Devil's Due (2014)

Now that I have finished my homework for the week, it is time to write up another review for the blog. This has been a great weekend and I have a ton of movies to write up, but need to find some time to get there. Next up on the list is the 2014 found-footage flick Devil's Due.

Plot/ After a mysterious, lost night on their honeymoon, a newlywed couple finds themselves dealing with an earlier-than-planned pregnancy. While recording everything for posterity, the husband begins to notice odd behavior in his wife that they initially write off to nerves, but, as the months pass, it becomes evident that the dark changes to her body and mind have a much more sinister origin.

While I was excited about this movie from seeing their marketing campaign, I knew that there was likely nothing new with it. What I did not expect was to see a found footage reboot of the classic Rosemary’s Baby. Yes, there were a couple of decent performances, and some of the thoughts were interesting, but it is nowhere near enough to make this memorable. The flick lacks atmosphere, pacing, and excitement. On top of that, the characters are unbelievable, the story is riddled with cliché, and there are truly no scares at all. In the end, there is very little here to draw you in and it does nothing to hold your attention. Honestly, stay away…

Mortuary (2005)

With yesterday being Friday the 13th, I wanted to spend the evening engrossed in some different elements of horror and Sci-Fi. One of the first flicks I decided to watch was Tobe Hooper’s Mortuary (2005).

Plot/ A family moves to a small town in California where they plan on starting a new life while running a long-abandoned funeral home. The locals fear the place, which is suspected to be on haunted ground.

I will admit that I did not expect much from this one, so I was not extremely disappointed that I did not get much from it. While it started off decent enough, somehow it transcended into a mess and ruined the potential. There were some solid props and the locations were believable, but that is where the positives end. The plot / storyline was riddled with holes and cliché moments, the scripting is poor, the performances uneven, and the CGI effects made me long for a low budget direct to video VHS flick. In the end, there was really nothing in this one to make it worth watching and there is no reason for you to suffer through. Stay Away!

Flu (2013)

While I did take off a few days from the blog to finish some homework assignments, I did watch a few interesting movies. One of the first ones that I watched this week was the South Korean entry Flu from 2013.

Plot/ People are helpless against the airborne disease and the number of infected increases quickly, spreading chaos. As the worst-case scenario precaution, the city of half a million people, just 19 kilometers from Seoul, is about to be sealed off. The government orders a complete shutdown.

Flu is the movie I expected to see when I watched Contagion. While Contagion fell flat, Flu succeeded in creating an awesome disaster movie. The storyline works and was realistic, the performances are solid, and the underlying message was tremendous. Yes, some of the dubbed dialog at the beginning of the movie was out of place and there were some unbelievable moments, but those flaws were expected as they usually come with the territory when dealing with the translation from the foreign market. In the end, this Korean entry was not only entertaining is was everything that you would want in an epic disaster flick. If you have not seen it, give it a shot!

Slender Man Awaits...

One of my students is fascinated by the Slender Man. As we are having a quiet day in lab, I decided to take this time on Friday the 13^th to add something to this micro-fiction phenomenon, and in the process allow Mike to finally meet this tortured soul.

As Michael turned the corner, he knew something was not right. The cool June wind cut through his soul, the heavy atmosphere made every breath a challenge. He could feel this unnatural darkness drown his reality.  Something or someone was near; standing tall as a shadow stalking his every step. All of a sudden, winding his way down the overgrown path toward his house felt like a huge mistake.

“Brittany, is that you?” he said as he crept toward the lights that sat off in the distance. “I know it is Friday the 13^th, but come on… This is not funny!”

There, in the moonlight, a faint outline rose through the mist. The sounds of silence echoed in his mind as he realized that what stood before him was not Brittany. In fact, it may not be human. He could see the web of tentacles glisten in what was left from the glow of the full moon. His heart raced; he knew what lay ahead.  Michaels’ dreams have been answered by the almighty, as faceless tormentor waits.

At last, he can become one with the Slender Man…

Mission to Mars (2000)

After spending some time with some low budget entries, it was time to venture into something a touch more serious. Having spent a lot of time recently diving into Ancient Aliens, it was only fitting that I would find something with a similar theme. After some thought, I decided to watch Mission to Mars from 2000.

Plot/ When the first manned mission to Mars meets with a catastrophic and mysterious disaster, a rescue mission is launched to investigate the tragedy and bring back any survivors.

Mission to Mars is definitely a film that has aged well. In fact, watching it again for the first time since it came out made me appreciate it more than I originally did. The performances are solid; the underlying narrative is amazing, the characters believable, and the overall feel of this movie is tremendous. Yes, there are some cliché moments that drag viewers toward Kubrick’s 2001, but this does in no way ruin the movie. On top of that, the ending may be one of the best in a Sci-Fi film and honestly hits upon a topic that make ancient alien theorists smile. In the end, this flick may be more drama than modern science fiction, but it is an entertaining journey that all should see. If you have not seen it, check it out!

Scarecrow (2013)

Every once in a while I enjoying picking up a SyFy Channel original from Family Video to have something the daughters can watch. This was one of those weekends. After some debate, I decided to grab the 2013 flick Scarecrow.

Plot/ When the kids play a terrifying game of cat and mouse in the cornfield with what they believe is a wild animal, Kristen tries to convince them that the Scarecrow is a very real creature of fierce strength and power, rejuvenated by the blood of its prey-and proof comes all.

If you are a fan of schlock, you should definitely be a fan of SyFy originals. While this one is actually one of the better entries, it still comes with many of the flaws that plague these entries. The overall storyline is interesting, the acting is better than usual, and the CGI creature is not as bad as I expected it to be. Unfortunately, it has uneven pacing, there are really no scares, and it quickly loses steam and never truly recovers. In the end, this may be one of the better SyFy originals and has some entertaining moments, but it is not worth searching for. If you catch it on the SyFy Channel, give it a shot, but at Family Video, I would pass.

The Appearing (2014)

What a day. It started with softball practice early in the morning, followed by a short nap, and finally some relaxation after submitting writing samples for a potential screenwriting critique. Hopefully, I am selected; it would be a tremendous opportunity. Now, in relaxation mode, I decided to check out another movie from 2014, The Appearing.

Plot/ A woman once possessed by a mysterious entity uncovers a shocking secret about her past and must face the demon that dwells inside of her.

One of the hardest genres to break into with a low-budget indie flick are ones that are centered on possession. In this case, there is truly nothing to differentiate it from any of the other middle of the pack entries in this arena. In fact, there is nothing new in it and it has a very cliché feel. The acting is stiff, the chemistry is lacking, and the storyline may be too simple and predictable. Yes, there were some decent effect driven moments for the low budget realm, but there is truly nothing to separate it from many other films. In the end, this was a simple film that offers very little for the devout horror fan. It may not be the worse in the genre, but it is far from the best.

Ghostlight (2013)

After suffering through Zombie Lake, I needed to watch something different. While it may seem a bit odd, I decided that it was time to venture back into the world of Brain Damage Films for a low budget indie flick. While these movies often have some issues, usually they are decently entertaining. My selection for Friday night is Ghostlight from 2013.

Plot/ Andrew wins a radio contest to spend one night alone in a haunted theater on the 80th anniversary of the bloody murder/suicide that occurred within its walls.

This no-budget indie flick was rather entertaining to watch. Was it perfect, no; but, none-the-less it was better than many cut from the same fabric. This movie definitely took inspiration from some classic horror cinema with noticeable homage being paid to movies such as The Sixth Sense and The House on Haunted Hill. While this helps serve as a baseline, there could have been a lot more. The acting is solid, the scripting spot on, and the storyline cliché but interesting. Unfortunately, the score, while fitting, suffers from some poor sound editing, the pacing is a touch off, and some of the cinematography elements are a touch uneven; all items that typically come to life in low budget entries. In the end, this is an entertaining flick from Brain Damage Films and a movie that was much better than I expected. Yes, it is not perfect, but it is a decent ghost story that has some value.

Zombie Lake (1981)

I had a few minutes when I got home as the wife and daughters went to a matinee to see some chick flicks. With that time, I spent some time watching Ancient Aliens, along with the 1981 schlockfest Zombie Lake.

Plot/ In small villages, somewhere in France, German soldiers, killed and thrown into the lake by the Resistance during WW II, come back.

This film by Jean Rollin is a train wreck and possibly one of the cheesiest zombie flicks ever made. Yes, it does feature a ton of nudity, some decent underwater cinematography, and a couple of decent shots, but that in no way can save this schlockfest in any way. The special effects and make-up are laughable, the acting beyond amateurish, the lake a joke, and the script by Jess Franco is incoherent at best. In the end, there were a couple of entertaining moments, but it is nowhere enough to make this a good movie. Sure, it may be hilarious because of the schlock-factor, but at best, it is a 90-minute time waster.

X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

When I made the trip to the drive-in to see Godzilla, I honestly did not care what the other movie of the double feature was. Although, I will admit, that the drive-in is much more fun when both movies rock. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and there are times where there is a complete disconnect. Fortunately, this time, the second movie did not suck! That movie was X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Plot/ The X-Men send Wolverine to the past in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.

While I am not a huge Super Hero fan, I was excited to see this one at the drive-in side-by-side with Godzilla. The premise of time travel and quantum physics has always fascinated me. What I found in this movie was surprising. The cast was tremendous and their performances were all solid. The storyline was layered, yet understandable, even for someone like me that was not invested in the franchise or comic, and the effects were top notch. Yes, there were a few incoherent moments and some of the lighting felt dim, but that could have been from the screen at the outdoor theatre. In the end, this was one of the best Comic Book based movies I have seen and it was a movie that was entertaining for the entire family. I highly recommend this, even if you are like me and lack the comic book insight.

Searching the Abyss

 

 

Have you ever heard of that unexplained animal sighting up the road? Or been interested in organizing a trip searching for your native legends? If so, this is the book for you. This handbook outlines the world of cryptozoology, everything from its humble beginnings to details on collecting evidence in the field. Complete with tips on researching, classifying and investigating cryptids, this book is easy to use and is everything you need to get your search started. Written for the beginner, Searching the Abyss offers both practical advice and personal experience in its quest to make you a better hunter.

Searching the Abyss is one of the best Cryptozoology books of 2006... - Cryptomundo. com

If anyone is interested in going into this field of study, I would recommend this book as not just educational reading, but as an on-hand field guide during such investigations. It is easy reading, simple, and to the point without all of the fancy words that requires a master's degree to understand. - Shawn McKenzie

Mark's book explains how to begin an investigation, how to conduct a field investigation and then form a hypothesis from your findings, all in a professional manner. Famous cryptozoological success stories, such as the coelacanth and the giant panda, are also discussed. It is a great book for getting you started in this field.

- Stephen Wagner (About. com)

Is this a book for people heading out in search of Bigfoot? Yes. This book is also for anyone headed out to do any field research. It is a must read and is destined to be one of the key 'How To' books in cryptozoological research.  - Gene Lafferty (bsphi. com)

You can pick up an autographed copy from me for $15.00 (Free Shipping).

Godzilla (2014)

Over the weekend, when I was not at the Pennsylvania Literary Festival or the softball field, I found time to squeeze the drive-in into the plans. I love the drive-in, especially when I can check out some type of horror or Sci-Fi flick to make it worthwhile. This was just the weekend, as I was able to check out the new X-Men flick, along with the new incarnation of Godzilla.

Plot/ The world's most famous monster is pitted against malevolent creatures that, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

It is hard to believe that Godzilla has been on the screen on and off for 60 years. During that time, it has been an entertaining and interesting journey. Unfortunately, I believe many have forgot the original movie and are living on the cheese fests of 1970s. If those schlock filled Sci-Fi comedies are what you are searching for, stay away from this version. This interpretation goes back to the original formula, and presents Godzilla in a modern light. This CGI driven film is much better than Pacific Rim, and is an entertaining two hours. Yes, some of the scripting is a touch cliché and many characters are flat, but those minor flaws are easily overlooked within a dark and atmospheric monster movie. More importantly, this film should erase the 1999 entry from the mind of Godzilla fans everywhere. In the end, this is a creature feature that embraced its own storied history and built upon it. Is this a perfect movie? No, but it is an entertaining monster movie that should be seen.

Dead Shadows (2012)

Before heading to the drive in to see the new X-Men movie and Godzilla, I needed something to help me get into the mood as I finished my homework. After some debate (with myself), I decided to throw on the 2012 import Dead Shadows.

Plot/ Chris' parents were murdered on the same day the Halley comet was visible from Earth. Eleven years later, a new comet lights up the Parisian sky, but as the night goes on, people begin to transform into horrible creatures.

This entry from France is a bit confusing to say the least. As combination of Night of the Comet and some strange H.P. Lovecraft influenced story, this one is just all over the place. The run time is short, the acting blah, the story, and scripting lacking and there is no tension or atmosphere at all. What you do have is an incoherent 70-minute trip into some type of strange Lovecraftian (bad) CGI fest. In the end, I really cannot recommend this to anyone there is little entertainment value and it is just a struggle.