The Cellar (2022)

Today was another long day, but it did allow me to enjoy a variety of different selections. I did some UFO/Alien documentaries, some classic horror with original silent Nosferatu and finally, I ended it with the 2022 low budget entry The Cellar. 

Plot: Keira Woods' daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new house. She soon discovers there is an ancient and powerful entity controlling their home that she will have to face or risk losing her family's souls forever.

This movie was set up to be extremely good. It had an interesting premise, the scripting was solid, it had some atmosphere and who doesn’t love a creepy house? Unfortunately, it never truly matches its potential due to uneven performances and a lack of character development throughout. I’m sure there were some budget constraints involved and those never allowed the movie to breathe. In the end, this one was better than expected and one found entertaining. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but it was worth watching this afternoon.

The Devil Conspiracy (2022)

When I settled in after getting my NFL work finished this afternoon, I wasn’t sure what I was going to watch. I had debated going with some holiday horror, but I have watch a couple of those this week. Instead, I decided to take a more religious approach with the 2022 entry The Devil Conspiracy. 

Plot: A cult steals the Shroud of Turin for wicked purposes.

Going into this one, I had the mindset that it was going to be a low budget trainwreck. Boy, was I surprised. Yes, this movie is far from perfect, but there were parts that were pretty good and entertaining. The acting isn’t bad, the storyline does have some originality, there is blood, and the theme is interesting. Sure, there were a few weird moments that didn’t feel like it meshed and some of it was truly unbelievable, but those moments did not take it off-track. In the end, this was a lot better than I thought and worth watching at least once. Especially on multiple streaming services. 

Alien Abduction: Travis Walton (2022)

Something strange is harrowing to me.  Ever since going through regression hypnosis I have found myself struggling with motivation.  I almost feel like I'm at some type of crossroads, but indie what that is.  With that,  I have found some time for some movies and relaxation. Unfortunately,  most new horror is so cookie cutter,  so once in a while I did into some documentaries,  like this one Alien Abduction: Travis Walton.

Plot: In 1975, six men in Arizona witnessed their crewmate's abduction by UFO. The Travis Walton story became an international sensation and ripped apart a small town. Four decades later, shocking new evidence reveals the true story behind Fire in the Sky.

From the first time I heard this story,  I have Brynn fascinated.  Not to mention,  Fire in the Sky was a tremendous movie and extremely eye opening.  This documentary was more of the same.  A combibation of reenactments, interviews, and details, this explore the reality of this events through the eyes of this involved and demonstrates how much society has changed in the years since the abduction in 1975. The quality of the filmmaking was top notch providing the details in a way that wasn't boring keeping a solid flow throughout.  One downfall was not the fault of the filmmakers, but that of the streaming service,  who didn't sync their commercials with the intended breaks, something that is becoming more and more common in streaming. The interviews were intense and believable, and some of the details pointed out in the physical evidence was extremely interesting.  Most of all,  it was fact based and believable. While some may still not believe in aliens and adductions, there is no doubt that something nefarious happened that day and it wasn't a hoax. If you are into alien abduction cases and haven't seen this,  even if you are familiar with the story,  give this one a shot. 

Out of Darknes (2022)

Last night I had a chance to catch one of the AMC Screen Unseen events at our local theater. To me,  this was awesome,  especially being a horror film. I mean,  there is no better way to see things then before they are widely released. While this film was made in 2022, it was only released in Europe and went have its wide US release until February 9th. That movie in Out of Darkness.

Plot: About 45,000 years ago, a desperate band of early humans finds a new land to settle in. As they start to realize that something monstrous is hunting them down, they must confront a horrifying danger that they never could have imagined.

Not knowing anything about the movie I was about to watch,  I wasn't really prepared for this at the start.  While I do love watching foreign films,  I tend to skip subtitles unless I'm at home.  However,  as the movie progressed, the use of subtitles with this foriegn language film didn't bother me in the least, in fact,  I think it added to the atmosphere and tension.  While there is nothing groundbreaking in this one,  the performances,  cinematography, and overall message was entertaining; although,  I would not actually classify this movie as a horror film.  More of a drama/thriller, this one relies on the darkness and tension between the group of travelers and the unseen creatures tormenting them in the forest to create mood, and it does work.  Shot on a low budget, there is a lot to like.  However, there are some issues that jump out. The make-up, costuming, and lack of body effects don't mesh with the storyline. The gatherers are too clean, healthy, and made up to match the storyline.  What caveman has perfect teeth? Really, not an entire group.  While that's easily overlooked,  it did impact the overall feel of the film. There are also some holes in the storyline that are obvious and never really addressed, making it a bit of a head scratcher.  In the end,  this one was better than I expected, but it's not one I would have searched out.  

Mountain Devil 2 (2022)

The cold is starting to frustrate me a little,  although it is so much warmer here in Virginia Beach than it was when I was at home in Pennsylvania last week.  While I was there I didn't time thinking about my days in the cryptid and paranormal community.  When I got back yesterday I decided to continue that with a Mountain Devil marathon. Next up is 2022s Mountain Devil 2. 

Plot: In 1976 a book was published titled "The Creature" that swept over Bigfoot enthusiasts and researchers all over the state of Pennsylvania. Since then, it has been the most quoted work on the subject of Bigfoot. But, who was the author and was there any truth in the story?

To me,  movies like this are more about the information and story than the overall quality and technical aspects. This low budget investigative docudrama has an interesting story and drives into a unique piece of Pennsylvanian lore. While less about Bigfoot itself and more of an investigation into the origin and Prentiss truths in the book The Creature, this one is a mixture of interviews and dramatizations based on excerpts from the book.  Featuring a large group out local investigators,  it movie does provide some insight into the research that has taken place. Unfortunately,  this one did drag a little and did not really drive into the Bigfoot mythos. Something that will definitely turn off some enthusiasts that are looking for a straight forward documentary.  Fortunately for me,  having grown up in the area, the focus on the local lore kept me engaged throughout. While there are side solid cinematography aspects,  some of the material feels underwhelming and that does seem to impact the pace.  In the end,  this one won't be for all cryptid enthusiasts,  but if you enjoy a piece based on a legend and the potential research of that legend,  give it a shot.  

Killer Book Club (2022)

October has been busy but also relaxing.  I have been able to catch up on some random horror movies as I prepare to continue my journey through spooky season.  So far,  the highlight was hitting the NARO for the classic,  The Thing last Friday.  Unforgivable,  it's not time to head back out to catch another classic,  so today,  I decided on the 2022 Netflix Original Killer Book Club.

Plot: Eight horror-loving friends fight for their lives when a killer clown who seems to know the grim secret they share begins to pick them off, one by one.

I know there are other movie or there for me to select,  but for some reason i decided on a slasher.  What i found was this uninspring  Scream knockoff,  Killer Book Club. From Spain, the dubbed dialog didn't flow,  maybe in the original Spanish, it would have been better. Unfortunately,  that was only the beginning.  The characters are rigid and unlikable,  the acting uneven, there is almost no atmosphere, and the scripting is almost a complete duplicate of Scream, making it tremendously predictable. he movie tries to pretend to be a "Spanish version" of Scream but it does not work. If there was a redeeming quality,  the soundtrack was at least entertaining.  Other than that,  there is no reason to watch it (and that isn't a good reason at all). Stay Away!

Significant Other (2022)

It looks like the forecasted rains are finally about to set in,  which will definitely make for a wet holiday period. At least,  I have a ton of things to watch and the home toy business to run. After cutting the backyard today, I settled in and decided on the 2022 entry Significant Other on Paramount+.

Plot: While on a remote backpacking trip through the Pacific Northwest, a young couple sense they may not be alone. As things take a dark turn, they find there is no one to trust -- not even each other.

I went into this movie blind, not knowing anything about it and I am glad I did. Yes, this film is definitely different from the common horror flims being pushed out and that is a good thing. For those looking for the typical tropes and jump scares, this one isn't for you.  But, even without a high body count, this one packs a punch featuring a tremendous atmosphere, anawesome soundtrack, and enough suspense to keep you engaged (it even had an unexpected twist). Sure the storyline is a bit compact and and things sem to spiral rapidly, but with a reletively short runtime, it is an easy any interesting journey. In the end, this one will definitely not be for every one, but is you love atmospheric and tension filled horror, this one is for you.

White Noise (2022)

I took a break from my tablet yesterday as I suffered through one of my low energy days that comes with my recovery,  especially as they reduce my steroid impact.  Of course during this time,  I try to watch some stuff.  My first selection yesterday was not horror or Sci-Fi, it was the comedic drama White Noise (2022)

Plot: A contemporary American family's attempts to deal with the mundane conflicts of everyday life while grappling with the universal mysteries of love, death, and the possibility of happiness in an uncertain world.

First off, I selected this for a few reasons not related to the movie in general, especially in light of the strange coincidences that place between today realities and the movie.  In fact,  those similarities (since I really don't believe in coincidence) intrigue me more than the movie itself. The fact that the movie centered in a fictional town in Ohio, was filmed in East Palestine, and that town suffered the effects from a major airborne toxic cloud makes it eerie; almost in a way that one could cry predictive programming with the recent events of train derailment in the same Ohio town. Having a creative writing degree, I know that takes place. However, since this was based on a book written many years ago,  it would almost be impossible for the timelines to actually sync up. But, who knows.  The movie itself is far from perfect and seems to jump all over the place with some bumpy transitions throughout in the story. There are some good performances (especially Adam Driver), but this seem to get lost in the over abundance of dialog.  In the end,  this is an interesting comedy, that seems to be rooted in our modern reality.  It won't be for everyone, but it is a nice break from the craziness of the past few days. 

Skinamarink (2022)

It's already been a long day today, as my usual Monday trip for bloodwork was filled with miserable traffic. It took almost an hour and a half to reach the clinic, something that usually takes 40 minutes. Oh well, after a short nap, I figured it was time to not down a few things about last night's movie,  2022s Skinamarink.

Plot: Two children wake up in the middle of the night to find their father is missing, and all the windows and doors in their home have vanished.

Ok,  please tell me I am crazy,  because I did not get anything from this movie.  After hearing all the buzz and seeing the articles about its vital status,  I really expected something different.  For me,  I did like the grainy look and thought the story was appealing, but this one was just way too slow.  And,  that is saying something because,  I actually like slow dark movies,  but I found this one just hard to pay attention to. There were some good moments,  but those failed to capture my attention for an extended period.  In the end,  I applaud what was accomplished on such a micro budget, unfortunately,  it was not for me and it's a movie that was just hard to watch. 

Immanence (2022)

Yesterday was a long day. If started with an emergency trip to the VA pharmacy for a needed prescription and she'd with a trip to see the classic Blade Runner at a local theater.  In between, I did watch some TV and a movie.  That movie was the 2022 flick,  Immanence.

Plot: Radio astronomers discover a mysterious signal in the deep sea that could be contact with extraterrestrials. After several terrifying manifestations threaten their beliefs, the team must fight to survive the ultiImmanent.

When this one started,  I had hope. Unfortunately,  after the initial sequences this movie deteriorates into simmering boring and teetering on unwatchable. The storyline and plot are a mess, pitting science/aliens against religion in a strange battle on a boat. The performances are alright, the scripting and dialog are all over, and the atmosphere and pace are barely noticeable. In the end,  this one seems like a bunch of friends got together and made a movie, which if that is the case, I applaud them. But, this one doesn't work and cannot even fall into the so bad it's good category. Stay away.

The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

Last night as I was finishing my work Enigma's as a remebrance of Edgar Allan Poe's birthday,  I wanted to watch something Poe related. After since thought,  I decided on the new Netflix release from 2022, The Pale Blue Eye.

Plot: Veteran detective Augustus Landor investigates a series of grisly murders with the help of a young cadet who will eventually go on to become the world-famous author Edgar Allan Poe.

I will admit,  I am a huge fan of everything Poe related, so I may be a touch biased in this review.  For,  me,  this film was a blast to watch.  The tension and atmosphere drew me in right from the start.  Everything in this period piece worked: the set, the cast, the costuming, the cinematography, the acting, and the overall feel was perfect for a mystery/thriller. For me though, as a writer, the scripting was fascinating. The way the script was written and then transferred to the screen never felt forced and everything from the dialog to the presence felt extremely natural and was something that I could see transpiring during that time period. Yes, the movie does run long for today's cookie cutter 90 minute box, which could turn some people off, and the opening sequences do move a bit slow as the characters and storyline develops, but this are the only very minor flaws (for some) that this movie has.  This is a must watch for Poe fans and a movie most mystery/thriller fans should enjoy. 

All Eyes (2022)

As this week continues, I have found getting back to watching horror and returning to the blog has been really therapeutic and has helped me pass some time as I recover from my transplant. Luckily, there are a ton of movies out there for me to choose from. The next one I decided I was the 2022 independent flick All Eyes.

Plot: A disgraced podcast stumbles upon an eccentric farmer who claims to have a monster living in the woods near his house.

When I read the premise of this one,  I was intrigued because I have been stuck in this podcast realm for a few days.  More of a drama than creature feature,  this movie is one that is a lot more layered than you would expect at first glace. The storyline is good,  the cast and performances are solid,  and the overall feel of the movie really works.  One thing that really stood out was the scripting. As a writer myself,  I found that the character development, the depth of the airline,  and the way everything was brought together was tremendous. Yes,  there are some slow moments,  especially at the beginning,  and the monster reveal was sort of a letdown, but for a movie that I am sure had a low budget, some flaws are to be expected. In the end,  this wasn't the horror movie that I expected,  but it was a film that I am glad I discovered. Not for everyone,  but worth the watch. 

Deadstream (2022)

I know, I know, it's a lot earlier than it has been for this post. But, I was up early to head to the VA hospital for my weekly bloodletting. Being a transplant recipient, that is one of the costs of being alive and surviving cancer. While,  it has only been a month since returning home,  I have totally accepted the miserable traffic that comes with early morning blood work. Last night, I decided that I would watch something involving a podcast/YouTuber, something that I have come to really enjoy.  My choice was Deadstream from 2022.

Plot: A disgraced internet personality tries to win back his followers by livestreaming himself at an abandoned haunted house. When he accidentally unleashes a vengeful spirit, his comeback event becomes a fight for his life.

This is a flick that I wish I would have watched earlier.  This was an interesting story and a new perspective on the haunted found footage subsets that seem too have overtaken the horror genre. The performances are solid, the effects work well,  and storyline is somewhat original while maintaining some of the constant elements known throughout horror. It was a really fun hour and a half (really 89 minutes) and a kibbutz that should be watched by every horror fan.  In fact,  I liked it so much that I am definitely going to keep track on the filmmakers in the future to see what they come up with next. 

Smile (2022)

It has been quite some time since I dove into my horror blog.  While I never stopped watching movies or feel out of love with horror. Unfortunately,  over the past couple years I have been dealing with some serious medical issues,  one that I hope are now finally in the past.  While I am not fully recovered from the last procedure, I do feel more alive and will in my way to a full recovery. So,  to get back into the swing of things,  I am going to drive into the 2022 film,  Smile.

Plot: After witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can't explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

I remember hearing about the movie before it came out, with their marketing campaign making headlines by strategically placing smiling people in baseball stadiums- genius. To be honest, while that was impressive, I definitely feel it added something to the overall product.  To me,  this movie was outstanding (especially the ending). The characters were believable and the actors were amassing capturing the overall feel of the film.  There was a heaviness throughout the movie that gave a sense of hopelessness; something that I love in horror. The storyline,  the effects,  and the cinematography worked together really well to create a film with a tremendous atmosphere where the subtle differences between reality and a tortured imagination were hard differentiate in the moment. Overall, this film is certainly worth watching and a movie that should appeal to horror fans. Check it out.