Spiderhole (2010)

After taking a look at a historical figure (well, sort of), it was time to find something a bit different to help me pass some time. While nothing truly jumped out at me, or told me to watch, I finally decided on a independent flick from IFC films,  2010s Spiderhole.

Plot/ They say squatting is dead - a term that takes on a sinister double meaning when four homeless art students decide to take up residence in an abandoned London House where a hidden terror lurks.

What started in its very early stages as a promising selection, quickly spiraled into a cliché driven rip off. Yes, there was a touch of blood and some decent acting from a rather unknown cast, and there were some very good cinematographic moments, but even that could not save this once the cliché started to flow. What this one lacked was atmosphere, originality and a script that could take it where it needed to go (not to mention an ending that left a lot to be desired). In the end, it was not the worst movie out there, but it offered very little to the viewer and was rather predictable.

Metamorphosis (2007)

After delving into the world of demonic possession, I figured it was time to dive into an area that I have neglected lately, vampires. Of course, I am a true member of a vampire club that definitely feels that vampires should never sparkle; something I believe is being lost on society today. I hope that someone will come up with something that could destroy those sparklers forever. Oh well, my selection was not quite what I expected, 2007s Metamorphosis.

Plot/ A writer is writing a book about Countess Elizabeth Bathory and traveling through Hungary with his friends researching her life. While trying to find the monastery, he meets the gorgeous and seductive Elizabeth, who guides the trio to the something much darker.

This was not the best vampire flick, but it also was not the worst. Actually, the idea is interesting and had a lot of potential that was left out. The acting was uneven, with Christopher Lambert holding his own within the confines of a so-so script that lacked characterization. The cinematography was decent, but the lack of blood and action bring it down. In the end, this one is not the greatest, but it did help pass some time. I would not pay to see it, but if you catch it free onDemand as I did, it could serve the same purpose for you.

Devil Seed (2012)

After suffering through Hell’s Gate, watching the paint dry on a project would be better. With that in mind, I finally sat down and watched the movie I rented on that night, Devil Seed.

Plot/ Alex, a returning college student, is suffering with an unseen entity; one that forces her to inexplicably happen to her, scratches, visions and ultimately rape. While her friends are worried, there is no way to truly understand what is happening to her.

Having this movie follow up the miserable entry Hell’s Gate, it already started on the right foot. Fortunately, this one actually had some things to like. The atmosphere was decent, cinematography and direction on spot, solid storyline and good acting. It even started really well by not going down cliché lane. Unfortunately, they could not stay away from cliché, and in the end, that choice brought the movie down. In the end, this is a pretty good low budget demonic possession-type flick, even with the cliché. I would not break the bank on it, but I would check it out if you had a chance.

Hell's Gate 11:11 (2004)

After taking some time off from movies, I had a chance to get back into the swing of things. Unfortunately, as has seemed to be the trend lately, my selection was a bit off. My choice, Hell’s Gate 11:11.

Plot/ Eighteen years after the murder of her parents, Sara Tobias searches for the meaning of the numbers '11:11' that was scratched in blood beside her mother's body. Following three sudden murders, supernatural events are unleashed, as she gets closer to the truth.

I was hoping to find something interesting when I chose this flick. Unfortunately, this was not it. This one really did not hit the spot. Ironically, it actually had a decent storyline and potential that was just not backed up by any quality. The acting was only so-so, the feel and dialogue was disjointed and a lot of it made little to no sense. On top of that, there was no atmosphere at all. In the end, I could have skipped this one and had a better time. It really is not worth watching.

What the Judges Thought of Our Creations at the Westmoreland County Fair

Today we made our way out to the Westmoreland County Fair to see how our entries did with the judging. After looking around and seeing the competition, I believe all of us did extremely well considering it was out first venture out there.

Upcycled Birdbath

Bedspring Tree

Washboard Birdhouse

Upcycled Projector Lamp 

In all, four of my five entries placed, with one second, two thirds and one fourth place ribbon. Ironically, the item I felt the worst about (the birdbath) finished with the highest place, and the one I liked the most (the wreath) did not place. But, oh well, it is all in the eyes of the judges. Bren did well, placing with a nice variety of items, including her mixed media piece and her lampshades.

Mixed Media

Vintage Upcycled Apron

The daughters all did well, with Markie taking home the bragging rights with one first, a third and a fifth place finish in her entries including the cool dinosaur planter. Jolene and Jillian also did well, although I do not think the judges quite understood Jillian’s recycled item.

Mixed Media

Mixed Media

Birdhouse

Upcycled Dinosaur Planter

Bitter Feast (2010)

After an evening last night of recovering from the entirety of the fair process (and a House marathon), I decided to jump back into some movies with something a bit different. My selection for the evening was Bitter Feast from 2010.

Plot/ A celebrity chef exacts revenge on a food blogger who torpedoes his career.

This certainly was not The Chew, Mario Batali as a cast member, but this was a lot better than I honestly expected. For a lower budget indie flick, there was a lot to like inside this flick. First off, it was not cliché and actually featured some originality in the storyline. More of a psychological thriller than horror, it features decent acting, some sound dialogue, and some very good production values. Yes, there are some holes in development, some weird camera work and there is little to no blood and guts, but it is an interesting and entertaining movie. It is definitely an indie flick worth watching.

Children of the Living Dead (2001)

I am all about zombie flicks, especially semi-local ones seemingly based here in southwestern zombie land. Unfortunately, it is becoming harder and harder to find decent ones. Last night, while finishing some of the items for the fair, I decided on Children of the Living Dead from 2001. Maybe I should have picked something else.

Plot/ serial murderer and rapist Abbot Hayes disappeared from the morgue. Shortly afterwards, a zombie plague swept through town. Fourteen years later, the aging residents of the town are trying to erase all traces of their past, but the past keeps coming back to haunt them.

As a fan of low budget horror, I am used to uneven flicks. However, there are times where things get so bad that it is hard to even understand what was the intention. This flick is one of those. It is unfortunate though, I wanted to like this one as it felt like home, with Tom Savini, and many Night of the Living Dead overtones. However, there was really nothing to like with it. The editing was bad, the acting beyond uneven and some of the effects were horrid (and I am not going to get started on the storyline). Honestly, it is just that bad. If you have suffered through this already, I am sorry, if you have not, stay away!

Creations for the Westmoreland County Fair - 2012

Today was finally the day that we would take all of the stuff we created to the Westmoreland County Fair. Honestly, it is nice to finally have the stuff completed, allowing the house to get back to some type of normalcy. In all, there was a lot of cool stuff created (at least, I thought it was cool). Whether or not the judges see some things the same way is another question.

 Upcycled Lamp into Metal Birdbath

Upcycled Washboard into a Bird House

Bedspring Christmas Tree

Bedspring Wreath

Upcycled Movie Projector Lamp

For me, I was surprised that I actually completed all five items I signed up for. While they all did not come out as good as I had hoped, I think that a couple of them are really good. More importantly, all of the materials used were upcycled from different pieces we have picked up throughout different travels. My favorite piece has to be the movie projector lamp (with a cool shade from Bren). Bren created some cool stuff as well (besides my lampshade) and looks to continue her success from the Fayette County Fair.

  

Bren's Mixed Media

Bren's Upcycled Book Christmas Tree

The girls created some awesome stuff in all of their categories. Unfortunately, I think that some of their stuff will not be taken in the same light as we look at it. I guess that is one of the downfalls in regular society for kids that grow up in the horror / zombie walk community. But, oh well, that’s life. These are some of the items created by the daughters. 

  

Markie's Upcycled Dinosaur Planter

Jolene's Birdhouse of Bling

Jillian's Upcycled Candle Holder

Fingerprints (2006)

While working on my upcycled birdbath for the Westmoreland County Fair, I decided to see what I could find on Netflix. After letting the daughters watch 11-11-11, I decided to kick back and watch Fingerprints.

Plot/ Fresh out of rehab, a young woman moves back in with her parents and sister, and soon becomes involved in a mystery that has left people in her town paralyzed.

Movie about urban legends are usually interesting, especially having lived not far from a place in New Jersey with similar legends. This one is no different, as the use of the legend at the heart of the plot worked. In fact, there was a lot to like with some decent pacing, some creepy moments and some atmosphere. Unfortunately, the flick could not decide on an identity and is all over the place, the acting is uneven, and the end left a lot to be desired. In the end, there are a lot worse entries out there and this one is definitely watchable. It is far from perfect, but it is at least entertaining.