Prophecy (1979)

While I continue to do my research for my next post on Leave the World Behind post,  I took some time to watch some older entries.  My latest entry will be on a classic ecohorror flick from the 70s. The 1979 entry prophecy.

Plot: A government health inspector is dispatched to assess the damage a logging company is causing to a patch of forest claimed by Native Americans, and comes face to face with true terror wreaking havoc in the woods.

While this is far from a perfect movie,  it is definitely one of the better ones from the late 70s. Featuring a solid cast,  the performances are really good and the storyline is rather interesting for the time.  Yes,  it was made lacking the gore and true horror elements that could have taken it to the next level (a PG rating) and it does plod along at some points,  but it really does succeed at creating a solid creature feature.  In the end,  this one may lack the punch of some features,  but it is a fun watch and one that should be put into your creature feature rotation.  

Oceans Rising (2017)

After watching and being amazed by Twin Peaks: The Return last night, it was hard to sit down and write a review on anything today. There was so much going on in the first two episodes; it was one of the greatest mental journeys I have gone on in a long time. Unfortunately, my next review will be on the opposite end of the spectrum. That is the 2017 SyFy disaster flick Oceans Rising from The Asylum.

Plot/ A scientist builds a boat after his warnings of an Earth-destroying flood are ignored. But when it's evident the disaster will occur, those who maligned the scientist now turn to him in desperation, boarding the ark and seeking his answers before the world drowns in a never ending sea.

If you have been following the blog, you would know that I went through a streak of rather flawed movies recently. While some of them were bad, I can honestly say that none of them sunk to the lowly depths like this one. Actually, I am convinced that this may be the worst movie I have seen in a few years. Going in, I knew that I was going to have to suspend belief to make it through, but about 10 minutes in you will realize that it is an impossible task. There is nothing anyone could do to even imagine any of this being plausible. I understand it is a movie and it should have some of those elements, but, there are usually a few things inside the film that you can relate to. That is not the case with this one. The storyline is too unbelievable, the effects range from laughable to terrible (especially the CGI), the performances are overly flat, and the dialog and scripting make no sense. In the end, there is absolutely no reason to watch this movie. Truthfully, I think my review may even make it sound better than it is. Stay away; stay far away!

San Andreas (2015)

Thanksgiving came and went, and it was fun to hang out and just chill. Yes, I did work on some homework building my writing website, but that was fun. I also sat back and finally watched one of those blockbuster disaster flicks., 2015s San Andreas. Unfortunately, it did nothing but remind me on why I stay away from them,

Plot/ In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a dangerous journey with his ex-wife across the state in order to rescue his daughter.

Disaster movies are one of my soft spots, as when I was a youth, they would seem to pop up all the time. Unfortunately, in many ways, those movies from the 1970s are much better than the ones that come out today. San Andreas is another example of rehashed storyline with massive CGI effects. In fact, this one may be one of the worse, with too many storylines intersecting and unbearable dialog and plot distractions. Couple those issues with the fact that it is extremely predictable, and you have the latest Hollywood blockbuster disaster flick. In the end, if you want a disaster flick, check out Earthquake from 1974, it is much better and more entertaining.

Martian Land (2015)

When I read online last night that NASA would have some new information on Mars today, I was excited. While I understand that it would not be the alien disclosure many of us know they are hiding, it is interesting to watch these press conferences and how they dance around the subject. With that in mind, I decided that I wanted to watch something to get me focused, eventually settling on 2015s Martian Land.

Plot/ In the distant future, a large portion of humanity lives on Mars, in cities that resemble those once found on Earth. The cities are protected from the inhospitable Martian atmosphere by dome-like force fields. When a massive sandstorm breaks through the dome and destroys Mars New York, those in Mars Los Angeles must figure out how to stop the storm before it wipes them out next.

The first time I saw this one at Family Video I honestly thought it was animated from the case, and in retrospect, may have been more excited if it was. Coming from low budget stronghold The Asylum, this movie has many issues and acts more as a propaganda piece for the global warming/climate change trumpeters than an actual Sci-Fi entry. The scripting is uneven, the performances match, and as usual the over-the-top CGI effects do nothing but make it more laughable. Truly, this one would have likely been better as a cartoon. In the end, there is nothing I can say about this one to spin it in a positive light, as it is one of the more disappointing movies I have seen lately coming from The Asylum. Stay Away!

Jurassic World (2015)

Today has been a busy day. In fact, between the Nightmares Zombie 5K and trick or treating, it has been even busier than a usual Halloween for us. In between these two events, I decided to kick back and watch a film I had been looking forward to: 2015s Jurassic World.

Plot/ A new theme park is built on the original site of Jurassic Park. Everything is going well until the parks newest attraction--a genetically modified giant stealth killing machine--escapes containment and goes on a killing spree.

While I was not a huge fan of the first two sequels in the Jurassic Park series, I had hoped that this one would be different. Unfortunately, although it was entertaining and kept me somewhat interested, the storyline was rather predictable, and nowhere near as impressive as the classic Steven Spielberg film. The dinosaurs were interesting and the idea of genetic splicing and developing new species is something that is a lot more relevant today than when the original came out; it is definitely something that people should file away in the back of their minds. A typical creature feature, this movie does feature many action sequences and there are some interesting scenes where they do a great job at taking viewers back to the original. Unfortunately, most of the characters are flat or unlikable, the ending is predictable, and some of the scenes feel a touch disjointed or out of place. In the end, this was a solid creature feature that has some extremely interesting moments. Yes, it never rises to the level of its source material, but it is one of the better entries in the franchise. Give it a shot!

Into the Storm (2014)

With my recent viewing patterns being aliens, cryptids, and killers, I decided that I needed to venture into something different for some Sunday afternoon fun with the daughters. After some internal debate, I decided on the 2014 disaster flick, Into the Storm.

Plot/ Storm trackers, thrill-seekers, and everyday townspeople document an unprecedented onslaught of tornadoes touching down in the town of Silverton.

Disaster movies are always a mixed bag, especially with the overwhelming amount of ridiculous entries coming from The Asylum and the SyFy Channel. While I have been staying away from them lately, I decided it was time again to venture into the category. This entry may not be the best of the genre, but it is also far from the worst. In fact, there were some entertaining and interesting spots with the CGI effects standing way above the recent entries. There were decent performances, action scenes, and the storyline is somewhat believable. On the downside, the characters were clichéd and boring, the storyline is vanilla, and overall it was rather predictable. In the end, this was an entertaining flick that is perfect for some afternoon family disaster fun. If you love this genre, give it a shot. If you do not, then there is really nothing new in this one.

100 Degrees Below Zero (2013)

When I heard the weather forecast last night, I decided that it was time to watch something with winter flair. I understand that it is but late fall, but the idea of snow with some accumulation does not bring a smile to my face. Of course, neither does talking to the VA, but that is exactly what I had to do today. With that in mind, I decided on the 2012 Sci-Fi flick, 100 Degrees Below Zero.

Plot/ After freak climate and weather events destroy the world around them, a group of rogue scientists attempt to reverse the deadly new ice age.

The entry from The Asylum may be one of the worst entries I have seen in some time and that is saying something. I have watched many flicks from them and this one actually sinks below any of them. Honestly, it makes Sharknado appear Oscar worthy. Luckily, I caught it on Netflix. The best part about the movie is the storyline, as a massive volcanic ash cloud is something that could be devastating. Besides that it comes complete with poor acting, a laughable script, head scratching moments and some of the worst special effects I have seen in some time. The CGI is terrible. In the end, this is one of the worst films I have seen in some time and I could not recommend it to anyone. 

The Bay (2012)

I am all about finding movies with an interesting synopsis and giving them a shot. Yes, even if they are found footage mockumentaries. However, at times, these movies can be something much different that what is advertised. In some ways, that is the case with this selection, The Bay.

Plot/ Chaos breaks out in a small Maryland town after an ecological disaster occurs. When people start turning up dead, fear turns to panic and the town is shut down. This is what occurred.

I am not the biggest fan of found footage movies, but when done correctly they can offer something entertaining. The Bay does this and is decently entertaining. Unfortunately, it is less of a horror / thriller and more of an environmentalist themed piece. Yes, there are some graphic shots and some horror elements are used, but it is more about pollution and how the government handles a situation. While the acting is somewhat believable, it is the use of multiple styles of camera’s  from multiple perspectives that make it interesting. It really could be what a situation like this would appear to be in today’s technological society.  For me, it was entertaining, but the overriding environmental storyline screamed Global Warming, and that is one hoax that I cannot believe is still getting traction. If you are looking for a horror flick, you may want to grab something else and leave this to the environmental purists.