A Creature was Stirring (2023)

Today was busy. Between some articles for my side gig at Titans Wire and bringing Illuminating the Abyss back online, I have spent most of the day on the computer. That did give me a chance to put on some true crime documentaries and a horror flick throughout the day. That included this one: A Creature was Stirring from 2023. 

Plot: A nurse taking care of her daughter's mysterious affliction struggles to hide her secrets when uninvited strangers take shelter in her house during a lethal blizzard.

I am not a huge fan of holiday horror, I don’t know why exactly, but that’s the case. This one was more interesting than I expected when reading the description on Shudder, but that isn’t saying it’s good. I will say that it is a strange one overall, with some weird lighting and some decent special effects. Unfortunately, the performances are shaky and the storyline is full of plot holes that are never really pulled together. In the end, this was entertaining on a cold day, but it really isn’t worth watching a second time. If you like wintery themed horror, give it a shot, you may enjoy it more than I did. 

Coherence (2013)

I have officially survived the great alien invasion of 2024. I guess I will have to wait until the next apocalypse to occur for some excitement. Hopefully, it will be zombies, we haven’t had one of those in a while. Since there was a cool asteroid going through the sky in Siberia last night, I settled down and watched some Sci-Fi with a comet, the 2013 entry Coherence. 

Plot: Strange things begin to happen when a group of friends gather for a dinner party on an evening when a comet is passing overhead.

This low budget entry is a picture of minimalism and definitely shows what can be accomplished if you limit yourself. Is it perfect, no. In fact there are some elements within the film that really don’t matter and are left alone. The atmosphere was tense, although it could have been more claustrophobic, which would have put it over the top. However, the performances are solid and the overall storyline and feel is outstanding. It does have some pacing issues and this one will definitely fit into the love it or hate it arena, but that is just fine. In the end, I thought this one was pretty good and kept me engaged for the entirety. It’s not a typical Sci-Fi entry but if you enjoy potential mind-bending trips give it a shot. Plus, any film that can dive into Schrodinger’s Cat is definitely worth watching.

The Exorcism (2024)

I am a sucker for religious themed horror, although I have recently become overly frustrated by the constant rehashing of similar storylines and structures in many of the modern entries. So, I have for the most part stayed away from the genre. That changed yesterday when I saw this one streaming on Shudder. The 2024 entry, The Exorcism. 

Plot: A troubled actor begins to exhibit disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. His estranged daughter wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.

This one started out fun and really a cool concept of remaking the classic The Exorcist. While that masterpiece can never be duplicated, the idea of an attempt was intriguing. Unfortunately, the movie went downhill from there. While some of the performances were good, the film felt disjointed and did nothing to expand the storyline. The cinematography was also good, but the editing left more than a few head scratching and unbelievable moments. Even some of the storyline made little sense and did not feel flushed out. In the end, this was a decent attempt and a cool idea. Unfortunately, it lacked a punch and fell flat. Stay away. 

It's a Wonderful Knife (2023)

I decided to take a break from Leave the World Behind to watch some holiday horror.  While this isn't anywhere near Halloween, there are some entertaining horror films that take place during this holiday season.  This movie from 2023 fits solidly into that realm,  It's a Wonderful Knife.

Plot: Winnie's life is less than wonderful one year after saving her town from a psychotic killer on Christmas Eve. When she wishes she was never born, she finds herself magically transported to a nightmarish parallel universe. With the murderous maniac now back, she must team up with a misfit to identify the culprit and get back to her own reality.

When I say down to watch this one,  I was actually somewhat excited, the idea of a slasher take on a Christmas classic looked fun.  Unfortunately, the execution didn't meet my initial excitement.  While there are some positive with the cinematography and overall feel,  the scripting was extremely incoherent and the movie suffered from that.  The characters were flat,  the performances were uneven, and overall it felt rather predictable after an interesting start.  Now,  this is far from the worst movie in the genre,  but,  I'm positive that there are many better choices out there.  My recommendation, stay away.

Island Zero (2018)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday (if you partake in the holiday). It was definitely quiet here,  allowing for some relaxation. Today was busy cleaning,  something that definitely needed done. While I haven't finished,  I have taken an extended break to catch a movie.  My selection was the 2018 entry Island Zero.

Plot: Inhabitants of a fishing island find themselves cut off from the outside world after the ferry suddenly stops coming. When dead bodies turn up along the water's edge, the survivors must find out who, or what, is killing them.

There are times when I randomly pick a movie that I find something that I didn't expect and that was exactly what happened tonight.  I knew nothing about this one and I found it extremely entertaining. I loved the storyline and felt that the potential here made it worth watching.  The performances were solid,  the idea interesting,  the atmosphere was in tune with the story,  and it was a refreshing Creature Feature.  Unfortunately,  there were some flaws that were apparent and will definitely turn some people off. However,  for me,  these are easily overlooked because of the budgetary constraints that I'm sure existed with this indie film.  Yes,  the effects were lacking and there were some choppy moments that didn't allow the movie the reach its true potential,  but even with those, the quality  was much better that a lot of indie horror. In the end,  this is an underrated film and one that is easily streamed.  If you are looking for a Creature Feature,  give it a shot.  

Hell House LLC II: The Abaddon Hotel (2018)

I took a couple of days off from the blog to attend a few movies and take part in a couple of horror trivia contests. I love horror trivia, but I will admit, the questions that these people are asking are getting harder and more difficult to answer. Who knew how crazy the Polish movie poster for Alien looked like the Spaghetti Monster. In preparation for the next installment of this series, I revisited the Hell House LLC franchise, with Part 2, the Abaddon Hotel being my next entry.

Plot: It's been eight years since the opening night tragedy of Hell House, LLC and still many unanswered questions remain. Thanks to an anonymous tip, investigative journalist Jessica Fox is convinced that key evidence is hidden inside the abandoned Abaddon Hotel-evidence that will shed light on the hotel's mysteries.

Like with many sequels, this movie doesn't quite live up to the baseline established by the original. In fact, while not terrible, it misses the mark in a ton of ways. The performances are uneven, the characters are not as interesting, and the overall storyline is not as nuanced or effective as the original. Yes, there are some moments where things work and they make it interesting, but the performances of the cast do not come close to what was experienced in the original film. That is definitely something that hold this film back and prevents it from matching the feel and quality of the original. Not a terrible movie, but one that could have been so much more with a different cast. 

Santa Sangre (1989)

As usual October has been a busy month,  vending both Monster Fest and Heroes Assemble. With both events finally done,  I can relax , continue enjoying horror,  and maybe even breaking through my writers block.  The next film up for review is the 1989 cult classic, Santa Sangre.

Plot: A former circus artist escapes from a mental hospital to rejoin his armless mother--the leader of a strange religious cult--and is forced to enact brutal murders in her name as he becomes her arms.

Let me start by saying that i have no idea why i waited this long to catch this film,  this one is truly amazing.  The artistic aspects alive would make it had above many of the surreaistic folks of the era.  However,  this one also boasts a tremendous atmosphere that takes full advantage of the unsettling imaging, violence,  and sexuality. There really isn't much that this one gets wrong.  Sure,  some of the appearace may feel dated when streaming,  but for me, that added to the experience. Plus,  the circus theme really hit a soft spot.  If you haven't seen it,  you are missing out. 

Bog (1979)

I know I haven't posted much lately,  although, that isn't too easy that I haven't been watching stuff or researching strange things.  In fact,  I spent most of last week and this week marathoning Grimm, a show that I believe had a lot of predictive programming elements woven in. Last night,  I went to see Oppenheimer, and while I could review that,  I will hold off because of the strike. That's no problem,  because that gives me a chance to look at some older movies,  such as 1979s Bog.

Plot: Dynamite fishing in a rural swamp revives a prehistoric gill monster that must have the blood of human females in order to survive.

I know Horror Host Mister Lobo says, "they're not bad movies, they're just misunderstood movies" and I can usually agree with that.  Usually you can found some element that makes it worth watching.  That isn't the case with this one,  as it may be one of the worst movies I have ever seen.  Really,  there are no redeeming qualities.  The acting is below average or worse,  the cinematography, effects, and editing are bad (even for low budget films), the storyline is unreal,  and the overall quality of the movie has in no way held up over time.  Incredibly,  there are no signs that any of this was intentionally put together to give it some comedic elements. This movie is just bad. Stay away!

Children of the Corn (2023)

I decided to take a break from my Grimm marathon and watch a few movies yesterday, I started the day with Signs, followed by Ghost Ship, and finishing it off with the 2020 (2023) Children of the Corn.

Plot: The film describes the events leading up to, and including, the massacre of the adults of a small town in Nebraska by their children, after the adults' irresponsibility ruins the crop and the children's future.

Honestly, I don't know what to say about this one, it left me speechless ( and not in a good way). I guess if there was one positive,  although outrageous and completely unbelievable, I did like the ending (as a writer). Unfortunately,  that was about it. The storyline was alright but flat, the performances were lacking, the effects were meh, and there was absolutely no tension. In fact, it was more laughable than horror and added nothing to series.  Stay away!

Skinamarink (2022)

It's already been a long day today, as my usual Monday trip for bloodwork was filled with miserable traffic. It took almost an hour and a half to reach the clinic, something that usually takes 40 minutes. Oh well, after a short nap, I figured it was time to not down a few things about last night's movie,  2022s Skinamarink.

Plot: Two children wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished.

Ok,  please tell me I am crazy,  because I did not get anything from this movie.  After hearing all the buzz and seeing the articles about its vital status,  I really expected something different.  For me,  I did like the grainy look and thought the story was appealing, but this one was just way too slow.  And,  that is saying something because,  I actually like slow dark movies,  but I found this one just hard to pay attention to. There were some good moments,  but those failed to capture my attention for an extended period.  In the end,  I applaud what was accomplished on such a micro budget, unfortunately,  it was not for me and it's a movie that was just hard to watch. 

Alligator (1980)

While I have been on a Sci-Fi kick lately,  I still love to go back to my youth for some of the horror movies that shaped my love for the genre.  To me,  some of the classic creature features from that era still hold their weight.  Yes,  there is some cheese and schlock,  but wasn't that part of what made the 80s awesome? Last night I went for one of those creature features, 1980's Alligator.

Plot: A herpetologist helps a detective track her flushed-away pet, now a king-size mutant called Ramone.

The creature features of the 70s and 80s were the best. Yes,  there are some duds, but there were also some classics that sprung up. While this one is not as memorable or as mainstream as Jaws or even Piranha, Alligator remains one of the better low budget creature features of the time.  Boasting an interesting storyline,  dark atmosphere, a solid cast,  decent performances, and some creative effects,  this one takes an urban legend to a new culture classic level. If you love classic low budget creature features and can overlook some of the flaws, you will definitely enjoy this fun B-Movie.

Winterbeast (1991)

In the middle of my marathon of the original Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mystery Hour, I decided that I wanted to take a break and catch a movie (recovering from transplant surgery does have some perks). So,  after some debate with the voices in my head, I decided on the 1991 schlockfest Winterbeast.

Plot: People are being killed off near a popular mountain lodge, with a legend claiming that the mountain is haunted by a deadly Native American demonic curse.

I honestly don't know exactly what i watched and am quite torn.  On one hand, this no budget schlockfest offers very little fit the viewer. It has almost no plot, the scripting is incoherent, the effects teeter between bad and worse, and the performances are far from good.  Yet, i found this one rather entertaining on a so bad it's good level. This reminds me of what Mr. Lobo from Cinema Insomnia says,  "they're not bad movie,  they're just misunderstood." In many ways this is a movie that shows that anyone can make a true independent film, no matter hor good or bad, if they want to. With what I am sure is an extremely low budget (if any) and not a single know commodity (not to mention dated stop-motion effects), this one keeps you interested by wondering what features is coming next. Overall, yes, it is a bad film and a movie that on many levels,  should necessarily be seen.  But,  in this case,  check it out, you definitely find some of it hilarious.

All Eyes (2022)

As this week continues, I have found getting back to watching horror and returning to the blog has been really therapeutic and has helped me pass some time as I recover from my transplant. Luckily, there are a ton of movies out there for me to choose from. The next one I decided I was the 2022 independent flick All Eyes.

Plot: A disgraced podcast stumbles upon an eccentric farmer who claims to have a monster living in the woods near his house.

When I read the premise of this one,  I was intrigued because I have been stuck in this podcast realm for a few days.  More of a drama than creature feature,  this movie is one that is a lot more layered than you would expect at first glace. The storyline is good,  the cast and performances are solid,  and the overall feel of the movie really works.  One thing that really stood out was the scripting. As a writer myself,  I found that the character development, the depth of the airline,  and the way everything was brought together was tremendous. Yes,  there are some slow moments,  especially at the beginning,  and the monster reveal was sort of a letdown, but for a movie that I am sure had a low budget, some flaws are to be expected. In the end,  this wasn't the horror movie that I expected,  but it was a film that I am glad I discovered. Not for everyone,  but worth the watch. 

Found Footage 3D (2016)

After spending so much time lost in the classics, I figured it was time to return to the present for my next review. That film is the 2016 entry Found Footage 3D that I found on Shudder.

Plot/ A group of filmmakers sets out to make the first 3D found footage horror movie, but find themselves IN a found footage horror movie when the evil entity from their film escapes into their behind-the-scenes footage.

This is one that I had never heard of and knew nothing about going into it. Unfortunately, I wish that I had an idea of what was in store. I have to admit that I enjoyed it more than most found footage films, although it does (in an attempted non-serious way) fall into many of the same traps that plague the subgenre. The storyline and premise are interesting (albeit almost predictable), as the attempt to spoof the found footage genre is somewhat original. The characterizations, dialog, and some of the gore does make it a better watch than most. Unfortunately, the satire only goes so far before the movie falls into the same issues that they are making fun. While I am sure that was intentional, it could have subtly gone that route instead of falling headfirst back into them. Couple that with some uneven pacing and the unnecessary use of 3D and you have a movie that never quite reaches its full potential. In the end, the idea and set-up were there with this one; it just misses the mark and falls into the jumbled subgenre with many other found footage entries that suffer from the same flaws. Sure, it isn’t terrible, but it could have been something that was a much more memorable experience.

Bride of Frankenstein (1935)

Over the past few days as I continue my countdown toward Halloween, I have enjoyed my trip back into the world of classic Universal Studios monsters. Today, I decided that it was time to venture into that world once again with the 1935 entry Bride of Frankenstein. 

Plot/ Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Dr. Frankenstein, goaded by an even madder scientist, builds his monster a mate.

Sequels to movies can be a mixed bag with only a handful living up to the baseline set by the original. In this case, that could not be further from the truth, as it not only meets but also surpasses the original in almost every way. There is so much to like with this one, as it builds upon an idea mentioned in the Mary Shelly classic novel. The cast is wonderful with solid performances littered throughout including the returning stalwarts Colin Clive and Boris Karloff repeating their roles from the original, the setting and atmosphere work really well, the storyline is layered and complex, and the visual effects, cinematography, and production elements surpass those of the original. Truly, everything is tremendously done and honestly, it should be held in a higher regard than the original Frankenstein. Yes, it does have a short run time and it leaves the viewer wanting more, but that is something that to me does not hurt the film in any way. In the end, it is always a great debate on which early Frankenstein film is the best. For me, it is the Bride of Frankenstein hands down because it shows that if a sequel is done right, it can be a powerful entry into a franchise. If you have never watched this one, you are missing out. Head to Shudder and check it out!

Dracula (1931)

After spending most of my night last night working on my video for the Poe Arts Festival Poetry contest, I decided to jump back into the classics today. My next selection from Shudder was the one that started it all, Dracula from 1931.

Plot/ The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.

For me, this was one of my first horror films that I watched back in my younger days and one that still resonates with me today. While I do love the classic silent unauthorized adaptation Nosferatu, there is something with the adaptation that takes the Bran Stoker story to an all-new level especially when you remember that the movie was made in 1931. Whether it was the amazing performance by Bela Lugosi or the technical vision and work of Tod Browning, this film creates one of the most iconic and memorable films of the history of cinema. Of course, there are other factors that help make this one great. All of the performances are solid and work within the storyline; the setting and cinematography create something dark and atmospheric, and as the first in the run of Universal Monsters the movie allows the rest of the universe grow by laying a tremendous foundation everything that would follow. Yes, the ending is a bit mellow and there are some head-scratching moments, but those do not really hold the movie back in any way. In the end, this movie remains a must see (along with Nosferatu) for fans of the vampire genre and one that stands tall in horror history. If you have not seen it, you are missing out.

The Invisible Man (1933)

With Halloween being right around the corner, it is fun to sit back and enjoy the classics from Universal Studios. Last night it was The Mummy, and tonight, I followed that one with the classic The Invisible Man from 1933.

Plot/ A scientist finds a way of becoming invisible, but in doing so, he becomes murderously insane.

Being in a classics mood, this adaptation of the H.G. Wells sci-fi classic may be one of the best movies of the golden era of the Universal Monsters. Complete with some of the best special effects of all time, this movie boasts tremendous creativity, cinematography, and technical aspects. The performances, especially Claude Rains, are outstanding, the storyline is interesting, and as I mentioned already the effects are tremendous especially considering that this movie was shot decades before the first computer was ever thought of. Yes, it does lack the scenery that made the other Universal Monster movies so memorable and the overall story lacks the layered depths of the other films from the studio, but those elements do not hurt the movie in any way. In the end, like the other classic monster movies of the early 1930s, this movie is a must see. Sure, it often overlooked in comparison to the other timeless entries from Universal Studios, but from a cinematic and technical perspective, it should sit near the top of the chart and it remains one of the most memorable sci-fi films ever made. Go to Shudder and check it out.

The Mummy (1932)

After watching an entire series last night in Lore, I decided that I wanted to go back to the roots of horror for my next movie and review. My viewing choice for the evening is the 1932 Universal Studios classic The Mummy.

Plot/ In 1921 a field expedition in Egypt discovers the mummy of ancient Egyptian prince Im-Ho-Tep, who was condemned and buried alive for sacrilege. Also found in the tomb is the Scroll of Thoth, which can bring the dead back to life. One night a young member of the expedition reads the Scroll aloud, and then goes insane, realizing that he has brought Im-Ho-Tep back to life. Ten years later, disguised as a modern Egyptian, the mummy attempts to reunite with his lost love, an ancient princess who has been reincarnated into a beautiful young woman.

People who suffered through the latest reboot of The Mummy should definitely head over to Shudder and revisit the 1932 Universal Studios classic to burn the modern monstrosity out of their minds. While this is not a straight horror film with it actually feeling more like a gothic romance/drama only in a different location, it does have all the elements needed to make it an entertaining and memorable trip into darkness. This movie screams atmosphere and creates a dreamlike state that takes the viewer to a different place. The performances are outstanding, especially horror icon Boris Karloff in one of his most memorable characters, what little make-up effects that are used are tremendous, and the cinematography, setting, and the set pieces are remarkable. Of course, many viewers that watch this will not like the slower pace and lack of action, but those elements just help bring the story to life in a way that ties the entire movie together. In the end, this may be one of the most subdued horror films from that early 1930s Universal catalog, but it is still an amazing watch. If you have not seen it, there is no way you can call yourself a true horror fan. Head over to Shudder and watch it. It is a must see.

And Now the Screaming Starts! (1973)

Last night I decided to continue venturing down that retro path and turned to Shudder to find something interesting. After some debate, I decided on the 1973 gothic ghost story And Now the Screaming Starts!

Plot/ England, 1795: the young Catherine has just married Charles Fengriffen and moves into his castle. She becomes the victim of an old curse that lays on the family. On her wedding night, she is raped by a ghost and gets pregnant.

This was a different film than I expected and I was actually quite entertained by the odd elements that were added in. From Amicus Studios, this gothic ghost story offers an interesting (albeit somewhat clichéd) storyline that was brought to life by an outstanding cast led by Peter Cushing. The performances were solid, the cinematography and setting were captivating, the atmosphere was heavy, and the visuals and color pallet used was amazing. Yes, the special effects were lacking in quality and the end game was a bit drawn out, but those are small flaws in what is definitely an underrated film in the studios' catalog. In the end, while there were some contradictory moments in the storyline and some of the low budget flaws rise up, for the most part, this one delivers. Yes, it is not perfect, but it is an entertaining movie and one that can be found on Shudder for free if you are in the mood for a classic gothic ghost story.

Let Me Make You a Martyr (2016)

Last night after finishing my Evil Dead 2 review, I decided to dive back into Shudder to see if I could find something interesting. After some thought, I decided on the 2016 crime drama Let Me Make You a Martyr.

Plot/ Adopted siblings hatch a plot to kill their abusive father, a local crime boss who won't go down easily.

This movie was not at all what I expected when I started watching it and honestly, it was a lot more than I ever imagined that it would be. This was an extremely thought provoking film with a detailed and layered storyline that was both entertaining and intelligent. The scripting was outstanding, as the non-linear approached worked extremely well in creating an atmosphere, the performances were solid with Marilyn Manson leading the way with an extremely memorable performance, and the cinematography and production elements were spot on. Sure, the non-linear storyline and drug use will turn some people off as will the slower pacing, but in this case, it should be viewed as the perfect platform for this story to be told in the proper manner. In the end, this is a movie that should definitely be seen. Yes, it isn’t really a traditional horror movie, but it does have elements that should make any viewer cringe. If you haven’t done so already, find it and give it a shot.