The Mummy (2017)

I definitely needed something different today to watch. After spending so much time in Salem, and then following that up last night with Sleepy Hollow, I decided that I wanted something with a modern flair. After some debate, I decided on the 2017 entry The Mummy.

Plot/ An ancient Egyptian princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.

I had heard so many mixed things about this movie since its release and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Honestly, I am quite sorry I made the trip to rent it at Family Video. Set as the first film the Universal Studios Dark Universe, this was a huge miss and really offers little hope for what type of travesties await us with the other entries. While the casting was impressive, there was no substance behind the performances and everything (even the fight scenes) felt flat. Sure, this film was able to distance itself from the majority of the last Mummy trilogy (I did like the first one), it did not do enough and ended up taking the overall storyline in a direction that was not as entertaining and/or as memorable as it could have been. Yes, the visuals work, and the cast is what it is (although Tom Cruise again proves he is nothing more than a name at this stage), but those are the only real positives that I can pull from the time I spent watching it. The effects were average, the characters are all unlikable and do not leave any type of lasting impression, the action sequences are a mess, and again, the best scenes are in the trailer. In the end, this is a bad movie and one that should not even share a name with the classic Universal Studios take on The Mummy. If you haven’t wasted your money yet, don’t it is not worth it at all.

The Devils's Rain (1975)

After taking a slight break from movies and the blog for a couple days, I decided that it was time to fins something mindless to watch. After searching Shudder, I settled on the 1975 cult flick The Devil’s Rain.

Plot/ A bunch of Satanists in the American rural landscape have terrible powers which enable them to melt their victims. However one of the children of an earlier victim vows to destroy them.

The 1970s were such a different time, especially in movies. One of the biggest movements was the fear of Devil worship that overtook every part of culture from movies, to music, and even gaming. This movie clearly falls into the heart of that movement. Complete with a tremendous cast featuring Ernest Borgnine, Tom Skerritt, Eddie Albert, Ida Lupino, William Shatner, Keenan Wynn, and, even John Travolta. The storyline is interesting although some of it is incoherent (especially the opening sequence), and while the schlock-filled effects do not hold up in any way, watching all of the bodies melt is a fun (and surprising) twist I did not expect. Of course, watching Ernest Borgnine transform to a goat was complete cheese and while interesting, the storyline was a mess, but those flaws only add to the schlock factor. In the end, this is not a technically good movie and there are many flaws, but it is fun. If you are into 1970s B-Movie cheese, give it a shot. It is entertaining and fun.

The Witch (2015)

Now that I am finally settled into my room at the Cabana Bay Resort, it is time to get some blogging in. Yes, I meant to do some over the weekend, but driving from the homestead, to North Carolina, and then to Orlando took more out of me than I expected. Next up for review is a film that I loved, and one of the best of 2015, The Witch.

Plot/ New England, 1630: William and Katherine lead a devout Christian life, homesteading on the edge of an impassible wilderness, with five children. When their newborn son mysteriously vanishes and their crops fail, the family begins to turn on one another.

I love period pieces and believe that The Witch may be one of the best films to come out and embrace the darkness that existed within this time period. While some of the movie is predictable and somewhat cliche, it definitely overcomes those aspects to create a heavy and dark atmospheric film that could be a tremendous representation of the Calvinist movement that sat at the heart of early Americana. The performances are outstanding, the direction and cinematography is spot on, and the storytelling is interesting and thought provoking. Honestly, it made me think a lot about society and the belief system that acted as a foundation for what has become our nation (not to mention the intolerance that seems to be rising up all around us). Yes, there are a few head-scratching moments that can be confusing and the pacing varies in speed, but those are but minor flaws that do not hurt this film in any way. In the end, this one is one of the best horror flicks of 2015 and is a masterful example of what great storytelling can do. Being a period piece, this one will not be for everyone, but it is well worth watching (especially if you remember your prayers)! Definitely, check this one out if you have not.

The Magic Sword (1962)

I was searching for something different after the indie time travel flick 41 last night, and different is definitely what I found. Wanting something with a crusades type feel, I stumbled upon the 1962 low budget entry The Magic Sword, and that is what I decided on for my next review.

Plot/ The son of a sorceress, armed with weapons, armor and six magically summoned knights, embarks on a quest to save a princess from a vengeful wizard.

I wanted something Medieval and that is what I got with this one. While by today’s standards, this B-movie would suffer greatly. However, if viewing it inside the prism of the era of filmmaking, one would find this an fascinating journey into fantasy with some interesting effects, vivid imagery, and a solid cast that took on the low budget entry and made it likely better than it should have been. Yes, the scripting and dialog are laughable at best, some of the plot is insane, and some of the performances were uneven, but those add something to the schlock or cheese factor of this film. In the end, this one may not be the greatest of the era, but it definitely had some intriguing moments that made it entertaining. This one is certainly not for everyone, but if you are searching for a low budget schlockfest from the 1960s, give it a shot!

V/H/S: Viral (2014)

Last night I was locked into science class and my weekly assignment. When in that zone, I struggle to get motivated to do any type of writing or reviewing. That was a shame because I still have some stuff from the weekend to catch up on. The next one up from that backlog is the 2014 sequel V/H/S: Viral.

Plot/ Follows fame-obsessed teens that unwittingly become stars of the next Internet sensation.

As a fan of the first two installments of the V/H/S series, I was decently excited to pick this one up when it came out. Unfortunately, that excitement quickly deteriorated once I started watching it. Unlike the first two entries, this one has no coherent moments and is a rather large mess. In fact, I would say that the only redeeming quality is the initial segment about Dante the Great. While not perfect, it did make some sense and was interesting. Other than that, the film felt beyond low budget with poor scripting, uneven editing, poor special effect, and some bad characterization (not sure if that was the script, acting, or both). In the end, stay away, and if you were a fan of the first two movies, stay far away from this one.

Annabelle (2014)

Ok, as I continue to battle though this stomach ailment, I have been able to watch a couple flicks in between naps. I am just glad I am feeling somewhat better, although work did beat me down earlier today. Oh well, keep battling and it will pass, hmmm. Next up for review was one of the bigger hyped movies of 2014, Annabelle.

Plot/ A couple begins to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving a vintage doll shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists.

Having enjoyed The Conjuring, I thought I knew what I was getting into with Annabelle. Unfortunately, I was wrong, as everything I loved about The Conjuring was missing in this one. Yes, the story is loosely based on a true story, but that did not cause the overuse of cliché and lack of originality. Honestly, there were no scares; the characters were flat and unbelievable, and it was slow. Even my 10-year old thought it was “boring.” Yes, some of the performances were decent and the subject matter interesting, but that did little to rescue it from the vast amount of clichés that permeated throughout. In the end, this may not be the worst of its genre, but it is far from the top of the list. If you are a fan of The Conjuring or a horror fan in general, stay away… There are many better choices out there.

As Above, So Below (2014)

After a big budget blockbuster (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes) and something lower budgeted (The Final Showing), it was time to venture into something a touch darker. The next movie up for review is the 2014 mystery / thriller As Above, So Below.

Plot/ When a team of explorers’ ventures into the catacombs that lie beneath the streets of Paris, they uncover the dark secret that lies within this city of the dead.

This was a movie that I really wanted to see, so I had to grab it when it came out onto DVD. When I finally got the chance, I was not disappointed. While I did see some clichéd moments, for the most part, it was an interesting flick with some originality. Personally, I loved the cinematography and the location; ancient catacombs have always fascinated me. Couple the interesting setting with a claustrophobic atmosphere and some intriguing mythology and this was an entertaining adventure flick with some dark and supernatural elements. Yes, there was a lot that was too over-the-top and felt forced, and the performances and plot were uneven, but that did not take away from the overall feel. In the end, this may not have been the greatest movie out there, but it was darkly entertaining and should be seen.  

The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill (2013)

As I continue to work on tweaking my fiction assignment for the week, I needed to find something to work as background clutter. While there are many flicks out there that would work, I definitely wanted something with some realism. In the end, I decided on the 2013 British flick, The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill.

Plot/ 50 years after an incident, the Clophill legend remains etched on the psyches of the local populace. In 2010, a documentary team was assembled to investigate the legend of the Clophill witches and to try to uncover the truth behind the paranormal events. What followed during that long weekend at Clophill was a terrifying journey into the unknown.

OK, I am a sucker for these found-footage mockumentary flicks. While this movie is not anything new or anything special, it does come across as something a touch more refined than most. Based on a real location that is full of mysterious history, there is a touch of realism added to the movie. Sure, there is little action and it plays more like an episode from one of the many paranormal shows, but there are at least some interesting moments that make me as an investigator smile. In the end, this one is definitely not for everyone. But, if you enjoy paranormal documentaries or television shows, give it a shot; you may like it.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

I was searching for something to watch tonight after I decided that I was not in the mood to write. Since I did not head to Family Video, I was forced to find something on hand. After some thought, I went to a classic: Roman Polanski’s 1968 classic Rosemary’s Baby.

Plot/ A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.

I have not seen the mini-series, and part of me does not want to because there is no way anyone could come close to duplicating the mastery of Polanski’s original classic. After all these years, Rosemary’s Baby stands as one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made. In many ways, this is the perfect horror movie, with the perfect cast, a matching soundtrack, dark and brooding atmosphere, amazing cinematography, and a storyline that builds tension in all the right moments. The true genius of this film is Polanski, who constructs this masterpiece as only he can, by creating subtle unnerving tension throughout the entirety of the movie. It is truly amazing. In the end, if you have not watched this masterpiece, you are missing one of the best movies ever made. More than a horror flick, this classic is a must see; check it out!!!

The Believers (1987)

Every once in a while I decide to journey back into my youth a re-watch one of the flicks that helped shape who I am today. Last night, I had one of those moments and found the perfect movie to quench my desire. Of course, it also provided some much-needed relaxation after a day of softball and my first feeble attempts at defeating the skeleton king (Diablo III). That movie was the 1987 entry, The Believers.

Plot/ A New York psychiatrist finds that a voodoo cult, which believes in child sacrifice, has a keen interest in his own son.

I remember seeing this when it came out in the 1980s. This journey into Voodoo/Santeria is a well-made thriller that takes on the religions in a realistic way. While it is not overly scary, there are parts of this flick that capture the imagination and bring the seriousness to life. The acting is solid, the storyline intriguing, and the atmosphere is heavy and dark. Sure, there are some pacing issues, some of the small details that could add some clarity are overlooked, and there are some complexities that may make it hard to follow for some viewers. In the end, this is an entertaining journey into a mysterious religion. Yes, it is not for everyone, but if you enjoy religious horror, you have to give it a shot.