The Visitor (1979)

After taking a break last night from watching any movies, I decided that today I would go back and review a movie that I caught earlier in the week. That movie is the 1979 horror/sci-fi entry The Visitor.

Plot/ The soul of a young girl with telekinetic powers becomes the prize in a fight between forces of God and the Devil.

I am a huge fan of surreal movies that make you think; especially ones that can border on confusing and this one fits that bill perfectly. An interesting storyline that seems to feed on more than a few classics, this movie has some elements that should appeal to any horror or sci-fi fan. For the most part, the performances are solid, the cinematography is interesting, and the overall tone and feel of the movie works. Unfortunately, the storyline and plot, while intriguing have so many confusing elements that it is hard to make sense out of (even if you are paying close attention) and the soundtrack feels completely out of touch with the overall tone of the movie. In the end, this one will definitely fall into the love/hate category and is extremely hard to totally describe in any way. My only recommendation is to see it for yourself (at least once) and make your own judgment. Personally, I enjoyed it, but then again, my tastes are much different than many horror/sci-fi fans out there.

Manhattan Baby (1982)

After spending last night with Lucio Fulci, I decided to go back into his mind for an encore. After some debate, I decided on the 1982 entry Manhattan Baby.

Plot/ An archaeologist opens an Egyptian tomb and accidentally releases an evil spirit. His young daughter becomes possessed by the freed entity and upon arrival back in New York the gory murders begin.

While this isn’t a great movie or even anything close to Lucio Fulci's best work, there is something in this one that always makes me want to see more. Not a typical Fulci gorefest, this one is definitely closer to an atmospheric thriller than true horror film. As usual, it does suffer from some of the typical issues that seem to permeate most films by Fulci with slower pacing, underdeveloped characterizations, and uneven performances. Plus, the movie does feel a bit dated, but that too should be expected with it being filmed in the early 1980s. Fortunately, if you are a fan of his work, you should already be expecting this. This one does offer an interesting (sure, unbelievable) storyline, a tremendously dark and heavy atmosphere, and a perfectly matched gothic soundtrack that helps build the tension. In the end, this one may not be his best work, but it is still an entertaining (and polarizing) journey into the world of Fulci. If you have not seen it, you should give it a shot.

The Dead Zone (1983)

After last night, I wanted to watch something that was both older and entertaining. After some searching on my streaming services, I decided on the 1983 thriller The Dead Zone.

Plot/ Johnny Smith wakes from a coma due to a car accident, only to find he has lost five years of his life, and yet gained psychic powers. Foreseeing the future appears to be a gift at first, but ends up causing problems.

This movie often is overlooked when talking about David Cronenberg and his resume. Yet, this one may be one of his best films, albeit one that is nowhere close to being as graphic of some of his other films. Based on the novel by Stephen King, this one is definitely more of a thriller than straight horror film and it sits near the top of the King adaptations. Incredibly, this film holds up rather well considering its age and is a flick that is both atmospheric and enlightening. The performances are solid with Christopher Walken not only embracing his role, but also carrying the sadness of the part perfectly to add to the atmosphere. The entire cast works, the cinematography is outstanding, the soundtrack adds depth to the film, and the storyline is well constructed. Yes, there are some costuming elements that feel dated and the pacing is a touch slow, but for a thriller, neither of those do anything to damage the feel of the movie. In the end, I am not usually a fan of King adaptations, but this is a story that I loved when I read it, I loved the first time I saw the movie, and I still enjoy today. Plus, with it on Prime, it is a great movie to catch for free and feel a sense of dread.

The Mind's Eye (2015)

While working on the 1800+ words for my project Saturday night, I had a few movies on to help keep me in the mood. The next movie that was on that night was the 2015 entry The Mind’s Eye.

Plot/ Zack Connors and Rachel Meadows were born with incredible psychokinetic capabilities. When word of their supernatural talents gets out, they find themselves the prisoners of Michael Slovak, a deranged doctor intent on harvesting their powers. After a daring escape, they are free from his sinister institution, but the corrupt doctor will stop at nothing to track them down so that he may continue to siphon their gifts for his own use.

I have debated on picking this movie up for some time and finally grabbed in my last trip through Family Video. Growing up through the 1970s/80s, I became a huge fan of low budget horror/sci-fi of that era, and one of the films that were always fun to watch was Scanners from David Cronenberg. When I saw this one, I wondered what it would be and in the end fund something interesting. The characters, cinematography, and performances are all solid and the effects at the end make it even more entertaining. Yes, some of the scripting choices within the storyline are uneven and some of it feels choppy and rushed, but those are but minor flaws. In the end, this one definitely has a low budget 1980s feel and is a movie that is better than a lot of others in the same vein. If you enjoyed the crazy 1980s telekinesis movement, you should definitely enjoy this one. Check it out!

The Fury (1978)

Sometimes, I need to take a break and focus on homework and recovering from long days at the institute. The past couple days have been exactly what I needed, as I had excessively much going on. To get back in the swing of things, I decided to take a trip back in time for my next selection-the 1978 supernatural entry The Fury.

Plot/ A government agent is determined to come to his son's rescue when a sinister official kidnaps him to harbor his extremely powerful psychic abilities.

Sometimes it is fun to revisit the 1970s and the movies that helped shape the modern horror cinema. That was the case with this telekinesis/psychic thriller directed by Brian De Palma. This one definitely came with more blood, guts, and gore than Carrie, but it did not leave the same impact. This intriguing combination of horror, thriller, and even governmental espionage did have some outstanding effects, a solid cast with some decent performances, and some interesting ideas. Yes, there were some pacing issues, it feels a touch long, and some of the plot/characters tend to add confusion, but those do nothing to totally derail this underrated De Palma entry. In the end, it may not be the best flick from De Palma and at times, it feels dated, but it is still an interesting movie to watch and a film that should be seen. If you have not watched it, give it a shot, you could do much worse.

Serenity (2005)

After some debate on what I wanted to watch today, I decided that I needed something that was both thought provoking, yet had enough action to keep my interest. Yes, that can be a difficult combination to find. What did I decide on? Well, that would be the 2005 Joss Whedon classic, Serenity.

Plot/ The crew of the ship Serenity tries to evade an assassin sent to recapture one of their number who is telepathic.

There are times when I need to revisit movies from my past that have provided some influence on who I am today. One of those is Serenity; a movie that I believe was never embraced by the mainstream society. This one has so much to offer featuring a layered storyline, solid effects, and an atmosphere that will appeal to every emotion. Yes, this is likely considered a niche movie (and series), as many did not like the western science fiction overtones, but it is definitely more than that. In the end, this one may not be for everyone (although it should be), and lives on as a cult classic. For me, I believe every Sci-Fi fan should give it a shot; it is an amazing movie that should be seen.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)

Now, having watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens for a second time, I decided it was time to dive back into that world for the blog. Incredibly, I realized that I have overlooked the franchise for some time, and may have to break them all down over the next month or so. Who knows, but here is my spoiler free review of The Force Awakens.

Plot/ Three decades after the defeat of the Galactic Empire, a new threat arises. The First Order attempts to rule the galaxy and only a ragtag group of heroes can stop them, along with the help of the Resistance.

Let me start by saying this will be spoiler free. Although, I have seen the film twice now (both 2D and 3D), I imagine that there are still those out there who have not ventured out. Personally, I loved the film, as it brought the excitement of the originals back to life. For me, the homage paid to the original series will likely pay off in the future installments, as there are many questions that remain. If, like me, you remember the classics when they came out, it was not until The Empire Strikes Back, that questions were left unanswered, and ironically, that is the one that will stand as the best ever. The pacing was amazing, as there was always something happening, making the small pieces of mysterious dialog even better. Of course, some will not like the way this one plays out because of that, because there are moments left for the viewers’ imagination, but that is what makes this one tick. The action sequences work, the new characters interesting and mysterious, and the overall feel was much better than I expected. Sure, there could have been some more originality sprinkled in, but it is understandable on why this one was fueled by nostalgia, as the Star Wars audience must touch a younger generation, that may not truly appreciate the original’s in the same manner we do. In the end, this one may not reach the level as The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi, but it does move up the scale quite a bit. If you have not seen it, you definitely should check it out, especially if you have kids that are just learning about Star Wars. Trust me, there is nothing better than when your teenaged daughter comes out and says, “That was awesome! Rey Rocks!”

The Atticus Institute (2015)

While I was writing up my new theory on who, Supreme Leader Snoke is in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, I needed something to help soothe my mind. To help me through this process, I decided to watch something different, the 2015 mockumentary, The Atticus Institute.

Plot/ In the fall of 1976, a small psychology lab in Pennsylvania became the unwitting home to the only government-confirmed case of possession. The U.S. military assumed control of the lab under orders of national security and, soon after, implemented measures aimed at arming the entity. The details of the inexplicable events that occurred are being made public after remaining classified for nearly forty years.

Found footage and mockumentary styled films are always hit and miss, and that is again the case with this one. While I loved the setting, the idea, and some of the cinematography and plot elements used, it did not come off as well as it started out. This had potential, especially with the governmental experiment ideas that were presented inside. Having grown up in that era, the rumored government experiments always drove conspiracy theories, and as we have discovered now (decades later) most of those conspiracies were true. Unfortunately, the movie never builds on the hypothetical theories it is built upon, and at times becomes extremely predictable and falls flat. In fact, I believe in this case, the mockumentary style is what derails this one (although the clichéd and overdone possession angles do not help either). In the end, there was really nothing new inside this one and it never builds a suspenseful atmosphere that will draw you in. Sure, it is not terrible, but it is also just average-not good for a movie in a flooded genre.

Patrick: Evil Awakens (2013)

With my workweek winding down and a weekend full of events at the Pennsylvania Literary Festival (and softball), I decided to kick back and relax once I finished some homework tonight. While relaxing, I threw on a film I picked up at Family Video, the 2013 entry Patrick: Evil Awakens.

Plot/ When a young nurse begins work at an isolated psychiatric ward, she quickly becomes fascinated with Patrick, a brain dead patient who is the subject of a mad scientist's cruel and unusual experiments. What starts as an innocent fascination quickly takes a sinister turn as Patrick begins to use his psychic powers to manipulate her every move, and send her life into a terrifying spiral out of control.

As many know, I am not a huge fan of remakes. However, this updated version of the 1978 film Patrick is worth watching and does a great job at bridging the films together. While there is solid acting, detailed cinematography, and a tremendous score, it is the dark storyline and underlying realism that drives this one home. Because of this storyline, there is a cold and heavy atmosphere created in the film that definitely allows the movie to breathe and grow. Yes, there is not a tremendous difference from the original, the scares were somewhat predictable and there was not an overly suspenseful feel, but those are really non-factors in this film. In the end, this was an entertaining movie and a film that must be watched. More creepy than terrifying, this one is worth renting at least once.

Carrie (2013)

Everyday I think about what movies I plan on watching and often have mini debates inside my mind as I figure out what genre I want to venture into. Once in a while, there are movies that come out that cause me strife, as my emotions are torn on whether it would be worth viewing. This was one of those, the 2013 remake of Carrie. 

Plot/ A reimagining of the classic horror tale about Carrie White, a shy girl outcast by her peers and sheltered by her deeply religious mother, who unleashes telekinetic terror on her small town after being pushed too far at her senior prom. 

I have been on the fence about watching this one. As a fan of the original, it would be hard to see this one live up to that one. Usually, when a remake hits the street, they never compare to the original. That, in some ways is the case with this one. While it does not match the original, it is a solid an entertaining remake. The cast works well, especially Julianne Moore who nails the role of the religious freak mother. Even Chloe Grace Moretz, was better in the role than I expected, sure she is different than and plays the role differently than the iconic Sissy Spacek, but it works. While it is more of a remake /update than revision, it does add a few elements from the Stephen King novel that were left out of the original. yes, there are some pacing issues and some of the characters do not match the actors, but overall, it works and is entertaining. In the end, it may not have the atmosphere or shock value of the original (how could it), but it is an entertaining flick. If you watch it with an open mind, you should enjoy it, just do not expect the magic of the 1970s masterpiece.

Attack of the Crab Monsters (1957)

As Thanksgiving draws near, I will finally have a chance to spend some extra time with the family relaxing a bit (and a couple extra days away from PIA). I will also have some extra time to finish up the first week of my Digital Literacy class. Going back to school into a creative writing program is going to be a challenge, but it is one I am looking forward to. However, talking about the digital world this week has made me more appreciative of the Sci-Fi / Horror classics of past generations, like my next selection the Roger Corman flick Attack of the Crab Monsters.  

Plot/ A group of scientists travel to a remote island to study the effects of nuclear weapons tests, only to get stranded when their airplane explodes. The team soon discovers that the island has been taken over by crabs that have mutated into enormous, intelligent monsters.

There is nothing like the cheesy schlockfest of the 1950s. Those Sci-Fi creature features must have been perfect to watch in a dark theatre. To me, this flick would be a perfect for that setting. Yes, the storyline is campy, the scripting uneven, and the acting all over the place, but it does not matter. The most impressive part is that even with a low budget and some laughable creations, this one is entertaining, bizarre, strange, and everything that you could ask for in this genre. In the end, the is one of Corman’s most memorable early flicks and one of the weirdest horror flicks of that era. If you have not seen it, check it out!

Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood (1988)

Today is Friday the 13th, one of the days I look forward to every year. There is so much going on with different superstitions, creepy programming and of course, the ever popular visit from Jason Voorhees. When I was young, I can remember seeing the original Friday the 13th in the theatre. I truly believe that the moment Jason came from the depths changed my life and sent me on the path I am on today. I loved it. With that thought fresh in my mind, I decided to revisit the franchise with Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood.

Plot/ Years after Tommy Jarvis chained him underwater at Camp Crystal Lake, the hulking killer Jason Voorhees returns to the campgrounds when he is released accidently by a teenager with psychic powers.

I am a huge Friday the 13th fan, and love every time it pops onto the calendar as it allows me a chance to revisit at least one of the flicks without hearing any crap. This entry, the seventh in the series, was probably the last one that did not go truly overboard. Yes, it is a typical slasher from the day featuring a low budget, unknown cast, some nudity and gore. But, it is an important entry in the series as it marked Kane Hodder’s debut as Jason, and a somewhat original idea coupled with some outstanding special effects. Hell, they even give Jason some power tools to play with… In the end, if you are a fan of the series, please revisit this one it is awesome. If you are not, or have not seen it, check it out for the first time. It may be dated and a bit campy, but it is a fun romp through Camp Crystal Lake.