Coherence (2013)

I have officially survived the great alien invasion of 2024. I guess I will have to wait until the next apocalypse to occur for some excitement. Hopefully, it will be zombies, we haven’t had one of those in a while. Since there was a cool asteroid going through the sky in Siberia last night, I settled down and watched some Sci-Fi with a comet, the 2013 entry Coherence. 

Plot: Strange things begin to happen when a group of friends gather for a dinner party on an evening when a comet is passing overhead.

This low budget entry is a picture of minimalism and definitely shows what can be accomplished if you limit yourself. Is it perfect, no. In fact there are some elements within the film that really don’t matter and are left alone. The atmosphere was tense, although it could have been more claustrophobic, which would have put it over the top. However, the performances are solid and the overall storyline and feel is outstanding. It does have some pacing issues and this one will definitely fit into the love it or hate it arena, but that is just fine. In the end, I thought this one was pretty good and kept me engaged for the entirety. It’s not a typical Sci-Fi entry but if you enjoy potential mind-bending trips give it a shot. Plus, any film that can dive into Schrodinger’s Cat is definitely worth watching.

Refuge (2013)

Once I left the softball field and caught the fourth episode of Twin Peaks: The Return, it was nice to get back to finding movies that will capture my attention. The next one did just that and left me wanting more. What was it; just the 2013 post-apocalyptic tale Refuge (AKA The Mansion).

Plot/ As food and supplies dwindle and the threat of marauders becomes more apparent, the family must ultimately face the decision to either stay in hiding or go in search of an elusive mansion they've heard of - that may or may not exist.

Now that I have finished the first four episodes of Twin Peaks: The Return, it was time to get back to my usual viewing cycle and I am glad that I did. This is a film that I knew nothing about and was excited to see how this film took on the post-apocalypse environment. What I found was something that was both atmospheric and entertaining, and a film that definitely stepped outside the box when creating this world. Similar to The Walking Dead minus the zombies, but that is in no way a bad thing. The performances are solid, the storyline enthralling, the cinematography is on point, and the entire movie works. To nitpick, some of the characterizations and decisions may not be perfect, but how many are really that way. In the end, there are a ton of positives in this film and it may be one of the best low budgeted flicks out there. Yes, it does lack zombies, but it more than makes up for it with its overall quality. Check this one out; it is a great addition to the post-apocalyptic world.  

Truth or Dare (2013)

After taking some time off to work on my book project, it was time to get back at it with a review of a film I grabbed at Family Video. This is a no-budget entry from earlier in the decade: 2013s Truth or Dare.

Plot/ Six college kids find Internet stardom when they make "Truth or Dare" videos with a violent twist. It is all fun and games until their number one fan decides he wants to play by his own rules.

I know that this one is going to be extremely polarizing because it lacks many of the elements that have saturated the horror genre over the past few years. However, this one has everything a viewer would want if the enjoy micro-budgeted gorefests. For me, I love low budget horror and watching what can happen when people who love the genre are involved. The effects are bloody and at times over the top, the idea is interesting, and there are enough psychological aspects inside to draw you in. Of course, some of the performances are uneven and there are some pacing issues, but those aspects are expected when one considers the small budget. In the end, this was a fun movie to watch and kept me entertained on a snowy night. If you love no-budget horror, give this one a shot.

SIN: Self-Induced Nightmares (2013)

Wow, January has flown by, and now we enter one of my favorite months of the year. To start February off on the right foot, I decided on a nice no-budget indie flick: 2013s SIN: Self-Induced Nightmares.

Plot/ Some of Europe's leading horror filmmakers unite to bring you a collection of shocking tales. All told by a very beautiful yet sinister young female horror writer during a blind date taking place in a London diner.

It has been some time since I sat back and watched a modern no-budget anthology, and I was excited when I saw this one at Family Video. While I knew that there would be flaws, I think that the potential that can exist in true independent projects such as this can tell you more than then the overall technical prowess. The storylines were fun and interesting, there was a solid mix of material, and at a little over 70 minutes, everything was packed together nicely. Yes, some of the effects and performances were uneven, but those are expected in true no-budget indie cinema. In the end, this is one of the better no-budget indie flicks I have seen in some time. If you are like me and appreciate that type of film, you should give this one a shot. Sure, it isn’t perfect, but it could have been much worse.

The Levenger Tapes (2013)

After watching House of Manson, I decided that I wanted to go in a different direction with my selection for the evening. After some thought, I settled on the 2013 found footage entry The Levenger Tapes that I found at Family Video.

Plot/ Detectives in a remote town pore through every frame of a troubling tape to find the whereabouts of three missing college students. The chilling footage becomes more and more disturbing when the students come upon the bloody dress of an 8-year-old girl in the secluded wilderness and take it upon themselves to find her.

After watching House of Manson, this one fell short and offered very little (even as a found footage types entry). In fact, this one does very little to build upon the found footage legacy and may be more proof that the subgenre has run its course. The performances of the minimalist cast are uneven at best, the storyline is cliché, vague, and offers very little excitement, and there are so many head scratching moments that it makes it difficult to watch. In the end, this one did nothing for me and was in no way memorable (unless you are a police officer and you reminisce about police work in the 1980s). I totally recommend that you stay away at all cost.

Discopath (2013)

After taking a strange nap yesterday, I was searching for something different to watch. After searching Shudder, I decided to roll the dice with the 2013 entry Discopath (Discopathe).

Plot/ The mid-70's: a timid young New Yorker leads an uneventful life until he is fatefully exposed to the pulsating rhythms of a brand-new genre of music: disco. Unable to control his murderous impulses that stem from a traumatic childhood experience, Duane Lewis transforms into a dangerous serial killer exiled to Montreal.

When I started this one, I had no idea what to expect. Although, from the description on Shudder, I hoped it would at least be entertaining. Guess what? It was much more than that and better than I could have ever imagined. While the storyline is ludicrous, and much of it is over the top, there is a lot to like and it is rather entertaining. Sure, this is move of an exploitation schlockfest with a ton of comedic element sprinkled in, but that is what makes it so fun, as it never takes itself too serious and it allows the film to develop in a lighthearted manner. The performances are uneven, the dialog and language varies scene to scene, and it is littered with disco music (which may turn some people off), but there is enough going on to make this a mindless trip into another time. In the end, this movie is much better than one would expect and it is a movie that really flues under the RADAR being from Canada. If you love schlock and classic mindless exploitation, give it a shot; you will enjoy it.

Extraordinary Tales (2013)

Having watched Crimson Peak last night, I needed something else to help me focus on my final script project for my film writing class. After some debate with the voices in my head, I decided to venture into the mind of Edgar Allan Poe with the 2013 animated adaption Extraordinary Tales.

Plot/ The film is an animation-accompanied narration of some excerpts of some of the short stories written by Edgar Allan Poe. The movie contains: The Fall of the House of Usher, The Tell Tale Heart, The Facts In the Case Of M. Valdemar, The Pit and The Pendulum, and The Masque of the Red Death.

If you have read this blog, you should already know how I feel about Edgar Allen Poe. Not only was he a genius who set the stage for modern American horror, his influence on both the cinematic and literary community may never truly be matched. Unfortunately, some of his popularity has waned in recent years, as the rise of technology has reduced the amount of kids interested in the classics. While this may not be a perfect adaptation, it is an interesting journey into the mind of the master and some of his epic tales. Complete with a diverse animation backdrop, the segments range from great (The Pit & The Pendulum) to the uneven (The Tell-Tale Heart). Of course, the opinions will vary because of the different styles used. What made this even more intriguing is the group of actors used to bring it to life. Legends such as Roger Corman, Sir Christopher Lee, and Bela Lugosi, were joined by Julian Sands and Guillermo del Toro to create a movie that could easily serve as an introduction to Poe for a new generation of fans. In the end, this one will not be for everyone, but it is an entertaining journey into the macabre visions of a literary genius.

Bigfoot Chronicles (2013)

After a few days, I decided that I needed to be caught up with some of the films I had watched in recent weeks, but did not find time to review with everything that is going on. This past week was one of the worse for that. Next up from that list in the 2013 entry, Bigfoot Chronicles.

Plot/ A skeptical filmmaker is hired to document Bigfoot sightings. He travels to a hot spot of Bigfoot activity and pursues the wild beast. Along the way, he learns a lot about the illusive creature and in the process, he finds himself.

I am all for low budget cinema, especially when it involves a subject that sits close to my heart. In this case, though, I could have done without this one. This was one of the worst films on the subject of Bigfoot I have seen, with the famed creature standing as a mere afterthought to the dramatic elements and feelings of one of the characters. This one was nothing like I expected, and offered little to any viewer that was drawn in with title. The acting is uneven, the production values are lacking, and the make-up effects for the creature when it eventually makes it way to the screen are laughable at best. In the end, this was one that I wish I had skipped, there was nothing redeeming with it at all. Stay away; stay far away!

Big Ass Spider! (2013)

Sometimes, one just needs some mindless horror/science fiction action to help pass some time. That is actually, where I have been recently, as I have been trying to clear the children’s writing stuff from my mind. To help me with the mindless horror, I decided to finally break down and watch the 2013 low budget flick Big Ass Spider!

Plot/ A giant alien spider escapes from a military lab and rampage the city of Los Angeles. When a massive military strike fails, it is up to a team of scientists and one clever exterminator to kill the creature before the city is destroyed.

I was actually surprised by this creature feature. Yes, it was a typical unbelievable monster on a rampage flick, there were actually a lot of moments that were better than I could have imagined at the start, with a solid mixture of action and comedy. Sure, the scripting is uneven; the acting/performances about the same, and the effects are so outlandish they are awesome. In the end, if you are looking for a mindless flick that can give you a modern take on the classic 1950s creature features, give this one a shot. It has enough schlock and action to at least make you crack a smile.

Psychotic (2013)

As I continued to work on the rewrite for my short film script, I decided to get my mind clearly inside the sanitarium. I found just the flick at Family Video, when I grabbed Psychotic from 2013.

Plot/ A psychologist is trapped inside a mental institution where all the patients have escaped and are on the rampage.

Psychotic was a much better film than I originally imagined when picking it up off the shelf. In fact, there was so much to like in this low budget flick; it is hard to believe that this was Johnny Johnson’s directorial debut. The atmosphere is heavy, the score drives the tension, the performances are decent, and the cinematography was varied enough to keep you interested. Yes, there are some dialog issues, and likely, because of the lower budgeting, there is not a lot of blood or gore, but those issues are to be expected in any film with these restraints. In the end, this entry released in the states by Midnight Releasing was an entertaining trip into insanity. Give it a shot!

Hell at Heathridge (2013)

After watching The Drownsman, I decided that I wanted to venture into something different and I found just the thing at Family Video. Besides picking up a couple of films based deep in some type of psychosis, I also picked up a great example of independent cinema. That is my next review, 2013s Hell at Heathridge.

Plot/ Obsessed with obscure modern tragedies, wealthy Mr. Yates hires five college drama students to recreate a murder-suicide that occurred on their campus 20 years ago. As the actors prepare for the show of their lives, unfortunate events follow them, and by the end, they realize one thing . . . Evil is Real!

Last night when I sat down to watch this, I had no idea what to expect. After watching it, I am even more of a supporter of university driven independent cinema. From Kent State University Independent Films, this supernatural thriller was not only well done; it had an interesting storyline that kept me engaged throughout. As a creative writing major myself, I thoroughly enjoyed the entire production and solid performances. Sure, it was no a blockbuster, but with the budget that was in place, this one was better than a lot of movies that carry a larger scale and budget. In the end, this one was entertaining and well worth watching; especially if like me, you love low budget indie cinema. Give it a shot!

The Zero Theorem (2013)

Every once in a while, I enjoy taking a trip into the surreal worlds that could develop in our future. While many people find this type of film fantasy, I honestly believe that much of what we view as science fiction today will be reality in the future. One such movie I recently stumbled across is the 2013 flick The Zero Theorem.

Plot/ A hugely talented but socially isolated computer operator is tasked by Management to prove the Zero Theorem: that the universe ends as nothing, rendering life meaningless. But meaning is what he already craves.

When I sat down to watch this, I honestly expected an interesting journey into a dystopian future, but I found something that was more captivating and philosophical. While the movie was a touch confusing (especially early on), the individual payoff is worth wading through those moments. The viewer is the one that is left to make their decisions and find the answers to the dynamic questions posed within this surreal world.  Yes, this one will not be for everyone, but if you decide that you want to travel into this dystopia, you will find a bizarre world that boasts color, character, and philosophy. In the end, this movie has a much deeper message and meaning than most of the movies that come out and will definitely not appeal to everyone. If you do enjoy this type of movie, than you will find it extremely thought provoking and entertaining. However, if you are looking for just something for entertainment, you may want to look in a different direction.

Devil May Call (2013)

While I continue to try to push through the next week and end March on a high note, it is becoming increasingly difficult. Today was the first 12U softball practice, and in 40-degree weather, it made my back tighten up again. At least now, I am snug in my recliner and catching up on the blog. Next up for review is the 2013 thriller, Devil May Call.

Plot/ A young, blind operator for a suicide hotline descends into a night of unrelenting terror when an obsessive caller turns out to be a serial killer.

This was a strange movie to watch and review. While there were some interesting moments, with some solid performances, a decent story, and a solid ending, there were many uneven moments that destroyed the momentum built early on. On top of that, pacing was off; there was little to no violence, and it definitely had some cliché moments. In the end, it did have some entertaining moments, but seemed a touch forced in the middle and that was problematic. If you are looking for something to help pass some time, it could help; it is an interesting story, but really nothing new.

Final Prayer (2013)

This has been one frustratingly long week. Between car issues, flooding streams, a blizzard, working late, and subzero temperatures; this one had everything to keep me overwhelmed. With the weekend finally here, it is time to take a step back and get on track with the blog. Next up for review is the 2013 found footage flick, Final Prayer (AKA The Borderlands).

Plot/ A team of Vatican investigators descends upon a church in a remote area to demystify the unusual happenings, but what they discover is more disturbing than they had first imagined.

The found footage subgenre has become almost as saturated as the apocalyptic world of the zombie. Still, occasionally, you can find one that comes from nowhere to be a great surprise. That was the case with this one. While there was really nothing special or new, it was also one of the better entries to come along, with solid acting, a decent plot, some actual character development, and a tense atmosphere that makes it and interesting watch. Yes, there are the typical flaws that come along with the genre, but those do nothing to truly harm this flick. In the end, this one is an entertaining watch, and a movie that was actually a surprise. Give it a shot!