Charlotte (2017)

I debated this evening whether I was going to finish September off with a review or not. Spending all day at the softball field in barely 60-degree weather took more out of me than I expected. After some thought, I decided on the 2017 flick Charlotte.

Plot/ A teenage girl is babysitting at a new house when she is accosted by a vicious doll. In bondage, she is forced to watch terrifying stories on the television magically controlled by the unfriendly toy, each story graver than the next.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this one out the other day on one of my streaming services, but what I can say is that this is nowhere near, what I thought it would be. This horror (Actually closer to comedy) anthology is nothing close that a killer doll movie and honestly that is what I figured it would be. While that was a nice surprise, my overall joy did not last long as many of the elements were average at best and really felt incoherent throughout. Yes, there were some entertaining moments and there was some blood, but that only seemed to fill in the disjointed feel. The pacing was off; the head-scratching moments were plentiful, and the performances were uneven (although that was somewhat expected). In the end, there is really nothing much that I can about this one and there is no way I can recommend it to anyone. Stay away.

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Last night, I went for something serious, and although it was entertaining, I decided that I needed something different tonight as the typhoon comes down outside. After some debate, I decided on the 1986 musical comedy Little Shop of Horrors.

Plot/ A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

The world may be a much happier place if it were a musical. There I said it. While I understand the absurdity of that statement, I do also see the power of that platform. Yes, horror movies are hard to get right (although Cannibal the Musical was hilarious), but that genre also has a way (along with sci-fi) of being a solid platform for the comedic side of the genre. This entry, based on a classic Broadway musical, embraces that and creates a tremendously campy, comedy-horror combination that is both entertaining and memorable. This homage to the classic low budget schlockfests of the 50s and 60s features a great cast, perfect pacing, some awesome performances, decent effects, a hilarious storyline, and a musical score that is both catchy and darkly funny. Yes, it is schlock-filled, campy, and totally laughable and absurd, but that only adds to the comedic charm contained within the timeline. In the end, this is a movie that I feel has long been underappreciated and a movie that comedy, horror, and musical fans can enjoy. If you have not seen it, give it a shot. And who knows, maybe it will be a primer for the eclipse that sits upon our horizon in August.

Crowley (2009)

With yesterday being my birthday, I decided to take a break from the computer after dinner. Yes, I did watch some more of Ash vs. Evil Dead and some homework, but other than that there was no writing or creative moments. Tonight was different, as I decided to find something a little darker than my recent entries. My selection for the evening was the 2009 entry Crowley (AKA Chemical Wedding).

Plot/ In 1947, noted Neo-Pagan Aleister Crowley dies. In Cambridge, 43 years later, with the help of a computer, Crowley's spirit takes over the body of Haddo, a mild-mannered, stuttering don. Over four days, as Crowley prepares for an occult extravaganza, bodies pile up, Crowley's elect engage in rites of passage, and Lia, a red-headed campus reporter, sniffs out a story that puts her in grave danger. Mathers, a scientist recently arrived from Cal Tech, may hold the key to her destiny.

It is funny, as Crowley (the man and his works) has come up in many conversations over the past week, so it was awesome to sit back and enjoy a movie with him and his works at the core. Yes, this movie will not be for everyone, and I am sure there will be many that are offended by some of the material, but that is to be expected will the subject matter. Personally, I enjoyed it tremendously, especially the mixture of Satanism and sadism sprinkled inside. As a low budget entry, there was a lot to like with an interesting storyline, some intriguing theories, and some decent performances. Yes, there were some confusing moments, the pace started in a slow manner, and some of the scripting was uneven, but again, for a low budget entry, it was not bad. In the end, this may not be for everyone, but if you sometimes enjoy a trip into the dark arts or some surrealistic worlds, give it a shot. You could do much worse.

Knock Knock (2015)

It was so cool to watch The Force Awakens for a second time; it was enlightening to notice some of the small tidbits that I missed the first time. Now that I am home from this afternoon trip, I decided to add my next entry on the bog, with a movie that actually almost ruined my evening last night, 2015s Knock Knock.

Plot/ When a devoted husband and father is left home alone for the weekend, two stranded young women unexpectedly knock on his door for help. What starts out as a kind gesture results in a dangerous seduction and a deadly game of cat and mouse?

While I enjoyed my flashback to Star Wars last night, I cannot say the same about this movie. Knock Knock was extremely disappointing and left me speechless with the amount of underutilized potential that was left. Between the miserable plot and the underwhelming performances, there was really nothing that made the movie entertaining. Not only was there a lack of gore, there was absolutely no atmosphere or tension to speak of. In the end, this is one movie that I wish I had passed on, ut was a uninteresting and a total waste of time.

Satanic (2006)

After revisiting Lizzy Borden, I decided to venture back into the flicks that sit in my review backlog. Honestly, I had very few options.  Being in the middle of a deep freeze, it is hard to watch something I arm interested in with the girls constantly awake since school has been closed or delayed because of the sub-zero temps. In catching up, I decided to go back to the 2006 indie entry Satanic. 

Plot/ The powers of darkness converge to claim the soul of a young girl who may have made a deal with the devil. After a devastating car accident claims the life of her father, Michelle wakes up in a hospital with no recollection of the events leading up to the traumatic tragedy. 

Low budget horror can go many different ways, and often it leaves you scratching your head wondering what you just watched. That is definitely the case with this one, as there are very few redeeming qualities to even mention. Yes, there is nudity and some interesting cinematography moments, but that in no way can save this one from the weight of the incoherent and hole-filled script. The CGI is bad, the characterization worse, and the acting is extremely uneven. In the end, there are much better low budget flicks out there, you can definitely pass on this one.

8MM (1999)

Having the day to watch one of the daughters who was home sick, I decided to check out some flicks that have been piling up on me. While I was going to focus on Friday the 13th and the franchise this week, I had to take a break from it. With that decision in hand, I went toward a thriller, the 1999 flick 8MM.

Plot/ A private investigator is hired to discover if a "snuff film" is authentic or not.

It had been a while since I had watched this flick. However, after a conversation with a computer wiz I know about the depths and levels of unseen internet, I decided to watch it again. This is one of the better thrillers I have seen and has enough suspense to draw you in. The acting is solid, the atmosphere tense, and there is a realism that makes it even more dark and disturbing. Sure, some of the characters are cliché and there are some holes in the storyline, but those are easily overlooked. In the end, this is an awesome flick that must be watched. Yes, it is not for everyone as the premise is unsettling and real. If you have not watched it and get a chance, check it out!

Black Ribbon (2007)

  

One of the biggest surprises of my Christmas season was when I received a gift card to the Brain Damage Films website. Over the past few years, I have found some very interesting flicks in their catalog, and could not wait to add some to my collection. Today, the selections I made from their store came in. The first one I decided to watch is Black Ribbon from Brain Damage Film / Midnight Releasing.

Plot/ A writer buys a typewriter which brings out his deepest and darkest desires.

OK, I know a low budget horror fan can only be so lucky when picking out flicks.  For every time you choose a winner that sits far above much of the no budget fair, you select one that goes in the opposite direction. That is where I sit today. This flick, while not unwatchable, has some major flaws. Yes, the storyline is interesting and there is a ton of nudity, but the delivery seems disjointed and rushed. It is really an incoherent endeavor. Overall, the flaws are many. The acting is so-so, there is a lack of attention to detail and the scripting seems to drag the film down with diverging plot lines and a total lack of character development and dialogue. In the end, this was not the worst no budget flick I have watched, but it is far from the best. If you see it floating on Netflix, check it out. 

House of Flesh Mannequins (2009)

While Hidden was a bit tame and uninspiring, I knew that I had to find something more intense to fill my craving for horror. Lately, I have been caught up working with Steelers101.com and have not journeyed deep into the depths of darkness as much as I would like to. On top of that, some of my selections lately have not quite hit the spot. Some were good, and a couple truly disturbing, but there is always room for more. My selection for last night definitely was something different, 2009s House of Flesh Mannequins.  

Plot/ Sebastian, a loner artist, photographer and filmmaker spends his days in the seediness of life's elements. Taking pictures, photographing violent acts and spending a lot of time watching homemade films filled with jarring imagery, Sebastian also happens to be his building's landlord. He has also suffered an abused childhood, being subjected to sleep deprivation and constant home videos. Things begin to change for him when apartment tenant, Sarah Roeg, begins to take interest in his work and Sebastian himself.

When I finished watching this flick, I was speechless. I honestly, was unsure of what I had just witnessed. This surreal journey into an abyss of darkness and vivid imagery was nothing as I imagined when I picked it up. More artsy and art house than horror, it is a twisted and extreme exploitation flick that was not afraid to push the limits on any front. Yes, it is incoherent at times and the intense and explicit amount of fetish acts, nudity and sexual penetration (both male and female) could definitely turn some viewers off. However, if you are able to look deep inside this film, you can see a piece of cinema that is much more than a horror flick, it is a work of art that truly pays homage to the giallo flicks that influenced horror in the 1970s and 1980s. Yes, some of the dialogue is hidden behind accents and there is a heavy and dark feel, but the diverse soundtrack and inherent atmosphere draw you deeper inside the nightmarish mystery. In the end, this intense and disturbing avant-garde film must be seen to be understood. Yes, it is at times difficult to watch due to the graphic and depraved acts that create an erotic and perverse trip into the unknown, but if you like something deeper than a typical slasher, you will understand and possibly enjoy it. If you want standard or clichéd horror, stay away, stay far away.

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Little Deaths (2011)

I love movies that lie outside the mainstream. Actually, most things that I do, listen to, or watch all fall into this realm. For me, exploring alternatives keep things exciting, and in some ways keeps my creative mind open. This next flick, the anthology Little Deaths is definitely a exploration of an alternative world.

Plot/ This anthology is composed of three disturbingly sensual and terrifying short narratives, unified by the twin themes of sex and death.

When searching for horror movies to watch, many, while there is a touch of realism, are too unbelievable. For me, when a movie is made that is disturbing because of the realism, that is even better. That is what I liked about this one. Yes, it is not the goriest or violent flick; it is the alternative realisms that make it connect to ones mind. The acting, cinematography and characterizations all work inside the confines of the three stories. Sure, the stories are not connected by anything other than a sprinkling of sexual overtones, but that still works. In the end, this is an erotic entry into the world of horror and one that is worth watching. It does have some bondage and fetish overtones, so if that is not your thing, you may want to go a different route.