Shelby Oaks (2024)

I will admit that I have become addicted to true crime documentaries and YouTube over recent weeks since the whole Bricks & Minifigs / Reckless Ben - Salem Brick Trial has gone down. I know it's not horror, Sci-Fi, or some unexplained documentary, but man, it could be. The corruption being uncovered by the researchers has been incredible, and it is quickly developing into a "what not to do" expose. Seriously, Bricks & Minifigs, you suck! 

That being said, I decided I wanted to revisit a movie I watched a few months ago and enjoyed more than some people did when it was first released. The 2024 entry, Shelby Oaks. 

Plot: A woman's obsessive search for her missing sister leads her into a terrifying mystery at the hands of an unknown evil.

This movie definitely feels like one people will love or hate. After rewatching it, I am somewhere in the middle. Yes, some of it felt disjointed, and the ending didn't truly hit home, but there were some positives with the atmosphere, the storyline, and some of the investigation angles. The performances were solid, and the idea was interesting. Unfortunately, besides the ending, the pacing was off, and the depth of the story appeared to lose its way the longer the movie went on, and this definitely held it back. Yes, it's not in any way groundbreaking, but it is entertaining and a fun watch with some creepy moments.

The Cellar (2022)

Today was another long day, but it did allow me to enjoy a variety of different selections. I did some UFO/Alien documentaries, some classic horror with original silent Nosferatu and finally, I ended it with the 2022 low budget entry The Cellar. 

Plot: Keira Woods' daughter mysteriously vanishes in the cellar of their new house. She soon discovers there is an ancient and powerful entity controlling their home that she will have to face or risk losing her family's souls forever.

This movie was set up to be extremely good. It had an interesting premise, the scripting was solid, it had some atmosphere and who doesn’t love a creepy house? Unfortunately, it never truly matches its potential due to uneven performances and a lack of character development throughout. I’m sure there were some budget constraints involved and those never allowed the movie to breathe. In the end, this one was better than expected and one found entertaining. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but it was worth watching this afternoon.

Creature from Black Lake (1976)

Sometimes I search for some weird stuff while working and this week that has happened a lot. With my side job with Titans Wire keeping me busy, I am finally able to sit back and catch up on some of the movies that caught my eye. This one was one I haven’t watched in decades and was excited to see it streaming on Amazon, the 1976 bigfoot inspired Creature from Black Lake.

Plot: Two men exploring the Louisiana swamps encounter a Bigfoot-type creature.

As much as The Legend of Boggy Creek inspired me to get into researching the unexplained, this one may rank a pretty close second. This is another example of the classic B-Movie creature features that influenced a generation. This low budget film is a more entertaining overall film than Boggy Creek and takes on the subject in an interesting way. The documentary style really works and this one does offer some suspense. While the performances are uneven and some of the cinematography doesn’t hold up, for the low budget and time period this is a decent entry and entertaining. In the end, this one definitely should be viewed in the same way many hold the Legend of Boggy Creek. This one is a drive-in special and an interesting watch. 

Nosferatu (2024)

I was so excited when I watched the first trailer for Nosferatu. I knew that I had to go see it. I originally planned for opening night, but family got in the way. That changed today as I made it out for an afternoon showing of 2024s Nosferatu. 

Plot: A gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.

This was an amazing film. Every aspect of the movie was finely crafted to give it life and allow it to breathe and it does. The overall visuals are amazing and work extremely well at creating a dark yet beautiful experience. The cast was tremendous and their performances were top notch. The atmosphere was amazing, storyline interestingly updated while staying true to the classic, the dialog was outstanding, soundtrack perfect and the effects work well within the story. The pacing started to become uneven toward the end and Count Orlock could have had a little more depth, but those are extremely small issues. In the end, this movie should solidify Robert Eggers as a master of the genre and quickly become a classic. It already has become my favorite Christmas movie and it is one I am sure I will revisit many times. If you haven’t seen it yet, head out and do it. It is well worth it. 

Looking Glass (2018)

I had debated going to see Nosferatu today.  But, in the end, I decided to just kick back and relax today. To help pass some time while I was cooking, I decided to give the 2018 flick Looking Glass a go. Nosferatu would have been a better choice.

Plot: A couple buy a desert motel where they find that strange, mysterious events occur.

I’m not quite sure what to say. This movie has so many issues, yet there was a creepy element that kept me waiting to see what was going to happen. And nothing ever did. The pacing is slow and the performances are OK, but that is about it. The storyline is full of holes that are never answered, film elements are mixed together that don’t relate and many of the themes are completely unrealistic. I did make it to the end and was left uninspired. In the end, there was some potential there for this one to be better than it was. Unfortunately, the storyline and execution never meet to create anything more than an average indie film. It is streaming, so it won’t cost anything, but there is no reason to search it out. 

The Current Occupant (2020)

After some time working on some articles for Titans Wire and diving into the drones plaguing the East Coast, I decided to put something on before transitioning into some possible true crime. My selection was from the Into the Dark series on Hulu: 2020s The Current Occupant.

Plot: Trapped in a mysterious psychiatric ward, a man with no memory comes to believe that he's the President of the United States and the subject of a diabolical political conspiracy. As the asylum's soul-crushing forces bear down on him, he fights to preserve his sanity and escape so that he can return to power.

From the Into the Dark series, this entry is not bad and had some good moments, but that wasn’t enough. The acting was solid and there were some pretty good technical elements. The initial premise seems interesting and is rather original, but the execution lacked the same originality and felt like it was put together specifically to pay homage to a few classics. If that was the intention, it did a decent job. However, as a standalone, this one was a bit too far-fetched and at times was too laughable. In the end, this one wasn’t terrible and comes off as a modern trip into the Twilight Zone. Would I watch it again? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. 

Cuckoo (2024)

After dealing with some late news in the world of the Tennessee Titans that I had to cover for Titans Wire, I decided to kick back and find something to watch. In scanning my streaming services, I settled on a movie I debated about going to see in the theater after its release, the 2024 entry Cuckoo. 

Plot: A 17-year-old girl is forced to move with her family to a resort where things are not what they seem.

This movie is perplexing. While there are some very solid aspects in it, including solid performances, heavy atmosphere, great cinematography and interesting story, other aspects fall flat. The characters are dull and unrelatable and there are pacing issues throughout. Couple that with some strange style elements and it becomes a giant conundrum. I did enjoy it and it isn’t terrible, but it didn’t match the hype that surrounded it. In the end, I am glad that I waited until it was streaming to watch it. If I had made a trip to the theater, I would likely have been disappointed. If you want to check it out, now's your chance. Although, I know there are much better choices out there. 

Alien Code (2018)

I was on X earlier today talking to some people about the recent drone flap and one of them brought up this film. I hadn’t watched it in a while and honestly, was surprised I hadn’t reviewed it. This is the 2018 Sci-Fi thriller with some time travel thrown in, Alien Code. 

Plot: After deciphering a message found in a satellite, brilliant cryptographer Alex Jacobs finds himself being stalked by government agents and otherworldly beings.

I remember watching this one a while back and was impressed. Watching it again today, I saw the same thing, a minimalistic Sci-Fi flick that is better than one would expect. This movie has great pace, editing, an interesting storyline and a great script that created some tremendous characters. And the performances brought it to life perfectly. Yes, there were a few head scratching moments, but those are easily overlooked in this gem. Not to mention, the Men in Black parts are amazing. In the end, if you are looking for a solid Sci-Fi flick, give this one a shot. It is well worth watching.

Where's Rose (2021)

After watching Aurora in concert last night, I needed something to quiet my mind. After some searching I settled on this one that I thought was going to deal with possession or something darker. What I found was a snoozer in this 2021 thriller Where’s Rose. 

Plot: When a little girl is found after going missing, only her older brother recognizes the evil force that has returned in her place.

OK, I will admit it right off the bat that this one is rough. The acting is uneven, the storyline adequate, the characters are unlikeable and the visuals are nothing special. I understand that this is a lower budgeted film, but honestly it lacks the attempt at creativity to let me give it a pass. The ending attempts to save it, but too much damage was done early on to allow that to happen. In the end, there was no real horror in this one and it was quite blah. I wouldn’t recommend it unless there were no other options. Even then, there is Tik Tok.

Smile 2 (2024)

When I was searching for something horror related to watch last night, I had thought about starting some type of holiday theme. Holiday horror can be fun, but sometimes it really misses the mark. Instead, I decided to watch a sequel. 2024s Smile 2. 

Plot: About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to face her past.

I didn’t know what to expect when I started this one. I am a huge fan of the first movie and was unsure how they would be able to match that. But, they did and possibly took it up a notch. The cast, led by Naomi Scott was amazing and their performances were outstanding. Some will be turned off because there were really no new revelations and it is basically a replay of the first film, but this storyline is really good and uses the lore as a tremendous foundation. The atmosphere, tension and feel are spot on and along with the soundtrack and solid cinematography creates something enjoyable. The decision to focus on some of the psychological issues was great and allowed some realism to soak in.  In the end, I’m sure there will be those that dislike this movie, but I’m not one of those. While I do still like the original more, this one is a very close second. I can’t wait to see what they come up with if they decide to dive into a third installment. 

 

Coherence (2013)

I have officially survived the great alien invasion of 2024. I guess I will have to wait until the next apocalypse to occur for some excitement. Hopefully, it will be zombies, we haven’t had one of those in a while. Since there was a cool asteroid going through the sky in Siberia last night, I settled down and watched some Sci-Fi with a comet, the 2013 entry Coherence. 

Plot: Strange things begin to happen when a group of friends gather for a dinner party on an evening when a comet is passing overhead.

This low budget entry is a picture of minimalism and definitely shows what can be accomplished if you limit yourself. Is it perfect, no. In fact there are some elements within the film that really don’t matter and are left alone. The atmosphere was tense, although it could have been more claustrophobic, which would have put it over the top. However, the performances are solid and the overall storyline and feel is outstanding. It does have some pacing issues and this one will definitely fit into the love it or hate it arena, but that is just fine. In the end, I thought this one was pretty good and kept me engaged for the entirety. It’s not a typical Sci-Fi entry but if you enjoy potential mind-bending trips give it a shot. Plus, any film that can dive into Schrodinger’s Cat is definitely worth watching.

Salem's Lot (2024)

Last night as I prepared for the alien invasion that apparently isn’t happening, I did put some horror on as a backdrop. After hitting a werewolf film earlier in the week, I decided to go with another traditional creature, the vampire. My selection was the 2024 remake of the Stephen King classic Salem’s Lot. 

Plot: An author returns to his hometown of Jerusalem's Lot in search of inspiration for his next book, only to discover that the townspeople are being attacked by a bloodthirsty vampire.

Being a fan of the original, I went into this with some rather low expectations. There was something with the grittiness of the original that made it memorable. As I feared, this one lacked that. While the movie as a whole was entertaining, it lacked the atmosphere, character development, and tension of the original and came across rushed and unrefined. The performances were good, there were some decent scenes, and there were positive elements. Unfortunately, the modernization of this one fell flat and lacked the execution that could have taken it to another level. Maybe if this was a mini-series or a limited series it could have achieved something more. In the end, this one was average and not worth more than a single watch. 

Oddity (2024)

 

I have to admit, 2024 has been a decent year for horror. In fact, I have seen a few movies that I have actually wanted to rewatch this year. That doesn’t usually happen. This next movie is one of those, the 2024 low budget flick Oddity. 

Plot: A psychic medium attempts to uncover the truth behind her sister's murder at the site of the crime.

There is a lot to like in this one. While it has a very simple premise, the execution and the atmosphere in this one is what hits home. Yes, it does have a couple jump scares, but it mainly  relies on the heaviness to create an unsettling aura.  The cinematography does a great job at pulling the viewer into the storyline and allowing it to saturate the entire film. Even the mystery elements are well done and keeps the viewer involved. While the acting and cast were also good, the ending was a bit uneven and did bring the overall feel of the movie down. In the end, this was an entertaining and interesting film and one that should be enjoyed by anyone that likes atmospheric horror.

Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey (2024)

True crime documentaries can be fascinating and I am a huge fan. Maybe it’s the detective/investigator in me, or maybe just the mystery involved; I don’t know why, but I can’t get enough. Although, I do watch a lot of other unexplained documentaries sprinkled in with my love of horror. So, when I saw Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey on Netflix, I had to dive in. 

Plot: Police missteps and a media circus derailed the JonBenét Ramsey murder case. This definitive docuseries chronicles the decades-long quest for justice.

This case has always intrigued me and like many I have followed the twists and turns for years. While I am not as invested as some, I do think that this story needs to have an ending and was excited to see what was brought forward. First off, the quality of the docuseries was outstanding. Not only did they show multiple perspectives, they also made sure to point out the facts as well as giving those involved a chance to talk about different aspects. Incredibly, for some, their silence on the subject speaks volumes. While there wasn’t anything really new released in this one. It did point out the fact that DNA evidence does still exist and that the Boulder Police Department has an opportunity to get that testing done. Will they? Who knows, because they refused to take part in this series. One of my biggest takeaways from this outstanding series was the way the police department and the media hijacked reality and twisted information to meet the story they wanted to create and not the facts in the case. I find this interesting because it is a part of the media issues that still persist in the United States today. Don’t get me wrong, there are some strange aspects to this case that were touched upon that still don’t add up and this does not take us any closer to finding out the truth. But, it does a great job of presenting the facts and giving the viewer an idea of what has transpired since this tragic day decades ago. If you are a fan of true crime, definitely check this one out. It is a rather easy watch and is entertaining as well as informative.

Missing 411 (2016)

I remember first hearing about the theoy of people going missing in National Parks on Coast to Coast AM some time ago. It was fascinating and eerie. Having spent many days and nights in the field, this story resonated with me. For the longest time though, I stayed away run the video series, they is until this year.  Next up is the original Missing 411

Plot: Based on the books series written by David Paulides Missing 411 chronicles the unsolved yet eerily similar disappearances of five children in the wilds of North America accross multiple decades. A real-life horror story for those involved, the film examines each case from multiple perspectives in an attempt to shed light on the unsettling topic. Les Stroud of Survivorman and Obama-appointed, former Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar are both interviewed for their insight into the topic, as are the families who have fallen victim to tragedy.

The initial installment of this series may also be my least favorite.  While the cinematography and storyline is outstanding,  the selected stories all have plausable explanations available.  These are nowhere near as mysterious as the entries in subsequent installments. The majority of interviewees are in no way captivating, and over little in the way of moving the story forward. Even the editing is a bit choppy, jumping between multiple stories and adding some unneeded confusion.  In the end,  this one is good,  but not as entertaining as the others in the series. It does do a great job at bringing the subject into the mainstream and that may be the most important thing to come out of it.  This is a subject that is mysterious and also potentially dangerous for all of us.  You should check it out.  

Missing 411: The Hunted (2019)

While I didn't post yesterday on my birthday,  I was busy in documentary world. I love documentaries, especially ones that cover interesting subjects. Yesterday was the Missing 411 series, as it seems to be popping up on my social media feed quite a bit.  The first one I'm reviewing is Missing 411: The Hunted. 

Plot: Hunters have disappeared from wildlands without a trace for hundreds of years. David Paulides presents the haunting true stories of hunters experiencing the unexplainable in the woods of North America.

This is a great series and the research that David Paulides has done is tremendous. Not only are these cases fascinating,  there definitely seems to be something odd taking place.  This becomes even clearer when you do mass map comparisons with cave systems and other supernatural sightings.  The combination of interviews and research brings this series of events into a clear light and the cases are extremely interesting.  It is definitely a series that is worth watching,  especially if you are interested in unsolved mysteries. 

Shirley [(2020)

The weather yesterday was miserable again.  Fortunately,  the sun came out first and I was more motivated. After packaging a couple trading cards,  I kicked back and decided on something rather tame and atmospheric, 2020's Shirley.

Plot: Renowned horror writer Shirley Jackson is on the precipice of writing her masterpiece when the arrival. 

This movie was a bit odd. A fictional biopic based on famed writer Shirley Jackson crafting one of her best selling novels. While it was an interesting premise, which featured some tremendous performances, decent atmosphere, and what could have been a truly entertaining film.  Unfortunately, the scripting is uneven and the mood while atmospheric jumps around all over the place.  In the end,  this could have been an even more interesting fictional biopic, it was just average.  Check it out if you want,  but be warned.  

The Postcard Killings (2020)

Time does seem to fly by.  It seems like yesterday, I was walking through Point Pleasant searching for the Mothman. Today,  I'm just hanging out and watching some movies.  The first one I caught this month is the 2020 thriller,  The Postcard Killings.

Plot: A New York City detective investigates the death of his daughter, who was murdered on her honeymoon in London, and discovers the existence of a serial killer.

As a huge fan of procedural crime movies and shows,  this one seemed like a nice change of pace from what I have been watching.  Unfortunately,  there was something missing.  I'm not in any way saying this is a bad movie,  in fact, it has some great scenery, a solid cast with decent performances, and an interesting storyline.  However,  the movie never truly achieved anything to make it stand out.  It was actually quite pedestrian and bland; never capitalizing on its full potential to become something extremely memorable. So, in the end, this will help you pass some time, but it is nothing special and should be viewed as a middle of the road crime thriller.

Where Am I?

Where am I, who, where? Paralysis takes hold of my body and I am petrified. Who would have thought, after this long journey, I would be the alien on this desolate red planet.I can only imagine what I look like to these creatures. My teeth protruding like razors from beneath this glass shroud. Of course, that may be the only thing keeping me alive, though. Maybe they believe I am the monster, and they are afraid. Good thing that they have not noticed my shaking. I would be done for.

As every minute passes, a deafening silence seals this lair. My warmth is shattered by a swirling tide of emotion. I am both astonished and horrified with this discovery. Somehow, I need to free myself though; I do not want to die here on this planet.

It is hard to concentrate, as signs of my potential demise surround me. What are those, tentacles? Eyes? Yes, they must think I am a monster. I have to escape before that the blade juts, and my body leaves crimson stains all over this lab. I do not want to die an experiment; I came here in peace.

I can see the probes attached with the bounds clasped tight on that thing in the corner. It is crazy, why have they left me alone? What do they see? Am I that hideous? Are my eyes rising like antennae? Yes, I have to escape this lab. I struggle to move, with no avail, what am I going to do?

I do not have much time left; I can see that they are starting to inch close to me. Please, do not remove my helmet; I will surely die. I try scream, but nothing comes out – I am trapped. Silence.

The cold slab chills my inner fears, but I can feel that something is different. My helmet, God, no, not my helmet. Wait, it cannot be. This cannot be real. I can breathe. I am alive, the atmosphere, no, this is not happening. Forbidden stories lost in the ancient wars? Truths banished to hide our real ancestors? The harsh truth shakes me to my core! Lies, everything we have been told are lies.

“Hello, my friend?” I hear from the depths of this lab, “We have waited for centuries for you to come rescue us.”

Like a proud parent, a tall grey stands above me, his gaze eying every inch of my naked flesh. A lone tear cascades from his scaled flesh. In his eyes I see hope; in his voice I hear pleasure.

“At last, we can come home.”

Circle (2015)

It's been a busy few weeks as I prepared for Monster Fest 19 this Saturday. Fortunately,  things have been slowing down,  which has allowed me time to watch a bunch of stuff as I did into the heat of Spooky Season. First one I watched was the 2015 Netflix entry is Circle.

Plot: Held captive and faced with their imminent executions, fifty strangers are forced to choose the one person among them who deserves to live.

I had put this one off for a long time.  Now,  i have to ask myself why.  While this one is not perfect,  it is an interesting and strange trip into a weird world of unknown.  Personally,  i found this one very entertaining and worth watching.  Yes,  there is a ton of dialog and some head-scratching moments,  but there is a lot to like.  The storyline works and creates an array of characters that you could love or hate.  The cinematography is pretty good,  and the overall feel is solid.  Unfortunately,  it does lack tension, probably because of the shorter run time,  but it is a great way to open this wonderful time of the year.  This will not be for everyone,  it is one that can easily be streamed and be more than background entertainment.