If a Tree Falls (2010)

Starring: Breanne TeBoekhorst, Ryan Barrett
Director: Gabriel Carrer

Premise:
A group of friends go on a road trip. They stop to camp in the woods and are terrorized by strangers.

My Take:
I'm really getting tired of these types of movies. One dimensional characters that you dont care about being killed by strangers for no apparent reason. Give me something to care about or at least keep remotely interested in.

Rating: Steaming Pile




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.

From a Whisper To a Scream (1987)

AKA: The Offspring

Starring: Vincent Price, Clu Gallager, Martine Beswick, Susan Tyrell
Director: Jeff Burr

Premise:
An old man tells a reporter frightening tales from a small town in Tennesee.

My Take:
Not a bad anthology with four solid segments and a nice wrap around with Vincent Price.
My favorite segment was the first about a man who lust after a woman until his desires spells her end. There's a such a messed up twist at the end I never saw coming.

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.

Outcast (2010)

Starring: Kate Dickie, James Nesbitt
Director: Colm McCarthy

Premise:
A mother tries to hide her son from a horrible secret and protect him from two hunters out to murder them. While on the run, the son falls in love with a girl and a beast is on the loose killing people.

My Take:
While it's fairly predictable to figure out the connection with the beast and it moves a bit slow, there's enough to keep things interesting. Mainly due the eerie air of magic in the story and the strong performances by Dickie and Nesbit.

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.

Deep Crimson (1996)

AKA: Profundo Carmesi

Director: Arturo Ripstein

 
Premise:
An overweight woman with little prospects falls in love for man who seeks out elderly rich woman and murders them for money, then joins him on the killing spree.

My Take:
The story loosely based on "The Lonely Heart Murders" and  set during the 1940's in Mexico.
It focuses mostly on the relationship between to the two main characters instead of the murders, which carries the film. But there's a couple of grisly scenes to satisfy a fan's blood lust.

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.

Moon Dance

Author: S. P. Somtow



Synopsis:
A man is locked in a mental institution. He is suspected of being a notorious serial killer. A journalist comes to write book on his story only to discover a man suffering from multiple personalities and a mythical Indian folklore concerning shape shifters. As the writer uncovers more of the story, she finds out their family histories are linked.

My Take:
This is a massive book clocking in at around 550 pages. It is crammed full of beauty, mystery, and terror. It's amazing to me that an author born in Thailand and raised in the UK can write so detailed about the Old West America. He obviously did the research.
The tale effortlessly moves between the emerging young West of the mid 1800's and the 1960's while slowly making the connection between characters from both eras with savage and seductive writing.
A gripping 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.

Remains (2011)

Starring: Grant Bowler, Evalena Marie, Tawny Cypress, Lance Reddick
Director: Colin Theys


Premise:
The majority of the world's population turns to zombies after an accident. Survivors hold up in a casino and fight for survival.

My Take:
Based on Steve Niles graphic novel.
I tried but just couldn't get into this typical zombie flick. There is nothing new here that hasn't been done better in another movie. 

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.

Lovely Molly (2012)

Starring: Gretchen Lodge, Johnny Lewis, Alexandra Holden
Director: Eduardo Sanchez


Premise:
Newlyweds move into the wife's childhood home. Soon after they start experiencing things which aren't quite right.

My Take:
The movie takes a typical story and presents it in a new way. Throughout the viewer isn't really sure if the girl is being haunted by a real apparition or if she's mentally breaking down because of the what happened to her in the house as a child or if these things are a cause of her drug relapse. And right up to the end, there is evidence of all three and it leaves you decide.
An outstanding performance by the lead actress you bares her soul on screen.
The movie mixes handheld camera feed from the actress with the more typical staged camera shots. The results are interesting.

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 Phantom Carriage (1921)

AKA: Körkarlen

Director: Victor Sjöström


Premise:
During a night of drinking, three friends recount the legend of the "phantom carriage" which says the last sinner to die on the eve of the New Year will be forced to be the collector of the souls.

My Take:
For a silent movie made nearly 90 years ago, it holds up fairly well. The camera and lighting techniques stand out. Great performances too.
Check out this classic flick.

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 Revenant (2012)

Starring: Dave Anders
Director: D. Kerry Prior


Premise:
A soldier is killed in Iraq. A day after his funeral the man arises from his grave. He searches out his best friend to help him figure out what is going on. Together they became vigilantes, preying on criminals in order to satisfy his craving.

My Take:
I liked the movie. It's fun to watch. There are humorous moments, has some unique things in it, and has a good camaraderie between the two best friends.
However, I dont normally think this way, but the run time was a tad too long and could have used 10-15 minutes shaved off. Some scenes just seem to go on for no real reason. 

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.

Silent House (2012)

Starring: Elizabeth Olson, Adam Trese, Eric Sheffer Stevens
Director: Chris Kentis, Laura Lau

Premise:
A young woman helps her father and uncle clean up the old family lakeside house in the country. While there she believes the house has been invaded by intruders.

My Take:
I've seen the original and knew what to expect as far as story goes. Sort of... as this version goes to a little darker place, isn't quite as tight with logic, and changes the final up a bit. While it's not as subtle as the original the changes dont lessen the final impact too much.
If you haven't seen the original, you'll probably enjoy the twisting path the movies down. And for technical buffs worth watching based on the simply terrific camera work.
 Elizabeth Olson who shines in the lead. Another simply brilliant performance by this woman who is quickly becoming a name to watch.

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.

Encounters of the Spooky Kind (1980)

AKA: Spooky Encounters / Gui Da Gui

Starring: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo
Director: Sammo Hung Kam-Bo

Premise:
A man's wife and her lover plot to kill her husband with the help of a dark wizard. The man must then defend his life against these beings while trying to prove he is innocent of murder.

My Take:
I like most of the martial art-horror-comedy hybrid movies I've seen from Hong Kong. This influential flick laid ground work for many future films in the subgenre and it's a good one. If you've never seen this type of movie then start here.
Sammo (who later gained US fame for a television series) puts on a great comedic performance and does some serious stunt work, especially for a larger man.
The movie contains zombie police, possession, wizards, and hopping vampires. Plus the ending must be seen to be believed!


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.

11-11-11: The Prophecy (2011)

Starring: Timothy Gibbs, Michael Landes
Director: Daren Lynn Bousman

Premise:
A successful novelist, grieving from the deaths of his wife and young son, goes to his home to see his dying father, a former priest. While there he finds out his brother, the current priest of the church, is getting death threats and the possibility of something sinister from the other side being responsible.

My Take:
The story was decent, yet fairly predictable. The actors were good. And it's a beautifully shot movie with a lot of German Expressionism feel with the dark shadows. But it just didn't come together for me in a positiver manner.

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.

Emotion (1966)

Director: Nobuhiko Ôbayashi


Premise:
A girl comes to the city and meets another girl, then falls in love with a vampire.

My Take:
I do enjoy experiment films, especially from this time period.
The story here is a bit soft and odd (typical for an experimental film) but the visuals more than make up for it.

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.

Night Wolf (2010)

Starring: Isabella Clathorpe, Tom Felton
Director: Jonathan Glendening


Premise:
A girl returns to her countryside UK home after living in the US. During the night a beast comes and attacks the family.

My Take:
The movie lacks in story (very predictable), gore (very little), and actual looks at the unique style of the werewolf (very limited). It feels like the director made a decision to go for more suspense than the other but the character's actions hinder what suspense there is.
It's a shame because with some tweaking this movie separated itself from the average.

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 Beast With Five Fingers (1946)

Starring: Peter Lorre
Director: Robert Florey


Premise:
After a pianist dies, several mysterious murders begin taking place. Is it the work of a person or an evil force still residing in the house?

My Take:
Peter Lorre was simply one of the best actors of his era (not just horror actors). He makes any movie a pleasure to watch. This movie is no exception.
The tale which rides the line of mystery and local superstition. It's a rather typical studio movie from the Hollywood's Golden Age, but that doesn't make the movie any less enjoyable.

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.

Herschell Gordon Lewis: The Godfather of Gore (2010)

Director: Frank Henenlotter & Jimmy Maslon

Premise:
The story behind the film career of the "Godfather of Gore", Herschell Gordon Lewis.

My Take:
A fine documentary with Lewis and his producing partner talking about their start in the movie business with cheap, nudie films and then on to cheap gore movies.
A fascinating insight to exploitation movies of the 60's and 70's.

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 Intruders (212)

Starring: Clive Owens, Carice von Houten
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo


Premise:
Two children in different countries are stalked by a monster called Hollowface who wants to take their faces.

My Take:
After a strong and interesting beginning, a solid middle, the movie fell apart in the final act. At least for me.
The two parallel stories of Hollowface come together in a nice, yet predictable, way. It's not a perfect movie but it's well acted and filmed.

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.