We Are What We Are (2010)

Director: Jorge Michel Grau


Premise:
After there father disappears and is eventually found dead, his family must figure out how to survive without him. Their mother is borderline mad, the brothers fight for control, and the sister tries to piece it all together as the time for the ritual nears and meat must be captured.

My Take:
A cannibalism movie masked in a family drama. The family must try to carry on after the loss of the person who took care of them all. While you never find out the meaning behind the rituals, you know its important to family. Each character is played to perfection as their lives are thrown into upheaval. The story explodes to a violent ending.

Rating: So Good (and then some)

Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Scar (2007)

Director: Jed Weintrob
Starring: Angela Bettis, Christopher Titus


Premise:
A woman returns to her hometown where she survived capture from a serial killer. And upon her return, the killings start up again.

My Take:
It took me about a third of the movie to figure out the time line of the movie. Maybe I wasn't paying much attention. It's a rather formulaic serial killer movie with a heavy torture angle. Nothing new or all that interesting.

Rating: Warning

Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Phoonk 2 (2010)

Director: Miland Gadagkar


Synopsis:
The movie picks up where the events of the first one left off. Rajiv takes his family on vacation out of the city to a rural area. They find a mysterious statue on the property they are staying at. Soon a strange doll is found which comes to life. Then Rajiv's wife gets possessed by the ghost of Madhu.

My Take:
Maybe its just that creepy dolls have always freaked me out a bit. I enjoyed this one. The premise is nothing new but gets a fresh look as seen through Hindu eyes.

Rating: In the Middle





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Durham Country, Season 3 (2010)

Starring: Hugh Dillon, Laurence Laboef

Premise:
Season 3 jumps a head in time a bit as Mike and Audrey have worked out their differences while preparing to have a new baby. Sadie and Ray Jr are living together.
This season focuses on Mike's new partner Ivan who's has a missing wife and shady family members while Mike tries to figure it all out plus deal with new family turmoil.

My Take:
The opening scene of the first episode is as grizzly as I've seen on TV in awhile. Mike is his usual hotheaded self who is quick to jump head first into cases while leaving his family on the back burner. Sadie plays a bigger part in this season as she becomes part of undercover investigation with meth dealers.
A superbly acted and bleak show changed the coarse a bit this year. A while the story was a much needed change, the characters haven't grown any. They are making the show start to feel monotonous.

My Take: So Good (but falling slightly)




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Ring Finger (2005)

AKA: L'Annulaire


Director: Diane Bertrand
Starring: Olga Kurylenko


Premise:
After slicing off the end of her finger in a bottling factory, a  woman starts a new job at a laboratory that preserves "specimens". Soon she starts a relationship with her boss forcing her to deal with her life and "specimen".

My Take:
An eerie and moody drama where nothing is at it seems. People bring in a variety of "specimens" from scars to bones to music for preservation and a way of heeling themselves from painful memories. The doctor is portrayed as a caring oddball but you get the feeling of the darkness inside him. Kurylenko is amazing in this film. There is not an over abundance of dialog and the ending leaves the interpretation up to the viewer. 

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Tucker & Dale vs Evil (2011)

Director: Eli Craig
Starring: Andrew Tudyk, Tyler Labine, Katrina Bowden


Synopsis:
Two country living, best friends decide they need a vacation. They buy a run down cabin in the woods and head out for a relaxing weekend. Along the way, a group of city going college students cross their paths. The kids get the idea that the two best friends are killers and decide to attack them first. Murder and mayhem insue.

My Take:
One of the best movies I've seen in a long time. It's smartly written, turns the genre on its ear, and has the perfect pitch of humor. The cast is outstanding; Andrew Tudyk is awesome as usual. There is plenty of gore to go around. This is movie which should gain a huge following as time goes by.

Rating: Instant Classic




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Upright Man by Michael Marshall

Author: Michael Marshall

Premise:
Ward Hopkins is running scared for his life after coming in contact with a group called The Straw Men. Former L.A. Detective John Zandt is still seeking revenge for what The Straw Men did to his daughter. And FBI Agent Nina Baynam is trying to piece together an unrelated series a murders, which could be the work of notorious serial killer "The Upright Man".

My Take:
An intense sequel to "The Straw Men" brings back all the main players (Ward Hopkins, John Zandt, & Nina Baynam) and has the reader guessing at the puzzle pieces until the last third of the book. While it doesn't leave the reader when an icky feeling like the first story, this one stands by itself strong enough.
Much like the first novel this once jumps between three main character's and seemingly unrelated storylines, each written in different tenses. I love the explaination behind the powerful Straw Men group and their reason for human destruction.

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Baby (1973)

Director: Ted Post
Starring: Anjanette Comer, Ruth Roman


Premise:
A social worker takes on a case of the Wadsworth family which consists of a mother, two grown daughters, and a grown son who has the capacity of an infant.

My Take:
Strange doesn't begin to describe this movie. A grown man is treated like a baby and the family claims its because he is mentally challenged. He wears diapers, he cries, he gets spoon fed by his over protective mother and sisters which also seem to be hiding a secret. Throw in a female social worker wants the case as a way to deal with her husband's recent demise. The ending has a dual twist which is so amazingly awesome and disturbing.
At almost forty years old, the movie is slightly dated. But don't let that small detail detour you from this little gem.

Rating: So Good







Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Humains (2009)

AKA: Humans


Director: Jacques-Oliver Molon
Starring: Dominique Pinon, Sara Forestier


Premise:
A group of scientists find a lost tribe of Neanderthals in the Swiss Mountains. Soon they are fighting for their own survival.

My Take:
A lot of running away from creatures, getting caught, escaping, more running. People die throughout. The movie would have rated higher if not for the ridiculous ending. I can only suspend my disbelief so much.

Rating: Warning




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

The Wild Hunt (2010)

Director: Alexandre Franchi
Starring: Trevor Hayes, Kaniehtiio Horn

Synopsis:
A guy goes to a weekend LARP (Live Action Role Playing) retreat to find his girlfriend. His involvement causes tensions to escalate until all chaos breaks loose and a few people take the game into a much serious nature.

My Take:
A look into the world LARP, though probably a bit extreme, this movie provides a world not seen by most. The horror here comes in the violence created by those players who take the game too far. The conclusion left me in awe. I recommend it.

Rating: In the Middle (with big bonus points for something new)





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Creepy Hide and Seek (2009)

AKA: Hide and Go Kill 2


Director: Masafumi Yamada

Synopsis:
Several girls connect online to play a game called "Creepy Hide and Seek". They each perform a ritual to call a ghost to their house. Then play hide and seek with it. However, if the ritual isn't performed correct the girl dies.

My Take:
The movie follows several girls who play this game and one who wants to find out what is going on. It may the typical J-Horror ghost but an original story makes it stand above most. And their are some genuine eerie scenes.

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Quarantine 2: Terminal (2011)

Director: John Pogue
Starring: Josh Cooke, Mercedes Masohn 

Synopsis:
A plane outbound from LA has to make an emergency landing when a virus breaks out. They land and are under quarantine, allowing the virus to take coarse on the passengers.

My Take:
I like almost nothing about the sequel to well made Quarantine, itself a remake of the superior Spanish movie [rec]. My main problem here are the characters. Nearly all of them I want to die a horrible, gory death at the hands of the infected. The flick does supply some decent gore. But let's hope the studio doesn't make a third.

Rating: Warning (moving rapidly towards a complete waste of time )
My advice is not to waste time and watch the [rec]2 instead.




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Insidious (2011)

Director: James Wan
Starring: Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Barbara Hershey


Premise:
A couple thinks their house is haunted until their son falls into a coma like state. Then they realize the haunting is something much more.

My Take:
A creepy first half takes an unexpected but refreshing turn from the normal haunted house story. I have a slight problem with the final five minutes and predictable final act, but it doesn't ruin the movie. A great mood and setting combined with solid acting makes this a very enjoyable tale.

Rating: So Good





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Meat Grinder (2009)

AKA: Cheuuat Gaawn Chim



Director: Tiwa Moeithaisong
Starring: Mai Charoenpura

Synopsis:
A woman runs a noodle shop where she uses a special kind of meat...human.

My Take:
I like how many horror films made in Thailand break up the time line with flashbacks and flash forwards. It makes you pay attention in order to piece the story together. This movie is more gory than many Thai flicks, It's off set by a great mood and stunning photography.
And what makes it even more interesting is the lead actress is a hugely famous singer in her country.

Rating: So Good




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Phoonk (2008)

Director: Ram Gopal Varma


Premise:
An architect finds out two associates are embezzling money from a building project. He publicly embarrasses them. To get revenge one of the associates, and seemingly crazy woman, uses black magic to curse the architect's family and put his daughter under a spell.

My Take:
An Indian spin on fairly familiar territory of curses and possession makes the movie watchable. The crazy woman's laugh will grate on your nerves.

Rating: In the middle




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Snow White: A Tale of Terror (1997)

Director: Michael Cohn
Starring: Sigourney Weaver, Sam Neill, Gil Bellows, Monica Keena

Synopsis:
A very loose adaptation on the classic Grimm Brothers tale.

My Take:
A solid acted flick with a unique spin on the familiar story to keep it interesting.

Rating: In the Middle





Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Beautiful Teacher In A Torture Hell (1985)

AKA: Bikyoshi Jigokuzeme

Director: Masahito Segawa

Synopsis:
A former fencing champion turned teacher gets a new teaching job in a rural area due to an old friend's recommendation. The woman is attacked by local kids and then trapped by the Director of the School where she is tortured sexually into submitting her pride.

My Take:
I'm not sure exactly what to make of this movie. Some of the sexual torture scenes are brutal but the over acting keeps from getting too weird. Still a long to way for a person to get some revenge.

Rating: Warning






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Torchwood: Children of Earth (Season 3, 2009)

Starring: John Barrowman, Eve Myles

Synopsis:
Aliens use all the children of Earth to communicate a message, "We're coming". The aliens arrive in Britain and demand a third of the Earth's children or else they unless a virus to wipe out all of humanity. The remaining Torchwood team tries to help humanity by stopping the aliens and dealing with the secrecy of the world's governments.

My Take:
I just wasn't as taken with this shortened third season. It contains all one story arc about alien contact and the taking of children. That doesn't mean the season is bad or a waste of time, but after the awesomeness of season two it was a let down.

Rating: In the Middle (on the high side)






Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.

Dead Hooker In the Trunk (2011)

Directed & Starring: Jen & Sylvia Soska


Synopsis:
Twin sisters who couldn't be more different, find a dead body in the trunk of their car. Then the situation gets really strange as a variety of people come searching the twins.

My Take:
A dead body, a serial killer, a cult, and a cowboy pimp are a few ingredients that add to the sheer amount of crazy shit happening in this flick. There is plenty of splatter gore and dark humor in this first time outing from real life twins Jen & Sylvia Soska. Set back and enjoy the ride.
This movie has all the ingredients to be a cult classic and is well worth watching.

My Rating: So Good




Fringes of Horror by Sean Kimmel is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Based on a work at www.seankimmel.com.