Paranormal Incident (2011)

After enjoying Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies, I decided to continue flipping through Netflix to see what I could find. After some searching, I decided on something paranormal. Yep, another hand-cam flick, 2011s Paranormal Incident.  

Plot/ The infamous Odenbrook Sanitarium closed after a mass suicide occurred within its walls. Sixty years later, six college students armed with cameras and recording equipment venture into the asylum to prove the existence of the paranormal. Thrills turn into nightmares as members of the group go missing without a sound, cell phones mysteriously vanish, corridors turn into mazes, walls appear where doors once stood, flashlights fail and something or someone begins toying with the group. Days later, when five of the six friends turn up missing, the lone survivor must go through the recovered footage in order to clear his name and find out what happened to his friends.

Let me start by saying that I am not the biggest found footage fan, in fact, I believe that they are becoming too common, and wish that directors would leave that genre alone for a while. However, I do watch them, and at times even enjoy them; unfortunately, this was not the case with this one. There was not much new with it, as most of it was full of cliché, the pacing uneven, and the mix of filming techniques did not do it justice. Yes, the story was not all that bad and the acting was tolerable, but it really did not boast any features that would make it stand out in a diluted genre. Even if you are a major fan of this genre, you should stay clear. It really is not worth your time.

Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies (2012)

As I was talking to my class this week, the guys told me that I would love Abraham Lincoln vs. Zombies from The Asylum. While I love low budget B-grade movies, sometimes it is just too much. After some debate, I decided to take the classes advice and check it out.

Plot/ As Abraham Lincoln labors over the Gettysburg address, the importance of which he is fully aware, he learns that a menace from his past has returned, threatening to tear the already fractured nation to pieces. He must journey behind enemy lines to face an foe far more fearsome than the Confederate army: the walking dead.

Movies from The Asylum usually crack me up. Now, I wm not saying they are great, or even goof for that matter, but there is something so unbelievable that makes me crack up. This one is no different, as the ludicrous nature starts right off the bat. Ironically, the story in this one, while totally unbelievable, works and is decently interesting. Far from horror and more comic than usual, this may be one of the most complete flicks from The Asylum, with decent acting, solid production values and some decent effects (although the zombies and beards were a bit off from the make up department). Of course, it was far from a perfect flick, as some of it was just too far out there with some of the strangest zombies (almost painted sleepwalkers) I have seen. In the end, this was definitely one of the more entertaining flicks from The Asylum, and one worth watching.

Machete Joe (2010)

After watching Shackled, an interesting supernatural thriller, I was in the mood for something more straightforward. Unfortunately, there are times where I get sucked into a title, when my head tells me to stay away, and this is one of those occasions. My unfortunate selection at Family Video was the 2010 slasher Machete Joe.

Plot/ A group of out-of-work actors decide to take their careers into their own hands by shooting a low-budget horror film, about an urban myth. With only 15 days to shoot their unfinished script, at a remote castle in the desert, getting through the first night becomes a nightmare. As their egos begin to surface so do the dead bodies.

I am usually all for B grade indie horror, but sometimes I have to draw the line with my thoughts and the amount of leeway that I give. This is definitely one of those flicks that I cannot look past the low budget to find something redeeming. Honestly, the storyline is subpar and cliché, the acting is poor and there is no gore or special effects to offset those flaws. This is truly a bad film, and one I did not enjoy at all. If you still want to watch, be warned, you would be better off staying away from it.

Shackled (2010)

After taking some more time to get creative and complete my items for the Westmoreland County Fair, I decided enough was enough and ran to the video store. While there, it was actually hard for me to find something that jumped out. In the end, I decided on  Shackled from 2010.

Plot/ After Brian McDonald is found murdered on a beach, his sister, Sarah and his childhood friend Michael try to unravel the devastating mysteries surrounding his last few weeks alive, finding a side to her brother that they never expected.

Sometimes you pick up a movie, and just expect there to be flaws, especially ones that lack a huge budget.  While this was a low budget, experimental flick, there was really a lot to like. Yes, it lacked some of the cinematography flair and effects of larger budgeted movies, but for something filmed in 11 days it was on target. This was an effective thriller, with decent acting, solid pacing and an interesting storyline. More importantly, it had a very realistic feel throughout which moved along with the characters.  In the end, it was not perfect, but it was enjoyable. And while I may not run out and buy it, I would recommend fans of low budget thrillers to check it out.

Silent House (2011)

Over the past few days, I have been starting to prepare stuff for the Westmoreland County Fair, and when I get in that mode, I am focused. Finally, with the weekend here, I decided to venture back into some movies with the 2011 remake Silent House.

Plot/ Trapped inside her family's lakeside retreat, a young woman finds she is unable to contact the outside world as events become increasingly ominous in and around the house.

 

Let me start by saying I never saw the original, and if I did, I would hope that it is better than this. While this one is not terrible, it is far from great. Actually, I would say tolerable would be a perfect description. Yes, there are some good points to this cliché-fest, like the acting, cinematography and some bits and pieces of atmosphere. However, with such slow pacing early on, minimal scares and a lack of characterization, it was hard to stay focused on the flick.  In the end, I am glad I waited to grab it at the video store, had I watched it in a theatre, I would be even more disappointed.

Kecksburg UFO Festival

Today, I had a chance to venture out to Kecksburg for the Kecksburg UFO Festival. This awesome event centered on the famed and mysterious crash sometimes called the Pennsylvania Roswell was both educational and fun. More importantly, I was able to catch up with some friends and colleagues, such as Stan Gordon (from UFO Anomalies Zone), John Ventre  (MUFON), and Eric Altman (Pennsylvania Bigfoot Society and Beyond the Edge Radio).

Of all of the guest, it was awesome to talk with Eric about the upcoming Bigfoot Expedition to locations here in Fayette County, PA. Incredibly, this region is one of the biggest hotspots in the nation for sightings of this famed cryptid, and I for one cannot wait to get back out in the field for the weekend event.

These events (and items like this Kecksburg Festival) are recapped on Beyond the Edge Radio, as well as a variety of interesting topics and guests. Come September, I am sure our expedition will be one of the hot topics. With that in mind, if you are interested in some great alternative radio, you should definitely swing by and check out the different content brought to you by Beyond the Edge Radio (http://www.beyondtheedgeradio.com). The show is live on Sunday Nights from 8:00 pm ET to 10:00 pm with hosts Eric Altman, Lon Strickler, and the crew delivering the best in Alternative Talk Radio.

A Trip to See the Oddities of the Fayette County Fair

Yesterday, we gathered all four daughters together for a trip to the Fayette County Fair. One thing that is always interesting at these events is the variety of exhibits. Of course, they are very different from when I was a kid, with some of the modern sideshows and such. This is a travesty, as honestly, there is nothing better than the world of curiosity and oddities.

Fortunately, society may be changing some with the popularity of shows like Oddities and now Oddities: San Francisco. If you have read my blog, you most likely know that I am all for these shops and have started building a curiosity cabinet.

This same trend seemed to continue at our fair, as there was again a couple of side show related oddity exhibits, complete with multiple legged cows, two headed squirrels and four horned goats. I was truly in my element.

It was also nice to see Brenda and the girls be successful with the items they entered in to some of the categories. Bren and all four of my daughters are extremely talented, and sometimes amaze me with their creativity.    

Lord of Illusions (1995)

It has been an interesting few days at work, as my new class and I overhauled a 1950s RCA Victor phonograph (it sounds awesome) and built a weird vibrating rocket ship. Of course, here at the house, we focused on completing some things for the Fayette County Fair, which we got to enter today. Overall, it was just another busy week. Fortunately, I had some time to squeeze in a movie, Clive Barkers, Lord of Illusions.

Plot/ During a routine case in L.A., NY private investigator Harry D'Amour stumbles over members of a fanatic cult, who are waiting for the resurrection of their leader.

This is by far my favorite film by Clive Barker. The atmosphere, characters and storyline are tremendous with Barker’s signature style permeating throughout the movie. More importantly, there is a nice blend of blood, death and strange happenings woven into the fabric. Yes, some of it may be a bit over the top, but for me, that was only a small detractor. In the end, it may not be as famous as Hellraiser no have the cult following of that classic, but it is a intriguing journey into a magical realm of darkness and a flick that must be seen (especially, the directors cut).

White Noise (2005)

After watching its sequel, I decided to revisit White Noise to see if my opinion has changed after all these years. For me, as an investigator, I have recorded some creepy EVPs at some locations, and feel that it is a great tool. Unfortunately, this one left me feeling different from that of reality.

Plot/ An architect's desire to speak with his wife from beyond the grave, becomes an obsession with supernatural repercussions.

Even now, re-watching this one, I could not truly get into it. I still believe that the idea behind it was great, and an interesting subject that is one of the more intense parts of a paranormal investigation. The acting was solid, there were some intriguing scares and the soundtrack was on target. Unfortunately, the storyline was not developed as much as it could have been and the scripting left a lot to be desired. On top of that, the ending was not there, and left a lot to be desired. In the end, this movie had potential but missed a chance to properly bring a sound facet of the supernatural world to light. I know that I could not watch it again.  

White Noise 2: The Light (2007)

I was sitting around looking for something on the tamer side for Scary Movie Night with the daughters and decided on White Noise 2: The Light. Ironically, I had avoided this movie like the plague for some time, as I was extremely disappointed in the first film. However, if I new Nathan Fillion was in it, I would have watched it earlier. No, it is not a man-crush or anything, but he does star in my favorite show Castle and his performance as Captain Hammer is one of my favorites.

Plot/ Following the loss of his family, a man attempts suicide only to discover upon waking that he can identify people who are about to die

As I stated above, I was not expecting much from this one. Fortunately, it was so much better than I could have imagined. Sure, it was not perfect as the ending really did nothing for me and some of the scares were predictable, but to me, it was better than the first installment. Overall, it did boast some atmosphere within the solid pacing, the acting was good, and there was actually characterization that helped the interesting storyline. In the end, while not perfect, it was enjoyable and had a few creepy moments (one that made the daughters jump, which is always a plus). If you have not watched it, feel free to check it out, it is pretty good and you could do a lot worse.

Absentia (2011)

After an evening with my sister at the Death Cab For Cutie concert and a trip with her and the kids to Idlewild Park and Storybook Forest, it was time last night to find something more my speed. So, I sat back and decided to watch the 2011 independent horror flick, Absentia.

Plot/ A woman and her sister begin to link a mysterious tunnel to a series of disappearances, including that of her own husband.

To start, this was not at all, what I expected. In fact, it was better than that, and also an extremely different experience than I thought I was about to enter. This slowly building atmospheric gem is one of the better independent flicks I have watched in some time. Honestly, there is a lot to like about it. It features solid acting, a good storyline and above average cinematography with a minimalist soundtrack that adds to the dark mood. Yes, some of the mysterious elements are not fully explained, but that is fine and actually adds to the experience. In the end, this is not a typical clichéd horror movie full of gore; it is much more than that. Absentia is an atmospheric and creepy thriller that should be seen.

Messages Deleted (2009)

While I have been in the middle of a somewhat giallo marathon, at times I need to throw something else on. Today was one of those days as I decided on something tamer with the daughters running in and out of the living room. After searching Netflix, I settled on the 2009 mystery / thriller Messages Deleted.

Plot/ A screenwriting teacher is forced to live out the plot of a screenplay idea he stole from a student, who now seeks revenge.

I really had no expectations when I put this on, and maybe that was a good thing, because I actually found it somewhat entertaining. Yes, it is far from perfect as the interesting sounding plot spiraled into an abyss of cliché, but that was OK. The acting was decent, the pacing solid and there was a lot to like. Unfortunately, the spiraling plot became way too unbelievable and even predictable, the characterization was off and to be honest the storyline (which had potential) was not used to it fullest possibilities. In the end, the mystery / thriller had a lot of potential, but fell flat. While it is far from the worst flick out there, it is not a must see.

The Bloodstained Shadow (1978)

After watching the Crimson Rivers last night, I decided to venture back into the world of vintage 1970s giallo. Of course, I had to wait until the Pirates defeated the Giants today so I could Raise the Jolly Roger here at the house, before I could get started. Fortunately, for me, I have a ventriloquist dummy here in the living room that holds the flag perfectly. Now let’s move on to the movie, the 1978 giallo The Bloodstained Shadow.

Plot/ The body of a schoolgirl is found in a meadow. The murderer is never caught, and years later; a young man named Stefano returns to the island and is reunited with his brother, the local priest.

While this was not the best giallo I have watched, it definitely had all of the elements except the dark leathers gloves. Sure, the story drifts a bit and some of the pacing draws it to almost a complete crawl, but those are the only major flaws (unless you count a lack of chemistry between some of the actors). This one has a great combination of cinematography, setting and score with some decent kills thrown if for good measure, not to mention some solid acting (even with the dubbing issues). In the end, it may not be a great giallo, but it was an entertaining flick that should be seen by fans of the genre.