The Beyond (1981)

There really is nothing better than the classic Italian horror films of the 1980s. Whether it was Argento, Bava, or Fulci, there understanding of the genre was incredible. Tonight, I decided to revisit one of those masters, with the 1981 Lucio Fulci entry The Beyond on Shudder.

Plot/ A young woman inherits an old hotel in Louisiana where after a series of supernatural accidents, she learns that the building was built over one of the entrances to Hell.

As a horror fan, growing up in the 1980s was a dream come true, as some of the best horror movies came from that era with the Italian horror maestros creating some of the greatest films of the genre. In this Lucio Fulci classic, you will find everything that made those films great. This is a great combination of atmosphere, gore, and storyline that created a movie that may be one of the most influential films of the era. The performances are solid; the special effects are outstanding, the cinematography flows perfectly within the atmospheric soundtrack, and there is enough gore to make every fan of the genre smile. Sure, the nonlinear storyline and structure may not agree with everyone, and some may seem slow, but those are but minor flaws in this entry. In the end, this movie is one of the best from the decade and a movie that has stood the test of time. Plus, with some Lovecraftian elements sprinkled in, there is a lot more to like than with most films from this period. If you have not seen it, you are missing out! Watch it now!

The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)

Three of my daughters have been heckling me to watch some type of family-friendly Sci-Fi or Horror flick. While there are some out there, finding one that would appeal to three diverse ideologies and keep me even somewhat interested is a challenge. After some debate with the wife, i decided to give The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones a shot. 

Plot/ When her mother disappears, Clary Fray learns that she descends from a line of warriors who protect our world from demons. She joins forces with others like her and heads into a dangerous alternate New York called Downworld.

While I have never read the books and have no idea of the overall storyline of the series (honestly, I could care less), I will say that this movie is one of the better series flicks that the daughters have brought into the house. The acting was decent, the action sequences were outstanding and there was enough flow to keep things moving. Sure, there was little to no character development and the story felt compressed, but it was not terrible.  In the end, this one was not perfect, but it was a decent Sci-Fi / Fantacy flick that my daughters could watch. Sure, it was not my cup of tea , but it was not meant for me. Most importantly, although I would not watch it again, I did feel it was better than the sparkling vampires of Twilight.