Dark Breed (1996)

After finishing my physical therapy this morning, I just wanted to relax and recover. Having someone attempt to stretch scar tissue really isn’t a fun experience. To assist in this endeavor, I went to Tubi to find something Sci-Fi related and decided on 1996s Dark Breed. 

Plot: Six astronauts are infected by an alien organism.

More of a cheesy action flick than horror movie , Dark Breed, offers a ton of explosions and is a low budget conglomeration of multiple Sci-Fi stories wrapped in one package. The acting is ok and there is a ton of stunt work that makes it fun, but lost in all the explosions and craziness is not much of a coherent story and it lacks teeth to be anything more than an outlandish action film. In the end, this is not really a Sci-Fi film. Yes, there are alien/infection overtones, but those are lost in the execution. I do not recommend this one for Sci-Fi fans at all. 

Village of the Damned (1995)

After spending most of the day working around the house decorating for the holidays, I decided to kick back and check out a movie I hadn’t watched in quite a while. That movie is the 1995 John Carpenter remake of Village of the Damned.

Plot: A small town's women give birth to unfriendly alien children posing as humans.

I remember watching this one when it first came out and I was rather disappointed. Now, decades later, I still don’t think that it is great, but it was better than I remembered. This was a fun B-Movie type viewing experience that had an interesting premise, a couple creepy scenes and a solid cast. Honestly, it was a nostalgic trip just watching it. 

Yes, it is uneven, some of it extremely cheesy and it makes little to no sense, but it is fun. In the end, this is one of Carpenter’s weakest entries and a movie that sits in a niche and should be viewed with that in mind. 

Brainscan (1994)

After a few duds over the past few days,  I decided it was time to reach into the past for something I haven't watched in years. My selection was the fun horror film from 1994, Brainscan.

Plot: A teenager is part of an interactive video game where he kills innocent victims. Later, the murders become real.

This is a fun movie and one that screams 1990s. The cast is decent and there are some great performances, especially that of the Trickster. Sure some of it feels dated today, the storyline, while fun, is outlandish, and the early special effects are hit and miss, but after that,  there is a lot to like. The atmosphere sittings,  the pacing is great,  and the overall feel really works. I am so glad that I decided to revisit it.  In the end,  this one may be leaving Tubi soon,  and that's a shame. If you are looking for a great throwback,  give this one a shot,  you would likely enjoy it.  

Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996)

Having just received my Lament Configuration Puzzle Box in the mail, I was hopeful that I could reach out to the underworld and call upon the Cenobites to help me deal with these posts in the neighborhood.  Unfortunately,  nothing happened.  But,  to try to get some tips,  I decided to revisit the Hellraiser series with the 1996 entry,  Hellraiser: Bloodline. 

Plot: In the 22nd century, a scientist attempts to right the wrong his ancestor created: the puzzle box that opens the gates of Hell and unleashes Pinhead and his Cenobite legions.

This was the first time back to this one in some time and honestly it was better than I had remembered.  Although it seemed outlandish from the outset, this one was actually a lot better than it originally appeared. The storyline was interesting and layered, the dialog was really good, and the atmosphere was held throughout.  Yes,  some of the effects felt dated and there were some pacing issues, but those are only minor flaws.  In the end,  I feel this is an often overlooked entry in the series, and a movie that is week worth watching (especially to cleanse they cenobit craving).

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

 

I am definitely already feeling some seasonal depression as Halloween has come and gone.  While I like to think with my movie choices and writing,  I live that 365 days a year,  there is an emptiness when spooky season ends that seems to last a few months.  Trying to keep my mind from the doldrums, I decided to revisit the 1992 sci-fi entry The Lawnmower Man.

Plot: A simple man is turned into a genius through the application of computer. 

This sci-fi entry may appeared dated with the visual effects of 1992, but that does nothing to bring down the truths lining this story.  Technology is our nemesis and in many ways we have behind slaves to the technology.  To me,  this is more of a drama dealing with moral and ethical problems that lie in many parts of science. In some ways,  much of this was demonstrated during the pandemic as many scientists played on their "so called"superiority in knowledges as a way to manipulate the world. Maybe we would have all benefited from watching this one again during those dark days.  But, enough of that rambling.  The performances were outstanding and the storyline was nuanced and true.  Yes,  the visual effects of the day make it feel out of touch, but they were pretty interesting for the day.  If you haven't watched it,  check it out. 

Candyman (1992)

Today, I started to go back through some classic horror films to brush up before a trivia contest on Sunday. One film that I watched (and one of my favorites) is Candyman from 1992.

Plot: The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.

This may be the best horror movie of the 1990s and incredibly, it continues to hold its own even after all these years.  A faithful adaption of Clive Barkers' short story,  this one has a tremendous atmosphere, outstanding performances,  and a worthwhile ending that adds to the overall feel of the movie.  Most importantly,  it has a very creepy storyline that draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. If you haven't seen this original version, check it out.  It is one of the best and it started a franchise that continues to draw in followers. 

Split Second (1992)

It was busy around my shop yesterday with 3 online sales on top of the two packages that I had to send out. Fortunately, I have the time to focus on that on days when that happens. So far today has been quieter, allowing me to start rebuilding the workshop after neglecting it during my transplant hiatus. Once I finished yesterday, I decided to dive into the world of Rutger Hauer with the 1992 flick Split Second.

Plot: In a flooded future London, Detective Harley Stone hunts a serial killer who murdered his partner, and has haunted him ever since. He soon discovers what he is hunting might not be human.

I love Rutger Hauer movies and it is still hard to fathom that he is no longer with us. Onereason that i have always enjoyed his films is that he always seems to enjoy the project he was working on. This movie again shows that side of him. While this is clearly a B-Movie and far from a classic like like Blade Runner, he played his character perfectly. This is a lower budget film that has definitely built a solid cult following with a dark gloomy post-apocalyptic atmosphere, an interesting storyline, and decent scripting. Sure, this one will never boast great effects, truly believable moments, or being a cinematic masterpiece. But, if you enjoy fun, low budget, not bad but misunderstood movies and can appreciate schlocky Sci-Fi, this movie is for you.

 

Winterbeast (1991)

In the middle of my marathon of the original Hardy Boys Nancy Drew Mystery Hour, I decided that I wanted to take a break and catch a movie (recovering from transplant surgery does have some perks). So,  after some debate with the voices in my head, I decided on the 1991 schlockfest Winterbeast.

Plot: People are being killed off near a popular mountain lodge, with a legend claiming that the mountain is haunted by a deadly Native American demonic curse.

I honestly don't know exactly what i watched and am quite torn.  On one hand, this no budget schlockfest offers very little fit the viewer. It has almost no plot, the scripting is incoherent, the effects teeter between bad and worse, and the performances are far from good.  Yet, i found this one rather entertaining on a so bad it's good level. This reminds me of what Mr. Lobo from Cinema Insomnia says,  "they're not bad movie,  they're just misunderstood." In many ways this is a movie that shows that anyone can make a true independent film, no matter hor good or bad, if they want to. With what I am sure is an extremely low budget (if any) and not a single know commodity (not to mention dated stop-motion effects), this one keeps you interested by wondering what features is coming next. Overall, yes, it is a bad film and a movie that on many levels,  should necessarily be seen.  But,  in this case,  check it out, you definitely find some of it hilarious.

Metamorphosis (1990)

With Halloween around the corner, it is nice to finally see the weather changing. In fact, the chill has been a refreshing change from the heat we had a few weeks ago. It is also a great excuse to watch horror movies of some type every night. My next selection is the 1990 entry Metamorphosis.

Plot/ Dr. Peter Houseman is a brilliant geneticist who is working on a serum, which will stop human aging, but his colleagues don't believe in his work. When his skeptical benefactors threaten his university funding, the doctor takes a desperate measure to justify his work. He administers the serum to himself, but the results are unexpected and horrendous.

This is one that I had no recollection of from my formidable years in the late 1980s, so I expected some low budget cheese. Guess what, that is exactly what I found with this one, and therefore, it may not have been quite as disappointing as many other viewers will say. While this is nowhere near a good movie, it isn’t terrible either. Sure, the production values may not be the best with the movie feeling like it was produced a decade earlier, but it still was not that bad. The performances were decent, the storyline (while predictable) was interesting, and there were a few moments where everything seemed to come together. Unfortunately, the pacing was terrible, which drug the movie down tremendously, the special effects were bad, and the overall feel of the movie was uneven. In the end, there was potential in this one, but they never came close to being achieved. Yes, the movie isn’t terrible, but I wouldn’t recommend watching it more than once (if you decide you want to give it a shot).

IT (1990)

As I prepare to go see the new blockbuster IT, I decided that I wanted to venture back into the mind of Stephen King for a few days this week. So I figured that there was no better way to end this week than a trip back to 1990 for the King classic IT!

Plot/ In 1960, seven pre-teen outcasts fight an evil demon who poses as a child-killing clown. Thirty years later, they reunite to stop the demon once and for all when it returns to their hometown.

As I prepared this week to go see IT, I don’t think it would be prudent to see the film unless I revisited the 1990 miniseries that made people fear clowns. First off, Tim Curry is amazing as Pennywise, interpreting the darkness of the evil clown perfectly. Based on a huge novel by Stephen King, the adaptation was sound; striking a nice balance between the materials from the novel that was necessary and unnecessary. Yes, some of it was a touch bizarre, but that fit the storyline. Other than that, the cast was interesting and because it was a made for television event the lack of gore and onscreen violence is to be expected. Unfortunately, the production values reek of lower quality television, the visuals are average at best do not capture the atmosphere in the way that it should, and the performances are a little flat. In fact, because of the run-time, it is debatable on whether or not the film is too long or short, an answer that even watching it again has me questioning. The worst part is the ending, which was somewhat of a letdown in comparison to the craziness from the source material. In the end, this was a fun and nostalgic look back at a miniseries that did leave an imprint on society. While it is rough in some spots, I feel that it is a great primer for the movie I am about to see. It may not be perfect, but if you haven’t seen it, give it a shot.

Night of the Living Dead (1990)

As I sit down tonight, I wanted to finish with the last movie I watched last week that I haven’t had time to review. While many people will shun this one because it is a remake (and I was one), it does deserve to be seen. That movie is the 1990 zombie flick Night of the Living Dead.

Plot/ The unburied dead return to life and seek human victims.

I will be one of the first to admit that I had stayed away from this one for a long time. As a fun of the original masterpiece, it was difficult for me to even consider watching a remake that in my opinion was not needed. However, after the tragic passing of George Romero, I wanted to venture back into this influential world and give the remake a shot. Directed by Tom Savini, this one was actually much better than I expected, and I am disappointed that I waited so long to give it a shot. Clearly made for a different generation of viewer, this version does off many of the same social commentaries that made the original so powerful. The zombie make-up is amazing, the updated characterizations (especially Barbara) work really well, and it is fun to watch everything come to life in color. Yes, the colorization does take away from some of the darker atmosphere and there was much less gore than I would have expected with Savini at the helm (but, I do understand because the film stayed true to the original), but those are but minor flaws in the overall world of the living dead. In the end, this movie was much better than I anticipated and it is a movie that is worth watching (at least once). If you have not seen it, give it a shot.

Lost in Space (1998)

After a mixture of serial killers and creature features, I decided to venture into something with more of a sci-fi edge. After some thought, I decided on the 1998 reboot, Lost in Space.

Plot/ The Robinson family was going into space to fight for a chance for humanity. Now they are fighting to live long enough to find a way home.

I remember when this one came out and like many fans of the original series; I found it a bit disappointing. After re-watching this earlier in the week, I think my first impression was way off. While this is not a perfect film, it does have more positives than flaws and the storyline is closer in tone and depth to some of the initial episodes of the series than it is given credit for. The effects were solid, the cast was fun and their performances were decent, and the cinematography was spot on and created an entertaining feel. Unfortunately, the scripting felt forced and the dialog was choppy with too much focus put on trying to be clever and there were more than a few clichéd moments. In the end, this was an entertaining science fiction adventure suitable for the entire family, and a movie that is better than it has been given credit for. If you have a chance, give it a shot, you could do much worse.

Shakma (1990)

Although I planned to watch 7 Witches last night, the remote for the DVD player again seemed to disappear. So, instead, I decided to dive into Shudder for the 1990 creature feature Shakma.

Plot/ An experimental drug that is supposed to reduce aggression has the opposite effect on a baboon that is being experimented on by a group of medical students and their professor. While they are playing a fantasy role-playing game in their research facility, the baboon escapes and begins hunting them down.

Coming off the slasher craze of the 1980s, this creature feature takes on that genre in an amazing way. Yes, it is mindless and full of some awesome baboon induced blood and guts, but it is in no way anything more than a midnight low-budget schlockfest (although, the Dungeons and Dragons LARP is a nice twist). Even with the mild level of gore and a storyline that is rather predictable and cliché (other than the baboon madman), this movie is fun to watch and on par with some of the classic straight-to-video flicks of the era. Yes, the performances are uneven (Roddy McDowell is perfect though), the storyline is unbelievable, and overall the age of the film shines through in the technology, but that in no way makes this movie any less entertaining. In fact, after these decades, the movie is still just as cheesy and laughable as it was the first time I saw it. In the end, if you are searching for some campy fun, full of schlock and cheesiness than give this one a shot. Plus, it is on Shudder, so there is really nothing to lose if you have that service.

Alive (1993)

While I spent some time working on finalizing the re-release of Walking Before Dawn after the edits, I decided to take a break from the blog. With some time on hand today, I decided to jump back in with a review of a movie I caught the other day: 1993s Alive.

Plot/ A Uruguayan rugby team stranded in the snow swept Andes are forced to use desperate measures to survive after a plane crash.

I have to admit, watching Alive again so many years after watching it in the theater definitely changed my perspective of it. Honestly, everything that I did not like or thought it lacked seemed to be in place this time around. This is one of the best true story adaptations I have seen and it is a great film to watch. The cast was wonderful with outstanding performances across the board, the cinematography was amazing, the story both bleak and uplifting, and the soundtrack was a perfect vessel to create the chilling tone of the movie. Yes, it did lack some emotion and felt subdued in some parts, but that is nitpicking. In the end, this is a great film and a movie that should weigh on your mind long after watching it. Check it out.   

Lost Highway (1997)

Once I completed After the Static, I decided that I wanted to rework/edit Walking Before Dawn, and I finished last week. Today, I was excited when I saw the reworked cover design for that book and should see it released in the next few weeks. To go along with that excitement, I decided to watch one of my favorite Lynch films: 1997s Lost Highway.

Plot/ After a bizarre encounter at a party, a jazz saxophonist is framed for the murder of his wife and sent to prison, where he inexplicably morphs into a young mechanic and begins leading a new life.

Like many, I am excited to have Twin Peaks coming back to the television in May. David Lynch is my favorite filmmaker and I am fascinated by everything he does. To me, this is one of his best films and a great example of bringing dreams and nightmares to life within the cinematic world. This journey into surreal has an extremely layered storyline with multiple things happening throughout, the cinematography is amazing, the performances solid, there is a great soundtrack, and the overall atmosphere brings everything to life. This is truly a masterful piece of filmmaking. Yes, as with every film by Lynch, it is definitely not for everyone with a myriad of storylines, strange twists, and endings that often leave non-fans scratching their heads wondering what is taking place. In the end, this is a great film and one that should be seen. Yes, there may be some confusing moments, but it is well worth.

End of Days (1999)

Having watched a wide variety of flick over the past few days, I wanted to get back to something closer to my After the Static project. While that is zombie/outbreak themed, there are some religious/apocalyptic overtones inside the book. With that in mind, I decided to watch the 1999 action/horror flick End of Days.  

Plot/ At the end of the century, Satan visits New York in search of a bride. It's up to an ex-cop who now runs an elite security outfit to stop him.

I remember seeing this when it came out and even after watching it again, I can say that my initial thoughts will still ring true: viewers will either love or hate this film. Really, there is no in between, especially with the religious overtones that are woven throughout the movie. For me, this was an entertaining flick that I still find intriguing. The storyline, while uneven, is interesting, the performances and effects are decent, and the dark cinematography works well with the soundtrack and the theme of the movie. Yes, some of the characterizations could have been darker, some of the scriptings were uneven, and it was highly implausible, but that is what makes movies like this engaging. In the end, this one will be polarizing due to many different factors including actors, religious beliefs, and tone; but, at the end of the day, it is just a fun and mindless good versus evil flick that should be seen.

Alien: Resurrection (1997)

Finally, it is 2017. In some ways, I hate to see 2016 go away. I graduated Valedictorian in Creative Writing for Entertainment from Full Sail University; I had a fun trip to Universal Studios with Brenda and the girls, and dove into a ton of conspiracy theories that were proven true thanks to WikiLeaks. What more could anyone ask for (maybe the PowerBall or something). Here is hoping that 2017 will be just as fun. For my first review of 2017, I decided to finish the Alien franchise with 1997s Alien: Resurrection.

Plot/ Two centuries after her death, Ellen Ripley is revived as a powerful human/alien hybrid clone that must continue her war against the aliens.

In finishing off the sequels to the Alien franchise, Alien: Resurrection is definitely an improvement over Alien 3. While it is far from a perfect movie, featuring many different plot holes and a soundtrack that did not seem to create the same atmospheric elements as the earlier entries, there are some moments that make it an interesting entry in the series. Of course, some of the love/hate attitudes that exist with this entry could be because it is quite different than its predecessors. Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet definitely created something more surreal and dreamlike than the others, plus there were a lot more images of blood, gore, and violence than what was featured earlier in the franchise. The storyline was interesting (even with the plot holes), and the cast and performances were solid (plus the alien hybrid was a nice twist). In the end, this one does not rise to the quality of the sources, but it is more memorable than Alien 3. If you love the Alien franchise, give it shot. There are a lot worse out there.

Alien 3 (1992)

I have taken the past few weeks to revisit some horror/sci-fi franchises and complete reviews on them before the end of the year. That started with Phantasm, and now I am putting the Alien franchise to bed as I prepare for the new entry in May. The next review is my least favorite of the series, Alien 3 from 1992.

Plot/ After her last encounter, Ripley crash-lands on Fiorina Fury 161, a maximum-security prison. When a series of strange and deadly events occur shortly after her arrival, Ripley realizes that she brought along an unwelcome visitor.

As I have said, sequels are always a hit or miss proposition. In the case of the Alien franchise, the first sequel Aliens is a masterpiece, a movie that expands the universe in a positive way and allows the story to grow. Unfortunately, Alien 3 does not have the same effect or quality that the first two films offered to the viewers. In this one, the story left to build upon was totally disregarded, and something new and unpolished was placed in its path. The entire storyline feels forced and with that contrived outcome, the atmosphere that made the first two films memorable is gone. Yes, an attempt was made to reach that heavy almost brooding atmosphere from the source material, but it was almost too much and never found the balance of the first films. Sure, the cast is decent and the performances solid, but even that cannot overcome the uneven storyline, contrived plot, and shaky effects. In the end, this is definitely my least favorite entry in the series and a movie that could be skipped. Unless you are a true fan preparing for the fifth installment due in May, stay away!

Flatliners (1990)

There are some movies that we take for granted and ignore. This is done for many reasons, but often, it happens because they hold up as solid entries into the cinematic world no matter how long it is since its release. One movie that falls into this category is the 1990 horror/thriller Flatliners.

Plot/ Four Medical students experiment on near death experiences that involve past tragedies until the dark consequences begin to jeopardize their lives.

Flatliners is one of those films that has stood the test of time and created a dark atmosphere that makes it both memorable and entertaining. The movie has a great storyline that is both enlightening and entertaining, something that often is overlooked in the genre. The cast and performances are tremendous within the detailed script that offers both an interesting plot and tuned subplots that draw viewers into the minds of the different characters. On top of that, the setting and cinematography of the film work perfectly with the script making everything flow in a great manner. Yes, the ending does still feel a touch rushed, but that is really the only marked flaw in a finely crafted horror/thriller. In the end, this is a film that is still memorable and shows what a great cast can do with a tremendous script. If you have not seen it, check it out. It is an entertaining and thought provoking film.