much worse.

Blackway (2015)

I took the night off the blog last night to watch Rogue One (again) and do some writing. Unfortunately, the movie I chose after that one did not do anything for me. That flick was the 2015 thriller Blackway (AKA Go With Me).

Plot/ An ex-logger comes to the aid of a woman who returns to her hometown in the Pacific Northwest and finds herself harassed and stalked by a former cop turned crime lord.

As a fan of Anthony Hopkins, I decided to grab this one when I saw it at Family Video. What I found was somewhat disappointing and extremely predictable. While the performances aren’t bad and there were a few decent moments, the movie as a whole did not hold my attention. The scripting, characterizations, and storyline were not enticing and the cinematography was bland and uninspiring. Really, there is nothing memorable or great about this one. In the end, I could have done without this one, especially as it followed the superior Rogue One in my movie rotation. Yes, there were a few entertaining moments, but there are definitely much better options.

Solace (2015)

I was on a decent streak until last night when I was hit by some type of stomach bug that put me down. Luckily, I feel much better today and hope to continue to improve. Now with some energy (and finishing the season finale of Scream), I figure it is time to get back. The next movie for review is the 2015 thriller Solace.

Plot/ A psychic works with the FBI to hunt down a serial killer.

This movie was an entertaining mystery/thriller that kept me engaged throughout. While this is not as clear-cut as many may like, it does a great job of mixing action, suspense, and excellent cinematography to create something enjoyable. The performances are solid, the cast, scripting, and there is enough pacing and atmosphere to keep things moving. Yes, the are some editing choices that will not appeal to everyone and there are definitely some predictable moments, but those actually do not damage the film. In the end, this is a fascinating look at the serial killer genre and a movie that should be seen. Check it out.