The Brain (1988)

Last night I wanted something mindless and cheesy,  so I searched for something from the 80s. I remember walking to the video store to see what new horror flick would appear on the shelves,  who knows,  this may have been one I picked up back then.  It definitely fits with the late 80s VHS craze. This is the 1988 entry,  the Brain.

Plot: With the help of an alien organism, a man brainwashes audiences through television. A troubled high school student is determined to stop them.

I don't know where to even begin with this one.  Terrible? No,  in many ways it was unbelievably entertaining, although entirely unbelievable and full of low budget schlock.  The performances were OK,  the pacing was actually good,  and there were a few parts that had me on the floor laughing. However,  the storyline,  the characters,  and the overall feel was definitely something you would find in a straight to VHS entry.  And then there were the special effects, which were special. The creature (the brain) may be one of the most outlandish things I've seen in a while and definitely could have used an upgrade with indestructible tentacles that came from nowhere. It was insane.  Sure,  this one isn't the best,  but if your looking for mindless 80s horror, give this one a look. 

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

 

As I said in my last post, I headed out to see a couple classic silent movies last night at the NARO Cinema. With a soundtrack performed by the Invicible Czars, this was quite an evening. If you haven't seen them, both Nosferatu and the Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) are must watch material for horror fans. 

Plot: Hypnotist Dr. Caligari uses a somnambulist, Cesare, to commit murders.

First let me start by discussing the music.  The Invincible Czars were amazing.  They not only added to the overall feel and atmosphere,  they created a mesmerizing soundtrack that kept the viewer engaged throughout.  It made it one of the next silent film experiences that I have ever been a part of. Having watched this classic silent film on many occasions, it is hard to find anything negative to say. For the time,  the quality is insane, every facet of the film works in a way to continually build throughout. The performances are good and the story is quite original (especially for the era) and it delivers what may be the first twist ending in cinematic history. Of course,  this is a silent film,  so some will automatically discount its relevance, but for any true horror fan this movie,  especially if you can can catch it while the Invicible Czars are on tour, is must watch cinema.

Santa Sangre (1989)

As usual October has been a busy month,  vending both Monster Fest and Heroes Assemble. With both events finally done,  I can relax , continue enjoying horror,  and maybe even breaking through my writers block.  The next film up for review is the 1989 cult classic, Santa Sangre.

Plot: A former circus artist escapes from a mental hospital to rejoin his armless mother--the leader of a strange religious cult--and is forced to enact brutal murders in her name as he becomes her arms.

Let me start by saying that i have no idea why i waited this long to catch this film,  this one is truly amazing.  The artistic aspects alive would make it had above many of the surreaistic folks of the era.  However,  this one also boasts a tremendous atmosphere that takes full advantage of the unsettling imaging, violence,  and sexuality. There really isn't much that this one gets wrong.  Sure,  some of the appearace may feel dated when streaming,  but for me, that added to the experience. Plus,  the circus theme really hit a soft spot.  If you haven't seen it,  you are missing out. 

The Plague of the Zombies (1966)

This weekend I had a great time at Monsterfest 14. Not only was I able to debut my two new books After the Static and Salvation, but also I was able to interact with some horror fans of all genres. By the end of the night, although tired, many of us came to the zombie double feature. The first movie from the evening was the 1966 Hammer Horror entry The Plague of the Zombies.

Plot/ A medical professor and his daughter link a Cornish epidemic to a village squire's voodoo.

It’s funny when you think that you had watched something, but get the ultimate surprise when you realize you were mistaken. That was the case with this one and what I found was one of the best Hammer Films I have seen. From 1966, this atmospheric zombie entry (Hammer Films only venture into the genre) predates the groundbreaking George Romero zombie epic Night of the Living Dead and lays the groundwork for what has developed over the years. The pacing is sound, the atmosphere is amazing, and the cast and performances are solid. Honestly, it is one of the best Hammer films I have seen and gives credence to the thought that the studio should have expanded their catalog to other creatures in the genre. Yes, some of it does feel dated and the story is somewhat predictable, but those flaws are minor. In the end, this was a perfect way to end the evening at Monsterfest 14 and an underrated entry that all zombie fans much see. Check it out.

Cult of Chucky (2017)

After spending last night in Morgantown at the WVU symphonic band concert watching my beautiful and talented daughter perform, I decided that tonight I wanted to watch something that could help continue the build-up to Halloween. At first, I debated my selection until I found one I have been looking forward to,  2017s Cult of Chucky.

Plot/ Chucky returns to terrorize his human victim, Nica. Meanwhile, the killer doll has some scores to settle with his old enemies, with the help of his former wife.

It has been some time since I ventured into the world of Chucky and while I am usually entertained by the series, a viewer really has no idea what to expect with a sequel (especially the 7th installment). In this case, Chucky was definitely back to his old self (complete with Brad Dourif perfectly bringing his voice to life), the series was intricately tied together, the effects are outstanding again proving that practical effects are much better in horror than CGI, there are some good moments with the blood and gore, and the performances were solid. Yes, the plot felt a little underdeveloped and there were some pacing issues that seemed obvious when watching it the first time. Both of those are somewhat expected when one considers that the budget was smaller than many other films of its stature. In the end, this film is a worthy addition to the Child’s Play franchise and a movie that was quite entertaining. Is it perfect? Absolutely not, but it is a decent flick and one that definitely should make fans want to see more installments in the future.

Get Out (2017)

After a couple days away from modern horror movies, I decided that I wanted to finish off May with something newer. After some thought, I decided to watch the 2017 horror flick Get Out.

Plot/ It's time for a young African American to meet with his white girlfriend's parents for a weekend in their secluded estate in the woods, but before long, the friendly and polite ambience will give way to a nightmare.

I had waited to pick this one up at Family Video for a few days. This wasn’t because I didn’t want to see it, it was because I swore in my mind I already had from the synopsis. Ironically, there is something about this flick that I can’t place because even as I watched it, I felt like I had seen it before. While some of the storyline was predictable and cliché (which could leave the impression as I have seen it before), it is an entertaining film that was a perfect blend of mystery, thriller, and comedy. Not only did I connect to the film, I found myself thinking about the potential twists that could pop out. The performances are solid, the cinematography creates a tremendous atmosphere, the pacing works for the genre, and the storyline is definitely thought provoking with some of the social commentary elements woven into it, much in the way of some of the classic horror/sci-fi tales in the past did. In the end, this movie was extremely entertaining and a film that definitely sits outside the typical rehashed horror/thriller cinema coming out of Hollywood today. If you haven't seen it, give it a shot.

Blood Feast (1963)

There is nothing like watching one of those memorable films that helped shape my love of the horror genre, and that is exactly what I did last night. What was that movie? It was the 1963 splatterfest Blood Feast!

Plot/ An Egyptian caterer kills various women in suburban Miami to use their body parts to bring to life a dormant Egyptian goddess, while an inept police detective tries to track him down.

There are times where it can be difficult to trace the origins of a storyline or genre. That is definitely not the case with this movie, as it is one of the most influential movies of the splatter/gore movement in horror. This movie by Herschell Gordon Lewis may not be the most technically sound, it mat lack a coherent plot, and the effects are laughable at best, but its place in horror history is cemented by the blood, guts, gore, and beauties that became all the rage in exploitation and 1980s big box cinema. In the end, this may not be the best movie of its kind and it has some major problems besides what I already mentioned, but that does not matter one bit. This movie takes no prisoners and does not care that it offends, which makes it one of the best gorefests to ever grace the screen. If you have not seen it; you are wrong! Check this one out.

How to Make a Monster (1958)

Having recently signed up for a free week of Shudder from AMC, it is a refreshing trip into some of the different ages and genres they offer. Being in the mood for something different, I decided to take a trip back in time to catch the 1958 American International entry How to Make a Monster.

Plot/ When a master monster make-up artist is sacked by the new bosses of American International studios, he uses his creations to exact revenge.

This was a perfect trip back into the days of the classic creature feature, where even if a storyline was somewhat cliché, the overall quality of the film seemed to set it off. This one has everything a horror fan could ask for. There is Frankenstein’s Monster, a Wolfman, and an interesting trip into the mind of a psychopath out for revenge (I loved the hypnotic aspects of control he used). Done on a meager budget (even for that time), the scripting, performances, and overall flow of the movie make it an enjoyable flick to watch. Yes, there is a lack of suspense, the atmosphere is more comedic than horror, and it is predicable, but those factors really do nothing to bring the film down. In the end, this film is a perfect Saturday afternoon creature feature, and a great trip to the classic age of horror cinema. Give it a shot!

Regression (2015)

When I was looking around for something to watch this post weekend, I could not figure out exactly what genre I wanted to hand out in. After some debate, I sat back and decided on the 2015 indie flick, Regression.

Plot/ A young girl is sexually abused by her father. Thus, begins the disturbing tale of a father and daughter torn apart, thrown into the center of a conspiracy that shocks the nation.

I had not seen anything about this flock when I picked it up and had no idea what to expect. What I found was a movie that somewhat took me back to my youth in the 1970s/80s, where fears of overprotective parents concerned with Satanism and political correctness succeeded in ruining the horror industry. While this movie is far from perfect, there are enough moments inside the film to keep it interesting. The storyline, scripting, and atmosphere were solid, the cinematography works and the overall feel is dark. Yes, some of the performances are uneven, and there are a few clichéd moments within the characterizations, but those are not enough to bring this one down. In the end, this was an entertaining flick and something different that the typical cookie cutter reboot. More of a thriller or mystery than straight horror movie, I would definitely give it a shot.

Day 6 (2011)

After spending most of the past two days submerged in homework with a large publishing and distribution project, I decided that I needed to take a break and watch something to help motivate me. After some debate, I decided to watch the 2011 sci-fi mystery Day 6 (AKA Alien Exorcism).

Plot/ Dr. Davide studies the alien abductions. From the abductees under hypnosis, he has understood that some alien races have been installing, for millennia, their active memories in the people's brains, to exploit a special energy: the Soul.

While I had no idea what to expect with this movie, I was definitely surprised to find such a diverse mixture in the storyline. Also known as Alien Exorcism, Day 6 is a movie that manages to combine the alien mythos with religion in a way that is entertaining. It was definitely a different look at possession and alien abductions and it was an intriguing and modern take on the concepts. Overall, while there was really nothing new, the performances, the cinematography, and the subject matter made it a good watch, even at the extended run time. Yes, the audio quality was uneven, and some of the early portions of the movie seemed disjointed as they built the storyline, it was not enough to bring this one down. In the end, this is an underrated movie that is entertaining and should appeal to many people who are fans of the different genres. While this is not groundbreaking, give it a shot; you may enjoy it.

Audrey Rose (1977)

Now that out whirlwind trip to North Carolina is behind us, it is time to dive back into the blog. To get there, I had to find something to watch. After some debate, I decided to venture into the strange world of reincarnation. With that in mind, I decided on the 1977 film Audrey Rose.

Plot/ A stranger attempts to convince a happily married couple that their daughter is actually his daughter reincarnated.

It had been some time since I have watched Audrey Rose, but it is always fun to revisit movies from my youth to see how they stand up. For me, this journey into reincarnation was one of the more memorable flicks from that timeframe. The story is intelligent, with enough tension and creepiness to draw you in. The acting is solid, the scripting works, and the storyline does a great job at diving into one of the more controversial subjects that still mystifies society. Yes, there are some pacing issues, some overacting, and there are some predictable moments, but that does little to drag the film down. In the end, this one is more of a psychological thriller than horror movie, but it does stand the test of time. If you have not seen it, give it a shot, it is much better than some of the modern ilk that hits the screen.

The Possession of Michael King (2014)

I hate when I have to pull a late night at the institute, it sets the rest of my week off. Of course, I could have probably just came home, but I will admit that the overtime will look nice on my next check. Getting back to the blog, the next film to review is the 2014 supernatural entry The Possession of Michael King.

Plot/ Michael King does not believe in God or the Devil. Following the sudden death of his wife, Michael decides to make his next film about the search for the existence of the supernatural, making himself the center of the experiment - allowing demonologists, necromancers, and various practitioners of the occult to try the deepest and darkest spells and rituals they can find on him - in the hopes that when they fail, he'll once and for all have proof that religion, spiritualism, and the paranormal are nothing more than myth.

To be honest, I had never heard of this film until I saw it at Family Video, and I had absolutely no idea what to expect. While what I found was not perfect, it definitely came with more positives than negatives. The storyline was interesting (although a touch undeveloped), a solid atmosphere, and enough pace to keep the viewer connected. Sure, there are some cliché moments, especially considering the found footage platform that sits at the base, but that is expected. In the end, this low budget freshman entry is rather entertaining and has just enough to make it a fun movie to watch. Of course, this may not be for everyone, but if you enjoy found footage flicks or non-slasher horror flicks, give it a whirl!

The Illusionist (2006)

After taking Saturday off to recover from soccer, softball, and fishing, I decided to kick back and watch something with a bit of a lighter feel. After doing some football coverage with my first mock draft of the season, it was time to find something. That is when I found one of my favorite period pieces / mysteries; the Illusionist from 2006.

Plot/ In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

This movie is rare, as it took two genres and pulled off merging them into one entertaining and fluid pieces of cinema. Everything about this film worked extremely well. The cast bought into their roles and performed them perfectly, the cinematography and visuals are amazing, the scripting keeps you guessing, and the ending was perfect. Honestly, even after viewing it multiple times it is still fascinating to watch. If you have not seen it, yet, then I ask why not? This is a tremendous film and one that should viewed. Check it out!

Now You See Me (2013)

One thing that sometime gets to me is the inability to venture out to see movies in the cinema. Do not get me wrong, I could, but with the over-exurbanite price of everything, I prefer to head to the drive-in, where it is more cost effective. In doing that, there are often movies I miss on the big screen, and I am forced to wait for their release. Now You See Me (2013) was one of those movies.

Plot/ An FBI agent and an Interpol detective track a team of illusionists who pull off bank heists during their performances and reward their audiences with the money.

Now that I have seen this, I understand why I heard so many differing opinions at work. While visually stimulating and an interest premise, the potential was here for so much more. The acting was solid, the idea was strong, and the execution was used to create an entertaining movie. However, the lack of characterization, the invisibility of the tremendous cast as a whole, and the overwhelming clichéd ending will in the end keep this from being all that it could have been. Yes, the characters are interesting, but there was no definitive back story, just some disconnected elements that were hinted at throughout. In the end, this one is entertaining and fun, with enough visual to keep you interested the first time through, after that it may be a challenge.