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. 

Conclave (2024)

For some reason I was drawn to this movie. From the first time I watched the trailer, I just knew I had to watch it. While it does sit outside my normal genre search, I decided to finally head out to the NARO and check out Conclave (2024)

Plot: When Cardinal Lawrence is tasked with leading one of the world's most secretive and ancient events, selecting a new Pope, he finds himself at the center of a conspiracy that could shake the very foundation of the Catholic Church.

I really didn’t know much about this heading into it, in fact, I originally thought it was going to dive into the Pope’s death back in the 1970s. I remember that as a kid and thought it was somewhat mysterious. What I found with this one was much better than that and likely more entertaining. The storyline in this one is good, although in retrospect after watching it, it is somewhat predictable. That doesn’t matter though because the performances, atmosphere, tension, and overall storyline work together quite well, making the movie seamlessly fly by. It honestly didn’t feel like a 2hr movie. The political intrigue and conspiracy aspects work to add a sense of realism as well. I am sure there will be many that will not like the ending, but I feel like it perfectly underscored the entirety of the movie. That might not have been clear at the exact moment, but in looking back, it was obvious. In the end, this conspiracy drama thriller might be the best movie I have seen in 2024 and is well deserving of all the accolades it receives. Plus, it has a message that should permeate through society, “the only sin in certainty” and too many people are certain about their beliefs and will not step outside their comfort zone.

The Exorcism (2024)

I am a sucker for religious themed horror, although I have recently become overly frustrated by the constant rehashing of similar storylines and structures in many of the modern entries. So, I have for the most part stayed away from the genre. That changed yesterday when I saw this one streaming on Shudder. The 2024 entry, The Exorcism. 

Plot: A troubled actor begins to exhibit disruptive behavior while shooting a horror film. His estranged daughter wonders if he's slipping back into his past addictions or if there's something more sinister at play.

This one started out fun and really a cool concept of remaking the classic The Exorcist. While that masterpiece can never be duplicated, the idea of an attempt was intriguing. Unfortunately, the movie went downhill from there. While some of the performances were good, the film felt disjointed and did nothing to expand the storyline. The cinematography was also good, but the editing left more than a few head scratching and unbelievable moments. Even some of the storyline made little sense and did not feel flushed out. In the end, this was a decent attempt and a cool idea. Unfortunately, it lacked a punch and fell flat. Stay away. 

Blood Sabbath (1972)

I took a few days away as I have been busy around the shop.  Between that and the weather, I haven't wanted to watch anything or really do anything, but I figured that I would get back to some movies today I was the best skies continued above us.  My selection was a 1970s witchcraft flick Blood Sabbath. 

Plot: A coven of witches captures a young man travelling through the woods. He gets involved in a power struggle between a beautiful witch and the evil queen who heads the coven.

Ok,  this one is exactly what you would expect from the early 70s. Surely made for the drive-in era,  this is a strange one.  Not really a horror movie,  but from the beginning of the Satanic Panic, it was clearly playing on the fears of the population with the nudity and the Occult and witchcraft overtones. The storyline makes little sense and had me scratching my head on multiple occasions, the pacing is slow,  and performances are in no way convincing. I'm sure this was a low budget entry,  but still,  there aren't many things to make it worthwhile.  Fortunately,  it was streaming on Tubi, so I didn't have to spend anything to take up 90 or so minutes.  Stay away.  

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.  

Santa Sangre (1989)

As usual October has been a busy month,  vending both Monster Fest and Heroes Assemble. With both events finally done,  I can relax , continue enjoying horror,  and maybe even breaking through my writers block.  The next film up for review is the 1989 cult classic, Santa Sangre.

Plot: A former circus artist escapes from a mental hospital to rejoin his armless mother--the leader of a strange religious cult--and is forced to enact brutal murders in her name as he becomes her arms.

Let me start by saying that i have no idea why i waited this long to catch this film,  this one is truly amazing.  The artistic aspects alive would make it had above many of the surreaistic folks of the era.  However,  this one also boasts a tremendous atmosphere that takes full advantage of the unsettling imaging, violence,  and sexuality. There really isn't much that this one gets wrong.  Sure,  some of the appearace may feel dated when streaming,  but for me, that added to the experience. Plus,  the circus theme really hit a soft spot.  If you haven't seen it,  you are missing out. 

The Exorcism of God (2021)

For some reason,  exorcism or religious horror has become somewhat of a staple on my television lately,  Although, that may be changing as I finally picked up a copy of Diablo IV. I am a huge Diablo fan and am excited to venture back into Sanctuary. But, before I start that journey,  I wanted to hit on the latest movie I watched 2021s The Exorcism of God.

Plot: Peter Williams is an American priest in Mexico who's considered a saint by many local parishioners. However, due to a botched exorcism, he carries a dark secret that's eating him alive until he gets an opportunity to face his own demon one last time.

This one was a lot better than I expected it to be when I pulled it up. For a lower budgeted exorcism flick,  this one offered a somewhat original take featuring some dark n and heavy atmosphere, an intriguing storyline,  solid performances,  and some outstanding cinematography. It even threw in some jump scares and surprises, which was a nice change of pace. Unfortunately, the editing was kind of choppy and the effects were somewhat uneven. But, because of the lower budget, those factors are easily overlooked. If you are like me, and love exorcism themed films, then this is one that you should definitely check out.

Consecration (2023)

After spending a large portion of the day doing hardworking yesterday,  I decided that it was time to take a break and catch up on some movie watching.  While searching the different streaming services,  I settled on this 2023 entry,  Consecration.

Plot: After the suspicious death of her brother, a priest, Grace travels to the Mount Saviour Convent in Scotland to find out what really happened. Once there, she uncovers murder, sacrilege and a disturbing truth about her own past.

Not knowing anything about this,  I took the chance because of the religious look.  For some reason,  I have been caught up in that genre for a few days.  This one was definitely better that i would have expected. The cinematography creates a tremendously dark and brooding atmosphere. That matches the heavy themes in the storyline.  This is backed by some outstanding performances and solid production qualities.  This one won't be for everyone though,  especially those looking for a quick jump scare.  There are some pacing elements (especially in the first portion of the film) and there really isn't anything that hasn't been seen before,  but those aspects don't destroy the movie in any way.  Yes,  if isn't perfect,  but if you are looking for an atmospheric film with some intriguing scenery give this one a shot.  

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.

Salem - Season Three (2016)

With this being eight days into NaNoWriMo, I am spending time breaking down my own characters in my book. While my project is supernatural in nature, it is not a straight supernatural entry. With that in mind, I decided to binge watch the final season of Salem over the past couple days.

Plot/ The witches’ plan to remake the New World by bringing the Devil to earth and making Salem his capital, but the Devil is a liar, and instead of a New World free from murderous Puritan hypocrisy, his own plan will bring nothing but death and slavery with the ultimate aim of leading humanity to destroy itself. And there’s only one person on earth who can beat the devil — the very witch that birthed him, his mother, Mary Sibley — the only problem is she’s dead. Or is she?

In some ways, I am upset that I finished watching Salem and really think that I may have to break down and purchase it. In many ways, Season Three takes the series to an entirely different arena featuring an insane storyline the delved in many different and darker directions. In fact, the writers seemed to embrace ever taboo that was thought of and decided to bring them to life on the screen. In many ways, this season came across as a modern, almost more action-packed version of something that would have been perfected by Argento or Bava during their artistic peak. The cinematography, performances, practical special effects, and storyline are amazing, and the character development is brought to life perfectly by the cast (Marilyn Manson was crazy) and honestly, it was a shame to see the series end. Yes, there are still some dialog issues that felt out of place and too modern for the period and there were a few disjointed moments that felt out of place, but those issues are extremely minor and did not impact the overall feel of the series in any way. In the end, this was a series that left the air too soon and one that should be seen (especially now that it is available on the different streaming services). If you have finished Stranger Things and are in the mood for a darker more adult period piece, give this series a shot. You may be like me and become a huge fan.

Annabelle: Creation (2017)

With the weekend winding down and the days of NaNoWriMo piling up, it is hard to find time to watch and review movies that will not in any way influence my Man of the Cloth project. After some searching earlier at Family Video, I decided on the 2017 entry Annabelle: Creation.

Plot/ 12 years after the tragic death of their little girl, a dollmaker and his wife welcome a nun and several girls from a shuttered orphanage into their home, where they soon become the target of the dollmaker’s possessed creation, Annabelle.

This is one movie where I am so happy to have waited until it came to DVD to watch and luckily, for me, we have a Family Video so I didn’t have to even pay full price. This one was a tough watch, as the amount of jump scares and clichéd moments worked to fracture what came across as something extremely disjointed, to begin with. The doll was creepy, and that may be the only real positive that came across from this movie. The storyline was uneven, the actions in the performances were laughable (although Anthony LaPaglia was not bad), and the cinematography, pacing and the overall feel was extremely predictable and nonsensical. It is really that bad. In the end, this movie is one that I believe we could have done without. There is really nothing new inside and it clearly came across as a money grab and rushed production.

Salem - Season Two (2015)

For some reason, I have been trapped in a Saw mood lately and while I could continue with a review of Saw V, I decided that I needed to go a different direction tonight and catch up on something I should have written about a few days ago. The next review is for Salem Season Two from 2015.

Plot/ the consequences of the Grand Rite are apparent: Salem is afflicted by a terrible plague and a witch war is on the horizon. Mary is reunited with her son; trying to seize power, Mercy kills the Elders, effectively starting an open fight with the remaining witches; Anne is learning about her powers while keeping them secret; John's fate is revealed; Cotton deals with his failures and his father's death. But Salem's biggest threat comes in the form of the Countess an original witch that is trying to raise the devil. It's soon revealed that the Dark Lord himself possesses Mary’s son, and this starts a full-scale witch war that could destroy the town—and the entire world.

After thoroughly enjoying season one of Salem, it was a no-brainer to dive back into it during the month of October with season 2. What I found when venturing into this is something that pushed the limits even further than it did during the first season. While this fictional tale was interesting and at times somewhat over-the-top, the quality and depth of the storyline made it interesting and the subject matter was perfect for viewers like me that love dark and violent period pieces that are loosely connected to real events. This one definitely continued with the action, the torture, the blood, and the explicit sexual tension that made the first installments adult friendly. In this case, the added details to the storyline with the Grand Rite and the Dark Lord may turn some viewers off, but for me, this was the perfect step that the series should take. As in season one, the characters are interesting and the cast is solid, the cinematography and effects are tremendous, and the action and atmosphere do a great job working in tandem to create an entertaining show. Unfortunately, the series is still littered with historical inaccuracies and the performances are still a touch uneven, and the dialog isn’t where it should be for a period piece. Fortunately, these flaws are easily overlooked and do little to bring the series down. In the end, while this one may not be on the top of the list for some people, it is an entertaining and dark journey into a different time and a series that talks about some subjects that should be talked about. In many ways, the social commentary sprinkled into the storyline speaks volumes about where we are in society today, and that alone makes it a must-see.

The Visitor (1979)

After taking a break last night from watching any movies, I decided that today I would go back and review a movie that I caught earlier in the week. That movie is the 1979 horror/sci-fi entry The Visitor.

Plot/ The soul of a young girl with telekinetic powers becomes the prize in a fight between forces of God and the Devil.

I am a huge fan of surreal movies that make you think; especially ones that can border on confusing and this one fits that bill perfectly. An interesting storyline that seems to feed on more than a few classics, this movie has some elements that should appeal to any horror or sci-fi fan. For the most part, the performances are solid, the cinematography is interesting, and the overall tone and feel of the movie works. Unfortunately, the storyline and plot, while intriguing have so many confusing elements that it is hard to make sense out of (even if you are paying close attention) and the soundtrack feels completely out of touch with the overall tone of the movie. In the end, this one will definitely fall into the love/hate category and is extremely hard to totally describe in any way. My only recommendation is to see it for yourself (at least once) and make your own judgment. Personally, I enjoyed it, but then again, my tastes are much different than many horror/sci-fi fans out there.

The Plague of the Zombies (1966)

This weekend I had a great time at Monsterfest 14. Not only was I able to debut my two new books After the Static and Salvation, but also I was able to interact with some horror fans of all genres. By the end of the night, although tired, many of us came to the zombie double feature. The first movie from the evening was the 1966 Hammer Horror entry The Plague of the Zombies.

Plot/ A medical professor and his daughter link a Cornish epidemic to a village squire's voodoo.

It’s funny when you think that you had watched something, but get the ultimate surprise when you realize you were mistaken. That was the case with this one and what I found was one of the best Hammer Films I have seen. From 1966, this atmospheric zombie entry (Hammer Films only venture into the genre) predates the groundbreaking George Romero zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and lays the groundwork for what has developed over the years. The pacing is sound, the atmosphere is amazing, and the cast and performances are solid. Honestly, it is one of the best Hammer films I have seen and gives credence to the thought that the studio should have expanded their catalog to other creatures in the genre. Yes, some of it does feel dated and the story is somewhat predictable, but those flaws are minor. In the end, this was a perfect way to end the evening at Monsterfest 14 and an underrated entry that all zombie fans much see. Check it out.

Salem - Season One (2014)

Period pieces have always been one of the things that I like to take in when attempting to find something to watch. After spending multiple hours in the colonial period at Friendship Hill, I decided to change some things up today. It has been a while since I have reviewed any type of true television show. But now, after finishing season one of Salem (2014), I figured I would give it a shot once again.

Plot/ Season One follows Mary Sibley, a witch conspiring with other witches to bring forth the Grand Rite, as she brings forth hysteria among the Puritans of Salem. Her former flame, John Alden, returns after years of absence, complicating her wicked plan.

While I did bypass this when it first premiered, after finishing season one, I have to ask myself why. For me, this interesting mixture of historical fact and pure fiction has turned out to be one of the most entertaining series that I have watched in some time and I look forward to starting season two later tonight. For fans of dark and violent shows on television, this one should sit near the top of your list. Between the action scenes, witch tortures, and executions, there is enough blood to go around. Couple that with some gratuitous sexual situations, it is clear that this a show for adults. The characters are interesting, the storyline may not be authentic, but it is intriguing, and the cinematography and effects are outstanding. Yes, there are a ton of historical inaccuracies with both the setting and the characters, the performances are uneven, and the dialog lacks an authentic time period feel, but those did not hurt the overall feel of season one.

For some, this show will not resonate in the same manner as it has with me, and that is understandable. However, the network and writers should be applauded for the way they take on the subject manner without fearing a backlash. Sure, season one was not perfect, but it definitely should have opened some eyes on the hypocritical nature of some religious practices that still take place in the world today. If you have not got into this one, give it a shot; just don’t expect to find a watered-down trip back to Salem.  

Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II (1987)

With Death Note being a bit of a downer, I decided that I would venture into something completely different. After searching my streaming services, I decided on the 1987 supernatural sequel Hello Mary Lou: Prom Night II.

Plot/ Thirty years after her accidental death at her 1957 senior prom, the tortured spirit of prom queen Mary Lou Maloney returns to seek revenge.

I remember seeing this when it came out. As a fan of the original Prom Night with Jamie Lee Curtis, I was somewhat disappointed in the change of direction with the sequel. However, after watching it again, I found it a decent flashback to the classic 1980s cheese that seemed to become more prevalent as the decade wore on. While this one had almost zero connection to the original and was a complete mixture of multiple supernatural classics (The Exorcist, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Carrie for a start), this one was fun and mindless. Most importantly, it was not afraid of pushing the boundaries or limits of the rating system (something it seems like no films will do today). Sure, the looks are dated, the performances were uneven, it lacked the tension from the slasher craze, the storyline was unoriginal, and it was rather predictable, but there was a decent amount of blood and it created an interesting departure from what many would have expected. In the end, this is in no way a great movie and it is quite mindless, but it can serve its purpose as background fodder on a slow afternoon. Give it a shot; you could do worse.

The Blob (1988)

One of the things that have taken a backseat to softball season these past few years is attending the annual Blobfest that celebrates the classic tale, The Blob. It is a festival that I totally recommend for any true sci-fi fan. After some thought last night, I decided to revisit The Blob, but instead of the 1958 classic, I chose the modern reboot from 1988.

Plot/ Remake of the 1958 sci-fi horror classic about a deadly blob from another planet, which consumes everything in its path. Teenagers attempt without success to warn the townspeople, who refuse to take them seriously.

Let me start by saying, I am a huge fan of the original cult classic The Blob. While this one is not as campy or even as charming as the original, it does do enough to stand on its own. This movie was a lot more entertaining than I thought it would be. It would likely be more respected had it not been a reboot of the cult classic. Completely different from the original, this one does feature some solid performances, a lot of action, and enough gore to fit in with many of the films crafted in the 1980s. However, the feel loses some of the tension created in the scenes with the blob and never truly captures those atmospheric elements that could have made this movie even more memorable. Plus, it lacks suspense, leaving is solely a gorefest. In the end, while this is a fun and entertaining film (even all these years later) it does lack the overall atmosphere and suspense to make it extremely memorable. If you have not seen it, and you are a horror/sci-fi fan, you are missing out. Find it and check it out.

Salem Witch Trials (2002)

After watching Witchery yesterday before practice, I found myself in a witchcraft mood last night when I got home. So, I did what I always do, and turned to my streaming services to find something that would help quench my appetite. I eventually settled on the 2002 entry Salem Witch Trials for my journey into the occult and witchcraft.

Plot/ A masterful work accurately details the current consensus of what exactly occurred to prompt the colonial witch trials.

This was another movie (mini series) that I somehow missed during my time in the Navy. In fact, when I saw it last night, I thought it was a documentary. I am excited that it wasn’t. What I found was an entertaining journey into the times of the Salem Witch Trials, one of the historical events that helped shape my interests as I have grown older. The ensemble cast led by Shirley MacLaine and Kirstie Alley was tremendous and the performances definitely were in harmony with the dark storyline. The cinematography was outstanding, the storyline was layered, and the entertainment and educational value really came together. While the film does have a drawn out feel, because it was a miniseries, that was to be expected. In the end, the story of the Salem Witch Trials and the hysteria that overtook society is something that can never be forgotten in our history. It is part of the fabric of our Nation and demonstrates what can happen when greed and panic become one. This may not be perfect, but it is a story (and movie) that must be seen and remembered. If you have not watched it, find it on Amazon and check it out.

Anomaly (2016)

I know I again took a break from the blog and that really isn’t something I should do. Unfortunately, I had to take some time away to deal with some things. Those are taken care of now and it is time to move toward my next review. After some thought, I decided on the 2016 mystery/thriller Anomaly.

Plot/ The terrifying story of a family that experienced the biggest demonic possession after moving into a house plagued by malicious spirits.

I rented this one at Family Video because the case and synopsis looked interesting. Unfortunately, those may be the highlights of this one. I have to say that I was extremely disappointed in the movie. While it seemed like there was some potential, it came nowhere close to meeting that level. Come to think of it, there were really no elements that made this one either memorable or worth watching. The performances, the script, the costuming, and the cinematography all ranged from mediocre to terrible. Plus, the predictability factor was so bad; I could almost narrate the story from the start. In the end, this one was bad and is really not worth watching. It is definitely a film that I suffered through, so you don’t have to. Stay away; stay far away.