Island Zero (2018)

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving yesterday (if you partake in the holiday). It was definitely quiet here,  allowing for some relaxation. Today was busy cleaning,  something that definitely needed done. While I haven't finished,  I have taken an extended break to catch a movie.  My selection was the 2018 entry Island Zero.

Plot: Inhabitants of a fishing island find themselves cut off from the outside world after the ferry suddenly stops coming. When dead bodies turn up along the water's edge, the survivors must find out who, or what, is killing them.

There are times when I randomly pick a movie that I find something that I didn't expect and that was exactly what happened tonight.  I knew nothing about this one and I found it extremely entertaining. I loved the storyline and felt that the potential here made it worth watching.  The performances were solid,  the idea interesting,  the atmosphere was in tune with the story,  and it was a refreshing Creature Feature.  Unfortunately,  there were some flaws that were apparent and will definitely turn some people off. However,  for me,  these are easily overlooked because of the budgetary constraints that I'm sure existed with this indie film.  Yes,  the effects were lacking and there were some choppy moments that didn't allow the movie the reach its true potential,  but even with those, the quality  was much better that a lot of indie horror. In the end,  this is an underrated film and one that is easily streamed.  If you are looking for a Creature Feature,  give it a shot.  

Where Have All the People Gone (1974)

It was a night. After dealing with so many issues of ineptitude and working on this mechanism for a 1949 alligator toy last night, I was unable to motivate myself into working on any type of listing for the shop. It sucks, as I was making such good progress on everything. I guess I will have to do double tonight. As background noise, I put on the 1974 post-apocalyptic made for television flick Where Have All the People Gone.

Plot/ Earth encounters a massive solar flare that decimates almost all life on Earth. Only people who were underground during the solar event are unharmed while the rest are dead or dying. A band of survivor’s cross country to seek others in a world laid waste.

I must admit, the premise of this story even though it is one that has been used quite a bit intrigues me. Ever since I was a kid and watched Night of the Comet for the first time, the whole idea is fascinating. While this one lacks the excitement and action factors of some of the more modern incarnations, it pulls off the story in a thought-provoking way with solid performances and a heavy and tense atmosphere. As usual, Peter Graves was superb and an outstanding choice for the lead in this more dramatic attempt at an apocalypse scenario. It is hard to believe that this was made for TV as compared to the schlock that populates many of the movies today. Yes, some of it may feel dated and the pacing somewhat slow, but those flaws are easily overshadowed by the content of the film. In the end, this entry is much better than the modern CGI infested films that are more mindless and background noise than quality. Check this one out, it would be worth your time.

Soylent Green (1973)

What a weird weekend it was and even though it doesn’t feel like it, I was able to get a lot accomplished on my business plan. Incredibly, I got five eBay listings and a few more Etsy Store listings in place for the Ringmaster’s Realm stores. During that process, I was ale to have some solid background entertainment, one of those being the 1973 classic Soylent Green.

Plot/ In 2022, Earth is overpopulated and totally polluted; the natural resources have been exhausted and the nourishment of the population is provided by Soylent Industries, a company that makes a food consisting of plankton from the oceans. After called to investigate a murder, Detective Thorn discovers a bizarre and disturbing secret of the ingredient used to manufacture Soylent Green.

Soylent Green is such an interesting film and one that takes the viewer into a world that they probably don’t see coming. This one screams 1970s excess during what is a complete nightmare scenario for those that live in the city during the 2022 time-frame that the plot holds. While not a perfect flick, it does have some of the cult classic elements that popularize this eras movie. The sets and costuming are strange, the performances solid, and the storyline is amazing. Most importantly, the theme of the film does feel relevant today, and some of the Sci-Fi elements are probably closer to reality here in 2019 than they were in 1973 when the movie was made. Yes, some of it feels dated, there are some head scratching moments, and did I say the costuming was outlandish? I’m sure I did.  Overall, it is easy to see why this one continues to be influential after all these years. In the end, while not perfect, Soylent Green is extremely entertaining, and the ending is perfect. It is worth watching (especially for fans of older Sci-Fi films) and it should be an eye-opening venture for those that sit on the fringe when thinking about some of the elements that plague us today.

Harbinger Down (2015)

Still feeling the remnant of yesterday’s miserable experience with Martian Land, I decided that I needed to go in a different direction for my next flick. After some thought, I went with some low budget horror, with 2015s Harbinger Down. 

Plot/ A group of grad students have booked passage on the crabbing boat Harbinger to study the effects of global warming on a pod of Belugas in the Bering Sea. When the ship's crew dredges up a recently thawed piece of old Soviet space wreckage, things get downright deadly.

After suffering through last night’s low budget misery from The Asylum, this Kickstarter funded entry demonstrated what can be done with a smaller budget. Sure, it is not perfect, but I believe it met the goal in creating a non-CGI horror flick using practical effects. Personally, I loved the classic 1980s low budget feel and was amazed at how much it reminded me of these dark evening that I had growing up with my local video store. In all, this flick had some solid performances, including a solid outing from horror favorite Lance Henriksen, so decent effects, and a solid premise. Unfortunately, this one did feel like the storyline was taken straight from the classic entry The Thing and the scripting was uneven, but those elements were only minor in the grand scheme. In the end, this one may not be for everyone, but if like me, you love 1980s big box horror, then you should definitely check this one out.

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!

Interstellar (2014)

Yesterday, I found myself stuck at the softball field for the first scrimmage of 2015. Of course, I realize that was the first of what will be many more over the next couple of months, and I am OK with that. Now it is time to get back to the blog. Next up, is a movie that I had waited to see for some time, 2014s Sci-Fi epic Interstellar.

Plot/ In the near future, Earth has been devastated by drought and famine, causing a scarcity in food and extreme changes in climate. A team of explorers travels through a wormhole in an attempt to ensure humanity's survival.

Interstellar was one of the few movies that I was disappointed to miss in the theatre. Now, having viewed it, I definitely want to kick myself in the ass for not making more of an attempt. This Sci-Fi epic is one of the more thought provoking movies I have seen in some time, and in many ways will stand the test of time. Not only is this movie well made, with beautiful cinematography and a brilliant soundtrack, the acting, directing, and effects create a perfect atmosphere. More importantly, the storyline is layered in such a way that the arcing love story is woven into the darkness is tremendous and full of emotion. In the end, this is a movie that must be seen and embraced. Yes, there are some I believe moments, but those are definitely easy to overlook and should be. If you have not seen it, what are you waiting for? Find it, and check it out!

Snowpiercer (2013)

As I am sitting here laughing at the excuses being made by democrats as to why they are taking a beating today at the polls, I decided that I needed relax and prepare for tomorrow’s #MillionMaskMarch. While I cannot take off to join in the festivities, I will have my mask on hand all day. Next of for review, the 2013 surrealistic flick Snowpiercer.

Plot/ Set in a future where a failed climate-change experiment kills all life on the planet except for a lucky few who boarded the Snowpiercer, a train that travels around the globe, where a class system emerges.

When I saw this, I honestly expected some type of global warming propaganda piece, and while there were some of those overtones, what I found was much better than I would have expected. This post apocalyptic movie has a lot going for it; some of which I definitely did not see coming. The performances were solid, the cinematography works and there are some atmospheric moments. More importantly, it takes on many of the social issues that often go overlooked in films of this type. Sure, there are some head scratching moments with some plot holes, but within this type of surrealistic environment, those are to be expected. In the end, this is a movie that will either be loved or hated. Personally, I found it an entertaining trip into the post apocalyptic landscape that could be created if these global warming nuts get their way. Give it a shot, you could definitely do a lot worse.

 

The Colony (2013)

With my holiday weekend winding down, it would not be complete if I did not watch one post-apocalyptic themed flick. That’s right, I definitely have to treat myself to the cinematic ramblings of the Global Warming alarmists and see how we are going to end up if we do not change our ways… Whatever, Global Warming only exists when you fail to account for ocean water in the formulas, and unfortunately, the Agenda 21 populace never account for it. Oh, my selection for this genre is The Colony.

Plot/ Forced underground by the next ice age, a struggling outpost of survivors must fight to preserve humanity against a threat even more savage than nature.

Post-apocalyptic movies are always a mixed bag. Sometimes they really work, and others, not even close. This one falls somewhere in between. For all of the promise at the start, this one does not hold throughout. It is a shame because there was some tension, atmosphere, effects and story that seemed to work. Yet, the characters, the cliché, the performances and the ending truly bring this one down. In the end, it is not the worst flick of the genre, but it had so much more potential that what hit the screen. If you are a fan of B-grade post apocalypse, give it a shot. However, if you are a passing fan, look elsewhere. 

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. 

NDAA - You Are The Resistance - Operation Paul Revere

For many, the recent governmental events of deceit and an apparent power grab into the liberties that have made our country great have started to grate at them. Our founding fathers created one of the greatest pieces of legislation known to man, founding principles that defined who we are as a society as the greatest nation on the planet. Our Constitution, complete with our inherent rights as citizens, applied the groundwork necessary to flourish against all who tread in our path.

Today, our Constitution is under attack from many directions. Globalist banks set on creating a New World Order and Global Government are attempting to hijack our great nation. You do not have to believe me, the evidence is everywhere. Government agencies devaluing the dollar using illegal derivatives in conjunction with megabanks, vaccines being forced upon our children containing formaldehyde, mercury and other toxins, and unconstitutional laws such as NDAA allow indefinite detention without trial and the use of propaganda against citizens.

Some may say I am a conspiracy theorist, yet, I consider myself a conspiracy realist. I do not want to see a conspiracy, I do not want to look around every corner for answers, but I am drawn to it. It is something I have to do, especially now that the mainstream media has become the State Run Media controlled by the government and aided by the propaganda act contained in the NDAA.

What exactly is the NDAA or National Defense AuthorizationAct of 2013? Here is a link, read for yourself. Here are some highlights as it pertains to this legislation: you may be arrested and indefinitely detained if the president merely alleges you are a threat or terrorist. You no longer have the right to legal representation (and are not entitled to a phone call, to an attorney or family member). You can be held for life without being convicted of a crime. Incredibly, an amendment that would have explicitly forbidden indefinite detention was rejected. You no longer have the right to a trial by jury of your peers and you can be executed without being convicted of a crime

Oh and what makes you a terrorist, anything such as speaking out against the government, being active online to show extreme views, you love liberty or the Constitution, or you exhibit unusual actions that catch the attention of others. Honestly, it is anything that the globalists want to create against you. This is truly Orwells’ 1984 on steroids and an ever-growing Police State.

The great thing is, we can stop this tyranny by exposing the tyrants and their atrocities against both citizens and the Constitution. Do this on social media (facebook and twitter), film everything and use YouTube, use blogs to push the real news that the State Run Media will not cover. If you love freedom and liberty, we have to work together to make this happen. One such event is Operation Paul Revere being run by Alex Jones and the Infowars Network. This $100,000 pro liberty film contest will bring us all together and help defeat tyranny. 

HELL (2011)

 

 

Last night, I definitely enjoyed Red State, as it is something that I could honestly see happening in this world that is spiraling out of control. While it was somewhat of a realistic real time movie, my selection for tonight could be one outcome of our future, especially if you listen to the fanatic global warning society that is convinced that if you breathe too much, you are killing the ozone. My selection for the evening is the 2011 German entry HELL.

 

 

Plot/ In the not too distant future, people struggle to survive their greatest enemy, the sun.

 

 

This post-apocalyptic flick might be one of Al Gore’s favorites, as the sun has lost its way and has destroyed much of society. This is a crazy idea, right? While the name may bring in a different audience than attended (meaning bright in German), this is actually a decent action / thriller, and one that has a lot to offer as a relatively low budget entry. The acting is good, the scenery amazing and the cinematography is good. More importantly, it never delves into the world of CGI and it works. There are some flaws, as after a tremendous opening, it seems to spiral into some cliché. Other than that, the scripting and storyline work, it just may need a bit more to put it over the top. In the end, if you are looking for blood, guts and gore, you will not like it. This one is a solid thriller and one worth watching, if you enjoy post-apocalyptic action.