28 Days Later (2002)

For the past week I have been in Pennsylvania dealing with some family medical stuff. While I was there, the weather was cold and I had plenty of time to ring in the New Year with some horror. The series I did for the holiday started with the classic 28 Days Later from 2002. 

Plot: Four weeks after a mysterious, incurable virus spreads throughout the United Kingdom, a handful of survivors try to find sanctuary.

There is nothing like the Rage virus! I remember when this came out, the impression 28 Days Later made echoed throughout the saturated zombie genre. This movie was different, taking the traditional zombie film to a new level. It honestly was an influence on me as I was working my way through what would eventually become After the Static. The characters are amazing, the storyline navigates away from the traps that plague many horror flicks, the cast is outstanding, and the atmosphere is almost perfect. Plus, the zombie characteristics were fresh and new. This movie is outstanding and definitely set a standard. In the end, if you haven’t seen this one, you are missing out. Try to find it soon as a new installment is rumored to be on the way. 

Darkness (2002)

It was another day day outside, but it was not a total loss as I was able to make some good progress in the toy building.  I can actually see my desk again. When I finished that,  I decided to kick back and watch the 2002 entry Darkness.

Plot: A teenage girl moves into a remote country house with her family, only to discover that their gloomy new home has a horrifying past that threatens to destroy the family.

I didn't know what to expect from this one,  but came away rather intrigued.  While,  it did have some of the typical supernatural elements,  it was armor to maintain  a suspenseful tone throughout. The scripting was awesome,  the performances outstanding, and the cinematography and direction created some tremendous atmosphere. Now, Iam sure there will be parts that turn viewers off with the slower pace and the lack of typical horror tropes, but those are only benefits in my eyes. In the end,  this one is an excellent independent film and one that should be watched. 

Salem Witch Trials (2002)

After watching Witchery yesterday before practice, I found myself in a witchcraft mood last night when I got home. So, I did what I always do, and turned to my streaming services to find something that would help quench my appetite. I eventually settled on the 2002 entry Salem Witch Trials for my journey into the occult and witchcraft.

Plot/ A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.

This was another movie (mini series) that I somehow missed during my time in the Navy. In fact, when I saw it last night, I thought it was a documentary. I am excited that it wasn’t. What I found was an entertaining journey into the times of the Salem Witch Trials, one of the historical events that helped shape my interests as I have grown older. The ensemble cast led by Shirley MacLaine and Kirstie Alley was tremendous and the performances definitely were in harmony with the dark storyline. The cinematography was outstanding, the storyline was layered, and the entertainment and educational value really came together. While the film does have a drawn out feel, because it was a miniseries, that was to be expected. In the end, the story of the Salem Witch Trials and the hysteria that overtook society is something that can never be forgotten in our history. It is part of the fabric of our Nation and demonstrates what can happen when greed and panic become one. This may not be perfect, but it is a story (and movie) that must be seen and remembered. If you have not watched it, find it on Amazon and check it out.

The Ring (2002)

After taking a few days off to do some writing on my project, I decided to start the weekend off with a review of one of the classic films from the early 2000s. While I am sure many have watched this one, with a sequel in theaters, it was a nice trip back in time. That flick is the 2002 entry The Ring.

Plot/ A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape, which seems to cause the death of anyone in a week of viewing it.

There are times when I like to revisit some films in preparation for seeing sequels and such, and that was the case with the Ring. While some call this a remake and others an adaptation of the Japanese film Ringu, it does not matter because it is one of the best horror films of the 2000s. There are a ton of positives with this film, as the writing is tremendous, cinematography/direction is stylistic and creates a great atmosphere, and the cast does a tremendous job bringing the characters to life, as well as bringing the layered storyline out to a creepy and dark place. Yes, there are some smaller flaws with the amount of jump scares added in and some of the pacing felt off, but those do nothing to bring the film down. In the end, this is one of the most memorable films in the genre, and a film that must be seen. If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?

Cabin Fever (2002)

There are only four episodes left in my Fringe marathon. I cannot wait to see how it ends, although I will say they definitely left the rails a few times. Sometimes, I enjoy venturing back in time to see how things aged That is the case this weekend, as I prepare to watch the new Cabin Fever: Patient Zero. With that in mind, I decided to revisit 2002s Cabin Fever.

Plot/ A group of five college graduates rent a cabin in the woods and begin to fall victim to a horrifying flesh-eating virus, which attracts the unwanted attention of the homicidal locals.

I remember watching this one when it came out. While I found it entertaining and interesting, it was far from the hype of the day. Now, after some time, there are definitely more positives and negatives. Looking at it now, it would have definitely fit well within the 1980s spectrum of B-Movie splatter. Eli Roth captured the 1990s perfectly, and pulled together a solid piece, with decent acting, good effects, a sound storyline, and enough blood to make a viewer smile. In the end, this movie has held up well, and has just enough dark comedic elements to make a viewer laugh. If you have not seen it, check it out! Especially, if you intend on watching Cabin Fever: Patient Zero.

Hellraiser: Hellseeker (2002)

It been another crazy week. Between working late, more show, and softball practice, I have just felt run down. Now with the weekend upon us, it was time to get back at it, especially as I sit here watching the best show on television Hannibal. Next flick up for review, Hellraiser: Hellseeker from 2002. 

Plot/ A shady businessman attempts to piece together the details of the car crash that killed his wife and rendered him an amnesiac. Not to mention, leaving him in possession of a sinister puzzle box that summons more than anyone could imagine.

I will have to admit, while I not have any real expectations going into this movie, I must admit that I found it more interesting than I ever could have imagined. As a fan of this franchise, it is all over with intriguing storylines and uneven films, by there is always an originality factor that should be seen. This one boasts a darker atmosphere, decent acting, an interesting premise, and some solid connection points with the original classics. Yes, there are some flaws with the cinematography and some of the general filmmaking, but those are somewhat expected in direct to video entries. In the end, this one was much better than I expected and was rather entertaining. Give it a shot, you could do much worse. 

Eye See You (2002)

With another week in the books, it was time to kick back and watch something dark. Lately, it seems like I have been caught up in the 2010s, with the majority of my viewing selections centered in 2012 or 2013. This time, I went a different direction, with the 2002 flick, Eye See You (AKA D-Tox).

Plot/ A FBI Agent hits rock bottom and is forced into a secluded rehab clinic that specializes in treating law enforcement officials. Soon, he discovers patients are being picked off one-by-one.  

This flick was nothing close to what I expected. Starring Sylvester Stallone, my mind automatically shifted toward some type of action flick. Instead, this is a solid mystery with a dark and heavy atmosphere. While it did have some flaws, uneven editing and possibly too many characters, it was much better than one would expect. In fact, it had a solid mix of graphic violence, suspense, scenery, and a sound storyline that created a decent mystery. In the end, the atmospheric flick delivered a lot more than the majority of Stallone’s non-action flicks and is rather entertaining. Since it is making its rounds on Showtime, give it a shot. 

Resident Evil (2002)

As I was looking for a movie last night, I decided to watch something with a zombie theme. This Sunday my friends over at the Save the Chapel movement are filming a short zombie flick at the Evans City Cemetery and unfortunately I cannot make it (for details on this shoot - check out their website or facebook page). Oh well, with this being Veterans Day Weekend, I decided to watch something I could focus on all weekend, so my choice was the Resident Evil series. First up for review, the one that started it all, Resident Evil from 2002.

Plot/ A special military unit fights a powerful, out-of-control supercomputer and hundreds of scientists who have mutated into flesh-eating creatures after a laboratory accident.

I will admit I have never played a Resident Evil video game, so for me watching the movies was my way into the ethos (something I like to do not being a gamer). This film was the first and possibly best of the series. Yes, there were some cliché zombie moments that were detractors, but those were few and far between. This flick was much more than cliché, featuring a nice blend of action, tension and horror, while laying out a layered storyline.  The atmosphere, acting, cinematography and pacing were all solid, not to mention a tremendous soundtrack and some great special effects that worked perfectly for the mood of the film. Milla Jovovich was ideal for the role of Alice (the rest of the cast too bad either) and did a masterful job throughout. Sure, this was not truly a horror or zombie movie, featuring more action and adventure than terror, but that does not matter. In the end, this was one of the flicks that re-energized the zombie movement and one that should be watched not because it was a video game, but because it is truly entertaining.

Below (2002)

Early yesterday, I decided to sit back and enjoy the WWII Navy mystery / thriller / horror flick Below from 2002.

Plot/ In the dark silence of the sea during World War II, the submarine USS Tiger Shark prowls on what should be a routine rescue mission. But for the shell-shocked crew, trapped together in the sub's narrow corridors and constricted spaces, this is about to become a journey into the sensory delusions, mental deceptions and runaway fear that lurk just below the surface of the ocean and deep inside the human psyche.

As a Navy Sailor, it is always fun to find horror movies that deal with the Navy, and stumbling onto this flick was a treat. Below is an intricate and interesting storyline that is full of twists and turns. Actually, there is not much wrong with this one and it is a great example of what can be accomplished when you focus on story, mood and atmosphere. The cinematography, effects and acting are all solid and the movie truly delivers some chilling moments. Yes, there are some flaws in character development and pacing, but those are easily overlooked. If you find this one, it is definitely worth checking out (especially as part of the $5 buck Midnight Horror Collection).

Searching for the 13th Child!

Having run out of material for my Jersey devil bottle project (as talked about mostly on my writing blog), I drug my daughters out to the Pine Barrens at Leeds Point in search of more bottles and possibly the Jersey Devil himself. My daughters are awesome, little horror movie fans and total purveyors of the unexplained. Every weekend, we have scary movie night (last night was Bram Stoker's Dracula). Honestly, they are every horror movie fans dream children.

As we went out this morning, we talked about the legend of the Jersey Devil again and the movie the 13th Child: Legend of the Jersey Devil. This 2002 direct-to-video horror film, based on the Jersey Devil is a fictional starting point for any researcher or horror movie fan looking for a potential true story (at least loosely based). Written by Michael Maryk and Cliff Robertson, the story is based on the book The Jersey Devil by James F. McCloy and Ray Miller Jr. and actually filmed in the devils stomping ground at Wharton State Forest, Batsto Village, and Hammonton in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey.

Unfortunately, the movie does not live up to the legend, proving the life is often stranger than fiction. In fact, even a decent cast can do nothing to save this film and it may create its own genre the "D" movie. It is truly that bad. Yes, the monster at the end does look disturbing as it rises from the pool of blood, but even that is not enough to raise it to B movie status.

Throughout the rest of the movie, the creature look terrible, the plot plods along and the character development is sub par to say the least. One character, Mr. Shroud is truly the only connection to the legend, as that states that the devil was born to Mother Leeds in the Shrouds House (the foundation is supposed to exist, but I have yet to find it). In the end, searching Leeds Point for signs of the Jersey Devil is much more enjoyable than sitting through this movie. Unfortunately, while I picked up some more bottles, the only sign of the Jersey Devil was found at JDs Pub for lunch!