Creep (2014)

As I continue to try to squeeze in some movies as I countdown the days until Halloween, there are going to be times that my selections are not the greatest. Last night, was one of those nights. Next up for review from last night is the 2014 micro-budget flick Creep.

Plot/ When a videographer answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in a remote mountain town; he finds his client is not at all what he initially seems.

For months, I had skipped this one on Netflix because something felt odd about it. Unfortunately, I did not stick to my initial misgivings and decided to watch it, something that caused some painful times. While there was some originality for the found footage genre inside this low budget debut, there is no way that I could call this a horror film. In fact, I found the movie dull and predictable, with excessively much dialogue involved. Yes, the stripped down combination of writers, actors, and characters was interesting to see and worked well within the simple confines of the flick, but that does not do much to save it in the end. For me, there were many better choices available and I should have selected one of them. Fortunately, you have the chance to pass.

Dark was the Night (2014)

As I continue to press through some of my projects, it is nice to start getting back into the swing of working with the blog. In many ways, I have missed the interactions, and allowing my mind to unwind as I write. Hopefully, I can continue to push through. Next up for review is the 2014 creature feature Dark was the Night.

Plot/ An evil is unleashed in a small town when a logging company sets up shop in the neighboring woods.

When I started this movie the other night, I expected another low budget creature feature that would fall into the chasm never to be remembered like so many others. Fortunately, I was wrong. While this movie is not for everyone, featuring more atmosphere and tension than action, it is definitely a movie worth watching. The pacing is outstanding, the performances solid, and the suspenseful and heavy atmosphere create a wonderful sense of dread. Yes, there is a lack of overall originality inside this monster movie, as the storyline has been played out many times, and there is an overall lack of action that would push this more toward mystery/thriller than horror. In the end, you could definitely do much worse when selecting a movie. Sure, this one is not perfect, but it was one of the better creature features that I have seen in some time.

Maggie (2015)

I know that I have been slacking, and that any followers of my blog would know that I usually take part in the Halloween countdown. Unfortunately, time has been at a premium and I have been excessively busy. But, for those who do follow me, I have a couple of projects in the works that look to be interesting. Next up for review though is an interesting film, 2015s zombie entry, Maggie.

Plot/ A teenage girl in the Midwest becomes infected by an outbreak of a disease that slowly turns the infected into cannibalistic zombies. During her transformation, her loving father stays by her side.

Not knowing anything about this film, I was hesitant seeing cover. However, after sitting back and allowing the movie to play, I found something much better than I could have ever imagined. The atmosphere was perfect for such a dark and dramatic film. Everything was on point from the tremendous cinematography, solid performances, and deeply layered storyline that should appeal to anyone as a serious immersion into love and sickness. Sure, zombie fans searching for action may feel cheated or disappointed, as this is more of a drama than horror film, but to me, that made it even better. If you have no seen it, check it out.

Nightmare Zombie 5K Run/Walk - Halloween in Fairchance, PA

Nightmare 5K Run/Walk in Fairchance, PA

This 5K run will be your worst nightmare! Don't be a scaredy cat! Come out and see if you can outrun and outlast your friends. It's not just about crossing the finish line. It's about staying alive. Keep just one of your flags and you have survived... well, until next time.

Register Now!

Race starts on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at Fairchance Fire Hall, 31 Pittsburgh St., Fairchance, PA 15436

Registration: 9:15 AM
Run Starts: 10:30 AM

$20.00 mail-in registration downloadable in JPG or PDF formats (must be received by October 21st)

$20.00 online registration is available until October 21st on Active.com.

$25.00 race day registration (T-Shirts are not guaranteed for registrations received after October 21st)

Prizes will be for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Runners and 1st, 2nd and 3rd Walkers plus age group prizes!
This will be a timed 5K run or walk. Kids race will begin at 10:15 AM. This event is rain or shine.

Register Now!

Re-Animator (1985)

Sorry that I have been away from the blog for a while, with softball and college, my schedule has been excessively hectic to keep up. However, with this being October and with Halloween in the air, I decided it was time to venture back into some movies and writing. Hopefully, I can keep up. My first movie selection for the month is a movie that really does not need a review, it is a classic; 1985s H.P. Lovecraft’s Re-Animator!

Plot/ A dedicated student at a medical college and his girlfriend become involved in bizarre experiments centering around the re-animation of dead tissue when an odd new student arrives on campus.

This is one of the best examples of how someone can create a cult classic on a minimal budget. Shot for less than one million dollars in the 1980s, this H.P. Lovecraft entry is an amazing film to watch. Yes, it is filled with schlock, and there is a tremendous amount of gore, graphic nudity, and violent activities, but it is accomplished in a way that makes it fun and entertaining. This movie has a great mix of comedy and horror, with Jeffrey Combs delivering one of his best performances. Sure, some of the luster has worn off and there is definitely a 1980s feel to the wardrobe and styling’s, but those have no bearing on the film at all. In the end, Stuart Gordon created a memorable masterpiece that never gets old. If you have not watched this one yet, you are missing out. Check it out!

Writing Updates - October

Being a creative writing for entertainment major, I know that I should submit more of my works for publication to help build my portfolio for the future. Unfortunately, I often blow that off, and lose focus when I see a cool call for submissions. That has changed some in the past month now that I have realized that I am less than a year from graduation.

Last week, I actually submitted three works for potential publication to some different literary outlets. Last night, I got word back that two of them were accepted for publication, one to Z-Composition (zombiepoetry.com/) and another was accepted for the anthology Lovecraft After Dark.

Hopefully, these are the first of many.

Love in the Time of Monsters (2014)

While I have been swamped with school and softball, I decided to jump back into the blog today after hearing the devastating news the Sir Christopher Lee passed away. Lee was a trailblazer, and for many horror fans he served to indoctrinate us into the genre, we have grown to love. He will definitely be missed. In catching up on some of the movies I have recently watched, I am going to stick with the horror/comedy theme with  

Plot/ Two sisters travel to a cheesy tourist trap where they battle toxic monsters dressed in Bigfoot costumes in order to save the ones they love.

After Zombeavers, I wanted to keep the horror comedy train rolling, and with this one, I definitely made the right choice. While in many ways this schlockfest was an amazing journey, the fact that everyone ebraced the homage to the cheesefests of the 1980s was incredible. Between the costuming, the dialog, the characters, and a perfect atmosphere everything worked to bring this film to life. What made this one special though is the way the movie was choreographed with just the right blend of horror and comedy, enough to keep you entertained through the schlockiest moments. Yes, there were some CGI issues and some of it was predictable, but those flaws are easily overlooked. In the end, this is one of the best horror comedies I have seen, and a movie that must be seen. Yes, it is not for everyone, but if you love cheesy B-movies, check this one out!

Zombeavers (2014)

This has been a long few days full of softball, homework, and some business related activities. Fortunately, with one daughter struggling with a stomach bug, I had time to finish my homework and jump into a movie tonight. What did I watch? Well after some thought, I chose a great horror spoof that kept my attention throughout in 2014s Zombeavers.

Plot/ A fun weekend turns into madness and horror for a bunch of groupies looking for fun in a beaver infested swamp.

Needing something mindless and comedic, I hit this one up and it definitely hit the spot. While I usually stray from spoofs, this on creates a cheesy schlockfest that hits home where other spoofs fall flat. Yes, Zombeavers is far from perfect, it definitely embraces its place in the genre and is so over-the-top that it succeeds where others fail. It is funny, gratuitous, has some boobs, blood, and the acting is outstanding for this type of mess. Plus, the theme song is absolutely amazing! Sure, it is stupid, there is no realism, and there is nothing serious about it, but that is what makes it one of the best in the genre to come out in some time. In this end, this movie definitely enters into the so-bad-it's-good movie hall of fame, and is a movie that you must see if you enjoy mindless horror comedies. This one is outstanding; check it out!

Curse of the Witching Tree (2015)

This long weekend has not been great for choosing horror movies in the house, although I did watch my fair share. Of course, I have been stuck in a small Ancient Aliens marathon as I continue to do some research for a project, so my mind may be a touch disconnected. Next up for review here at The Ringmaster’s Realm is the 2015 low budget entry Curse of the Witching Tree.

Plot/ An innocent woman, accused of murdering her son and hanged as a witch, curses a tree and the children who play around it. The effects of this act of revenge echo through the years and centuries, and restless spirits haunt the house where the bodies of the cursed children have been buried. A family moves into their new home, and begin to uncover the terrible truth behind The Witching Tree and the murdered children upon which they unknowingly sleep.

After suffering through Poltergeist on Friday, I honestly thought any movie I chose would be better, and I was right. While this movie is far from perfect, it served as the perfect way to wash that out of my mind. The storyline, while unbelievable, was interesting; the atmosphere was dark, and for a low budget flick, it had some moments. Unfortunately, while the backstory was interesting, there were excessively many clichéd and head scratching moments, the acting was uneven at best, and there were really no moments that stirred any type of emotional response (even the attempts at jump scares). In the end, even with a few entertaining moments, this one is not worth diving into. Yes, it may be better than Poltergeist, but that is not saying much at all. Stay away!

Poltergeist (2015)

This has been a long week with a strange sickness taking over the house. Fortunately, as we head into the holiday weekend everyone (including me) seems to be feeling better. One thing that did not help though was going to see the 2015 remake of Poltergeist when it opened, as again, it shows why classic films should not be touched or remade.

Plot/ A family whose suburban home is haunted by evil forces must come together to rescue their youngest daughter after the apparitions take her captive.

This movie should be the death nail for Hollywood and their endless stream of remakes. Like many of the classics that have been redone, Poltergeist in no way comes close to the original, and honestly, I am not surprised. While I was in no way captivated by the movie, with even my daughter calling it cheesy (and she was the one who really wanted to see it). To be honest, there were some interesting parts, the acting was decent, and some of the 3D effects worked really well. Unfortunately, the flat characterizations, the forced scripting that tried to keep some classic moments by subtly changing them (and in many ways ruining them), and the pace felt off and almost rushed. In the end, if you are a fan of the original stay far away from this one, like me, you will be disappointed. However, if you have not seen the classic Poltergeist, and this will be your first entry into the world, it does have some entertaining moments (although predictable) and could be a fun trip to the movies for the family. Personally, I would just rent (or buy) the classic and skip this altogether. 

Psychotic (2013)

As I continued to work on the rewrite for my short film script, I decided to get my mind clearly inside the sanitarium. I found just the flick at Family Video, when I grabbed Psychotic from 2013.

Plot/ A psychologist is trapped inside a mental institution where all the patients have escaped and are on the rampage.

Psychotic was a much better film than I originally imagined when picking it up off the shelf. In fact, there was so much to like in this low budget flick; it is hard to believe that this was Johnny Johnson’s directorial debut. The atmosphere is heavy, the score drives the tension, the performances are decent, and the cinematography was varied enough to keep you interested. Yes, there are some dialog issues, and likely, because of the lower budgeting, there is not a lot of blood or gore, but those issues are to be expected in any film with these restraints. In the end, this entry released in the states by Midnight Releasing was an entertaining trip into insanity. Give it a shot!