Shakma (1990)

Although I planned to watch 7 Witches last night, the remote for the DVD player again seemed to disappear. So, instead, I decided to dive into Shudder for the 1990 creature feature Shakma.

Plot/ An experimental drug that is supposed to reduce aggression has the opposite effect on a baboon that is being experimented on by a group of medical students and their professor. While they are playing a fantasy role-playing game in their research facility, the baboon escapes and begins hunting them down.

Coming off the slasher craze of the 1980s, this creature feature takes on that genre in an amazing way. Yes, it is mindless and full of some awesome baboon induced blood and guts, but it is in no way anything more than a midnight low-budget schlockfest (although, the Dungeons and Dragons LARP is a nice twist). Even with the mild level of gore and a storyline that is rather predictable and cliché (other than the baboon madman), this movie is fun to watch and on par with some of the classic straight-to-video flicks of the era. Yes, the performances are uneven (Roddy McDowell is perfect though), the storyline is unbelievable, and overall the age of the film shines through in the technology, but that in no way makes this movie any less entertaining. In fact, after these decades, the movie is still just as cheesy and laughable as it was the first time I saw it. In the end, if you are searching for some campy fun, full of schlock and cheesiness than give this one a shot. Plus, it is on Shudder, so there is really nothing to lose if you have that service.

Embryo (1976)

As the weather turned cold last night, I decided to turn back the clock and watch something from my childhood. No, it isn’t Disney or any type of cartoon (so, my childhood was not normal), it was the 1976 Sci-Fi/Horror flick Embryo.

Plot/ A scientist doing experiments on a human fetus discovers a method to accelerate the fetus into a mature adult in just a few days. However, the "adult" fetus turns into a homicidal psycho and looks for a new formula to prevent her from aging further.

When I saw this one was the part of that movie set, I was interested to see how it stood the test of time. Unfortunately, it did not fair very well, as the technology in the movie was completely outdated. That being said, the idea involved with the storyline (yes, a bit Frankensteinish) being interesting. The cast and performances were solid, the scripting and pacing were on spot, and the effects were better than expected. Yes, the technology (especially the computer) seemed ancient and the ending seemed a bit off, but those flaws were commonplace during the 1970s in smaller budgeted horror. In the end, this one was an entertaining and intriguing movie to look back on. While it is far from perfect and rather tame, it is still worth watching on a cold winters night.

31 (2016)

As I was sitting here last night I realized that I was two posts away from hitting 1500 here on The Ringmaster's Realm and was debating what movie I wanted to review for that post. After some debate, I finally decided on a movie I feel that must be seen and truly embraced. While that movie will be reviewed tomorrow, for tonight, I have the 2016 Rob Zombie flick 31.

Plot/ Five carnival workers are kidnapped and held hostage in an abandoned, Hell-like compound where they are forced to participate in a violent game, the goal of which is to survive twelve hours against a gang of sadistic clowns.

Having decided to watch this as one of the first films on the new television, I was unsure of what to expect. Rob Zombie is one of the most polarizing filmmakers out there, and his films often sit in the love/hate realm. For me, I love his material, not because it is artistic masterpiece, but because it is a flashback to some of the no-budget grindhouse flicks from my youth. In this case, there is nothing much I can truly say about 31, as it is a trip into violence and gore. Sure, it lacks a coherent plot, it is full of mindless murders, blood, and guts, and the characterization is all over the place. It is what it is, a strange journey into the depraved mind of Rob Zombie. In the end, 31 is a movie that will be polarizing and a movie many will hate. Sure, I thought that it could be better, but it was a fun trip into the 1970s.

Planet of the Apes (1968)

One of the great arts at watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes was that the daughters finally became interested in experiencing the entire Planet of the Apes story arc. Being a fan myself of the classic tales, and remembering the days when Superhost had them on Saturday afternoon’s, I decided it was time to break one out. Last night, it was time for the classic 1968 flick, Planet of the Apes.

Plot/ An astronaut crew crash lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.

I am not sure what else I can say about a cinematic classic that has not been said already. The original Planet of the Apes is one of the best Sci-Fi films that has been made. Yes, some of it may seem a bit dated by today’s standards, but that does not in any way detract from the greatness created in 1968. The cast and performances are tremendous with Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter and Maurice Evans delivering in every scene. The direction, cinematography and soundtrack work in unison to capture the intricacies of the personal elements in the projected upside-down world, and they do this in a way that takes the vast sceneries to a new level; it is truly one of the most visually appealing Sci-Fi movies I have seen.  The make-up effects are solid, and personally I love this original ape look more than the newer CGI incarnations and the ending may be one of the best ever in the science fiction arena. In the end, while chalked full of idealistic, religious, and humanity driven overtones, Planet of the Apes succeeds at taking on social consciousness and building something bigger and better and is truly one of the most entertaining and groundbreaking Sci-Fi films of all time. If you have not seen it, definitely check it out!