Tell Tale (2009)

After watching Stuart Gordon’s adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum, I was still in sort of a Poe mood tonight. Luckily for me, I found a movie (loosely based on Poe) that I have been thinking about for a while, 2009s Tell Tale.

Plot/ A man's newly transplanted heart leads him on a dangerous journey to find out who murdered its donor.

Much like Dorian Gray and its interpretation of the Oscar Wilde classic, Tell Tale is definitely more inspired by the Poe classing than based on it. In fact, there are very few similarities in this modernized version. However, even with those small similarities, this film is does a great job at crafting a story the Poe might have been proud of. More of a thriller than horror, there is a heavy and depressing atmosphere that permeates the film, actually carrying a bit of suspense throughout. The cast and acting are solid and both add to the story. Plus, there is a touch of blood and violence that add just enough to tie it together. Yes, it is not a perfect Indie flick, with some of the characters creating a gauche feel and mood. In the end, this is a decent stand-alone flick that may turn off the Poe fan that was not educated about its premise. Personally, I thought it was a good interpretation with a lot to offer, and a flick that can be enjoyed by many!

The Pit and the Pendulum (1991)

After enjoying Dorian Gray, I was finally able to sit down and watch another period piece, the 1991 Stuart Gordon adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe’s The Pit and the Pendulum.

Plot/ It is the time of the Spanish Inquisition. Maria does not like what is going on during the "Auto De Fe". When she speaks out, she is arrested and accused of being a witch. Torquemada has plans for her!

Like many, I strayed from watching this adaptation of the classic Edgar Allan Poe tale. To be, honest, I thought that the Corman / Price classic was perfect in so many ways that an updated version was not needed. However, after sitting down to this flick last night, I may have been wrong. Director Stuart Gordon crafts a tale of atmosphere and dread, which is truly better than I ever imagined. True, it does not feature a tremendous amount of gore or violence, but it does contain an interesting blend of scenes that are terrifying. The acting is solid with Lance Henriksen maybe having his most powerful performance. In the end, this is much better than many believe and recommended to fans of Poe, Gordon and anyone into historical based atmospheric horror.

The October 2010 NJ Zombie Walk Sets World Record

Congrats to Jason and our friends at Bad Zombie. They finally received word from the guys at the Guinness Book of World Records that the last New Jersey Zombie Walk did indeed set the record for the Largest gathering of zombies.

Who

New Jersey Zombie Walk

Where
Asbury Park, NJ, United States

When
October 30, 2010

Details
The largest gathering of zombies was achieved by 4,093 participants at the New Jersey Zombie Walk at the Asbury Park Boardwalk in Asbury Park, New Jersey, USA, on 30 October 2010.

The Edward Ballister Project - Now Available

The Edward Ballister Project , a collaborative novel that I was honored to be a part of, is now available at amazon.com.  Pick up a copy of this great novel today!

I wish that, as I was growing up, I had written down the memorable sweet evenings that passed in the night like a breeze through a downtown courtyard. But I did not. I wrote down nothing, only remembering the past through shoddy memories and the far-fetched recollections of others. As unimportant as that may seem to most, it is very important to me; I traded the sweet for the strange the day that I was introduced to Edward Ballister. -Excerpt of Chapter One by Jeff Ezell

Product Details

Paperback: 168 pages
Publisher: Static Movement (March 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1617061018
ISBN-13: 978-1617061011
Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches

Dorian Gray (2009)

  

After a long day searching for items for my ETSY page, I sat down to see what I could find on the different movie channels I subscribe to. What I found was 2009s Dorian Gray.

Plot/ A corrupt young man somehow keeps his youthful beauty eternally, but a special painting gradually reveals his inner ugliness to all.

Honestly, I had no idea what to expect with this film. It seems that this is one of the more polarizing films that have come out in recent years. After watching it, I totally understand why. To me, it has to be the way the movie strayed from the literary classic, creating characters and a large amount of nudity (not to mention the misguided classification as a horror flick). The cinematography and atmosphere are very good, not to mention some decent performances within this surreal-like thriller. However, there are times where the plot seems to disappear and the pacing seems off, almost crawling. In the end, this movie as a stand-alone thriller is worth watching. Unfortunately, while inspired by the classic tale, this adaptation does a poor job capturing the beauty of Oscar Wilde’s Victorian masterpiece and should be viewed with that in mind.

There's Nothing Out There (1992)

I love the 1980s, the movies, the toys, the slashers. One thing that I have also enjoyed is parodies that often make fun of the flicks of that era. One such film is 1992s There’s Nothing Out There.

Plot/ Seven teens head up to a cabin on the lake for spring break. Mike has studied all horror films on video, and recognizes the signs of foreshadowing of doom. The others dismiss his concerns as the workings of a person that watches too many videos, but there really is something out there, and the teens begin experiencing an attrition problem when they start stumbling into all the clichés found in a typical teen horror film.

I am definitely not to biggest horror/comedy fan, although when done right, they can be very memorable and fun to watch. While I may not have this film etched into my mind, I have to admit that it was pretty fun to watch (especially the naked chicks running around). In all, the acting was solid and the cast suited to script quite well. The plot, while basic, created a decent B-Movie monster flick, complete with slimy monster from another world. True, this was definitely more of a parody than a horror film, but it does have just enough of the element to make it at least worth watching at least once.

Dark Rising (2007)

After coaching the NSA Lakehurst Navy basketball team to a victory over the Lakehurst Army squad last night, it was definitely time to get back to my typical pastime, horror. For some reason I chose 2007s Dark Rising, what was I thinking?

Plot/ A broken heart, a battle axe, a demon and a lesbian ex-fiancée. Jason Parks' life goes from bad to worse as a series of supernatural events turn his dream of reconciliation with ex-fiancée Jasmine into a portal seeking, demon hunting nightmare.

I know that really anything after Frankenstein is truly a letdown. However, this movie may be so bad that letdown is a kind word. From the outset it appears to be a typical dreadful quickly produced and low budget horror flick that screams late night television. The acting is bad, but honestly, it is nowhere near as bad as the plot and script. This is definitely one of the worst movies I have seen in a while, Hell, even the boobs could not save this one. Watch at your own risk!

Frankenstein (1931)

Over the weekend my sleep schedule got extremely screwed up. Luckily, I was able to find some great things to help pass the hours of insomnia. Nothing was greater though than finding the original Universal Studios classic Frankenstein on TCM. While I have seen this many times, it had been a while.

Plot/ Henry Frankenstein is a doctor who is trying to discover a way to make the dead walk. He succeeds and creates a monster that has to deal with living again.

It is amazing to sit back and watch what James Whale created with this very short but ultimate horror classic. Here we sit some 80 years later, and its influence is still felt in many flicks. Boris Karloff is wonderful, and definitely brings the monster to life in a way that has never been replicated. The sets, scripting and acting are perfect within the atmospheric world created in this Universal Studios entry into literary horror. Others may try to duplicate this flick and remake it with technology and modern twists, but, those versions will never live up to the original masterpiece that Karloff and Whale created.

Black Sabbath (1963)

After watching Phantasm IV: Oblivion, I stumbled upon, Mario Bava’s classic, Black Sabbath from 1963 on Netflix. That masterpiece is always a joy to watch.

Plot/ A trio of atmospheric horror tales about: A woman terrorized in her apartment by phone calls from an escaped prisoner from her past; a Russian count in the early 1800s who stumbles upon a family in the countryside trying to destroy a particularly vicious line of vampires; and a 1900-era nurse who makes a fateful decision while preparing the corpse of one of her patients - an elderly medium who died during a séance.

This is a great example of what made Mario Bava one of the greatest names in horror. Full of atmosphere and creepiness, his cinematography, with his signature lighting and unique camera work, remain an art form all its own. While the three segments are a bit uneven, and at times even predictable, the solid direction and acting keep the film alive. All-in-all, this is a great flick and one that is truly a joy to watch. Check this out, you will not be disappointed.

Phantasm IV: Oblivion (1998)

After a few days I decided to venture back into the world of the Tall Man and watch 1998s Phantasm IV: Oblivion. (Note to self: While I have not done it yet, at some point soon I will revisit the original masterpiece and do up a review.)

Plot/ Taking off immediately where the last one ended, in this episode Mike travels across dimensions and time fleeing from the Tall Man, at the same time he tries to find the origins of his enemy, and what really happened the night that his brother died. Meanwhile, Reggie (accompanied by a beauty he picked up on the road) battles the spheres and the undead in a quest to find Mike before the Tall Man can complete his transformation.

I Know it may be hard to fathom, but honestly, this may be the best and most interesting installment of the Phantasm series since the original and it is definitely the most atmospheric. Yes, there is a lack of gore and even action, bit this series and film are definitely on another plain, focusing on surreal aspects that tugs on emotions. Again, the acting, story and cinematography are very good, with especially great usage of flashbacks throughout. Sure, it opens more questions about the Tall Man and his world and yes, the ending leaves a bit to be desired, but those also can be considered benefits. To me, this series has been more cerebral and entertaining because the focus was on the characters and storyline vice action and gore, and this truly carries on that tradition. While not for everyone, it is truly a work of art and one of the best sequels in any series.