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The Rating System

All opinions are my own. We are all different. What I may think is great, you may this terrible. Don't let my opinios stop you from exploring the vast world of horror in all media.

~Mind Blowing: Search for this movie immediately. It can only be described as pure greatness and possible an instant classic.

~So Good: Highly recommended because for one reason or another it stands out above the usual fair. Put the movie on your radar as it wont disappoint.

~In the Middle: The movie is a nothing special, average affair. It may entertain in the short term but it will be easily forgettable in the long haul.

~Warning: This movie is a cliched driven slop of familiar territory. Only watch if you're really of fan of this type of material.

~Steaming Pile: The movie is absolute garbage, a complete bore, and not worth the time or effort.

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Saint Nick (2010)

AKA: Sint / Saint



Director: Dick Maas

Premise:
Saint Nick returns every December 5 when the moon is full to kidnap and murder children.

My Take:
A fun movie with a unique take on the legend which Santa Claus is based. At time a bit absurd, especially the climax, but there's enough wit and gore to make it more than a enjoyable viewing.

Rating: In the middle



Creative Commons License
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.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Texas Killing Fields (2011)



Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Sam Worthington, Chloë Grace Moretz, Jessica Chastain
Director: Ami Canaan Mann

Premise:
Two small town Texas detectives investigate the murders of several teen girls.

My Take:
A police procedural drama with enough weirdness to make horror fans happy. The type of movie where damn near every character is a suspect and the viewer is always being misdirected.
A great cast with a solid script make this a movie one shouldn't miss.

Rating: So Good



Creative Commons License
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.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Intruder (1989)



Starring: Dan Hicks, Sam Raimi, Ted Raimi
Director: Scott Spiegel


Premise:
A local grocery store staff must work overnight to get ready for the sale of the store. In the process, they are harassed by a killer.

My Take:
The movie surpassed my expectations, which weren't very high. Lots of gore, some sweet camera shots, and some comic relief make up for the movie short comings.
Go for the new director's cut version which is supposedly lots gorier.

Rating: In the middle



Creative Commons License
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.

Friday, February 24, 2012

Phase 7 (2011)

AKA: Fase 7


Director: Nicolás Goldbart

Premise:
An apartment building is quarantined during an outbreak. Several days pass and a man tries to protect his pregnant wife from one of the tenants who starts killing the others off.

My Take:
I enjoyed the flick. It blends the perfect amount of comedy, splatter, and drama in a believable situation. The characters are fantastic.

Rating: So Good




Creative Commons License
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.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Oregonian (2012)


Starring: Lindsay Pulsipher
Director: Calvin Reeder

Premise:
A gets in a car wreck and wanders around for help.

My Take:
One word: boring. The first twenty minutes is nothing but a bloody girl walking through the woods screaming for help complete with an annoying audio overlay. Then comes several weird characters in snippets. Then it's over.
It comes off trying to be like a David Lynch movie and fails miserably. This might have been better as a forty minute long experimental film instead of a feature.

Rating: Warning







Creative Commons License
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.

Monday, February 20, 2012

Exhibit A (2007)



Starring: Bradley Cole,
Director: Dom Rotheroe


Premise:
Judith captures her family's trouble through her video camera which ends up in a horrific outcome.

My Take:
I enjoyed the slow breakdown of a normal, caring father under every day pressures of life. It's the kind of scenario which could happen which makes it all the more frightening. But quite often I found myself not really caring about the family.
Overall, it's worth watching movie.

Rating: In the middle








Creative Commons License
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.

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Contagion (2011)



Starring: Matt Damon, Kate Winslet, Lawrence Fishburne, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Marion Cotillard
Director: Steven Soderbergh

Premise:
An unknown virus sweeps its way across the globe infecting millions as doctors try to find a cure and government official try to keep order and normal people attempt to hold their lives together.

My Take:
What makes this movie so damn frightening is the scenario is 100% plausible.
It has a star studded cast, a top notch director, and a solid script. It's very interesting watching the different react to the spread of the virus, the containment, and handling a cure. Everything clicked for me.
You'll never want to shake hands with another person again.

Rating: So Good




Creative Commons License
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.

Friday, February 17, 2012

Wrecked (2010)



Starring: Adrien Brody
Director: Michael Greenspan

Premise:
A man awakens in a wrecked car at the bottom of a ravine. He battles the elements of the secluded location and attempts to remember how he ended up there.

My Take:
In order to pull this type of movie off, basically a one person movie for 90 minutes, you need either a great character and an engaging actor. While Brody certainly has the acting chops, the character falls short.
Most of the movie is spent trying to figure out if he's hallucinating or actually trying to pull himself from the wreckage. Then suddenly at the end of the movie, he remembers everything.
It's not a horrible movie but one that will easily be forgotten.

Rating: In the middle




Creative Commons License
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.

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Julia's Eyes (2010)

AKA: Los Ojos de Julia


Director: Guillem Morales

Premise: Twin sisters suffer from an degenerative eye disease which causes blindness. One of the sisters dies a mysterious death. The other believes she was murdered and sets out to investigate while her sight deteriorates.

My Take:
The film has a nice premise. But it moves slowly, a tad too slowly in this case. About fifteen minutes could have easily been trimmed and helped the pace. And the mystery turns a more into a stalker situation. Still the movie is worth a watch.

Rating: In the middle






Creative Commons License
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.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Tresspassers (2006)



Starring: Michelle Borth, Joleigh Fioravanti
Director: Ian McCrudden


Premise:
A group of friends head to a secluded beach in Mexico. The locals tell them the beach is cursed by the followers of religious fanatic called "El Gringo" who now cannibals.

My Take:
A silly story all around and quite boring.

Rating: Steaming Pile



Creative Commons License
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.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Fright Night (2011)


Starring: Colin Farrell, Anton Yelchin, Imogen Poots, David Tennant
Director: Craig Gillespie

Premise:
A man moves in next door to a single mother and her son. As disappearances in the town pile up the son starts to suspect the neighbor is a vampire.

My Take:
First, the movie comes no where near the greatness of the original. Not in any way.
Second, if you don't compare it the original and judge it on its own merit then the movie is adequate.
I enjoyed the some of the updates the movie had such as the Vegas locale, the suburbia lookalike America, and more explanation of the vampire origins. But missing are the general creepiness and character build.

Rating: In the middle



Creative Commons License
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.

Monday, February 13, 2012

The House (2007)

AKA: Baan Pii Sing


Director: Monthon Arayangkoon

Premise:
A reporter investigates a murder in house. Then discovers three other murders the same number of years apart occurred at the same location. The closer she gets to the truth, the closer she gets to becoming the next victim.

My Take:
Follows the formula of many Thai horror flicks. Ghosts and a mystery and a big swerve towards the end. The formula works for me, well most of the time, and this movie is no exception. Too bad some other things in the plot drag the story down.

Rating: In the middle




Creative Commons License
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.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Burke and Hare (2011)



Starring: Simon Pegg, Andy Serkis, Isla Fischer
Director: John Landis


Premise:
Two men take to murder in order to sell the bodies for dissection to a prestigious doctor at the prestigious Edinburgh medical school.
Takes place in the mid 1800's and based on a true story.

My Take:
The only thing really horrific is the way the characters make their money. The cast is amazing and play it perfectly with the comedy. And there is lots of it.
A nice comeback for director John Landis with a twisted take on historical events.

Rating: So Good


Creative Commons License
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.

Friday, February 10, 2012

Emanuelle & the Last Cannibals (1977)



Starring: Lara Gemser
Director: Joe D'Amato


Premise:
Emanuelle gets an assignment to write an article about a long lost tribe in the Amazon with cannibal tendencies.

My Take:
I should have known better. I had hoped for more of the Italian style cannibal movies of the time period. I received very little of.
There was ample amounts of nudity from the lovely Lara Gemser and others (as in all the Emanuelle movies) in ridiculous scenes that run way too long.
Really the movie is just boring.

Rating: Steaming Pile



Creative Commons License
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.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

The Caller (2011)



Starring: Stephen Moyer, Luiz Guzman, Rachelle Lefevre
Director: Matthew Parkhill


Premise:
A woman has split up from her abusive husband and moves into an apartment. Soon she begins to get phone calls from a woman looking for her unfaithful. The woman is from the past and the her actions start effecting the present.

My Take:
An interesting concept which has some general tension. It starts to loose a bit of the tension when the whole "butterfly effect" scenarios comes into being. A good cast as well.
Still, it's worth a viewing.

Rating: In the middle (with upside)



Creative Commons License
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.

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Grave Encounters (2011)



Starring: Sean Rogerson, Juan Riedinger, Ashleigh Gryzko
Director: The Vicious Brothers


Premise:
A group of paranormal investigators go to a run down insane asylum to film an episode for their TV show. While there, the group finds far more activity then expected. And not friendly kind either.

My Take:
Another "lost footage" movie, which I tend to be a fan. The movie is quite good. It has a fine cast and good scares which builds suspense to a bizarre and crazy outcome.
Give this one a try.

Rating: So Good



Creative Commons License
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.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Sanctuary, Season 4 (2011)

Starring: Amanda Tapping, Ryan Robbins, Robin Dunne, Christopher Heyerdahl


Synopsis:
This season has Hollow Earth getting destroyed. The abnormals rise to the surface to escape and find the humans aren't ready for them. A battle breaks out between the two with The Sanctuary members trying to keep the peace and come up with a solution for all.

My Take:
The entire season had a strong focus and sense of direction. And a story better than last season, though the two are connected.

I feel like this series has come to an end. I'm not sure if SyFy has renewed it or not. While I found the season enjoyable the overall premise really doesn't have anywhere left to go.

Favorite Episode: "Sanctuary for None, part I and II"
The two part season ending episodes wrapped the story up nicely and tied up many the loose ends concerning the abnormal uprising, the US government, and the Sanctuary.

Rating: In the middle




Creative Commons License
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.

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Detour (2009)

AKA: Snarveien


Director: Severin Eskeland


Premise:
A couple are forced to take a detour through the forest on their way home to Norway. A series of too coincidental things occur and soon the couple discover they are part of a snuff movie being broadcast to the internet.

My Take:
A decent plot and good acting are the strength of the movie. It doesn't attempt to reinvent things but does a solid job at telling this all too familiar tale.

Rating: In the middle





Creative Commons License
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.

Friday, February 3, 2012

Hostel III (2011)



Starring: Kip Pardue, John Hensley, Sarah Habel
Director: Scott Spiegel


Premise:
A group of friends head to Vegas for a Bachelor party weekend. They end up in the wrong club and one gets kidnapped. The rest of the group attempts to find him and end up as part of the a game where their lives are the bet.

My Take:
Nothing really stood out in this sequel except one or two kills (and those have been seen before).
Unless your a fan of the franchise, then you probably wont be interested.

Rating: Warning





Creative Commons License
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.

Thursday, February 2, 2012

SARS Wars: Bangkok Zombie Crisis (2004)



Director: Taweewat Wantha


Premise:
The SARS virus mutates and causing the infected to turn into zombies. The beginning of the outbreak is contained in a Bangkok apartment building where a gang kidnapped a girl who they are holding for ransom.

My Take:
Some over the top comedy, decent special effects, and shear bizarreness make this a mildly entertaining movie.

Rating: In the middle





Creative Commons License
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.

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Guard from the Underground (1992)



Director: Kiyoshi Kurosawa


Premise:
Workers at an office building start getting murdered.

My Take:
This early Kurosawa has all the director trademarks - specially a slow build and tension. There's a little more to the premise but going more in depth will spoil the mystery.

If you like the director's other films or a fan of suspenseful thrillers with minimum gore or love 80's slasher movies then please give this flick a viewing.

Rating: So Good




Creative Commons License
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.