Winchester (2018)

It has been a crazy few days as I have been spending quite a bit of time finding new items for The Ringmaster’s Realm and preparing for the Too Groovy Toy Show in May. I have found some awesome items recently and should have a wide variety of material available at the show. Fortunately, while I am working on things, I can usually find some time to squeeze in a movie or two. The next one up is the 2018 entry Winchester.

Plot/ Inspired by true events. On an isolated stretch of land 50 miles outside of San Francisco sits the most haunted house in the world. Built by Sarah Winchester, heiress to the Winchester fortune, it is a house that knows no end. Constructed in an incessant twenty-four hour a day, seven day a week mania for decades, it stands seven stories tall and contains hundreds of rooms. To the outsider it looks like a monstrous monument to a disturbed woman's madness. But Sarah is not building for herself, she is building a prison, an asylum for hundreds of vengeful ghosts, and the most terrifying among them have a score to settle with the Winchesters.

When I first saw this was coming out, I was apprehensive. Not only didn’t the commercials really inspire me, the idea of what the storyline might be could go in many different directions. Both items that were show stoppers for me. Now that I have watched it, I have found that my initial feelings were justified. More of a supernatural drama, than horror movie, this one just seems to plod along at a snail’s pace. Honestly, it lacks any type of atmosphere and scares are non-existent. This one is more of a character study, focusing one the back-stories of the characters and how they are woven into the mysterious house and legend. Yes, the cast is good, and their performances are solid, but they do really nothing to bring this one to life in a truly entertaining manner. I will say that the cinematography and production values of this film is top notch, with a ton of effort put into the authentic nature of the period and the use of colors. Unfortunately, much like the performances, those positives are drowned out by the slow storyline and the overall lack of pace. In the end, I am sure that you can find a much better selection to suffer through. Sure, it was good background noise while working, but other than that, it did not hold my attention at all.

Schock (1977)

So, I have discovered that mentally, I am in a very retro mood and needed to continue down that road. After searching through some of my services, I decided on the 1977 Mario Bava entry Schock (AKA Shock and Beyond the Door II).

Plot/ A couple is terrorized in their new house haunted by the vengeful ghost of the woman's former husband who possesses her young son.

I love the work of Mario Bava and the entire Italian horror scene of the 1970s and this film is one of the reasons. Although it had been years since I watched it the first time, Shock continues to build on me. This film cries atmosphere and offers an interesting storyline that offers some decent twists. The performances from the minimalistic cast are solid and as usual, Bava delivers some incredible technical work and the ending is one that I truly enjoyed. Yes, some of the effects and gore may feel dated and it may feel somewhat predictable and ordinary by today’s standards, but those are but minor flaws within this film. In the end, there are enough elements inside this one to keep every fan of classic Italian horror satisfied. Sure, it is not perfect, but really, what movie is? Not only is this a good movie, with it being Bava’s last film, it is definitely a must see. Find it and check it out.

Paranormal Activities at the Phoenix Arts Center

It has been some time since I have revisited my roots with writing and some of the great times I had in the field. While I do enjoy Cryptozoology and the search for unknown creatures, it is the whole of the supernatural that draws me in. With that in mind, I was given the opportunity to get back into the fold, teaching a session of paranormal classes with the Phoenix Arts Center. Come out and join me for this awesome class and join in with creating a documentary of what we found during the investigation. Classes will be:

Thursdays, Sept. 28 & Oct. 5, 6:30-7:30pm
at the Uniontown Cultural Center at
86 West Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401

Friday, Oct. 13, 8-11pm at The State Theatre
37 East Main Street, Uniontown, PA 15401

Thursdays, Oct. 19, 26 & Nov. 2, 6:30-8:30pm
back at The Uniontown Cultural Center

For centuries, the Uniontown area has seen its share of the strange and unusual rise along the famed Chestnut Ridge. Now, in this Paranormal Activities class, students will have the opportunity to document and possibly capture evidence of the supernatural for themselves. Starting with a set of ghost hunting 101 classes, the students will learn about the different types of hauntings, the equipment used, and the detailed research needed to conduct a proper investigation. That knowledge will be put to the test with an organized evening investigation of the reportedly haunted State Theatre on none other than Friday the 13th! Once completed, the class will break down the evidence and work together to create a short documentary based on their findings. This class is geared towards teens and adults, but children 10 and up are welcome if a parent or guardian enrolls and attends with them. 

From the Phoenix Arts Center:

Guests will document their discoveries, analyze them, and use them to create a short documentary. The cost is $75, and is open to ages 14 and up. 10 and up are welcome with an enrolled and participating adult guardian. There are a limited amount of slots available for this awesome event, so go here to register: https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSdjo4gefz3l8iINXT…/viewform If interested in this event you can also pay online here: https://squareup.com/…/thephoe…/item/paranormal-activities-1

Curtain Call and a Thank You!

As today winds down and I am finally able to sit back and digest the events of the past two days with the first annual Phoenix Arts Center 10 Minute Playfest. I am extremely humbled by the response and am still in a little shock after watching Not Always What It Seems win the First Watson Award. This is a tremendous honor and an award I will forever cherish. In looking at the history of the State Theatre, just to have my play come to life in the same footsteps as legends such as Johnny Cash was enough. 

Although my name will be on this award, I know that it would have never had a chance against the competition if it weren’t for the amazing performances from the cast. Anna, Carrie, Dolores, Michael, and especially Luke were brought everything to life in ways I could never have imagined. I wish you could have all received this award because you all deserve it more than anyone. 

When I walked into the State Theatre this morning, I wondered what the day would have in store. Last night, I was blown away by the intensity of all of the performances, and most of all, the depth of all of the scripts. As a writer, I love the emotional turns that words can create and the stories were all remarkable. To all of the writers, Mina, Tabbitha, Marci, Steven, Aimee, and Jessica, I grew so much from your words and stories and I want to thank you. 

Finally, I want to thank Carrie for seeing this playfest through to fruition, and Brenda for all of the incredible behind the scenes stuff that it takes to make this type of show happen. I for one hope that this is the first of what will become an amazing journey into the stage. 

The Eclipse (2009)

After watching a few classics, it was time to return to this era and find something different. After some searching on my different streaming services, I decided on the 2009 supernatural thriller The Eclipse.

Plot/ In a seaside Irish town, a widower sparks with a visiting horror novelist while he also begins to believe he is seeing ghosts.

As I was searching Shudder last night, this one seemed like a nice change of pace and I was right. This supernatural themed film does a great job at building atmosphere and drawing the viewer in. Yes, it may be a slow build, but it is there. The scripting is awesome, the performances solid, and the amount of emotion brought forth is really well done. Unfortunately, there are some clichéd moments and the ending feels a touch abrupt, but those are but minor elements that do nothing to bring down the film. In the end, this one is much better than I ever would have thought. If you like emotional supernatural movies, this one is for you. Check it out!

The Lighthouse Keeper (2016)

After taking last night away from the blog to nap before driving to North Carolina for the Easter holiday, I figured I would focus tonight’s entry on the last film I watched during the week. That movie is the 2016 Edgar Allan Poe-inspired The Lighthouse Keeper.

Plot/ Marooned on a remote peninsula and haunted by frightening specters, a young man must confront the grotesque denizens of the night, or follow the Lighthouse Keeper's cryptic warning to, always keep a light burning!

There are times when I want to relax and watch the classic horror tales of the past. Filmmaking was so different in the past eras, with the atmosphere and storylines taking center stage instead of the forced effects and gore. That is exactly what I found with this one. Loosely based on the short story by Edgar Allan Poe, this one harkens back to a different time in cinema. While it is not perfect, the storyline is interesting, there are some atmospheric moments, and the direction/cinematography was solid. Yes, some of the performances were flat and uneven, and the ending felt a touch abrupt and forced, but those flaws are minor and do not bring down the film. In the end, if you are a fan of Poe or enjoy movies that make you think instead of relying on effects and gore for entertainment values, this one is for you. Check it out!

The Forest (2016)

After spending a portion of my day without service at softball practice, it is nice to finally relax some at the house. Now, maybe I can get to one of the projects. Over the past few days, I decided to check out a few different genres, and I continued that last light with 2016s The Forest.

Plot/ A woman goes into Japan's Suicide Forest to find her twin sister and confronts supernatural terror.

Last night after watching my final flick, I settled on The Forest, thinking that it would be a nice change of pace. While it did do that with its creepy atmosphere and interesting premise, it still left much of its potential on the table. The acting is solid, the cinematography works, and there is enough tension built throughout that makes you want more. Unfortunately, there is not enough meat to the attempted scares and they often are predictable and flat, the scripting almost ignores the forest, and some of the editing feels off. In the end, while this one has its positives, it never reaches its potential and ends up missing the mark. There are definitely better options out there.

Jack Goes Home (2016)

As I progress through my writing and can finally see the end of the tunnel, it has been nice to kick back and relax for a few moments this weekend. The next movie that has helped me pass some of this time is the 2016 horror/thriller Jack Goes Home.

Plot/ After his father is killed in a car crash, Jack travels home to Colorado to help nurse his mother (who was injured in the crash) back to health. There, he uncovers long buried secrets and lies within his family history, his parents, his friends and his very identity.

While there was nothing really new in this one as it is an interesting take on the mental anguish one can go through during a traumatic event, it does have a dark atmosphere that makes it somewhat more enjoyable than the typical entries in this genre. The performances are solid, the cinematography works, and some of the moments are both creepy and surprising considering the time of the film. Unfortunately, there are also many disjointed moments within the spiral of madness that make the movie difficult to enjoy at times and also predictable. Yes, I like non-linear and surreal movies, but these issues led us on a journey through cliché instead of mystery. In the end, there is really nothing new in this one, and the movie suffers from that. However, it is an entertaining watch and a movie that I thoroughly enjoyed. If you are looking for something on a chilly night, this one could help you pass the time.

Abattoir (2016)

If you have read my blog, you would now that Darren Lynn Bousman is one of my favorite directors. Not only is an alumnus of Full Sail University like me, he has also created some of the most visually appealing movies of the past decade. Between his work on the Saw franchise, Repo: The Genetic Opera, and The Devil’s Carnival, there is an artistic flare that is not usually seen in horror. Next up for review is his next movie, 2016s Abattoir, a film that I honestly believe may be his best work.

Plot/ An investigative reporter teams up with a Police officer to solve the mystery of why a seemingly good man murdered her sister's family.

I had been waiting to see this since I first heard about it, and I was not disappointed by what I found. While I can see why this movie could be somewhat polarizing, it is an interesting take on the haunted house/curse genre and is both intelligent and visually appealing. More of a slow burn, as the tension building throughout, I found myself drawn to the main characters and the storyline. The cinematography and visuals are tremendous, the performances are solid, and the atmosphere inside the film is dark and heavy. Yes, I am sure that the scripting will cause some viewers some issue with the way it embraces an almost retro feel with a prose-like style that seems more suited for a vintage film than a modern thriller and the ending is definitely one that is both somewhat predictable and refreshing, but those issues should in no way impact the overall viewing experience of watching this film. In the end, this is one of the most memorable and entertaining films to hit the shelves in some time and left me wanting more. If you have not seen it, you are definitely missing out.

The Ring (2002)

After taking a few days off to do some writing on my project, I decided to start the weekend off with a review of one of the classic films from the early 2000s. While I am sure many have watched this one, with a sequel in theaters, it was a nice trip back in time. That flick is the 2002 entry The Ring.

Plot/ A journalist must investigate a mysterious videotape, which seems to cause the death of anyone in a week of viewing it.

There are times when I like to revisit some films in preparation for seeing sequels and such, and that was the case with the Ring. While some call this a remake and others an adaptation of the Japanese film Ringu, it does not matter because it is one of the best horror films of the 2000s. There are a ton of positives with this film, as the writing is tremendous, cinematography/direction is stylistic and creates a great atmosphere, and the cast does a tremendous job bringing the characters to life, as well as bringing the layered storyline out to a creepy and dark place. Yes, there are some smaller flaws with the amount of jump scares added in and some of the pacing felt off, but those do nothing to bring the film down. In the end, this is one of the most memorable films in the genre, and a film that must be seen. If you haven’t seen it, what are you waiting for?

The Whip and the Body (1963)

As I sat here on the eve of Edgar Allan Poe’s birthday, I had originally intended to watch one of he classics based on his works. However, after some thought, I decided to venture into something that could have been inspired by Poe, with the 1963 Mario Bava classic The Whip and the Body.  

Plot/ In the 19th century, a sadistic nobleman terrorizes the members of his family. He is found dead, but his ghost soon returns to haunt the residents of his castle.

I am sure that when this one came out, it was controversial with the mixture of gothic horror with some sadism mixed in for good measure. In 1963, movies such as that were considered taboo, and likely would have not been well received. Starring Christopher Lee, this Mario Bava entry is an entertaining movie, and one that has many of the elements that made his movies memorable. Between the beautiful cinematography and the stylistic use of colors, solid performances, and an interesting storyline, this movie has everything a Bava fan could ask for. Yes, the ending does feel lacking and there a many illogical moments, but those almost seem to be part of Bava lore. In the end, this movie is an entertaining watch and one that should be viewed. If you have not seen it, but love gothic horror cinema, give it a shot.

The House of Seven Corpses (1974)

I have definitely been on a retro kick lately, although I did sneak in a viewing of Repo: The Genetic Opera. To continue my retro feel, I went way into my youth for the 1974 horror flick The House of Seven Corpses.

Plot/ A director is filming on location in a house where seven murders were committed. The caretaker warns them not to mess with things they do not understand (the murders were occult related), but the director wants to be as authentic as possible and has his cast re-enact rituals that took place in the house thus summoning a ghoul from the nearby cemetery to bump the whole film crew off one by one.

Horror movies of the 1970s were a mixed bag, as the genre seemed to be in a period of transition. While this one is not technically very good, I feel that is often overlooked as a piece of horror history. Yes, there are some flaws with the way the movie is scripted and paced, but there is a certain charm that will draw fans of early 1970s horror in. The cast is solid and there are some decent performances (John Carradine is definitely creepy), the atmosphere is dark and heavy, and the storyline is entertaining and interesting. Sure, there is not a lot of blood or gore, there is little action, there could have been some more supernatural elements added in, and the effects are nowhere near the quality of today, but for a lower budgeted film of that era, they are not that bad. In the end, this is a nice retro piece and a fun movie to help pass some time. Is it perfect, by no means, but it is a fun slow burn haunted house flick that is good on a cold windy night.

OUIJA: Origin of Evil (2016)

Supernatural movies are always fun, especially when the subject matter is something that is tangible (at least from a certain perspective). One such topic is the OUIJA Board, and whether it is a tool for darkness or a simple game. Personally, I have no real opinion on the legitimacy of the talking board, and where it should be placed, but it is an interesting topic for movies to explore. For my next review, I will be diving into the 2016 entry Ouija: Origin of Evil.

Plot/ In 1965 Los Angeles, a widowed mother, and her 2 daughters add a new stunt to bolster their séance business and unwittingly invite authentic evil into their home. When a supernatural spirit overtakes the youngest daughter, the family confronts unthinkable fears to save her and send her possessor back to the other side.

It is rare for a sequel to live up to the expectations set by the source material. That being said, it is even more rare for a sequel to surpass an original, but that is the case with Ouija: Origin of Evil. This movie is so much better than the original, and as a prequel, it makes me wonder what could have been if the entire series was as good as this entry. This flick has a dark, almost creepy atmosphere, some solid performances, and a storyline that is engaging and interesting. Yes, there are some predictable moments and some of the actions of the characters make little sense, but those elements do not really bring the flick down in any way. In the end, the retro feel, interesting storyline, and overall quality make it the best of the series, and a lot better than I expected when I went to see it with one of my daughters.

Lights Out (2016)

I am usually pretty good at buckling down around over the Halloween season. Unfortunately, this year I have been caught up with some of the stupidity that has made this one of the least fun seasons on record. When towns and stores are infringing on our rights as citizens to dress-up as common characters, there is a giant problem. Honestly, the amount of political correctness and attempts to sissify society is unbelievable. Next up for review is the 2016 ghost story, Lights Out!

Plot/ When her little brother, Martin, experiences the same events that once tested her sanity, Rebecca works to unlock the truth behind the terror, which brings her face to face with an entity that has an attachment to their mother, Sophie.

Personally, I have been having a hard time finding any type of ghost story that has been worth watching over the past few months. That changes with this one, as it was one of the best that I have seen in some time. There is so much to like about this one, with an interesting storyline (although a very basic premise), solid performances, and tight cinematography that marries every aspect of the film (visuals, sound, and tension). Yes, it is not a masterpiece and there are some predictable moments woven within the premise, but those are easily forgotten (especially with one of the best endings for a movie in some time). In the end, this is one of the better ghost story’s to come out in some time and a movie that would be perfect for Halloween. Check it out!