Blue Sunshine (1978)

Last night I was searching for something older to watch. Over the past few days (really weeks), I have been caught up in an extreme retro mood. After some searching, I stumbled upon something interesting; the 1978 cult classic Blue Sunshine.

Plot/ A bizarre series of murders begins in Los Angeles, where people start going bald and then become homicidal maniacs. But could the blame rest on a particularly dangerous form of LSD called Blue Sunshine the murderers took ten years before?

Every once in a while you stumble upon something that shocks you with its depth and quality, even from a humble low budget beginning. That is exactly what you have here with this 1970s drug induced shocker. More of a thriller/psychological horror than straight up 70s exploitation, this one featured some solid performances, a building tension, and an amazingly layered and original storyline. In fact, the only downfall is there are a few predictable moments mixed in and the ending leaves a bit to be desired. In the end, this 1970s cult classic has aged rather well and is an entertaining trip into that era. If you have not seen it, give it a shot it is a fun shocker.

Creature (1985)

After spending most of my evening last night diving into archetypes and mythology for my college class, I decided that I needed something mindless to free my mind. To take care of that I found a piece of low budget 1980s Sci-Fi/Horror that hit the spot. What was that flick? It was the 1985 cheesefest Creature (AKA The Titan Find).

Plot/ An expedition to Titan uncovers an alien being, that goes on a rampage.

Is there anything better than 1980s Sci-Fi cheesiness? Well, technically most things are better, but this is a world all its own and one that is perfect for a mindless afternoon of blood and guts. Creature screams 80s, complete with the uneven script, clichéd moments, and large-scale gore. Yes, it is not perfect, but it does have some solid performances, an outstanding score, and some of the best over the top low budget gore from the era. In the end, this may not be the most memorable film from this genre, but it is a fun and mindless romp into the deep regions of space. If you love gorefest from the 1980s, you should definitely give it a shot.

Persecuted (2014)

After a few days struggling to get back into the groove, I found myself searching for something to watch. With nothing jumping out at me, I decided to venture into some conspiracy themed material. My selection for the evening is the 2014 religious thriller Persecuted.

Plot/ An evangelist finds himself framed for murder and on the run after he refuses to back a senator's proposition calling for sweeping religious reform.

While I expected this film to be a touch uneven considering the low budget, the premise appealed to me. Of course, the ideas involved may appear to be too faith based, intolerant, and possibly unbelievable, but, there is some truths inside that cannot be overlooked. No matter what religious denomination you may be, the truth is with the powerful and corrupt administration in office, overall religious intolerance is growing throughout our republic. The fact that these truths can be found on many alternative media outlets and not on mainstream (State Run) media should make things clear enough. As a movie, the pacing and performances are uneven, character development is lacking, and there are definitely some lighting and scripting issues, but those were expected. Unfortunately, they do bring the movie down from its solid beginning and hurt the overall feel. In the end, this one will not be for everyone and many will bash it. Honestly, a few years ago I would have been one of those, but with the lawlessness in Washington, the NSA spying on our every move, and the lack of regard for our rights under the Constitution, it would not be far fetched to see this type of event become reality.

Mind Ripper (1995)

After diving into the Matrix, and spending, a good bit of time in Sci-Fi land, I decided to try to find something more horror related inside the genre last night. After some searching, I did just that with the 1995 low budget entry Mind Ripper (AKA The Outpost).

Plot/ A top secret experiment intended to produce a superhuman has gone terribly wrong. Now the creators, trapped in a remote desert outpost, are being pursued ruthlessly by their creation. With the door sealed from within, there is no way out.

This is one that I did not catch when it originally came out, and I am surprised I missed it, as it was a decent schlockfest. From executive producer Wes Craven, this one had a lot more action than I expected, the storyline (albeit clichéd) was interesting, and there was a darker atmosphere woven into the pacing.  Yes, the lower budget is apparent, the performances are uneven, and there is really nothing new crafted inside the cliché moments, but it is still a fun way to spend a few minutes passing time with a low budget creature feature (especially if it is free). In the end, if you love low budget cheese, this one has some entertaining moments, and is probably better than it should be. Sure, there is a dated feel, but one can do a lot worse.

The Matrix (1999)

Hello again, and welcome to 2015. Having taken a few weeks off to enjoy the holiday season, and so some travelling, it is time to jump back into the world here at The Ringmaster’s Realm. 2014 was a great year, and there was a lot that I will miss, but I am sure that this year will be even better. To start the year off with a bang, I decided to venture deep inside a Sci-Fi classic, the 1999 hit The Matrix.

Plot/ A computer hacker learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against its controllers.

I ventured back into the Matrix for the first time since I saw it when it came out. When I saw it then, I was amazed at the effects and how impressive every detail was. Now, while the effects are still stunning, the story definitely took on an entirely different meaning with the overall importance of the films message breaking through. Everything in this movie works, with a solid cast combining outstanding performances, over-the-top special effects, a detail driven storyline that continues to grow philosophically deeper the more times you see it, and the atmosphere is tight, which allows the characters to come to life within the fantasy elements of the movie. While the movie does have confusing moments and runs a touch long at 136 minutes, those are but minor flaws inside one of the most impressive Sci-Fi flicks of the era. In the end, if you have not watched this one, you are wrong; go out, find it, and watch it as soon as possible. If you are like me and have not revisited this one in some time, look it up; you may be surprised at what you find inside.

At the Devil's Door (2014)

After diving into a classic 1980s slasher last night, I decided it was time to venture into something different this evening after finishing my short story for my college class. My selection for the evening was the 2014 entry At the Devil’s Door.

Plot/ When ambitious young real estate agent Leigh is asked to sell a house with a checkered past, she crosses paths with a disturbed girl whom she learns is the runaway daughter of the couple selling the property. When Leigh tries to intervene and help her, she becomes entangled with a supernatural force that soon pulls Leigh's artist sister Vera into its web - and has sinister plans for both of them.

This is a strange movie to place. Not truly a horror film, but not really a thriller. Actually, it comes across as a touch of a disjointed anthology, which has some intriguing elements that do not blend together in a manner to create something memorable. Sure, the performances, cinematography, and production elements are top notch; items that make this one of the more technically sound flicks of the year. Unfortunately, the disjointed feel of the stories, slow pacing, and the unsatisfying ending truly hurt the overall tone. In the end, this one sits somewhere near the middle of the road with some elements that will draw people in, but enough to turn some off. Not for everyone, this supernatural driven demonic flick will either be loved or hated, with very little middle ground.

The House on Sorority Row (1983)

There is nothing like diving into the classic slashers of the 1980s. Having grown up in that era, it is always fun to revisit the movies that helped shape my movie interests. Tonight was one of those nights, and I decided to revisit one of the cult classics, the 1983 slasher The House on Sorority Row.

Plot/ After a seemingly innocent prank goes horribly wrong, a group of sorority sisters are stalked and murdered one by one in their sorority house while throwing a party to celebrate their graduation.

One of my favorite eras in cinema is the 1980s and the great slasher craze that littered the shelves of our local video stores, and The House on Sorority Row has to be regarded as one of the better low budget entries from that time. This film features some decent performances, solid cinematography, creepy imagery, and enough atmospheres to create some tension throughout. Sure, some of the effects may seem a touch dated today, but this is definitely one of the better entries in the genre. In the end, any fan of the slasher genre must see this movie. If you have not seen it, check it out.

Stonehearst Asylum (2014)

After finally finishing all of the available episodes of Agents of SHIELD, I was excited to find something a touch different when I made my latest trip to Family Video. Being a fan of Edgar Allan Poe, I love finding adaptations of his works and grab them whenever I can. That made today’s trip awesome when I found the 2014 entry Stonehearst Asylum (AKA Eliza Graves).

Plot/ A recent medical school grad who takes a position at a mental institution soon finds himself taken with one of his colleagues - though he has no initial idea of a recent, horrifying staffing change.

Being a huge fan of Poe, I had to grab Stonehearst Asylum as soon as I saw it on the shelf. Yes, some of the recent adaptations (even loose ones) have been uneven; I always hold out hope. This movie is one of the better efforts, pulling together the amazing cast into a tight/coherent gothic thriller. The atmosphere works in a manner that keeps the movie suspenseful and dark, the cinematography is sharp, and there are enough intrigue to keep you entertained. Yes, there is a lack of overall humor like in the source story, but that definitely is a small flaw that does not impact the final product. In the end, this is a solid (albeit loose) Poe adaptation and an entertaining flick. If you are like me and love his writing, give it a shot. It is a movie that should be seen.

Alien Agenda: Project Grey (2007)

It was so nice to finally have an evening at the house with nothing keeping me out until all hours. Over the past two weeks, it feels like there has been something everyday from band concerts, to Christmas parties, to working late, it has been a challenge. Tonight was different, and not only did I have a chance to watch some Agents of SHIELD, I was able to catch a low budget flick: 2007s Alien Agenda: Project Grey.  

Plot/ Dr. Schroder listens to her criminally insane patient as he recounts the story of the murder of his four friends. A story of infidelity, jealousy, and revenge takes a strange turn revealing an alien agenda. Chip implants, government mind control, Russian military, and alien visitors, form the puzzle pieces of this science fiction thriller. A search for the answers leads to the truth.

Although I have been caught up in the world of S.H.I.E.L.D lately and there are some alien overtones, I have honestly been in the mood to see some type of alien related flick. That is what I found with this one on HULU. A no-budget indie flick, this one is definitely far from perfect, but it did have some interesting aspects that at least kept me entertained. The storyline is interesting and there were some solid moments, the soundtrack was outstanding, and there were some intriguing cinematography aspects that seemed to work better than expected. Sure, the dialog and acting was a touch uneven, and the CGI effects and some scene transitions were laughable at best, but that did not destroy the movie. In the end, I understand that this low budget entry will not be for everyone, but it does have some entertaining moments. While not a masterpiece, if you enter into it with low expectations like I did, you could be surprised.

Not Safe For Work (2014)

This was a long weekend. Between finishing my college homework, the Christmas Party for the institute, and an awesome concert by the VFW Band (with my awesome daughter Genesis performing), I did not get to the computer much. I did check out a couple movies, like the 2014 flick Not Safe For Work.

Plot/ An office worker is trapped inside the building where a killer is on the loose.

This low budget entry was a quick and interesting watch. While there were really no over the top effects, gore, or nudity, there was just enough storyline to keep the short run time moving. Yes, there were some decent performances and the plot resonates with the reality that we live inside, but it did feel a bit cliché. Unfortunately, the cliché does create many predictable moments and there really is nothing new, and that does hurt the overall feel. In the end, this may not be anything great, but it is a decent little movie that can help pass some time. While I would not search this one out, if you found it during a late night for free, you could do worse.

Dead Girls (2014)

After spending yesterday with my mind wrapped up in the genius of Tusk (#WalrusYes), I took a break from movies and just relaxed. Tonight was a different day, and it was time to get back into some horror. My next flick on the docket is the 2014 no-budget entry Dead Girls.

Plot/ This anthology features three stories of abused and forsaken girls who return from the dead to take their revenge.

Horror anthologies are often hit or miss. For some reason, the material between the segments often drifts and there is a lack of characterization developed inside and that can often kill specific fragments. While this low budget entry from Brain Damage Films may not be perfect, it does feature some creative moments and there are some entertaining parts that capture reality in a perfect way. Unfortunately, it does suffer from some of the same issues that plague no-budget cinema with uneven performances, some clichéd moments, and some stagnate areas with the scripting that does not help story development in any way. In the end, this movie is better than many of the anthologies I have seen even on a smaller budget. Is it perfect, absolutely not, and it is not for everyone, but it was at least entertaining in spots and came across better than most of the low budget flicks that have come out in the past few months!