Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale (2010)

To kick off the holiday season, I ventured out to the NARO Cinema for a treat and as always they delivered. My evening adventure took me to the 2010 cult holiday classic Rare Exports: A Christmas Tale. 

Plot: In the depths of the Korvatunturi mountains, 486 meters deep, lies the closest ever guarded secret of Christmas. The time has come to dig it up. This Christmas everyone will believe in Santa Claus.

I have no idea why I waited so long to watch this one. While it may not be a true horror movie with blood and gore, it is an interesting tale that is extremely entertaining. Yes, the subtitles and cross-language dialog may turn some people off, but it is unique and is quite a journey. The atmosphere is solid and the performances are good. Most of all, the interwoven folklore elements are tremendous and even the comedic elements work. Sure, a couple jump scare attempts fall flat and the premise is a bit off, but overall this one is worth watching. In the end, this movie is a must for the Christmas season and a movie that should be seen. 

Split (2016)

It is nice to be back home after a trip to North Carolina. While it is nice to visit with family, that it a long drive and I often return exhausted and worn out. Plus, I usually miss my typical horror fix. To get back into the swing of things, I went to Family Video and picked up the 2016 thriller Split.

Plot/ Three girls are kidnapped by a man with a diagnosed 23 distinct personalities, they must try to escape before the apparent emergence of a frightful new 24th.

As many already know, movies by M. Night Shyamalan can range from awesome to terrible, and honestly, you never know what you will get. I was relieved that Split fell closer to the good productions. While not a perfect film and it does have a few clichéd moments, the performances within the storyline (especially James McAvoy) make it easy to overlook those. Besides McAvoy, the performances are solid, the story is engaging, and the direction was solid. This one was definitely an atmospheric thriller that was better than I expected. Unfortunately, it was somewhat predictable and the twist ending was not needed. In the end, there was a lot to like about this movie and it appears that Shyamalan has again put together of entertaining thrillers. Hopefully, he keeps up this trend with his next entry.

Motivational Growth (2013)

It has been a good period for horror comedies. Between Horns and Tusk, the past few months have been a blessing for the genre. Now comes another entry that definitely should give that genre a boost, the 2013 indie entry Motivational Growth.

Plot/ Ian Folivor, a depressed and reclusive 30-something, finds himself taking advice from a growth in his bathroom after a failed suicide attempt. The Mold, a smooth talking fungus who was born of the filth collecting in a corner of Ian's neglected bathroom, works to win Ian's trust by helping him clean himself up and remodel his lifestyle.

This was almost an afterthought when I picked it up the other day, but I am ecstatic that I did. This is a bizarre horror comedy that is something so much better than I could have originally imagined. The scripting is dark and funny, the performances solid, the animation and soundtrack work really well, and the atmosphere is above the line. Then there is The Mold (Jeffrey Combs), which steals the show with his comedic combination of lightheartedness and sarcasm. Yes, there were some uneven parts with some of the character interaction, but that is but a minor flaw. In the end, this is one of the best low budget indie flicks I have watched in some time, and a movie that is definitely underrated. If you have not seen it, you are missing out. Now, go find it!

Earthling (2010)

I am all for some strange Sci-Fi or Horror. Personally, there is nothing better than a trip into the surreal abyss of confusion. To me, I love it when I have to pay attention and think throughout a movie. One movie that made me think is next up for review, the 2010 Sci-Fi flick Earthling.

Plot/ After a mysterious atmospheric event, small groups of people wake up to realize that their entire lives have been a lie. They are in fact aliens disguised as humans. Now they have to make a choice. Live amongst men, or try to find a way back home

In many ways, this is a difficult movie to review. As a low budget flick, there are aspects that really work, especially the opening sequences that did a great job at capturing the viewers’ attention. Unfortunately, there are also some issues that hurt the overall feel. Earthling features some outstanding performances and has an amazing soundtrack, but it also has an irregular storyline that can lead one into confusion. Personally, I loved the disjointed feel and was quite entertained by the originality. However, I am also a huge fan of David Lynch and love surrealistic and strange journeys into the nether. In the end, this low budget entry is definitely not for everyone and will leave many lost and confused. If, like me, you enjoy that, give this one a shot. If you do not enjoy confusion, stay away.

The Shrine (2010)

After taking a night off to play some Diablo III, I decided to get back into the swing of the season with something different. After some internal debate, I decided to watch The Shrine from 2010, a flick I should have watched a long time ago.

Plot/ A group of young journalists investigate a cult said to practice human sacrifice, but their ambitious ways may lead them to becoming the cult's next victims.

I have had this movie on my viewing list for some time, and finally sat down to watch it tonight. I am glad that I did. While there were some cliché moments, for the most part it had an intriguing storyline that actually feature a couple of unexpected twists. On top of that, there were some solid performances, the characters worked, the right amount of blood, and a darker atmosphere than I expected (playing without subtitles worked well). Unfortunately, the lack of subtitles in some areas will drive some people away, and they should not feel that way as it adds some realism to the flick, and yes, the characters do make some dumb decisions (this is a horror movie), but those are just minor issues. In the end, this one was a lot better than I expected and was an interesting indie flick that kept me entertained. Sure, it is not perfect, but what movie is. If you have not seen it, give it a shot; just be warned, it is not all in English.

Dark Island (2010)

With all of the talk of Ebola or Enterovirus D68 (the virus we should all be worrying about), I felt it would be fitting to dive into something that had bioweapons at the heart. After some digging, I found the 2010 low budget entry Dark Island.

Plot/ Soldiers and scientists visit a remote island, the site of bio-weapons research, after losing contact with the staff there.

If you have read my blog in the past, you would know that I love low budget cinema, especially if the storyline shows originality and the potential to be something more with a larger pot of money. Unfortunately, this low budget entry suffers from something that drives me insane: cliché. It is one thing to pay homage to shows or movies, but to cut-and-paste different elements of storyline from these popular entries drives me crazy. Yes, it suffers from uneven performances, an underdeveloped script and too many clichéd characters and story elements (Think Umbrella Corporation, Komodo vs. Cobra, or Lost). Sure, the CGI actually worked in this one, which does give it some bonus points, but it is definitely not saving it. In the end, this Sci-Fi flick lacks action and originality and is a struggle to watch. Stay Away!

Dark Souls (2010)

While, what a difference a day makes. I am not sure what does have me, but something is beating me down. Maybe it is all of the running that I have been doing, but something has punched me in the gut and is definitely keeping me laid up. However, I still have some energy left to push out my next review for the 2010 Norwegian horror flick Dark Souls.

Plot/ A revengeful father embarks on a dark thrill ride of lost memories, conspiracy and zombie-like symptoms. Finding the mysterious darkness within is the source of the bizarre world he has uncovered.

When I grabbed this one the other day from Family Video, I was not sure what to expect. What I found was an interesting journey that again proves that foreign horror has become much more original than that of the Hollywood variety. This one, while not a zombie movie as one would think is quite interesting. A Norwegian thriller, this one has a lot to like with a strange storyline, some homages to past horror entries, solid pacing that allows the tension to grow, decent acting, and enough dark imagery to make a horror fan smile. Plus, there is a dark humor that sits at the core that keeps everything moving. Yes, the subtitles make it difficult if you are not paying total attention, but that is a minor setback to an overall intriguing horror movie. In the end, if you can handle the subtitles for 90 minutes and want to see something a bit different than the normal horror entry give it a shot. I would be worth your time.

Stonehenge Apocalypse (2010)

Over the weekend, I watched items that spanned many genres. While some were cheesy low budget entries, others came from bigger budgets and were more well known. Next up for review, the

Plot/ When a group of archaeologists open a lost pyramid in Maine they trigger terraforming mechanism and start a chain of events that may very well end the world as we know it.

I went into this expecting the typical SyFy Channel entry and that is about what I found. While it does suffer from many of the flaws or their typical entries, I found this one to at least boast a somewhat original storyline and idea. Yes, there were issues with low budget sets, uneven acting, poor dialog, and the unreal CGI that is more laughable then believable. While this movie is far from perfect, it was decently entertaining and fun to watch. Yes, it is a low budget cheese, but it is one of the more interesting SyFy Channel entries in the past few years.

Stake Land (2010)

As the days pass by in 2013, I often wonder if we are in the End Times, if we could be heading for the apocalypse. Think about it, war is everywhere, economies are crashing, and world leaders trade more lies than at any other point in history. It is incredible to think about how bad it is. While I do not believe there will be a zombie outbreak (although the sheeple in the United States do act that way) or a vampire infestation, they do make for some good entertainment elements. With that in mind, I decided to watch the 2010 entry Stake Land.

Plot/ Martin was a normal teenage boy before the country collapsed in an empty pit of economic and political disaster. A vampire epidemic has swept across what is left of the nation's abandoned towns and cities, and it's up to Mister, a death dealing, rogue vampire hunter, to get Martin safely north to Canada, the continent's New Eden.

Movies set post apocalypse are always fun to watch, as every interpretation can create something interesting. That is especially the case with this one, which took on the vampire route and created one of the better flicks in the genre to come along in some time. The acting was solid, the storyline is simple yet dynamic, the cinematography and effects work, and the atmosphere is heavy and dreary. It all came together to create what one would expect in a post-apocalyptic world. Yes, there were some small pacing issues and some of the dialogue was not the greatest, but that is often what comes in lower budgeted flicks. In the end, this was one of the better post-apocalyptic flicks to come around in some time. If you have not seen it, check it out!

6 Souls (2010)

Yesterday, I was still playing catch-up from my horror-filled afternoon on Saturday. While I am still not done with that material, I decided to watch and review one other movie before I get back to that. Last night, I sat down and watched 6 Souls (AKA Shelter) from 2010.

Plot/ A female forensic psychiatrist discovers that all of one of her patient's multiple personalities are murder victims. She will have to find out what's happening before her time is finished.

Originally filmed for a 2010 release as the movie Shelter, this is an interesting little flick. Yes, it is a bit disjointed as it starts out as a supernatural thriller and then cascades into an almost Voodoo themed affair. The acting is solid and does a great job building some atmosphere through the movie, adding a few eerie moments within the confines of the script. Honestly, there was a lot going on, almost too much. Some of the effects were intriguing and really worked but it was just a touch too predictable and unfortunately, there were a lot of holes in the layered story that detracted from  the overall feel. In the end, it was an entertaining flick. Sure, it is not the best of its kind, but there is something here to enjoy. Not to mention it was nice seeing Pittsburgh play a role in another horror type flick. 

Wendigo: Bound by Blood (2010)

After knocking out some work for Steelers101, I decided to venture into the realm of low budget horror. I especially love when I can find a movie that is centered somewhere in Pennsylvania, especially when the storyline contains some legends or folklore. My selection for the evening in the 2010 Midnight Releasing entry Wendigo: Bound by Blood.

Plot/ For hundreds of years, Native American culture has believed in the evil cannibalistic spirit known as the wendigo. For those who had taken part in cannibalism, no matter the reason, it was aid the wendigo would take possession of the person's body and soul. Once the wendigo would take possession of the human host, the host would develop and insatiable desire to eat human flesh.

This is one of the flicks that I ordered from Brain Damage Films / Midnight Releasing, and I am glad that I picked it. Yes, there are some low budget moments in the audio quality and some of the acting, but honestly, those are minimal to the overall feel. While not perfect, this one has a lot to like, with an interesting and layered storyline, a tremendous amount of gore, and some solid twists within the scripting. In the end, the low budget entry is a lot better than many films in this subgenre, and one that was very entertaining. Sure, it is not for everyone considering the nudity and graphic violence, but if you are like me, you will like this, check it out!

Invisible Empire: A New World Order Defined (2010)

After a night off as I prepared for a long day in class, I decided to jump deep into a downward spiral to attempt to discover some more information on the famed New World Order and their agenda. While I know this darkness exists, as everyone should with items such as the NDAA, FISA, and location such as Bohemian Grove. My selection for the evening was Invisible Empire: A New World Order Defined

Plot/ For the first time ever, the secret agenda of the planet’s ruthless Super-class is exposed in stark detail. This documentary film chronicles how men of power and influence have worked in stealth for centuries to establish an oppressive world government.

After fighting with the dryer, I decided to jump into this documentary and I am glad that I did. The New World Order is such a polarizing topic among many citizens, yet, it appears to be in plain sight, something this movie portrays in a manner which is easily understood. It presents the evidence in a clear manner, specifically taking a historical look at the dark enemy, as well as, doing a great job at conveying that this not a political party issue, that both the left and right are guilty of their involvement. Sure, it did drag at a few points and there was a few moments where the evidence was not very concise, but that did nothing to detract from the powerful information contained. This globalist shadow government exists and it is destroying America. In the end, I recommend this for anyone interested in the New World Order and the connection to the United States government, if fact, I would say this is a must watch. Unfortunately, I believe that many will ignore it and chalk it up to a conspiracy theory instead of embracing the reality of what we are facing in the world today.

                                                       

Saint Nick (2010)

 

 

I am all for the holidays, especially when I have some time away from work to settle into watching some decent horror flicks to help pass the evenings. Of course, it does help when I am able to find something enjoyable and entertaining. With that in my mind, I decided to venture into the depths of some holiday horror, with my selection Saint Nick (AKA Sint) from 2010.

 

 

Plot/ A horror film that depicts St. Nicholas as a murderous bishop who kidnaps and murders children when there is a full moon on December 5.

 

 

  

When I saw this one, I had to watch it. Yes, I figured that there would be some dialogue flaws with the conversion, and I was right, but that is just a minor flaw in what turned out to be a flaw-filled endeavor. It is unfortunate, as the movie started out decent enough and at least gave the notion of some promise. I really liked the idea, and was disappointed that the film was not better. The dubbed dialogue was terrible, acting was uneven to bad, the effects poor and editing took something away from the feel. Sure, there was some comedic moments and even some entertaining elements, but too much of it disjointed. In the end, this did deliver at least a small amount of holiday horror. While I would not recommend this highly, I have seen worst movies in this genre and would at least give it a shot if your holiday cabinet is empty. 

 

Amphibious Creature of the Deep (2010)

 

Sometimes I choose movies just because with no rhyme or reason. I love not knowing what movies have in store and just roll with it. That was the case with my last selection, the 2010 creature feature Amphibious Creature from the Deep.

 

 

Plot/ Marine biologist Skylar Shane hires an expert charter boat captain, Jack Bowman, to help her find prehistoric life form samples in the north Sumatran Sea. During the expedition, they run into something much darker.

 

 

After watching this flick, I could have sworn that it was from The Asylum, it was beyond that bad. Honestly, this was ripe for a SyFy Channel creature feature, and would definitely fit in with the worst of them. The acting is all over the place with terrible accents, the dialogue was forced and contrived, and the creature may have been one of the worst out there. Yes, some of the scenery was not bad, and some if it was not a total waste, but those moments could not overcome the mess of the script that doomed this from the start. In the end, this is just bad. As a comparison, yesterdays Evil Eyes is Oscar worthy in comparison. Stay away, far away!