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.

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.

Starship Troopers (1997)

As I took a day of quiet from the park, it was nice to be able to sit back and relax. To help pass that time, I was able to find an entertaining flick from the past to help maintain focus. That movie is the 1997 entry Starship Troopers.

Plot/ In the distant future high school kids are encouraged to become citizens by joining the military. What they do not know is that they will soon be engaged in a full-scale war against a planet of alien insects. The fight is on to ensure the safety of humanity.

I know that this one came out some time ago and has had mixed reviews that range for horrendous or magnificent. Personally, I love this film adaptation of the Robert A. Heinlein novel. While it is not a perfect film, suffering from cardboard characterizations and performances, and a combination of genres that will definitely turn off some viewers, there are enough positives that will offset any of these issues. The effects are decent and the alien bugs are awesome. Plus, the social context of the film features some deep-rooted insights into the cultural differences that plague society as a whole. In the end, this Sci-Fi/Horror blend is a movie that continues to get better with age and a movie that should be seen. Yes, it is not for everyone, but it is a film that is worth watching.

Mimic (1997)

Today was such as awesome day. First, it started with a trip to Steel City Con in Monroeville. There is nothing like walking in the footsteps of the classic Dawn of the Dead zombies. From there, a trip to a softball scrimmage and home to some great horror, and bam; great day! Oh, that flick was the 1997 creature feature Mimic.

Plot/ Three years ago entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease, now the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind!

It had been some time since I had watched Mimic, and honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed that flick. While I did not realize then, this early horror take from Guillermo Del Toro is a great example of what was about to come from this talent. The atmosphere is spot on, the acting solid and the storyline and scripting works perfectly in what could have been a schlock-fest. Of course, some of the early dialogue is murky and some of the railway scenes may lack some light, but it definitely all works. In the end, this is one of the better creature features to come out of the 1990s and a film that must be seen. Yes, some of the ideas are a touch unbelievable, but that is a refreshing departure from some of the stuff that comes out from time to time.

Jack Frost (1997)

Christmas is here and the evening is winding down. Yes, I do have Insidious 2 sitting here, but the daughters are crashed waiting on Santa to arrive. While I wait, I decided to venture into some wintry horror. I decided on the 1997 horror / comedy Jack Frost. 

Plot/ A serial killer dies, comes back as a snowman, and wreaks havoc.

There is nothing like low-budget horror when the writers / directors embrace some of the finer parts of the genre. That is the case with this horror comedy about a serial killer / reincarnated snowman Jack Frost. Come on, a murdering snowman is perfect for this time of year.  With the low budget the typical flaws exist, the acting is all over the place, the effects are lacking, and the cinematography is uneven. However, the snowman costume works and the storyline is decent, more positives than some flicks with much larger budgets. In the end, this is not by any means a kids Christmas-season flick and should not be mistaken for one. However, it is an entertaining low budget horror / comedy that has a lot to like. Check out if, it is a decent holiday filler.  Merry Christmas!

Snow White - A Tale of Terror (1997)

The daughters have been caught in a marathon of Once Upon a Time on Netflix. While I do find the show interesting, there is definitely something missing.  Maybe it is because the stories are being driven by Disney and their happiness parade, something that reminds me too much of their influence society, where there are never losers and everyone receives a trophy. Life is not a fairy tale, there are winners and losers! To maintain some of this fairy tale feel in the house last night, I decided upon the 1997 fairy tale Snow White a Tale of Terror.

Plot/ This Gothic version of the Grimm brothers' story takes place in a world of brutality and mayhem, where nature is savage, no one can be trusted and black magic is a power to be feared. 

Too many people in this world forget the true nature of the classic Grimm Fairy Tales; instead the automatically associate some of their classic stories with the Disney adaptation. During that process, they lose the reality set by these writings. This adaptation of the classic tale of Snow White is dark and atmospheric, with solid make-up effects (incredible actually), outstanding performances, interesting social context and many elements lost by the Disney Company. Of course, it does lack some character development and there are some inaccuracies toward the time period, but the does not bring it down in any way. In the end, this is one of the better adaptions of a Grimm Fairy Tale, and a movie that is quite entertaining. Check it out, it makes for an entertaining escape from reality. 

Conspiracy Theory (1997)

 

 

While working last night for Steelers 101 and listening to the fifth anniversary show of Beyond the Edge Radio, I found some very interesting thoughts on the different stories in the conspiracy theory realm. I love conspiracies, I love researching them, debating them, and discussing them. Hell, I love everything about them. With that in mind, and with the last presidential debate on tap, I decided to breakdown Conspiracy Theory from 1997.

 

 

Plot/ A man obsessed with conspiracy theories becomes a target after one of his theories turns out to be true. Unfortunately, in order to save himself, he has to figure out which theory it is.

 

 

This was one of the better movies of the genre. Of course, as a person who believes and often touts conspiracy theories, I felt like I could relate to the characters. Sure, I may not be as eccentric and delusional, but still relate. The storyline was a nice mix of paranoia and truths (at least of certain perspectives) and was put to the screen quite well. The acting was solid (Mel Gibson awesome), the action was entertaining, and the comedy that was sprinkled in really worked. In the end, this was a suspenseful and tension filled action flick with a hint at the darker side of reality the many citizens ignore. If you have not seen it, check it out!

 

I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)

 

 

After completing my review yesterday on I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, I realized that I had not actually reviewed the first in the sequence at The Ringmaster’s Realm. I thought I had, as I recently watched it, but must have decided on something different. That being said, I felt I could not truly do the sequel justice without revisiting the original, although I am sure none of my opinions would change.

 

 

Plot/ Four teens are in great danger one year after their car hits a stranger whose body they dump in the sea.

 

 

While this was not the best teen driven slasher of the 1990s, it was at least entertaining. There are some good points as the storyline is decently original, the acting is solid, and there are a few moments of tension. However, even though it was somewhat original, it lacked gore, had poor scripting and was riddled with clichéd red herrings. In the end, it may have been the best of the series, but it is no way near the Scream films it tried to emulate in the marketplace. If you have not seen it yet, there is really no need to search it out.

 

 

Ancient Mysteries: Bigfoot (1997)

 

 

Last night, I took a break from everything as I headed out for a Friday high school football game, and to see my oldest daughter rock out on her trumpet with the band. Unfortunately, the hometown football team lost, but her band did rock out. Now, being back out in the mode, I decided to jump back into a Bigfoot Documentary with the 1997 Ancient Mysteries: Bigfoot from A&E.

 

 

Plot/ Ancient Mysteries examines the history and myths surrounding the Pacific Northwest creature known as Bigfoot.

 

 

This newer reincarnation of the classic Leonard Nimoy series In Search Of, continued the ideal of taking on a subject by presenting the audio or visual evidence along with a cross-section of interviews. In this case, as with a lot of documentaries, there is quite a bit of rehashed material. In fact, this one did a great job of providing a solid historical look with a modern take and theory.  In the end, it was an entertaining documentary of the subject, but it offered very little in new evidence. Is it worth watching, absolutely, but do not expect a revelation to come out of it.  

UFOs: 50 Years of Denial (1997)

With the week in full swing, I decided that it should be a documentary week for me here on The Ringmaster’s Realm. I love documentaries, and more importantly, I have little trouble getting the daughters to watch them with me. With such a wide variety to choose from, it was a bit difficult to decide on one. What I finally decided on was UFOs: 50 Years of Denial from 1997.

Plot/ A documentary full of interesting content. From Col. Phillip J. Corso overseeing the recovery of alien spacecraft and the harvesting of technology from recovered crash debris of extraterrestrial origin to Apollo 14 Astronaut Dr. Edgar Mitchell reveals that the Roswell UFO crash of 1947 was a real event and discusses the 50 years of cover-up that followed.

I am a huge fan of documentaries on anything from Cryptozoology to the Paranormal to UFOs, and as a researcher on fringe subjects, there is always something to take from them. Sure many lack quality funding or like the ABC travesty are done to skew the viewers opinions. This one may not have the best production quality, but it is straightforward and paints a chronological history of the phenomenon. On top of that, the interviews and the stories passed on, are full of important facts that actually connects dots quite well. Is it perfect, no, as some of it is definitely rehashing material that is all over the place. However, it is definitely more informative than what the mainstream media wants to portray and lacks the propaganda that they spew. In the end, this one may be a bit dated, but it is definitely entertaining, informative and worth watching.

Event Horizon (1997)

I love dark and atmospheric horror. I honestly prefer atmosphere to gore when viewing something. A flick featuring a creepy and eerie feel can make it easier to overlook some flaws. One of the better examples of dark and creepiness is Event Horizon from 1997.

Plot/ A rescue crew investigates a spaceship that disappeared into a black hole and has now returned...with someone or something new on-board.

Sci-Fi / Horror combos are always a mixed bag. Sometimes, these films can be a mess, struggling to determine exactly which direct to move. Fortunately, this film does a great job at marrying the two and never loses focus. This one has a lot going for it, solid acting, interesting story and some decent gore. More than anything this flick boasts some of the best atmospheric horror elements I have seen, creating a very dark, creepy and depressing feeling. Sure, the character development is lacking and there are some small pacing flaws, but those really do not hurt the film. In the end, this complex and dark Sci-Fi / Horror often gets overlooked and is one of the more underrated gems in this genre.  Check it out!

The Ripper (1997)

From the time I was a little boy, one well-known serial killer has always intrigued me; Jack the Ripper. For years, I have read or watched every available item on Jack the Ripper and remain, like many others, enthralled by his legendary work. That was why I knew that this, The Ripper, was a must see as soon as I stumbled upon it. I have even written my own ode to Jack that was published by Realm of Horrotica or can be found on my writing blog As My Tears Run Red.

Plot / This telling of the story of Jack the Ripper focuses not on the killings as much as on the aristocratic lives of the people connected to the heir-apparent to the throne of England,who of course is the Ripper. It tells also of the investigator who dares to charge this man with such crimes, and of his love for a witness to one of the brutal slayings.

Let me start by saying that if you are looking for a documentary on Jack the Ripper this film is not for you. Yes, this thriller is a period drama loosely based on Jack the Ripper, but it is far more of an artistic endeavor than Jack the Ripper horror is. The movie is full of excellent visual style, with great use of locations, sets and costumes. These elements do a great job at transporting the viewer back to another time and make one feel as they are in Victorian England. The acting and script are both solid and do a great job at throwing in some of the truths behind the legend of Jack the Ripper. Being a made for television movie, the film does lack gore and the thrills are a bit predictable. However, this is a great film and one of the better entries into this subject.