Exhume (2018)

Another day, and what has become a trend, another dud. I really hoped to break my streak, but that didn’t happen with this low budget entry, 2018s Exhume. 

Plot: Patrick Connor's life is quickly turned upside down after taking a job at an abandoned probationary camp for boys.

I had hoped that this would be a bounce back for my movie viewing. I have been in a rut and my selections have not been the greatest. Unfortunately, this one starts out rather promising before flying off the rails. Yes, the acting is ok and there are some good cinematography elements, but the positives dwindle after that. The storyline and plot make little sense and are full of holes and the effects don't hit home. Not to mention the pacing is a bit disjointed and there is no real plot twist to give a payoff. In the end, I wanted to enjoy this one, as I am a huge fan of lower budgeted films. Unfortunately, this one falls short and is not memorable in any way. At least I streamed it and didn’t pay extra for it. Stay away, there are better options available. 

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. 

The Lawnmower Man (1992)

 

I am definitely already feeling some seasonal depression as Halloween has come and gone.  While I like to think with my movie choices and writing,  I live that 365 days a year,  there is an emptiness when spooky season ends that seems to last a few months.  Trying to keep my mind from the doldrums, I decided to revisit the 1992 sci-fi entry The Lawnmower Man.

Plot: A simple man is turned into a genius through the application of computer. 

This sci-fi entry may appeared dated with the visual effects of 1992, but that does nothing to bring down the truths lining this story.  Technology is our nemesis and in many ways we have behind slaves to the technology.  To me,  this is more of a drama dealing with moral and ethical problems that lie in many parts of science. In some ways,  much of this was demonstrated during the pandemic as many scientists played on their "so called"superiority in knowledges as a way to manipulate the world. Maybe we would have all benefited from watching this one again during those dark days.  But, enough of that rambling.  The performances were outstanding and the storyline was nuanced and true.  Yes,  the visual effects of the day make it feel out of touch, but they were pretty interesting for the day.  If you haven't watched it,  check it out. 

Candyman (1992)

Today, I started to go back through some classic horror films to brush up before a trivia contest on Sunday. One film that I watched (and one of my favorites) is Candyman from 1992.

Plot: The Candyman, a murderous soul with a hook for a hand, is accidentally summoned to reality by a skeptic grad student researching the monster's myth.

This may be the best horror movie of the 1990s and incredibly, it continues to hold its own even after all these years.  A faithful adaption of Clive Barkers' short story,  this one has a tremendous atmosphere, outstanding performances,  and a worthwhile ending that adds to the overall feel of the movie.  Most importantly,  it has a very creepy storyline that draws you in and keeps you engaged throughout. If you haven't seen this original version, check it out.  It is one of the best and it started a franchise that continues to draw in followers.