Annabelle: Creation (2017)

With the weekend winding down and the days of NaNoWriMo piling up, it is hard to find time to watch and review movies that will not in any way influence my Man of the Cloth project. After some searching earlier at Family Video, I decided on the 2017 entry Annabelle: Creation.

Plot/ 12 years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, where they soon become the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

This is one movie where I am so happy to have waited until it came to DVD to watch and luckily, for me, we have a Family Video so I didn’t have to even pay full price. This one was a tough watch, as the amount of jump scares and clichéd moments worked to fracture what came across as something extremely disjointed, to begin with. The doll was creepy, and that may be the only real positive that came across from this movie. The storyline was uneven, the actions in the performances were laughable (although Anthony LaPaglia was not bad), and the cinematography, pacing and the overall feel was extremely predictable and nonsensical. It is really that bad. In the end, this movie is one that I believe we could have done without. There is really nothing new inside and it clearly came across as a money grab and rushed production.

Anomaly (2016)

I know I again took a break from the blog and that really isn’t something I should do. Unfortunately, I had to take some time away to deal with some things. Those are taken care of now and it is time to move toward my next review. After some thought, I decided on the 2016 mystery/thriller Anomaly.

Plot/ The terrifying story of a family that experienced the biggest demonic possession after moving into a house plagued by malicious spirits.

I rented this one at Family Video because the case and synopsis looked interesting. Unfortunately, those may be the highlights of this one. I have to say that I was extremely disappointed in the movie. While it seemed like there was some potential, it came nowhere close to meeting that level. Come to think of it, there were really no elements that made this one either memorable or worth watching. The performances, the script, the costuming, and the cinematography all ranged from mediocre to terrible. Plus, the predictability factor was so bad; I could almost narrate the story from the start. In the end, this one was bad and is really not worth watching. It is definitely a film that I suffered through, so you don’t have to. Stay away; stay far away.

End of Days (1999)

Having watched a wide variety of flick over the past few days, I wanted to get back to something closer to my After the Static project. While that is zombie/outbreak themed, there are some religious/apocalyptic overtones inside the book. With that in mind, I decided to watch the 1999 action/horror flick End of Days.  

Plot/ At the end of the century, Satan visits New York in search of a bride. It's up to an ex-cop who now runs an elite security outfit to stop him.

I remember seeing this when it came out and even after watching it again, I can say that my initial thoughts will still ring true: viewers will either love or hate this film. Really, there is no in between, especially with the religious overtones that are woven throughout the movie. For me, this was an entertaining flick that I still find intriguing. The storyline, while uneven, is interesting, the performances and effects are decent, and the dark cinematography works well with the soundtrack and the theme of the movie. Yes, some of the characterizations could have been darker, some of the scriptings were uneven, and it was highly implausible, but that is what makes movies like this engaging. In the end, this one will be polarizing due to many different factors including actors, religious beliefs, and tone; but, at the end of the day, it is just a fun and mindless good versus evil flick that should be seen.

The Calling (2014)

After enjoying a mindless gorefest, I decided that I needed to find something with a little more depth. With that in mind while searching through Family Video, I decided on a serial killer driven religious thriller: 2014s The Calling.

Plot/ Detective Hazel Micallef hasn't had much to worry about in the sleepy town of Fort Dundas until a string of gruesome murders in the surrounding countryside brings her face to face with a serial killer driven by a higher calling.

I picked this one up the other night and was definitely surprised that I had not grabbed it earlier. This serial killer based thriller, was both enlightening and entertaining. Different than most films in this genre, the movie moves along at the proper pace and somewhat builds throughout. The cast is tremendous, the performances are solid, the atmosphere works, and the storyline is deeper and more intellectual than others made in the save vain. Yes, there are some plot holes, but I would like to think they were intentional and the overall film lacked the character development that could have taken this story to another level. However, these flaws are easily overlooked within this underrated thriller. In the end, if you enjoy thought provoking serial killer entries, this one is a great choice. You should definitely check it out if you get the chance.

The Exorcist III (1990)

With it being Thanksgiving, it was nice to be able to relax, and look forward to the future. Yes, there will be some rough times ahead; there is hope that change for the better could possibly happen. After taking a couple days away from the blog to work on a couple smaller projects, I decided to look into something relaxing yesterday to help pass the afternoon. The movie I decided on was something I had not seen in some time, the 1990 sequel, The Exorcist III.

Plot/ A police lieutenant uncovers more than he bargained for as his investigation of a series of murders, which have all the hallmarks of the deceased 'Gemini' serial killer, lead him to question the patients of a psychiatric ward.

I remember seeing this one in the theater and being blown away by the depth of the storyline and some of the creepiness that saturates the atmosphere. This movie is a perfect sequel to the classic Exorcist, much better than the first sequel released much earlier. More of a intelligent psychological thriller than pure horror movie, there is a lot to like in this one. The cast is amazing and the performances work extremely well in tandem, the scripting is solid (although, it does cause viewers to think more than with a typical horror movie), and the tension builds throughout the entirety of the movie allowing every aspect to sink in. Yes, there are some moments that deem to be added in for effect that feel out of place and the minimalist style may turn some people off, but those are elements that are easily overlooked when evaluating the movie as a whole. In the end, it was such a treat to dive into this film again, as it has stood the test of time rather well. While it is not for everyone, it is a must see for fans of psychological thrillers and the Exorcist. If you have not seen it yet, find it, and watch it!

Discopath (2013)

After taking a strange nap yesterday, I was searching for something different to watch. After searching Shudder, I decided to roll the dice with the 2013 entry Discopath (Discopathe).

Plot/ The mid-70's: a timid young New Yorker leads an uneventful life until he is fatefully exposed to the pulsating rhythms of a brand-new genre of music: disco. Unable to control his murderous impulses that stem from a traumatic childhood experience, Duane Lewis transforms into a dangerous serial killer exiled to Montreal.

When I started this one, I had no idea what to expect. Although, from the description on Shudder, I hoped it would at least be entertaining. Guess what? It was much more than that and better than I could have ever imagined. While the storyline is ludicrous, and much of it is over the top, there is a lot to like and it is rather entertaining. Sure, this is move of an exploitation schlockfest with a ton of comedic element sprinkled in, but that is what makes it so fun, as it never takes itself too serious and it allows the film to develop in a lighthearted manner. The performances are uneven, the dialog and language varies scene to scene, and it is littered with disco music (which may turn some people off), but there is enough going on to make this a mindless trip into another time. In the end, this movie is much better than one would expect and it is a movie that really flues under the RADAR being from Canada. If you love schlock and classic mindless exploitation, give it a shot; you will enjoy it.

Ouija Summoning (2015)

Sometimes movies are not what you expect. While most of the time when this happens, you become frustrated, but when it is for the best, you should celebrate. That was the case tonight with my next movie, 2015s Ouija Summoning (AKA You Will Kill).

Plot/ After a game with a spirit board goes horribly wrong, a vengeful spirit forces Sara to either kill one of her loved ones herself or watch them all die. 

When I sat back to watch this flick, I had no idea what to expect. Usually, after reading the synopsis and looking at the case, I do, but because I did not pick this one out, I did not even have that. What I found was interesting, and different from what I would have guessed from the title. The performances were solid, the cinematography was good, and for the budget, there were more positives than negatives. Sure, there were some disjointed moments and the scripting never really settled onto a theme, but even with that, there were enough positives to at least keep me interested. In the end, if the movie had stayed on a specific track, it would have been even better. Between the Ouija Board foundations, the possession elements, the demonic forces, and the overall supernatural themes, there is just too much going on to allow you to settle in and fully embrace everything. I did enjoy this low budget entry, but it will not be for everyone. If you are searching for some type of supernatural themed entertainment, you could do worse. Give it a shot!

The Binding (2015)

I am finally starting to catch up from last week and the whirlwind trip to Florida. While my new pal Edgar the Eyeball rests comfortably in his perch in the car, I am sitting here preparing to watch some low budget horror. Hopefully, it is better than the last entry, 2015s The Binding.

Plot/ A young woman's faith is put to the ultimate test when she is forced to uncover the truth behind her husband's horrific visions.

I am definitely in a movie slump at the moment and my selections have not given me material that is in any way inspiring. Much like my review from last night, this one lacks a powerful storyline and suffers greatly because of that. More of a drama than anything resembling a horror film, this movie lacks grit, scares, or anything that will keep the attention of an avid horror fan. In the end, while I have seen worse films, this one definitely misses the mark. Stay away.

Shark Exorcist (2015)

Now that I am getting back into the flow of the blog again, it is nice to revisit some of the low budget entries that I grabbed while working on some of my school projects. Now with graduation being less than two weeks away, I am settling in on a decent schedule to keep the momentum flowing. Next up for review is the 2015 no-budget entry Shark Exorcist.

Plot/ A demonic nun summons Satan to a small fishing village, where he takes over the bodies of a great white shark and a young woman. A chain reaction of evil grips the tiny community as shredded bodies wash ashore. A Catholic priest arrives, and he must fight both teeth and temptation on land and sea in order to send these man-killers back to Hell before the tide comes in for good!

This flick was definitely something from the depths of a low budget basement. While I realized before turning it on that it would likely be incoherent and at times full of schlock, I honestly did not expect what I found. Is this movie bad? Yes, yes it is. However, the craziness and disjointed feel with random scenes, uneven performances, and strange storyline made for something that I really could not take my eyes away from. I did this not because it was good, I just wanted to see what would happen next. In the end, I think with a larger budget and streamlined script, this one could have been something that would have fit into the classic exploitation films of the past. Unfortunately, it never meets or comes close to that potential.

The Exorcism of Molly Hartley (2015)

I was finally able to complete my homework last night, and I cannot believe how difficult it is to focus on a middle grade writing. At least, I was only required to write one chapter for this week’s assignment. Over the weekend, I was able to watch a few different things to help provide me with some darker inspiration (although my story was alien based), and in that process I watched The Exorcism of Molly Hartley from 2015.

Plot/ Molly Hartley is all grown up, but the unholy demon inside her lives on. Six years after graduating high school - and discovering that a secret pact assigned her soul to the devil - Molly is suspected of murder and confined to a mental hospital, where she wreaks supernatural havoc on the staff and patients. Her only hope is an exorcism by a defrocked priest looking to redeem himself and save Molly's life before her hideous "transformation" is complete...but Satan has other plans!

During the weekend, I watched a couple exorcism movies. While neither were perfect, this entry was definitely better than The Ouija Exorcism. This movie was a lot better than I expected, with some interesting twists mixed in with the typical exorcism themed cliché. Overall, it had a solid atmosphere, some decent effects, and an intriguing storyline. Unfortunately, it also has its share of missed opportunities by trying to rely on jump scares to offset the clichéd moments, and the performances were all over the place with many moments of overacting. In the end, this one was not bad for a straight to video entry and had more than a few interesting moments that made it at least worth watching. If you have not seen it and love exorcism based movies, check it out.

Final Prayer (2013)

This has been one frustratingly long week. Between car issues, flooding streams, a blizzard, working late, and subzero temperatures; this one had everything to keep me overwhelmed. With the weekend finally here, it is time to take a step back and get on track with the blog. Next up for review is the 2013 found footage flick, Final Prayer (AKA The Borderlands).

Plot/ A team of Vatican investigators descends upon a church in a remote area to demystify the unusual happenings, but what they discover is more disturbing than they had first imagined.

The found footage subgenre has become almost as saturated as the apocalyptic world of the zombie. Still, occasionally, you can find one that comes from nowhere to be a great surprise. That was the case with this one. While there was really nothing special or new, it was also one of the better entries to come along, with solid acting, a decent plot, some actual character development, and a tense atmosphere that makes it and interesting watch. Yes, there are the typical flaws that come along with the genre, but those do nothing to truly harm this flick. In the end, this one is an entertaining watch, and a movie that was actually a surprise. Give it a shot!

Deliver Us From Evil (2014)

Last night was awesome. Did some trick or treating as an Ebola Response Team member (pictures will be up soon) and went to see SAW at the theater. Honestly, it was a awesome. Unfortunately, it also kept me from the blog, but that is all right. The next review on tap is for the 2014 flick Deliver Us From Evil.

Plot/ New York police officer Ralph Sarchie investigates a series of crimes. He joins forces with an unconventional priest, schooled in the rites of exorcism, to combat the possessions that are terrorizing their city.

The movie is an interesting watch. Based loosely on true events, this one travels into different genres and creates more of a supernatural drama than true horror flick. Unfortunately, it may have also bit off more than it could chew with the varying story elements. Sure, there are some solid performances, a dark and eerie atmosphere, and the always positive good versus evil / religious exorcism narrative that can be fun, but there are also some flaws. Overall, the interesting premise has to battle some cliché moments and predictability and at times struggles to keep up (not to mention the uneven combat cinematography). In the end, this one does have some entertaining moments and was actually more than I expected. Sure, it is not for everyone, but it is better than most of the exorcism driven religious horror that has come out lately.

Salem's Lot (1979)

While I have been splitting time between Fringe and Ancient Aliens, I did find my way to Pittsburgh to hand out with my cousin Jennifer (visiting from Seattle) and her brothers, Jonathan and Jason, as they performed with their band, The Dumplings last night in the city. It was so awesome watched Jennifer hit the stage for an Alice Cooper cover to close the show. Today, I decided to venture back to my youth while doing some homework with the 1979 classic Salem’s Lot.

Plot/ Young novelist returning home to Salem's Lot after many years is disturbed by the strange behavior of its people. He begins to believe that the source of the trouble may be the eerie old Marsten House that overlooks the town.

Its funny, I had remembered much of Salem’s Lot, but almost forgot just how good this miniseries was. It is amazing to see exactly how much the quality put on our televisions has dropped over the past few decades. This was a solid entry that featured outstanding performances, solid scripting, dark and heavy atmosphere, and a soundtrack that backed it up perfectly. Sure, as a made for television entry, it lacks gore and nudity, but that does not bring this one down at all. In fact, it makes for a perfect vampire primer for the younger generation as it depicts the genre in the way they should be portrayed (sparkling vampires suck). In the end, Salem’s Lot may be one of the better King adaptations from the 1970s or 1980s, and it is a movie that must be seen. If you have not watched it, find it and check it out!