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!

Witchboard (1986)

Today was a long day. Between one daughter at taking a walk back in time to the colonial era at FestiFall and another one at softball practice, it felt like I never sat down. When I did finally find time to relax, I decided to venture into the 1980s for my next flick, the 1986 classic Witchboard.

Plot/ At a party, a guest brings out an Ouija board, and they attempt to contact a spirit he knows. The spirit does appear, but it becomes apparent to the one who brought the Ouija board that this is an evil spirit that is impersonating his spirit.

This was one of my favorites back in the 1980s and I have seen it many times and it never fails to entertain. Yes, it does feel a touch dated when I watch it today, but that is only a minor flaw in the film. This one is great for the Halloween season and one that adds to the lore of the Ouija Board. The performances are solid, the soundtrack does a great job promoting the mood, the cinematography is outstanding, and the scripting and overall storyline is both entertaining and interesting. Sure, there are a few parts of the film that feels a little underdeveloped and the ending may feel a touch forced, but those areas do nothing to hurt the movie. In the end, this one is well worth watching and is a great example of what horror could be without the crazy gore that was quite popular during the decade. If you have not seen it, check it out on Shudder, you too should enjoy it.

The Axe Murders of Villisca (2016)

One thing that is a challenge during this time of the year is balancing the blog with my daughters travel softball schedule. This weekend was no exception, as we spent most of Saturday and Sunday in some brutal heat. Couple that with my Sunday evenings being dedicated to Twin Peaks and I have to skip some posts. That all changes on Mondays when I can get baVick to movies and the blog, like tonight when I ventured into the 2016 horror flick The Axe Murders of Villisca.

Plot/ Three outcast teenagers break into the Villisca Axe Murder house in search of answers but discover something far beyond their worst fears.

I had no idea what to expect from this one, but always being intrigued by the story of the Villisca Axe Murders, I decided to give this one a shot. Yes, there were some clichéd moments as the teens explore the house; yet, there is enough story development to make those moments easy to overlook. While the movie is not perfect, the storyline is interesting; the pacing works, and the atmosphere is much better than I would have initially imagined. Sure, the ending could have been better and there were some predictable moments, but that is somewhat typical in lower budgeted films. In the end, this one may not be for everyone and honestly; it did not reach its full potential. While it is not a bad movie, it could have been better.

House of Manson (2014)

As a huge history buff and a person that enjoys breaking down true crime documentaries, novels, and shows, there are two stories that truly captivate my mind and make me consume everything I can find. Those two subjects are Jack the Ripper and Charles Manson. Whenever I find something new, I have to watch it. That was again the case this weekend after I found the 2014 entry House of Manson (AKA Manson) at Family Video.

Plot/ An unflinching chronicle of Charles Manson, the ex-con who was able to amass a dedicated following of young people in the late 1960s. The era of peace and love was ultimately brought to its knees following his orchestration of the notorious Tate and LaBianca murders, which sent a shockwave throughout the USA and the world.

By now, everyone knows who Charles Manson is, and what he and his family perpetrated during their Helter Skelter rampage. This film, written and directed by Brandon Sagle, takes a different approach at looking at multiple aspects of the notorious cult leader and does it with a great mixture of action, crime, and horror. This one has many positive attributes including an authentic 1970s feel, solid cinematography, an outstanding cast with decent performances, good scripting, and offers an interesting perspective on one of the most infamous crime sprees in modern history. Yes, there may be a few choppy moments with pacing and editing, and there are a few disjointed moments when the sound quality does not flow smoothly within a scene, which adds to the overall unevenness of the technical aspects of the movie. However, those flaws are easily overlooked when one takes into consideration the smaller budget and views the movie from that prism. In the end, this movie is well worth watching and a film I totally recommend to fans of biopic/true crime/horror films. Sure, this one may not appeal to everyone and some may be turned off by the brutal realism, but to tell the story any differently would be a disservice to the truth. Find it and watch it!

Sleepaway Camp (1983)

There is nothing like sitting back and catching a classic from my youth. Having grown up in the 1980s, there are plenty of movies and genres to choose from. Of course, nothing truly compares to the slasher film, and the way they made you think twice about camp. One of the most memorable films of that genre is the 1983 cult classic Sleepaway Camp.

Plot/ After a horrible boating accident kills her family, Angela, a shy and sullen young girl, moves in with her eccentric aunt Martha, alongside her protective cousin Ricky. One summer, Martha sends the kids to Camp Arawak. Soon after their arrival, a series of bizarre and increasingly violent accidents begins to claim the lives of various campers.

There is nothing like the slasher craze of the 1980s, and Sleepaway Camp is a must see for fans of the low budget 80s slasher. While not the best movie out there, it is a great example of what made the era of big boxes VHS so fun. This one offers very little gore, a somewhat predictable storyline, and a ton of dated costuming and dialog, but those flaws are easily forgettable with the twist ending that made this one a cult favorite. There are some interesting kills and although some of the performances are uneven, it does capture the 80s in all its glory (it definitely takes me back to my youth). In the end, this movie may not reach the level of the classics from the Friday the 13th franchise, but the ending alone makes it a film that should be listed in slasher canon. If you have not seen it, give it a shot!

The Hoarder (2015)

After taking a couple days to retrieve the daughters’ from Virginia Beach, it was time to finish the last movie from my most recent trip to Family Video. To close out that grouping, I figured it was time to do the 2015 entry, The Hoarder (AKA Bunker).

Plot/ A young woman enters an underground storage facility, where she soon finds herself trapped and stalked by a killer.

I had passed this one up a few times when at Family Video, and now, I know why. While it is not terrible, it was riddled with clichéd moments that make it rather unoriginal. Yes, it does have an outstanding setting that opens the door to tremendous possibilities; everything is left muddled with the played-out storyline and unlikable characters. The scripting is off, the storyline predictable, the performances uneven, and the gore/effects non-existent; all facets that take away from what potential the movie had. In the end, I have seen worse movies, but that is not to say that this one is good. Tolerable yes, as there were at least a couple of tension filled moments, but other than that, not much!

Volumes of Blood (2015)

As a scriptwriter, I often look at movies from that perspective. Because I am in the initial stages of my career, I understand the importance of indie cinema and the low budget horror flick. In fact, I am good with that and hope to someday have multiple entries on that circuit (I would actually prefer that). With that in mind, I grabbed another anthology; this one was the low budget entry Volumes of Blood from 2015.  

Plot/ A sociology student gathers several friends at the local library on Halloween night to help him create a new urban legend with deadly consequences. He should be careful for what he wished for; it might just kill them all.

Being in a recent anthology mood, this piece of low budget cinema caught my eye as soon as I saw it on the shelf. While there are moments where the low budget was clear, this one was definitely one of the better pieces of indie filmmaking I have seen in some time. The storyline was intriguing; the cinematography solid, and there was enough blood to keep me interested. Yes, some of the dialog was uneven and the performances varied, but it was much better than a lot of the low budget entries that get more publicity. In the end, this movie was more than I imagined it would be and definitely was worth the watch. If you have not seen it, give it a shot!

Manson's Lost Girls (2016)

Now that school is winding down and I can get back into the blog and catch up on some of the movies, I have watched over the past few weeks (month). The next movie on tap for review is the 2016 made for television entry Manson’s Lost Girls.

Plot/ Linda Kasabian falls prey to the hypnotic charms of Charles Manson and his self-proclaimed "family" during the drug-fueled summer of 1969.

When I saw this one at Family Video, I had no idea what to expect. Honestly, I had never heard of this film and the premise had me intrigued. Once it started, I soon discovered that it was made for television and quite tame in comparison to some of the other similar entries on Manson. While the feel and performances are solid and the soundtrack is outstanding, the overall feel lacks the darkness and tension you would expect in this story. This does not bring the movie down, but it does prevent it from reaching its optimum potential. In the end, this is an interesting journey into the world of Charles Manson and his family. In fact, it could serve as a tremendous primer for anyone interested in learning more about Manson and his followers.

The Veil (2016)

Since the cold and snow outside led to the cancellation of bating practice for the Nightmares tonight, I was able to kick back and enjoy some early evening horror. After searching the Netflix, I decided to watch the 2016 cult driven entry The Veil.

Plot/ Twenty-five years after members of a religious cult committed mass suicide, the lone survivor returns to the scene of the tragedy with a documentary crew in tow.

When I sat down to watch this one, I expected it to be full of many of the clichéd moments that usually rise in cult based movies. While there were some clichéd aspects and the flick was somewhat predictable, there were also a few positives that I did not expect. This is an extremely atmospheric movie that has heavy and dark moments, with an interesting storyline, and a solid cast. Yes, there were some uneven performances, it was predictable, and some of the scientific aspects mentioned in the script felt out of place, but that did not truly bring the movie down. In the end, this was entertaining, and should definitely appeal to anyone fascinated by the cult culture. Not for everyone, but if you enjoy dark, cult driven movies, give it a shot.

Friday the 13th (1980)

It is Friday the 13th, and honestly, it feels like it. The weather here in Pennsylvania was chilly and overcast most of the day. This was followed by the tragic news of the terrorist attacks in Paris and the Earthquake in Japan. It really makes you wonder what is taking place out there. But, do not worry; Al Gore says the climate change summit is on schedule… With that all weighing on my mind, I decided that I wanted to watch something mindless. After some thought, I decided on the classic 1980 slasher that rejuvenated the horror genre, Friday the 13th (perfect choice, right?).

Plot/ A group of camp counselors is stalked and murdered by an unknown assailant while trying to reopen a summer camp which, years before, was the site of a child's drowning.

Honestly, it is hard to review this flick, as it left an imprint on me (and society) when it came out in 1980. That imprint is still felt today with the modern slasher flicks that often pay homage to this classic. Technically, there was nothing incredible about this low budget horror flick; save for the memorable effects, soundtrack, and ending, but it has to be one of the best examples of how low budget cinema can influence generations. Once you get past those aspects, everything else is uneven at best. The storyline is somewhat predictable; the acting is all over from decent to bad, and the cinematography and direction never meet the potential that existed inside picturesque setting. However, even with those flaws, the original Friday the 13th may be one of the most influential movies in history and is still fun to watch after all these years (yes, my parents took me to see it in a theater when I was a kid). In the end, while I am sure every horror fan has seen it, and most of society knows who Jason Voorhees is, but that does not matter. If you are bored and looking for something to watch, why not grab it and revisit a classic. It is definitely worth watching again!

Almost Mercy (2015)

With today being the final day in my transmedia class, I can finally turn in the final portion of the group project and make Wisdom From Beyond go live. Of course, that is a little depressing as well, working as a group allowed the project to grow to a much larger scale, and took the storyline to a new level. While working on stuff last night, I decided to go a different direction with my movie selection, 2015s Almost Mercy.

Plot/ Jackson and Emily aren't like the other kids; they are two burgeoning sociopaths on the brink of total meltdown. Ticking time bombs seeking revenge. Who will unravel first?

While not a straightforward horror flick, Almost Mercy succeeds in taking on a simplistic approach and crafting a horrific tale. Most importantly, the movie tackles some very controversial topics in a way that makes them standout in a comedic manner that really sinks in. The characters are tremendous and the performances to bring hem to life were solid, the storyline was intriguing, and the mix of black comedy/horror was perfect. Of course, there were a few clichéd and incoherent moments, and the twist ending was somewhat predictable, but those minor flaws can be found in every movie, and do not detract from the overall feel and impact of this film. In the end, this movie is a unique look into some dark topics that should be addressed. More of a dark comedy than horror movie, this movie must be seen. Check it out!

The Slaughterhouse Massacre (2005)

Last night was a strange night for flicks in the house. I started the evening with the entertaining indie picture The Shrine. While it had a solid story and some interesting moments, the same cannot be said for my second selection, the 2005 low budget flick, The Slaughterhouse Massacre.

Plot/ Marty Sickle was accused of murdering a young girl inside the slaughterhouse where he lived. Soon after, four college kids brutally hung Marty in revenge.

I love low budget cinema, but I realize it can be a mixed bag. That is exactly what this flick is. OK, not really, it is actually pretty laughable on many fronts, riddles with a clichéd storyline, subpar special effects, an uneven script, and performances that in no way are memorable. In fact, the only entertaining and somewhat memorable attribute of this film is the amount of gratuitous nudity that definitely takes the overall feel back to a cheap 1980s direct to VHS slasher. In the end, this low budget slasher is nothing special and is rather uninspiring. Unless you have no other choices available, stay away!

The Horror Show (1989)

After enjoying my trip into the dark world of Rosemary’s Baby last night, I decided I wanted to catch something different tonight as I worked on some homework. First, I watched Left Behind, as some Antichrist vibe was needed as I worked on my project. When that was done, I ventured into the 1980s with the 1989 flick The Horror Show (AKA House III).

Plot/ Detective Lucas McCarthy finally apprehends "Meat Cleaver Max" and watches the electric chair execution from the audience. But killing Max Jenke only elevated him to another level of reality. Now Lucas' family is under attack, his sanity in question, and his house haunted. Aided by a disreputable college professor, can Lucas reclaim his mind, house, and family?

The Horror Show is nowhere close to the classic that I watched last night. However, it is a great example of the splatter/slasher craze of the 1980s. While it is far from perfect, it does have a decent storyline, some solid performances, and a large amount of blood, gore, and violence, all elements that made movies from the 1980s rock! Unfortunately, the pacing is off, the comedic allusions did not work, and the scripting was uneven. In the end, this one is nothing special and not worth searching for. Yes, it is entertaining and would be worth watching if you catch it on Netflix, but remember it is nothing spectacular.

The Sacrament (2014)

While it was a fun trip tonight to see Laurel Highlands defeat Elizabeth Forward in the opening game of the 2014 season, it made for a long day. Fortunately, I have a few movies to catch up on here at the blog. Next up, is the 2014 found footage thriller, The Sacrament.

Plot/ A news team trails a man as he travels to an undisclosed location to find his missing sister. Upon entering "Eden Parish" and meeting the community's leader, it becomes apparent to the newcomers that this paradise may not be as it seems.

I have had mixed feelings on movies by Ti West and Eli Roth, some of them I have loved, while others not so much. This is one that I actually found extremely interesting. Yes, it is not perfect, but it definitely has a lot going for it. The acting is solid, there is subtle realism, and the atmosphere is dark and heavy. Sure, there are some head scratching moments, the pacing was slow at times, and because of the basis (the Jonestown Massacre) the ending was known well in advance. In the end, this one was one of the better found footage films that I have seen. Yes, it is not for everyone, but it is a slow burning trip into one of the darkest true stories out there.