Inferno (2016)

Dante’s Inferno is one of my favorite works of literature and any time I find something that is linked to that work, I devour it. That is why I was excited by my last trip to Family Video. That is where I found the 2016 entry Inferno.

Plot/ When Robert Langdon wakes up in an Italian hospital with amnesia, he teams up with Dr. Sienna Brooks, and together they must race across Europe against the clock to foil a deadly global plot.

Let me start by saying that I did not read this book, so I have no idea how well the adaptation is. Unfortunately, in this case, I imagine that I would have been better of searching out the book instead of watching this one. While not a terrible movie, there was nothing truly memorable about it and it did not come across in a smooth and coherent manner. Yes, the performances are solid, the score amazing, and using Dante and the classic Inferno as a basis is a great choice for a mystery, but those elements cannot make up for the overall disjointed and rushed feel of the film. In the end, this is entertaining, but it is also very forgettable. Unless you are a Landon fan or totally immersed in the works of Dan Brown, there are better choices for you.

Dark Island (2010)

With all of the talk of Ebola or Enterovirus D68 (the virus we should all be worrying about), I felt it would be fitting to dive into something that had bioweapons at the heart. After some digging, I found the 2010 low budget entry Dark Island.

Plot/ Soldiers and scientists visit a remote island, the site of bio-weapons research, after losing contact with the staff there.

If you have read my blog in the past, you would know that I love low budget cinema, especially if the storyline shows originality and the potential to be something more with a larger pot of money. Unfortunately, this low budget entry suffers from something that drives me insane: cliché. It is one thing to pay homage to shows or movies, but to cut-and-paste different elements of storyline from these popular entries drives me crazy. Yes, it suffers from uneven performances, an underdeveloped script and too many clichéd characters and story elements (Think Umbrella Corporation, Komodo vs. Cobra, or Lost). Sure, the CGI actually worked in this one, which does give it some bonus points, but it is definitely not saving it. In the end, this Sci-Fi flick lacks action and originality and is a struggle to watch. Stay Away!

Mimic (1997)

Today was such as awesome day. First, it started with a trip to Steel City Con in Monroeville. There is nothing like walking in the footsteps of the classic Dawn of the Dead zombies. From there, a trip to a softball scrimmage and home to some great horror, and bam; great day! Oh, that flick was the 1997 creature feature Mimic.

Plot/ Three years ago entomologist Dr. Susan Tyler genetically created an insect to kill cockroaches carrying a virulent disease, now the insects are out to destroy their only predator, mankind!

It had been some time since I had watched Mimic, and honestly, I forgot how much I enjoyed that flick. While I did not realize then, this early horror take from Guillermo Del Toro is a great example of what was about to come from this talent. The atmosphere is spot on, the acting solid and the storyline and scripting works perfectly in what could have been a schlock-fest. Of course, some of the early dialogue is murky and some of the railway scenes may lack some light, but it definitely all works. In the end, this is one of the better creature features to come out of the 1990s and a film that must be seen. Yes, some of the ideas are a touch unbelievable, but that is a refreshing departure from some of the stuff that comes out from time to time.

The Last Days on Mars (2013)

What a few days. After working late, softball practice and an open house, it was nice to sit back and enjoy some relaxing movie time. Of course, it was finding the right film that makes it a more interesting evening. What did I decide if on? After some thought, it was the Sci-Fi / horror flick, The Last Days on Mars. 

Plot/ group of astronaut explorers succumb one by one to a mysterious and terrifying force while collecting specimens on Mars. 

When one connected horror and Sci-Fi the is always the potential for things to become unhinged. While this one never became unhinged, it definitely felt forced, something that led to some pacing issues. Somewhat a throwback to the beginning of the genre, the storyline is interesting. On top of that, the acting was solid and the imagery worked well, but that did not push this into a memorable category. The paving was a bit slow, the plot holes large and there was really no foreboding atmosphere like one would expect. It honestly felt like the horror elements were forced onto this picture and it drug it down. In the end, this eone was nothing special. Sure, it had a few moments and a couple of surprises, but it is nothing we have not all seen before. Be warned!

  

Bio-Dead (2009)

After watching Psychosis last night, I decided to change things up and watch something with a more post apocalyptic feel in honor of reaching the 300-day mark on the apocalypse countdown. While I have no doubts that we will all be here on December 22, the idea does make for some good fun (as well as an excuse to start hitting the bucket list). Fortunately, there is a lot of material out there to help quench my end of the world cravings; this one is the 2009 Sci-Fi /Horror entry Bio-Dead.

Plot/ After a biological disaster wipes out millions, a rescue team finds themselves under attack from something even more deadly than they ever imagined - zombies in need of human flesh.

This low budget Sci-Fi / Horror flick has a lot of unfulfilled potential. Once you get through the initial stages (half-hour or so), the film (for the most part) features surprising cinematography, decent scenery and a sound post-apocalyptic atmosphere. Unfortunately, some of the overall feel and entertainment value is lost in the finely manicured sets (the locations looks cleaner than my man cave), uneven script and flawed lighting. In the end, it did boast some good moments, had some originality and was somewhat entertaining. While I will not recommend this for everyone, if you are fan of post apocalyptic movies, you may find this one interesting.  

Contagion (2011)

After spending a few hours at the skating rink for Genesis’ birthday party, (I cannot believe she is 14), it was time to kick back and enjoy some decent virus based entertainment. While zombies are always fun, the tragedy and devastation of a real outbreak may be scarier (especially considering this is the year 2012), fortunately, that is exactly what the 2011 thriller Contagion may deliver.

Plot/ A thriller centered on the threat posed by a deadly disease and an international team of doctors contracted by the CDC to deal with the outbreak.

When I saw the preview for this, I wanted to see it. With the way the media covers outbreaks such as H1N1 or SARS, I felt it was a great time for Hollywood to capitalize on the mass hysteria involved. To me, this one did not disappoint. The cast was solid and their performances were all good. Unfortunately, by boasting such a dynamic cast, the character development did suffer some with all of the divergent storylines formulated to take advantage of the cast, but that flaw was not a showstopper. Surrounding this cast, the storyline was tremendous, perfectly centering the main character of this movie The Virus itself. The scenery and cinematography was awesome, and overall this is a well-put together docudrama. It does have some flaws besides the character development as the pacing was a bit slow and there was a lot of story that went unresolved.  In the end, this was much more a docudrama than thriller and should be viewed with that in mind, but it is an effective venture into the mind of an epidemic that would ravage the world. Check it out!