Dark Island (2010)

With all of the talk of Ebola or Enterovirus D68 (the virus we should all be worrying about), I felt it would be fitting to dive into something that had bioweapons at the heart. After some digging, I found the 2010 low budget entry Dark Island.

Plot/ Soldiers and scientists visit a remote island, the site of bio-weapons research, after losing contact with the staff there.

If you have read my blog in the past, you would know that I love low budget cinema, especially if the storyline shows originality and the potential to be something more with a larger pot of money. Unfortunately, this low budget entry suffers from something that drives me insane: cliché. It is one thing to pay homage to shows or movies, but to cut-and-paste different elements of storyline from these popular entries drives me crazy. Yes, it suffers from uneven performances, an underdeveloped script and too many clichéd characters and story elements (Think Umbrella Corporation, Komodo vs. Cobra, or Lost). Sure, the CGI actually worked in this one, which does give it some bonus points, but it is definitely not saving it. In the end, this Sci-Fi flick lacks action and originality and is a struggle to watch. Stay Away!

Apocalypse Kiss (2014)

Last night, everyone went to bed and left me to hang out all alone. After some debate, I decided to venture into low budget independent mode with the 2014 Sci-Fi entry Apocalypse Kiss.

Plot/ government security agent Jerry Hipple has been unsuccessfully tracking the city's most infamous criminal The Red Harvest Killer. When two nomadic lovers enter the city, the death-count rises and the killers and victims alike are unaware the world is about to reach an abrupt catastrophic ending.

I am usually a sucker for any film from Midnight Releasing or Brain Damage Film, but somehow I missed this one. Honestly, I am not sure how that happened, as this one had so many visible elements on the box alone that drew me in. More importantly, this one did not disappoint. The story was layered and interesting; the cast was solid and fit well within their roles, the soundtrack fits, and the quality of the special effects truly appeared grander than the budget. Yes, there are some flaws with the pacing and there are some lighting issues, but those are only minor flaws that do nothing to the overall feel of the movie. In the end, this was one of the more entertaining low budget films I have seen in some time. Not for everyone, but if you love Sci-Fi in the vein of Blade Runner, give it a shot!

Satan's Little Helper (2004)

There are times when I am just searching for some mindless horror, and I was definitely in that mood Saturday afternoon. While part of me wanted to take a nap, the other wanted to push through some homework. For some background entertainment, I decided to throw on the 2004 indie entry Satan’s Little Helper.

Plot/ A naïve young boy unknowingly becomes the pawn of a serial killer.

Let me start by saying that this movie absolutely surprised me. Honestly, I have no idea how many times I passed it over expecting something miserable. While this is far from perfect, it was the right mix of comedy and horror to keep me entertained throughout. Technically, the flick works, featuring a decent cast, an interesting storyline, and many decent cinematographic elements. Not to mention that Satan was perfect and his performance alone was a hit. Sure, the ending seemed to drag on a bit and there could have been some more blood, gore, and guts, but those flaws are to be expected in low budget entries. In the end, this black comedy is entertaining and a good way to pass some time getting into the Halloween spirit. It is definitely worth a shot; check it out!

The Dead 2: India (2013)

In my college class, I am working on a storyline for a novel or novella. While I am debating on exactly what format to follow (leaning toward novella / eBook), I have definitely entered into zombie mode for the past week. Needing a break (and possibly some inspiration), I decided to venture into that realm with my next selection, the 2013 sequel The Dead 2: India.

Plot/ an infectious epidemic spreads through India as an American turbine engineer learns that his pregnant girlfriend is trapped near the slums of Mumbai. Now he must battle his way across a 300-mile wasteland of the ravenous undead.

I remember seeing The Dead when it first came out. I love zombie movies and that movie returned to the more believable George Romero inspired undead. Fortunately, that same idea and philosophy was on display again this time. While it did not match the detail and power of the original, there was still a lot to like. The storyline is good and follows the same narrative as the first, the effects were solid, and the movie embraced the realism that would take place in an apocalyptic scenario. Sure, there are moments that feel too contrived or staged, there were some pre-production issues, and the acting was not quite as believable as it was in the first one. However, those issues do not ruin the film. In the end, this one may not reach the same level, as the first one in the series, but it is an entertaining trip into the zombie mythos. Not for everyone, but if you enjoyed The Dead, you will likely enjoy this sequel. Give it a shot.

The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill (2013)

As I continue to work on tweaking my fiction assignment for the week, I needed to find something to work as background clutter. While there are many flicks out there that would work, I definitely wanted something with some realism. In the end, I decided on the 2013 British flick, The Paranormal Diaries: Clophill.

Plot/ 50 years after an incident, the Clophill legend remains etched on the psyches of the local populace. In 2010, a documentary team was assembled to investigate the legend of the Clophill witches and to try to uncover the truth behind the paranormal events. What followed during that long weekend at Clophill was a terrifying journey into the unknown.

OK, I am a sucker for these found-footage mockumentary flicks. While this movie is not anything new or anything special, it does come across as something a touch more refined than most. Based on a real location that is full of mysterious history, there is a touch of realism added to the movie. Sure, there is little action and it plays more like an episode from one of the many paranormal shows, but there are at least some interesting moments that make me as an investigator smile. In the end, this one is definitely not for everyone. But, if you enjoy paranormal documentaries or television shows, give it a shot; you may like it.

The Horror Show (1989)

After enjoying my trip into the dark world of Rosemary’s Baby last night, I decided I wanted to catch something different tonight as I worked on some homework. First, I watched Left Behind, as some Antichrist vibe was needed as I worked on my project. When that was done, I ventured into the 1980s with the 1989 flick The Horror Show (AKA House III).

Plot/ Detective Lucas McCarthy finally apprehends "Meat Cleaver Max" and watches the electric chair execution from the audience. But killing Max Jenke only elevated him to another level of reality. Now Lucas' family is under attack, his sanity in question, and his house haunted. Aided by a disreputable college professor, can Lucas reclaim his mind, house, and family?

The Horror Show is nowhere close to the classic that I watched last night. However, it is a great example of the splatter/slasher craze of the 1980s. While it is far from perfect, it does have a decent storyline, some solid performances, and a large amount of blood, gore, and violence, all elements that made movies from the 1980s rock! Unfortunately, the pacing is off, the comedic allusions did not work, and the scripting was uneven. In the end, this one is nothing special and not worth searching for. Yes, it is entertaining and would be worth watching if you catch it on Netflix, but remember it is nothing spectacular.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)

I was searching for something to watch tonight after I decided that I was not in the mood to write. Since I did not head to Family Video, I was forced to find something on hand. After some thought, I went to a classic: Roman Polanski’s 1968 classic Rosemary’s Baby.

Plot/ A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.

I have not seen the mini-series, and part of me does not want to because there is no way anyone could come close to duplicating the mastery of Polanski’s original classic. After all these years, Rosemary’s Baby stands as one of the greatest psychological thrillers ever made. In many ways, this is the perfect horror movie, with the perfect cast, a matching soundtrack, dark and brooding atmosphere, amazing cinematography, and a storyline that builds tension in all the right moments. The true genius of this film is Polanski, who constructs this masterpiece as only he can, by creating subtle unnerving tension throughout the entirety of the movie. It is truly amazing. In the end, if you have not watched this masterpiece, you are missing one of the best movies ever made. More than a horror flick, this classic is a must see; check it out!!!

Cabin Fever: Patient Zero (2014)

What a day. Between crazy traffic, a dismal attempt at a nap, and one miserable homework assignment in my writing class, I am ready to hang it up. Before I can do that though, I must venture into the blog, and finish what I had planned. Next up, the 2014 prequel Cabin Fever: Patient Zero.

Plot/ When a group of friends enjoying a bachelor cruise in the Caribbean stumble upon a research facility on a remote island, a deadly virus is unleashed. The group must find a way to survive before the flesh-eating virus consumes them all.

Every virus has an origin (like Ebola and the CDC), and in this installment of the Cabin Fever franchise, we can see the beginnings of one of the most grotesque virus to scroll across my screen. While this flick lacks a huge budget, it does not disappoint with the amount of violence and gore. Unfortunately, that budget impacts a lot more. The acting is so-so; the scripting uneven, the lighting sporadic, and there is an overall cardboard feel to all of the characters. In the end, it was definitely better than I expected, but it definitely did not come close to matching the awesomeness of the original. Sure, it is entertaining and has some positives, but it leaves no lasting impression inside your head. Unless you have no other selection, stay away.