Parasomnia (2008)

I was walking through Family Video last night and wanted to find some interesting movies for the weekend. With my creative endeavors somewhat on hold as I decide what to work on next, I can always find clarity inside the dark depths of horror and here in my blog. While walking around, I decided upon the 2008 flick Parasomnia to help take some time away over the weekend.

Plot/ Laura Baxter is a young woman suffering from parasomnia, or a condition which she sleeps her life away. Once she escapes from her hospital prison, she discovers something more sinister on the horizon.

Not knowing much about this flick, I have to admit that it was nothing that I expected when I picked it up. This interesting, and somewhat demented love story has a lot of potential. Sure, it is somewhat cliché in it overall story, the intriguing visuals help bring something different to the screen. Yes, it is a bit incoherent and some of the acting is uneven, but there is strangeness to this flick that makes it work. On top of that, Jeffrey Combs makes an appearance, something that is always fun. In the end, this is far from a cohesive low-budget flick, but it is not terrible; it does have some entertaining moments. Yes, it has some shortcomings, but I have watched a lot worse.

Nightwish (1989)

After pulling a late night at the institute tonight, I wanted to find something fun, entertaining and different to unwind to. I really think that I have been pushing myself a bit too much with more serious stuff lately. After some thought, I decided to see what I could find on Netflix. What I found in Nightwish was a blast from the past.

Plot/ A professor and four graduate students journey to a crumbling mansion to investigate paranormal activity and must battle ghosts, aliens and satanic entities.

When I saw this on Netflix, I knew that I had watched it years ago when it came out, but could not place it. Once it started, I knew exactly what it was. Yes, this was a B-Grade horror flick from the late 1980s, but it was one that had an original and surrealistic concept that worked well in the all-encompassing script. This one had everything, and while, unbelievable, was able to pull it off. Sure, some of it was too over-the-top, with decent effects and campy visual effects, but, between the incoherent storyline, solid performances and heavy atmosphere, an entertaining flick was found. Sure, some of it was possibly too erratic, some of the scripting forced it to drag at points and the score is dated, but those things are easily overlooked. In the end, if you are looking for something off kilter and weird that can take back to a more open time in horror history, give this one a chance, it honestly has everything you could ask for.

Inception (2010)

Today was graduation day at the institute and the final members of my first real class graduated. While the ceremony was nice, and I am sure that the five that are heading out will do great things, it is a bit sad that they will not be around, as they were definitely a joy to have in the classroom. Moving on, if you have read my blog over the past three years, you would know that I am not the biggest fan of the blockbuster flick, and honestly prefer the indie movement. Yes, I do watch a blockbuster from time-to-time, but I usually do not enjoy them. Today, as the last day of the quarter wound down, I allowed my class to pick a movie for the afternoon since all of their grades were published; their selection, the action-adventure-science fiction blockbuster Inception.  

Plot/ In a world where technology exists to enter the human mind through dream invasion, a highly skilled thief is given a final chance at redemption which involves executing his toughest job to date: Inception.

Sometimes films come along that truly define a genre, and now, after watching this one, I believe that Inception will define this genre for generations. When a movie tries to peer into the subconscious, they are always interesting, and to an extent, surreal. Somehow, this one took the cues from movies past, amplified it, and created its own dimension on the screen. The storyline is tremendous, extremely complicated but interesting, one that will draw you in, the acting is solid, there are some top-notch performances, and the cinematography and production are outstanding with the action sequences and soundtrack mirroring the mood of the film perfectly. On top of that, the special effects are amazing, and crafted well within the layers of the film. On the downside, this is definitely a hard film to understand fully in one viewing, and with such a long run-time, it may be hard to watch multiple times to discover all of the intricacies that I am sure exists within this world. In the end, some more character development would have made the film perfect, but when that is the major flaw, what more can one ask for. This may be one of the best action or science fiction films to be released in sometime and must be seen to be believed. If you have not seen it yet, you must see it. Honestly, I wish I would have watched it earlier.